Chapter 222: I'm so sorry, Checkmate is dying

"Kevin."

"… I've arrived at the designated location."

"Good."

[Advance One]

Nozomi responded swiftly, moving quickly in the wind and rain. With the help of the "box" and combat uniform, he quickly climbed into a building that had not been completely destroyed. Using the ruined building, he blocked the attack of the [Fourth Herrscher].

He has also arrived at his scheduled location.

[Back Six]

Next is... [Car moves into second place].

"Nozomi... we have arrived at the designated location, but..."

"Speak quickly."

"We may not be able to hit this position..."

"No need. Just a little attention will be enough. This will provide us with an opportunity to get closer."

"Roger."

The team members on the communication line responded quickly without too many questions... Nozomi had already won their trust with his previous command, and there had indeed been no problems since the start of the battle.

The transfer of all troops went smoothly...or rather, it went smoothly as long as they covered each other.

In fact, this is not difficult to do. They can do it even without relying on Nozomi's command, but... if they want to move to such a close distance to the [Herrscher], they will probably have to pay some price.

"The next thing is..."

Nozomi stopped talking, immediately turned the "box" around, and started defending, and then...

Boom!

The attack of [The Fourth Herrscher] directly hit the area where Nozomi was. The buildings turned into fragments and flew everywhere. The falling rain lifted a white curtain, covering the hit area, making it impossible to see the situation inside. The flying fragments also obscured everyone's vision, making it difficult to judge the situation inside.

"Nozomi?"

"It's okay, I'm still alive."

Nozomi's steady voice came from the communication, and then everyone saw a swift figure rushing out from the ruins, carrying the "box" that looked like a coffin, moving quickly against the heavy rain and strong wind.

The attacks of the [Fourth Herrscher] followed closely, and several times they brushed past Nozomi's body, or Nozomi barely blocked them with the help of some ruins.

'I am a little impatient... or have I noticed it?' Glancing at the [Fourth Herrscher] and finding that it seemed to have [locked] on him, Nozomi's mouth curled up slightly.

Did it notice his abnormality in this battle? The wind clearly had a significant impact on other people. Even with the help of the new combat uniforms, it was difficult to move quickly in this environment.

But Nozomi is not like that. Nozomi's ability to move is extremely normal, so normal that it is a little "abnormal".

In addition, Nozomi used the "box" to hinder its attacks several times, which made it focus most of its attention on Nozomi... and what really made it completely "lock" Nozomi was its perception of its own strength, or in other words, its judgment of Nozomi's aura.

He is the strongest among these [Humans], and more importantly... he is very dangerous - this is what the [Fourth Herrscher] judged.

From the moment Nozomi deployed the "box" defense and took off the mask to rehearse in the wind and rain, it could feel a vague sense of danger coming from Nozomi... and as time passed, this sense of danger gradually increased.

It was as if some extremely dangerous predator was approaching.

In order to resolve this sense of danger, it focused most of its attention on Nozomi and directed most of its attacks toward Nozomi's position. It did not pay much attention to other members who were moving and approaching.

Even as long as others don't attack it, it won't fight back against them... This reaction is very strange.

Logically speaking, fighting back should be a piece of cake for the Herrscher, and they must be careful even if it is a casual attack from the Herrscher, but at this time... it doesn't even have the mind to care about them?

Is Nozomi so attractive to it?

Oh... that's of course~

Nozomi used the "box" to jump, dodging the wind it blew, and used the steel cable that was not torn by the wind blade to pull himself back to the "box". Then he released the "box" from its fixed mode and started running again with it on his back...

Fortunately, the entire structure of the "box" is "Soulium", otherwise Nozomi would not be able to do what he just did. The torn steel cable alone would be impossible to restore... But the "Soulium" can do it, especially in this environment where the Honkai energy is relatively abundant, the characteristics of "Soulium" can be perfectly utilized.

As for why Nozomi is so attractive to it... Haha, anyone who finds out that there is a problem with their power will probably feel confused, and will feel angry after discovering the cause of the problem, right?

Although Nozomi needs to pay a price for doing this, that price is insignificant to him, and the rewards he gets are indeed substantial.

After all... it was supposed to control [fluids], it was supposed to control wind and rain, but at this moment it actually felt the "betrayal" of wind and rain.

Snap——

Nozomi walked on the rain-covered road, moving quickly. Water splashed up and down, but did not bring any changes. It only quietly disappeared the slight cracks on the ground where Nozomi had stepped.

It is the messenger favored by Honkai, a bird willing to soar in the sky. Therefore, it is not used to control the "water" part of its power. As for its understanding of [fluids], it is more inclined to wind. This is why it only uses storms to destroy and only uses wind groups and wind blades to attack...

It's not that it can't, but that it simply doesn't want to. It is influenced by the character and intention of its own body and would rather be a bird that flies and lives in the sky. For this reason, it grows a pair of wings unique to it, just to be similar to the flying bird.

However, not wanting to use it does not mean that it will give up that part of the power, or give up the part of "water" in the [fluid].

It's like a king's crown and scepter, the crown is wind and the scepter is water. It likes the crown and prefers the crown, but that doesn't mean it will give up the scepter.

Because this is what belongs to it.

But at this time, before Nozomi took off the mask and came into contact with the breeze and rain, it actually felt that the rain was helping it and even expressed... an emotion called joy.

Not only that, even the blowing wind was bringing him messages... It was as if at this moment, the power and authority that should have belonged to it were showing a preference for him.

What does this mean? The crown grew wings and flew away? The scepter grew legs and ran away?

The sense of danger from Nozomi made it nervous, and the premonition that its own power would be "taken away" made it panic... so it focused all its attention on Nozomi.

As for the others? It doesn't matter, they are just ants that can be dealt with at any time... Just the storm it creates is enough to give others a headache, so how can it be taken seriously?

All we have to do is get rid of Nozomi, this strange and high-risk unit.

And what Nozomi wants is this kind of targeting.

It was indeed not wrong in its perception. Nozomi did receive help from the rain and breeze, but... not much.

He could sense some messages from the breeze and feel the care of his mother in the rain, but... that was all.

Although because of his initial decision, he was very close to his mother from the beginning to the point where he would show some signs of returning as long as he was exposed to rain, but... he knew in his heart that it was not enough now and he needed some preparation.

That was the idea that was engraved in his heart at the very beginning when he had some [realization] of the future path... Therefore, he knew that it was not enough and he had to wait a little longer.

But before that, it's okay to take advantage of the fact that he is favored and ask to change some little things, right?

After all... rain was the first force he came into contact with, a force that was inseparable from him, and he was also the most beloved and doted child of his [Mother].

The breeze was the vehicle through which he sang his song, the beginning of reversing the predetermined, tragic ending, and the moment he was most proud of.

These two powers had been brought to a certain degree of [extreme] under his use and had long been inseparable from him. Therefore... when they met, Nozomi would always be favored by these two powers.

Perhaps it is really just as the previous metaphor said, the crown grew wings and flew away, and the scepter grew legs and ran away. After all, compared to them, there is a more suitable existence in front of them... Whether it is [Rescue] or [Destruction], it is all the same.

How could this not make it angry? Haha…

But unfortunately, from the moment it appeared, from the moment it possessed the power related to wind and rain, and [fluids]... from the moment it met him, its defeat was already doomed.

"Alright, everyone."

After dodging its attack again, Nozomi's voice rang out over the communication line. At the same time, he adjusted his body shape and the "box" to block its subsequent attacks...

"It's our turn to make a move."

Replace the "magazine" of the sniper rifle in he hand, turn around, and pull the trigger!

The shining energy bomb attacked it. Although the strong wind mixed with Honkai energy greatly affected Nozomi's attack, fortunately, this attack was still enough to hit it.

Then... the energy bomb was blocked within a range of about five meters from it as if it had hit some invisible barrier, and then it quickly "dissolved" in a strange way.

This is the [fluid] shield that surrounds its body, built by it using its power. This is also the capital that allows it to crush others so much.

Don't be fooled by its simple means of attack; that's only because it simply doesn't want to use anything else. In terms of defense, it can be said to be outstanding... Any attack that comes into contact with the [fluid] around it will either be deflected or slowly "dissolved" like what happened just now.

In other words, nothing can hit it if it wants to.

As for why its means of attack are so simple, but its defense is so terrifying... It's probably because of its body itself, and the thought of "not wanting to be hurt again" affects its tendency.

However, these are of no help in solving the current situation... Let's get back to the present.

Although Nozomi's attack was ineffective as expected, this did not prevent it from counterattacking... Rather, the fact that Nozomi dared to fight back at this time actually increased its "anger".

Therefore, more violent attacks were directed towards Nozomi. In other words, its attention to Nozomi reached a higher level.

In this case...

"Kevin."

"Um."

Without further ado, Kevin responded immediately.

[Advance One]

Nozomi moved quickly, dodging its attacks swiftly and deftly... but this time, Nozomi did not bring the "box" with him but instead fixed it in its original position.

But... is there a component missing from the "box"? And the device used to fix Nozomi's waist seems to have changed a bit...

But It can't care about that now! Its attack is coming soon!

"Next... let's try to take it down."

It used the remaining ruins to avoid subsequent attacks and then quickly ran away. Seeing that the place originally used for hiding was swept and ravaged by the strong wind, and only a little mud was left, Nozomi curled his lips... he began to get anxious.

"Although there are some changes, it doesn't matter. After all, this isn't a [turn-based chess game], so it's okay to make more moves, right?"

"[Che], help with some support."

"OK."

As Nozomi's order came down, continuous gunfire was heard quickly, and the rain of bullets enveloped it, barely interrupting its attack, or in other words, temporarily attracting its attention...

Logically speaking, this would not happen. After all, no one could penetrate its defense, but... the accident happened.

Among the countless attacks of energy bullets, there was a physical bullet.

Although it is even more impossible for physical ammunition to hit it, as it will be forcibly deflected as long as it touches the [fluid], but... what others want is this physical ammunition to hit its [fluid] defense.

Because this ammunition, once it [hit], would have an impact on Honkai energy... or in other words, disrupt Honkai energy itself.

That's right. This bullet is what Nozomi had researched with the Operations Department before. It uses the special energy frequency "discovered" by Nozomi to affect Honkai energy… either to amplify it or to stabilize it. There is only one goal, which is to disrupt the way Honkai energy works itself, and thus destroy the things it constitutes.

Although this research has not been perfected yet and the current level alone is not enough to destroy its defense, but... it doesn't matter, as long as it can notice this and divert its attention slightly.

Because Nozomi had already run away.

[Back 2]

When it discovered this, it immediately focused its attention back on Nozomi... It would be better to first deal with the guy who posed the greatest threat and was trying to "usurp" its authority.

"Very good, you still won't let me go. In that case... then we have to get started."

Nozomi was moving and talking at the same time, and he did not forget to find opportunities to counterattack while dodging... mainly to attract hatred.

"Next... [Bishop] advances to four, Check."

Some exaggerated attacks were launched towards it, and there was still some physical ammunition that could affect Honkai energy in between. Although it couldn't destroy its defense if it continued...

Bang!

The attack from Nozomi's direction made it even more concerned...

"Go ahead, [Rook] one step forward, Check."

[Advance One]

Nozomi continued to give orders.

Since a few bullets can't affect or breakthrough... then use more bullets! Use quantitative change to cause qualitative change!

Are you kidding? The greatest benefit of human technology is industrialization! If you find the right method, you can directly mass produce something!

Although this type of bullet cannot be wasted as freely as conventional ammunition, can't all the bullets accumulated from the beginning of research and development be used in this battle?!

After all, this is the "Great Eruption," so we should waste resources when necessary!

[......]

It began to get a little impatient and wanted to get rid of all the annoying bugs around it at once.

"Then it's... [back] three, Check (check)."

[Advance One]

But at this moment, Nozomi's attack came again, and... the bullets he fired happened to be that kind of physical ammunition.

Hey... don't forget that Nozomi had specifically taken away a component from the "box" before.

The continuous interference finally caused chaos in its defense, allowing the attacks of Nozomi and others to enter the five-meter range around it for the first time... instead of being directly deflected and dissolved.

That idea of using quantitative change to bring about qualitative change... it really works!

[......]

This made it realize the problem, so it briefly withdrew its gaze from Nozomi, raised one hand, and summoned a storm, enveloping everything around it...

"Hey, now you remember that you can use a large-scale move to kill us all at once?"

Nozomi's voice had a hint of lightness, but unfortunately, it couldn't hear it.

As expected, after becoming a Herrscher, not many people can have brains... But if the Herrscher really had brains, I'm afraid the entire human civilization would have collapsed long ago, haha.

"But... what a pity, I don't want to discard these [chess pieces] just yet..."

Click——

It's the sound of something being connected.

Nozomi didn't know when it had returned to the side of the "box." Before this, its attention had been pulled back and forth, so it didn't realize this.

Input the command, hold the [bow] tightly, lift and pull, and let the "box" change its shape.

Taking off the mask and being exposed to the heavy rain and strong wind, the scarlet part of his pupils became more and more conspicuous, and Nozomi's aura became more and more dangerous.

"Okay, okay, look at me, look at me, don't look at other people, focus more on me~"

Nozomi murmured this half-jokingly... it couldn't hear it anyway.

Pull the [bowstring], let the energy gather, let the light shine, and let the characteristics of "Soulium" be fully utilized in this area full of Honkai energy.

[......]

And Nozomi's changing aura, that overly obvious attack... indeed once again drew its attention back to Nozomi.

The attacks from others were still going on, but this time it was... somewhat annoying.

For the first time... it gently flapped its wings and took a step towards Nozomi's direction...

boom!

Almost in an instant, it rushed to Nozomi's location, forcibly severed the connection between Nozomi and the "box," stepped on his chest with its bare feet as white as jade, forced his body to the rain-soaked ground, and pushed him to plow a long mark on the ground.

In the face of the angry attack of the Herrscher... the power of technology is not enough for now.

The connection with the "box" was forcibly interrupted, and most of the combat uniform on his body was torn off by it using its power. The mask that was originally taken off to attract its attention now became a foreshadowing... A clear wound was scratched on the back of his head, and blood quietly flowed from the back of his body, adding a touch of bright red to the transparent rain.

If it were an ordinary person, he would have died long ago. Even if he survived, he would probably have passed out due to the pain.

Not to mention, at this moment it was still stepping on Nozomi's body, increasing its strength little by little, using its own power to control the wind pressure, crushing Nozomi's body little by little.

But... what a pity, it's raining now.

Accompanying his appearance and the exercise of his power are wind and rain.

therefore...

————————

[Entry: ■■■■ (gold), effective]

[Gabriel (real name revealed): Young one, don't worry, I am by your side, healing your pain]

————————

"Oh my... I was beaten..."

Nozomi spoke bit by bit despite the flowing blood and the pain in his body.

"But you... eventually landed, like the flying [bird]."

The smile on his lips... hasn't changed.

[...? ]

It was stunned, apparently not realizing what Nozomi was saying.

"I'm so sorry, I won~"

Nozomi smiled.

[Advance One]

[...? ! ]

It looked up in astonishment, sensing a sudden sense of danger behind it... a feeling that some kind of attack was about to be launched.

Promotion

Turning back, It saw Kevin who had appeared there without its noticing... No, he had been there for a long time! Hiding in the ruins! He just showed up now! And the distance between it and Kevin... was less than four meters!

But isn't this right? With the force it used to attack Nozomi just now, even if it was just a ripple, it could still knock him unconscious, or even cripple him...

'Wait, why is this guy wearing two layers of combat uniform?!'

'Damn it! Despicable human! Using your own companion as bait!'

It spread its wings, trying to fly again, away from these two despicable guys, or to retract its defense, at least to isolate itself from Kevin's attack.

But at this point, there is an interesting question to ask - when are birds most likely to be hit by hunters?

Answer: At the moment when the bird flies away from the treetops.

So, the moment it gave up its advantage of being in the sky, the moment it chose to land out of anger... unfortunately, it lost.

The moment it turned around, Kevin had already pulled the trigger at its head.

boom!

At the moment before it flew up, at the moment its feet just left Nozomi's chest, its head... was blown off.

"I'm so sorry, Checkmate."

Nozomi looked at the corpse fallen beside him and said this with ease.

"sigh..."

Then, he breathed a sigh of relief... As for Kevin who immediately ran up to him to ask about his situation, he was not in the mood to pay attention to him... He wanted to rest for a while first.

'Well... that's great, I've accomplished what I said before, no one died, no one was injured... Well, that's great.'

Nozomi tightly grasped the badge in his hand... Really, the attack from that [Herrscher] before was too much, the badge almost flew out... 'Oh, I should have known not to carry it with me.'

'But... never mind, as long as nothing happens.'

'After I get back... return it to the doctor.'

Nozomi thought so, looking at the rain clouds that were gradually dispersing in his sight, feeling the wind around him gradually becoming steady, the rain gradually weakening, feeling the care from his [mother], he... slowly closed his eyes.

'Please wait a little longer, [Mother] and my [blood relatives], I will come to see you.'

'Just need to... wait a little longer.'

......

[The Fourth Great Eruption] ends here.

[Fourth Herrscher's containment battle]... No, [Fourth Herrscher's subjugation battle] was successfully completed with one casualty and zero deaths.]