Tatara's massive arms, thick like pillars, suddenly swept outward, and in an instant, a torrent of blazing flames erupted from them!
The blue fire surged forward like a roaring tidal wave, engulfing everyone in its path. Wherever the flames passed, the very air seemed to be scorched and twisted, instilling a chilling sense of dread.
The CRC gas saturating the atmosphere began to rise slowly due to the intense heat currents.
Yoshimura Eto crouched low on the ground, building up force, and let out a few sinister chuckles, but did not attack immediately.
Uesugi Ryu, observing the scene from the side, instantly grasped their intention. They were using the intense flames to divide the battlefield.
Yoshimura Eto would stall the majority of the investigators, while Tatara would lead the remaining Aogiri Tree members to rescue the ghouls imprisoned on the S and SS levels.
In the blink of an eye, the blue flames surged closer. Everyone scattered to avoid them.
Fortunately, the purpose of Tatara's attack wasn't to kill. Despite its ferocity, the flames didn't cause any substantial damage to the investigators.
Amidst the chaos, Uesugi Ryu didn't hesitate for even a second, he immediately donned [Arata], the new armor.
A greenish-black metallic sheen spread across and enveloped his entire torso. His eyes locked tightly onto the Aogiri Tree grunts, a piercing killing intent emanating from his gaze.
In the next instant, his figure blurred, he vanished like a bolt of lightning.
By the time he reappeared, the twin blades in his hands were already slaAratag wildly like a torrential storm. Every flash of cold light signified the end of a ghoul's life.
In no time, a thick stench of blood filled the air, and a terrifying blood rain poured down.
When Uesugi Ryu finally stopped killing and re-entered the field of vision, his short black hair was already soaked in blood, nearly half of it dyed a deep crimson.
Ghoul blood trickled slowly down his cold and angular cheeks, like a string of dark red pearls.
Since using [Arata] consumed significant resources, these grunts would serve as replenishment.
[You have killed 5 A-Rank ghouls, 12 B-Rank ghouls. Soul Devour activated. Permanently increased Mana by 183 points!]
Yoshimura Eto's pupils instantly constricted into pinpoints when she saw this, and she muttered inwardly:
"This guy... absolutely isn't human. Maybe a half-human?"
The once-playful expression on her kakuja exterior suddenly turned heavy with caution.
Hirako Take and Aura Kiyoko were both dumbfounded. [Arata] was that strong??
At this rate, how were ghouls supposed to keep fighting? Just mass-produce a few more of these things and ghouls would be extinct sooner or later.
Tatara didn't show the slightest concern for the casualties among his subordinates. Without a moment's hesitation, he directed his kakuja armor and bolted toward the SS-level holding cells.
Meanwhile, Uesugi Ryu calmly ran a hand through his blood-soaked, damp hair. He slightly turned his head and directed his gaze toward Aura Kiyoko and Hirako Take, who stood not far away.
"Both of you, go after that white-haired one. As for this Owl, I'll take her."
Uesugi Ryu's voice was low and firm, carrying a tone that allowed no argument.
However, neither Aura Kiyoko nor Hirako Take moved in response to his command.
At that moment, a deep roar suddenly tore through the air.
Yoshimura Eto lunged forward on all fours with terrifying force, her massive body ruAratag at them with suffocating pressure.
"Don't underestimate a Special Class, kid," said Aura Kiyoko helplessly, her Quinque Zebizu bursting into radiant light.
Several homing missiles launched directly at the massive body of the One-Eyed Owl.
Seeing that neither Aura Kiyoko nor Hirako Take were backing down, Uesugi Ryu didn't press any further.
He took a deep breath and silently chanted in his mind:
"Armored Fusion!"
Mana surged violently from within Uesugi Ryu's body. The armor known as [Arata] attached to him suddenly writhed as if it had gained life of its own.
In an instant, its color shifted from cold metallic hues to a brilliant, blood-drenched red.
Plates of armor, like serpentine coils, quickly wrapped themselves around his neck, flickering with a cold, piercing light.
---
Name: Uesugi Ryu
Race: Human
Power Level: SS-[SS+] (Base stats only. Weapon skills not included in evaluation.)
Strength: 13[16] （SS+）
Agility: 16[17] （SS+）
Constitution: 13（A-）[+1 from equipment]
Intelligence: 10（A+） Each point equals 10 mana
Mana: 464/534（+17 per hour regen）
Health: 203[Torso Defense +70] [Total Torso Defense: 93.4]
Equipment: (Experimental [Arata])
Mana Consumption: 20/min
Innate Ability: Soul Devour
(Upon killing a target, can devour their soul to increase mana.)
Skills:
D-Rank: Phantom Clone, shunshin Technique
C-Rank: Blood Frenzy
Energy: 23/100
Remaining Draw Chances: 1
Inventory:
The Pharmacist's "Treasure"
B-Rank Quinque (Viper)
A-Rank Quinque (Sakikage)
S+ Rank Quinque (Jason – x2)
Calming Potion
Goddess of Luck's...
---
A consumption rate of 20 mana per minute was terrifying. Including other skill usage, this form could only be sustained for roughly fifteen minutes at most.
Even Hirako Take couldn't help but be shocked. Though he was the always composed type, his lips twitched slightly at the sight.
He was well aware of [Arata]'s shortcomings..
Was this really going to work?
Yoshimura Eto's figure blurred as she charged forward at extreme speed.
But at that very moment, several missiles came shrieking toward her!
A series of thunderous explosions rang out, and the tremendous shockwaves from the blasts forced Eto to halt for a brief moment.
Simultaneously, a cloud of thick black smoke rose high into the air, temporarily obscuring everyone's vision.
However, as the smoke slowly cleared, what emerged was a chilling scene, those powerful missiles hadn't even penetrated Eto's kakuja armor.
Her massive body pressed forward without the slightest reduction in speed.
On the other side, Uesugi Ryu's gaze turned icy as he tightly gripped his twin blades.
With a flick of his wrists, the two swords merged into one.
A flash of crimson light erupted, and a long-handled greatsword with a purple-black shaft appeared in his hands.
At the same time, crimson energy like living serpents coiled rapidly around the weapon.
Terrifying energy radiated outward in all directions, and an overwhelming pressure surged from Uesugi Ryu's body.
Gripping the massive greatsword in one hand, he gave the hilt a slight twist, spinning the blade into a dazzling arc of light.
Then, he stomped down with both feet and shot forward like a cannonball.
The terrifying momentum kicked up a storm of howling wind, surging outward in all directions.
Two streaks of blood-red shadows, one large, one small, charged toward each other.
Yoshimura Eto let out several delighted, maniacal laughs. Her pink tongue lightly licked her lips.
Uesugi Ryu... seemed delicious.