The dark forest outside the clearing suddenly erupted into movement.
A horde of Abyssals surged forward. They were humanoid in shape but reptilian in structure — black-scaled lizard-like creatures with jagged claws and glowing red slit pupils.
Their movements were fast, aggressive, and instinct-driven.
Above them, massive black ravens with gleaming red eyes and black crystals embedded in their bodies circled the sky like living shadows.
"Stay in the center, Hiro," Bailey said calmly.
She gripped the paintbrush-like sword with one hand.
The red Aether runes along the blade pulsed faintly.
Hiro nodded quickly.
"Time to fry those overgrown chicken!!" Daisy shouted.
Her eyes glowed faintly with Aether light.
A soft white cloud formed beneath her feet.
The cloud lifted her into the air.
"War Cloud: Blitz Form."
The fluffy cloud darkened instantly.
Its surface turned heavy and storm-like, lightning flickering inside its body while thunderous rumbles echoed.
Daisy raised her hand. Yellow lightning sparks gathered around her fingers. Then she fired.
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning struck one raven mid-flight.
The bird-like Abyssal disintegrated into ash fragments before hitting the ground.
"Wow… is that Miss Daisy's blessing?" Hiro asked.
"Yes," Bailey replied. "Her blessing is
"It literally allows her to summon clouds of war and channel the fury of a war deity onto her enemies."
"Currently she's not using its full capabilities" Bailey added.
So this is not even her full power
Why are blessings so cool?!
Another raven dove downward.
"Wind Blade!!" Daisy shouted. Her earrings — small white chime-shaped ornaments — began glowing faintly.
Air compressed around her palms. Then released.
A sharp, pressurized wind blade sliced through the sky.
Hiro's eyes sparkled.
"Wait, she can control wind too?!"
"No," Bailey said calmly. "That's the ability of her Imperial gear, wind chime earrings [Feng Po Po]."
"Wait!! Imperial gear!!".
Hiro remembered.
Weapons forged from Aether steel, rare metal extracted from the Abyss itself and engraved with Aether runes.
Only awakened individuals could normally use them.
But truly made them awesome was that they could tailor designed and created for any awakened even the beast slaves.
However a single person could only use a single imperial gear as the imperial gear formed a bond it's user which prohibits it from using another one.
Maybe I will get one too
After the Male Uprising fifty years ago, government regulation restricted uncontrolled Imperial gear distribution.
Most unawakened males dreamed of using such weapons.
For protection. Or survival.
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
Explosions erupted from the battlefield.
Hiro's attention snapped forward. Marian was already inside the lizard horde.
She moved like a storm of muscle and speed.
Each punch she delivered was followed by a burst of explosive force. Spark fragments flew from her brass knuckles before—
BOOM!!!
Another Abyssal turned into ash. Daisy hovered above, lightning raining down to support her.
Damn… she looks badass.
Hiro watched Marian closely.
Every time her fist struck an Abyssal, sparks burst from her knuckles.
Then—
BOOM.
Explosion.
He frowned slightly.
"Ah, that's Marian's blessing," Bailey said quietly.
"You mean exploding punches?" Hiro asked.
"No. That is not her blessing."
"Then what is it?"
"Her blessing is
Hiro blinked. "What does that do?"
"Every time she lands a direct hit, the power of her next strike doubles."
Hiro's brain paused. Then restarted.
"Doubles?!"
"Yes."
"But then… the explosions—"
"Are from her Imperial gear," Bailey continued.
"The dynamite knuckles — [Surtr], generate explosive force upon impact."
She paused slightly.
"And the explosion strength depends on impact force."
Hiro's eyes widened slowly.
Wait. If explosion power depends on impact…
And her blessing doubles strike strength…
Then—
"Oh, I see you figured it out," Bailey said softly.
Hiro swallowed.
"So… that means the explosion gets stronger every time she hits consecutively?"
"Yes."
"That's why she's called…"
Bailey smiled faintly
"Bombshell Mari."
"A former Princess candidate."
Hiro watched Marian again. Marian was laughing while punching Abyssals apart.
Explosions blooming like crimson flowers of destruction.
He felt a strange chill.
If she keeps punching…
The damage will grow exponentially.
That's terrifying.
Another shadow moved behind him. Elira spoke quietly.
"Focus. More are coming."Hiro turned.
The forest was still dark.
But the rustling sound grew louder.
The screeching returned.
Hundreds of red eyes opened inside the shadows.
Hiro swallowed.
This is only the first wave…?