Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)-Chapter 947. De Jure Sanguinis - Return to Sender!
< “What the…? Magical shards just pierced through the floors.” >
“Is there a Corrupted down there…? Tch:!”
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Frost eventually reached the elevator.
Now that she was close enough, she was able to erect a [Light Barrier] to defend its underside.
But it could not protect everything. More and more magical shards came flying upwards, riddling the underside of the elevator. She ripped the ceiling open, expecting to find everyone doing fine.
“[Lighting Lance]. White Midnight’s been busy perfecting their magic, hm.” Horus was the first to speak.
She was hunched over poking one of many glowing crystals that had littered the floor.
“Ineffective, but I’m surprised it could puncture the elevator…” Morgause commented as she carefully placed a hand onto Joy’s head. “It’s fine, little one. I come bearing the gift of the Nexus. [Greater Healing].”
Frost’s heart stopped beating when her eyes finally fell onto Joy.
She sat in the corner of the elevator, held in Jury’s arms.
“It won’t hurt for long, I promise. Your hand is going to come back, ok? You didn’t lose anything.”
“Mal…”
“Morgause. Please. Quickly.”
“I’m doing my best, Beholder Jury. Her body composition is a bit different from a human. Give it twenty seconds. I’ve nullified the pain for now, but the shock will remain of a bit. It must be her first time experiencing the curse of mortality.” Morgause explained.
Joy’s DEF was less than a thousand. It meant that out of everyone currently alive, she was the most susceptible to being killed.
And there she was, clasping onto the stub that used to be her hand with tears streaming down her face.
It was the first time she had ever experienced pain.
For it to be like this…
//////// < WARNING > ////////
< The Will of the Amalgam Has Reached the First State >
< The First State Has Manifested as the Listening Bird >
A calm, steady wrath consumed Frost. As she was Tempered to the Second State, emotions of this level could never overwhelm her.
What used to be a roaring flame was now the same, controlled flame of a blowtorch. She entered the elevator, her long, flowing hair seemingly floating behind her. Her steps were abnormally light, like she was walking on air.
“I’ll take care of this. Joy. Look at me…”
“Malgam…”
She reached down, cupping the cheek of the child, and then, black particles rose from her stub. A new hand was reconstructed a second later. It trembled, and Frost softly held it with both hands.
“… White Midnight, you said?” Frost calmly spoke to Horus. She did not turn to acknowledge her.
“From the looks of it. I’m surprised they have something that can shoot this far away. Nothing in my arsenal that can compete with them at this range.”
“It’s fine. I’ll deal with them.”
“Joy~ It’s better now, see? Your mom made it better~”
“Malgam...”
Frost, after sharing a look with a saddened Jury, applied a [Protection Ward] on Joy. Then, she gracefully jumped through the ceiling and retreated to the side of the elevator with suddenly heavy steps.
She gazed down at her enemies with eyes that illuminated the darkness beneath.
The light of the approaching attack paled in comparison.
It did not matter who or what they were.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Where they came from.
What their purpose was.
All that mattered now was one thing.
She severed her left hand again, as a gesture to feel the same agony that Joy was subjected to. It was nothing to her, but emotionally, she knew exactly how it felt. That emotional turmoil became physical pain as she utilized a Passive Skill that reminded her of her own mortality.
[Manual of Anti-Healing].
This Passive Skill allowed Frost to permanently store injuries, illnesses and weaknesses. That way, she could apply them onto enemies at will.
However, to store an injury…
“Gagh… Tch… Hah… This is… what it feels like… without my [Painkiller] Passive… and what I’m used to. This Skill forces me to experience it… as though it’s my first time receiving this wound.”
… she had to experience that injury in its fullest extent.
It cost 10% of her total HP, and a debilitating 80% of her total blood volume.
But 80% was nothing. That amount of blood could replenish in mere minutes, or an hour at the latest. Her HP could always be healed back to full. Such was the absurdity of a monster crossed between a Healer and an Honored One.
Blood was an infinite medium to her.
“Nav. How well can Joy handle loud noises?”
“Fairly well. Pain on the other hand… is a different story.”
“This might hurt her ears. Get Jury to close them for her.”
Fifty bloody spirals surrounded hovered high above Frost’s shoulder. They appeared like the eyes of a beast lurking within the darkness. Once there was enough blood within each spiral, the barrel of a massive gun emerged.
Fifty bloody weapons, each shaped like De Jure emerged.
This Progenitor Art was called [Bloodhail], or more specifically: [Progenitor Art: Religion: Bloodhail]. Her first and currently only Sub-Art, which costed a mere 1,500,000 HP to use.
At the same time, she retrieved her upgraded De Jure from her [Dimensional Storage] and took aim with her platoon of blood-crystalized guns.
This version of De Jure, however, had a new name.
De Jure Sanguinis
< The bullet will decide their verdict by the law of your blood >
AFFINITY: Judgement
ORIGIN : The AmalgamATT : 35,000
TYPE : Weapon < EFFECT: De Jure Sanguinis’ ATT increases depending on the amount of blood used. It may be tuned to be stronger or weaker. Bullets may carry one chosen Skill of the shooter if applicable >
< HP CONVERSION RATIO: 1% HP per 25% Damage increase. HP will always remain at 1 when 100% conversion is used >
Nearly 9,000,000 damage was possible with this alone. It was higher than most Beholder Skills, but the cost was indeed incredibly high.
However, there were few things that could live after being struck by such a devastating attack.
The weapon in question was black with golden decorations. Running through it were colorless veins that turned red as she infused it with blood. It was over two meters long and appeared more like an honorary piece meant to decorate a royal hall than a functional weapon.
“It’s unfortunate that [Amplification] does not work with Arts. Otherwise, this entire Site would fall in a single volley.”
She loaded a new type of bullet.
It was no more than her own crystalized blood.
Then, with an unceremonious pull of the trigger–
*Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom*
*Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom*
*Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom*
–the deafening roar of over fifty firearms… no, cannons ripped through the elevator shaft. Each moved at such a speed that it created a crimson barrier which struck down the oncoming magical barrage.
It saturated the entire shaft, punching through pipework with such ease that they may as well not have existed. It did not even slow down their momentum. Each of the bullets were designed like miniature double-helix lances.
As for her own bullet…
A flash of red light engulfed the world far beneath. It was a small blip, but Frost knew what had occurred. Her primary bullet was infused with [Thermal Propagation]. This allowed the bullet to fragment into thousands of tiny pieces.
Essentially, it allowed De Jure Sanguinis to function as long-range shotgun.
A long, cathartic silence followed.
There was no response from White Midnight.
At the same time, the elevator rocked. She received a mental confirmation from her mimic that she was in control of the Cognition Terminal.
“She also has my authority to override systems, huh. Good. Looks like we’ve just about reached the Fourth Level.”
It was perfect timing. The light of the Fourth Level was approaching them. Unlike the previous Level, there did not seem to be anything obstructing their descent.
“White Midnight’s one of the thirteen major Syndicates of Elysia. I’m curious how they have magic capable of puncturing through Caldera Industries’ steel. Well, we’ll find out either way.”
< You’re motivated all of a sudden >
Frost peered into the hole she leapt through, seeing Joy wrapped up in Jury’s tail as she continued to cup her hand.
“It’s become personal. I didn’t think I’d get too involved outside of retrieving the Main Sequence Corrupted. But now, I’ll be doing everyone a favor by making them cough out what they know.”
The elevator gradually clicked into place. A small jingle played, as if to say: “Congratulations for surviving~!”
It caused Frost to sigh.
“We might as well speed things up. The Repenters above can handle the Second and Third Floor. We’ll cover the rest. Chances are that the Germinated Seed is with White Midnight. That’d make it all the more of a reason for us to take matters into our own hands.”
“CogitO might not like it if you get too involved.” Horus called out.
Frost jumped down, her presence causing Horus to shut her mouth immediately.
“Let’s not forget who CogitO works for. Consider all punishments null and void moving forward. Being bound by these rules is cumbersome. We’ll work faster without them.”
“I shall relay this message to Oboros Infinitas then. To ensure they do not receive any penalties.” Morgause nodded. “Though I doubt it will incentivize a Harrower based on Sloth.”
“If the motion of the river decides that that I should act, then I don’t got a choice.” Horus shrugged. “I’ll do what I can. But I have no obligation to perform the work of my Repenters.”
“Then, use that free time of yours to protect Joy.” Frost ordered, right as the doors pried open to reveal the reception of the Fourth Level.
“By all means~”
