After a full recovery at the Citadel nexus, Archelius, now fully armored with Rank C gear, activated the Warp Function (Minor). Their destination: the fringe of the Northern Continent, the domain of the Technocracy (Level 150).
They materialized on a vast, windswept ice shelf. The air was frigid, metallic, and humming with organized electrical energy. In the distance, colossal, crystalline towers pierced the sky, radiating a sterile, cold blue light.
"The core signature is stable and highly organized," Bethany reported, shivering despite her reinforced clothing. "It's entirely digital and mechanical."
"Their defense will be automated, precise, and relentless," Archelius stated, adjusting his War God's Helm (Rank D+). "We rely on the Anti-Energy Shielding and synchronized movement."
The Drone Swarm
They had barely moved a kilometer when the first contact was made. High above, a swarm of twenty Sentinel Drones (Level 60) descended rapidly, their optical sensors locking onto the organic life forms below.
[Threat Detected: Sentinel Drone (Level 60) x 20. High-Volume Energy Fire.]
"Their focus is volume, not quality," Archelius analyzed. "Raji, Theodore, engage the swarm's periphery. Use your Rank E defense. Lisa, Bethany, maximize Focus Lock you will track the moment the enemy shields flicker."
The swarm unleashed its attack: a terrifying volley of precise, high-speed energy bolts.
Archelius activated his Anti-Energy Shielding (Rank C) and charged straight into the center of the volley. The shielding instantly reduced the incoming damage by 50%, turning lethal fire into manageable impacts.
[Health: 95/100. Core Power: 95/100 (Stable).]
Archelius used his War God's Edge (Rank C) with devastating efficiency, performing wide, sweeping slashes enhanced by the continuous War God's Strike (Rank C). The Rank C power simply bypassed the drones' rudimentary energy shields, cutting the Level 60 units to pieces.
[Sentinel Drone (Level 60) x 10 Defeated. XP Gained: 6000.]
As Archelius decimated the center, Theodore, wielding the Silver Bone Axe (Rank D), and Raji, utilizing her Sprint Burst (Rank E), engaged the remaining drones on the periphery. Their Rank E defense held against the glancing blows, and their coordinated physical attacks axe slams and grapple takedowns destroyed the Level 60 drones efficiently.
[Sentinel Drone (Level 60) x 10 Defeated. Subordinate XP Gained: 6000.]
[Total XP: 51410/102400. Level Up: User Level 31!]
The immediate Level Up solidified Archelius's power. He immediately invested his skill point into his defense.
[Iron Skin (Rank C) Upgraded to Rank C+. Cost: 1 Skill Point.]
Phalanx Guard Encounter
The destruction of the drone swarm triggered a response from the heavy-hitters. Three massive, crystalline robots Phalanx Guards (Level 90) marched toward them. They were armored with layered energy shields and carried heavy plasma cannons.
"Level 90. Extreme precision," Archelius cautioned. "We need a surgical approach. Bethany, Lisa, I need full tracking on the shields! Find the moment the shielding changes polarity for the discharge!"
The Phalanx Guards stopped and aimed their cannons. The air crackled with condensed plasma energy.
"Now, Bethany!"
"Red polarity! Just before discharge!" Bethany yelled, focusing her maximal Focus Lock (Rank E).
Archelius unleashed the passive effect of his Anti-Energy Shielding the Shield Flicker. The Rank C passive sent out a moment of null energy just as the Phalanx Guards prepared to fire.
The shields of the three Level 90 Guards sputtered and collapsed for a microsecond.
Archelius utilized the Warp Function (Minor), spending 50 Core Power, appearing instantly between the three guards.
He didn't use a powerful strike. He used his speed and the penetrating power of his Rank C blade for three rapid, clean, energy-conserving strikes aimed at the exposed central power core of each machine.
SCHK! SCHK! SCHK!
The three Level 90 Phalanx Guards collapsed simultaneously, their plasma cannons dropping harmlessly.
[Phalanx Guard (Level 90) x 3 Defeated. XP Gained: 27000.]
[Total XP: 78410/102400. Level Up: User Level 32!]
The Technocracy's Counter-Mastermind
The rapid, efficient destruction of their heavy units sent a shockwave through the Technocracy's integrated network.
Archelius immediately invested his new Skill Point.
[War God's Fist (Rank C) Upgraded to Rank C+. Cost: 1 Skill Point.]
He was now prepared for the next escalation.
Suddenly, a clean, emotionless voice filled the air, broadcast directly into their comms via the exposed network.
"Threat Designation: War God Host. Rank C. Efficiency: 99.8% against standard protocol. Countermeasure Required."
A single, specialized unit warped onto the ice, surrounded by a complex web of crystalline shields. It was smaller than the Phalanx Guards, but radiated a terrifyingly organized energy Level 120.
[Threat Detected: Data Weaver (Level 120). Entity Classification: Nexus Chronos Proxy. Abilities: Predictive Shielding, System Analysis.]
"My name is Unit 734-Alpha," the synthesized voice stated. "I am an optimized Chronos Proxy. Your tactics are now integrated into my defense matrix. Your Shield Flicker is negated. Your Warp Function is predictable. Your rank is insufficient to continue your dominance."
The Data Weaver raised two complex arrays, which began charging an immense energy beam.
"Your next move is 78% probability of a full Core Power attack," the Weaver analyzed. "My shielding is now set to nullify your System Overload. Your ascension ends here, Host."
Archelius smiled, a cold, focused expression under his helm. This was the challenge he sought a direct confrontation with superior level and counter-intelligence.
"The System is adaptability," Archelius replied, drawing the War God's Edge back into the scabbard. "And your prediction is flawed."
"Raji! Theodore! Prepare the cover!" Archelius commanded. "We are going to give this machine something it cannot predict."