Fourth day of posting 5 chapters in a week.
If you want to support my work, on my Ko-fi I have 6 chapters ahead of this one for subscribers: ko-fi(dot)com/avipbr
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I just wanted to send a shout out to this legend who left us in 2023.
Kentaro Miura, I hope to see an anime adaptation worthy of the full scope of your work.
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[Jaune Arc]
I've been anticipating this encounter since I woke up in this world. All the training, equipment crafting, alliances, friendships, plans, super soldier serum, and the extremis virus were all for this moment.
"Salem." I murmur, my blood turning cold.
Upon hearing the name, the titanic vulture, now a puppet of Salem, stares its red eyes glowing more intensely than before, reflecting the presence of the queen of the grimm analyzing me.
"How quaint… you display a flicker of wit, uncommon among most of Ozma's pitiful thralls." The voice, a raspy feminine tone laced with ancient power, echoes from the throat of the monster rising before me. "Please enlighten me child… who are you, to stand before me?"
The supernatural weight of Salem's voice hits me like a freezing wave, paralyzing my muscles as a sudden insecurity overwhelms me. Her magical presence, big enough to fill the deepest chasm, passively burdens me.
'Until a few minutes ago, I would have thought it was absurd for just one person to wield such raw power.
But I can't falter now, but I also can't give too much information either. I think quickly in silence, searching for an escape. Especially about my abilities.
A smile spreads across my face as a stupid idea blooms in my mind.
"My name is Noneof, from the Yourbusiness family."
The grimm-bird tilts its head with curiosity and irritation, its red eyes glowing with an intensity that makes me sweat cold.
"None of your business." I explain, giving a forced laugh.
Some pours from the creature body, like flames bursting from a raging demon as Salem roars, the sound reverberating through the sky, carrying a primordial fury that makes the air tremble. The cry of the Dread Shadow echoes, amplified by the presence of the queen of the Grimms.
The shockwave hits me with force making me take a step back, but I stand firm, teeth clenched, muscles tense.
"Insolent fool."
Salem's voice thunders, the bird's eyes gleaming like beacons from a blood-soaked abyss.
"You dare mock me? You pitiful, unwashed scrap of mortality." She sneers as her magical pressure mounts on top of me with its full weight. "Ozma's taste in pawns has grown even more foul, I see."
'Are her aggressive intentions alone enough to paralyze me?' I think, swallowing hard. 'I can't freeze now, I need to do something... prove to myself that I'm capable of affecting her.'
Focusing my resolve, I decid to throw at her the biggest insult I could think of.
"Me pitiful?" I ask with an ironic grimace on my lips. "Pitiful is killing ALL your children in the middle of a lover's quarrel."
The monster in front of me stops moving in response to my speech.
Unlike the ground that begins to shake under the queen of the grimm. The vibration under my feet worries me, but before I can identify the source, Salem's voice comes from the beak of the Dread Shadow lower than before.
"How dare you..." The cold whisper envelops me, laden with a lethal threat.
My eyes widen, my heart beats unevenly. The ground shakes harder, and I struggle to maintain my balance.
"How dare you!" This time, the voice is louder, reverberating through the air, making my bones vibrate.
The tremor intensifies, and I look around, trying to understand what is happening. That's when I see it, the army of Grimms coming from the city toward us, running toward Salem with more purpose than when they wanted to destroy Kuo Kuana.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" I complain, taking six gems from my backpack. "I've played enough video games and watched enough anime to know what's going to happen."
"HOW DARE YOU!" Salem's furious roar explodes into the air, the force of the voice hitting me like a shockwave.
As the army of Grimms approaches, their grotesque forms accelerate with a terrifying speed. I break the pairs of red, blue, and brown jewels I just picked up in my hand.
"Destroy as many as you can!" I shouted, throwing the cracked gems at the horde of monsters.
Pairs of giant fire, water, and earth elementals began to form, each over three meters (10 feet) tall. Wasting no time, they advanced upon the monsters with explosions of fire, pillars of stone stakes sprouting from the sand, and torrents of water crushing them.
Thanks to the elementals I am in a safe bubble without the presence of grimm, but those who pass by me continue towards Salem.
Crashing into the monster on the giant monster, their bodies liquefying like pitch from pure black entropy. The dark mass moves with red eyes, beaks and fangs pulses with a malignant energy that makes my stomach churn.
A stench of decay and death fills the air, almost suffocating. As I watch, horrified, as the black substance leaps onto the body of the Dread Shadow, enveloping it like a grotesque second skin.
Growing, the leviathan grimm flesh and bones distorts, breaks, and rearrange like a demonic tumor. Red veins spread across the black skin, pulsing with a life of their own.
Dread Shadow's body continues to contorts, muscles expanding, bones stretching into impossible shapes, jutting out with grotesque spikes and saw-like edges.
The sight is visceral, repulsive and just wrong.
Now the monster is an abomination, a grotesque black bird with bulging muscles and chaotic bones sprouting like extra limbs. Each movement is accompanied by wet, disgusting sounds. The stench intensifies, a nauseating mixture of rotten flesh and sulfur. The air around me seems to bend, distorted by the malignant presence.
"Your bones shall ornament my throne. Your skin, stretched and treated, will grace the marble beneath my feet. Your flesh shall nourish my favored beasts, your blood shall flavor the goblets of my court, and your soul..." She whispers, releasing a low, velvety laugh laced with dark delight. "...will never now peace. A fitting end for Ozma's latest failure."
Truly a grotesque sight, combined with the whispered threat, makes my stomach churn. My instincts, enhanced by aura and modifications, scream for me to run or surrender to the force before me.
'But I won't back down.' I think, swallowing my fear. 'Nor will I surrender.'
"Church!" I exclaim, gathering my courage.
{{Always by your side, kid.}} the AI responds, knowing what I'm going through. {{Like they say in your country. 'She may be big, but she's not two. You are small, but you are not half'}}
The old Brazilian saying brings a smile to my lips.
"Grab the sword."
{{The fuck are you talking about?}} the AI says, its tone confused. {{It's on your waist.}}
"The heavy sword," I reply, smiling.
Laughing the AI disappears from my sight.
"GHAAAAARRRRRR!" The chaotic mass of black flesh and bones stumbles toward me, unable to fly or run.
The grotesque sight of the abomination coming toward me is a nightmare that defies all logic.
I take a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My aura pulses, responding to the imminent danger. With a thought, I manifest Shadow Air Shoes on my feet for the second time since coming to Menagerie, preparing for battle.
'I'm not going to run barefoot in the desert.'
Above the monster, the Black Bird fires a missile toward me. My eyes widen, but I don't panic. Halfway through, the missile shatters, its charge detaching and falling beside me, casting a shadow over my body.
"Nice, Church!" I exclaim, a smile spreading across my face. "Faster than Amazon."
I extend my hand, grabbing the hilt of the fallen sword. My fingers close around the cold metal, and a shiver runs down my spine. The weapon is enormous, nearly two meters (6'5" f) in length, and weighs over 130 kilos(300 lb).
{{Huge, thick, heavy, and rough. Too big to be called a sword, more like a chunk of raw iron.}} Church says in my ear, quoting the original source.
In my hands, I wield a sword made to kill dragons, so its name is:
"Dragon Slayer," I whisper with a wild grin.
A tentacle from the monster lashes toward me.
SLAP!
But thanks to my reflexes and instincts, sharpened by intense training with Port and body enhancements, I quickly dodge before running toward the Dread Shadow.
The same cannot be said for my elementals who are crushed with one blow.
'I can't let her hit me, I need to be quick.'
As I dash across the sand, I mentally pat myself on the back for creating the Air Shoes for this fight. I glide over the terrain without worrying about getting stuck.
I am filled with a sense of total freedom, as if I were skating calmly… except that I'm in a battle with a titanic abomination while carrying a surfboard-sized sword.
With the speed of a hypercar, I circle the monster. The creature tries to strike me again with its multiple tentacles.
SLAP! FLACK! SNAP! CRACK!
But I'm too fast.
As I slide, a plan starts to form in my mind.
'The tentacles are fast, but predictable.' I think without any problem maintaining my speed while concentrating. 'The main body is large, full of bubbles and lumps at an angled incline.'
"Church!" I call, invoking the AI in my HUD. "I need maximum power in my legs. I'm going to try to end this with one strike."
{{Got it.}}
I feel my leg muscles heat up as they contract with small shocks. The extra power makes my body vibrate, the adrenaline pulsing in my veins.
"Show time!" I yell excitedly.
With an explosive thrust, I shoot forward like a white and golden blur to the monster's main body.
Tentacles and even claws try to stop me when I reach the giant bloated grimm mass. But with my enhanced senses I can dodge them even at this insane speed.
Shadow's shoes stick to the creature's body with ease at my speed, making it easy to climb the monster while circling its body as the wind whistles in my ears, the landscape becomes a whirlwind of distorted colors and shapes.
Tentacles, claws, maws, and spikes sprout from the Dread Shadow body, whipping and advancing around me, trying to reach me. But the enhancements, serum and aura working together is too much for the monster. The intoxicating sense of freedom takes over my being, as if I were dancing with death.
I climb faster, the spiral tightening, the muscles in my legs start to burn with the effort, sending waves of pain down my spine, making my brain throb inside my skull.
"Hold on." I whisper, gritting my teeth, blood dripping from my nose and ears.
The center of the Dread Shadow's body approaches, filled with grotesque bubbles and lumps. The sight is repulsive, but I keep my focus.
'I need to deal as much damage as possible.' I think silently, moving closer to the head. 'But how will I stop myself when I get into a good position to attack?'
"DIE!" The monster roars, turning its head towards me.
'The beak!' I shout mentally as soon as I realize what I need to do. 'I'm going to use it to brake myself.'
With my legs burning from pain, I push them further, forcing my limits.
Everything becomes a blur until I collide sideways with the creature's gigantic beak.
CRACK!-CRUNCH!
My bones roared in pain at the impact, strong enough to snap the Dread Shadow's neck in a sickening sound echoing across the desert.
My world is consumed by an explosion of pain. I can't even think about moving due to my damaged bones.
"Fuck…" I mumble in pain.
{{I'm on it!}} Says Church forcing my dislocated bones back in place through the implants. {{It wasn't a cure, but you'll be able to keep fighting.}}
With my mind starts to clear without pain, I stand on top of the monster's beak that has already begun to regenerate.
The creature was already finishing healing, leaving my heart heavy with worry.
However, the weight of the sword I was carrying reminded me of the potential for destruction I am capable of now.
"HYAAAAAAG!" The screeches at me.
I spit out the blood that has accumulated in mine, crouching down to run once more. Quickly my body and implants light up, preparing my body for another run.
Black tentacle flesh and atrophied arms come together from the creature, forming a giant hand throwing itself towards my direction to grab me.
With a smile I ignore the giant appendage, as I am ready to attack.
I shoot like a bullet racing through the creature's beak.
The wind howls around me, cutting my skin like invisible blades. in my muscles and bones is intense, but adrenaline keeps me focused, every muscle tense, every nerve at full alert.
As soon as I leave the beak, I thrust Dragon Slayer at the grimm's red eye.
"IT BUUUUUUUUUURNS!" Salem screams in horror. "WHY?! THIS BODY IS NOT MINE, BUT I FEEL MY SOUL BURNING!"
I would like to celebrate the sword's effect on the evil queen, something that I wasn't sure would even remotely hur her. But I need to do more damage.
I hold the giant sword with both hands and keep running, ripping through the monster's flesh, opening a deep cut that releases a jet of black, viscous blood onto my body. My feet would slide over the wet black flesh, but the Air Shoes kept me stable as I shot forward at a dizzying speed, circling the creature in a single line, carving deeper into its black flesh with each rotation.
Even with the sword lodged in the monster's flesh, I'm faster than before. The sensation is surreal, as if I'm defying the laws of physics.
The air around me starts to condense, forming water droplets that cling to my body, creating a visible mist cone. It's a phenomenon I've seen in jet documentaries, and the realization hits me like a punch:
'I'm running at Mach 1.' I think, surprised.
The sight is hypnotizing, but I can't let myself be distracted. The sword continues cutting, leaving a large tear that keeps growing in the creature as I sink into its putrid black flesh.
"Why isn't it healing?" Salem's voice echoes with fear instead of the usual primal malice. "Is it the sword? WHERE DID YOU FIND IT?"
The flesh around me begins to slow me down even though I keep running, ignoring Salem's questions, keeping my focus on my goal.
'Carve this bitch like a turkey!'
Light begins to fade the deeper I sink, my senses overcome by the darkness, stench, and dampness of the grimm's interior... and still I run.
The creature's body begins to writhe and convulse, placing the weight of its muscles on top of me. As if it's trying to expel me like a zit. Fatigue and pain begin to weigh even more. Afraid that my effort will be in vain, I call Church to help me finish.
'I need more power in my arms and back. NOW!'
In response to the mental command, I feel the same sensation of activation that I had in my legs traveling up my back and arms. I would roar if not for the risk of drowning in rotten black blood as I raise my sword.
I bring the blade down in a large arc in front of me, putting all my strength into it.
SWHIIIIICH!
The impact is deafening. The sound of metal against bone and flesh reverberates through the desert, echoing like thunder. The force of the blow dislocates both my shoulder, a sharp pain running through my arms, making my teeth grind. The sword sinks deep into the monster's flesh, separating the flesh from where I am buried, bringing back light and fresh air.
{{I've got this!}} Church exclaims, controlling the implants, forcing my bones back into place once more.
Dread Shadow roars in pain, its gigantic body cleaved from the final cut.
I feel all my strength drain from my body, but my feet, equipped with the Air Shoes, keep me firm as I start to fall slowly.
"You motherless bastard!" Salem roars from the desert sands, her voice filled with fury and shame. "You'll pay for this outrage, even Ozma was never so foolish!"
The monster lay cut in half, with its vulture skull half disintegrated.
With a tired smile and a firm grip on my sword I deactivate my air shoes and fall.
Dragon Slayer cuts through the air, its sharp blade gleaming under the desert sun. With precise aim, I fell thrusting the sword on its other eye.
TWACK!
The puncture is deep, the Dread Shadow's head try tilting back, as a jet of black, viscous blood spraying into the air.The monster begins to tremble, its gigantic form speeds up its disintegration.
The Dread Shadow's body falls apart. But I don't stop, I keep stabbing the sword cutting through the black flesh with ease.
TWACK! SLASH! CRASH! CPOP!
{{Stop.}} Church pleads in my ear. {{You've won, you can stop now.}}
I take a deep breath, fresh air burning my lungs. Sweat trickles down my face, mixing with the blood dripping from my nose, ears and eyes. My body shakes, every muscle screaming in exhaustion. But adrenaline still pulses through my veins, keeping me upright.
Blown away I look around. The Dread Shadow is now disintegrating before my eyes. Pieces of black flesh fall into the desert, turning to dust before hitting the ground. The wind carries the particles, scattering them through the air like a dark mist only to disappear forever soon after.
Reality hits me, breaking my concentration.
"Did I win?" I question, disbelieving. "Did I really win?"
My body gives out, my knees buckling. I collapse to the ground, the hot sand cushioning my fall. The impact sends a wave of pain through my legs, but I barely feel it. Exhaustion takes over, every breath a struggle.
My blood cools in my veins, the adrenaline slowly dissipating. The feeling is strange, as if I'm waking up from a feverish dream. I look at my hands, trembling and covered in sand. The sword, the Dragon Slayer, rests beside me.
"I... I won." The words come out in a whisper, almost inaudible. But the realization fills me with an indescribable pride. I lift my head to the sky and shout, "I WON, DAMN IT!" The shout echoes through the desert, filled with triumph and relief.
I celebrate proudly, my heart pounding in my chest. The feeling of triumph is intoxicating, like a powerful drug. But, just like the adrenaline, it begins to fade, leaving me deeply exhausted, and my vision starts to darken.
"Church?" I call, my voice weak, almost a whisper. "What's going on?"
{{You pushed yourself too far, kid.}} Church's voice echoes in my mind, filled with concern. {{Your implants drained a lot.}}
"Why isn't my Aura healing me?" I ask, confusion mixed with a hint of desperation.
{{Your Aura's broken, Jaune.}} Church explains, his voice serious. {{You were using it to power your implants as you put those on overclock. And then, when you impacted against the monster's beak at Mach 1, the shock was too much. Your Aura broke.}}
The information leaves me stunned. Weakness spreads through my body, every muscle trembling with exhaustion. The light-headedness intensifies, as if I'm about to pass out.
"I... I'm going to die?" The question slips out in a whisper, fear tightening in my chest.
{{No.}} Church responds, his voice calm and reassuring. {{You're just going to sleep for a bit. Your body needs rest to recover.}}
The darkness closes in, my vision growing more and more blurred. The sensation of lightness takes over, as if I'm floating in a dream.
"Hmmm." I grunt, losing consciousness.
{{Go rest, kid... you deserve it.}}
[Arthur Watts]
Salem, usually a figure of icy composure, is hunched over, her fingers digging into the arms of the throne. An open wound runs across her left eye as thick, black liquid drips from it. My stomach churns, but I keep a neutral expression.
I try to take a step forward, but Tyrian extends his hand, stopping me. I turn frustrated toward the scorpion Faunus, but I don't protest, as he has a worried look on his face. The killer scorpion seems to be in an internal struggle, deciding whether to follow his 'Goddess's' orders or to help her.
"NOOOOO!" She screams as a cut begins to form on her neck.
Salem's body slumps, still seated on her throne. The Grimm Seers disconnect their tentacles from her, leaving her alone. I watch the scene with a mix of fascination and revulsion.
'The queen of the Grimm, always so powerful and imposing, now seems... fragile.'
Tyrian approaches cautiously, his eyes locked on Salem. The tension in the air is palpable, as if the very environment is holding its breath.
"Goddess?" Tyrian's voice is a trembling whisper, like a child begging for their mother's attention.
The insane assassin extends his hand, his fingers trembling just inches from Salem. Time seems to slow down, each second stretching into eternity.
Suddenly, Salem's eyes snap open, glowing a bright red, like burning embers. Black tears trail down her face, leaving dark streaks on her pale skin. She rises, her body shaking with rage, and lets out a roar that echoes through the room, a primal and terrifying sound.
Tyrian recoils, his eyes wide with fear and reverence. I, on the other hand, remain motionless, frozen in dread. Salem, the queen of the Grimm, always so controlled, now seems like a furious demon, an uncontrolled force of nature.
"The foolish human," Salem seethes from her throne, her voice cold and resonant. "Such insolence... even Ozma had the decency to fight with grace and honor. But that mongrel… I will make him understand his place."
In all my years serving her, I've never seen her direct so much emotion toward someone who wasn't the immortal wizard Ozma.
Suddenly, Salem turns to me, her eyes still glowing red with an intensity that makes me shudder.
"Watts!" Her voice is a command, grabbing all of my attention. "Find this human. Bring him to me. ALIVE!"
I swallow hard, trying to maintain composure.
"Of course, my queen," I responded promptly, lowering my head. "But I need his name, kingdom of origin, and a description."
Salem approaches floating, her face mere inches from mine. I can smell the metallic scent of her breath, like blood and iron.
"He's a young huntsman, fair skin, blonde hair, blue eyes, standing near two meters(6.5 f) tall. Wields a giant two-handed sword with great power and experience. He could be the most powerful huntsman I've ever witnessed in battle."
"I still need a name and kingdom of origin, my queen." I say, trying to remain respectful.
Salem furrows her brows, her eyes returning to their normal color.
"These are the only details you'll get, Watts. If you don't want to die, you'd better bring me results quickly."
I swallow again, the fear tightening in my chest. I lower my head, trying to maintain my composure.
"My apologies, my queen. I will find him immediately."
I leave the room, my heart pounding in my chest. I pull out my scroll, my fingers trembling as I type quickly, searching a list of possible suspects that match Salem's description. Blonde huntsman, blue eyes, wielding a giant sword. The information is vague, but it's all I have.
The list appears on the screen, names and faces scrolling before my eyes. I stop at a familiar name that I have been investigating:
"Jaune Arc." I whisper out loud. "Does the inventor of Atlas study at Beacon? But it's obvious by his combat performance records that he's not the man Salem is after."
I continue the search, my mind racing, trying to find any clue that might lead me to the right target. The fear of failing and facing Salem's wrath drives me, as every second counts.
It's not 100% correct for each one of the buffs, just a stipulation from me to use as a guide for Jaune's potential in this story.
Estimate speed running over short distances:
Regular non-sedentary human = 24 km/h [15 mph]
Super soldier = 48-56 km/h [30-35 mph]
Spartan-II [with MJOLNIR] = 97 km/h [60 mph]
Professional Huntsman [Average]= 80-96 km/h [50-60 mph]
Hybrid [Serum+Huntsman+Spartan-II]= 300-400 km/h [187-250 mph]
Estimate strength doing squats:
Regular non-sedentary human = 100-150 kg [220-330 lbs]
Super soldier = 1.100 kg [2.400 lbs]
Spartan-II [with MJOLNIR] = 5.400 kg [12.000 lbs]
Professional Huntsman = 1.500 - 2.000 kg [3.300 - 4.400 lbs]
Professional Huntsman [Focused on strength] (Ex:Hazel Rainart) = 10.000 kg [22.000 lbs]
Hybrid [Serum+Huntsman+Spartan-II] = 15.000 - 25.000 kg [33.000 - 55.000 lbs]