In the wasteland outside Night City, a group of Wraiths cautiously poked their heads out to assess the situation. Not far from them was the very site where Roland and Maine had just clashed.
Roland hadn't expected a Wraith stronghold to be located so close to their battlefield.
The Wraiths had naturally noticed the disturbance—especially that massive impact earlier. Sensing danger, they had immediately taken cover. Only after things seemed to calm down did they dare to come out and investigate.
What they didn't know was that Oblivion, under Roland's control, was still there—waiting for the right moment.
Just as the Wraiths sent out a small squad to scout ahead, an intensely violent tremor suddenly erupted from not far away, knocking every member of the squad off their feet.
They scrambled up and stared at one another, each seeing the shock and uncertainty mirrored in the others' eyes.
"B-Boss… are we still going?"
The leader hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth.
"We're going. Who knows what good stuff might be waiting for us? Ever heard 'fortune favors the bold'?"
The squad exchanged glances, then followed. Their boss wasn't wrong—if you want something, you take the risk.
The closer they got, the stronger the tremors became. Sand and pebbles were already lifting slightly off the ground under the vibration.
Along with the tremors came an overwhelming wave of heat.
At the epicenter, Oblivion's already massive body had grown another size. Orange-red energy overflowed from every inch of muscle and armor, bathing him in a blazing glow.
Under the surge of power, Roland couldn't hold back any longer. He threw his head back and let out a long howl.
Oblivion's body swelled again before their eyes.
Energy flooded into his muscles, expanding his entire frame. The gaps in his armor were filled with pure energy. A crimson glow ignited deep within his monstrous maw.
A violent shockwave exploded outward.
Boom!
Everything around Oblivion instantly caved in, forming a shallow basin. Surging energy lit up every sharp edge of his form.
At the same time, an intense high-temperature field and electromagnetic distortion enveloped him. Storms of raw energy swirled violently around his body.
Roland even saw a massive boulder get sucked in—only to be reduced to dust in an instant.
"So… this is Oblivion's full power?"
He clenched his fist slowly, then beckoned behind him.
A massive Moon Blade tore through the PROJECT transport aircraft and dropped into his hand.
Swish—
A blazing orange blade arc tore through the air, slicing a small hill clean in half before it collapsed to the ground.
Boom—
"ROAR!!!"
The soundwave rippled outward with crushing force.
Roland immediately canceled Dominus State and severed the connection.
If he stayed connected any longer, the rage and brute impulses might push him straight into Night City for a full-scale massacre…
With control cut, Oblivion fell silent.
The prepared PROJECT squad waited at a distance for a long moment before cautiously approaching. Once they confirmed stability, they quickly began crating and securing Oblivion for transport.
Meanwhile, the Wraith squad finally arrived at the scene, just in time to see a large transport aircraft bearing the PROJECT insignia.
"Looks like we're too late…"
The Wraith leader's expression carried both regret and relief.
From this close, they had heard everything—the earth-shattering impacts, the roar that nearly made them piss themselves. They knew exactly how dangerous that place had been.
They had only dared approach once things went quiet again.
But when they finally got a clear look—
Every face froze.
The terrain had been completely rewritten. A once-solid hill now lay sliced cleanly in two. A section of cliff face had simply vanished. The ground itself had crystallized under extreme heat.
"I'm starting to think… we're insanely lucky…"
No one argued. They just nodded blankly.
…
"Damn… those side effects are something else…"
Roland climbed out of the cockpit, rubbing his forehead as a dull ache throbbed behind his eyes. It passed quickly—but remembering what he had just done—
Smack.
"Need to be more careful when piloting Oblivion…"
Normally, he would never take something that massive for a stroll—especially not sprinting through the streets of Night City like a maniac.
What was that if not public indecency at a citywide scale?
It wouldn't take long before every major faction learned he had something like that.
But would that be a bad thing?
…Or would it just make them even more cautious?
Yeah. Probably that.
As Roland stepped down from the cockpit, he began thinking about how to make proper use of Oblivion.
"Come to think of it… since Yorinobu's already in Night City, and both Oblivion and Apocalypse are in my hands… what's Arasaka even good for anymore?"
His eyes suddenly lit up.
"Right. Time to blow up the carrier and Arasaka Tower. And that Smasher I've been ignoring? Might as well take care of him too. Decision made—Night City is mine."
In a strange way, the brute impulses brought by Oblivion were useful. With his current strength, he really could turn hostile against Arasaka.
Before, he'd held back because of insufficient firepower.
Now?
On land, everyone else was a joke.
"Idaho's dragged on long enough too. Time to end that war… Mudor!"
"Boss, what are your orders?"
Mudor hurried in.
"Don't ship Oblivion back here. Send it straight to Idaho. I'll end that war myself."
"Understood!"
Roland nodded, satisfied.
As for Arasaka in Night City… he could deal with them after Idaho. It's not like they were going anywhere.
Meanwhile, inside Arasaka's temporary tower, Smasher suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine.
For no clear reason—
He had a very bad feeling.
...
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