Free Web NovelChapter 140: Strange Alliances
Shinon’s eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. The Queen, once a formidable and imposing figure, had been obliterated by the sheer force of Widow’s lightning strike. Nothing was left of her physical form except a faint smoke and ashes.
In her place, a lingering shadow cast upon the ground. It pulsated with remnants of the Queen’s essence. But it was a mere echo, a fading rest of her former self.
Shinon stood frozen in disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of Widow’s strength. The air crackled with residual energy, still charged with the power of the lightning that had struck down their formidable adversary.
"Tsk, I went overboard yet again..." Widow shook her head as she casually walked up to where the Queen stood mere moments ago. "Watch closely, Shinon. This is how you eliminate an Elite creature because killing their physical form isn’t enough."
With deliberate steps, Widow extended her hand towards the lingering shadow, her fingers curling into a clenched fist. As her hand closed around the darkness, electricity coursed through her. The remnants of the Queen’s essence disintegrated, dissolving into nothingness.
Shinon’s heart raced, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he processed the magnitude of Widow’s power. It was unlike anything he had ever witnessed before.
At that moment, he understood the primal instinct that had urged him to run when he first encountered Widow during his encounter with Stephen. An undeniable air of authority and danger surrounded her, a power that surpassed his comprehension.
Widow turned towards Shinon, her gaze piercing through his very soul. There was a mix of intensity and calm in her eyes, an unspoken understanding that passed between them.
She knew the effect her power had on others and used it to her advantage, commanding respect and fear in equal measure. But something on Shinon’s face told her that he wasn’t scared of her; rather than that, he was, in a way, worried about her strength.
One could say he was already forming plans on how to counter her abilities in future, should a need arise.
At that moment, Widow understood why Trader was so obsessed with getting Shinon on their side as if he was the only Relic they could find.
’That boy has the potential to outsmart and outplay all of the seven Relics,’ Widow thought. ’If we nurture him carefully, he might even be strong enough to fight ’them’. Hell, even the One-Above-All might have to shed some sweat against him.’
Silence enveloped the battlefield for a moment, broken only by the crackling of residual energy and the distant chirping of insects.
"Alright, everyone. Time to pack up," she declared, her voice ringing with firmness.
The bandits quickly snapped into action, following Widow’s orders without question. They began gathering their belongings and securing their equipment without speaking a word to each other.
Widow then approached Shinon, her movements graceful yet filled with an undeniable aura of power. She extended a hand towards his chin before grabbing it and pulling him awkwardly close.
"Close your mouth, boy, or someone will think you got a thing for me." Widow winked before dropping a small box onto his lap. "Here, a little gift from me to you."
Confusion etched across Shinon’s face as he picked up the box, turning it over in his hands. "What is this?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Widow chuckled softly, her gaze fixed on the box. "Consider it a token of appreciation."
Reluctantly, Shinon’s fingers curled around the edges of the box, lifting the lid with cautious anticipation. As he peered inside, his eyes widened in surprise. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
A small, shimmering shard of an unknown material was nestled within the velvet lining. Its surface exuded a faint aura of power and mystery. Although Shinon did not know the material, he could sense it was something he wasn’t supposed to have... yet.
How did he know that? Because when he tried to see what the material was using his skills, he got met with an error. A system prompt appeared before him, stating that his level was too low to unravel the material’s secrets.
[Item: Insectoid Queen’s essence
Type: Crafting material
Grade: Unknown
Uses: Unknown]
[Description: The remnants of the fallen insectoid Queen’s essence. Can be used to imbue unknown properties into a creation.]
[Options: User’s level is too low. Please reach Level 90 before obtaining confidential information about the item.]
"I... I can’t accept this," Shinon protested, his voice tinged with gratitude and reluctance. "This is your reward for defeating the Queen-"
"Does it looks like I know shit about forging?" Widow rolled her eyes. "If I were to take it, it’ll only gather dust in my inventory. But in your hands... the material could become something no one would have expected." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
"But-"
"How about we make a deal?" Widow smiled. "You keep the material; in exchange, you will have to make something for me for free whenever I ask."
"I suppose I could agree to that," Shinon replied, his voice laced with curiosity and caution.
As a blacksmith, he couldn’t deny the allure of working with such a rare material. But he knew that was Widow’s intention all along.
"Good. Consider it a partnership then," Widow said, extending her hand towards Shinon.
Hesitant but willing, Shinon reached out and clasped her hand, sealing their deal. Before he could react, he found himself pulled close to her, his body pressed against hers.
"Sorry about this, love," Widow whispered into his ear, her voice tinged with mischief. "But you need to sleep."
Confusion swept over Shinon as her words registered in his mind. Sleep? What did she mean? Before he could voice his question, someone hit him in the head from behind.
Shinon’s body grew limp in her embrace. The world around him blurred as fatigue overtook his senses, his consciousness slipping into a realm of dreams and shadows.
As Shinon succumbed to sleep, Widow gently lowered his motionless form to the ground. She stood there for a moment, watching over him with an enigmatic expression.
"Drop them off near their settlement," Widow instructed a couple of bandits. "The rest of you, get rid of this place."
~~~
Meanwhile, near the Phoenix’s settlement...
Marcus, Nova, and Sable stood in a composed yet cautious stance, ready to welcome the military envoy seeking to improve their alliance in ways unimaginable.
As the rumble of approaching vehicles grew louder, a sense of anticipation hung in the air.
The gates creaked open, revealing a convoy of military cars, their sleek black exteriors contrasting sharply with the rustic surroundings. The vehicles stopped in perfect synchronisation, kicking up dust that swirled in the breeze.
The soldiers accompanying the envoy fanned out with military precision, forming a protective perimeter around the cars.
They were armed and disciplined, their presence exuding a sense of authority and strength. Their uniforms bore their unit’s insignia, displaying their allegiance to the military.
Stepping out of the lead car, a man of commanding presence emerged. His tall and robust frame stood as a testament to his years of military service.
His eyes, sharp and piercing, seemed to scrutinise his surroundings with vigilance and determination. He wore a neatly pressed uniform adorned with numerous badges and medals, signifying his experience and expertise.
The man’s name was General Victor Ironheart, a legendary figure known for his strategic brilliance and unmatched cruelty towards anything and anyone he deemed worthy of such treatment.
His salt-and-pepper hair was cropped close to his head, and his face bore the lines of a man who had seen both triumph and tragedy on the battlefield. An aura of authority radiated from him, and his mere presence commanded respect.
With a purposeful stride, General Ironheart approached the awaiting trio. His polished boots clicked against the pavement.
"General Victor Ironheart," he introduced himself, his voice resonating with confidence and authority.
Marcus, Nova, and Sable exchanged glances. They had heard tales of General Ironheart’s tactical prowess and unwavering duty towards humanity. His reputation preceded him, and now they would witness his legendary presence firsthand.
The settlement guards, dressed in their own uniforms, lined up in formation, their expressions reflecting a combination of awe and reverence. But none of them shared the respect Marcus had for the General.
The truth was that General Ironheart had played a pivotal role in Marcus’s life during the early days of the zombie outbreak.
When the relentless horde descended upon the shelter Marcus and his parents were occupying, the General came to their aid, risking his own life to ensure their survival.
Marcus owed his existence, and perhaps the very existence of the settlement itself, to the man standing before him now.
The General’s mere presence invoked a sense of purpose and determination in Marcus, pushing him to push harder, to strive for greatness in the face of adversity.
"General Victor Ironheart," Marcus spoke, his voice steady and filled with respect. "On behalf of the Phoenixes, we welcome you to our settlement."
"Enough with the pleasantries," The General retorted. "Shall we proceed with the meeting?"
"Of course," Marcus smiled. "Please, follow us inside."
