NOVEL WEB Chapter 220: Round Two
Suddenly, a spark ignited.
In the darkness, the distorted, crowded eyes of the [Champion] reflected the tiny flame, a faint glimmer in their murky depths.
The [Champion] paused, surprised by the spark.
Then—the spark exploded into a raging inferno, its light illuminating the entire eleventh level.
A deafening, guttural roar shook the entire underground structure.
The fire hadn't appeared instantaneously. It originated at the center of the tangled tentacles, then spread rapidly, clinging to them like a parasite.
The crackling of the flames mingled with the [Champion]'s roar, almost obscuring a low groan of pain.
The tentacles, engulfed in flames, thrashed wildly. But before the fire could reach the eyes, they detached at their roots, severing the connection.
But it wasn't enough…
True, persistent infection couldn't be stopped by simple amputation. The severed tentacles, still burning, fell onto the [Champion]'s massive body, igniting secondary fires.
At the heart of the inferno, the source of the flames, Shu floated, his limbs twitching spasmodically, his pupils dilated.
He'd replicated the Molten Emperor's flames, the most powerful fire he could accurately conceptualize and unleash.
He couldn't handle the Fire of Taixuan. Neither the energy cost nor the… feedback.
He hadn't felt the searing pain from the Molten Emperor, but now, engulfed in his own flames, he experienced it firsthand, a bone-deep agony.
Fortunately, it didn't last. He lost consciousness.
The flames finally forced the [Champion] into action. It twisted its colossal body, trying to shake off the burning appendages.
A monstrous roar snapped Shu back to consciousness. His eyes were bloodshot, his teeth clenched.
The pain lingered, but it was less… unbearable. He gritted his teeth, trying to regain control of his body.
But his greatest effort only resulted in a twitch of his fingers.
Fine… there's another way.
Controlling his body directly was impossible. So, he'd… improvise.
He relinquished all control, becoming a quadriplegic.
The pain subsided dramatically. He wanted to take a deep breath, but he couldn't…
This was worse than being slashed a hundred times…
He floated in the air, encased in a thin, spherical barrier that separated him from the flames and kept him from falling into the [Champion]'s maw.
After about thirty seconds, the flames began to dim, their spread contained.
"Thirty seconds… to adapt to thousands of degrees of heat…" Shu murmured to himself. Then, his unresponsive body… sat up.
He couldn't control his body directly, but he could manipulate it like a puppet, using invisible strings.
It was an improvised solution.
I'll have to practice puppetry when I get back…
He stood suspended in the air, his gaze meeting the [Champion]'s clouded eyes.
The flames gradually died down. Shu had learned something.
The tentacles couldn't be pulled or smashed, but they could be cut and burned…
Probably because the previous mutants hadn't possessed blades or fire, the [Champion] hadn't needed to adapt.
Conversely, his empowered punch had only shattered a single tooth, indicating prior exposure and adaptation to blunt force.
The method of defeating it was simple: overwhelm it with a single, devastating attack.
Maybe a nuke?
Backup plan added.
A nuke was impractical. He lacked the fine control needed, and Otto's data started at Tsar Bomba levels, beyond his current capabilities.
What about one of Kiana's ideas?
He mentally reviewed them, finding one that mentioned "shattering a star."
Shu stared blankly.
Also impossible. His current reserves were only enough for a single Divine Key's standard output.
Time for Plan B!
He manipulated the strings controlling his arm, aiming at the [Champion], which was already regenerating its burns.
There were three ways to deal with an adaptable creature.
One: Overwhelm it before it could adapt.
Two: Prevent it from adapting.
Three: Make it unable to determine how to adapt!
"Boom!"
A muffled explosion. The [Champion]'s body jerked. Then it emitted a bloodcurdling scream.
Shu coughed, looking at where his hand was pointed.
A void had appeared. The [Champion]'s flesh and tissue were simply… gone.
It had happened too fast, too instantaneously for either of them to react. Shu didn't know when his attack had connected. The [Champion] didn't realize it had been hit.
Only the belated pain confirmed the attack's success.
He shifted his aim slightly. Another section of flesh vanished. Again, no reaction.
This time, the sensation remained consistent.
Shu's lips twitched into a grim smile.
Life had its limits. When faced with something beyond its ability to react, its adaptability was useless.
Especially for a creature with the [Champion]'s sluggish reflexes, far slower than even Shu's unenhanced speed.
He could whittle it down…
Just as he prepared a third attack, the [Champion]'s massive body began to… shift.