Chapter 857 - 370: Self-Destruct_3
Competing for the invitation only determines one’s status when joining a faction and whether more privileges can be obtained; failing to acquire it doesn’t mean the strategy for the instance will fail.
Because of this, players compete with restraint unless the atmosphere demands a fierce battle; most players haven’t used ultimate skills related to reincarnation as trump cards here.
Time reaches eleven thirty; the battle in the plaza is already nearing its end.
Five invitations, of which four have been snatched away.
Except for the phantom whose strength gap is too large, directly walking to the seating area without anyone daring to block, the other three players holding invitations are vigilant of the players in the field, preventing anyone from stealing the tower before the final deadline.
Thirty-five people present, nine have exited, leaving twenty-six in the plaza.
Counting together, besides the unfortunate team with the phantom all quitting, the total number of people beaten back in the other four teams only adds up to two.
No wonder "fish bombing" is so hated.
Seeing the invitation competition nearing its end, players who have lost hope of contention gradually gather together, transforming into spectators, witnessing who will claim the final invitation.
Just as players focus on the last battle, among the crowd, an inconspicuous guy emits a slight clicking from within.
Fragmented clicks, drowned in the sounds of skills colliding, unnoticed by anyone.
Except for Wu Chang.
Whether the main body or his true self, both immediately notice the transcendent knocked down early, giving up the invitation fight, suddenly exuding a fog-like power of root.
This power of root shares the same source with the Steam Phantom Plane’s power of root.
The true self points to the anomalous, asking Cold Mountain:
"Is that guy the ranked player you mentioned?"
Cold Mountain looks at the anomalous, scrutinizes a few glances, shakes his head: "I’ve never seen him, why are you asking."
Wu Chang says: "I saw the power of root on him, the current plane’s power of root."
As if to prove what he saw, clicks on the anomalous grow louder, enough for players around him to notice.
Following this, steam starts escaping from the seven orifices of the anomalous, his body turning red and glowing.
On Saint George Plaza, whether the fighting players or those with invitations sitting, everyone stops their tasks to gaze at the anomalous.
An immense energy they can’t ignore is rapidly accumulating within the anomalous.
His entire being becomes a giant bomb, ready to explode at any moment.
"Damn it, have you gone fucking mad!"
A mage-like player beside the anomalous acts first, with glowing light from his magic wand forming a blade, stabbing directly at the anomalous.
But the light blade touching the steam released by the anomalous melts away like butter on a hot pan.
The energy-depleted magic wand pokes the anomalous, not only failing to shake him but making him glower, emitting more steam.
Unconvinced by failure, the mage intends to increase force for another try, barely ready to use stronger skills when his face gets punched by a nearby player.
"You’re the crazy one, we’re so close, you burst him, we’re dead first!"
Realizing this, the mage reveals a look of fright, mimicking other players, applying defense skills while moving toward the plaza’s edge.
Woo~
A giant steam whistle emanates from the anomalous, realizing players want to escape; he releases massive steam, instantly shrouding the entire Saint George Plaza along with Saint George’s Church.
Players find their abilities fail within the fog; only a few, like Booker’s motorcycle power, can still function normally.
Moreover, with some players trying to flee, the anomalous’s self-destruct progress accelerates, internal forces dramatically increasing.
It seems players’ fear enhances its power.
"Don’t run!"
A cry to halt players at the plaza’s edge as the anomalous transforms entirely into a red orb, about to explode.
The energy accumulating inside at this moment shocks even Julie and the phantom.
Just as they were about to intervene, a figure appears in front of the anomalous, ignoring tumultuous steam, smashing him down with an elbow and pausing the self-destruct momentarily.
The anomalous’s chest suddenly bursts open, energy within finds its outlet, thick steam pouring out, obscuring everyone’s sight.
The one who acted was indeed Wu Chang, using teleportation to reach the anomalous, first breaking the spell with a Mamba Iron Elbow, then guided by the All-Knowing Crystal, using extremely condensed space distortion, negating the steam root source while piercing the explosive device within him.
Unfortunately, to avoid alerting other players, his Mamba Iron Elbow must be used subtly, not shouting out, making him feel something missing when elbow striking.
Pressing the anomalous’s head with his hand, the sensation isn’t flesh, rather like steel under human skin.
With the anomalous completely ceasing struggle, a line of information appears before him.
"Item Name: Self-destruct Steam Modification Human" (King’s Badge unlocks)
"Item Type: Special"
"Item Description: Using a transcendent as raw material, through special craftsmanship, replacing most bones, flesh, and organs with steel, creating a special product. Steam modification humans retain part of their combat awareness when fresh, exploding upon receiving instructions."
"Note: This self-destruct steam modification human is made by Franken-level extraordinary machine tools, a product of the fusion of steam rules and mysticism, able to bridge the gap between life and machinery, the masterpiece of Stilan Machine Tools, the dazzling pearl on the Industrial Crown."