The Colossal Iron-Crusher roared, its heavy metallic foot slamming down where Arjun had been a split second before. Dust and debris exploded upwards, but Arjun was already gone, a silent blur dancing around the massive mech.
Vanya, pinned under a twisted beam, watched in disbelief. The "mute kid" was fighting a Level 20 boss alone, moving with impossible speed.
Arjun's mind was a whirlwind of calculations. The Iron-Crusher was slow, but its armor was impenetrable. His Eye of the Silent showed him the pulsing red core—its heart, located on its back, right between two massive hydraulic pistons. Getting there would be suicide.
[Silence Streak: 52:48:10... Multiplier: x1.5]
[Power Accumulating: Enhanced Agility, Perception.]
He dodged a sweeping arm, the wind from the impact nearly knocking him off his feet. He had to create an opening. He needed a distraction.
Arjun noticed a stack of volatile energy barrels nearby. He didn't have time to move them, but he could use the Iron-Crusher's own force.
He waited for the next ground slam. When the monstrous foot came down, Arjun didn't evade. Instead, he timed his [Phantom Whispers] perfectly, darting towards the impact point just as the foot hit. The shockwave propelled him upwards, over the boss's shoulder, right towards the energy barrels.
CRASH!
He landed heavily, rolling past the barrels. The Iron-Crusher, still focused on its target, swung its arm wildly, inadvertently smashing into the stack of barrels.
KABOOM!
A blinding explosion ripped through the air, engulfing the Iron-Crusher in flames and smoke. The massive mech staggered, its armor cracking, one of its red eyes flickering.
This was his chance.
Arjun didn't hesitate. He launched himself through the smoke, 'Dagger of the Void' held tight. The dagger pulsed with dark energy, eagerly reaching for its target. He landed on the Iron-Crusher's back, right above its exposed core.
The mech thrashed violently, trying to shake him off. Arjun gritted his teeth, holding on with superhuman grip. He plunged the 'Dagger of the Void' deep into the pulsating red core.
SHIIIING!
A deafening metallic shriek tore through the air as the Iron-Crusher's systems failed. Its movements became erratic, sparks flying everywhere. Then, with a final, shuddering collapse, the giant mech crashed to the ground, dead.
[Colossal Iron-Crusher (Level 20) Defeated!]
[Silence Maintained. Mission Accomplished!]
[Level Up! You are now Level 8.]
[Hidden Reward Unlocked: Whisper Mode activated!]
[You can now telepathically communicate with nearby sentient beings without breaking your silence. Duration: 10 seconds. Cooldown: 1 minute.]
Arjun stood atop the fallen colossus, breathing heavily. The dust settled, revealing Vanya staring at him, her jaw slack. The few surviving workers looked on in awe and terror.
Suddenly, a voice echoed directly in Vanya's mind, clear as a bell, yet utterly silent.
Vanya gasped, looking around wildly. "Who... who said that?" she whispered, her eyes finally landing on Arjun. He hadn't moved his lips.
Arjun simply tilted his head, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his face.