The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 761: Step 6: Level Up?

Reinforcements' arrival at last provided a brief respite, which I eagerly accepted. I managed not to collapse, though I teetered on the edge right then, and as I scanned the surroundings, several of my comrades were indeed crumpling to the ground.

Some allies started rallying back to the knights' line, yet I lingered in place briefly, staring down at the earth.

Bodies. Scattered everywhere.

Amid the surrounding chaos, this moment was perfect for it, so I crouched and sliced off a Drakoshi arm before offering it to my armor. Next, it consumed twelve whole corpses along with assorted metal weapons until restoring itself to maximum strength.

I pondered jumping back into the action, but with a siege looming tomorrow, rest was essential, and the entire company had already withdrawn, so I headed to link up with them. Drawing near, I realized their state was far grimmer than I'd first assumed.

Nearly everyone sported wounds. Four lay dead—I didn't know three, but the fourth was Greg, our healer, pierced by a stray bullet straight through the eye. Plenty of gunshot injuries heal on ordinary folk, but that kind spells doom.

All seemed utterly battered. Skaja’s golden armor and wings were smeared thick with blood, Lena had taken another stab to the torso, Willow and Rhea were slashed across their bodies, and Gabrielle was... ’Oh, she’s okay. Just seems a little frantic.’

Every other person bore some nasty injury, except Nerissa, Gabrielle, and Morrgan—who, catching my glance, beamed a bright, innocent smile and waved cheerily.

As I started approaching, Gabrielle whirled around suddenly, her frantic hunt ceasing as relief flooded her eyes. "Oh, I just knew you were fine! When the others returned without you first, my stomach twisted, but I knew you were fine! I just knew. And then seeing you and Nerissa crest the ridgeline—so much relief. Oh, I’m so glad to see you. You did so well today." She gently embraced my armor, and I soothingly rubbed her back.

"Heh, thanks Gab. Skaja should’ve brought you along with us though. Still, keeping someone as powerful as you to guard the rest was a wise call." I turned leftward as Skaja neared, clutching her injured torso.

"We spotted the weapon topple from afar. How’d you wrap up the mission? Tamara said you didn’t expend all the charges since they got used elsewhere?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I screwed up. That’s why I hung back. Pushed the weapon off its last supports. It’s likely still whole, but unusable for the siege. Pretty sure it blasted a huge gap in a wall too, so yeah. Sorry. Lesson learned: no improvising with key assets."

Skaja fixed me with a stare for a beat, and I braced for a scolding—I figured I earned it—but her expression shifted to pure shock instead. "I’m sorry, what the fuck? I knew you were tough, but shoving that weapon and snapping its supports? That’s gotta be... Fuck me..."

Gabrielle giggled at that, squeezing me harder. "Hehehe, that’s Apollo for you. Always full of shocks and pulling off the impossible!"

I chuckled, a touch embarrassed. "Alright, alright. No more inflating my ego. What’s the morale like?"

"Sky-high, losses aside. We landed a huge strike today. Boomstick neutralized and Drakoshi leaders wiped out—we can claim that fortress tomorrow, even if this fight pulls in their reinforcements."

I nodded at that, then felt compelled to praise Skaja as Nerissa approached too.

"Gotta say, even with Nerissa’s power, I’m stunned you downed that forty-foot mech so fast. Gave me chills just looking at it."

Nerissa and Skaja exchanged glances before Nerissa queried, puzzled. "What forty-foot mech?"

"That’s Warlord-class mech size. A Warlord in that base would’ve meant casualties on our escape. You certain that’s what you saw?" Skaja pressed, her face darkening.

"Yes, check with Willow and Tamara—they’ll confirm. The mech’s hand almost smashed me while scaling the wall." I explained.

"Shit..." Skaja cursed under her breath, then winced from her injury. "Looks like our mission flopped then, Praetorian. But we must’ve shattered their command structure. Fingers crossed it’s enough for tomorrow. At least you and Iilr’s squad nailed theirs—not a complete bust. Gotta report to command before you assume leadership. Good work, Apollo."

Skaja departed, and suddenly Gabrielle’s vibe shifted. Glancing down, I met her eyes and her broad grin as she asked. "Did she just say you’re taking command?"

Before I answered, Gabrielle hoisted me up and shook me wildly. "Hahahahahahahahaah! I’m so proud! Eighteen, a sentinel, now leading local forces? I’m thrilled!"

I hacked violently in reply, prompting her to set me down. "Apollo? You okay?"

I nodded, removed my helmet to show my ghostly pale face, and spat blood. "Oh yeah, bullet fragment’s still lodged in me. The shaking... bad move. Fetch Francesca?" Then I switched my armor to standby.

Gabrielle paled instantly. Purple tears streaked her cheeks at the sight. Her son... Joy he lived, but how? ’He shouldn’t even stand!’ she wailed inside, spotting bullet holes riddling her boy’s torso.

His organs clung together only by the web of wounds.

Nerissa’s eyes widened. ’Was he this messed up the whole fight?’ She hadn’t noticed.

"Gabrielle." My voice rang firm despite agony and blood loss, but enhancements assured survival with prompt care—or feasting—ideally both, within the hour.

My words snapped her from turmoil, and she bolted off yelling ’Medic!’

I chuckled as she fled, my innards squelching, but I dismissed it and faced Nerissa. "Hey, lost you in the chaos. You good? Worried a few times."

Nerissa flung her weapon aside and dashed over. She yanked off her gauntlet, baring her green hand that flushed red, and channeled life energy into me. "Am I good? Seriously? You’re quizzing me when you look like death?"

"What? Got lucky—bullets just grazed flesh. No broken bones. Pretty fortunate, huh?" I quipped, then coughed blood onto her helmet.

"Oh... sorry ’bout that." I muttered, but Nerissa shut it down.

"Never apologize to me. The toll your body endured for this op... Apollo, you’re amazing."

"Don’t make me blush, you big softie. Not enough blood left for that, hehe."

*Thud!*

I jerked suddenly. Like a drumbeat echoing from deep within, and Nerissa froze too, having heard it.

"Apollo? What was-"

"-No clue, but it felt great. Keep at it." I urged, and Nerissa nodded, resuming the healing. Moments later.

*Thud! Thud!*

Nerissa gasped, knees buckling before me.

"What?" I asked as she pressed her head to my torso wounds. "It’s my blessing? No idea what’s up, but something’s stirring."

I gripped Nerissa’s shoulder. "Well, don’t halt now. Keep pouring your essence into me."

Nerissa hesitated but continued, the thuds growing thunderous, attracting nearby stares.

Gabrielle returned with Francesca, Tamara, Willow, and Rhea, all halting at the booming drum from my core.

The Knight order abandoned tasks, turning toward the rhythmic pounding’s origin. As if that spotlight wasn’t enough, the thuds echoed in my Mindspace, my Origin pulsing in sync. The sphere glowed warm white, lifting me skyward sans Gyrokinesis. Then changes swept my body and Mindspace, yet it wasn’t typical Psionics.

’Feels more... personal?’