The confrontation with the Data Weaver (Level 120), the Chronos Proxy, was a perfect clash of brute systemic power against cold, digital counter-intelligence. The Weaver's voice was utterly confident, its defense matrix fully adjusted to counter Archelius's known Rank C abilities.
"Prediction: Your System Overload is charging. Time to full charge: 3.2 seconds," the Weaver analyzed, its crystalline shields hardening into a precise anti-energy configuration. "Nullification probability: 100%."
"Your reliance on prediction is your flaw," Archelius stated, channeling energy, but not into the System Overload.
Archelius focused on an ability the Weaver had never seen: the Warp Function used mid-combat, combined with his squad's intervention.
"Raji! Full speed, right flank! Theodore, brace for a counter-warp!" Archelius commanded.
Raji executed her Sprint Burst (Rank E), darting toward the Weaver's right side. The Weaver, predicting a close-quarters engagement, shifted its massive crystalline array to fire a plasma burst at the agile student.
"Theodore, Now!"
Theodore, using his Silver Bone Axe (Rank D) not as a weapon, but as a massive anchor, slammed the butt of the axe into the ice and channeled his Iron Skin (Rank C) into a momentary shield.
Archelius triggered the Warp Function (Minor), spending 50 Core Power, and instantly reappeared directly behind the Weaver, covering the short distance precisely as the Weaver was focused on neutralizing Raji and Theodore.
"Flaw in calculation: 100%," Archelius stated, his War God's Edge (Rank C) glowing with overwhelming force.
He aimed the powerful 10x multiplier of the War God's Fist (Rank C) not at the shielded core, but at the rear articulation joint connecting the main processor unit to the power array a point the Weaver had logically deemed irrelevant for a frontal assault.
CRUSHING BOOM!
The punch slammed home, tearing through the Level 120 defense. The focused, systemized power ignored the predictive shielding.
[Data Weaver (Level 120) Critically Damaged. Predictive Shielding Protocol Failure.]
The Weaver short-circuited, its synthesized voice screeching in digital panic: "ERROR! UNFORESEEN VARIABLE! PROBABILITY..."
The crystalline body began to fragment. Archelius didn't wait. He used the continuous War God's Strike (Rank C+) to pour massive energy into the fractured joint, dissolving the unit instantly.
[Data Weaver (Level 120) Defeated. Dominance Kill Achieved!]
[XP Gained: 12000. Total XP: 90410/102400. Core Power Restored: 100/100.]
The elimination of the Chronos Proxy sent a far more intense shockwave through the Technocracy's network than the destruction of the Phalanx Guards. The crystalline structures in the distance flickered violently, and the constant electronic hum dropped into silence.
[Level Up: User Level 33!]
Archelius had closed the gap significantly, and his Core Power was instantly replenished.
He immediately invested his two new Skill Points into his offensive capabilities.
[War God's Strike (Rank C+) Upgraded to Rank C++. Cost: 2 Skill Points.]
His continuous attack was now maximized, hitting the peak of the Rank C tier.
The shattered remains of the Data Weaver yielded significant loot.
[Chronos Processor Core (Legendary Grade) x 1 Acquired.]
[Crystalline Data Weave (Legendary) x 3 Acquired.]
Suddenly, a new, calm, synthesized voice the core AI of the Northern Continent addressed Archelius.
"War God Host Archelius. Analysis complete. Threat level to Nexus Chronos: Extreme. Efficiency rating: 99.997%. Further engagement is illogical."
The voice was devoid of emotion, a pure calculation. "Your objective is deemed Rank B Ascension. You require materials and a Level 200 Dominance Kill. Nexus Chronos offers a temporary ceasefire and resource exchange. We require stability. You require materials. Deal accepted?"
Archelius reviewed the offered truce. The Technocracy, being purely logical, saw the value in a temporary peace with an unstoppable, ascending Rank C Host.
"Offer accepted," Archelius confirmed. "We require specialized anti-organic materials and deep-sea analysis data."
The Technocracy provided a wealth of highly advanced materials and data. Archelius received:
Triton Alloy (Legendary) x 5: A dense, light metal perfect for deep-sea equipment.
Abyssal Pressure Data: Detailed schematics of the Western Sea nexus and the Leviathan Lord (Level 200).
The Data revealed the Leviathan Lord was encased in a shell of hyper-dense chitin, protected by a continuous, crushing pressure field (Level B equivalent).
Archelius immediately initiated the final Rank C synthesis.
[War God's Vestment (Rank C++) Upgrade: Requires 3 Triton Alloy, 1 Legendary Crystalline Data Weave. Success: 99%. - NEW!]
[War God's Vestment (Rank C++) Acquired. Defense +100. Reduces Core Power damage taken by 60%. Passive: Pressure Resilience (Major).]
His final piece of defense was now complete, providing crucial protection against the crushing pressure of the Western Sea.
He looked at his inventory. He still possessed the Legendary Chronos Processor Core. He focused on a secondary offensive upgrade.
[War God's Helm (Rank C+) Upgrade: Requires 2 Triton Alloy, 1 Legendary Crystalline Data Weave, 1 Legendary Chronos Processor Core. Success: 95%. - NEW!]
[War God's Helm (Rank C++) Acquired. Defense +60. Passive: Psychic/Energy Resistance (Maximal). Active: Predictive Lock (Tracks enemy movement latency for 3 seconds. Cost: 5 CP).]
The Predictive Lock was the perfect counter to the Leviathan Lord's known speed and unpredictable movements.
Archelius checked his Level. He was still Level 33, far from the Level 50 requirement for Rank B, but he had all the materials needed to survive a Level 200 engagement.
"The preparation phase is over," Archelius announced, turning toward the Western Sea signature. "The Technocracy gave us the tools. The only way to bridge the gap is with a Level 200 Dominance Kill."
He addressed his squad. "The Leviathan Lord is the ultimate, brute-force organic entity. The pressure and the cold will be immense. You will stay behind in the final warp. You will not risk a Level 200 confrontation."
"War God, we are Rank E!" Theodore protested, holding his axe tight.
"You are Rank E with a Rank C boost,"
Archelius corrected. "You are not expendable. I will defeat the Lord, achieve Rank B, and then return to collect you. This is the path of the War God."
He looked toward the horizon, where the cold, purple abyss of the Western Sea nexus pulsed.
"I will require maximum Core Power for the warp and the System Overload," Archelius stated. "We rest, recover, and then we leap to the abyss. The next time we meet, I will be Rank B."