"Haaah... haaah..."
After several failed attempts, Andromeda looked gravely at the "wind wall" that stood between her and Tendo, like an insurmountable chasm. Her breath came out in gasps that could easily be misinterpreted. While she had considered that her attacks might not harm this enigmatic individual, Tendo, she hadn't expected to be unable to even touch the hem of Tendo's clothes.
Was that "wind" truly just "wind" as it blocked Tendo?
Regardless of Andromeda's turbulent and fearful thoughts, Tendo, seeing Andromeda stop after only a few attacks, expressed his disappointment. "Is this all the Hidden Star Society's executives amount to?" he asked. "If so, I might have to lower my expectations for you 'Intelligent Species.'"
Upon hearing the words "Intelligent Species," Andromeda's body stiffened abruptly, and her pupils beneath her mask contracted violently, her heart churning like a raging sea. It was well known that the Hidden Star Society had always identified themselves as "Dark Star Envoys" to the outside world. Therefore, not to mention ordinary people, even most high-ranking Star Envoys of the Star Envoy Association were completely unaware of the "Intelligent Species."
However, after a brief moment of shock, Andromeda quickly regained her composure. For she still had a trump card!
"You ant, don't be too arrogant. You haven't won yet."
"Although I don't particularly like that form, I have to admit that I am much stronger in that state, so..."
Before Andromeda could finish her sentence, Tendo impatiently cut her off. "Isn't it just Star Remnants, unique to A-grade bloodline Intelligent Species after their second Star Core Awakening? No need to make it sound so mysterious, I know about it."
"..."
Tendo's single sentence instantly silenced Andromeda. The feeling of all her trump cards being seen through, like a basin of cold water, instantly extinguished the fury in Andromeda's heart, bringing her to complete calm. She had come to understand one thing: this mysterious masked man who had suddenly appeared, unlike the "ants" she had so easily slaughtered in the past, was a powerful enemy she had to take seriously and confront with all her might. Otherwise, she might very well die here today.
Thinking this, Andromeda stopped wasting words and directly unleashed her Star Remnants. In an instant, the silver-white segments on her back began to writhe and deform eerily. Soon, a metallic sheen spread from her slender legs, gradually encasing her entire body.
Clang!
As the last piece of silver-white armor clicked into place, the crisp sound echoed through the dripping rain. Andromeda now stood before everyone like a Valkyrie stepping out of a myth. Her form-fitting silver armor, half-concealed and half-revealed, sculpted her graceful figure. Three sharp spider-like limbs extended from her back, towering like a crown behind her head. As for her original pipa, it had now transformed into a two-handed sword, appearing in Andromeda's hands.
Her alluring attire, simultaneously revealing and concealing, was undoubtedly more impactful than either full exposure or full concealment. So much so that even though Andromeda's face was completely hidden by her mask, it still caused many dimensional viewers to bend into a "shrimp-like" posture, practically pressing their heads against the screen, fully displaying their "old pervert" nature.
It wasn't long after Tendo uttered the words "Star Remnants" that a helpful explanation regarding "Star Remnants" appeared on the show's screen.
[Star Remnants: A unique application of one's Star Core by Intelligent Species within Star Beasts, after long periods of exploration. It maximizes their ability to unleash power originally belonging only to 'beasts' while maintaining a humanoid form.]
[Usage Requirements: Requires at least two Star Core Awakenings, and one's Star Beast bloodline level must reach 'A-grade' or higher.]
Besides "Star Remnants," Tendo also knew two other less obvious but very important pieces of information from the original plot of the second season of Galaxy: Glimmer.
Firstly, the first organization to attempt Star Core surgery was not the Embers, but the Hidden Star Society. However, in the end, only the Doctor truly succeeded, relying on some special means.
Secondly, the Doctor's nickname, "Dragon Mechanic," apparently wasn't what most people thought. It was a simpler and more direct expression. And this second hidden truth was hinted at by the Galaxy production team not only in the second season but also at the end of the first season. It's just that ordinary people, unaware of "Intelligent Species" and the "Hidden Star Society," wouldn't have thought in that direction at all.
As the brief explanation concluded, the show's screen once again focused on the battle between Tendo and Andromeda. With Andromeda having completely unleashed her full power, Tendo finally began to get serious. He intended to give this opening battle of the second season a spectacular finish.
As the star-trail patterns in Tendo's cerulean eyes emitted a faint glow, a shadowy blue subspace rift appeared out of thin air beside him. He reached in, slowly drawing out a blade composed of 999 tiny Star Core Fragments, its texture like a galaxy.
The blade's name: Star-Shatter.
Clang—
The blade, composed of 999 Star Core Fragments, hummed melodically. Each fragment emitted a faint but mesmerizing starlight, like individual stars. Under the influence of these starlights, the surrounding falling rainwater was indirectly dyed with dreamlike, starry colors, creating a beautiful spectacle.
Tendo raised "Star-Shatter," gently stroking its blade with his right hand, and calmly said, "Come, let me see how many blows of my 'Star-Shatter' your proud 'Star Remnants' can withstand."
Hearing Tendo's words, Andromeda's figure... vanished. Her astonishing movement speed caused the rainwater at her original position to explode into white mist, leaving only gradually dissipating afterimages.
But facing the suddenly vanished Andromeda, Tendo not only did not move a step but, as if possessing foresight, suddenly struck with his blade towards an empty spot beside him. And soon, a scene that shocked both Chen Kong and the dimensional viewers appeared.
The place where Tendo swung his blade had been empty moments before. The next second, Andromeda voluntarily appeared there. Looking at the result, it seemed as if Andromeda had intentionally moved to intercept Tendo's strike. She had no choice; facing Tendo's eerie strike, Andromeda could only abandon her offense and was forced to defend.
Ding!
As a dazzling spark of metal clashing erupted in the rain, a symphony named "Death" officially began.
Slowly, Andromeda's speed increased, and her attacks became fiercer. Each of her attacks was accompanied by a special sonic vibration, causing secondary damage to her enemy.
However, compared to Andromeda, whose expression grew increasingly grim, Tendo's expression... became increasingly impatient.