Section 141: Chapter 134: Lightning Release: Thunder Clone Technique
Before everyone's eyes, the exploded lightning did not spread outward. Instead, it gathered toward the center and condensed into Kanna's form.
Scout, standing not far away, narrowed his eyes slightly. The lightning Kanna looked like a cheetah poised to strike. If he had merely felt that something was wrong before, now he had the feeling that if he did not go all out, he would probably end up lying in the Medical Department later.
Sure enough, the instant the lightning Kanna finished taking shape, she looked in his direction. Then, amid everyone's cries of surprise, she charged at him at incredible speed.
If it had been pure hand-to-hand combat, this would not have put pressure on a veteran combatant like Scout. But Scout saw two familiar objects appear in the lightning Kanna's hands—the things Kanna usually loved using for travel: Lightning Wedges.
Sensing danger, Scout immediately stopped retreating and began moving irregularly from side to side.
But the lightning Kanna did not indulge him. The two Lightning Wedges fell like meteors, arriving at his side before he could react.
At the sight of the wedges, Scout instinctively crossed his arms over his chest and abruptly crouched down, reducing the area exposed to the blow.
And just as he expected, the lightning Kanna appeared at the Lightning Wedges' former position in the next second, swinging her short little leg into his arms.
Scout was kicked several meters away. Before he could even feel the near-paralysis in his hands, a fierce gust rose behind him.
Ignoring his dignity, he lunged forward and followed it with an ungainly roll, narrowly avoiding the attack from behind.
When he raised his head, he saw the lightning Kanna standing before him. The electric glow in her hand flickered like a snake's tongue, lightly tracing across his face.
"I surrender! I'm not fighting anymore!" Scout flopped onto the ground and began shamelessly playing dead.
Yet inwardly, he was deeply shocked. He had clearly seen Kanna watching the show from not far away out of the corner of his eye, but this lightning Kanna who had suddenly appeared could easily suppress him in a frontal fight. Of course, that was also related to the fact that he had not used Originium Arts and was not the type who excelled in direct combat.
Still, with the strength of this "clone," becoming an Elite Operator at Rhodes Island would not be difficult at all.
With a wave of Kanna's hand, the Thunder Clone vanished from before Scout, and the Thunder Seed reappeared in her hand.
After showing the Thunder Seed to everyone, Kanna finally said,
"This is the second form of my Arts. Near me, I can help my teammates condense the Eye of Thunder Punishment and Evil into a Thunder Seed like this. Thunder Seeds can be activated by throwing them out or triggering them with Arts. Once activated, one of my clones will appear. Everyone has seen the clone's combat power—it's pretty good.
"However, the clone only lasts for one minute after appearing, so don't be stingy when you need to retreat or break through a path. This clone can also use my Arts, so high-mobility combat is no problem at all."
Watching everything from nearby, Kal'tsit sighed inwardly. As expected of Kanna. Judging from the effect of this move alone, Rock Bay Town must have affected her deeply. Although she never said so, she had clearly been thinking about how to solve such situations in the future, which was why she created this Arts.
After hearing the explanation, everyone became quite interested in the Arts, especially the caster Operators. They surrounded Kanna and asked about its principles and spell model. After all, no caster would be uninterested in an Arts that could potentially change the outcome of a battle.
Fortunately, when her system granted her Arts, it had not simply stuffed the skills into her head. It had also given her every detail of the Arts. Thus, when faced with the casters' questions, Kanna was not worried in the slightest and generously explained its principles.
The casters, who usually regarded their own melee-focused Operators as fools wherever they went, all took out notebooks and carefully recorded every word Kanna said like elementary school students attending class.
What they learned made the casters ecstatic.
Although Kanna's Arts was extremely complex, whether in terms of its model or casting principles, that very complexity allowed everyone to glimpse its endless mysteries.
The casters took their carefully copied notes and returned to the landship one after another. Compared to fighting and killing, most of them seemed more interested in researching this new Arts.
Kal'tsit could not help nodding at the sight. Although she felt that even if others learned this Arts, it would be difficult for them to achieve the same effect as Kanna, having a goal was still a good thing.
Meanwhile, the remaining Operators—especially melee Operators such as Defenders, Guards, and Vanguards—formed pairs and began testing the Arts' practical effect in combat.
After a burst of crackling sounds across the deck, more than half the Operators lay twitching on the ground. Yet all of them looked delighted.
Based on the tests, as long as one side made an attacking or defensive move and came into contact with the other, the Eye of Thunder Punishment and Evil would automatically activate and launch an attack.
The attack came extremely quickly and covertly, and its power was not insignificant either. Even with the earlier warning, more than half the Operators failed to react during training and got hit. That was why, after one round, more than half the people were lying on the ground.
Fortunately, Kanna had deliberately adjusted the Arts' power when using it. They would be injured if struck, but it would not cause serious injuries or death.
Even so, the effect far exceeded everyone's expectations.
Not to mention the Thunder Seed transformed by Kanna. Hadn't Scout, a veteran Elite Operator of Rhodes Island, lost to a clone in frontal combat?
Moreover, the skill's activation range was extremely far. Sniper Operators tested it, and when they attacked a target a thousand meters away with arrows, the Eye of Thunder Punishment and Evil's assisting attack triggered the instant the arrow hit. The same applied to Arts. After bombarding distant targets with Arts, lightning would suddenly split out from the void and launch an additional attack.
This proved that the effect could be used not only in melee combat, but also for ranged assaults.
The relatively powerful Sharp and Scout sparred to test the frequency and duration of Kanna's Arts.
Half an hour later, the two men sat on the ground, drenched in sweat, looking at the Eye of Thunder Punishment and Evil above each other's heads. Neither showed even the slightest sign of dispersal, and they both laughed.
During their sparring, the others also discovered that not only was its power formidable, its frequency was extremely high. In fast-paced combat, it could provide one assisting attack per second. Coupled with its considerable attack strength, it forcibly raised even an Elite Operator's combat power by several levels.
Section 142: Chapter 135: Rhodes Island's Miss Lightning
After a round of sparring, both men were covered in marks left by lightning.
Just as everyone was marveling at Kanna's Arts, the door opened again, and a green-haired figure rushed out in a hurry.
"I heard someone got hurt during training up here. Let me see which idiot doesn't know how busy the Medical Department is and still wants to make trouble for us... Holy shit! Notify the Medical Department! All doctors and nurses currently on duty who aren't in surgery, get up here! Bring every stretcher! There are a large number of injured on the deck! I repeat, a large number of injured on the deck!"
As she walked, the hammer-wielding woman cursed under her breath. But after stepping outside and seeing the Operators scattered all over the ground, she grabbed the communicator hanging from her waist and began contacting people.
Less than five minutes later, a large group of doctors rushed out through the doors carrying stretchers.
After finishing the call, Gavial put down her communicator and charged into the crowd, immediately grabbing the unlucky man who had just sat up—Sharp.
"What happened? Why are so many people down?"
Sharp had also calmed down from the excitement of the earlier sparring. Looking at the many Operators around him still twitching from the electricity, he could not help feeling that things had gotten out of hand.
"Everyone just failed to control themselves while testing the skill. At most, they were stunned by the electricity. It should not be too serious." Recalling how it felt to be struck by lightning, Sharp grabbed Gavial and told her not to panic.
Soon, the doctors arrived on the deck as well. Seeing the injured all over the ground, they all had dark expressions.
Fortunately, after examination, most of them were only numb from the electricity. Only a few unlucky ones had been knocked unconscious directly. There were no seriously injured patients, and they would basically make a full recovery after resting for a day or two.
By the time Kal'tsit heard the news from above in the Control Room, it was already a little late. She had a rough idea what the Operators would look like after the test. Her original plan had been to borrow a few carts from the Engineering Department afterward to haul these unlucky people down, but Gavial had already brought people up, so that plan was abandoned.
At that moment, Kanna, Popukar, and Rosemary had already returned inside the ship. They found Amiya and went to the Engineering Department together.
Inside Vulcan's workshop, Kanna told the story of Rock Bay Town once more. When they heard that Kanna had carried a greatsword, endured lightning, and fought a Great Beast hundreds of meters long at sea, everyone was so astonished that they barely dared breathe.
When they heard how Kanna had finally scared off the Great Beast with the powerful move Thunder Dragon Armament: I'll Form the Head, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Though everyone was puzzled over why the move had such a strange name.
Vulcan closed her eyes and recalled the marks on the weapon, then nodded. Although Kanna's account contained some exaggeration, it was probably correct overall and matched most of the weapon's damage.
"I don't have any issues with the rest, but this..." Vulcan pointed at the bite marks on the weapon. "Why did you bite the weapon?"
"Gah!"
Faced with a crowd of curious eyes, a cold sweat drop appeared on Kanna's head...
Was she supposed to say that the jellyfish had tasted so good that she had gotten too carried away and bit the weapon in excitement?
If she said that, would not the lofty heroic image she had built up collapse completely?
"Forget it. It's not a major issue, but you should be more careful in the future." Seeing Kanna's expression, Vulcan guessed something. She shook her head and continued,
"From your account, this weapon's combat effectiveness against large creatures still needs improvement. You probably won't be leaving anytime soon, so leave the weapon with me. I'll think about how to reinforce it. Oh, it's almost time for dinner. Take Eyjafjalla to eat."
Vulcan walked back to the weapon and stood before the greatsword, contemplating something.
Led by Amiya, the group walked out from inside.
After leaving, they discovered a silver-haired girl standing not far away. She held a camera and stood completely still. Together with the robot at her side, which kept making beeping sounds to warn passersby to be careful, the scene gave off a strange sense of mismatch.
"That's Miss Karin. She's a Perro from Sargon and an excellent photographer. She doesn't really like talking, so if you need anything, you can ask the mechanical support cart beside her."
A familiar voice came from beside them. Everyone turned and saw that Closure had somehow already arrived at their side.
"Miss Karin? I saw her in the records. She's an exceptionally skilled photographer and one of Rhodes Island's rare battlefield reconnaissance experts." After hearing Closure's introduction, Amiya thought for a moment and found Karin's information among the mountain of Operator files.
"However, according to her report, she doesn't seem very good at communicating with people..." Seeing Kanna curiously walk over, Amiya said with some hesitation.
Kanna waved her hand. "Don't worry, I'm not stealing her camera. Besides, she's just spacing out. What a great chance to make frie... make friends."
Kanna bounced in front of Karin and curiously looked her over.
"Hello, I am Operator Karin's support robot. Is there anything I can help you with?" At Kanna's approach, the robot following beside Karin immediately spoke.
Kanna did not answer. Instead, she curiously waved a finger in front of Karin's face, only to discover that Karin's gaze merely trembled slightly.
By the time the support robot below had anxiously circled the two of them several times, Closure finally pulled Kanna away. "Miss Karin is a very special presence even at Rhodes Island. You little brat should stop bothering her."
Only then did Karin seem to react. She nodded toward where Kanna had been standing and opened her mouth as though she wanted to say something, but no sound came out.
"Wow! That delay is almost a full minute!" Kanna looked shocked from the side. That was truly an absurdly long reaction time.
"Come on, come on! Stop teasing her!" Closure did not want to see Kanna in the Engineering Department at all, because the losses from last time still made her heart ache whenever she remembered them. Of course, in other places, such as the convenience store, Closure would be more than happy to welcome her.
"Don't be in such a hurry! Can I commission a photo of dawn? You know, the moment just before the sun rises, when the sky is filled with light..." Even while Closure dragged her away, Kanna stubbornly poked her head out and asked.
Upon hearing the commission request, Karin reacted noticeably faster. As her eyes shifted, the little cart spoke.
"Miss Karin has accepted your request. We will deliver a photograph that satisfies you within one month at the latest."
Section 143: Chapter 136: First Hearing of the Prologue
After leaving the Engineering Department, the group began discussing where to eat.
Kanna thought of the restaurant from before and suggested that they go to the same place where they had eaten last time.
Although Popukar still had lingering fears about the taste of the nutritional meal served afterward, she had found the earlier food delicious. Amiya, Rosemary, and Eyjafjalla had no objections about where to eat, so the group wound through the corridors and arrived at the same restaurant as before.
When the head chef saw the two great terrors etched into his DNA arrive together, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed on the spot.
However, chefs from other kitchens were quickly assigned to assist.
Before the last chef collapsed to the floor, unable to raise his arms any longer, the group looked at the mountain of empty plates and left the restaurant in satisfaction.
One Perro failed her challenge yet again. Without Vulcan watching over her, she ate until halfway through, let out a burp, rolled her eyes back, and collapsed. Fortunately, there were Medical Operators among the kitchen assistants—not just Pheobe. After some back-patting and pressure, she finally recovered and looked worshipfully at Kanna, who was still stuffing food into her mouth.
Aside from Kanna's group, the happiest person was Pheobe. Although a few minor accidents happened during the process, the nutritional meal she had carefully prepared was not wasted again.
Kanna ate 99.9% of it, while the remaining 0.1% went into the mouth of Amiya, who had bravely accepted the challenge.
Of course, Amiya's strange expression after eating it was not something outsiders needed to know.
One morning several days later, the group was playing cards in the greenhouse when Amiya walked in from outside.
Her tightly furrowed brow made it clear that something weighed heavily on her mind. Yet since she had specifically come here, she must have hoped they could offer her some advice.
Sure enough, after sitting quietly for a while, Amiya spoke.
"Kanna, if someone once did something terribly wrong to Rhodes Island, but he is very capable and could help Rhodes Island overcome its current difficulties, do you think it is necessary to let him return?"
Kanna understood immediately. Amiya was talking about Doctor. Although she did not know what difficulties Rhodes Island currently faced, every expedition required Elite Operators to lead the team, yet even then, groups often left at full strength and returned missing several people.
Rhodes Island had a solid foundation and some strength in small-scale battles. Strategically, however, the Sarkaz aside, most of Rhodes Island's Sarkaz leadership wanted to crush Theresis. Kal'tsit's thoughts were too heavy, and she lacked sufficient vision of the bigger picture. Amiya was even less mature. The best way to change Rhodes Island's current situation was to pull Doctor out of his coffin in Chernobog.
Thinking of what happened after Doctor emerged, from the Kjerag holy mountain to Victoria, Rhodes Island's military and political strength rose very noticeably after he officially took command.
At least outside Skadi's bad ending route, Rhodes Island's situation had been steadily improving.
And that had only been brought about in a single year, which showed just how terrifying his strategic vision was.
That said, although Kal'tsit had always shown opposition before Doctor returned to Rhodes Island, after Amiya rescued him, even at great cost, Kal'tsit did not blame her excessively. Though she was still stubborn with her words, she actually relinquished authority remarkably quickly.
Of course, because of Doctor's past, Kal'tsit did not trust him completely and still retained many powers. But in combat, with Kal'tsit's approval, all of Rhodes Island came under his command. Otherwise, he would not have received assistance from veteran Operators like Ascalon and Misery in Victoria.
"Was what that person did intentional or unintentional? Has he ever regretted his mistakes? If he comes back, are those affected by his wrongdoing willing to forgive him? Amiya, I don't know why you want to bring back someone who committed such grave mistakes against Rhodes Island, but you are Rhodes Island's leader. Every Operator in Rhodes Island, including me, will work for your decision. But when you make that decision, do not let your emotions guide you. If you believe his arrival is truly necessary, then speak up and act. Still, judging by how you look, that person must have a terrible relationship with Kal'tsit. Otherwise, you would not have come to ask us..."
Amiya froze upon hearing Kanna's words. At that moment, she understood a little more about what the word "leader" meant. Everyone at Rhodes Island trusted her, so her decisions needed to live up to that trust.
Amiya nodded, and her expression looked much more relaxed.
"Thank you. I need to speak with Dr. Kal'tsit, so I won't disturb your game any longer."
With that, Amiya walked out of the greenhouse.
Although her steps were much firmer than when she had entered, Kanna was not optimistic that she could convince Kal'tsit. In Kanna's guess, Kal'tsit had definitely rejected Amiya's plan before. It was only after she likely obtained intelligence about the Reunion Movement preparing to attack Chernobog that she agreed to Amiya's request. After all, if Chernobog fell, Doctor's location would inevitably be uncovered, and then his life or death would be uncertain.
Only under those circumstances had Rhodes Island been willing to send a rescue team led by Amiya, with ACE, Scout, and Nearl among its Elite Operators.
The result of that rescue was Doctor's survival, purchased at the near-annihilation of Amiya's squad, the ACE Squad, and Scout's squad.
But this time, with Kanna here, she would never allow Rhodes Island to grieve again.
Although she did not know the exact date, she remembered that the operation should take place in winter. It was currently late summer, approaching autumn. In other words, if nothing unexpected happened, Kanna likely had less than four months left to prepare.
At that thought, Kanna immediately lost any desire to slack off. In her previous world, everyone at Rhodes Island had only been pictures and words, but now they were real people she could see and communicate with, people with their own thoughts, preferences, and culture.
When she first came to Rhodes Island, she had resolved to prevent the tragedy. She had thought it was still far away, but now she suddenly realized it was already right before her.
Kanna opened the system.
"Hey, hey, hey! System, put in some effort! It's been so long since we came back last time, so why haven't you done anything at all? There are only a few months left until Chernobog. Hurry up and give me something useful!"
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