What's Up With The System?
Yuki stood over Alma, his gaze cold and unwavering. Alma, struggling to lift himself off the ground, stared up at him in disbelief. "How... how could you beat me without even drawing your sword?" Alma gasped, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Yuki looked down at him, the weight of his victory evident in his steady demeanor. "I don't know," Yuki replied calmly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "But this blade... it's not meant to be drawn just yet. And you... you're not worth it."
Alma's eyes widened with a mix of anger and despair as Yuki turned away, his steps echoing in the silence that followed their battle.
Meanwhile, across the battlefield, Cerebro's towering form loomed over Zaire, who lay on the ground, weakened and vulnerable. Cerebro's eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as he lifted his massive fist, preparing to deliver a crushing blow. The sheer force behind the attack was enough to kill Zaire if it made contact.
Just as Cerebro's fist began its descent, Zaire heard a familiar voice in his mind, cold and mechanical. "[Activating autopilot mode,]" the system announced, its tone devoid of emotion.
Before Zaire could react, the system continued, "[Activating passive skill: Eggshell Barrier and the active skill: Eggshell Reinforcement.]"
Cerebro's fist slammed down, but instead of meeting Zaire's vulnerable body, it collided with an invisible barrier that shimmered to life just in time. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, but the barrier held firm, absorbing the brunt of the attack.
"What the hell?" Cerebro snarled, his eyes narrowing in confusion and frustration. "So he has a craft as well?"
Zaire was equally shocked, his mind racing to comprehend what had just happened. "Wait... the system can fight?" he thought, disbelief coloring his internal voice.
"[Activating active skill: Web Production,]" the system intoned, taking control of Zaire's body.
Zaire's right hand began to move of its own accord, a sensation both alien and terrifying. "What the hell is happening?" Zaire thought, panic creeping into his mind as he instinctively tried to resist, grabbing his right hand with his left.
[activate active skill: Web Production]
Despite his efforts, a small hole formed in the center of his right palm.
Without warning, the system fired a web from Zaire's palm, the sticky strands shooting toward Cerebro's face with unerring accuracy. Cerebro, caught off guard, reflexively removed his hand from the attack to peel the web away, momentarily blinded.
The system seized this opportunity. "[Deactivating barrier,]" it announced, releasing Zaire from the protective cocoon. Zaire felt his body move against his will, his fingers elongating into sharp dragon claws. The system directed his movements with precision, swinging his arm in a swift, lethal arc that sliced across Cerebro's chest, leaving a deep, bleeding wound.
Cerebro roared in pain and fury, ripping the web from his face just as the system delivered one final command.
"[Maximum Strength,]" the system declared, channeling all of Zaire's physical power into his next move.
Zaire's body surged with draconic strength as the system used his legs to deliver a devastating kick to Cerebro's midsection. The force of the blow sent Cerebro hurtling backward, crashing through the debris-strewn battlefield as if he were nothing more than a ragdoll.
Breathing heavily, Zaire regained control of his body, the sudden stillness almost disorienting after the chaos. He stared down at his trembling hands, a mixture of awe and fear swirling within him. "The system... it can fight on its own," he thought, the realization both thrilling and terrifying.