Chapter 86: Blue (1/2)

Leonel really did feel like an unlucky star was following him around everywhere.

The reason he dared to jump into the skies like this despite knowing the octopus might make an all out last assault was because he was hoping that it would disappear after it died just like Invalids. In that case, there would be nothing to worry about.

But, who could have guessed that not only would it not disappear, but the final momentum of its dying embers of life were enough to threaten him to this extent?

Even though the tentacles had lost the power backing them, thus making them far weaker than when the creature was alive, they were still falling toward Leonel and Aina. Considering the size of the octopus, Leonel didn't even want to calculate the weight each of those tentacles carried, or else he might pass out in shock before he even had a chance to resist.

Suddenly, Aina's voice called out.

”Catch the ax!”

Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned quickly to find that the ax he had left embedded within the octopus's limb had pulled itself free and was now flying toward them.

Leonel understood Aina's intention immediately. If an ax that heavy soared toward them fast enough, it would be able to knock them off the path of trajectory the tentacles were aimed toward!

Leonel twisted his body in the air, catching the flying ax with both hands.

”Oof…”

Though Leonel felt his arms go numb as a strong force rammed into him, he couldn't have been more happy. This was enough!

Their direction was forcefully altered, sending them flying through a gap in the octopus's limbs and crashing toward the remains of a collapsed building.

Leonel braced himself, circulating the last dregs of his Force into his legs and landing heavily.

Thunderous booms sounded as the octopus finally collapsed. That battle hadn't lasted for even a minute, but Leonel felt completely spent.

'Weird…' Leonel frowned. '… Why aren't there any Invalids here yet?'

Before Leonel could ask his father's dictionary to see if it had an answer, he suddenly felt his spatial bracelet activate on its own.

The Segmented Cube flew out, its numerous pieces breaking apart and enveloping the octopus's corpse before forming back into the size of Leonel's palm once again.

Leonel blinked in astonishment. 'This thing seems to have intelligence of its own? How else do you explain this?'

Though Leonel wanted to scrutinize the cube more, he didn't have the luxury. After putting it away, he broke out into another sprint.

Without a spear, it would be difficult for him to use [Call of the Wind] again. Force techniques were too dangerous so he had learned to not modify them on a whim. It was impossible for him to change it into a technique suitable for axes.

Plus, even if he could… What Force would he do it with?

”Why are there no Invalids here?” Leonel asked the dictionary which now lay in his palm.

[ *Ping* Calculating… The most likely cause is related to the nature of Invalids. Invalids are creatures of instinct whose sole aim is to devour and evolve. However, they can only devour creatures of their species. Powerful creatures of a differing species are great deterrences to them as they are sources of danger without profit. ]

Hearing this, Leonel skidded to a stop. That A-grade Invalid only appeared after he was a distance away from the octopus now that he thought about it. It was just that the octopus could cover obscene distances with that leaping ability of its.

But, if there was a species limitation, then why would this octopus come after him so fervently?

'Wait… This octopus didn't disappear, so it's unlikely to be an Invalid. There must be another reason it saw me as a potential meal, and that reason may very well be related to why the Segmented Cube acted on its own… Forget it, now isn't the time to think about this. I need to focus on getting back to the Fort.'