X0 designation?
Angel previously learned from Reynaud that a designation starting with "X" denotes an experimental subject.
What Angel didn’t expect was that above Reynaud’s X1 designation, there exists an X0? Reynaud never mentioned it, probably because he didn’t know of the existence of this number 0.
Angel looked at the bright red "0" digit and knew that according to lab conventions, the earlier the designation, the stronger the ability. It seems this number 0’s strength should not be underestimated.
As he pondered this, the glass column opened from the center. The cold liquid inside gushed out, filling the surroundings with chilling air. The frosty mist that had dissipated when the door opened began to gather again.
Through the thickening frost mist, a figure slowly walked towards Angel, each step exuding a sharp aura.
When the aura accumulated to its peak, it became oppressive.
From the moment the pressing aura appeared, Angel understood the opponent’s level of strength; absolutely at Official Wizard Level! Only an Official Wizard could possess such a stunning aura.
It seems they underestimated the wizard-level combat power of the laboratory. Three wizard-level combatants are in the open, but hidden strength includes at least six more.
"Care to chat, number 0?" Angel’s voice echoed in the silent space.
Soon after he spoke, a mechanical voice came from number 0’s mouth: "Confirmed, authority below 99, no soul mark, target classified as intruder, threat level provisionally set to level 3, execute result: eliminate."
Listening to the voice and seeing the sinister yet emotionless eyes, Angel understood that communication was basically impossible.
Though X0 is a subject, it seems emotions have been stripped away. Perhaps transformed into a cyborg.
His existence, perhaps just the guardian here.
As Angel’s thoughts drifted, a white light suddenly flashed, aiming for his neck.
Angel hurriedly retreated, but as soon as he moved, cold air swept from behind him. Somehow, an ice wall had appeared at his back.
Phantom limbs instantly flew out from his back, shattering the ice wall. Angel leapt backward multiple times to a position several meters away.
Once steady, Angel noticed the white light came from the pure white short dagger that suddenly appeared in X0’s hand.
The dagger emitted a sharp chill throughout, seeming forged from eternal ice.
But as an authority in alchemy, Angel immediately recognized the dagger wasn’t made of ice. The true material was unclear for the moment, but it brought a very familiar feeling to Angel.
Somewhat like the chain Nausicaa released before on Ghost Dock island.
This is... Soul Arms.
Seeing the first attack was dodged, X0 didn’t flinch, transforming into a shadow and charging forward, continuing the assault with the dagger on Angel.
Every dagger swing from X0 brought a surge of cold, causing the frost mist not just to persist but to grow denser.
However, no matter how fast X0 moved, he couldn’t surpass Angel’s speed, each dagger strike evaded.
During the dodges, Angel also counterattacked using phantom limbs, their coverage and attack speed far surpassing X0, interrupting his actions and even flipping him.
Even being flipped didn’t affect X0; he created several floating ice pieces mid-air, stepping upon them, maintaining speed, but unable to gain an advantage against Angel’s faster reflexes.
X0 seemed to notice this too; after continuous clashes, X0 abruptly leapt, kicking toward Angel’s chest. His aim wasn’t striking Angel but producing a bed of jagged ice spikes below, forming countless ice shards shooting toward Angel.
X0 himself retreated several meters away.
"Target speed uncapturable, threat level elevated to 2."
Upon finishing the statement, X0’s pale skins began reddening, and a bubbling sound echoed, akin to boiling water.
As X0’s skin reddened further, steam rose from his body.
Upon attacking again, Angel keenly felt X0’s speed increase wildly, almost transforming into a ghostly shadow.
But unexpectedly, Angel’s own speed rose, no weaker at all.
If anyone were present, what they’d witness would be endlessly swirling frost mist and incessant battlegrounds sounds, as for figures... unless their eyes were enhanced, they wouldn’t catch sight.
Phantom limbs flew, blades clashing.
Air scattered with shattered ice particles.
"Target threat level evaluated significantly rising, about to reach level 1." During combat, X0 number’s voice echoed again.
With the words falling, Angel clearly saw another pure white dagger appear in X0’s left hand.
"Level 2 threat improves speed, level 1 threat adds another dagger?" Angel internally mused: "Does adding daggers heighten attack power?"
Soon, Angel experienced the combat effects of another dagger.
X0’s attack power did boost, but not as expected. The addition of two daggers enhanced a different power—frost mist.
Every X0 double dagger swing carved through the air with a trace of white frost mist.
This white frost mist was extraordinarily peculiar, unlike the ambient air mist, it harbored a strange energy capable of... freezing souls.
Yes, Angel concluded through evaluation that the mist could directly impact the soul.
As X0 swung double daggers swifter, this soul-freezing mist gradually replaced ordinary mist, expanding in the confined room.
The mist storm encroached on Angel’s battleground.
Although Angel persistently evaded, amidst X0’s chase and this sweeping attack, he was forced to pass through the mist.
Yet, the mist proved ineffective against Angel.
Despite X0’s unemotional state, witnessing this made him hesitate briefly.