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*****
Gathered together is a good thing?
Star-Lord and the others were stunned for a moment, but Erik simply offered a faint smile, saying, "This way, it saves us the trouble of having to go look for them."
Just listen to what he was saying. Was that something a normal person would say? What did he mean, this was a 'good thing'? That it 'saves the trouble of looking'?
Star-Lord said helplessly, "But the current situation is extremely critical for us, unless you have a way to break through their encirclement."
"A way? Oh, I have one."
Erik said this in a light, airy tone. When the others heard it, they were stunned at first, as if they had just heard something completely unbelievable. Then, they turned to look at Erik with expressions of pleasant surprise.
The corner of Erik's mouth tilted up slightly. He gave a cool nod and said in a deep, low voice, "They... are too close."
The crew: "..."
Drax looked at Erik with a puzzled expression. "What happened to your voice? Your voice didn't sound like that before. Are you doing that on purpose?"
Erik's expression remained as normal. "This is just how I talk."
"Impossible! You must be trying to use a deep voice to emphasize your calm attitude, to show off how cool and powerful you are!"
Erik's face twitched slightly. "Why on earth would I do that?"
"To emphasize your power. It's just like during animal mating rituals, when the male animal always displays its strength in order to attract the attention of the opposite sex."
Erik stared at Drax, his face completely expressionless, and said slowly, "I suddenly have the urge to not bother with any of you anymore."
"Is it because I exposed your..."
"Just shut up!"
The rest of the crew roared in unison, pinning Drax to the floor and delivering a flurry of punches and kicks.
Drax looked up at the crew with a resentful expression. He had just opened his mouth to speak...
"I am Groot!"
Accompanied by an angry shout, Groot wrapped a vine around Drax's neck, pinning him firmly to the floor.
The crew looked over at Erik with fawning, sycophantic expressions. Erik nodded, indicating that he was very satisfied.
Erik sensed the cannon fire outside, which was growing more and more intense, and his brow furrowed slightly.
Those guys were certainly getting more and more enthusiastic. If this kept up, the metal defense would be breached in a matter of seconds.
However, he had no intention of giving them that opportunity.
Because they really were far too close.
A glint flashed in Erik's eyes. His body bent slightly, and as he settled into a half-crouch, he pressed one hand firmly against the floor of the spaceship.
He reached out with his senses, feeling the planet's magnetic field. He then connected himself directly to it, seizing complete control of all magnetic forces within this entire region.
And then, a scene that would strike terror into all the Ravagers began to unfold.
The ships positioned at the very front, the ones encircling Erik and his crew, began to shatter and disintegrate. They then transformed into a flowing river of metal, which surged toward the metal barrier that was protecting the Milano.
Looking down from above, it appeared as if countless rivers of metal were dancing through the air, all converging on the metallic ocean at the center.
This incoming metal reinforced the existing metal shield, but even more of it simply began to float in the surrounding area, slowly revolving around the Milano at the nucleus.
The Ravagers watched this scene in absolute terror, piloting their ships in a rapid retreat. But the invisible force was like a seductive, alluring woman from a red-light district, clinging tightly to those ships, refusing to let go, postured as if it wouldn't stop until it had drained them completely dry.
As a result, some of the ships managed to escape by relying on their own powerful propulsion, but a significant portion of them were simply decomposed into scrap, becoming yet another part of the ever-growing metallic ocean.
As for the people who had been inside those ships, at the very moment their vessels disintegrated, they had already been encircled by newly-formed metal rings around their necks. Controlled by Erik, they were all lowered from the sky, falling to the ground below.
In a little while, these people would all be required to hand over their savings. They were all just walking stacks and stacks of cash.
If it weren't for the sake of collecting ransom, Erik could have just as easily crushed those ships directly, or even seized control of some of the ships within the fleet and forced them to attack one another.
But... those were all walking piles of money...
Inside the Milano, Erik sensed the situation unfolding outside and revealed a satisfied smile.
"So, how is it? Is the problem solved?"
Seeing Erik reveal that smile, Star-Lord hurriedly asked.
Erik shook his head. "I've resolved one part of the problem. But those guys have learned their lesson and are withdrawing to a safe distance."
"They are definitely going to continue attacking," Rocket said anxiously. "How about we take this opportunity and make a... strategic retreat?"
The rest of the crew nodded, expressing their full agreement.
But Erik just smiled faintly and said, "No need. We'll stay right where we are. Even if they run far away, I have other methods to deal with them."
Thinking of the scene that was about to unfold, Erik, who was using this particular ability in battle for the very first time, actually felt a surge of excitement.
With another flash in his eyes, Erik activated his ability once more.
Instantly, the metal fortress that was protecting them began to transform under his precise control.
Under Erik's control, the metal began to fuse, forming an even stronger alloy. Subsequently, cannon barrels emerged all over the exterior of the fortress, while an extremely complex structure simultaneously formed within its interior.
Looking at it from a distance, it was as if a massive, metallic fortress had simply appeared out of thin air.
"Heh!"
Erik revealed a satisfied smile.
A portion of the ocean-like cloud of metal fragments, which was still floating around the steel fortress, was suddenly sucked inside.
And then...
"Vzzt!"
Accompanied by a strange, humming sound, one magnetic bomb after another, each trailing a bright beam of light, was propelled by Erik's ability. They shot out from the cannon barrels at a terrifying speed, hurtling toward the distant ships.
"Boom! Boom!"
Massive, torn-open holes appeared on the ships, one after another. The Ravagers watched this scene with a mixture of shock and fury, and they immediately launched a counterattack.
However, that ocean of metal fragments still floating around the fortress also began to move, forming a new, swirling defense that blocked all of their attacks.
Just as everyone was nervously watching the metal defense holding strong under the relentless assault, a large opening suddenly appeared in the top of that metallic shield. Erik's metal fortress flew out, accelerating toward the enemy ships. And, while in transit, it continued to relentlessly fire its magnetic bombs.
Instantly, another round of thunderous explosions and roaring sounds erupted.
Onboard Stakar Vaughn's flagship, the assembled Ravager leaders stared at the war-like scene unfolding before them. Watching their ships being destroyed one after another, each of them was like a duck whose throat was being squeezed, emitting sounds that were completely meaningless, yet utterly saturated with terror and dread.
They found it incredibly difficult to imagine that this was something a single person was capable of doing.
This was, quite simply, a humanoid weapon capable of completely dominating an entire war.
Meanwhile, Gray-tongue, who was standing to the side, was also extremely surprised in his heart as he watched this scene.
Although he had already tried to overestimate Erik's abilities as much as possible, judging from the current situation, he had still severely underestimated him.
"This is much stronger than the abilities shown in the data I collected. Was he not using his full strength before, or has he received another upgrade since then?"
He whispered to himself, but then immediately let out a cold sneer.
However, the master of this place is even more formidable. If this commotion continues, it won't be long before that woman makes her appearance.
A glint flashed in Gray-tongue's eyes, and he made preparations to retreat at a moment's notice.
As for these Ravagers...
He still needed to add some fuel to their fire. If this cannon fodder just retreated like this, and Erik and the Guardians of the Galaxy left before that woman appeared, then this entire trap would have been for nothing.
Thinking of this, he looked at Stakar Vaughn and said with a faint, mocking smile, "See? I told you all a long time ago, Magneto is extremely powerful. If this continues... tsk, you are all completely finished. Even if you manage to escape this time, he will hunt you down one by one. After all, every single one of you... you all ganged up on him."
"Still, this running away might at least delay the inevitable time when he puts those 'collars' on all of you."
"Hehehe."
This gloating laughter made the Ravagers absolutely furious. But as they looked outside at the ships being destroyed one after another, and at that single Ravager who had been fitted with a metal collar and was now falling from the sky, the emotion in their hearts, even greater than their anger, was pure, unadulterated fear.
What kind of monster was this?
Even if they tried to flee, could they actually escape?
Looking at the expressions on their faces, Gray-tongue's sinister gaze turned toward Stakar Vaughn.
In a situation like this, it's about time you made your move.
Starhawk...
The thought had barely formed when Stakar Vaughn himself let out a heavy sigh, helplessly scratching his silver-gray hair. "At my advanced age, I still have to go out there and fight desperately. It's really tough on us old-timers."
His wife, Aleta Ogord, who was standing right beside him, noticed the look in Stakar Vaughn's eyes and couldn't help but point out, "You're obviously very excited about this, aren't you."
"Am I, really?"
Stakar Vaughn said, feigning surprise. He then turned his gaze gently upon his wife, softly caressing her face, and said, "Come, Aleta."
Aleta Ogord nodded. Pale golden motes of light suddenly began to appear all over her body, making her entire being look as if she were transforming into a person made of pure light. She slowly walked toward Stakar Vaughn, merging completely into his body.
In the very next instant, Stakar Vaughn's entire body was enveloped in shimmering golden light. His eyes, as if they had been completely suffused with this golden radiance, also transformed into a dazzling spectacle.
Starhawk, Stakar Vaughn.
To be precise, "Starhawk" was the name of the combined state he shared with his wife.
In this state, he would possess an incredible level of power. His strength, speed, and reaction time were all enormously amplified. In addition to this, he would also gain the abilities of flight and the manipulation of light.
Looking at the stunning visage of Starhawk, Gray-tongue couldn't help but praise, "That looks very impressive."
He just wondered how it would actually perform in a fight.
Starhawk cast a faint glance at Gray-tongue. Motes of pale golden light began to condense upon his body. The orange bands on Stakar Vaughn's shoulders, as if being extended by the light itself, stretched out from his shoulders, transforming into two golden-yellow wings of light.
In the next instant, leaving behind only a faint trace of light, Starhawk vanished from his spot.
He's incredibly fast.
Gray-tongue noted silently, turning his attention back to the battlefield.
The ships were still in full retreat, but Erik was relentlessly advancing with his armed fortress, bringing the entire ocean of metal surrounding it, and continuously bearing down on the fleeing ships.
It was difficult to imagine that a single person could actually chase down an entire fleet, all while on the attack.
This scene had even left the Guardians of theGalaxy completely stunned.
They had originally thought that the abilities Erik had displayed before were already exaggerated enough, but who could have known that was only just a fraction of his power...
Could it be... that every single member of the Kent family was this monstrously overpowered?
Just as they were marveling at this in their hearts, they suddenly saw a streak of pale golden light flying rapidly toward them.
They watched as that streak of light weaved through the battlefield, dodging the countless metal fragments flying through the air. Like a sharp blade slicing through the darkness, it cut an opening in the metallic ocean and arrived directly in front of Erik's metal fortress.
Looking at the newcomer, Erik was somewhat surprised.
There's another person here who wields extraordinary power?
This is really...
"Interesting!"
He whispered, looking at Starhawk with a great deal of interest.
Pale golden light began to condense in Starhawk's hand, forming into a javelin made of pure light. The javelin looked as if it were solid, and it flickered with faint golden motes of light.
In the next instant, Starhawk fiercely hurled the javelin of light in his hand.
It was like a bolt of golden lightning had appeared in mid-air. Leaving behind a splendid, pale golden trail, it struck squarely against Erik's metal fortress.
"BOOM!"
With a deafening explosion, the pale golden javelin exploded violently. A gap was torn open in the metal fortress, and pale golden motes of light scattered in all directions.
Erik raised an eyebrow. With a simple thought, the metal fortress instantly repaired itself.
But in the very next second, a whole barrage of attacks, each one a newly condensed weapon of light, was hurled by Starhawk toward the metal fortress.
For a moment, countless pale golden trails of light streaked across the sky, connecting into a single, vast web that completely dominated everyone's field of vision.
"It really is... quite beautiful."
Erik murmured this, and when Star-Lord and the others at his side heard him, they were left completely speechless.
Beautiful, my ass! they thought. This looks incredibly dangerous!
The corner of Erik's mouth tilted up slightly. He reached his hand out toward Starhawk and made a sharp, clenching motion.
A massive amount of metal surged in from all directions, moving in a pincer formation as if to completely envelop Starhawk within it.
Starhawk hovered in mid-air. A massive amount of light began to condense on his hands, making both of his hands look as if they had transformed into blades of pure light, which were, for a moment, incomparably dazzling.
In the next instant, a blade of light shot out from each of his palms, extending for dozens of meters. Following Starhawk's rapidly waving arms, they transformed into two dazzling curtains of light, shredding the oncoming metal to pieces. His body then flashed, leaving behind a few scattering motes of light as he vanished from his spot. When he reappeared, he was already right in front of the metal fortress. The previous light blades had now reformed into a single, massive ball of light energy, which he slammed fiercely toward Erik's metal fortress.
BOOM!
With a violent, resounding crash, the metal fortress was blasted, leaving a gigantic gap.
Shattered metal fragments and pale golden motes of light collided and scattered. Starhawk's cold, sharp gaze stared intently at Erik, who was visible behind the fortress's breach.
Their gazes locked, colliding through the glass of the Milano. Erik simply revealed a smile. Just as Starhawk gathered another dazzling ball of light and, with a backhand motion, thrust it toward the Milano inside the fortress, Star-Lord and the others cried out in alarm, bracing themselves for a fight.
But...
Clang!
With just a clear, ringing sound, the light, which was brimming with explosive power, was stopped cold.
Staring at the transparent force field that had appeared beneath his palm, a look of shock and anger flashed in Starhawk's eyes.
So, this force field was the true defense that had blocked the massive barrage of attacks from before.
In the next instant, even more metal came surging over.
Starhawk, unwilling to give up, smashed against the field one more time. Leaving behind a spray of scattering light particles, he was forced to helplessly dodge away.
If he didn't dodge, he was about to be sealed inside the mass of metal.
The metal landed on the freshly blasted opening, and the metal fortress repaired itself in a matter of seconds.
"Boom! Boom!"
The magnetic bombs were still flying out continuously, relentlessly hunting down the fleeing ships.
Seeing this, Starhawk had no choice but to charge toward Erik's metal fortress once more.
The battle continued, and the sounds of combat grew ever more intense.
In a cold, dark palace, a figure, looking utterly bored, was lying lazily upon a black throne.
She was dressed in a dark green robe, and her black hair was casually draped over her shoulders. Her exposed, pale skin was as white as snow, seeming to almost glow in the darkness.
Suddenly, as if she had heard something, her eyes lit up. She rose from the throne and gazed off into the far distance.
She was looking in the direction of the battle between Erik and Starhawk.
(End of this chapter)