Boom!
The machine god, certain of its reasonable demand, reacted in stunned silence when it was met with unprovoked violence. Then, without hesitation, it launched a retaliatory strike. The colossal metallic planet it controlled shifted as though preparing to devour everything in its path. Blinding, searing beams of energy erupted from its surface.
"Hah!"
Muria smirked as the machine god counterattacked. He clenched his right fist, drew it back, then punched forward. Pure destructive energy, wrapped in a radiant golden aura, surged out in an overwhelming wave to meet the machine god's attack head-on.
The golden fist of energy collided with the blinding stream of light. For a brief moment, there was silence, then an earth-shattering explosion that echoed through the void. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, distorting the surrounding space.
For those present, the titanic shockwave was no more than a gentle breeze. The whale god and the enigmatic cursed god observed the battle with calm intensity. The cursed god, in particular, radiated an insatiable hunger, its many eyes gleaming with a predatory light.
Muria sensed the malicious gaze from the cursed god but chose to ignore it for now. His focus remained firmly on the machine god, which still had not revealed its true form.
The moment the clash's shockwaves began to fade, Muria took a step forward. In the blink of an eye, he crossed the vast void and appeared before the metallic planet.
Though his towering 300-meter-tall Titan form was majestic to most beings, it seemed insignificant compared to the sheer size of the planetary fortress before him. However, despite his relatively small stature, Muria's overwhelming presence and energy made the machine god treat him as a significant threat.
With Solaris, his spear forged in divine flames, Muria harnessed the combined power of Titan thunder and draconic flame, channeling the destructive forces into the weapon. The spear, glowing with searing light, became a blazing sun in the void.
In a seamless motion, Muria hurled the radiant spear directly at the heart of the metallic planet. The intense heat emanating from Solaris began melting the fortress's outer layers long before the spear made contact.
Boom!
The moment Solaris struck, fragments of the planetary fortress exploded outward in a fiery cascade. Molten shards and radiant streams of golden light spread across the void, creating a breathtaking yet devastating spectacle.
A massive crater formed where the spear hit, with molten metal flowing like rivers. Glowing fissures radiated outward, threatening to engulf the entire planetary surface.
But just before the situation spiraled out of control, the machine god acted. Golden-blue arcs of lightning danced across the planet's surface, stabilizing its structure. The fortress, once a lifeless construct, now seemed alive.
"Control over metal?" Muria muttered, recognizing the machine god's abilities. Though similar in appearance to his own command of lightning, this power clearly focused on manipulating and augmenting metallic substances rather than direct destruction.
"No wonder," Muria thought aloud. The machine god's reliance on its massive planetary fortress suddenly made sense. Its power was inherently tied to such constructs, amplifying their potential beyond comprehension.
"Shall we see who's truly stronger, greedy one?" Muria taunted, his grin widening. Recalling Solaris with a mere thought, he prepared for another attack.
"Your weapon—how was it forged? Why can my powers not affect it?" the machine god's voice rumbled, tinged with curiosity.
"This is no ordinary weapon. It is a part of me—both my body and my essence!"
"Ah, so it is a blood-bound creation," the machine god mused. "No wonder it is immune to my influence. However, should I claim your essence, that immunity will end."
"Where do you get the confidence to speak of claiming me?" Muria asked, his voice dripping with disdain. He stood amidst the void, lightning and flames swirling around him as his towering form radiated battle lust.
"An obvious truth, overzealous one. I merely stated a fact," the machine god replied coolly, though its fortress bore the scars of Muria's relentless assault.
The planetary fortress was indeed resilient, but Muria's relentless attacks left deep wounds. While the damage was not yet catastrophic, it was evident that if the battle dragged on, the fortress would crumble under Muria's might.
"Before we continue, consider this," the machine god interrupted. "Is there any point to this fight? You've already proven your strength."
"Oh?" Muria arched a brow. "Is this your way of conceding?"
"Absolutely not!" the machine god shot back, its voice firm. "I merely wish to end this senseless conflict before we both exhaust resources better spent elsewhere."
Muria paused, momentarily taken aback. The abrupt shift from hostility to negotiation left him at a loss. Was this a trick? Or did the machine god truly lack the will to continue the fight?
"Well, if that's not surrender, then let's keep going!" Muria declared, his grin returning as Solaris blazed brighter in his hand.
Before either could move further, thousands of beams of energy erupted from the planetary fortress, converging on Muria. At the same time, he thrust his spear forward, aiming to pierce the fortress's core once more.
The battle unfolded with terrifying intensity, each strike shaking the void and scattering energy waves that could reshape entire worlds. The cursed god and the whale god remained on the sidelines, observing the clash with wary interest.
However, as Muria prepared another devastating blow, the whale god intervened.
"That's enough!" its voice rang out, resonating with calm authority. "You've both demonstrated your power. There's no need to continue this pointless destruction."
Muria hesitated, turning to face the whale god. "What? But I'm a pacifist!"
The declaration, coming from a Titan surrounded by a storm of molten metal and weapon fragments, left the other gods momentarily speechless.
"Surely, none of this is my fault!" Muria added, gesturing toward the battered planetary fortress. "I only retaliated after being provoked. Everything I've done is perfectly reasonable."
The whale god and cursed god exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. By their standards, the machine god's initial demand was fair, even restrained. But Muria's retaliation had been anything but.
"Well, perhaps he had it coming," the whale god finally muttered, breaking the awkward silence.
______
(≧◡≦) ♡ Support me and read 20 chapters ahead – patreon.com/INNIT
For every 50 Power Stones, one extra chapter will be released on Saturday.