215. Hunter's Emblem of the Predator
Two galactic-level destroyers clashed in the starry sky. Though not ascended gods themselves, they already possessed the stature of deities—unseeable, untouchable, incomprehensible.
Nothing but distortion and madness.
And eternal life itself is twisted and insane!
Everyone accepted this reality so calmly that madness no longer mattered.
The aide glanced at the battlefield, realizing he couldn't fathom the level at which those two fought. He simply turned away to handle his own tasks.
By chance, his subordinates soon reported in:
"Sir Wudu, an informant on White Candle Star says: Bravo Squad was confirmed destroyed. He observed some of Remaining Moon's subordinates being captured; our teleportation tower also fell into the enemy's hands. Mages are attempting to crack it."
"Looks like we can't retrieve «Fate Card» after all." The aide pondered briefly. "If we can't get it, so be it. What we've already acquired is enough to please the Night Butterflyer. Inform our people to withdraw."
"About the teleportation tower…" the subordinate said worriedly. "If they reverse-engineer our coordinates and technology, it might cause major problems."
"No, it won't. The molecular teleporter tech doesn't hold much value—its success hinges on the Night Butterflyer's blessing."
The Wudu aide waved dismissively:
"Based on prior intel, in 38 hours, «Mechanical Society» Mashgegang will descend here, and Governor's holding them off—that means White Candle Star's destruction is guaranteed. Our objective is met. Since we can't get «Fate Card»…"
He sneered:
"Then those foolish materialist vermin can't have it either."
"But now Trivira City has some formidable forces. If they unify to destroy the councilors, it might be possible…"
"Nobody can fight a matured Society council."
The aide shook his head:
"Nobody. Not even the gods."
Clang!
Li Aozi's sword struck Coulomb Torque's shoulder. The high real damage from [Lord of Iron and Steel] combined with the suppressive effect of [Bloodline]'s [Strength] instantly knocked Coulomb Torque to the ground.
"That's the eighth time."
Li Aozi's hands tingled from the force, his mana reserves hitting rock bottom once more. Standing still, he drew a breath.
"You belong to a decent [Society], Councilor Coulomb Torque. Normally, when a Purple Bronze Hunter like me sets sights on a councilor, five kills is enough to break them."
[Mechanical Society] was still one of the more formidable Societies in the Star Abyss, and its councilors possessed frightening mental resistance.
Yet ironically, in his previous life, Li Aozi had slain countless councilors of predator-type [Societies].
[Purple Bronze Hunter—Your attacks deal +6% bonus true damage against 'Society'-type enemies.]
With that title equipped plus the +300% damage from the [Berserker] template…
As it turned out, [Secret Society] was likely a special exception. Other Societies were practically pickled fish when facing an experienced Li Aozi—sour and soft, surplus to requirements.
Attacks? He'd seen it all.
Skill templates? A well-trodden path.
Tactical maneuvers? Familiar territory.
Attribute values? Overwhelming.
"Your numbers are lacking, your tactics outdated, your thinking archaic—what else do you have to fight me with?"
Unfortunately…
Li Aozi narrowed his gaze.
—He still wasn't a full Zeta-tier.
[Just one more Zeta-tier on our side… I could finish this battle instantly!]
Even if he'd killed him multiple times, Li Aozi didn't have the full strength of Zeta-tier to land a decisive blow.
On the surface, it looked like he was toyingly dominating, but deep down, Li Aozi was anxious.
His mana was limited.
His players would eventually log off.
[Society] had citizens spawning endlessly, backed by infinite energy. Li Aozi simply couldn't hold out forever.
As an individual, he could never outlast [Society]. There were even cases of [Society] Speakers wearing down the gods of narrative-level civilizations to death.
He'd already extended the cooldown of his [Dictator Form] to six months. His genetic load was enormous.
One more transformation was impossible, or he'd lose this exoskeletal body entirely.
If things went badly, unleashing the four Sequence Omega Energies in him would create destruction way worse than Remaining Moon's.
If only we had a second Zeta-tier…
Even just one…
Yet in his current [Domination] path identity, he dared not call for reinforcements—else they'd arrest him, or harm Headmistress Nastisa, who vouched for him.
He could only hope Caramel Snail's group used that philanthropic network to find a Zeta-tier among the populace.
That was his only option.
Otherwise, he and these players would eventually be ground down.
"You…who are you really?!"
Coulomb Torque's body lay half-buried in the snow, sparks and scorching electrical arcs erupting from his battered form and melting the snow around him. His electronic eyes shone with shock:
"Two—three, no! Four! Four Sequence Authorities! No native Star Abyss being can possibly manage that—who the hell are you?!"
"Me?"
Calmly, Li Aozi approached. Coulomb Torque, trusting the Council's protection, was unkillable. Even forcing him into 2D form, he could leap out from the quantum realm.
In some ways, Remaining Moon's powers outclassed his.
In other ways, it was simply… Tsk, 2D is worthless, apparently.
Li Aozi considered whether he should study string theory or quantum physics later. Coulomb Torque's question, however, sent his thoughts careening elsewhere.
[Fine. Time to brandish my calling card.]
"Humble though I am,"
He dragged his blade across the ground, sparks dancing along its edge, speaking slowly:
"I am Li Aozi—also known as 'Li Zi,' 'Leo,' or 'Leoz.'"
He raised the sword, setting it against the foe's neck:
"[God of Reality], proxy of the [Domination] primary deity Morpheedria, the last extragalactic war-god—Leozi reborn."
Leoz flipped his wrist, swiftly slicing upward. Coulomb Torque's head severed from his body.
"You lost to me. No shame in that."
Clack…
Coulomb Torque's corpse toppled over. Sparks and lightning flickered from the severed stump.
'Heh heh heh…'
Yet a rumbling snicker echoed from all sides:
'Leoz? You claim to be Leozi reborn? Hahaha…'
Li Aozi stood still. A wave of electrified particles flashed across the sky, collecting Coulomb Torque's remains—and all the fallen mechanical citizens—hoisting them into the air to be reassembled.
'If you hadn't said so, I might've doubted—but now that you've uttered that, you absolutely can't be Leozi!'
Coulomb Torque's body reformed in an instant. He clamped a visor over his skeletal metal face, eyes glowing green, his synthesized voice brimming with mockery:
"Leozi can't possibly reincarnate."