Jokes aside, the power Phainon displayed was truly something to behold.
And then, 'Hertatomb' recalled Phainon's line: 'I Am the Blazing Sun, Destined to Rise.'
Along with the sheer courage he showed daring to throw a punch at Nanook's face, and his unwavering conviction in the game…
Well, he did kind of deserve that image, to be honest.
Anyway, putting the image aside.
Although Khaslana wore a face that wasn't human, the flames born from his will were utterly real.
His indomitable resolve, his acceptance of destruction—it all earned Nanook's acknowledgment.
The all-consuming attack, with Nanook's silent permission, landed upon THEM.
That faint scar represented Nanook's approval of Khaslana.
Two drops of golden blood fell.
One merged into Khaslana's will, healing the injuries from his self-immolation and granting him power.
The other, right in front of Celenova, descended into 'Hertatomb's' body.
In the final moment before his consciousness faded into darkness, Khaslana saw the destination of that second drop.
Witnessing Madam Bai Ming accept the golden blood made his initially resistant thoughts waver with a hint of hesitation.
But soon, he could dwell on it no longer, slipping completely into unconsciousness.
The flames gradually dissipated.
The form of WarGreymon faded away, reverting to Khaslana's usual appearance.
Then, carrying the golden blood, he vanished into the Path Space.
'Hertatomb' wasn't particularly worried about his safety.
Herta would likely notice the changes in Khaslana immediately.
Besides, 'Hertatomb' herself hadn't even left this place yet.
"What gives?!"
Celenova's mood was thoroughly unbalanced.
This guy clearly isn't the least bit 'Destruction' in nature, so why does he keep getting the Aeon of Destruction's blessings?!
Just who is your handcrafted daughter here?!
Hearing Celenova's complaint, 'Hertatomb' immediately laughed.
She raised her hand, a drop of golden blood shimmering in her palm:
"Hehe~ Want it? I'll give it to you, if you just agree to one condition."
"...I. Don't. Need. It!"
Celenova considered herself quite even-tempered.
But seeing 'Hertatomb' like this just made her blood boil.
What was she implying? That she, the mighty Lord Ravager Celenova, needed her charity for the Aeon of Destruction's blessing?!
"Really don't want it? The power in this golden blood isn't weak. If you take it, you might even be able to beat me, you know~"
'Hertatomb' wasn't giving up, still trying to tempt Celenova.
To lure her over to her side.
A white bodysuit combined with her excellent figure and aura—she really was quite a sight, okay?
But sadly, Celenova was not only unappreciative upon hearing this, she even raised a claw and swatted 'Hertatomb's' arm away.
Then, summoning Zephyro, she charged at 'Hertatomb'.
Zephyro did indeed materialize.
And they truly attacked 'Hertatomb' with full force.
However the power from Nanook's blessing was a completely standard Emanator-tier unit, and on top of that, 'Hertatomb's' own energy signature already far exceeded that of a normal Emanator.
Adding this blessing on top…
Her energy readings became even more absurd.
Forget mechanics, just the raw numbers alone made Zephyro's circuits sizzle with alarm.
Even though 'Hertatomb' wasn't in a killing mood, Zephyro still went all out.
Three Destruction Emanators battled in a tangled mess within this deserted Path Space.
Watching Zephyro charging over with weapon in hand, full of murderous intent, 'Hertatomb' didn't hesitate. Equations of Destruction poured forth, corrupting the nearby celestial bodies for her use.
The nebulae and matter here in the Path Space were distinctly different from the physical universe.
They lacked the heavy solidity of the material world, and their size and volume seemed… indeterminate.
Really, what kind of world was the Path Space, anyway?
These questions flitted through 'Hertatomb's' mind as she forcibly molded the strangely-textured celestial matter into a long blade.
Only then did she manage to block Zephyro's assault.
Acheron's techniques were flawless.
Even fighting Zephyro, 'Hertatomb' felt she could hold her own just fine.
The problem was 'Hertatomb's' own strange body.
This body wasn't built for close-quarters combat.
But unfortunately, Zephyro was a fighter who completely ignored Legion-style tactics.
Add Celenova, who couldn't be completely ignored either, and for a time, the fight was truly deadlocked.
As for Nanook…
Though THEY didn't show THEIR face, 'Hertatomb' was sure THEY were watching the show.
Probably hoping she'd accept Destruction, just like Khaslana did.
But 'Hertatomb' was fundamentally different from Khaslana; she never had much resistance to power in the first place.
Nanook was clearly overthinking it.
--+--
The battle raged on in this unpopulated world for who knows how long.
Time in the Path Space was clearly out of sync with the material world.
Only when 'Hertatomb' had fully adapted to the new power did Nanook finally tell them to stand down.
To leave the Path Space.
Returning to her own body, Celenova instinctively tried to strike again.
But this time, 'Hertatomb', whose power had grown tremendously, restrained Celenova right in front of her using only the puppet-controlling strings.
'Hertatomb' glanced at her status panel:
--+--
[Role-Playing System]
[Name: Bai Ming (Hertatomb)]
[Lifespan: 600 years (paused) + 5 days (role-playing)]
[Transformable Roles: Big Herta (Available), Acheron (Available), Celenova (Charge: 93.4%), Jingliu (Charge: 81.4%), Ruan Mei (Charge: 63.4%), Sparkle (Charge: 53.2%), Hertatomb (Active Role)]
[Available Draws: 0 (98.1%)]
--+--
Just like last time, Destruction's blessings leaned more towards, well, destruction.
Their effect on lifespan extension was relatively limited.
Still, gaining an extra 150 years bumped it up to a nice round number.
But the boost in power was massive.
The golden blood Nanook gave this time was potent—standard Lord Ravager blessing level.
Combined with the previous blessing, even ignoring the power from her assumed identities and Aha's gift of Elation, just the pure Destruction power alone now far exceeded standard Emanator levels.
Gotta admit, Nanook was truly generous.
Blessing her twice—completely unlike that mechanical cheapskate.
At this point, 'Hertatomb' felt increasingly reluctant to go for the kill against Celenova.
"See? I told you the power in that golden blood was strong. I was willing to give it to you, but you didn't want it."
'Hertatomb' shook her head with a sigh.
"You'd be that kind?"
"Why not? If, in the future when you're summoned, you stop granting Destruction equally to all and stop carelessly tossing Stellarons around, giving you this power wouldn't be an issue."
"…"
Celenova's emotions grew complicated.
Just now, 'Hertatomb' had deliberately used Harmony's power to make contact.
So she knew that the other party was serious.
If she just made a slight adjustment, spared the lives of those she invaded, she really would have handed over the golden blood.
Plus, considering all her previous actions…
Just what was she after??
Celenova began to feel uneasy instead.
Where was this inexplicable goodwill coming from?
Could she actually… like her?
"…Just what are you trying to do, you weirdo?"
"Always 'weirdo this, weirdo that.' You won't even call me Hertatomb."
"Of course not. It's obviously a fake name. Herta + Irontomb. Why not call yourself 'Ironherta'?"
"Bai Ming."
"Huh?"
Celenova was startled, but then 'Hertatomb' continued:
"My real name is Bai Ming."
"Ho… Bai Ming. That name certainly rings a bell. So the creator of the Land of Light is actually an Emanator of Destruction. How much chaos do you think that news would cause?"
Celenova showed surprise at first, but then laughed.
But 'Hertatomb' didn't care at all.
"The Land of Light itself is the biggest calling card. Even if it gets out, it doesn't matter. Unless they've gone insane, the Interastral Peace Corporation would never dare push the Land of Light into the Destruction faction."
The Land of Light wasn't established through anyone's charity.
It was built by the Ultra Warriors with their own fists.
Before trying to classify them as part of the Destruction faction, maybe consider whether you can handle getting pummeled by an Ultra first.
"So your own reputation means nothing to you?"
"Yep. See me acting under my own face? I don't care about my reputation at all. So~ Trying to use that kind of information to control me? You're still a bit green, Celenova."
'Hertatomb' smiled, meeting Celenova's gaze.
Then she realized: Celenova, bound by these strings, wearing that form-fitting outfit that outlined her curves, with the threads pressing slightly into her skin, made the usually completely covered-up Celenova suddenly look a bit… well, provocative…
"…What kind of look is that?"
Celenova's feminine intuition kicked in at that moment.
"Hmm… A photo album of the Lord Ravager Celenova. How popular do you think it would be?"
"What are you going to do?!"
--+--