“〖U (Update)〗!”
I alter the Mana Crystals that make up my body.
Since my volume is finite, I don’t have the leeway to completely mimic that Artifact. I limit it to the necessary functions and reproduce them within myself.
“(Shield!)”
Of course, Clione’s attacks continue during this time.
Heat Rays, Black Ice Orbs, and Freezing Light Bullets are being fired from the ice crystals around Clione, making it difficult to perform 〖U (Update)〗 while fending them off.
I fly high into the sky to shake off the aim, then immediately dive down and fly low, skimming the ice field. Then, sensing a sign that the ice is closing like a bear trap, I go up again.
By adding vertical movement as well as horizontal, I minimize the hits I take.
“Lalali li…”
“(Phew, finally out of ammo, huh?)”
Eventually, that moment arrives.
The Freezing Light Bullets stored in the Black Ice Orbs are depleted.
Clione’s 〖Mana〗 is still abundant, so it will be replenished soon, but this gives me a slight reprieve.
“(I’ll finish it off in one go during this opening!)”
And what was formed at my core was a dazzling yellow gem. A piece that looked like a smaller, compressed version of myself.
This is a famous Artifact in the Underground city, and it is generally called this:
The Sunstone.
“(Sol Crystal, activate!)”
Sunstone. Officially named, City Management Type Complex Core Artifact, Sol Crystal.
This Artifact was created a thousand years ago from the core parts of the Machine Gods who fought the Earth Dragon and lost their lives.
In other words, it’s a Mana Crystal that is as close to the highest grade as possible.
Its functions are not limited to mere illumination, but also include concealing the city’s 〖Mana〗, assisting 〖Mana〗 lines, automatic maintenance, and even offensive capabilities.
However, all I need this time is the light-emitting function.
“Lala…?”
Clione reacts with a puzzled look at me, who has suddenly become dyed black (・・・・・・).
But I don’t care about that and start acting.
“(〖Blink〗, Shield!)”
I fill my body with 〖Mana〗 and approach, weaving through the net of light bullets and Heat Rays.
The output of White Drive is slightly reduced because I’m allocating 〖Mana〗 to the Sunstone, but with my various 〖Skills〗 and past experience, I’m somehow able to close the distance.
“(Is this about enough…? It’s now or never, 〖Super Leap〗!)”
Just a little bit away from the range of the ‘Freeze’ effect, I feint to throw off the aim of the Heat Rays and Light Bullets, and then I dash through the momentary gap created by that with 〖Super Leap〗.
──FREEZE──
Fue Toukouya stopped.
Not his movement, but the very time flowing through his body was ‘Frozen’.
This extraordinary feat of freezing the time of a target is also possible for the “Polar King” who has reached the Sixth Tier.
…However, even so, this 〖Skill〗 cannot stop vectors.
For example, if a falling clock is ‘Frozen’, the clock’s hands can be stopped, but the falling motion itself will continue.
Therefore, Kouya is heading towards the “Polar King” with the momentum of his Charge.
The “Polar King” had previously knocked him down as if kicking a kemari ball, but now, having been injured and enraged, he will not show such leniency.
First, he turns the Black Ice Orbs back into mere ice blocks and uses them to sandwich and catch Kouya as he flies in.
Then, he tries to unleash a concentrated barrage of Light Bullets and Heat Rays.
He knows from experience that Kouya will break free from ‘Freeze’ in a few seconds, so his movements are swift.
And they were accurate.
Light Bullets and Heat Rays, which are ineffective on their own, can cause considerable damage if they are continuously fired for a few seconds.
However, if there was one miscalculation on the part of the “Polar King,” it would be that,
──THAWING──
Whoa, Clione is right in front of me!
…Despite my surprised feelings, I reflexively pulled the trigger.
“(〖Quick Shoot〗, 〖S(Sparkle) U(Aproot)〗!)”
The attack preparations were completed the moment I used 〖Super Leap〗.
Therefore, my magic bullets were fired at the same time as Clione’s attacks, intersecting and hitting each other.
The dozens of magic bullets were weakened by the Aurora Veil and didn’t cause any damage, but they fulfilled their role just by hitting.
“Lula!?”
“(〖Super Leap〗, 〖Blast Dash〗, 〖Charge Thrust〗!)”
With the all-directional bombardment, the ice block restraints were already gone, and I thrust at Clione, who seemed to be bewildered.
I didn’t model any particular weapon, but I had accumulated a considerable number of 〖Storm Strikes〗 with the previous magic bullets, and I was able to pierce the tough hide of the 〖King Beast〗.
“(Thunder- wha-)”
I was about to follow up with another attack when I was slammed into the ground.
I must have been ‘Frozen’ again.
But, my consciousness is recovering faster than the first time I was hit.
That time, my consciousness returned after I had been slammed into the ground, but this time I was able to recognize the moment of impact.
“(So it’s effective, huh?)”
I focus my consciousness on the pseudo-sun that continues to emit heat at the center of my body.
The one I reproduced is just an Artifact that emits an absurdly strong light, and the fact that my body turned black is only due to the effect of 〖Mimicry〗.
However, it seems that this was the right countermeasure for ‘Freeze’.
If Clione’s time stop is mediated by the power of ice, then the effectiveness—the time until the release (thaw)—must be related to temperature.
That was the assumption I made before acting.
I reproduced the Sunstone with a focus on light output, turned my body color black to absorb all the light and heat, and jumped into the ‘Freeze’ range when my body temperature was sufficiently high.
Ideally, I wanted to nullify it completely, but the results are sufficient just by reducing the threat of ‘Freeze’.
“(This clears the first hurdle. I’ll take you down as is!)”
With renewed determination, I jumped up from the ice that was starting to melt from my heat.