Combat Mode (2)
The system notification barely registered in Skylar's mind as he was already in motion, for his next kill.
A second guard turned immediately, its railgun whirring as it powered up. But it was too slow. Skylar twisted mid-air, evading the shot, and fired off a precise burst of plasma straight into the enemy's chest.
The impact caved in the crystalline plating that acted as a layer of armor, sending the Scourge reeling backward before it collapsed in a lifeless heap.
–––
{[System Notification]}
Beast Eliminated: Lvl 80 Scourge Enforcer
Kill Points (KP) Gained: +80
[Silver Tier Kill Rankings Update]
Current Rank: 777 in Beastslayer Leaderboard
Next Rank: 776 (Requires 136 points)
Overall KP: 19,390
–––
The remaining three recovered from the shock and reacted, their movements fluid and precise.
One raised its plasma rifle, another activated a shoulder-mounted energy cannon, while the last lunged forward with its sharp claws gleaming under the dim glow of containment cells.
Skylar let out a demented smirk, licking his lips in anticipation—a smirk that would have chilled the spines of the prisoners watching the battle had his face not been covered by the exo-helmet.
He anticipated their coordination and launched himself backward, using his micro-thrusters to gain distance, then deployed an arc grenade.
The grenade struck the ground and erupted in a surge of electric blue energy. The Scourge caught in the blast convulsed violently, its systems overloaded.
Skylar didn't waste the opening. He dashed in, flipping over the disoriented enemy, and plunged his energy blade into the gap between its crystalline armor.
The blade sizzled like molten metal through a blacksmith's anvil as it carved through vital tissue.
–––
{[System Notification]}
Beast Eliminated: Lvl 79 Scourge Enforcer
Kill Points (KP) Gained: +79
[Silver Tier Kill Rankings Update]
Current Rank: 777 in Beastslayer Leaderboard
Next Rank: 776 (Requires 57 points)
Overall KP: 19,469
–––
The two remaining guards weren't idle. Plasma fire streaked past his shoulder, one shot grazing his battlesuit's left arm. Warnings flashed across his HUD, but Skylar ignored them.
His right-hand Helix Blaster whined as it charged up. He twisted, unleashing a concentrated double-helix blast straight at the guard with the energy cannon.
The projectile struck the Scourge center mass, detonating on impact. The explosion ripped through its crystalline body, scattering molten shards across the floor.
–––
{[System Notification]}
Beast Eliminated: Lvl 82 Scourge Enforcer
Kill Points (KP) Gained: +82
[Silver Tier Kill Rankings Update]
Current Rank: 776 in Beastslayer Leaderboard
Next Rank: 775 (Requires 251 points)
Overall KP: 19,551
–––
There was only one left.
Skylar barely turned in time to see the last guard closing in with a plasma knife vibrating in its grip.
'Too close for a blaster shot.' He concluded immediately, his battle instinct screaming danger. But instead of fear, a wide grin spread across his face.
Skylar met the charge head-on, raising his forearm just as the blade came down.
Metal clashed against metal. Sparks erupted as the plasma knife scraped against his reinforced vambrace.
Skylar pushed back with raw strength, his battlesuit and Lvl 77 Primal Master cultivation enhancing his physical power. The almost two-meter Scourge snarled, attempting to overpower him.
Skylar pivoted his stance, using the momentum from the impact to twist the enemy's wrist and redirect the blade.
With a swift counterstrike, he drove his knee into its torso, shattering part of its crystalline ribs. The guard faltered, just enough for Skylar to press his blaster against its exposed neck.
[Adios] He said, letting loose a wide smirk.
And fired...
FRRRTTT!~
A sharp hiss followed as the plasma burned straight through.
–––
{[System Notification]}
Beast Eliminated: Lvl 84 Scourge Enforcer
Kill Points (KP) Gained: +84
[Silver Tier Kill Rankings Update]
Current Rank: 776 in Beastslayer Leaderboard
Next Rank: 775 (Requires 167 points)
Overall KP: 19,635
–––
Silence reigned...
Skylar exhaled, lowering his Helix Blasters. The five bodies lay motionless around him in a pool of purple blood. Their crystalline armor was still faintly glowing red from the heat of his attacks.
Fortunately, no alarms had gone off.
He turned his attention to the control panel. The cells remained locked and their occupants were staring at him with a mix of hope and fear.
His HUD scanned the interface. He had two options—hack the system, or brute force it. Either way, he needed to move fast before reinforcements arrived.
Skylar rolled his shoulders, stepping toward the console.
Time to get to work.
Seconds passed away with Skylar scratching his head as he studied the control panel, his fingers hovering over the glowing interface. Lines of alien script blinked back at him, completely indecipherable.
He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. [Damn it... I hate tech]
His mind raced for an alternative. He didn't have the time—or the skills—to hack into it manually. The longer he stood there, the greater the chance of reinforcements arriving.
Then his gaze dropped to his belt and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
[EMP it is]
He retrieved the small magnetic casing and pressed it against the panel. The device latched on instantly, its surface flickering with a faint blue glow.
He tapped the activation switch.
VRRRRMMM!~
A surge of electric energy burst from the EMP, sending a ripple through the control panel. Sparks jumped from the interface as its systems flickered erratically before shutting down entirely.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then—
CLANG! HISS!~
The metallic cells groaned as their energy fields dissipated, and the doors creaked open.