Chapter 26: Stellar Harvesting and Predation Device (II)

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"The recorded data has surpassed Supreme Class!" one of the technicians shouted inside the submarine's cabin.

"The platinum-colored substance is something we can't record in our database! It doesn't exist within Planet Earth, not even on the Moon! Its main function seems to be to transform everything into a different environment. Sir, I think it's terraforming the planet into what your world should be!"

Sahariel gritted her teeth as she listened.

"Danel… ! How's the equipment transportation going?!"

"It's still missing, Sahariel!" Danel shouted as he was monitoring the magic and things being transported to the cargo hold. "We've been able to bring protective and attack equipment, but the resistance potions and phoenix tears are missing, as well as the equipment you asked Azazel-san to bring."

"What did you ask Azazel for?" Yahweh asked seriously.

"Weapons," Sahariel replied. "Over time, we've been able to collect some important weapons from history. Not too many, but enough for Jon, myself, and others to fight more closely."

"What happened to the strongest sword?"

"That..." Sahariel looked at her father in doubt for a moment, until she sighed and shook her head. "Sadly, it was broken in the past. Now there are only swords left that were created using the pieces."

Yahweh sighed heavily. "So many things have happened with the change of the ages. It's kind of sad."

"Can't you help with anything else, Father?" Sahariel asked respectfully.

"I am an Echo of the God that existed in the past, Sahariel. Even though I have his memories, I am not the same. Not exactly. I do not possess a great deal of power and abilities. I am just a remnant that keeps the seals working."

 "I see. Then—" Sahariel had to stop abruptly as she felt goosebumps rising on her skin and her hair standing up. A crimson light and green dots flashed in the distance.

"That's it... !" Yahweh exclaimed in shock. "I can't believe that kid is doing that."

Sahariel's eyes widened as she looked at the light that was created by Jon's power. Then, everyone heard his voice.

"I, the one who is about to wake up..."

"Quick! We can't waste any more time, we have to go and help him!" Sahariel shouted as she turned around. She started running to the door before opening it. "I want everyone to get ready right now! The real battle has already begun!"

Everyone shouted before following him. No one was left behind, inside the cabin, except for Yahweh, who looked at Jon, who was about to surpass a point of no return.

 "I… I wonder if…" vibrating slightly, Yahweh seemed to have doubts.

. . . .

"(It began)," a soft voice sounded near Jon's ears as the green spheres continued to flicker around him. Waves of scarlet power began to swirl throughout his body as beams of light began to explode.

"(It has begun)," voices came from all around. They were the consciousnesses of the previous Boosted Gear users. The seals that kept their negative emotions at bay were released as Jon began to activate the Juggernaut Drive.

As Jon chanted, he was not only releasing that sealed power, but also the hatred of everyone. His body began to transform once again, starting with his wings, which stopped having membranes, to become some sort of pointed, twisted limbs with green gems all over them.

"I am the Heavenly Dragon that stole God's principles of domination."

 His body began to grow in size as his limbs forcefully changed. His hands and feet transformed into claws while his arms and legs into large, heavy dragon limbs.

"(It's always been like this)," a woman's voice rang out, with a slightly sad tone.

"(That's right. It's always been like this)," an old man muttered in a tired voice.

"I laugh at the infinite and pity the dream."

His head was beginning to become like a red dragon, similar to the Ddraig. Golden horns emerged from the side of his neck and head.

"(The world calls you)."

"(The world rejects you)."

"I will become the Red Dragon of Domination."

Red mist surrounded Jon, as if it were his own blood evaporating. His aura continued to grow non-stop, surrounded by a red and green glow as he grew larger and larger, until he stood on two legs and roared loudly.

"(... It's always been power.)"

"(... It's always been love.)"

"(No matter the time, you always choose the path to ruin!)"

"And I will sink you into the depths of crimson purgatory!"

With his final prayer for the chant, a shockwave and a blinding explosion were released. The ship above him began to be dragged away as the ground beneath him was destroyed. The substance that was turning the ground into an alien form, stopped at the power so dominant and destructive before it began to crack.

 "Groooaaaaaahh!", a terrifying roar came from Jon's mouth, now transforming into his Juggernaut Drive form. Aura spheres were created around his mouth before he began firing them towards the SHPD. Explosions sparkled the battlefield as a high-pitched noise came from the mechanical lifeform as it was forced back.

Sahariel, who had already left with everyone else, watched worriedly as they saw Jon's transformation.

"Is it too late?", gritting his teeth, Sahariel found himself lost after a long time in his life. He knew perfectly well that this form made the users lose their minds from all the hatred and power that consumed them.

"No, not yet."

"Father?", Sahariel looked at Yahweh, who suddenly approached.

 "Listen. I can help him. It's the only thing I can really do in this situation. However, after that, you'll have to hold out until he recovers a bit. Can you do that?"

"Of course! We're no longer those children you had to take care of so long ago," Sahariel replied confidently.

"The AL prototype is ready, Sahariel!"

"Perfect. Father, we now await your outcome... whatever you have in mind."

"Good... Then, I'm leaving now. This is probably our last talk. My children, despite what happened in the past, I never hated you. You might have been wrong, but I can fully understand that you're now united, seeking peace for your loved ones, brothers, and friends."

Yahweh trembled slightly before shooting off like a shooting star. His small figure began to widen in all directions as he left a trail behind him. He began to approach Jon, who was firing at the SHPD non-stop, creating pure destruction with each step. His roars echoed throughout the created dimensional space. Even though it looked like a beast without control or mind, it was firing only at its enemy.

It seemed like there was still some rationality left inside.

When Yahweh flew across the sky and reached Jon, he entered his body directly. Everything stopped at that moment. There were no sounds or roars; there were no explosions or blinding lights. Just Jon's figure that began to recede into that of a normal human before slowly falling.

"Now! Attack!" Sahariel shouted loudly as she flapped her wings vigorously. The entire group, a total of thirty, men and women, fallen angels and humans, flew together towards the enemy that wanted to devour the planet.

Each one had backpacks with cannons sticking out from their shoulders or hips. Some had swords, others had spears and halberds. A few even just had shields. Each weapon was created with the idea of being a sacred gear, but all resulted in failed attempts. Still, they had enough power to cause destruction.

 Then, as one, they unleashed attacks that flew like lightning towards the SHPD.

. . . . .

In a white space, Jon gritted his teeth as he listened to the voices of the previous users. Shouts filled with hatred, envy, sadness, and rage. Each of those figures sitting around him, emanated a dark mist, as if representing all the negativity they emitted.

"You... Senseless fools!" Jon shouted angrily. "Even if you failed in the past, don't get in my way!"

"And what is that path?" Jon turned his head, seeing a woman walking towards him, showing a curious expression. She was blonde, with slightly wavy hair. Bright green eyes and a figure that any woman would envy. She was wearing a purple dress.

"You... Are you... Elsha?" Jon asked with a headache.

"Yes. I am Elsha, the most powerful woman to wield the Boosted Gear, and also the second strongest user." Elsha nodded as she came a little closer. "But, tell me, what path are you talking about?"

 Jon didn't answer right away, but instead stared curiously.

"Everyone here has been on a certain path. They chose it themselves. A path ruled by lust, a path ruled by dominance, a path ruled by emotion... So many paths, but each one only found despair."

"What makes you think you can be different?"

"I... I'm just a human, Elsha," Jon growled before standing up straighter, facing the most powerful woman who used the Boosted Gear.

"For me, who had nothing, always being oppressed by the way I was born, there is only one path. The only way I can do things without anyone stopping me... And that is freedom."

"Freedom?" Elsha asked confused. "I think here, at least for a small moment, they achieved freedom."

"Really?" Jon asked before snorting. "Is it really freedom when you're obsessed with the power of the Boosted Gear?"

 Looking back at all the figures of the previous users. "They all used Ddraig as a weapon, a method to get what they wanted. To me, that overly excited dragon is a friend, a brother. We fight together and die together. Even though he can't eat, he enjoys smelling food and watching me cook. He likes watching anime, but also arguing with people."

Jon glanced at her out of the corner of his eye at that moment. "From the moment I became the Red Dragon Emperor, we've enjoyed every moment. That's my... No, that's our freedom. We enjoy every moment we have, whether it's in battle or just cooking. And right now, that junk from outer space not only wants to take away my freedom, but also my dear friend."

Jon wanted freedom. He wanted the right to refuse or accept things. He dreamed of being able to become someone amazing, but he also wanted to refuse if someone imposed it on him. In short, to live life without others deciding for him. He wasn't a person who wished to commit crimes or do bad things. He looked forward to sitting on his couch watching anime with Ddraig when he was too tired of other things, he longed to be able to enjoy life without being pointed at for being a bastard.

He wanted to find a woman he could share his joys with. He wished to work if he wanted to or just fight fun battles.

This is why Jon had fallen in love with the planet called Earth - it was a place where he could do all those things. And also, it's why he appreciated Ddraig so much, who was the reason he could be strong so he wouldn't be stopped by others.

"There's no way I'm going to let these fools too blinded by their hatred stop me!"

".... I see...", Elsha closed her eyes before smiling. "You really do have a bond with Ddraig that we couldn't have. It's not because you carry his blood inside you, it's because you consider him as family."

"Well said, Jon!"

The golden light of God appeared above them, along with Yahweh's voice.

"That person managed to get in..." Elsha made a small face. "I wonder what will happen next."

"What are you doing in here, sir?" Jon asked in confusion.

"The ties that bind you and Ddraig, I could see them. The love you feel for each other, I could feel it. Even though I left behind the so-called [Error], known as [Balance Breaker], in case humans need to upset the balance of the world, Juggernaut Drive is different. It is not something left behind in case, it was left behind because I was unable to completely seal the entirety of certain untamable creatures."

"Wishes and imagination are an extremely powerful weapon," Yahweh commented softly.

"I will use my remaining power to change the balance of the battle."

"Wait! If you do that, then the seals holding the area back!"

"Yes... The seals will begin to fade."

 "Then…"

"I will trust you and Ddraig, Jon Snow," Yahweh said confidently. "So, are you ready?"

Jon fell silent before nodding seriously.

"Come on. There's no way I'm giving up so easily. I still have to do a lot of things with Ddraig and show him my homeworld."

The golden light filled the white space, starting from above. Elsha, who was watching intently, smiled softly as she closed her eyes. "A path of freedom that even God approves of, huh? I didn't expect it, but it will certainly be interesting to watch."

"I hope you can do great things, Jon Snow."

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