9:30 AT, Day Nine | Arena of Achilles The Ravenous

  “Aww klack, that's really not good.” Ray says, as Achilles’ health bar goes back to 100%

  I place my hand onto her shoulder and whisper into her ear, “dontcha worry, darling. We've got like, at least the five best people humanity has to offer. This fella is going down.”

  How confident am I with this statement? Not at all.

  But, my hope is that my false confidence projected onto one as great as Ray can turn into real confidence. Then, maybe she can actually make it happen.

  “So darling, what's the plan then?”

  “Gimme a moment to get to that part. For now, let's just poke it, ideally from range, and we definitely cannot let it eat anyone else.”

  “Sounds good!” Ray says. Then, she dashes off and rallies a bunch of other people back into action. My girlfriend is super cool, and super cute too.

  Quickly, she takes her railgun out and in a coordinated fire with a bunch of others, they fire and manage to knock out one of its knees.

  Then, another squad manages to take out another knee, and the beast falls yet again, this time onto its side.

  I just stood there, dumbfounded for a few moments at how fast she just rallied the people and managed to knock 7% off the health bar. I'm going to have to give her lots of extra headrubs later.

  It took Brian calling for me to snap me out of my fascination.

  “Ay, Mr. Hero guy, you got a shield commendation thing right? Mind lending me that for a moment?”

  I look over to the other side of the arena to see Brian surrounded by a massive contraption. Linda is also there, and it seems that it is a device designed to make her anti-material rifle stronger, and minimize the blowback.

  I rush over, eager to see what they could use the {Lightning Field} skill for. It's the first time I've used it, I probably should've tested it out at some point.

  “So, you know how she shot that bullet earlier and she isn't dead? Well, that was all thanks to the skill. Unfortunately, she only has one, and it has a 30 minute cooldown.” Brian explains.

  “Ahh, I see, since you guys don't have the Vesir commendation, you need my skill so that she can have another shot without dying.”

  “Thats about it, milord. Now, are we gonna blow a hole in that thing or not?” Linda says.

  I do as requested, and deploy my skill how they want. It's a bit weird, I basically get to select a small area that is protected from any harmful forces.

  This tech is really crazy cool. I can see a similar glint in Brian’s eye, he definitely feels the same. It's almost like we are kindred spirits, except for the fact that I'm a worthless loser and he is some mechanical genius.

  “Alright, I placed the field.”

  “Well then, could you go tell your partner over there to cripple the thing so we can go for a killing blow?”

  “That makes sense, I suppose."

  I rush off to where Ray and her makeshift firing crew is, they have managed to chunk off 15% of Achilles’ health. Pretty good for just a few guns. Especially while they are dodging the occasional {Spike Storm} and {Devouring Vortex}.

  I relay the plan and she tells a bunch of people a bunch of things. Then in a very kind way, she points to where April, Rao, Yuin, Emil and Rigar are doing some slashing, and tells me to go play messenger boy.

  Oh well, so long as it's my super cute darling Ray that's telling me to play messenger, I don't mind.

  It seems no one has been as foolish as I was and gotten hurt from trying to attack the thick skull. That's good. There is only room for one fool, and I've already filled it pretty solidly.

  I relay the message and opt to join them. Though, the temptation to give Rao a nice poke is hard to resist. I imagine that he would be able to counter me, and make me look like an even bigger fool.

  Arrogant people are the worst. It's even worse when they are actually strong, because then they kinda have the right to be arrogant.

  Though, at least they are effective, as is demonstrated.

  We all quickly move in, aiming for the knees, naturally.

  April and Rao make quick work of one. While Emil and Rigar team up for another.

  That just leaves me and Yuin, the guy with the big fricking sword. My spear does basically nothing, as Yuin’s greatsword just cleaves the knee in two.

  “Way to show off, cant ya leave some for the rest of us?”

  “Unfortuantely milord, it is simply in my nature to shatter fools. This beast is merely another fool to shatter.”

  Well, I guess it's a good thing that they don't think of me as a fool. That’d be quite awkward. I don't like the matchup between a highly experienced greatsword warrior and barely experienced spear warrior.

  The moment all four knees are down, we dash away.

  Moments later, a volley from the firing squad hits and tears a bunch of holes in Achille’s right side.

  He tries to use a skill, but it seems that it cannot use {Devouring Vortex} with immobile knees, and {Spike Storm} is still on cooldown, thankfully.

  Achilles roars and grunts. It is honestly quite sad.

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  He is now sitting at around 70% health, a good shot should finish him.

  After a few seconds, I hear the familiar charging up and shooting sounds.

  The projectile streaks into his left side, detonates and leaves a large hole.

  Everyone watches, tensed in anticipation, as the health bar slowly drops down to just 5%.

  But, before anyone can even think of celebrating again. Achilles, seemingly stricken with a massive amount of pain. Let out a call, it's so loud that everyone instinctively covers their ears.

  Reality ripples, and out of the ground appears several Molan, much larger than even a major. Though, tiny compared to Achilles of course.

  Six of them appear at the very edge of the arena, and start to charge towards the center.

  I immediately realize what is happening, I recognize this type of skill from some of the MMO’s i've played.

  “Everyone! Kill those Molan at all costs! Quickly! Don't let them reach Achilles!” I shout as loud as I can.

  After a few moments, they all seem to understand what is happening and swiftly move to action.

  Achilles lets out another call, though not as loudly. Seemingly urging the Molan to hurry.

  We would later learn that this skill is called {Ultimate: Endless Hunger}, and it summons some buffed Molan that rush to Achilles. The purpose? So that he can consume them and regain massive amounts of health and regenerate quickly.

  Almost immediately, the firing squad manages to wipe out three of the Molan.

  I rush towards the Molan nearest to me, for some reason, Rao is the one that followed me.

  The other four went after another Molan.

  We make contact with ours, and I try to thrust right at its side. Unfortunately, it's smart enough to dodge, but it steps right into Rao’s waiting saber. Quickly ending its life with a simple misstep.

  “I hate to say it, but you aren't bad, Red haired guy.”

  “My name is Rao. Rao Dianz. Remember it, you worthless fool.” he says, with a snobbish tone.

  Like seriously, does this guy think he is some old fashioned posh noble or something? I really wish I could punch him into the twenty-first century along with the rest of us.

  “Hmm, I doubt I will. Glad to see that someone other than me will finally admit to my complete and utter worthlessness and mean it!” I say, somewhat cheerily.

  “You're a weird dude, you know that right?”

  “Thanks for the compliment, red haired dude.”

  “Ko! That one is about to make it!” Ray shouts

  I look over and surely enough, just a few meters away from the mouth is the last remaining Molan.

  Drat, why did all four of them go for one? They should've been able to take out both.

  I set off, pouring as much raw inae into my acceleration as I can. I really push the armor to its limits as well. I hit the speed of sound as I went flying towards the Molan.

  Three meters away from Achilles’ open and waiting mouth, I impact the Molan, spear point first of course.

  The kinetic force and the point of my spear cause me to almost go right through, and send both of us flying several meters until we collide with the barrier wall. Inertia is a real klacking annoyance, isn't it?

  We hit the wall, thankfully it seems the Molan is dead. Though, I don't think I'm that far from death either. It feels as though at least half the bones in my body are broken. Every single one of my ribs is definitely broken.

  I should invest in some rib reinforcement, that seems like it’d come in handy. Definitely save a few bucks on medical bills in the long term, that's for sure.

  Ray, naturally, rushes over and helps me free myself from the Molan. Giving me a big hug as soon as she can. My broken bones issue a mighty complaint to my nervous system at such a hug. But it's worth it if I get to hug my super cute girlfriend.

  “Ko, you're a jerk.”

  “Am I at least cool?” I whisper

  “Well, I guess you're at least a little cool. You're still a jerk though.”

  “Well, so long as I'm cool. That's all that's important.” I croak out.

  Then, I pass out.

  21:00 AT, Day Nine | Arce Lunae / Recovery Bay

  I open my eyes and am immediately greeted with a large screen.

  ‘Rewards gained while unconscious:

  (Faction) 75 Ri, 700 Ti, 3 Great-level Legend Equipment Drops

  (Personal) Slayer of Achilles The Ravenous commendation, 1 Great-level Legend Equipment Drop.’

  I quickly dismiss the screen and am greeted with a beautiful sight.

  Ray’s face, plastered against the glass of the tube I seem to be inside. I must be in one of the recovery bay tubes.

  “You're awake!” Ray says, then she does some fiddling and the glass disappears. Leaving me to fall right into her awaiting arms.

  She wraps me up in a big hug, and refuses to let go.

  “I am indeed awake, thanks for noticing.”

  “You're a real jerk. You made us finish that thing off without you. At least you didn't technically die, we just had to carry your half-dead body all the way back here.”

  “Sorry for inconveniencing you with my half-dead state. I hope you didn't do anything weird.”

  “Of course I didn't do anything weird! Who do you think I am?”

  “You're Rayleigh Inan.”

  “Oh, well, fair point.”

  “So how did it all end?”

  “Ooo, you really shoulda seen it. Once you fell, everyone charged in and basically just began slicing. It's like we devoured it with our blades. I guess you could say we devoured the legend of ravenousness or something.”

  “That's so cool, can't believe I missed it.”

  “Well, you won't miss the next one, for sure!”

  “Of course, after all, I wouldn't want to miss any time where I get to watch my super duper cute girlfriend.”

  “Gah, how are you so cute and flirty moments after you wake up?”

  “Its just a skill I suppose.”

  A skill that I hope not to use much in the future. But a skill nonetheless.

  I can't wait to see what else this arena has to offer. I can sense that we are still in for a few surprises.

  No matter what they should be, Ray and I will overcome, no, conqueror, them together. So, bring it on.

  End of Chapter 96

  Next: Chapter 97 | A Feast

  Skills For Achilles The Ravenous

  {Expansive Stomach}: Passive. Any challengers consumed regenerate health points as well as greatly increase regeneration temporarily.

  {Thick Skull}: Skull is extremely thick. Any attacks rebound against the attacker with magnified force.

  {Spike Storm}: Spiky protrusions grow from the beast’s antlers and are shaken off, creating a storm of deadly spikes.

  {Devouring Vortex}: The beast uses its claws to create a vortex, sucking any unlucky being into close range, perfect for devouring.

  {Ultimate: Endless Hunger}: When sufficiently enraged, a group of enhanced molan are summoned. If the molen are not quickly defeated, the beast will consume them and gain a significant amount of health for each one consumed.