"Do you think water can cut through steel?"
Kagura stepped forward slowly, facing the towering, arrogant Dark Elf mech.
"Weapons have their limits. Materials have their limits."
"Even with a blade forged from vibranium, it's hard to gain the upper hand against the dark matter armor of the Dark Elves."
"But I believe no armor is unbreakable. At their core, all materials are held together by the forces between molecules and other fundamental particles."
She twirled her blade, scattering dazzling arcs of light.
"And if it's just a matter of force, then with enough energy ,technique, and power that goes beyond the material limits even armor that seems invincible can be torn apart."
The black mech before her shifted into a defensive stance.
It looked like a seasoned centurion standing guard at a vital chokepoint.
No roaring, no wild outbursts just a silent, unwavering guardian, facing both Kagura and Loki.
This pilot wasn't like the berserkers she'd faced before.
No, this one was different—clear-headed, calm, and experienced. His approach alone spoke volumes about his strength.
A rational enemy was always more dangerous than a mindless brute.
Maybe... this mech pilot was the last and strongest general of the entire Dark Elf race.
"I'm going in!" There were no more words.
The mech raised its left arm, aiming its dark energy rifle at Kagura and opening fire.
The battle erupted in an instant, the air charged with tension and heat.
Scarlet energy pulses rained down like a storm. Kagura sidestepped with fluid precision, using her energy shield to deflect stray blasts.
The Dark Elves' weapons were incredibly powerful.
So much so that Kagura couldn't help but want to grab one and tinker with it herself.
Who knows what kind of cutting-edge firearms she could create with that kind of tech?
'Mhm... the stronger the enemy's gear, the more I want it!'
Spotting an opening in the barrage, Kagura activated her Charged Omni-Mobility skill and surged forward.
The silver vibranium blade in her hand began to emit an unnatural chill.
Can flowing water cut through steel?
Of course it can.
And dark matter armor?
Well let's shatter it beyond reason.
Seeing her approach, the black mech tossed aside its rifle and gripped a plasma blade with both hands.
The weapon's energy surged, overloading into a blazing inferno of destruction.
'CLANG!'
Their blades clashed violently, shockwaves rippling out in every direction.
"Your blade may be made of vibranium, and yes, it's tough. But it'll never breach my defenses," the Dark Elf general said calmly.
"You can't defeat me. High heat, electric surges, radiation, explosions... no human technology can penetrate this mech. Against me, you are powerless."
"Ouch. That's kinda harsh!" From a corner of the battlefield, Loki called out with a smirk. "Am I invisible over here or what?"
"Silver-haired girl," the general continued, ignoring the trickster god, "you and your companion made it far. I'll give you that."
"But this is where your journey ends. Prepare to die!"
He pushed Kagura's blade aside, stepped back, and swept horizontally with a full-body spin.
Dark energy and scorching plasma exploded from his sword, radiating with devastating power.
Even Kagura's high-tech White Moon combat suit would be torn apart like paper if hit directly.
Kagura leaned back, dodging the slash with acrobatic grace, flipping through the air and landing in a low crouch. She sheathed her sword and readied a new stance.
"Your dark matter armor and plasma blade are formidable... but the game ends here."
She whispered softly, "Let me show you a strike that transcends limits."
[Memory scan initiated. Parameters: Schicksal Weapon —Goushinnso Memento
. Replica Blade Frozen Nakara.]
[Deep memory scan complete. Memory fragments identified.]
[Existing skill system detected and linked.]
[Concept fusion successful.]
[Prerequisite skill: Energy Conversion—confirmed.]
[New combat skill unlocked.]
[Pseudo-Mystic Art: Frigid Rave /30]
[Skill activated. Remaining QP: 30]
———————————————————————
Frigid Rave: Reverses energy flow to absorb ambient power during a barrage of hyper-speed slashes, creating a near-absolute-zero zone a single strike composed of countless blades capable of cutting through anything.
———————————————————————
A radiant white light began to glow along her blade.
The temperature around her plummeted.
Something unseen was draining the heat from the very air.
Only forces that defy the laws of physics can break the laws of the universe.
The second law of thermodynamics—denied.
[Frigid Rave: ACTIVATED]
"Come, Earthling," the Dark Elf general sneered, advancing with measured steps. "Let's see what this 'transcendence' of yours is really made of!"
He raised his massive plasma blade and brought it down with a mighty slash!
[Charged Omni-Mobility: ACTIVATED]
'WHRRRR—!'
Kagura's silver-haired figure flashed past him in the blink of an eye.
The moment they crossed paths— Black and white clashed.
The world fell silent.
Loki's eyes widened.
In that single moment of contact, the Dark Elf's plasma blade and dark energy... vanished.
'SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!'
Then, in the next instant, countless silver slashes rained down like divine judgment from the heavens.
The air turned frigid.
The dark matter armor that previously unbreakable was shredded, torn, obliterated.
It was as if even space itself cracked apart under Kagura's dancing flurry of strikes, shattering into glittering snowflakes.
A thousand-blade technique that impossible to explain with science.
Frigid Rave.
A skill that didn't belong in this world.
Something that shouldn't exist here.
And yet, the Infinite Concept System made the impossible real.
Any memory, any fragment of Kagura's soul could be converted into reality.
This was power that transcended all limits.
The highest form of strength this universe had to offer.
A power born from the soul, infinite in every sense.
"I see now..." the general muttered, as his mech flickered and stalled.
The dark matter armor cracked and crumbled like dried earth.
"You possess... a power rivaling even the Aether..."
His voice faded.
The battlefield fell silent save for the snow-like fragments of shattered armor, drifting gently to the ground.
Crystalline snowflakes began to drift through the air—tiny ice crystals forming as the temperature around them plummeted.
"…Tell me your name, girl."
The Dark Elf general's voice was calm, almost serene. "I've lost, but I want to know the name of the one who defeated me."
"My name is Kagura Hitomi," she said, sheathing her blade and turning away. "I'm sorry for this....."
"I see… Kagura." A faint smile crossed the general's lips. "If we hadn't been enemies, perhaps we could have been great friends."
He lifted his gaze to the stars above, as if searching for something far beyond the battlefield.
"I saw it again today… That power which transcends all technology and theory. A force born with the universe itself—Infinity. The very thing I've spent my life chasing…"
"Still want to fight?" Kagura asked, her tone soft but resolute. "For Malekith? To the bitter end?"
"No. I've lost. A warrior who's been defeated should leave with dignity," he replied, shaking his head. "Besides, Malekith's ambitions never truly interested me."
"All I ever wanted was to pursue strength—true, absolute power. Today, I've witnessed the pinnacle once more… a force that exists beyond even Aether."
"To fall before such overwhelming might, a power that no technology or weapon can match—there's no regret in that."
A look of peace settled on his face, and he smiled.
"I've fulfilled my duty. To die here… I have no regrets."
"No regrets, huh?" Kagura murmured, glancing down. "Hard to believe Malekith's followers are this hard to hate…"
"Hahaha…" The general let out a warm, fading laugh. "Our civilization spans tens of thousands of years."
"We're not all mindless zealots, you know? But… I've said enough. Your final opponent awaits above. Go—Kagura."
"…Right."
She gave a respectful nod and raised her blade one last time.
"I offer you my respect… Dark Elf, the last of your kind's generals."
'Crack—!'
A flash of silver light.
The general fell—honor intact.