"Hmph. No matter what grade of Dymin-Zoan it is, it stands no chance against the Director," Vincent Franks stated, his voice calm and assured over the link.
He knew that if not for their critical mission, Silas would never have chosen to evade the horde in the first place.
"Just hold your positions. Focus on your sector."
Seeing their leader being overpowered, the two Sunflare-types let out frustrated roars. Their ranged attacks were useless in the chaotic melee.
Driven to desperation, they shrieked commands, driving the entire horde of Ash-Howlers into a frenzied, suicidal charge against the building.
Simultaneously, dozens of writhing tentacles erupted from their backs, lancing out and impaling the nutrient-rich "blood-sacs" on the backs of nearby Ash-Howlers.
A visible stream of crimson energy began siphoning through the tendrils, flooding into the Sunflare-types' bodies.
Within seconds, the organic cannons on their shoulders split open again, glowing with replenished power.
But this time, the barrels weren't aimed at Silas. They swiveled upward, targeting the figures on the rooftop.
"Incoming!" Vincent barked, his sensors tracking the threat instantly.
FWOOM!
Four searing energy projectiles screamed toward the roof.
Trapped on the exposed rooftop with nowhere to run, even a near miss or the resulting structural collapse would mean certain death for Jake and the other Baseline Humans.
"Holy crap! They're cheating! Beasts have no honor at all!" Rolly yelled, his tactical lenses flashing critical alerts as he cursed helplessly.
Just as despair gripped them, Vincent launched himself into the air.
With a sweeping gesture of his hand, a massive, shimmering shield of polished metallic alloy materialized before him with a resonant SHIELDING...
The energy blasts deflected off its flawless surface with sharp cracks of dissipated force, vanishing without even stirring a speck of dust.
"A—An—An ABILITY!" Rolly stammered, his jaw practically hitting the floor of the neural link.
"He's a Meta Being!"
Silas shot a brief, dismissive glance at the two Sunflare-types, a cold smirk playing on his lips.
[You think someone with a 60+ Energy Rating becomes my Vice-Director by being a common fighter?]
His message was a dry, mental scoff as he turned his attention back to the Brute-Rhino-type, which was still completely pinned under his assault.
He increased the pressure, his Golden Hammers driving it downward.
He knew the two Sunflare-types next move. The next energy volley wouldn't aim for the roof—it would target the building's midsection. These Dymin-Zoan, unlike the mindless Ash-Howlers, possessed a vicious cunning.
CRUNCH!
The final hammer blow landed with definitive force, utterly obliterating the Brute-Rhino-type's head.
Without a moment's hesitation, Silas became a blur of motion, charging the two Sunflare-types as they desperately tried to siphon more energy.
Two swift, precise strikes from his hammers later, and they were permanently deactivated.
The effect was instantaneous. The Ash-Howler horde, severed from the Dymin-Zoan's controlling will, devolved into utter chaos.
Those that had been forming a macabre ladder up the building's side lost all coordination, tumbling down in a cacophony of cracking limbs and snarls.
An aura of pure, intimidating power radiated from Silas, causing the scattered Ash-Howlers nearby to shriek and recoil, creating a wide berth around him.
The Morphium Alloy in his hands flowed and reshaped itself into a sharp, glistening blade.
He efficiently carved open the chest cavities of the two Sunflare-types, retrieving two pulsating Blood Crystals.
After a cursory glance, he tossed them into his spatial pack without a second thought.
He then strode over to the massive corpse of the Brute-Rhino-type.
"A variant," he mused aloud, a note of clinical interest in his voice. "Now that's a rare find."
The Brute-Rhinotype's chest plate was incredibly tough, but it was little match for a warrior of Stellar Rank.
Within moments, Silas had pried it open, extracting a pulsating blue crystal nearly twice the size of the ones from the Sunflare-types.
The lingering frustration from the ambush by the Dymin-Zoan evaporated from Silas's demeanor in an instant, replaced by the keen, calculating focus of a hunter who had just stumbled upon an unexpected prize.
A slow, genuine grin spread across his face, his earlier irritation forgotten.
[Hah! A Blue Blood Crystal! It is a variant!]
[This can significantly enhance a warrior's latent potential. And if used in conjunction with a Golden-Thread Blood Crystal... it drastically increases the chance of awakening an ability.]
[The rumors are true—variants can sense potent energy. They seek out superior carriers to consume. There must be something else valuable nearby, but...]
He cut the thought short. The colossal noise of the battle would draw everything for miles.
They needed to move. Now.
He shot back down to street level, unleashing a concussive blast that scattered the remaining Ash-Howlers still piling against the building.
With a powerful leap, he landed back on the rooftop with a soft thud.
"Director, well fought," Vincent said, offering a slight nod of respect.
"Mn. You held the line well." Silas replied, clapping a hand on his Vice-Director's shoulder.
He turned to address the group, his tone shifting back to mission-focused.
"This horde's behavior was anomalous. According to the mechanical hounds' data, our position was never compromised. We need to evacuate immediately and.…"
He stopped abruptly. His eyes narrowed, locking onto Jake with an intense, curious gaze.
The rest of the team fell silent, following their Director's line of sight until everyone was staring at a bewildered Jake.
After a long, unnerving moment, Silas finally spoke, his voice low and measured.
"You're Jake, correct? You mentioned you acquired a Blood Crystal earlier. Show it to me!"