Free Web NovelChapter 121: New Armour (1)
The bustling sound of the Townsquare filled the air as Shinon made his way towards the crowd. He had returned after two days of absence, and seeing everyone gathered piqued his curiosity.
"Did Marcus die or something?" Shinon chuckled. "Nah, I ain’t that lucky."
As he walked forward, Kira and Selena noticed his presence, and their eyes lit up excitedly. They hurriedly approached him, their smiles widening as they got closer.
Kira and Selena both saw each other and knew instantly they had found their competition. But for now, both of their focus was on Shinon.
"Shinon! You’re back!" Kira exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and joy. She embraced him tightly, a gesture of genuine happiness at his return but also an ulterior motive as she shot a gaze at Selena.
Shinon was surprised, but then again, Kira was quite affectionate, so he didn’t mind her. However, what happened next boggled his mind.
Selena joined in, hugging him just as tightly. "We were so worried about you! It’s been two days, and we had no idea where you went or what happened."
"Uh... yeah," Shinon mumbled before instantly pushing them aside. "I’m sorry for worrying you both. But I’m back now, safe and sound."
Kira pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his face. "Did you... succeed in whatever you had to do?" she asked, a mix of curiosity and relief in her voice.
Shinon nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, I did. I managed to get what I wanted," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of mystery. "Though, I might have to revisit the place in a couple of days."
Selena raised an eyebrow, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Revisit the place? What’s going on, Shinon? You’re being awfully secretive."
Shinon shot her a gaze as if reminding her to not cross the line. They were allies, but that didn’t mean Shinon had to report his whereabouts to her 24x7.
Selena immediately backed up, reminding herself not to mess up whatever relationship the two shared. Once everyone had calmed down, Shinon turned towards Kira.
"Mind telling me what’s going on here?" he asked.
"Shinon, you won’t believe it. Last night, we were attacked by this massive insectoid creature," she explained, gesturing towards the lifeless beast. "That was one hell of a scary moment."
Shinon’s eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. The massive insectoid creature lay lifeless on the ground, its exoskeleton gleaming under the sunlight.
The townsfolk had gathered around, some examining the creature while others worked diligently to salvage any valuable materials. But before Shinon could see any further, a weird sight got him wondering if he should laugh or cry.
Right before him was Rico, still wheelchair-bound, attempting to break through its exoskeleton with a gigantic hammer; Shinon couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement. The scene was undeniably comical.
"Rico, you never fail to surprise me," Shinon called out. "Just make sure not to hit yourself with the hammer. You’re already in a wheelchair; I don’t want to see you being bedridden next."
"Yeah, yeah. I can’t wait to see you like this one of these days. I’ll have my payback then," Rico paused for a moment, glancing up at Shinon with a mischievous grin. "Also, when there’s a giant insectoid in front of you, you’ve gotta get creative!"
Kira joined in on the banter, her eyes twinkling with laughter. "And believe me, Shinon, he’s been at it for hours now. It’s like watching a one-man comedy show."
Shinon chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I can only imagine," he said, his gaze shifting back to Rico. "But you know, Rico, there are other ways to break through an exoskeleton. Maybe we should consider a more... strategical approach."
Rico raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in his eyes. "Oh really, Shinon? And what would you suggest? Tickling it until it cracks?"
Shinon smirked, playing along with Rico’s banter. "Hey, you never know; tickling might be the secret weakness of these giant insects. We could try it, just for kicks."
While they were sharing the joy, Shinon saw Tom there, who didn’t waste any time walking up to him.
"Ah, Shinon! Good to see you," he greeted with a nod.
"Good to see you too, Tom," Shinon replied. "I suppose you’re the one who put Rico to work?"
"Eh, the young man wanted to help like the others," Tom Shrugged. "Who am I to deny his request?"
"Are you planning to use the beetle’s shell to create weapons?"
A smile spread over Tom’s face as he replied, "Yes, that’s the plan. This beetle’s shell is incredibly tough and perfect for forging durable weapons. We’re trying to break it apart to gather the materials."
"Hm... if that’s the case, I’d be more than happy to help," Shinon replied, rolling his sleeves.
Realising the importance of obtaining better gear for his remaining Ascension tasks, Shinon understood that acquiring or crafting superior equipment was crucial.
The exoskeleton of the massive insectoid could provide the materials he needed to forge sturdy armour, safeguarding him against devastating blows from formidable adversaries.
Examining the creature’s intact corpse, Shinon couldn’t help but be surprised by its exceptional preservation. In his past encounters with similar creatures, their bodies would often be severely destroyed by the time the battle concluded, leaving little to salvage or scavenge.
However, this insectoid seemed remarkably well-preserved, offering a rare opportunity to extract valuable resources.
With a glint of determination, Shinon contemplated the possibilities that lay before him. The beetle’s exoskeleton, once properly refined and fashioned, could serve as a formidable defence against the lethal strikes of his enemies.
As Shinon prepared to assist in the process, his curiosity got the better of him. "By the way, how did you manage to kill this beetle? I don’t see any external wounds on this thing."
Selena, who was standing nearby, chimed in. "Lova played a crucial role in defeating this beast," she explained, her voice tinged with awe and respect. "She used her psychic powers to infiltrate the creature’s mind and destroy its brain from the inside."
Shinon’s eyes widened in surprise, caution filling his expression. "Whoa, that’s... impressive," he replied, his tone laced with worry. "I didn’t realise Lova had such incredible powers. I’ll be sure not to mess with her unintentionally."
"Yes, it’s best to stay on her good side," she replied teasingly before remembering that she was working against them in secret. "But don’t worry, Nova will have her under control. She always ensures Lova only uses her powers when necessary."
"I hope so," Shinon sighed before approaching the dead creature.
As Shinon joined the efforts to break apart the creature’s shell, his mind was already racing with ideas. He envisioned the intricate craftsmanship required to transform the beetle’s resilient exoskeleton into a resilient armour that would provide protection and mobility.
Curiosity and anticipation filled the air as the settlers turned their attention to Shinon. They had witnessed his exceptional combat prowess during the zombie attack, and they trusted in his abilities, and everyone cleared the area for Shinon to do his thing.
Taking a deep breath, Shinon focused his concentration, allowing his shadow tentacles to extend from his body. The dark tendrils snaked and coiled around his arms, their ethereal presence starkly contrasted against the backdrop of the insectoid’s massive exoskeleton.
With deliberate precision, Shinon manoeuvred his shadow tentacles towards the beetle’s interior, finding the tiniest crevices and gaps within the armour-like structure.
The shadowy appendages slithered through the openings, their nimble movements reminiscent of serpents on a hunt.
As the onlookers watched in awe, Shinon’s shadow tentacles began their relentless assault. They pushed and pulled with a calculated force, using their malleable nature to manipulate the beetle’s internal components.
The sound of cracking chitin filled the air as the tentacles exerted pressure, breaking apart the creature’s defensive structure.
Meanwhile, Rico chuckled from the sidelines, still wielding his massive hammer. "I guess we won’t be needing these hammers anymore, huh? Your shadow tentacles make quick work of even the toughest shells!" fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
As Shinon continued dismantling the beetle from within, the settlers gathered around, marvelling at his skill and the efficiency of his shadow manipulation. They exchanged whispers of admiration and amazement, realising the true extent of his abilities.
While everyone sang praises of Shinon’s abilities, Kira stood there with a worried look.
"Your abilities are strong; there’s no doubt about it," she said. "But you shouldn’t forget to be cautious and not let these newfound abilities consume you."
As the last remnants of the beetle’s exoskeleton fell away, revealing its inner chambers, Shinon withdrew his shadow tentacles. He stepped back, surveying the scene before him.
The beetle’s thick exoskeleton had been carefully chipped away, leaving behind a chunk of flesh. Judging by the looks on the settler’s faces, Shinon knew what they were about to do.
"I think I’ll skip dinner tonight..."
"You ain’t the only one," Kira replied. "Even berry tea sounds appetising all of a sudden."
