088. Dark Zone Stalker: Escape from Vanlenkov
[Higgs Field Interference Detected, Omega Energy Output Efficiency Reduced by 80%]
Under the constraints of the Higgs Field, Li Aozi's Omega Energy output power was severely limited—a typical countermeasure in narrative-level civilizations to suppress powerful beings. The Higgs Field to restrain Omega Energy, void oscillations to restrict strength, and anti-magic metals are classic tools.
Narrative-level civilizations are immensely powerful, but that doesn't mean their subsidiaries and allied civilizations are all equally strong. To consolidate influence without enabling subordinates to amass too much power, most choose to share some defensive countermeasures.
With these technologies, it's nearly impossible for ordinary interstellar civilizations to provoke a narrative-level subordinate. Individual powerful beings, even with substantial investment, can't unleash their full power under such suppression, allowing allied civilizations to maintain a dominant position over others without threatening the narrative level itself.
Higgs Field interference directly disrupts and reconfigures Omega Energy, adding mass to the originally seamless connection effects.
It's like significantly increasing electrical resistance—continuing to release Omega Energy would only burn the user.
For ordinary interstellar civilizations, the Higgs Field is an insurmountable barrier. It renders beam weapons ineffective, forcing reliance on kinetic weapons or close-combat tactics.
Li Aozi had no way to counter the restraint; his Omega Energy output was steadily reduced.
After all, players only encounter such mechanisms after reaching the Star Abyss.
The Higgs Field, even without formidable ship firepower, could compel opponents into close combat or boarding battles, using range advantage to sweep through interstellar fleets.
However, the Velazi fleet overlooked one crucial detail.
Standard fleets prepared for boarding encounters not only deploy mecha units and superhumans but also have [Mediums] to perform psychic detection and forewarn of intruders, dealing devastating blows to any intruders.
The Velazi Corporation was merely in Vanlenkov to exploit Nakis Blood, fending off space pirates or preventing unlikely civilian uprisings—problems solved by a few laser sweeps, with no need to bring in individual warriors.
This negligence left the Velazi fleet oblivious to the severe consequences, paying dearly as one of their warships was crushed and hammered to pieces.
Now, with Omega Energy disabled, the fleet's best choice should be to deploy fighter jets and escort units immediately, creating distance from the individual combatant, and then employ torpedoes and ship cannons for precision, long-range elimination. Compared to an individual warrior, a fleet's acceleration, range, and firepower are always superior.
This is the standard procedure against individual combatants.
But Li Aozi does not follow conventions.
Fiery magical light spread from Li Aozi like blood, rapidly radiating outward, striking every floating fragment of the broken ship behind him.
In the air, the blood-red magical light intertwined, gradually sketching a specific form. A powerful, brutal aura quickly leaked out.
「Yes, yes! You're adapting well! Gather the world's iron and steel as offerings for the Great King!」
The shattered ship parts spun rapidly beneath the sky, forming a terrifying metal storm.
Jania let out a sinister, maniacal laugh, its ferocious laughter echoing between heaven and earth.
"What is that—"
「Forge fires ablaze, hammer strikes continuous, iron-clad body, titanium-crafted soul.」
Jania's voice moved further away from Li Aozi, flying towards his back. In the next moment, amidst the sea of iron and steel, scarlet lightning suddenly sparked and leapt.
Crackle!
Red lightning crisscrossed, and the wind roared like a dragon.
Hiss—
A massive steel spirit let out a sinister chuckle, its form emerging from the eye of the metallic storm. Atop its head, prominent goat-like horns jutted out. Though only half its body emerged from the storm-like magical circle, it stood nearly 200 meters tall. Ferocious red lightning surged through the sky, ionized iron merging with vapor, dyeing the heavens a vivid crimson.
This towering metal god entered the sky 30,000 feet high, radiating an indescribably eerie oppression. Any who gazed directly at it felt deep unease and dread as their eyes were pierced by the tangled patterns of black iron and red lightning, blood in their heads surging like swords piercing the brain, inducing panic and anxiety.
Blood yearned to escape living bodies.
「Karachia, the Fierce Iron King, descends upon the world; all worms and ants should bow and prostrate!」
[Fierce Iron King: Activated]
[You have gained the temporary status: [Blood Lord]—you can directly control divalent iron ions within a 200-meter radius. All entities intending to attack you will be compelled to undergo a 'Anemia' [Constitution] check.]
Li Aozi raised his hand, clenching it into a fist.
[[Blood Lord]—Check initiated.]
Li Aozi knew one thing well: in narrative-level civilizations, [Constitution] is the easiest attribute to enhance, and similar defensive specialties and traits are abundant.
However—
[Feat • [Autocratic] activated! Check attribute changed to [Charisma].]
Not everyone can enhance the attribute of [Charisma].
The arrival of Karachia, the Fierce Iron King, inflicted the negative state of 'Divine Punishment' on enemy forces within a 1,000-kilometer radius, continuously imposing 'Fear' and 'Confusion' on targets with low or no divinity.
Evading this effect was simple—just have a deity bless the ship.
However, despite Velazi's status as a narrative-level enforcer, they were not esteemed enough to warrant a deity's blessing for such small vessels.
As a demigod crafted by the legendary warrior 'Sharp Fang Peak,' Karachia wielded substantial dominance over mechanical armies. She opened her claws, gathering a purple-red ball of lightning, launching it skyward.
Swoosh!
[Felicia's Airspace Lock]
The sweeping purple-red lightning sealed off the path to space. Sensing the danger, the Velazi fleet attempted to warp out, but their forms merely flickered, remaining in place.
Li Aozi wouldn't let this rare opportunity slip. His mana consumption per second was astronomical, though fortunately, his regeneration talents sustained Karachia's existence.
Forget offense—just maintaining her massive body was draining Li Aozi's energy, barely enough to cast the airspace-sealing spell.
The amber dragon beneath him flapped its wings, carrying Li Aozi into the enemy formation, soaring up and down to maximize the range of 'Blood Lord.'
"Embrace the surge."
The power of Echoer spread.
---------------------------------
A big thank you to [Matthew Quay] for joining my Patreon! Your support means a lot to me.