Evolving Infinitely From An E-Class Hero-Chapter 79: Phoenix Monster 3

My instinct kicked in. "Skill: Destructive Domain!" I shouted, thrusting my hand to the glassy floor.

The Forever Core surged and the pikes deployed, projecting a shimmering golden dome of energy around me.

The Destruction Domain was my trump card of defense and I hoped it would hold itself against such a powerful attack.

The Glowing Sun slammed into the dome, the impact was like a star colliding with the earth.

Boom!

The glass around me shattered and the domain held for a moment as its surface rippled trying to adapt to the attack’s unimaginable heat and power.

But it wasn’t enough.

The Glowing Sun was too strong, too powerful.

Then—

Kpim.

Whirr.

The Domain’s adaptation lagged, its structure buckled under the pressure. With a deafening crack of electricity, the dome shattered and the blast tore through, striking me head on.

Pain exploded through my body. The right side of my suit disintegrated, the nanotech vaporized under the heat.

My right arm was gone in the blink of an eye, severed at the shoulder, the wound cauterized instantly by the blast’s intensity.

I stumbled back, crashing into a pile of rocks on the beach bedding.

My vision swarm with any focus and it felt like I was dead.

Tti-ring.

[+HP= 20%]

[Vital signs: Critical]

Blood dripped from my mouth, as my breath hissed with uncertainty.

Lady Phoenix stood like an unshakeable house, tall and mighty. Her sword still glowing, and she had a triumphant smirk on her face.

"Is that all, E-Class?" She said, steeping closer "And I was beginning to like you... Not to mention we make a really good team"

"Your powers, that glowing things in your chest is its source I presume. The suit is am extension of it... Tch! All of it all are nothing but toys against a true hero like me and the Guardian..."

Even in the face of despair, my mind raced. It clawed at me unmercifully. Then, the Forever Core hummed at me and I then I remembered what I set out to do in the first place.

To become stronger.

Not by laying on my back with half my body blown to smoldering ruins.

I’m not just an E-Class Hero, I’m not just a nobody.

I am the chosen one to bear the Forever Core.

The Worthy Vessel, now Master.

I’ve come to far to back out now, I’ve shown up time and time again. I’ve kept pushing regardless of whatever faced me. I never stopped. I will never stop.

And in that moment of clarity, I spread my eye lids like a book and dragged myself to my feet with my remaining arm.

"Skill: Overclock!"

I growled, my voice raw but defiant. The Forever Core roared to life as if unlocking a new power level.

Tti-ring.

[Active Skill: Overclock]

[Overclock Composition: Cooldown: 10 minutes – 24 hours (depending on usage intensity) Temporarily pushes vessels physical and cognitive capabilities far beyond their natural limits, increasing reaction time, movement speed, strength, and perception exponentially. While active, vessel enters a hyper-accelerated state where the world appears to move in slow motion.

[Lvl 1: Useable for 10 minutes then a cool down is required.]

My muscles tightened, my sense sharpened and time itself seemed to slow.

Overclock pushed me beyond my limits, amplifying my speed, strength for a specific period of time. At this level — level 1, I was allowed only 10 minutes.

I should make good use of it.

"I see..." I whispered, my eyes locking onto Lady Phoenix. "I adapted to you way before this fight even started."

Tti-ring.

[Active Skill: Regenerate]

The golden and black nanites surged from the suits core, weaving new armor over my missing arm.

Flesh and bone regrew in a matter of seconds, the pain fading as my arm reformed.

Then the armor came in next, gleaming with a new sense of toughness and strength.

The Forever Core had adapted to the glowing sun, integrating its heat resistance into the new structure.

Tti-ring.

[Regeneration complete]

I stood my ground, whole again like nothing happened.

Lady Phoenix’s smirk flustered. "What...?"

I moved.

Overclock made me blur, faster than her eyes could track.

I closed the distance in an instant, and my fist slammed into her breats without any form of protection whatsoever.

The impact sent her skidding back across the beach sand further tearing up the remainder of her clothing.

She swung her sword, but I was already gone.

Circling her like a predator.

"Accelerate!"

Tti-ring.

[Active Skill: Accelerate]

[Dash Speed has increased by 50%]

Bam!

Another strike, a kick to her hip, but my hand clamped into her wrist so she wasn’t flown away.

"No more skills..." I said while pressing her wrist with my overwhelming strength.

She yelled from the pain a dropped the blade from her grip, the sword clattered to the sand and its flames dimmed instantly.

She staggered backwards as her reserves were depleting. Her body trembled from the strain of her supreme skill and it was all the more visible without her clothes.

My following onslaught was relentless. While still holding her wrist; kicks, grapples, punches. Each on of them precise and devastating.

The overclock skill was truly powerful and coupled with the accelerate skill I was too fast to even see, it was like being hit by thin air.

Within minutes, Lady Phoenix was on her knees, all her clothes were gone now and she knelt there stark naked with her breath coming in gaps.

The beach immediately fell silent, except for the waves combing against the shore and the cracking of glass and dying flames.

I looked over her, my palms raised for the final blow. The Forever Core pulsed, spreading energy till it reached my gauntlet.

"Incinerate..."

The golden blast was about to come out when I heard something from the distance.

"Reno!" A familiar voice shouted from afar, sharp and desperate.

"Stop!"

"What are you doing?!"

In froze and the embers burning in my gauntlet died down.

The voice was familiar, cutting through the haze of the Overclock adrenaline.

I turned, someone stood in the far side of the beach. Their silhouette framed by the dawns first light.

"You’re so crazy bro!" The figure called out.

"Huh!" I gasped and the entirety of my armor cooled down.