Bro, I'm not an Undead!-Chapter 1676: Stone Hub of Taboos (4)

It was perfection, the swift, profound result that followed Red Rage’s use of [Premium Rising]. The ability allowed the target to evolve once, but didn’t change their characteristics. The Authority of Dimensions, for instance, wouldn’t become a new species of Null Lifeform, far more unique than what he already was. No. He would simply become an exponentially stronger Authority of Dimensions. It was like exceeding the limit of potential within the same species, rather than traversing along that potential.

...And this was why Araeyn had been able to act so efficiently when Weaver told him:

’One unit is within the red statue with tentacles below its nose, and the other is in that one – the statue with the bayonet.’

Araeyn, having been reinforced with [Premium Rising], was able to extract one of the sparks of Focused Null Life Ota three times as quickly as he would have without the upgrade. He weaponized it at once, going on the offensive against Souran.

The Arch-Lich discarded all notions of holding back. She got the impression that this was where she was likely to fall if she continued to dawdle. Was chasing after Kenno’s potential still worth it? Yes, it was! It was the surest way to get back to Aigas without making needless sacrifices!

’What is that power?’ she wondered, her socket flames condensing to dots. She saw it. The spark of energy within Araeyn.

WORRRRRR!

Armas exploded from the distance, and a certain authority washed over a third of the Null Remnant. The Doom Knight was making its move, as prompted by Souran. It marked the Stone Hub of Taboos and expelled a Fated Reef from its Broader Existence!

It might have been the perfect card to play, especially in a place like this. The Null Remnants were owned by no one. They were free for the taking. To claim one, a Deity needed only contend against Araeyn’s will, which was yet to become anything a truly competent Divine should be wary of.

As a great sleet of some straw-like substance exploded outwards, aiming to encompass everyone within its wide mass, Araeyn groaned. The pressure was tremendous. Contending with a Deity on physical terms was already an astronomical task, but this... It was worse.

"Got you there, ugly!" cried Souran, noting how Araeyn was affected. "Now get out of my way!"

She didn’t hold back when she struck. She might have been attacking a Deity-level opponent. Slicing off a hundredth of her soul, she wrapped it in a sixth of her total Undeath energy reserves and shaped it into a bone drill that began revolving at sixty times the speed of light. She accomplished everything in less than a blink, before Araeyn could even contort from the metaphysical strain of engaging in a tug-of-war for the Null Remnant with the Doom Knight.

It was a gamble, Souran knew. One of the ways she could think of to escape the Null Remnant was to destroy Araeyn, but it was a toss-up. What if she just ended up stranded here forever?

’Then I’ll make an empire here and hope to be freed the day Serenity dies!’ she told herself, cackling.

...And then she released the drill. It reached Araeyn before he could even sense it.

Even Skullius would not have allowed it to hit him.

...That is, if it was the Skullius who had yet to learn Focused Null Life Ota.

BOOOOM!

The impact was more resplendent than it was mighty and horrifying. Shards of bone flew everywhere while a heavy torrent of Undeath energy was released into the open space, wasted.

Araeyn... was completely fine. The only thing to break was Souran’s weapon against his hardened body.

...!

The Arch-Lich was beyond baffled. "WHAT?! It can’t be! That is a...It can only be a lie to my sockets!"

But it wasn’t. Even Araeyn himself was astounded. He’d extracted everything when Weaver was explaining to Skullius the benefits of having Focused Null Life Ota (before Skullius gathered the true essence of it himself when he and Weaver became one with [Bringer of All]), but he’d underestimated its powers terribly. Still, it was easy to confuse the properties of Focused Null Life Ota.

Null Life Essence was a resource that came in many variants, but ultimately, its purpose was to fuel complex expressions of power, like physical attributes and skills.

Null EXP was also a resource, but its prime purpose was evolution. It was especially necessary at the impossibly high levels of power in the Null Verse.

As for Focused Null Life Ota...

It only offers two things for most creatures: impossibly powerful physical defense and impossibly powerful physical offense, Weaver had said. The newer Authorities began shunning the practice of mastering Focused Null Life Ota because, at least when it comes to defense, they could sufficiently match what Null Life Ota offers with the massive reserves of Null Life Essence they obtain from their Dominions. Fools.

When it comes to defense, there is no better option than Null Life Ota. After all, it is cost-efficient. Whether you have a dollop or a sea of it, the defense it renders is the same. Aside from exceedingly high expressions of Existential Parallels and the Common Reality Leagues, nothing will damage you. In your circumstances, master, I believe nothing under the Void rank should leave even a scratch.

It was true indeed. It didn’t matter how much Focused Null Life Ota you had. Its base defensive properties remained the same for the user.

Araeyn grinned. Souran’s reaction was branded into his dark sockets.

...But so was the flash of light that followed.

The Fated Reef was expanding, taking root. The Doom Knight would claim the Stone Hub of Taboos.

"Cease at once!"

Red Rage was shining, perhaps more brightly than the glowing straw encompassing everything. He rose high into the sky, weaving behind the falling statues, most of which had been halted by the Doom Knight’s expulsion of a Fated Reef.

"In the name of my master, Skullius Festos Dawn, I condemn you. Empty your reserves!"

...!

It shouldn’t have been the case, but the Apostle’s voice was even more haunting than what happened to the Doom Knight right then. Half of the Doom Knight’s Undeath energy reserves erupted out of its body, pouring out like evaporated blood. It was unexpected and discombobulating. The creature temporarily lost control of its Fated Reef and reeled.

...But so did Red Rage. He couldn’t use [Executive Action, Brilliant Order] without cost, as powerful an ability as it was, quite like [Premium Rising]. He fell from the sky, suddenly having lost his ability to fly. No one attended to him. The gears were still churning.

’What is with these creatures? How do they possess such debilitating abilities?’ thought Souran, and she caught the Undeath energy that had spilled out of the Doom Knight. With her impressive manipulation abilities, she began forcing it back into the Doom Knight.

Araeyn wouldn’t allow it. He was on her in an instant. Souran noticed and cursed. She warped away while keeping up her control of the Undeath energy, but she might have warped along with the Authority of Dimensions. He remained glued to her position, no matter where she went.

He pulled back his arm and focused the Null Life Ota in his fist. He wouldn’t miss the shot, after all, he had one.

When used offensively, it’s different, Araeyn remembered Weaver saying. A blow with Focused Null Life Ota is the farthest thing from cost-efficient, but the result is worth it.

Araeyn was about to find out, and Souran had become daring. She didn’t attempt to dodge, which was perfect for him.

...But an agent of chaos interfered in the perfect play and perfect anticipation.