ocean-life Chapter 156: Delroa
Chapter 156: Delroa
No.6 Delroa.
This Single Number, which had been eliminated in the Lüpir star system, was still a symbol of terror in the Galactic Empire.
The Lüpir star system, where 90% of the Galactic Empire’s forces evaporated during the subjugation operation alone, became the graveyard for most of the heroes who once dominated the space age.
Half of them had become wandering souls as soon as the battle began.
Boom-
“Everyone, close your eyes!”
Just making eye contact with Delroa was enough to blur the boundary between life and death.
Enormous blood-red eyeballs. 12 eyeballs were contained within their pupils. And within those eyeballs, 108 more eyeballs gazed at the Imperial forces.
Staring at the blood-red eyeballs seemed to reverse one’s will to live, as if strangling oneself.
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
Some heroes were strangling themselves while spitting blood.
This isn’t the time to be thinking.
Karlstein forcibly knocked them out and glared at Delroa. Only then could he take in the creature’s full form.
Countless hands enveloped the huge blood-red eyeballs. Behind the body made of hands, 12 wings fluttered slightly, leaving afterimages.
Single Numbers were characterized by a bizarre disgust that twisted one’s thought processes.
That’s not the real one.
It was clearly different from the one that nearly annihilated the Galactic Empire forces. Not only was it smaller than expected, but it also lacked the same overwhelming presence as before.
Yet... its unique mental attacks were similar.
Damn it.
The heroes with closed eyes were trembling and sweating.
In truth, sealing off vision was not a big problem for those here. They had often trained with some of their five senses restricted.
But even so...
“Urgh.”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“What on earth?”
The heroes could barely control their bodies. They struggled to respond properly.
It was a mental attack that went beyond restricting senses, as if completely removing them from perception. Its mental attacks were so bizarre that even non-sensory training could not fill the gap.
This Kaiju was a completely different type from Kameira, which only responded with physical force.
It had to be this one of all things.
Those participating in this subjugation operation were composed to match Kameira.
Heroes were highly valuable personnel. Rather than meaningless sacrifices en masse without considering compatibility like in the past Lüpir operation, they were better catered to specialized missions.
In other words, they were badly matched against Delroa.
I have to do this. No, I’ve got to do it alone.
Fighters like Maxien, Leira, and Palteon had to focus their strength on defeating Kameira later. They could not afford to waste their strength here.
Karlstein steeled his resolve.
Right.
Above all...
“Delroa!!!”
He also possessed Delroa’s power.
Let’s see who’s stronger.
“All forces, fall back!”
Currently, the allies could shout with their mouths open, but they could not tell if they were speaking properly, if they could hear, or if it was real. However, the golden wavelength in Karlstein’s voice was properly conveyed even to allies who had lost their hearing.
“Your Majesty!!”
“Are you there?!”
“My senses... even using Ether...! Ugh!”
Karlstein took a deep breath and shouted, imbuing it with Delroa’s power.
“Do not panic and stay where you are!”
Fortunately, Delroa just stood there staring at him, unmoving.
Karlstein invoked his power and placed his hand on Milo’s shoulder. A force alien to Ether rose and combined with the Ether.
At first, I couldn’t even draw this much...
Golden light seeped into Karlstein’s red Ether.
Whoosh-
A wave spread out instantly as the air was pushed away from Karlstein.
“You should be able to endure for a moment.”
“Urgh...!”
The veins on Milo’s muscular body bulged.
“Y-Your Majesty...!”
His senses seemed to have returned barely, but he was not in good condition.
“It’ll be hard, but bear with it.”
It was the power of a Single Number to begin with. It was difficult for a human body to withstand it unscathed.
No one but Milo could endure this much.
“You lead the others and retreat to the passage.”
“Your Majesty! I cannot—“
“Milo! Do you dare to disobey?!”
Karlstein was urgent. Once Delroa started acting in earnest, he would not be able to pay attention to anything else.
“Ugh! U-understood. Cough!”
“I didn’t call you for nothing. You alone must protect all of them.”
Milo barely managed to nod.
“...If it’s just enduring.”
“Yes, I trust you.”
Most likely... this was as far as Milo could go.
“That’s enough. You’ve done well.”
Having placed such a heavy responsibility solely on Milo, he would likely struggle to contribute in the upcoming battle against Kameira.
“Take care of the rest, install the suppressors, and stand by.”
Karlstein pulled out the No. 6 balance-type armament, a spear and shield form, from his weapon box.
Crack-
Golden Ether began to explode outwards.
“Hoo...”
Golden aura rippled in his breath, and ghostly fire flowed from his eyes.
Why was Karlstein worshiped almost like a religion in the Galactic Empire?
Humans instinctively drew out power to protect themselves from danger. This was correlated with both physical and mental strength. Ether was basically a mutually destructive energy source that destroyed the mind the more it was used.
The more recklessly and excessively humans circulate Ether, the more they unconsciously consume mental strength.
But Karlstein’s mental barrier... had never reached its limit until now.
Ether close to infinity began to burst out from within his body.
I’ve slain it once, I can do it twice again.
***
ᄂuuh, tf wrong with the screen
ᄂflickering on and off lol
ᄂo is it just me? suddenly feeling goosebumps
ᄂyea it been that way since entering that clearing
ᄂkinda feel sick idk y
ᄂughh
ᄂWhat is this?
At first, they thought there was just a problem with the screen. It had been broadcasting fine until now.
But after Delroa appeared on screen, things gradually became quiet.
Was it inexplicable anxiety? Or perhaps an instinct as living beings?
ᄂfack urgh
ᄂsomehow feel like throwing up
ᄂmy heads going fuzzy since that thing appeared
It was as if the reality of 《Chaos》, which had only been felt indirectly until now, was becoming visible.
ᄂIt was this bad?
ᄂand this isn’t even the final boss right
ᄂfeels like a final boss tho rite lol
ᄂnever seen orange looking so seriousface
ᄂuhh what the hells up with those guys?
ᄂSuicide?
ᄂso suddenly wtf?
ᄂmaybe its a mental attack?
ᄂ@.@...
For users just watching through the Community, they only felt chills, without major problems. But when it started affecting reality, it became tangible enough to feel on their skin.
ᄂphew. idk what it wud be like seeing that in reality
ᄂwould prolly faint
ᄂjust fainting is lucky dude
Fortunately, the Community connection gradually stabilized.
ᄂLich-sama doing god’s work yo
ᄂheard bro is pouring his soul into stabilizing the community.
ᄂlmao
ᄂhe was active enough to be a community celebrity, yet he’s gone missing after going under oradge
ᄂthink he being worked to da bone hahaha
ᄂthats how you use engineers lol
And then came Karlstein’s golden Ether.
ᄂthis one’s even worse.
ᄂIs he really human?
ᄂugh. it’s not that gross or idk uncomfortable feeling again but...
ᄂWhat is this?
As Karlstein began to wield his power in earnest, even the Community users could feel it.
ᄂfeels like im boiling inside for sum reason
ᄂsame.
ᄂPassion? Resentment? Anger? Joy?
ᄂno i think its like a complete set of emotions lol
ᄂbros i gotta take a break for a min
ᄂsame.
The confusion from the sudden emotional changes was brief.
ᄂIS THIS REAL?
ᄂare we being affected because Oradge’s in serious mode?
ᄂNo way lol
ᄂsay something believable brahaha
ᄂbut i think it’s true?
ᄂHow strong must he be for this to be possible?
ᄂ....
The Community’s atmosphere became heavier as the influence reached beyond the Community.
It was different from earlier with Delroa. A Kaiju was, obviously, different from humans.
Well, it could be possible. There could exist beings capable of influencing beyond the Community. It was a vague thought, but they did not deny the possibility with thoughts like maybe, perhaps, or could be.
But a human? By himself at that?
It felt different. So much so that they wondered if there was a problem with the Community.
ᄂLich bro r u slacking?
ᄂmonitor the server bro lol
ᄂIs this really okay? What if we suddenly get possessed or something later?
ᄂdats some scary shit ha
ᄂlmao ikr
But they could not help but fall silent at the ensuing battle.
ᄂ....
ᄂ....
The Kaiju called Delroa was being personally torn apart by Karlstein, splattering blood.
***
[Welcome to the secret chat room.]
ᄂYou’ve come?
ᄂWhy so late?
ᄂAh, I had some business.
ᄂI heard you’re quite busy these days?
ᄂWell, aren’t we all?
ᄂHaah.... These are turbulent times.
This was, to put it, a gathering of Community users who did not engage in external activities.
ᄂWhat do you think of the Galactic Empire?
ᄂHmm...
ᄂCautious aren’t we now.
ᄂCome now, it’s just us.
ᄂHmm....
But no one would dare underestimate them.
ᄂIt’s a complicated situation.
ᄂThe world is wide indeed.
ᄂIt was the wrong time to be licking each other’s wounds.
They could not be compared to ordinary users.
ᄂIsn’t it unclear what stance we should take?
ᄂStill... he’s too extreme.
ᄂHis actions since claiming to be an administrator have been truly dangerous.
ᄂNot just extreme, but impulsive too.
ᄂDimensional conquest....
ᄂBut he wasn’t the type to be consumed by conquest either.
ᄂI don’t think it’s bad.
ᄂIt will be difficult to delay any longer. Your dimensions might be the next target.
ᄂHmm....
ᄂLet us decide quickly.
ᄂBut considering Sephiroth and Chaos....
Were they to cooperate... or oppose Oradge?
But as those in power always have, they brought up cautious arguments.
ᄂHe doesn’t seem to know about our existence, is there a need to step forward?
ᄂWaiting might not be bad.
ᄂMhm I agree
ᄂWe need to observe his future actions.
ᄂLet us watch a little longer.
And then...
ᄂOh, I have something else to share with you all.
ᄂMm?
ᄂGood news?
ᄂHaha. It’s nothing much, just thought it might be time to accept a new member.
ᄂOh.
ᄂHow many centuries has it been?
ᄂWell if it’s your recommendation....
ᄂIndeed, I’m quite interested.
ᄂSo what’s their nickname?
ᄂIs it an active fella?
After a moment’s pause, someone finally revealed the nickname.
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ᄂIt’s someone called I’mThePirateKing.
ᄂOho....
The Community was vast, yet at the same time, /genesisforsaken