System Notify
Multiple Signals detected...
A new pack was approaching them...
They needed to hurry, else if reinforcement arrived.
Then the situation might turn against them.
The wind swept violently between Limbo and the Beta Wolf.
Both of them stood still — too still on the spot.
The entire Forest was watching them.
Limbo lowered his posture, inhaling deeply. The unstable fragments inside the system were vibrating like steam inside the cooker.
System Notify,
Integration: 51% -> 54% -> 57%
Stability: CRITICAL
Limbo ignore.
He didn't care about.
He slid the warning aside.
Right now, there was only one thought in his mind.
End this wolf before the reinforcement arrives.
Rin tightened her vines behind him, also around his arm, ready to act at any moment, as Limbo moved.
Gaja was ready with both of his blades.
His breathing was rough. His arms were still trembling. But his eyes were determined, sharp but still a glimpse of fear could be seen in them.
The burning of corruption did not leave from his body.
He can still feel the pull.
But he resisted as hard as he could.
They were ready.
So the Beta Wolf.
It growls while lowering its head.
Dark Blue-black smoke poured out of its wounds like the steam escaped from the chimney.
Its claws are digging into the soil.
Its eyes— those eyes were filled with a hateful gaze. Yet they were intelligent enough to identify and fixed on Limbo with pure rage.
But something strange suddenly happened.
The ground beneath Limbo cracked with strange light.
Lines of golden-blue circuits spread outward like roots.
Rin's eyes widened.
"Limbo... What are you doing!"
No answer in return.
Limbo lifted his right hand, with an open palm towards the attacking wolf.
He had the look, which Gaja had never seen before.
Even Rin was stunned.
The system panel flared violently around his fist.
Custom command: Initialize Prototype
Skill: Overload.Compile()
System warns,
Warning: High risk. Fragment instability is rising.
Limbo chose to ignore it.
He knew what it meant.
He whispered, while releasing breath ...
"Compile."
The air... Vibrated.
The sudden electricity spun around his arm like a spiraling storm.
The fragments inside him were roaring in protest. Like a living being.
Light + Thunder + Force
Merged.
Rewritten.
Forced.
He was forging something new.
Something that may have turned the situation in his favour.
But will the outcome be in favour?
A desperate urge, and urges of creation.
A weapon meant ONLY for this one strike.
This was the opponent Limbo had never faced before.
It was tough, strong, persistent — more than that, it was an urge to never give up.
Gaja gulped while stepping a half-step back. "That aura... Around Limbo, that's not normal!"
The Beta Wolf senses it— No.
It felt it...
And for the first time...
It shows a sign of wavering.
Its body froze. Its pupils shrink.
Fear.... The real one.
It roared at full volume and jumped forward at speed.
FWOOOM!
Limbo moved first.
He thrust his hands forward.
The unstable energy compressed into a single point... In the size of a needle of golden light.
Then—
"Piercing Cannon 0.2— Release!"
BOOOOOM—!!!
The beam launched with an explosion, piercing through the mist, tearing the air apart.
The Beya Wolf attempted to dodge, but it was too close, too slow.
Rin vines, and their previous attack hold him back.
The attack pierced through its shoulder, exploding out of its back in a burst of huge violent lightning energy.
The beast screamed.
A deep, ferocious and full of pain roar they shook the trees.
Rin covers her ears from the shockwave.
Gaja covered his face as dust erupted around them.
Limbo's legs stumbled, nearly collapsing.
HP dropped.
Vision blurred.
Integration spiked up dangerously.
57% -> 63% -> 70%
Warning Fragments Overload Imminent
But the wolf wasn't dead.
Not even closed.
Not yet.
Its struggle to stand still was strong, blood dripping heavily from its shoulder.
Its body was shaking, with trembling and off-balance. Its claws were scraping the ground to hold him.
Limbo raised his hand again. And shoot again while aiming at the beast.
But, he couldn't.
The fire cannon didn't fire again.
The mana wouldn't allow it.
He grinds his teeth.
But he wasn't alone.
Rin saw Limbo attack didn't launch and shouted.
"Gaja... Now!"
Gaja ran forward.
Beta wolf saw Gaja with Growled.
He swung at him...
But Gaja slides under its arm while avoiding like a dancer.
Slightly delayed, and Gaja was torn apart by its claw.
One clean motion. A deep breath.
The memory of Maha, of Limbo and of the blades calling to him.
Gaja stood and slashed upward, to the side.
"Twin Fang Strike!"
SHRAAAAAK—!!
Sound of cutting through flesh.
Blood splattered around and in the air.
The Beta wolf collapsed again.
But still trying to ruse.
Still stubborn.
Full of rage.
Struggling to live and hunt.
ALimbo exhaled and said.
"The thing... Still wants to kill us..."
Limbo tried to summon the last of his energy while raising his unstable and shaking hand one more time.
System warns...
But before he could release or do anything.
He froze suddenly.
The fragments inside him were running violently, reacting to something behind the trees.
The mist suddenly feels colder.
Very cold.
Then...
Eyes... Dozens....Glowing.
Silently. Watching....
The system turned red.
[ WARNING: 18+ Beast Signatures Detected ]
[ Pack Formation: Confirmed ]
[ Source: Unknown- Not aligned with Beta Wolf ]
Gaja's heartbeat skips.
RIN swallowed in a sharp breath.
And Limbo was.
Trying to gather strength for himself, shaking the blood off his face.
He takes a look and updates Gaja and Rin.
"They're not the reinforcement," he said quietly.
While adding...
"It's a different pack."
The Best wolf turned his head weakly towards the forest, and for a moment —
It whispered.
It looked like,
It wasn't calling for help.
"It was afraid....."
After Limbo said, Gaja asked.
"Wait... then why are they here?"
This Limbo didn't say anything,
But the system.
[Detected: Fragment Resonance Reaction ]
[They're not for you ]
[...]
[They're here for fragments.]
"What?" Limbo shocked.
"Fragment hunters?"
While was reacting suddenly,
A massive shadows stepped out.
Eyes burning like a white fire behind them lies a shadow bigger than beta wolf.
But it wasn't come, instead it sends it's hunting minions.
As they were moving forward, the ground trembled with them.
Rin's Voice break,
"More..?... Af... After all of this."
Limbo tightened his fist.
The worst cases scenario he calculated has became true.
But,... Still tried to act tough infront of both of them.
Even though he was tired. He puts a smile on face.
"Round... Two," he whispered.
"Let's survived this... guys." Limbo said..
Together...
Then Alpha Wolfs... Raised head...
And howled a loud, shaking entire forest.