Exo-Arcana Online

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(Note: This chapter is LONGER than usual, but highly action-packed. So, enjoy!)

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[YOU HAVE INITIATED THE QUEST]

[UNIQUE WORLD BOSS - VHALZAKYR, THE RESTLESS REVENANT (Chained)]

A heavy fog rolled over the ruined battlefield as the ground trembled beneath their feet. A towering specter of armored malice, Vhalzakyr, the Restless Revenant, loomed before them. His rusted yet wickedly sharp greatsword radiated a cursed aura, and the eerie rattling of spectral chains echoed through the desolate air.

"Okay... big scary ghost knight, with big scary sword... alright..." Hoshigari muttered, gripping his firearms tightly.

"It's a Unique World Boss! The first one ever to be seen... EVER!" Yukinox exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment.

"Really?!" Hoshigari asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Yukihikari confirmed, her voice tinged with urgency. "Despite my clan being somewhat old and high-ranked, neither we nor any other clans nor players have ever encountered a Unique World Boss before. This... this is the first ever—Vhalzakyr."

"Do we have to fight it?" Hoshigari questioned hesitantly.

"YES! This is the rarest of all rare opportunities! If other players find out, it'll be a hassle!" Yukihikari insisted.

"Alright, alright, I get what'chu mean..." Hoshigari sighed, rolling his shoulders. "I'll play the healer role and even flank and fire from afar. You two, hit it with everything you got up front."

"You think that strat'll work?" Yukinox asked, tightening his grip on his sword.

"Dude, we accidentally stumbled upon this damn unique boss, we at least gotta try!" Hoshigari argued.

"Yeah... yeah, you're right..." Yukinox nodded.

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Yukihikari stepped forward, her aura flaring. "Let me use my Exo-Ability on your weapons first. Exo Ability, Activate: Weapon Buffer!" A surge of power pulsed through the battlefield as a radiant blue glow enveloped their weapons:

[Ebonflame Desert Eagle (Damage and Fire-Rate Buffed)]

[Howitzer Hand-Held Cannon (Damage and Fire-Rate Buffed)]

[Zenith Mecha (Enhanced Defense & Strength)]

[Frostflame Blade (Enhanced Striking Power)]

[Shiverthorn Spear (Augmented Piercing Damage)]

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The air vibrated with tension as Vhalzakyr let out a ghastly roar, spectral chains extending from his body like vengeful vipers. A single chain lashed out at blinding speed.

"DODGE!" Yukinox shouted.

Yukihikari leaped to the side. Yukinox hover-dashed to evade. Hoshigari rolled away just in time.

"Alright, looks like someone is getting impatient!" Hoshigari smirked before unleashing three precise shots from his Ebonflame Desert Eagle. Each bullet struck Vhalzakyr's helmet, dealing damage but only enraging him further.

"What's wrong? Gettin' pissy?!" Hoshigari taunted before sprinting to reposition. "Noct! Join up with Yu and Yukihikari!"

"Understood!" Noctatsu swiftly leaped onto Yukinox's Mecha shoulder, blade drawn and ready.

Yukihikari and Yukinox surged forward, prepared to engage. Vhalzakyr responded in kind, raising his colossal blade high before bringing it down in a devastating cleave—Splitter Slash—ripping through the ground with terrifying force. The trio barely dodged as debris exploded around them.

"That was close!" Yukihikari gasped but pressed forward. She lunged with her Spear Striker Skill: Piercing Thrust, her spear thrusting forward like a lightning bolt. Vhalzakyr managed to deflect it with the flat of his blade, but the opening allowed Yukinox to dash in from behind, delivering a sweeping slash at his neck. The attack landed, but the damage was minimal.

Vhalzakyr retaliated instantly, swinging his greatsword in a wide arc. The force knocked Yukihikari and Yukinox back, dealing heavy damage. Seizing an opening, Noctatsu leaped into the air, forming intricate hand seals.

"Exo Ability, Activate: Umbral Clone Mirage!"

A dozen shadowy clones materialized around him, each an exact copy, their blades gleaming in the ghostly light.

"RAIN!" Noctatsu commanded as his clones descended like a storm of daggers, striking Vhalzakyr relentlessly. The towering revenant raised his sword to shield himself, giving Yukinox and Yukihikari an opportunity. They launched a coordinated pincer attack—

Spear Striker Skill: Spearhead Drill (Yukihikari aimed for the gut)

Mecha Rider Skill: Boost Engine into Longsword Warrior Skill: Full Swing Slash (Yukinox struck from behind)

The attacks landed hard, but Vhalzakyr, annoyed, lashed out with his chains, ensnaring Noctatsu before hurling him aside, as he focused back on Yukihikari and Yukinox. As Hoshigari rushed towards the thrown Noctatsu, using Fixer Skill: Patch Up to restore Noctatsu's health.

"You good?" Hoshigari asked.

"Yes, thank you, sir Hoshi" Noctatsu replied, hopping back onto his shoulder.

"Man, that was intense." Hoshigari commented towards Vhalzakyr's strength.

Hoshigari crouched behind a thick, weathered tombstone, his breath steady as he peered out to assess the chaotic battle. His mind raced, analyzing the fight.

"So far, physical attacks aren't doing much. The damage is too low... But why?" His sharp eyes darted to the boss's name bar: Vhalzakyr, The Restless Revenant (Chained). "That tag—Chained—it has to mean something." His thoughts clicked into place. "Could it be those shackles?"

A realization struck him like a lightning bolt. "Yukihikari's Sub-Class is Appraiser! She might be able to analyze them!"

He didn't waste a second. Dashing out from cover, he pulled the trigger of his Howitzer Hand-Held Cannon, sending a missile streaking toward Vhalzakyr's helm. The impact rocked the battlefield, luckily staggering the spectral knight. The towering revenant faltered, its greatsword momentarily lowering as an unearthly growl rumbled from its hollow armor.

"Now's the chance!" Yukinox seized the opening. With Boost Engine igniting his Mecha's thrusters, he charged in, his Frostflame Blade carving through the air. He executed a flawless combination of slashes and thrusts, each strike precise—

Mecha Rider Skill: Gen-Blast! A pulse of energy erupted from his palm, sending shuddering waves through Vhalzakyr's cursed armor.

Lonsword Warrior Skill: Overhead Downward Slash! His blade came crashing down with unrelenting force.

Longsword Warrior Skill: Straight Piercer! The final strike punctured the revenant's side, sending spectral embers scattering.

Hoshigari sprinted to Yukihikari, urgency laced in his voice. "Yukihikari, wait!"

"Yeah?! What is it?" she called back, dodging a sweeping chain strike.

"Appraise those shackles! Now!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Just do it! Trust me!"

With no hesitation, Yukihikari activated her Appraisal Ability, focusing on the spectral-like chains binding Vhalzakyr's wrists and legs. Her eyes widened. "AH! IT SAYS HERE—THEY'RE CALLED [SHACKLES OF MITIGATED SUFFERING]!"

Hoshigari grinned. "That's it! The shackles are suppressing its true damage intake, it has damage resistance! AIM FOR THE CHAINS! SHATTER THOSE DAMN SHACKLES!"

Yukinox heard the call and locked onto the left wrist chain. He activated Boost Engine once more, gripping the cold, cursed steel. "Let's break this thing—Glacius Veil!"

A surge of frost magic poured from his left hand, spreading across the chain, freezing it solid. The revenant's eyes flared with awareness as it roared back to life, swinging its greatsword in a wide arc—

Yukinox barely dodged by ducking at the last second, feeling the ghostly steel whiff over his head.

"Not this time—!" With all his might, he plunged his Frostflame Blade into the frozen chain—

CRACK!

The shackle and chain shattered into shards of cursed ice. As a wave of dark energy erupted from Vhalzakyr's form, sending a shockwave through the battlefield.

Yukinox leaped back, shielding himself from the force. He glanced up, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's one chain down!"

As the dust settled, Vhalzakyr's ghastly form felt a bit different. The battle wasn't over—but now they knew.

This Unique World Boss... was a gimmick-type battle.

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...

The Shackles of Mitigated Suffering—Vhalzakyr is bound by four chains, each limiting his power and reducing the damage he takes. With every shattered shackle, 25% of his true strength is released. The fateforgers have broken one, but in doing so, they have made the battle even deadlier. Now, they must weigh the risk of fighting a stronger Vhalzakyr against the benefit of finally being able to deal proper damage to him.

...

A chilling wind swept through the ruined graveyard as the four warriors braced themselves. Vhalzakyr's dark aura flared, no longer shackled by one of his chains. His teal glow pulsed with new intensity, now tinged with a menacing blue.

"It seems like he got stronger..." Yukinox muttered, gripping his sword tighter.

"Yeah, each time we break a shackle, the stronger he gets," Yukihikari confirmed, eyes locked onto the monstrous entity before them.

"But each time we shatter the shackles, the more he is vulnerable to damage!" Hoshigari shouted as he locked onto Vhalzakyr and launched his Ranger Hand-Held Cannon Skill: Tri-Shot. Three streaking missiles blasted forward, striking Vhalzakyr square in the chest. A cloud of fire and smoke erupted, but the towering entity barely staggered.

Seeing the opening, Yukinox surged forward, activating Mecha Rider Skill: Boost Power to amplify his speed. With a burst of energy, he blurred into motion and unleashed Longsword Warrior Skill: Slashing Rush, his blade becoming a storm of rapid strikes. Sparks flew as steel clashed against cursed flesh, each slash carving into Vhalzakyr with newfound effectiveness.

But the beast retaliated. With an enraged roar, Vhalzakyr swung his greatsword in a devastating Overhead Splitter Slash. Yukinox narrowly dodged, feeling the sheer force as the blade embedded itself into the earth, splitting the ground beneath. Seeing this, Yukihikari seized the moment. She dashed to Vhalzakyr's blind side and channeled Spear Striker Skill: Full Lunge Strike—a precise thrust aimed at the weakened shackle on his right ankle. Her spear connected, cracking the metal as blue sparks crackled across the chains.

Vhalzakyr, however, was no mindless brute. He sensed the pattern, reading their movements. As Yukihikari tried to duck his attack, he pivoted and delivered a brutal counter—a crushing straight kick. The impact sent her flying, slamming through multiple gravestones as she cried out, "IT READ MY MOVEMENTS!"

Noctatsu, mid-air, saw an opportunity and dove down like a viper. He executed his Full Launch: Venom Bladed Severance, aiming directly for Vhalzakyr's head. The beast, however, jerked his head back, dodging at the last second. Noctatsu's poisoned blade only managed to graze his cheek, leaving a thin but ominous cut.

Before Noctatsu could react, Vhalzakyr countered with brutal efficiency. The greatsword came down like a meteor. Noctatsu barely rolled out of the way, the impact sending a shockwave through the battlefield. As he recovered, he quickly flung Triple Aqua Shurikens at the weakened shackle on Vhalzakyr's right ankle. The water-infused blades spun with precision, striking the compromised metal and shattering it completely.

Another explosion of dark energy burst forth. The air around them distorted as Vhalzakyr's form pulsed, his ghastly aura shifting from teal to an even deeper blue. 50% of his true power was now unleashed.

As Vhalzakyr's ghastly color shifted from teal to blue

Hoshigari sprinted toward Yukihikari, who lay battered on the ground, her breathing ragged. Without hesitation, he activated his Fixer Skill: Patch Up, a soft glow surrounding his hands as he healed her wounds. Yukihikari let out a grateful sigh, steadying herself as she rose back to her feet.

"So, the more we break the shackles, the smarter it gets... What a pain," Hoshigari muttered, glancing at Vhalzakyr, who now stood eerily still, as if recalculating its next move.

Before they could react, Yukinox engaged. With a surge of power, he activated his Mecha Rider Skill: Boost Full Jet, rocketing toward Vhalzakyr with unparalleled speed. His blade slashed through the air in a silver arc as he collided with the towering revenant, their weapons clashing in a blur of steel and sparks. Blow after blow, Yukinox expertly parried Vhalzakyr's strikes, maneuvering with agility that seemed almost unnatural.

With a sudden feint, Yukinox leaped into the air, twisting his body to aim his left fist downward. "Mecha Rider Skill: Gen-Gatling!" he roared. His armored gauntlet hummed before unleashing a torrential hail of green energy bullets. Each shot pelted Vhalzakyr's frame, chipping away at its defenses. But the revenant was faster than expected. In a blur of movement, it swung its greatsword in an sideways arc, slashing Yukinox mid-air. The impact sent him flying across the battlefield, his Mecha suit cracking apart from the force.

"Tch! You're not done yet!" Yukihikari yelled as she propelled herself forward. With an acrobatic flip, she planted both feet onto Vhalzakyr's face, delivering a devastating double kick. The force sent the undead knight staggering back, but she wasn't finished. Spear in hand, she launched into a relentless assault. "Spear Striker Skill: Chain Thrust!"

Her spear blurred as it struck Vhalzakyr repeatedly, each thrust landing faster and harder than the last. The continuous barrage forced Vhalzakyr into a defensive stance, but as she prepared to strike again, it retaliated with a sudden overhead swing. Yukihikari twisted to the side just in time, dodging the blow. She read its next move—a horizontal slash—and ducked beneath it. However, as she avoided the blade, she caught sight of Vhalzakyr's left leg tensing.

"Damn it! It's reading me again!" she realized too late.

A thunderous kick shot toward her with unnatural speed. With no time to dodge, she planted her feet and retaliated. "Spear Striker Skill: Draconic Lance!" Her spear ignited in a crimson blaze as she thrust it forward. A shockwave erupted on impact, colliding against Vhalzakyr's leg with enough force to crack the ground beneath them. The powerful strike not only sent the towering revenant stumbling back, but it also left the shackle on its left ankle visibly fractured.

Across the battlefield, Yukinox emerged still inside his shattered Mecha, his mech-armor pieces barely holding together. Blood trickled down his forehead, but his focus remained sharp. Staggering forward, he seized the chain binding Vhalzakyr's right wrist. His breath misted in the cold night air as he invoked his spell. "Glacius Veil!"

Frost spread rapidly across the metal, encasing the shackle in an icy prison. With a shared glance, Yukinox and Yukihikari nodded.

"Now!" Yukihikari shouted. With synchronized strikes, they shattered the shackles. The battlefield quaked as an ominous dark aura burst forth from Vhalzakyr. The explosion of energy sent both warriors flying, the sheer force slamming them into the surrounding ruins. Dust and debris clouded the field.

Then came a roar.

A deep, guttural howl of unshackled rage echoed through the desolate graveyard. Vhalzakyr's ghastly aura darkened, shifting from blue to a violent purple, then to searing orange, before finally settling into a menacing crimson. Fragments of its chest armor crumbled away, revealing countless scars etched into its ghostly flesh. Cracks splintered across its once-intact helmet before shattering completely, unveiling its full face. Its hollow eyes burned like purple dying embers, and its long, violet hair flowed like spectral flames...

The transformation was complete.

[Vhalzakyr, The Restless Revenant (Released)]

Its AI had now reached maximum efficiency. It was faster. Smarter. Deadlier.

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It was time for the real battle to begin.

Vhalzakyr, now unbound from the shackles and chains that once restrained him, raised his rusted, ethereal-coated greatsword to the sky. Cracks spread across the blade's surface, releasing a radiant light from within. The ancient weapon trembled in his grip before shattering, revealing its true form—a refined, elegant greatsword brimming with pure ethereal violet colored energy. With slow, deliberate movement, Vhalzakyr settled into a battle-ready stance, his hollow eyes burning like violet flames.

"Ye who freed me from my torment of shackles and chains, I thank thee," he spoke in a voice that was both ghastly and righteous. "But I shall grant thee no mercy in return. My solemn duty is to finally rest, but... ye shall not be the ones to grant it."

In an instant, he rushed forward at unbelievable speeds. Yukinox barely had time to react before the revenant appeared before him, his presence so sudden that shock froze him in place.

"Ye will falter! FALL!"

Vhalzakyr's greatsword came crashing down, the sheer force distorting the air around it. Yukinox instinctively raised his blade to parry, but—

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"PISTOL WHIP PARRY!"

A thunderous clang echoed through the battlefield as Hoshigari leaped between them, using his firearm to deflect Vhalzakyr's devastating strike. The impact sent sparks flying, and even the revenant himself seemed momentarily surprised. As Hoshigari landed, he rolled his shoulders, smirking as he gripped his weapons.

"I'm done playing healer. I WANT IN!"

Without hesitation, he unleashed a relentless barrage from his Howitzer Hand-Held Cannon, missile after missile hammering into Vhalzakyr's form, forcing the spectral knight back. The ethereal warrior staggered, but his defiance was unwavering. Even so, Hoshigari kept up the pressure, his left hand glowing as he cast his Fixer Skill: Patch Up, healing Yukinox in the process.

"Much appreciated!" Yukinox called out before dismissing his battered mecha. This time, he summoned something bulkier—something built to try and withstand the fury of the current battle.

Yukihikari reentered the fray, her spear piercing through the misty veil surrounding Vhalzakyr's chest. She pressed forward, unleashing a rapid succession of well-timed thrusts using her Spear Striker Skill: Piercing Thrusts. Each strike found its mark, forcing Vhalzakyr onto the defensive. His greatsword carved through the air, but she ducked, weaved, and deflected each strike with precision. Sensing an opening, she parried a slash and retaliated with her Spear Striker Skill: Sonic Lance. A powerful shockwave erupted from her strike, sending Vhalzakyr staggering backward.

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"Now!" Yukinox roared as his new mecha, 1CE 83RG, rumbled into view—a towering, tank-like behemoth on wheels designed for brute-force combat. He grinned, cracking his knuckles inside the cockpit. "SAY HELLO TO ICE BERG!"

The mechanical behemoth surged forward, delivering a devastating right hook to Vhalzakyr's face. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, followed by a bone-rattling left gut punch. Without missing a beat, Yukinox unleashed a crushing straight punch, launching Vhalzakyr straight like a comet.

"I'm not done with you yet!" Yukinox activated his Mecha Rider Skill: Full Speed Roller, tearing across the battlefield in pursuit of the airborne revenant. Just as Vhalzakyr began his descent, Yukinox caught him by the head, his metallic grip tightening. "THIS IS PAYBACK FOR DAMAGING MY ZENITH!"

With a roar, he slammed Vhalzakyr into the ground, dragging him through the dirt and shattering countless tombstones in the process. As the revenant was sent skyward once more, Yukinox braced himself and unleashed his ultimate attack.

"Mecha Rider Skill: Casc-Beam!"

A powerful energy beam erupted from the mecha's chest, engulfing Vhalzakyr in a relentless torrent of concentrated energy. The explosion illuminated the battlefield, sending shockwaves rippling through the ruins. When Vhalzakyr crashed to the ground, the air was thick with the scent of burning arcana.

Yukinox approached, steam hissing from his mecha's joints as he grabbed Vhalzakyr by the head and lifted him off the ground. "HOW DOES THAT FEEL?!"

Just as he prepared to deliver another devastating blow—

A flash of crimson.

A sudden weightlessness.

Yukinox barely registered what had happened before his left arm was severed at the elbow. The sharp, sickening snap of metal and bone filled the air. A surge of agony shot through him as sparks burst from the agape opening.

The battlefield fell into stunned silence.

Hoshigari, Yukihikari, and Noctatsu stood frozen, their expressions shifting from triumph to horror.

And Yukinox…

He stared at the space where his mech's arm once was, his mind struggling to process the reality.

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Vhalzakyr's greatsword, now free from the air, fell with deadly precision, severing the left arm of Yukinox's mecha, 1CE 83RG. The strike forced the towering machine to release Vhalzakyr, allowing him to grasp his weapon and immediately close the distance between them. In a blur of motion, he was already before Yukinox.

"You will waver! RISE!" Vhalzakyr roared as he launched an upward slash. Yukinox barely managed to weave back, but the strike carved deep into 1CE 83RG, exposing its pilot within. Seeing Yukinox vulnerable, Vhalzakyr wasted no time, lunging at him.

Despite the dire situation, Yukinox fought back, raising his right palm. "Mecha Rider Skill: Casc-Shot!" A blast of green energy shot toward Vhalzakyr's face, staggering him momentarily. Yet, undeterred, Vhalzakyr pushed through, his grip tightening as he wrenched Yukinox from the cockpit, breaking through the back of his Mecha and onto the battlefield. The impact rattled Yukinox, his vision swimming as the ground pressed against his back. Above him, Vhalzakyr loomed, his greatsword poised to strike.

" Ye will falter! FALL!"

Just as the greatsword began its deadly descent, a flurry of missiles rained upon Vhalzakyr's position. Hoshigari's bombardment shook the battlefield. "Noct! Tongue Whip Yu back here!"

Noctatsu leaped into action, his long tongue snapping out and wrapping around Yukinox. With a powerful pull, he yanked Yukinox to safety. "Much appreciated!" Yukinox gasped as he landed beside Noctatsu.

With Yukinox secured, Hoshigari readied another barrage. "Ranger Hand-Held Cannon Skill: Tri-Shot!" Three simultaneous missiles shot forward, each exploding on impact. Following up, he fired a bouncer round at the ground.

[Fired Bouncer Round (33 Remaining)]

Using the explosion's force, Hoshigari launched himself forward. With his Howitzer Hand-Held Cannon thrust before him, he barreled toward Vhalzakyr like a living projectile.

"I CALL THIS! THE HUMAN MISSILE!"

The collision was like a meteor striking the earth, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. The sheer force sent Vhalzakyr skidding backward, chunks of the ground torn apart beneath his feet. "HOW'D YA LIKE THAT?!" Hoshigari cockily grinned.

Not missing a beat, Yukihikari, with Noctatsu perched on her shoulder, surged forward. "Glacielle! Transform!"

A brilliant light engulfed her weapon as Shiverthorn began to morph. The spear elongated, its form shifting into a crystalline masterpiece—the Glacielance. Ice-blue etchings pulsed along the shaft, and the lance's tip gleamed with an energy-infused frost. A cold mist spiraled from its edge, signifying its newfound strength and enhanced capabilities.

Wielding Glacielance with newfound precision, Yukihikari unleashed a relentless assault. Her spear thrusts came in rapid succession, each strike cutting through the air with chilling precision. She seamlessly wove kicks into her movements, each impact reverberating through Vhalzakyr's defenses.

Meanwhile, Noctatsu darted around the battlefield, launching Triple Aqua Shurikens in rapid succession. Each projectile struck with force, splashing into mist upon impact. With agile movements, he leaped mid-air, slashing at Vhalzakyr with his Ninjato, his attacks relentless.

Vhalzakyr attempted to fend them off, his greatsword cutting through the air in wide, powerful arcs. Yet, Yukihikari's precise strikes and Noctatsu's relentless speed kept him off balance. Frustrated, he tried to swat Noctatsu away like a pest, but the agile ninja frog proved elusive.

Seizing an opportunity, Noctatsu lashed out with his Tongue Whip Skill, wrapping his tongue around Vhalzakyr's neck. With a powerful tug, he pulled himself forward, landing directly in front of Vhalzakyr's face.

"Poison Smoke Blow!"

A thick cloud of toxic vapor burst forth from his mouth, engulfing Vhalzakyr's face. He staggered, reeling from the poisonous assault. The venom seeped into his system, causing damage over time. With the toxins taking effect, Noctatsu used the remaining strength in his grip to tighten the hold around Vhalzakyr's throat, pulling him backward and leaving him vulnerable.

"There!" Yukihikari saw her opening. Channeling her strength into her spear, she prepared her finishing move.

"Spear Striker Skill: Spirit Strike, ARES!"

From behind her, the spectral form of this world's version of Ares, the God and embodiment of war, materialized. His massive frame exuded an aura of godly might, and with hands wrapped around Yukihikari's own, he guided her strike.

With unparalleled force, Yukihikari drove Glacielance forward. A red and gold shockwave erupted upon impact, the spear piercing straight into Vhalzakyr's chest. The battlefield trembled under the sheer magnitude of the attack, the energy surge illuminating the night sky.

A guttural roar escaped Vhalzakyr's lips as he reeled from the devastating blow. His ethereal form flickered, his once-mighty presence now noticeably weakened. The battle was far from over, but the strike had changed everything.

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Vhalzakyr let out a deafening roar as he lunged forward, his raw strength overpowering Noctatsu's grip. The frog-like warrior found himself lifted off the ground, still desperately holding on to Vhalzakyr's neck with his tongue. Undeterred, Vhalzakyr swung his massive greatsword down toward Yukihikari, only to be interrupted yet again by Hoshigari's well-placed missile barrage. The explosions rocked the ground, sending debris flying into the air.

"Noct! Ricochet!" Hoshigari barked.

Noctatsu immediately complied, releasing his hold and launching himself off a piece of airborne rubble, initiating his Ricochet Slashing Skill. Meanwhile, Yukihikari seized the opening and unleashed her Spear Striker Skill: Chain Thrust, a rapid flurry of precise strikes aimed directly at Vhalzakyr's body. The combined assault landed with devastating force, each blow carving away at the monstrous knight's strength.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Vhalzakyr released his greatsword.

"Ha! He's getting weaker!" Yukihikari thought, confidence surging through her—until, in a blur of movement, his free hand clamped around her spear mid-thrust.

Her eyes widened in shock. Hoshigari, too, faltered for a split second. Before either could react, Vhalzakyr's other hand lashed out, seizing Noctatsu mid-air. With terrifying strength, he hurled Noctatsu straight into a tombstone with a sickening crack. The impact sent a shudder through the battlefield.

"Noctatsu!" Yukihikari and Hoshigari gasped.

Hoshigari's fists clenched in fury as he sprinted forward, but Vhalzakyr wasn't done. He backhanded Yukihikari with brutal force, sending her skidding across the battlefield. In the same motion, he reclaimed his greatsword and raised it high.

"Ye will falter! FALL!" Vhalzakyr bellowed, his blade descending once more.

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"NO YOU DONT!"

CLANG!

Hoshigari intercepted the strike with a perfectly timed Ranger Pistol Skill: Pistol Whip Parry, deflecting the blow yet again. Vhalzakyr recoiled slightly, his irritation palpable.

"Aww, what's wrong?" Hoshigari taunted with a cocky smirk. "Can't land that FALL attack, can ya?~ Not with me always interrupting!~"

Infuriated, Vhalzakyr swung again, but Hoshigari kept up his assault, continuously blasting him with missile shots, forcing the knight back step by step. As he fired, he activated Fixer Skill: Patch Up Circuit, healing Yukihikari from a distance.

"Stay back! You all did enough—heal Noctatsu for me!" Hoshigari shouted, stepping forward as the battlefield rumbled with each explosion.

Then, Vhalzakyr pushed through the bombardment.

"FALL!" he roared, slashing down with all his might.

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Hoshigari's reflexes screamed at him to dodge, but he knew he wouldn't make it in time. Gritting his teeth, he made a painful split-second decision. He lifted his Howitzer Hand-Held Cannon, using it like a shield to absorb the incoming strike.

CLANG!

[Howitzer - Durability: 75/100]

"FALL!"

CLANG!

[Howitzer - Durability: 50/100]

"FALL!"

CLANG!

[Howitzer - Durability: 25/100]

"AAAAGH! DAMN IT! I JUST GOT THIS GUN!" Hoshigari cursed in frustration and rage.

Then, one final time—

"FALL!"

CLANG—TRRZZZSSH!

[Howitzer - Durability: 0/100]

[Howitzer - unavailable for use.]

Hoshigari's newly trusted weapon shattered in half before his eyes.

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Anger flared through him like a wildfire. He quickly swapped out his right-handed weapon, replacing it with his newly obtained Spark Light Shooter Handgun, now dual-wielding both his Ebonflame and the Spark Light Shooter.

-[Equipment Updated]-

[Right-Handed Weapon (Swapped) - Spark Light Shooter]

Hoshigari glared at Vhalzakyr, his fury palpable, his grip tightening around his weapons. He had lost a great weapon, basically a companion in battle, and that loss fueled his determination.

With unyielding resolve, he roared:

"EXO ABILITY, ACTIVATE—"

Yukinox and Yukihikari's eyes widened.

At last, they were about to witness Hoshigari's Exo Ability in play.

"—OVERCLOCK!"

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