The Nine Lords Of Order - Chapter 19

The Lightning Valley was a unique place within the whole continent. Although endless thunderstorms ravaged the lands all the time, there were many lifeforms who freely roamed this dangerous area. All of them extremely dangerous and capable of fighting opponents with higher power level than them.

It had been a whole month since Mars and the others had entered the valley. Ever since they stepped into the valley Mars had been working as a lightning rod, absorbing all the lightning. When he felt full and couldn’t absorb more he would use the lightning to temper his fleshly body. Lightning was one of the strongest attributes in the world. The burden it had on the body was far greater than other attributes. Not to mention Mars’ lightning which came from a 7-star path! This meant Mars had to temper his body to much higher levels than others at the same power level in order to control his own power. His power level was increasing rapidly as well. A few days ago he had reached peak rank 2 and his power level was 700.

Other lightning users wouldn’t be able to increase their power level crazily like that. Mars could do it because there were many unique and clever ways to use his power within his memories. Using lightning to temper your body was a very dangerous task, if you did not know how to do it, you might kill yourself.

Mars guessed his own origins might not be as simple as he thought. He knew other people weren’t like him who awakened powerful arts and techniques along his path gem. His only clue to his past was the pendant which was now in Aila’s possession

The expedition was very fruitful so far.

While other groups had to worry about finding a cave to rest every couple of hours, they only had to worry about finding shelter at night. Due to this reason they could search for treasures more efficiently. Along the way they had found several gemstones and lightning plants which were very valuable. They had also fought several demon beasts but nothing too dangerous.

As they grew in confidence, they kept walking deeper into the Lightning Valley and started facing more dangerous beast but higher rewards as well.

Purr!

Meow!

Hiss!!

As they exited a small pathway and entered a wide area, the group heard some purrs and meowing of cats. Then they saw tens of cat like creatures suddenly jumping from crevices and glaring with hostility.

“A group of Lightning Lynxes these animals are like cats but bigger and fiercer. Feline creatures are innately fast and agile. Lightning Lynxes posses the lightning attribute so their speed and attack power is at a much higher level. They usually possess low stamina, but in this place they can swiftly recover by using the lightning attribute in the surroundings. There are at least 20 of them, half of them at early stage rank 4. We should back off or we will suffer casualties.” Eanred swiftly explained and judged the situation.

“Step back quick! We are talking another route…” Just as he gave the orders another 20 Lynxes jumped behind them and closed their escape route. “Damn! So they surpass us in numbers.”

“Leader, what now?” The yellow clothed man also had a frown on his face. The danger in this situation had suddenly escalated beyond what they could handle.

“Defensive formation! Each rank four shall have two rank 3s as back up. Mike! You and I are the strongest. Our job will be to kill as many as possible and then back up the others!” Without much thought, Eanred quickly gave orders.

The yellow clothed man who was called Mike quickly followed orders and prepared for battle. “Leader, even with the defensive formation we are bound to suffer if we don’t think of a way to escape.”

“Escape? These things are too fast. They will never allow us to escape unless the suffer a big enough loss. We have to fight!” Eanred was frowning but there was no other choice.

The lightning lynxes which had gone past rank 4 already possessed a high level of intelligence. With a few meows they also organized themselves. Four lynxes were against each team of three human warriors.

The lynxes couldn’t quite tell the power levels of these human warriors so they chose to go with several battles of four against three. On the other hand, human warriors could guess the rank of demon beasts due to common changes in a beast appearance.

For example, a rank one lightning lynx usually had silver fur and one blue stripe on their forehead. As they increased in rank, more blue stripes would appear on their fur.

Currently they had twice the number of rank fours than them. In each group of four they had two rank 4 demon beasts, while they only had one.

Finally the Lynxes decided to attack.

Their eyes shined blue and arcs of electricity appeared on their tails and then quickly moved towards their forehead, from were powerful lightning bolts were unleashed. In the defensive formation each person pulled an umbrella and used it as a shield.

Bang!

The lightning attack from these creatures was far stronger and concentrated than the thunderbolts which randomly fell from the clouds. However the umbrellas were equipment specially constructed to resist lightning so they still had a great effect. After shining with bright light the umbrellas forcefully managed to withstand the barrage of lightning strikes.

Mars frowned a bit. Although he could freely absorb lightning bolts which came from above, he wasn’t sure if he could do the same with the lightning bolts from these creatures. No, even if he could do it, he was currently too weak to attempt that. Maybe if he reached rank 3

He and his friends were in the middle of the formation. For now they were safe and protected, but who knew for how long. Mars felt his power level which was close to breaking through and made a decision.

He quickly sat down and with some hand gestures his path gem appeared on his chest. Although it always appeared when he used his energy, it usually remained hidden since it was under his clothes. However currently it was shining with a bright blue light which went through his clothes.

After the light appeared, the storm clouds above seemed to be stirred by something.

Rumble! Rumble!

Suddenly the amount of falling lightning strikes increased by twofold! Then by threefold! It kept increasing until the lightning arcs in the sky increased by tenfold! The bright blue light which came out from Mars seemed to be a calling or some sort of summoning.

While Mars was doing his stuff the others also noticed something. Eanred was also shocked when he saw the sudden increase in lightning bolts. He even started to sweat a bit. ‘Even if he is a lightning attribute user he shouldn’t have that kind of control right? What is he doing?’

The lynxes also noticed the change and when they saw the blue hue coming out from Mars they couldn’t help but feel all the lightning attribute energy within their bodies be stirred. It felt as if that light was part of their origin Fear and reverence flashed within their eyes.

After a moment of confusion they hesitated. ‘Should we keep with our attack?’

In the end greed flashed within their eyes. ‘It must be a treasure!’

With this thought in mind, their attacks increased. Now instead of making long range attacks the Lynxes each turned into a streak of light and each flew towards the people within the group.

“Damn! They turned more aggressive now!” Eanred threw his umbrella back into his spacial bag and pulled out a spear. Although the umbrella was good at resisting lightning strikes it was not an actual weapon.

Without other choice, he swung his spear and send the two rank 4 lynxes flying away. And with another move he instantly killed a rank 3 lynx.

Meanwhile Mars was doing his own thing. He raised his hand up in the air and pointed his finger to the clouds.

“COME!”

With a deep shout he seemed to have stirred all the lightning in the sky. It danced within the clouds before falling straight on him!

Bang!

Mars quickly absorbed the energy and rapidly called for more lightning strikes.

Ena at the side was looking worriedly at Mars. She did not know if what Mars was doing would harm him. Each lightning strike which fell was stronger than the last. With her current strength a single lightning strike was more than enough to kill her! She felt useless!

Suddenly she felt a gaze fall on her, it was Mars’. His eyes were shining with a very bright blue. “Ena get close to me!”

“Uh?” Ena was startled but she did as she was told without hesitation. Suddenly she felt a hand on her waist and Mars pulled her into his embrace.

“Don’t worry, with me holding you the lightning strikes can’t harm you. Ena, I’m about to break through to rank 3. The moment this happens my path gem will shatter and quickly reform. In that moment I can transfer the residual energy of my shattered path gem to you.” Mars hugged her and looked straight into her eyes with a very serious expression. “This is the perfect moment for you to breakthrough. Use this opportunity and that energy to shatter and reform your path gem!”

“How is that possible? Use your energy for myself? Mars, you need that energy to reform your path gem!” Ena was shocked when she heard what Mars said.

“Don’t worry. In any other place that might be the case but look where we are! I have endless energy in this place. So you shouldn’t worry about it.” Mars looked tenderly at the girl in his arms. She had always been with him so had decided to help her.

Mars felt his own energy growing more and more unstable by the second. Soon he felt as if he was losing control. His expression suddenly turned serious. “It’s time! Get ready!” He pointed his finger at the sky but this time no lightning fell yet.

Rumble!

Rumble!

Rumble!

Rumble!

Rumble!

Tens of lightning bolts concentrated within a single area and transformed into a bigger lightning bolt. It was so bright that all the members of Battlecrest and even the Lynxes were blinded by the light. The aura was fierce and powerful. Everyone below could feel their legs tremble.

‘If that thing hits me, I’m dead!’ That’s what everyone was thinking.

ROAR!

The lightning strike fell from the clouds straight towards Mars.

Boom!

Mars felt his body overwhelmed by power. His muscles were bulging and his white hair fluttered widely. Pain overwhelmed him but no harm came to Ena who was in his arms. The path gem on his chest which was shining respendly was starting to crack, but as it cracked a powerful aura streamed out in fierce currents.

He tried to hold on for as long as possible. Just when he thought it was right time he shouted,

“Shatter!”

2/3 Another chapter coming out soon!