Chapter 172: A Massive Hole
Chapter 172: A Massive Hole
Emerging from the dense forest, Rayne's body underwent a startling transformation, expanding to over two meters and twenty centimeters. The once-comical sight of him wearing the Chromium Knight's armor now appeared as if a child's garment draped over his enlarged frame.
This absurd scene, which should have been humorous, instantly turned terrifying in the eyes of the elite Zaral Resistance Army members. Rayne had unleashed his Superhuman Trait 'Gigant Strength', 'Force Burst', and entered the 'Triphasic State', a state he had not used during his previous encounter with Salem.
The reason for this change in strategy was simple: his objective had shifted. Previously, he had been focused on gaining experience with the Tockkar Hammer Technique, but now, Rayne sought only to vent his pent-up rage.
The formidable Rayne, rushing towards them with unstoppable momentum, caused the leader of the Resistance Army, Andrey, to recoil in shock.
Although Andrey knew the target would be challenging, he had not anticipated the extent of Rayne's power.
"Just because you're a Peak Knight doesn't mean I can't match you!" Andrey thought to himself, his pride as a knight stirring.
Andrey, too, let out a low roar, his muscles swelling as he transformed into a muscular figure slightly shorter than Rayne. Wielding his sword and shield, he charged forward.
It wasn't until they were six or seven meters apart that the ground gradually resumed its normal slope.
The other elite members of the Zaraal Resistance Army were stunned for a moment before they scrambled to rescue their leader from the ground.
At that moment, Rayne smiled and delivered a powerful hammer blow, sending Margen staggering back several steps.
Using the momentum from his charge, Rayne leaped into the air, brandishing his dark hammer. With a dull, buzzing roar, he struck down like lightning at the muscular giant charging towards him. "Ahhhh!"
If Salem had been there, he would have surely exclaimed in awe at Andrey's strength, for both were Master Knights, yet the gap between them was unimaginable at times.
Rayne looked up at the sun's position; it was almost noon. The abandoned mine was not far from here, and he estimated that it would take him about half a day to go there and back.
In fact, he couldn't blame the spy Magis in the prison. Rayne didn't hesitate; he quickly switched from the Pig-headed Hammer to the Glowing Greatsword and charged into the disoriented and injured rebels like a ferocious tiger. He swiftly dispatched them, leaving only five Master Knight-level leaders alive, including Andrey and Margen. After severing their tendons and dragging them into the nearby forest, he began interrogating them.
Andrey was already demoralized and screaming in pain. His injuries were not limited to his broken left arm; the shock from the shattered shield was the most lethal.
Within a radius of about 26 feet, the ground was suddenly engulfed in dust as the rescuers, whether they were Master Knights, Senior Knights, or elite soldiers, were all knocked into the air. Some had blood dripping from their mouths due to the impact, while others were vomiting blood.
The force transmitted through layers of bodies almost shattered his joints, tendons, and membranes, and this was despite his robust physique as a Master Knight.
It took Rayne about half a day to uproot the Zaraal Resistance Army's stronghold in Master County. He then hid his two horses in a secluded spot and quickly made his way to the abandoned mine that he had learned about through interrogation.
When Rayne first heard the news, he was a bit puzzled. The Zaraal Resistance Army based in Master County seemed weak. How could they possibly challenge the Empire with just a few matchlock guns that might have been imported from the Golden Falcon Federation? They might be able to handle elite soldiers, but against formal knights, it was a different story. Wait, could there be a hidden expert in their camp, trying to lure him into a trap?
Rayne quickly pondered the situation. With only one Senior Knight left to guard their base, this was the perfect opportunity to eliminate them completely.
After reporting the incident, a caravan leader wearing a thick corset dismounted from his carriage and carefully examined the huge pit in the ground. He then looked up at the sky and muttered to himself, "That's strange. I haven't heard of any meteorites falling recently!"
If the enemy were here, Andrey would have swallowed their hearts whole.
"Ahhhh!"
Andrey's entire body was sent flying by the force of Rayne's hammer blow, as if he had been slapped by a ten-meter-tall hill giant. Half of his body was buried in the ground, and his left arm, which held the shield, was twisted unnaturally at the elbow.
He immediately recalled the time he rescued Has in the forest near Rosby City. The Zaraal Resistance Army had secretly supported them then, but he never expected to encounter their elite forces right at his doorstep.
After gathering intelligence about the Zaraal Resistance Army, Rayne swiftly eliminated the entire group, sending them to the embrace of the goddess.
If it had been an ordinary knight, their spine would have been shattered by the impact.
Andrey's trusted deputy, Margen, roared in anger and charged at Rayne with his greatsword, attempting to stop him from further harming Andrey.
Their primary mission was not to fight the Empire, nor was it to harass them. Their current task was to recruit nearby bandit groups, gather resources, and build up their strength while awaiting further orders.
"How did such a massive pit appear out of nowhere?"
"This is quite troublesome."
"Get a few men to fill up the pit, and we'll go around it."
The middle-aged man waved his hand.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
