Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)

792. Emotional Escalation

It dealt a hefty 55,000 damage in total. It was insignificant, but it should have left a mark. After all, the bullet was infused with [Punch], and it carried her Mastery Skill [Maw of the Black Dove].

But the fact that it did not take anything away from him was highly reminiscent of the [Invulnerability] Condition, except that it did not completely cancel out her damage.

She seized the opportunity to push forward and activated her [Oblivion Lock] Passive for a split second. The 12 Justica Arms that came to aid Iscario disappeared, giving her the opening she needed.

Like I thought. They came through tears in space, so they’re probably stored inside of his Dimensional Storage. I can’t use the Oblivion Lock constantly or I’ll rapidly lose Nex.

Frost, using [Fine Line], found a window of opportunity to land a critical strike against Iscrario, finally landing a single punch against his face.

[Appraise Object]!

Her hand was immediately repelled, and she used [Thermal Propagation] to immediately vacate herself as dark chains tangled where Frost was just moments ago.

| Oblivion Shackles |

< EFFECT: Temporarily restrain the target. Active Skills cannot be used in this time frame. Duration: 1 second. Stolen Atelier technology >

Iscario | HP: 154,930,000 | 155,000,000

As she thought, she was able to bypass his defensive stats with her bare hands. However, it still bothered her that even a direct blow to his face did not leave a scratch. Her devouring ability should have done something. In fact, it could have been an instant kill if she was lucky, or at least a critical strike.

But something had blocked it.

“You…” Iscario uttered in what seemed to be visible shock. “Unbelievable. Those golden strands were not for show!? But you…”

< The Effeuiller La Dahlia has not found [My Daughter] in the White Forest >

< Her existence wanes >

< It was better that she was forgotten >

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< [Forget Me (Not)] >

The world shifted again as infinite possibilities surrounded them. The giant claws plucked a frozen, barren world and plunged them into it. Their surroundings changed in an instant. There were no longer any trees. Just a pure blanket of white.

The snow melted around Frost as she waited for a response from her Blessing. It should’ve been instant, but it was as if the Blessing had become confused.

Maybe it didn’t work…

< Pending >

For now she could only speculate on why Iscario’s eyes were agape.

It wasn’t the pain that got him. Frost knew that if he wasn’t physical injured, then he shouldn’t be able to feel her attacks.

I amplified the pain as well. There’s no way he wouldn’t have reacted, unless he’s suffered worse. Knowing how twisted his personality is, he would’ve made a mockery of it too. So why is he so shocked?

“… How do you have enough Light to puncture it?”

Finally, after Iscario’s begrudging voice, Frost received precisely what was protecting him.

//////// < EXTREME WARNING > ////////

Qliphoth

< Unknown >

Iscario only now noticed that Frost was able to bypass the second Condition of the Qliphoth Field. Light was the answer, but Frost unfortunately did not have much of it, nor could she use it.

However, with her emotions swelling to further heights, this was poised to change.

“Amalgam… Answer me!”

“Your mother suffered a similar fate. Your sister… even if you resurrect her, might not even be the same person.”

“… What do you know about me? Ilya is the only perfect soul in this world. She can become a god! If memories are the cost of this, then it’s a small price to pay! But her soul rests in Guf… how alone must you be, my Ilya!”

This was the push Frost needed to elevate her emotions.

“As I thought.” She murmured. “Memories mean nothing to you Iscario. Your sister just needs to be beside you, huh. Nothing of the past matters…”

< The Will of the Amalgam Has Reached the Third State >

< Borrowing the Active and Passive Skills of the Heart of Ours >

“… But I can’t see it that way. Blood related? Our bonds as a covenant are stronger than the water of your mother’s womb. Who the fuck are you to know what’s best for her? Ilya lived without a heart of her own!”

Frost became physically endowed, her chest becoming larger, and her overall size increasing like she had aged an extra decade. Her long hair, which was already a mix of grey, black and gold now had a shade of maroon.

< The Third State Has Manifested as the Heart of Ours >

“Like Ilya, I lived like I didn’t have a heart of my own because of you! The lies… the prophecies… you ruined us both! If death is your kindness, then let me put you out of your misery!”

The next stage of their battle had arrived. Iscario had yet to reveal the extent of his power.

But so did Frost. If she wanted to get an edge over him, then she needed to emotionally throw him over the edge.

There was only one way to achieve this. Out of everything Frost has said, the mention of Ilya was the only thing that managed to crawl beneath his skin.

“Ilya wouldn’t weep for you. She wouldn’t leave a flower on your grave! Your love was one sided. If she weren’t a sword, then do you think she’d stay by your side?”

Iscario covered his eyes with a hand. His shoulders slumped, and he laughed like he couldn’t believe the words leaving out of Frost’s mouth. But that laughter carried his repressed rage.

“… Hah… Hahaha… Amalgam… I really should have killed you that night.”

He recomposed himself, making a solemn vow to kill Frost where she stood.

“But this is a better stage. We have an audience watching. I heard you have a lover. When I’m done with you… I’ll make sure to sever her tail slowly – agonizingly slowly – on your behalf. Care to wonder if she’s still required? If she were, then she’d make for a wonderful source of Nex.”

Frost felt what it must have been like for Iscario when she mentioned Ilya’s name.

Because in that instant, she was the one who threw herself headfirst into the fight this time.