Chapter 13: Stand Up and Build Affinity

Finally, the Doomsday Beast spread its claws.

Huge wings extended to either side.

Purple-blue light flowed over its body, symbolizing blessings and gifts of destruction.

Vast amounts of energy converged into several points in front of it.

In the next second, countless energy beams would rain down like a catastrophe, evaporating everything in their path.

—At the same moment.

Far from the space station, a satellite slowly unfolded its mechanical structure.

Position coordinates, correct trajectory, gather energy beams of extreme high temperature—

Fire!

Whoosh————!

In an instant, a crimson beam of light pierced through the darkness of space.

It hit the Doomsday Beast's antimatter engine straight on.

Boom——————!!

The antimatter engine's casing was completely destroyed.

Boom—! Boom—! Boom—!

The terrifying energy gathered by the Doomsday Beast erupted entirely within its own body.

The dazzling light was reminiscent of a supernova explosion, brilliant yet perilous destruction.

The Doomsday Beast's hard and massive body was torn apart, shattered, and annihilated in this radiance.

"Not enough..." Gu Tang pulled out a delicate grenade, "Let's add some more fuel to the fire."

On the dark golden grenade, countless sacred runes flickered, faintly accompanied by the sound of a holy hymn.

Level 5 is a dividing line for items.

Items above level 5 have greatly enhanced performance and power.

Even though Gu Tang had acquired the system years ago and completed numerous tasks, items above level 5 were still extremely rare for him, each use precious.

But now, fighting alongside his new comrades, there was no better time than this.

He swiftly threw the grenade in front of the Doomsday Beast.

[Name: Divine Grenade Type III - Gabriel]

[Level: 7]

[Effect: Summons a giant cross spear of light to pierce the enemy, dealing massive damage.]

[Evaluation: Lord, grant me deliverance]

Soft golden holy light spread out with the explosion of the grenade, like gentle ripples on water.

In the next moment, the light transformed into countless semi-transparent golden chains, binding the Doomsday Beast's body firmly.

The sound of hymns played in the cosmos, drifting.

A giant cross spear of light formed in the void, its burning light giving it shape.

Whoosh————!

The spear unhesitatingly pierced into the Doomsday Beast's chest, emerging from its back, penetrating its body.

Energy raged within it, like billions of light needles burning, purifying, and destroying every internal structure.

"Roar..."

The Doomsday Beast let out a sorrowful cry of reluctance.

The light chains and cross spear dissipated.

Its body fell, landing heavily on the platform.

"Now's the time." Gu Tang extended his finger, pointing forward, "Beat it up!"

Ding...

The Tai Chi symbol on Dan Heng's spear emitted a clear silver bell sound.

"Life and death, reality and illusion, in a single thought."

It was like a beautiful ink painting slowly unfolded.

Maple leaves, ancient trees, lake reflections... all these impressions condensed into a single spear.

Condensed into the next strike.

"Illusory Heaven, a long dream..."

The spear struck out.

His body turned into a hazy illusion, as if he had merged with the spear.

"Break!"

In the blink of an eye, he was already behind the Doomsday Beast.

Crack————!

The Doomsday Beast's right arm completely collapsed, turning into fragments burning with blue flames.

"I'll send you off!"

Stelle charged towards the Doomsday Beast's head with her baseball bat.

White lightning entwined around the bat, crackling, leaving a bright trail behind her.

The Doomsday Beast instinctively sensed danger approaching, extending its relatively intact left arm to block Stelle's path.

"Hmph." Gu Tang threw a ring, attaching it to the Doomsday Beast's arm.

The penetration ring, used earlier when hurrying with Dan Heng.

Everything was within his calculations.

With the penetration ring active, Stelle could pass through without obstruction.

—Provided the penetration ring worked.

Boom————!

Amidst flames, the penetration ring predictably exploded.

Most of the Doomsday Beast's left arm was destroyed by the explosion, forced to retract in pain.

Stelle charged through the fiery explosion, her momentum undiminished, the flames reflecting brightly in her golden eyes.

"...Just tell me if it worked or not." Although no one heard, Gu Tang still justified himself.

Finally, Stelle arrived before the Doomsday Beast.

Deep breath—

She gripped the bat tightly, planting her feet, twisting her waist, and swinging her shoulders, squeezing every ounce of strength from her body.

Stelle delivered her strongest swing.

The bat traced a bright white arc in the air.

"You're... out!"

Clang————!

A ring of white light spread from the impact point.

The mighty strike sent the Doomsday Beast's head flying to the side, metal fragments splintering off, purple-blue flames spilling from the wound.

Stelle lightly landed on one knee.

Before her, the Doomsday Beast's head fell to the ground with a dull thud, shaking the ground.

Its massive body lay still, no longer displaying the terrifying posture it had when invading the space station.

"Yay! We really won!" March 7th raised her hands, jumping excitedly.

"Whew... Quite a workout. But it's a battle worth remembering for the first fight with my bros." Dan Heng exhaled, putting away his spear.

"Look, Gu Tang! We did it! The space station is safe!" March 7th hugged Gu Tang tightly, her soft body pressing against him.

Then, embarrassed, she let go: "Sorry... Got a bit excited."

Dan Heng watched March 7th's display disdainfully from the side.

He concluded that March 7th lacked the innate talent to become a "bro" girl.

"Hey, Himeko! High five!" March 7th eagerly ran towards Himeko.

Himeko could only smile helplessly, raising her hand.

Who could refuse this lively girl?

Gu Tang lowered his head in place, listening to the system's prompt in his mind.

[Ding! You fought through an intense battle with Dan Heng]

[Dan Heng Affinity +15]

[Ding! You fought through an intense battle with March 7th]

[March 7th Affinity +15]

[Ding! You bravely stepped in to protect March 7th from a fatal blow]

[March 7th Affinity +20]

[Ding! Your relationship with March 7th has entered a new stage]

[Task "March 7th Affinity" phase reward issued]

[You have acquired the skill "Taste of Memories"]

"Oh right, there was an affinity task, I almost forgot..." Gu Tang scratched his head, "Turns out stepping up to protect others is the fastest way to gain affinity..."

[Taste of Memories]

[Level: 5]

[Effect: By consuming the flesh of a creature, you can acquire some of their memories.]

[Evaluation: I just keep eating, eating, eating!]

While Gu Tang was listening to the system voice.

"Gu Tang! Watch out!"

March 7th's shout snapped him back to reality.

He looked up to see the Doomsday Beast, using its last bit of strength, raising its head and firing a beam at him.

Perhaps in its final moment, it lacked the energy to choose a target.

Perhaps instinctively, it recognized the most dangerous individual.

As a result, distracted by the system prompt, Gu Tang didn't evade the attack.

The light illuminated his face, the hot wind felt on his skin.

In the next instant—

A gray-haired girl spread her arms, standing in front of him.

"You..." Gu Tang's pupils shrank.

Boom————!

The beam hit Stelle.