The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 20

“What the heck is this!!”

McDowell harshly exclaimed, his expression twisted in frustration. His punch, which he thought would be a decisive blow, was mysteriously blocked in mid-air for reasons unknown.

Zzzt.

A semi-transparent barrier sparked where his fist collided with the air just in front of Raul’s chest.

In other words.

“Is this guy a power armor user?!”

However, unlike McDowell’s expectations, Raul’s power armor only covered his right arm and a part of his shoulder, failing to encompass his entire body.

It seemed as if it hadn’t fully transformed, fluctuating as golden mana ebbed and flowed at its edges.

‘What in the world is that? I’ve never heard of power armor that only partially transforms… And judging by its shabby appearance, it’s definitely F-Grade….’

Yet, McDowell felt an inexplicable sense of fear as he stared at Raul’s incomplete power armor.

The armor, with its rough texture and worn look, was far from polished, but instinctively, he knew. He knew that once it completed its transformation, it would be dangerous.

McDowell didn’t ignore his intuition. Throwing aside even his shield, he began an unrelenting assault on Raul, who stood there with his eyes closed, seemingly in a daze.

“Die!!”

The air resounded with the sounds of his attack: Thud, crash, boom!!

* * *

Raul found himself enveloped in a strange sensation, as if he was both experiencing wrenching pain in his chest and floating blissfully in warm water at the same time.

From the moment McDowell’s fist approached him, time seemed to slow down, and Raul felt a detached, dazed sensation, as if he was separated from the world.

Originally, Raul had intended to use the C-rank supernatural ability skill [Blink], recorded in his skill tome, to dodge McDowell’s attack.

Blink was an evasion technique that folded space momentarily to move the user to a different location.

It was an excellent survival skill capable of dodging any attack at least once.

‘But to think it would turn out like this….’

Before Raul could even use Blink, a bizarre system message appeared, and Raul found himself losing control over his body.

-You have encountered a hostile power armor.

-The dormant [Regnator] has awakened.

-Determining user Raul’s qualifications.

-Possessor of the unique attribute ???(EX).

-Status of Sword Expert, Intermediate Psychokinesis confirmed.

-Minimum requirements met. [Regnator] activation in progress.

A bracelet that had been lying dormant in the inventory sprang to life, wrapping itself around Raul’s right wrist. From there, ashy metallic substance began to spread over his skin, encroaching upon his right arm.

Whirr.

Even as McDowell’s fist reached him, a barrier emanated from the bracelet effortlessly blocked the attack. When the metal reached his right shoulder, another message appeared.

-Insufficient mana for full activation.

-Searching for alternative energy sources. Intermediate spiritual energy detected. Initiating auxiliary operation.

-Success in stabilization through the use of spiritual energy.

-[Regnator] partial activation complete.

-Penalties applied due to incomplete activation.

-Remaining operational time: 5 minutes.

The basic requirement for using power armor was usually being a Sword Expert.

This level of ability was necessary to supply and maintain the mana required for operation.

As the grade of the power armor increased, so did the requirements. The greater the output, the bigger the burden on the knight.

Raul was faced with a power armor that he couldn’t fully activate, suggesting two possibilities: either the power armor was extremely deficient or exceptionally superior.

However, Raul had no time to worry about the power armor’s performance or penalties.

‘This is power armor!!’

He was simply overwhelmed by the amplified senses and uncontrollable energy that the power armor conveyed. Power armor. It was the wall that all players of Connect encountered and the dream equipment that everyone coveted. A force field that blocks all physical attacks less than a mana blade and a defensive spells that nullifies magic of at least 3rd circle or lower. A mystical core that amplifies the wearer’s physical abilities and mana.

The convenience and portability of being reduced to a simple accessory form in ordinary times, automatically equipping itself when mana is injected. Because of these points, despite the demanding requirements that only knights above Sword Expert and mages above 5th circle level could wear it, many coveted the power armor. However, no one could use the power armor. It was an NPC-exclusive item, meaning it could not be worn by anyone other than the residents of Connect.

Therefore, Raul, who was once Bae Dohyun, had only ever seen the power armor, never actually worn it. And the existence of the power armor was nothing less than a huge mountain to Bae Dohyun and other rankers. No matter how much they leveled up and accumulated proficiency, it was impossible to surpass a power armor user of the same rank. Eventually, the existence of power armor protected the kingdoms and residents of Connect from rampaging player guilds and rankers. How thrilling it must have been for Raul to actually wear the power armor is something only he could know.

“So this is how it feels!”

McDowell, who he had thought unbeatable just moments ago, somehow seemed manageable now. At the same time, he felt a sense of satisfaction as if his own status had elevated a step further. And Raul opened his eyes wide. Whoosh—Bang!! The force field that had been protecting Raul from McDowell’s rapid attacks disappeared, and a streak of lightning flashed between them. McDowell, pushed back several steps, swallowed hard as he looked down at the finger-sized mark near his chest.

“I almost got pierced through the armor in one shot. How powerful is it?”

It was known that anything apart from a Swordmaster’s aura blade would almost be impossible to penetrate the force field and armor in one go. Even if there was a difference in skill among experts, the destructive power of the mana blade (sword qi) itself didn’t vary much. But McDowell had no more time to think. Raul, lifting his rapier and main gauche, was about to unfold his Shooting Star technique, and Philip was already eyeing his back with a fearsome expression. Knowing that Philip was more skilled, McDowell could not take his eyes off Raul. And when small meteors bloomed in front of him, McDowell sensed it.

“Damn!”

McDowell’s sword was caught in the guard of the main gauche, its path skewed, and Raul’s rapier like lightning, bloomed four meteors, striking McDowell’s power armor. The first and second meteors arrived simultaneously, breaking the force field, and the third meteor penetrated the armor, leaving a crack, and the final meteor completely pierced through the cracked armor, impaling McDowell’s abdomen.

“Cough. Is this the end? But I won’t go down alone!”

McDowell, coughing up blood inside his helmet, grasped Raul’s rapier that had torn through his abdomen and shouted.

“Glory to the empire!”

Black magical energy started blazing from his entire body. In sync, ominous black flames burst forth from the power armor itself, covering the arena with a dreadful magical power. Raul, having let go of his rapier, stepped back and watched the scene with calm eyes.

“Is this the final phase?”

In the past, the last stage of the suppression quest also involved dealing with a rampaging boss in power armor. The players had to go through several trials and errors before finding a way to deal with it. The answer was an unconditional flight. Even a Swordmaster couldn’t inflict a single wound on a rampaging boss in power armor. The only solution was to wait for the duration of [Black Sacrifice] to end to finish it off. Raul had fully anticipated this situation.

And he was also fully prepared for it. What the past player suppression teams didn’t have, but Raul did. That was his reliable subordinate knights. And they were not just any knights.

“Shall we activate it, young master?”

Philip asked, gripping the silver necklace around his neck. Jake immediately touched his ring while Pierce laid a hand on his belt, all their eyes on Raul. It was the final phase. With no further variables to consider, Raul planned to deploy the knights’ power armor as intended. That was, until another system message unexpectedly appeared.

-[Regnator] has detected a fragment of forbidden power.

-According to the covenant, a part of the seal will be released.

-[Regnator] will temporarily reveal its original form.

-Warning!! Warning!! The user’s rank is too low. Operating beyond the time limit will place a great burden on the user’s body.

-Time limit: 10 seconds.

A dazzling golden radiance burst from Raul’s body. His power armor, which had been at a standstill, now smoothly covered his entire body with a sliding sound, extending up to his shoulders. Flash. In the golden armor, engraved with brilliant geometric patterns, Raul opened his eyes. Simultaneously, a vast, warm golden wave spread out like a whirlwind, sweeping through the vicinity.

“Roooarrr!!” McDowell, touched by the golden wave, roared insanely and charged toward Raul. Now completely bereft of reason, he had merged entirely with his power armor, turning monstrous. The armor’s surface writhed with bulging sinews, and McDowell’s distorted face, veins popping, was etched into the helmet. The dark magic surrounding him flared up like an active volcano when it met the golden waves emanating from Raul, sparking violently. The force was so terrifying that Jake and Pierce had to clench their teeth and shield themselves.

However, Raul showed not a hint of tension. He leisurely raised his left hand towards McDowell and muttered, “Disgusting.”

Then, with his hand wide open, he firmly grasped the air. Twoung. McDowell, charging with ferocious momentum, suddenly halted as if caught by something, and slowly levitated following Raul’s gesture.

“Craaack! Roooarrr!!” McDowell twisted and turned, screaming in an attempt to escape, but it was futile. Instead, his body tightened further and the black flames enveloping him started to fade. Raul looked at McDowell with an indifferent gaze and coldly said, “Disappear.” Then, with a twist of his fingers over his clenched left fist, like opening a bottle cap with the right hand.

Krrrdddck!! McDowell’s head spun around several times, his neck bone shattered, and the black flames engulfing his body extinguished in an instant. Thud. McDowell’s body fell limply to the ground, and Raul too, knelt on one knee, swaying slightly.

“Ugh!” Soon, Raul spat out a bit of blood, his power armor deactivated. “Young master, are you alright?!” The knights rushed over and asked, but Raul quietly raised a hand to stop them. ‘Is this what transcendents feel?’ Raul mused, briefly glimpsing the world of absolute powerhouses he could never have contended with in his previous life, and made a vow.

‘Today I relied on the power of an item, but…’ Someday, he would reach that place on his own strength.

(To be continued)