Chapter 1026: Surpass One’s Limits
“System, please tell me that I’m just hallucinating and those are not black holes sucking all the magic away?” Jin begged despite his own eyes telling him that those tidal waves had literally disappeared into that abyssal crevice of that metal cube.
“From the System’s perspective, those cubes have indeed taken the form of black holes and have successfully absorbed all of the Nine Oceans Phoenix’s magical energy from its attack. System and User can only pray that the Southern Leader Saberteeth does not also have the capability to tap into those absorbed powers. Should such a turn of events occur, the enemy would become invincible not only against the Nine Oceans Phoenix but also turn into an unprecedented threat for all the monsters in the Southern Region.”
“Especially after what we did to his Capital, huh?” Jin continued to stay wary of the ongoing fight. Alas, it appeared that either the System had jinxed them or it had (unfortunately) just correctly listed the worst case scenario. The Southern Mage was hysterically laughing as he utilised the very same powers he had absorbed with the metal cubes and unleashed it against Nine Oceans Phoenix.
With a twist.
He had infused own speciality magic into the torrential tidal waves. Although the Mother Phoenix was still able to fly swiftly to evade those very same torrential waves that she had previously summoned, she quickly realised that the attack continued following her as if it was alive.
This caused her to fly zig zag, up and down, avoiding the waves which tried to enclose her at each opportunity possible, but no matter what it kept following her and even shortened the distance. Because of her exhaustion from casting three Tidal Sky Waves, each with increasing intensity, all the Nine Oceans Phoenix was relying upon at the moment was her tenacity to pull her through and it was getting obvious to the observers that she would not be able to outrun it.
“You think those metal cubes are that game breaking?” Jin asked as he tried formulating a few ideas to tackle the existence of such artefacts.
“Considering how the Phoenix’s phenomenal magic could be taken in like a vacuum cleaner, those items must be some sort of artefact left by the Higher Gods and Demons. However, System wishes to note that each item, no matter how strong they seem to be, should have a limit, even if said items were made by the higher beings.” The System stated with confidence that those metal cubes had some life span or limited usage.
Even the ‘almighty’ System had a certain limit to its existence.
“So it’s up to us to test out those limits, huh?” Jin thought as he requested the System to bring Peppers back to his side.
“What? Me again? Is it my birthday or something?” Peppers questioned sarcastically after being kicked out of her room and back in her Red Panda Pyjamas. She had been sure that her schedule would be free after Jin had told her to destroy the Southern Capital.
“Didn’t you complain earlier that you didn’t have enough explosions for the day?” Jin chuckled as he tilted his head towards the fight between the Nine Oceans Phoenix and Saberteeth. Peppers needed some time to understand the situation but the System quickly filled her on by feeding her the necessary information.
“Hmmm…so you basically want me to explode Saberteeth to pieces?” Peppers asked as she summoned her trusty wooden staff again and changed into a more appropriate attire.
“It would be great if it turns out to be that easy. I fear that his metal cubes will absorb your explosion. No, I want you to create an explosion so large that those black holes won’t be able to keep up. Either that or create so many multiple explosions that the black holes are not able to absorb everything. Your choice really.”
“But that might destroy those metal cubes! Just imagine the magical applications we could do with such an artefact!” Peppers moaned as she saw the black cubes in action again as the Nine Oceans Phoenix threw a desperate counterattack against Saberteeth.
“Are you saying that your magic is so useless that you cannot overcome the black hole of some measly metal cubes?” Kraft, the crafty fox suddenly appeared from nowhere as he whistled at the intense fight between the man and Phoenix. At the same time, he saw the potential of the Southern Leader with his chain magic.
“What?! Of all the people who might demean me, you are the last one I will tolerate it from! I shall oppose you with all my strength!” Peppers yelled as she now swung her staff, hoping to hit Kraft but the Devil was agile enough to avoid the swing and slickly moved to the side. From Jin’s perspective, it felt like a family gathering where the older brother had, once again, teasing his younger sister in front of their father who was trying to watch his TV show after a hard working day. It annoyed Jin greatly that he had to keep his calm and asked them to stay focus with the task at hand.
“Guys! Stop playing around! So, Peppers, can you do it?” Jin asked once more. If she was not going to try it out, he would have to think of something more…creative in nature.
“Meh. Why not? As you said, I did not have my fill of explosions for the day. Besides, I will show this crafty fox that my power is unparalleled to some flimsy artefact made by random nonsensical beings who left their things haphazardly for idiots like that Saberteeth to pick up.” Peppers proudly claimed as she readied her staff and started chanting.
While Jin’s one and only Mage Bellator could have done multiple explosions of epic proportions in an instant, this was one of those days where she hoped she could surpass her best record (And that was still the monstrous explosion in the Giant World.)
Maybe that might be excessive in this instance, especially since if things went wrong she might end up wiping out the entirety of the Southern Region, however, Peppers had something else in mind.
When she cast that spell, she traded the area of effect for the quality of the explosion. With that in mind, she concentrated the density of magic particles in her spell in one specific area aimed to blast Saberteeth’s metal cubes into oblivion.
Yet, in order to do this, Peppers needed time to cast. Unfortunately, the Phoenix’ fatigue made it impossible for the bird to grant her that time. Saberteeth was getting more confident in his attacks, making them more aggressive as he saw weakness in the monster bird’s movement.
Thus, Jin tried to look for Kraft to play the part of a meatshield, but as a fleeting phantom, he was already out of sight, as if he had only shown up to incite and spur Peppers to accept the job. When that was done, he disappeared to complete what he needed to do…or rather, felt like doing.
“Gah! That unreliable fox!” Jin muttered to himself as he entered the System Channel to get the two other monsters who were watching the whole fight scene as well. Sandy, the Sand Witch and Shu, the Magical Treant. However, knowing that those black holes could suck any type of magic into it he asked once more whether they were up to the task to provide support for the Nine Oceans Phoenix so that Peppers have enough time to chant her magic.
And all they responded was just two words.
“Yes, Master.”
