Chapter 114: Burning lake

Uncountable arrows and spears were launched from the flying battleships towards him, their quantity was so vast, it formed a cluster of blazing dots above him.

Spears was also released behind him by the scouts.

Apparently, the Gricks want him dead so badly. They unleashed an onslaught of projectiles to crush him with overwhelming firepower of an entire fleet.

'Just as planned.'

A dark grin twisted on his lips beneath his armor.

However, before their attacks could even land on Zyro... He disappeared.

His figure suddenly banished in thin air, literally. Zyro's armored body turned into wisps of dark mists, soon becoming ethereal and flowing into the surrounding air.

When he acquired the Blinker's soul core and Scarlet blood, Zyro began doubting if his even human. However, he became certain after consuming the ashen orb. Because it gave him the ability to abandon his mortal form and transform into insidious fogs itself. Allowing him to overcome physical limitations.

That said, installing such drastic changes in his human body was no way simple. Zyro figured out that soul cores tempered one's soul by fusing when he got the Blinker's core. It assaulted his own soul to forcefully merge in its new host. Souls are interlinked to the body, so changes in it caused shifts in his physicality, too. Therefore, Zyro had to endure the entire process of his body evolving to be able to switch from fleshy solid and partially liquid to gas state. Which is impossible for the human body, even the study of modern biology deemed it unattainable. Aizra, an artificial intelligence shared their thoughts, as well. However, she later justified it was only because no creatures on earth can transform into or live into gas state and thus, no studies were conducted to fathom the underlying logic, therefore, it was considered impossible.

Same as how earth was formed, everyone would think the creation of life is impossible if it didn't exist and was not studied.

Zyro and Aizra were clueless about the underlying function that allowed his body to achieve this eerie quality. However, he rather not dig deeper and stayed on the simple things.

Firstly, Aizra named it [Gas state] because it literally describes it all. Secondly, Gas State ability abled him not only to turn his own body into fogs, but also include his suit and some handed weapon. However, it had limitations. So Zyro had to keep it light.

When the barrage of flaming projectiles arrived at the lake, numerous passed through the fog without causing any damages.

The gas he can turn himself into was not normal. Unlike natural fog, his mist form can't be affected by scorching flames and turbulent air easily.

And lastly, by letting his consciousness relax, Zyro is able to spread his mist form to the point it becomes almost unnoticeably thin. Of course, it was not easy to control. It takes him a week to get the gist of it, then another to manipulate it relatively well. At first, Zyro would accidentally spread around in his sleep, only to be awakened without a body and perceive the world in all angles. It was a strange experience to perceive his surroundings as an ethereal fog, instead through physical eyes. Fortunately, humans were masters of adaptability and he excelled in that aspect.

Eventually, Zyro mastered switching states and utilized his new found power potentials to some extent. One of the tricks he focused on improving was extending his mist transformation wide to the point it became almost invisible. This is what created the illusion of his sudden disappearance.

Zyro had high expectations on [Gas State] due to its flexibility. However, he did have time to further discover its prospects.

With his body turned into thin fog, perceive the surroundings in rounded vision. Zyro felt like a ghost spectating the mortal world through his formless body. His eyes were the mist itself, so did everything, every wisps serves his vision. He marvelled if the Great Serpent existed like this in a much, much larger scale with boundless fogs as body. It probably lived like a god in ancient times, devoured countless people as a vile one and fought the fallen Empire it preyed until its death. In the end, the serpent was no god for it was slayed by mortals.

Zyro spectated the scene before him, flaming arrows drop around like rain falls on the lakes waters and shore. While the spears thrown from the woods behind passed into nothing. To be formless amidst a barrage of attacks while observing everything at its center without being harmed, put action shows of 3D cinemas to shame. Here, he could vividly view everything as countless blazing projectiles rained all around him like a burning snow storm.

Here, Zyro could also see the fruit of his efforts sprout. When a flame fell on the shore, plenty of it came in contact with the inky fluids splashed on the shore by a broken barrel. The moment it touches fire, the flames intensify as it crawls on the flammable black liquids. Even the lakes water painted by the barrel contents was set ablaze.

Baron once offered him clothes and carriage to express his genuine gratitude. After all, Zyro saved his life and brought a lovely lady that destroyed the corrupt management of the Mine. He wouldn't have retrieved his family business if not for his Influence. But Zyro declined his generosity because no riches could interest the young man. Instead, he asked for something dangerously flammable, and lots of it.

The things that met his demands were the barrels full of powdered fire stones, which then soaked in water to make it fluid. Fire stones were a premium element of this world, the mine torches were also fueled by these flammable black ores.

And now, tons of liquefied fire stones are in this lake. Because Zyro wanted it to burn.

A sudden explosion boomed on the waters, producing a deafening bang and surging waves. Then another, and another until four devastating booms occurred did the explosions stopped.

Apparently, the rain of flames caused four floating barrels containing extremely flammable contents to explode. Spreading the black liquid in the tranquil lake surface, so did the fiery fires.

The abruptly halt their assaults noticing something amiss and check on the Fallen Knight devastated, if not dead body. Being caught in that onslaught of attacks would surely put multiple holes in his armor, or at least burned him severely in his steel armor. After all, armors are great for defense but not to heat. It would turn into a baking container if faced by scorching heat, which will put the person inside in grave dangers.

However, the Fallen Knight was nowhere to be seen and it's already too late for them to realize what they provoked.

'Did they really expect me to challenge them?'

Although, he has grown stronger since the night he escaped their claws. Zyro was aware of his limits.

The lake that existed peacefully under the night sky amidst this wilderness was devastated. Its tranquil waters were assaulted by countless blazing projectiles and bombed by destructive barrels. Turning it into a sea of flame. Its shore was littered by burning arrows. Even the surrounding forestry wasn't spared, as the tree's burn, the leaf's ashes fell on the lake aflame surface.

The moonlight soothing blue radiance was expelled by the warm flames of the burning lake. However, it's originally known for its electrocuting waters instead of flames.

Suddenly, sparks of electricity ignited on the lake's surface. Then, it intensified to the point the electrical disruption formed snaking currents of azure electricity.

The next moment, a slimy tentacle shoots out from the waters. Its end resembles a three clawed limb as it grabbed on the shore, followed by a dozen more. As it did, everyone stared at it with dread in their eyes. Zyro's didn't have eyes at the moment, but he still felt apprehensive at the sight of such monstrosity. He had been wondering what kind of harrowing aquatic creature dwells in the lakes depts that produced so much electricity just by nesting beneath its waters. Zyro even thought of making it an energy providing pet. Now, however.

'Forget about it, I don't think it will fit in any cages.'

Under the startled gazes of everyone, the leviathan body emerges on the shore. Its numerous tentacles supported the massive creature rounded head where all its limbs originated. Soon, it's white figure towered above the burning trees. Despite having no visible eyes, or was too small to be seen. The guardian of the lake turned to look at the hovering fleets of Gricks.

The winged warriors would have loved to make a strategic retreat, but their pride enabled them. Somewhere far away, vampires and other species were watching their operation unfold. Retreating because a massive monster appeared would stain their honor as proud Gricks. Furthermore, the sighting of the Fallen Knight was a rare opportunity. They can't let it go.

Unfortunately for them, the lake guardian had no considerations. It unleashed a deafening screech then attacked the moment it saw them.