Reborn as an Extra Chapter 748: Rio’s Realization. Part-2.
Previously on Reborn as an Extra...
Hearing Rio’s words, Raika’s teeth clenched in sheer frustration!
Raika was by no means weak. If it were anyone else trapped within his artificial realm, Raika would possess absolute dominion over their body, mind, and soul, as he was omnipotent within its confines!
By manipulating the inherent 'laws' of his artificial realm, Raika held the power to freeze individuals in time or space, and even to erase memories and implant entirely new ones!
His initial objective was to ensnare Rio within his artificial domain and reformat his memories. However, fate intervened, as Rio was uniquely immune to the effects of Raika’s artificial domain due to his 'True Immunity'!
The instant Raika invoked the 'laws' against Rio, his 'True Immunity' caused the realm to shatter, inflicting severe mental damage upon Raika.
For an SS-ranker, their world authority constitutes their most formidable ability, intricately linked to their soul and their sea of consciousness.
Should this world authority sustain damage through unconventional means, such as Rio’s 'true immunity' or Lia’s power, it can transmit mental repercussions back to the primary sea of consciousness.
This was precisely Rio’s intended outcome.
When he had partitioned half of his soul to strategize against Raika, this particular tactic emerged as a viable option, hence its flawless execution immediately following the commencement of the battle!
Raika’s realm crumbled for a second instance today. Although the backlash damage was likely negligible, the maneuver would undoubtedly exasperate whoever was orchestrating Raika's actions.
"While other assaults may not reach your physical form, those targeting the sea of consciousness and the threads of fate appear remarkably potent against you..."
"Am I not correct?"
Rio’s words struck home, causing Raika’s eyes to narrow. He rose from the ground, wiped the blood from his face, and began to infuse his holy lyre with power.
"I shall not be defeated by you, Rio. Losing is not an option!"
Recognizing the futility and counterproductive nature of trapping Rio within his realms, Raika resolved to alter his approach and engage in direct combat!
Wielding the world authority known as 'Realm Weaver,' Raika conjured dense frost elementals, effortlessly circumventing skill charge times.
He then pulverized the very spot Rio and he occupied with an overhead palm strike, composed of ice so frigid it neared absolute zero!
The attack’s velocity was so extreme that evasion was virtually impossible; consequently, Rio elected not to try.
Harnessing his sword intent and shadow elemental affinity, Rio amplified his shadow robe’s power to its utmost capacity, allowing the devastating assault to strike him directly.
The colossal frost palm descended upon the moon’s surface with such astonishing speed and force that the small moon could no longer withstand the impact!
Its northern half disintegrated into fragments instantaneously, while the southern portion was violently propelled into the void by the sheer magnitude of the collision!
This single attack possessed the destructive potential to obliterate nations and extinguish civilizations with ease, yet for Rio, it barely warranted a reaction.
From beginning to end, Rio remained stationary, allowing the attack to fall upon him.
His form seamlessly phased through the onslaught by virtue of his shadow robe’s capabilities, rendering the attack utterly ineffective and leaving him completely unscathed.
"I stand merely a single step away from achieving rank SS. Furthermore, your 'World Authority' is rendered weak in my presence, as I had anticipated and prepared for it. Therefore, cease your resistance and divulge the truth..."
"Do not compel me to take actions that will lead to irreversible consequences..."
Rio was no longer the same vulnerable awakener who would falter under the mere presence of an SS-ranker.
Apart from the absence of his own 'world authority,' he was virtually on par with early-stage SS-rankers.
Defeating him was no longer a simple undertaking.
"You... have you already... no... you have not yet reached that level; you are still not at that level, but you are already influencing the 'laws' of the world to a certain extent..."
"I comprehend. You must have gleaned this by analyzing Lia’s destiny manipulation ability..."
Rio was acutely aware of Raika’s muttered observations.
During his limited free time over the preceding days, Rio had dedicated himself to analyzing the bracelet Lia had gifted him.
Initially, his sole intention was to grasp the intricacies of destiny manipulation.
However, Rio soon began to leverage it for refining his control over the power of the 'laws.' Remarkably, despite not actively attempting to command the 'laws,' his skills began to spontaneously draw upon their power.
A moment earlier, a similar occurrence transpired when he enhanced his shadow robe, and the 'law' of 'darkness and shadows' spontaneously granted him power, amplifying his shadow robe’s efficacy. While this peculiar phenomenon yielded positive results, Rio saw no reason to investigate it further. Since it had activated upon interaction with Lia’s power, Rio perceived no threat to himself. "No, I cannot permit your continued advancement... If you achieve SS-rank... you will awaken it at this rate..." Disregarding Raika, who was muttering incoherently, Rio reactivated the bracelet, designating the hovering crown in the air above his head as his next target. Instantly, an unsettling premonition washed over Rio, prompting him to regard Raika with a furrowed brow. The very instant Rio’s gaze met Raika’s, accompanied by that frown, every danger alarm within Raika’s mind blared simultaneously, and goosebumps erupted across his entire body. Even his sacred lyre, already marred by cracks from their prior confrontation, began to groan and convulse violently! Before Raika could comprehend the unfolding situation, Rio’s subsequent words plunged him into utter panic! "There is no one behind you... Could it be that you are..."