{T/N: We were only a few Stones short at reaching 150 Power Stones. But since I already had the chapter prepared incase we somehow reached the goal, I might as well upload it...
Anyway, the offer still stands; 1 extra Chapter for every 150 votes...}
....
Odis's two axes weren't meant for chopping people, they were meant for blowing them up...
The axes were engraved with modified detonation arrays, and their destructive power surpassed any grenade or even the most advanced artillery shells of the era.
He had considered shaping them into something like a long-handled grenade, but the explosive arrays required a flat surface. Making it spherical would have made it highly unstable... So he settled on the axe form.
The violent blast would shatter the metal head, sending shrapnel flying with enough force to pierce even a 'Zombie'.
Katy, the Sequence 7 'Interrogator', was instantly killed by the blast, while Harras barely escaped, he fled in disarray.
Of course, such an effect was only possible due to the element of surprise. Otherwise, these weapons would never have reached Harras and Katy's proximity.
Since this weapon was far too conspicuous, even though Odis was an informant for the 'Machinery Hivemind', he dared not use these casually. But today was an exception... When the official Beyonders investigated, he could just pin everything on the 'Hero Bandit Black Emperor'...
*BOOM!*
Just as Harras rushed into the dining room, another violent explosion erupted.
This was Klein's earlier setup. He had sabotaged the gas pipes in the dining room minutes before, filling the room with gas.
When the explosion in the hallway occurred earlier, the dining room's door was closed, and there were no windows facing the corridor, so the gas inside hadn't ignited.
As Harras fled to the dining room entrance, Klein, who was in spectral form, snapped his fingers, triggering the gas explosion. The blast hurled Harras into the yard.
These two consecutive massive explosions had already destroyed about a third of Capim's villa.
Harras's body was now charred black, his skin severely burned. The side of his body facing the dining room was riddled with wooden splinters of all sizes, and a broken chair leg was embedded in his back.
But despite his grave injuries, he could still run at full speed toward the exit. So Odis drew the blue axe at his waist, infused it with Spirituality, and hurled it at Harras.
The axe still didn't hit Harras, but the moment it struck the ground, the blue axe let out a soft *Puff!*
Within a radius of four to five meters, everything was instantly encased in solid ice, freezing Harras' legs in place. The 'Judge' toppled over like an ice sculpture.
The red axe was a high-yield explosive, the blue axe was a cryo-bomb, and there were also the white and black variants that Odis hadn't brought today. Those were the light bombs and smoke bombs, respectively.
Klein, clad in his illusory black armor, immediately followed up and extended his hand toward Harras...
*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*
He fired an unrelenting barrage of Air Bullets like a machine gun, riddling Harras' body.
Beyonders of the 'Arbiter' Pathway weren't known for their defense. Though the potion enhanced his physique, even he couldn't withstand Klein's relentless assault.
Soon, this 'Judge' also stopped breathing.
Still in his spectral form, Klein glanced at the masked young man in the courtyard, who was likely Mr. Gale...
The two had cooperated seamlessly, their attacks utterly unpredictable. Otherwise, this 'Judge' would never have died here.
The two exchanged no words... none were needed.
Klein proceeded with his own plan, flying toward the basement entrance.
Meanwhile, Odis took down the finely crafted metal crossbow from his back and loaded it with equally exquisite metal bolts. These bolts bore small wind-based magic arrays to extend their range.
Underground, the bearded Belize had been monitoring the commotion outside but dared not abandon his post, fearing intruders might breach the dungeon.
Having long activated his Spirit Vision, he immediately sensed Klein's imposing presence the moment he descended. Belize swiftly raised his high-pressure steam rifle and pulled the trigger.
*Bang!*
White vapor burst from the barrel as a sharp, pale-gold bullet shot forward at terrifying speed.
Klein, who was already aware of the weapon, tilted his spectral form, narrowly dodging the deadly shot.
Meanwhile, Belize charged out of the guardroom, brandishing his rifle threateningly while sprinting toward the exit. He was certain that whoever had taken down Harras, Katy, and Parker could easily kill him too.
Besides, the earlier explosions would surely draw attention. He trusted the 'Mandated Punishers' would arrive soon, so he chose to flee and meet up with them.
Klein unleashed a soundless scream, striking Belize like a hammer blow. His vision blurred, and blood trickled from his nose.
But this didn't stop Belize...
Scrambling desperately, he reached the door, flung it open, and staggered outside. A relieved grin spread across his face, as if he had escaped a disaster.
Yet at that very moment, he saw the masked young man standing not far away, aiming an ornate metal crossbow directly at him.
Still dazed from Klein's scream, Belize barely managed to react instinctively. But it was too late... Odis's first bolt struck his left eye, followed swiftly by two more, all hitting vital spots.
Before anyone else emerged from below, Odis dragged the still-twitching Belize aside, then gathered all four Beyonders' corpses in one place...
Soon, the kidnapped girls came rushing up from the basement. They saw the half-collapsed villa engulfed in flames and, standing before it, the mysterious masked figure laden with weapons.
Panicked, they kept running until they reached the street. When they looked back this time, they saw not only the masked figure, but also a towering pitch-black armored silhouette crowned in darkness, standing atop the roof.
The girls burned this image into their memories before hurrying toward the nearest church...
...
Inside the villa's courtyard, the fire raged fiercer, sending Odis into a coughing fit. Yet he gritted his teeth, refusing to leave just yet...
The thick smoke obscured visibility, creating the perfect opportunity to divide the spoils.
Odis pried the iron-black glove from Harras' hand. His spiritual intuition told him this was undoubtedly a fine Beyonder item.
Klein soon descended from the rooftop, and the two silently divided their loot. Klein used the characteristics of Azik's Copper Whistle to accelerate the extraction of Beyonder characteristics.
Though Klein had contributed more to the fight, Odis's ambush had been crucial. Without it, Klein alone could never have slain three Mid-Sequence Beyonders.
So... when it came to the spoils, Odis chose first, and Klein had no objections.
After taking the glove, Odis also claimed Belize's Beyonder characteristic and the high-pressure steam rifle, while Klein collected the remaining three.
Once the loot was swiftly divided, Klein gave Odis a polite bow before searching for Capim's corpse.
By now, the smoke had Odis's eyes streaming with tears. Enduring the discomfort, he retrieved the prepared array from his belongings, stashed the loot in the 'Knowledge Moor', then tossed the inscribed cloth into the fire.
Only after watching it burn did he finally retreat toward the gate.
Byron and Beck hurried over, "Leader!"
Odis coughed twice, his voice hoarse, "I'm fine."
At that moment, an illusory door suddenly split open in the courtyard.
'The Demigods are here,' Odis thought.