Chapter 346: Heavens Path (1/2)
Ogras only grunted in an exasperated agreement before taking out his large spear with one hand while he threw an offensive array at the drones. The crystal sphere ripped through the air, but the machines seemed to understand it was dangerous. They immediately started to spread out, but they didn't have time to move too far before the ball cracked, unleashing a sea of electricity in the sky.
Two of the drones managed to dodge the offensive array, but the other two were swallowed by the dense lightning bolts. Zac briefly saw a red shield enclose the two submerged machines, but they flickered and petered out in just a second. Zac was relieved to see that the technological shields weren't without limits and that they would sooner or later break under pressure. In fact, they seemed only slightly stronger than an ordinary defensive treasure that Zac found dozens of during the hunt.
He took out a clump of steel from his Cosmos Sack that essentially looked like a cannonball, and he hurled it at one of the surviving drones after infusing it with the Seed of Heaviness. Another red shield appeared to protect the drone, but the attack contained enough momentum to push the machine into the ceiling hundreds of meters above. It caused a large explosion when it hit the rock, and scrap pieces started to rain down from the impact zone.
Zac had long ago replaced the small hill of rocks in his Cosmos Sack with something that could better take advantage of his huge attribute pool. Any time he threw rocks or boulders to test out his enemies lately, the stones would break long before his enemies did. However, a steel ball weighing almost a hundred kilos contained terrifying kinetic energy, especially when it was infused with the Dao of Heaviness.
Only one Drone remained, but it was soon taken care of by Ogras who had appeared up in the air. He stabbed straight through the energy field with his spear, and the speartip entered the drone through a joint. A second later the drone expanded until it exploded in a shower of shadows and metal.
Zac nodded, feeling that the Technocrat Incursion might not be too dangerous after all. But when he relaxed he finally realized something odd. He had gained a small surge of energy for destroying the drone just now.
”Why are these things giving cosmic energy?” Zac asked with confusion. ”They're not alive.”
”No idea,” Ogras shrugged with some disinterest. ”The Ruthless Heavens provides the energy I suppose.”
”Perhaps the other ones were too weak,” Zac said hesitantly.
”No, there is a need of a soul to gain energy,” Ogras disagreed. ”That's why living golems who cultivate give cosmic energy when killed, but destroying a battleship does not.”
”Then what is it?” Zac asked with confusion. ”Are these machines alive?”
”No, check your quest screen,” Ogras said with a smile spreading across his face.
Supremacy of Heaven's Path (Limited, Area): Close Incursion of the Followers of the Boundless Path. Reward: Merit. (0/1) NOTE: All destruction of inanimate combatants will reward energy while quest is active.
”It's an area quest,” Ogras explained. ”I think that anyone that gets close enough to the heretic's Incursion will be automatically awarded this quest as an incentive to destroy it.”
”What's merit though?” Zac asked.
”I would guess it would boost our available class choices when evolving, like eating a Fruit of Ascension,” the demon said, not able to hide his excitement.
”Truly a VIP-treatment,” Zac said with a wry smile. ”I wonder if I should start to worry about my own safety.”
”I think we would have noticed it by now if The Ruthless Heavens wanted you to die,” Ogras said, though there was some hesitation in his eyes.
”Like how? Dropping me off all alone on an island with a bunch of demons?” Zac snorted.
‘And having me roll for survival instead of just moving me a few meters,’ Zac internally added.
”Uh...” Ogras said. ”I'm sure that was just a coincidence.”
However, Zac did notice that the demon took two subtle steps away to distance himself from him. Zac only rolled his eyes in response and kept going.
”If we got the quest the incursion shouldn't be too far. Do you know if the other incursions are out in the open or if they are in town caves?” Zac asked.
”Both it seems. The fish people are in a large town cave that's partly submerged, and I think the humans have a large one as well. But the demons are out in the open,” Ogras said.
Zac nodded and the two kept going, destroying any machinery that tried to impede their approach. Another set of drones tried to stop them a few minutes later, but they were turned into scrap in short order. Their offensive capabilities were pretty terrifying, but their defensive strength left a lot to desire. Even without the assistance of any offensive arrays the shield only needed an attack or two before they broke.
Soon enough they got their answer as they saw something odd in the distance. Another pack of drones appeared out of thin air, though the background started to wobble when they appeared, as though there was a wall of water.
”Illusion array, or whatever their equivalent is,” Ogras muttered. ”There's likely a grand reception awaiting us on the other side.”
Zac took out another cannonball and used it to destroy one of the drones. Soon enough all four were blown to bits, at which point Zac finally activated his real skills. A shroud of miasma spread out from his body as the large spiked wall appeared in front of him.