In the distance.
Clouds darker than ink seemed to occupy the entire sky, hanging like lead blocks, the oppressive feeling so intense it made the air inside the vehicle's cabin solidify.
A swirling, black-purple tornado stretched from the ground all the way to the sky.
It connected with the clouds in the heavens above.
The black-purple lightning was as dense as a spider's web, leaping ceaselessly within the tornado.
It had the look of a world-ending catastrophe.
The area covered by the Originium Storm was as large as a small city. Like a beast that devoured everything, accompanied by howling gales, almost everything in the wilderness, even hard bedrock, was instantly and utterly disintegrated by the high-velocity, hardened Originium dust within the storm.
Compared to it.
The land-runner was as tiny as an ant.
"Ahhh!! We're doomed!!"
At this moment, Magallan, who was driving, was in a complete panic, more so than when she encountered the Originium Slug swarm last time. Others might not understand, but as an excellent explorer, Magallan knew the terror of an Originium Storm better than anyone.
Given the storm's speed, not even an aircraft could escape, let alone a land-runner.
The Originium Storm was the one disaster that all seasoned explorers wanted to avoid the most...
Because encountering one meant an almost one hundred percent chance of death... no, rather, it was certain death. For so many years, there had never been a single case of someone surviving an encounter with an Originium Storm.
"You damn Magallan!!"
From behind, Franka kept punching Magallan's little penguin head from over the driver's seat, making a constant thumping sound.
"You jinx!! I told you not to run your mouth!!"
And under Franka's continuous blows, Magallan was becoming dizzy.
"Waaah~~~"
As for Ceobe, she was more terrified than anyone.
Perhaps because she had lived in the forest for so long, many of her habits were no different from an animal's, even possessing an animal's ability to predict natural disasters. And when faced with a fatal natural disaster, animals were often more afraid than humans.
While Franka and Magallan were arguing.
Ceobe had lost her usual lively and cheerful demeanor. The big girl was so scared that she curled up in Jessica's arms, her tail that usually spun like a propeller now tucked between her legs, and the ears on her head drooped from fear.
Jessica was also scared, but she still comforted Ceobe. Lisa was in a similar state; she curled her body up next to Lucas, as if his side was the safest place to be at this moment.
"You Magallan! ******* jinx!!"
"Gurgle gurgle, stop hitting me!! I'm going to go bald!!"
During their incessant bickering, the black-purple Originium Storm that had seemed far away a second ago now appeared to be right behind the vehicle.
It was daytime, and the terrain in the Siracusa wilderness was relatively flat. Even with the modified land-runner at full speed, the distance between them and the storm was visibly shrinking.
Before long...
The sky had gradually darkened.
They could even faintly hear the sound of the high-speed, hardened Originium dust constantly striking the land-runner's outer armor.
This wasn't even the storm's periphery, yet the sound of it hitting the armor was already like a downpour of rain, a constant patter.
Fortunately, the land-runner had been modified by Lucas, its outer layer made of the incredibly hard Nirvana Metal, so there was no need to worry for the time being. But if they couldn't escape, the vehicle would sooner or later be swept into the storm.
In the storm's center, a veritable death zone, even tough alloys would be instantly turned to dust. Lucas couldn't be sure how long the Nirvana Metal would last in the storm's... alloy. He didn't dare to bet on it. After all, if he won the bet, fine, but if he lost, it was all over.
Moreover.
Even if the Nirvana Metal could withstand it.
There were people inside the vehicle.
With the rotational speed in the storm's center far exceeding the speed of sound, Lucas estimated that even if the Nirvana Metal held, the people inside would be turned into a hundred percent paste.
At this moment.
The calmest person was, surprisingly, Liskarm. She coolly interjected.
"Lucas, do you have a plan?"
After all, it was Lucas who had resolved the Originium Slug disaster last time. Although the whole experience was thrilling, they had managed to escape in the end.
Liskarm's words made Franka, who was still brawling, stop. She let go of Magallan's hair and looked at Lucas with anticipation.
"That's right! We have the almighty Lucas. An Originium Storm is 100% fatal for ordinary people, but we have the one and only Lucas in the world."
In an instant.
All eyes turned to Lucas in unison.
"I'll do my best."
Lucas sighed. Time was of the essence, and there could be no delay. After all, if the vehicle entered the storm's core, even Lucas himself would be powerless. Even as he spoke, Lucas could already clearly feel the rear of the car starting to sway, being pulled upwards by the suction.
Fortunately, the land-runner was four-wheel drive. If it were rear-wheel drive, they'd be done for.
"Let me borrow your body for a moment, Ceobe."
Lucas walked over to Ceobe, who was curled up in Jessica's arms, and directly took her hand, initiating a soul swap.
Here.
The strongest was Ceobe. In terms of Originium energy reserves alone, even Franka was far inferior to Ceobe. This was Ceobe's innate talent.
The vehicle jolted, and the girls in the cabin were already huddled together, the three of them protecting little Lisa in the middle to prevent her from losing her footing and getting hurt in the swaying vehicle.
Lucas sat right down on Magallan's lap, his back leaning against Miss Magallan's front, the posture the same as before.
"Lucas, do you have a plan?!!"
Magallan asked anxiously. She hoped the invincible Lucas could come up with a way out. A 100% fatal Originium Storm could probably only be escaped by a BUG-level existence like Lucas.
Through the rearview mirror, the storm was getting closer and closer to the car's rear.
Even the outer edges of the storm had already reached them. Originium particles accelerated beyond the speed of sound acted like sharp blades, striking the vehicle's armor. If it were an ordinary vehicle, the exterior armor would probably be dented and battered by now, but thanks to the Nirvana Metal, the vehicle was still relatively safe even as it gradually entered the storm's outer edge.
"I don't know either, I can only give it a try. Hold on tight, girls!!"
Lucas took over from Magallan and slammed his foot on the accelerator. Since he had modified this car himself, he knew its functions better than anyone. Flipping open a cover on the side, Lucas pressed the three switches beneath it.
The next second.
The consumption rate of the Originium fluid in the fuel tank seemed to increase by several levels. The Originium fluid in the modified large fuel tank visibly dropped. As the fluid flowed through the engine's pipes, the engine, pushed beyond its limits, roared like a giant beast.
Pale blue flames continuously spewed from the exhaust pipes, and the land-runner's speed increased by another notch.
Furthermore, on both sides of the vehicle, two thrusters extended out. Lucas pushed the thruster control next to the door from the bottom to the very top. Then, all four thruster ports simultaneously shot out scorching flames, and the kinetic energy they produced propelled the vehicle forward at an unparalleled speed.
Since it was daytime.
They could easily see obstacles, and their vision wasn't restricted, so they could push the speed to its maximum.
However...
Even so.
The vehicle's speed still couldn't outpace the storm. Instead, it got closer and closer. More than half of the vehicle was already engulfed by the storm. Had it been an ordinary land-runner, the rear section would probably be dented and gradually falling apart from the impacts by now.
But this land-runner modified by Lucas remained unscathed.
However.
The sound of countless Originium particles striking the armor was like the howling of ghosts in hell, utterly terrifying.
Since Lisa was only twelve, even though she was more mature than her peers, her psychological resilience couldn't compare to the three mercenaries.
Under the threat of death and the hellish sounds echoing inside the car, Lisa buried herself in Jessica's arms in fear, tucking her head deep into Jessica's chest. Her nine fluffy fox tails also curled into a ball, instinctively protecting her body, as if this was the only way to feel safe, while she continuously called out Lucas's name.
"It's no use!! Lucas!!!"
With the thrusters' boost.
The land-runner's speed was at its absolute maximum. Even with the speedometer needle maxed out like Magallan's blood pressure, they still couldn't escape the storm's erosion, only managing to slightly slow down the rate at which the storm was devouring the vehicle.
The Originium fluid in the tank was limited. Operating at such an overpowerd rate, not only would the fuel run out, but even the engine wouldn't last long. It would inevitably start smoking and break down.
Due to the extreme speed.
The powerful g-force pressed Magallan firmly into her seatback, as if she were riding a rocket.
"Of course I know that!!"
Lucas took a deep breath. Crimson patterns gradually appeared on his hands. Black patterns spread like viscous fluid onto the steering wheel, then visibly spread to the rest of the vehicle. This ability was identical to the one he used back in Bolívar.
Except, it was even stronger now.
[Noble Phantasm: Knight of Owner!!]
Granted Trait: Godspeed!
The vehicle turned entirely black, the 'unremarkable' vehicle transforming into a high-grade Noble Phantasm.
Faint black lightning was already flickering around the vehicle's body. What spewed from the exhaust pipes were no longer ordinary pale blue flames, but crimson fire, with flashes of lightning within.
Under Lucas's control, this car had transformed into a 'divine weapon'.
At this moment.
The vehicle's engine was humming nonstop, as if it were burning its life away for one last gamble.
BOOM!!
With a loud bang.
The power enveloping the vehicle seemed to be activated at that moment.
Instantly, a large cloud of black and crimson flames erupted, enveloping the vehicle. And at that moment, the land-runner burst forth with power far beyond its limits. The intense G-force this time made the four people in the back lose their footing. They all floated in the air, pressed against the very back of the vehicle, unable to move.
The powerful inertia also rendered Magallan completely immobile. Her body felt welded to the seat, every inch of her skin seeming to bear a crushing weight, making it hard to move.
"Ababababa!! Too... too... fafast! Fast!"
Magallan managed to say.
"Hmm?"
"What... are you trying to say!!!"
"Wabbababbo? Oof, can't, breathe, anymore!!"
"?"
Under the pressure, Magallan even had trouble speaking.
With such speed, the car was wreathed in flames. Even the wheels seemed to have evolved at this moment, also burning with fire, driving the entire vehicle forward at a speed the naked eye couldn't register.
"Ahhhh!!"
Lucas poured all his Originium power in.
In an instant.
The crimson flames covering the vehicle's surface erupted even more intensely, seemingly transforming into a fiery dragon pushing the entire vehicle forward.
BOOM!
A massive energy dragon seemed to coil around the front of the vehicle, tearing through the storm's outer barrier.
Magallan's eyes widened in disbelief.
They survived!!
They survived!!
They had actually overcome the Originium Storm in terms of speed. One had to know, this was a speed that even aircraft couldn't come close to matching.
Upon breaking out of the Originium Storm.
Magallan felt reborn, so excited she wanted to scream. The grass on her grave was safe for now; it seemed it wouldn't need to be planted just yet.
However.
Just as Magallan was about to cheer their victory over the Originium Storm.
The despairing scene still occurred.
They had thought they had escaped the pursuing Originium Storm behind them, but... somehow, another Originium Storm had formed up ahead.
A once-in-a-century twin storm.
And it was blocking their path. This meant that if Lucas stopped now, they would be devoured by the storm behind them. And if they continued to charge forward at high speed, they would be serving themselves up on a platter to the storm in front.
Magallan was utterly despondent.
Holy crap!!
After all these years of living on the edge, had she finally met her match today?
Lucas also sensed that things were not looking good.
"You take the gas, don't let up for a second!"
Lucas seemed to have thought of something. Having made up his mind, under the watchful eyes of the others, Lucas bizarrely chose to open the sunroof at the top of the vehicle.
"!!!"
The moment it opened, the terrifying storm winds rushed into the car through the sunroof.
"Lucas!!"
Jessica shouted, but Lucas didn't reply. Instead, he braved the powerful gale, climbed out of the cabin, and stood proudly on the car roof. Crimson patterns continuously extended from his feet. Knight of Owner didn't need to be controlled via the steering wheel; contact with the person was enough.
The car now seemed to have become a part of Lucas himself.
Lucas stood atop the vehicle, facing the fierce wind, as if on a surfboard.
Looking at the second Originium Storm not far ahead, Lucas took a deep breath and began to mobilize the energy within Ceobe's body and his own Spiritual Power.
[Thirteen Seals Released. Round Table Decision... Start.]
Around Ceobe, golden figures floated solemnly and respectfully. Accompanied by a solemn chant, more and more golden light particles appeared out of thin air. These particles converged in mid-air to form golden ribbons, which wrapped around Ceobe. At this moment, Lucas seemed to have transformed into a god.
He suddenly opened his eyes.
The gold in his pupils was incredibly dazzling.
As Lucas chanted.
Golden energy continuously gathered in his hand, coalescing into the shape of a knight's lance, with energy ribbons wrapped around it.
The terrifying holy power seemed to form a sacred domain, instantly clearing the surrounding wind pressure, as if everything had fallen silent.
Pierce through...
The storm!!
[Holy Lance]
[Anchor Lifted]
The gold in Lucas's eyes grew even more intense, and then...
He took a deep breath.
[The Lance that Shines to the End's End (Rhongomyniad)]
BOOM.
The massive golden lance instantly transformed into an energy blast, shooting towards the Originium Storm ahead. Its terrifying piercing power and holy force seemed unstoppable, even by the all-devouring Originium Storm.
Under the sweep of the Holy Lance.
A safe zone, devoid of the storm, was carved right through the center of the Originium Storm ahead.
Seizing the opportunity, Lucas injected his remaining power into the car. Instantly, the land-runner roared again, transforming into a crimson bolt of lightning. It charged into the storm at incredible speed, and at the last moment before the pierced area could fully repair itself, it successfully passed through the storm perfectly.