[Aboard The Starship.]
{Alert!}
{An unknown projectile is heading toward Master! System protection protocol activated.}
{System detected Master is aboard the starship, which is also linked to me. Protection protocol will now activate on the starship.}
Sunny remained relaxed and unmoving, even as the blast sent by Malik slammed into the starship.
".....?!"
Star looked over her shoulder, a bewildered expression on her face. "Why wasnât there a scratch?" She turned her head back to the control settings, muttering in disbelief, "Not even a damage alert?!"
Sunny stood up, a smirk playing on his lips. "How could a mere celestial rank damage my personal ship? Even a god couldnât achieve that." He then gestured. "He called us. Letâs go."
____
[On The Castle courtyard.]
On the ground, everyone stood with widened eyes and jaws agape, staring at the starship in utter confusion.
"It... not even a dent?!" Xanor was stunned.
"Hey! What did you use?!" Malik demanded, turning to Josephine.
Josephine chuckled lightly. "Did you see me make a move?"
"...?!" Malik was dumbfounded. âIt canât be... A starship is strong, but my attack should at least leave a scratch on it! What defense or materials were used to create this?â he thought, bewildered.
"I see some flies donât know they only belong at the bottom of the food chain."
All heads snapped to the starship as two figures descended from the sky: a winged woman with silver-black serpentine scales, and a man with red wolf ears, a tail, and glowing red eyes. They all took a step back, feeling the dense celestial energy emanating from the two.
"Who?! Who are you?!" Xanor stammered, staring at Sunny.
Sunny and Star landed before Josephine and her five supporters, fixing their gazes on Malik. "Who am I?" Sunny smirked, then turned, grabbed Josephineâs jaw, and, before everyone, kissed her.
"...?!"
".....!!!!"
Everyone was flabbergasted; even Star was speechless. Sunny nibbled on Josephineâs upper lip, then separated, turning to Xanor. "Did that answer your question?"
"You! You are the one who stole my mate from me?!" Xanor yelled, pure killing intent radiating from him. Josephineâs willingness to kiss the stranger only fueled his rage.
"She wasnât your mate to begin with," Sunny replied calmly.
"You!!!" Xanor gritted his teeth in fury. "You! You are just a core rank! A core rank!!" He turned to Josephine. "You left a heavenly rank for a core rank! Are you stupid?!" He then addressed the elder. "Elder! Your plan will never work if he is alive! I say we kill them all here!"
"Hmmm..." Malik pondered his words and slowly nodded. "You have a point."
"Yes, elder! If he is alive, our vote will never hold!" Zagreb added.
"Yes! Kill them!" Milan said coldly, then, directing her words to Star, added, "Young lady, what do you say about becoming my servant...? That way you will live."
Starâs gaze turned frigid. "How can an ant ask an elephant to be its slave?"
".....?!"
Milan was dumbfounded.
"I see all of you are arrogant." Malik raised his hand above his head.
BOOOM!!
Everyone looked up to the sky, watching as a dark storm formed above Sunny and his group. "I will use all my strength in this attack! None of you will survive!!" Malik yelled, dropping his hand. At that exact moment, a huge purple lightning bolt dropped from the storm and smashed into Sunny and his group.
{Damage Taken: 850 (With Equipment).}
{Defense: 1,130 (Without Equipment).}
{Attack completely neutralized.}
"Good job, elder! You got them!" Zinmo yelled, while the rest nodded with smiles on their faces.
"How cute."
".....?!!!"
They all watched in horror as Sunny waved his hand, instantly dispersing the smoke.
"No way!!! How are you still alive?!" The elder was stunned.
"Elder?" They all turned to Malik in disbelief.
"No! I donât believe this!!" Malik raised both hands above his head and yelled:
"DIE!!!"
WHOOSH!!!
WHOOSH!!
WHOOSH!!!
Three more lightning bolts fell from the sky. Before they could touch Sunny, he raised his hand towards the attack and activated Devourer. Everyone watched in shock as a red eye appeared on Sunnyâs palm and vigorously absorbed the entire lightning attack.
"...This?!" Malik was stunned, feeling his celestial energy being drained. He quickly stopped the skill and dropped to his knees, sweat pouring down his face. Everyone watched in shock as the storm shattered and disappeared.
"You are weak... So itâs expected," Sunny muttered, lowering his hand.
{Congratulations, Master, for entering the second stage of the core rank.}
âAt least I gained something,â Sunny thought, then added, âShow me his celestial energy.â
{Yes, Master.}
{Celestial energy: 0/3,000 (+0).}
âWhoa! Did I also absorb the celestial energy from his equipment? Devourer is really a high-grand skill,â he thought in mild shock.
"The... the elder was defeated?"
"How?! The opponent only raised a hand, stopping the attack."
"Who is this man?!"
"Did we make a mistake joining the elder?"
"It looks like it."
"What should we do now?!"
Xanor and Malik frowned, hearing the whispers behind them.
"You! What do you want then?" Malik asked through gritted teeth. His celestial energy was completely drained; he wouldnât be able to use any skill unless his energy replenished.
"You offended my mate, wanted to throw her in the dungeon, and even attacked my starship... What do you think?" Sunny asked.
âShit! The Elderâs celestial energy is drained! A warrior without celestial energy is no different from a wounded beast waiting to be killed... If I stay here, I might die,â Xanor thought.
Hearing his thoughts, Sunny wasnât bothered but fixed his gaze on Malik. "You have two options. First... cut off both your arms and destroy your core. Then you can leave." His words shocked everyone present. "Second option, kill yourself right now."
"You!!" Malik looked up at him with bloodshot eyes. "Both options will surely lead to my death! I will kill you myself! Even without celestial energy, I can take all of you with me!!" Malik yelled in anger as his body began to glow. Seeing his action, the people behind him all took a step back in shock.
"Ahhh!!!"