paranoianovel Chapter 172: A Bigger Smackdown
Chapter 172: A Bigger Smackdown
Chapter 172: A Bigger Smackdown
The gang members couldn't help but gasp in awe and fear as Emir flew through the air, defying gravity with his Aether construct.
And as he hurtled towards them, they scrambled to react.
Evan immediately screamed:
"AETHERIC BULWARK!"
In an instant, an unmovable barrier materialized before them, stretching wide to shield the group.
Simultaneously, Jack and Kiera swiftly shifted their positions, ready to launch a
counterattack.
'So a knight...'
Emir thought as his face showed a hint of amusement, seeing their futile attempts at defense.
And just before crashing into the barrier, he activated his Temporal Perception ability once more, slowing down time around him.
His eyes locked onto the barrier of Aether, and, with a swift movement of his hand, he chanted:
"Blades."
Creating a dagger construct, barely usable, but he only needed it for one thing.
With a single, precise strike, the barrier shattered like glass, leaving the gang members exposed.
Emir smirked as he heard the sound of a gunshot, but with his time-slowing ability, he easily twisted his body and dodged the bullet Jack had fired.
The Ranger's face showed surprise and frustration at Emir's agility, contrary to what someone might expect from his size.
Meanwhile, Kiera had unleashed another volley of fireballs in Emir's direction.
Emir danced through the air like a snake, sidestepping and ducking to avoid each shot with ease, forming a set of almost invisible platforms around him.
He appeared to be a force of nature to them, and they couldn't help but feel the vast gap in their abilities.
And just when it seemed like Emir was about to make contact with the ground, he activated another Aetheric construct beneath his feet, propelling him upwards with incredible speed.
He soared into the air, looking down at the gang members below.
With a smirk, he taunted them:
"Come on, show me what you've got! Don't hold back! Hiro, I haven't seen much of you yet. Sarah, Leo, step up!"
Almost responding to his taunts, he watched as Hiro mouthed the words:
Hiro and Evan.
'A Zenith Warden... These guys are a special package; Lyra taught them well.'
As that thought crossed his mind, a smile crept across his lips.
However, this smile bore an uncanny resemblance to that of a devil's, and the sight of it sent a chill through those standing before him, nearly prompting a chorus of fearful screams.
Sarah, taken aback, noticed the state of her teammates and bellowed:
"ZENITH SOOTH!"
Her voice held authority, and with it came a quiet:
"Zenith Replenish..."
Though her healing efforts appeared to have drained her, the group's vitality surged
pusillanimously.
The depletion of Aether reserves that once dimmed their spirits was now reversed, replaced
with renewed strength.
Kiera's gun swung to aim directly at Emir, mirrored by Jack's swift action.
Meanwhile, Evan and Hiro charged to the forefront, their faces no longer showing fear.
Leo assumed his post, standing guard over the lone figure of Sarah, who remained back.
'Is he some rat? Or is this his plan?'
Emir let out a sigh and shook his head.
Wanting to get this over with, he stepped forward, but just as his left foot reached the ground,
he heard the scream of a young man:
"AETHERIC SIPHON!"
'A TECHNOMANCER!' Emir inwardly roared in happiness, delighted by the news of obtaining
a Technomancer as an underling.
'Man... I wish I'd known this beforehand; it would've made Aria's kidnapping so much easier.'
Emir didn't even bother with the minuscule amount of Aether leaving his body since he could replenish much more than what was taken, so it didn't affect him as much as Leo thought it
would.
He then looked back at the knight and materialized right before him, his agile momentum carrying him forward.