NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19 - Kapu 2
Chapter 19 – Kapu 2
*Bang!*
Luther’s fist, launched like a missile, struck Kapu squarely in the chest.
“Gah!”
Kapu gasped, his ribs breaking from the impact, and was sent flying backward. Luther could accurately predict his next move.
How Kapu would recover his stance.
The attack he would launch as he charged.
As if he could see the future, Kapu’s movements were displayed before Luther’s eyes.
But that wasn’t all.
Simply predicting wasn’t enough to completely counter Kapu’s attacks, with his abnormal speed and strength.
So there was one more addition.
“[Added Kapu’s combat pattern to Karen and Max’s combat patterns.]”
“[Upgraded Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat from Lv1 to Lv2 based on Master’s accumulated combat patterns.]”
An improvement in the combat skill itself.
Of course, not everyone could react instantly like this.
As Integra explained during the previous fight with the Geists, the aptitude of the user was also important in utilizing combat programs.
And Luther possessed that aptitude.
“Graaa!”
Kapu, driven into a corner, roared like a beast and charged.
Although his momentum was impressive, it was just a simple attack with his right fist thrust forward.
‘So that’s how it is.’
Luther finally understood.
Kapu’s fighting skills were rudimentary.
The reason why his fighting style had seemed so impressive before was because Luther’s own skill level was even lower.
But not anymore.
With his improved skills, he could see through Kapu’s true nature.
‘He has no technique.’
Kapu fought like a wild animal.
Sharp instincts, reflexes, and superior physical abilities.
It was certainly impressive, but that also made it simple.
Only straight lines.
Predictable attacks.
It was the same this time.
He would charge forward and throw a right punch.
Several countermeasures instantly flashed through Luther’s mind.
Dodge to the side and strike his flank.
Grab his right arm and throw him using his own momentum.
Both would be effective.
But Luther chose neither.
The method he chose was much more primal and simple.
*Grab!*
Kapu’s fist was caught in Luther’s right hand.
It was a fist packed with monstrous strength, but it was completely sealed by Luther’s right hand.
How?
Bewilderment flashed in Kapu’s eyes.
And that bewilderment made Integra smile.
“[Taste the power of superior science.]”
“[Did you really think Master would be overpowered by the likes of you?]”
“[Although it’s only limited to the right arm for now.]”
The last part was muttered softly, but Luther heard it clearly.
He chuckled and twisted Kapu’s arm with his Nanosuit-clad right arm.
“Ugh?!”
Kapu’s upper body lurched forward, his balance broken.
Luther instantly released Kapu’s arm and punched him in the abdomen.
*Thud!*
With a heavy thud, Kapu’s body was lifted off the ground.
“[Master! Combo!]”
Luther agreed.
He stepped forward, struck Kapu’s side with his left fist, and then slammed his right fist into his head.
Kapu, hit by the three consecutive blows, tried to endure and counterattack, but Luther’s next move was already underway.
Luther’s palm rested on Kapu’s thigh.
*Pew pew pew!*
“Kyaa?!”
Kapu, his thigh hit repeatedly by energy projectiles, lost his balance and collapsed. And Luther’s knee slammed into his face.
*Crack!*
With the sound of shattering bones, Kapu’s upper body, starting with his head, was sent flying.
“Kuh… Gah!”
Several of Kapu’s teeth flew out along with a mouthful of blood.
It felt like his jaw had disappeared.
But Kapu suppressed the pain and sat up.
Just as Luther had predicted.
*Touch.*
Luther’s palm touched Kapu’s forehead.
It was so natural that it looked as if Kapu’s head was drawn to Luther’s palm.
This time, it wasn’t a strike.
Luther grabbed Kapu’s head and shouted,
“Integra!”
“[Pika pika!]”
Electricity surged from Luther’s palm, coursing through Kapu’s head.
Luther didn’t stop there and slammed Kapu’s head into the ground.
*Thump!*
The back of Kapu’s head cracked open, and blood splattered.
Kapu screamed and thrashed.
But Luther didn’t let go.
He pressed down even harder and unleashed the remaining energy projectiles.
*Pew pew pew pew pew!*
The energy projectiles, fired at point-blank range, shattered Kapu’s already broken forehead once more.
Red blood and white brain matter splattered, and bone fragments and flesh flew out.
But Kapu still wasn’t dead.
As a last resort, he grabbed Luther’s arm with both hands and twisted it with all his might.
The force was so strong that cracks appeared on the Nanosuit.
But Luther didn’t panic.
Instead of resisting Kapu’s monstrous strength, he conveyed the most effective solution to Integra, and as always, Integra fulfilled his wish.
“[Deactivating Nanosuit.]”
Luther slipped his arm out of the Nanosuit as if taking off armor and turned around, picking up the giant axe that lay nearby.
Kapu, realizing the situation too late, hurriedly threw off the Nanosuit and tried to stand up, but by then, Luther’s axe had already reached his head.
“[Boosters!]”
*Boom!*
The blade of the giant axe, descending like lightning, cleaved Kapu’s body in two.
His upper body, including his head, slid to the side, and his lower body, having lost its other half, collapsed, gushing blood.
“[Acquired a large amount of combat data.]”
“[Victory in battle!]”
Luther exhaled shortly in time with Integra’s gentle voice and looked towards Karen and Max.
They were also pushing back the Kateradon.
“[Master, how about delivering the final blow?]”
“[You can claim ownership of the magic stone.]”
Yes, this was the Integra from Star Savior, with her occasional pragmatic comments.
Luther smiled wryly and swung the giant axe at the back of the Kateradon’s head, which was completely focused on Karen and Max.
It wasn’t to claim the magic stone, but to end the battle as quickly as possible.
‘They would just give it to me if I asked anyway.’
Whether because they believed him to be an angel, or because he was their benefactor, Karen seemed more interested in gaining his favor than competing with him for profit.
“[Combat data acquired.]”
“[The red-feathered alien lifeform has ceased vital signs.]”
Luther looked at Karen and Max as he listened to Integra’s report.
Max seemed to have injured his arm slightly, but fortunately, Karen and Lilia appeared unharmed.
“Haa… haa…”
Karen, sweating profusely from overusing her telekinesis, collapsed on the spot, and Lilia, who had been crouching, stretched out and breathed a sigh of relief.
Max clutched his injured arm and said to Luther,
“Luther… sir, if the other bandits see that their leader has fallen, they will flee.”
“[A valid argument.]”
“[Moreover, it will make Master’s achievement known to everyone.]”
“Alright.”
Luther replied to both Max and Integra, took a breath, and swung his axe, severing Kapu’s head.
Although he felt considerable aversion to handling a human head, he surprisingly didn’t feel nauseous.
Perhaps it was because of the lingering excitement of the battle, or perhaps because it was the result of a life-or-death struggle.
Either way, it was a sign that he was becoming more accustomed to combat.
“[Master, it would be best to go to the main street.]”
“Okay.”
Luther replied curtly, picked up Kapu’s head, walked to the main street, and shouted with all his might,
“I have defeated Kapu! I have slain the leader of the bandits!”
Despite the chaos, Luther’s booming voice instantly spread throughout the village.
The adventurers and bandits fighting throughout the village flinched or turned to look at him, and the adventurers who recognized Kapu’s head shouted,
“Kapu is dead!”
“The leader of the bandits is dead!”
The bandits were already outnumbered by the adventurers and vigilantes.
Having relied on Kapu’s individual strength, they started to scatter the moment they witnessed his death.
“[The bandits are fleeing.]”
“[Master’s victory!]”
“[The adventurer who doubted Master’s strength at the market is staring at you with a dumbfounded expression.]”
“[It seems they have finally realized Master’s strength.]”
Luther smiled faintly at Integra’s cheerful and playful voice and sat down heavily on the ground.
“[You seem very tired.]”
“[But it was a splendid victory.]”
“[Awarding Master 2 shop points for a magnificent victory.]”
Luther, listening quietly to Integra’s excited chatter, suddenly asked,
“By the way, Integra.”
“[Yes, Master.]”
“What can I do with shop points?”
Did he get some kind of prize?
Integra didn’t answer immediately, paused for a moment, and then suddenly appeared before Luther’s eyes.
It was augmented reality using the HUD, as usual.
But unlike before, she appeared life-sized, crouched down to meet Luther’s eye level, smiled shyly, and said,
“[You can do something good.]”
“Something good?”
“[Yes, something very good.]”
“[But it’s a secret for now.]”
Integra stuck out her tongue playfully and looked at Luther, and Luther involuntarily blushed slightly.
“[Master’s heartbeat is accelerating.]”
“[Blood is rushing to your face.]”
“[What kind of fantasies did you have when I said ‘something good’?]”
“[How cute.]”
And then, a giggle.
Integra smiled alluringly, slowly stood up, lifted her short skirt slightly as if curtsying, and disappeared.
A few seconds later,
Luther, who had been staring blankly at Integra’s disappearing figure, muttered with a flushed face,
“She’s teasing me.”
“[Hee hee.]”
“[You enjoyed it.]”
As Integra chuckled mischievously again, Luther couldn’t help but laugh as well.
‘What in the world is going on?’
The Integra from Star Savior wasn’t like this.
Even though she was described as an AI with a gentle voice and a hyper-scientific sensibility, she was ultimately a machine, not a human.
You could tell she was a machine after talking to her for a while.
But the current Integra was completely different.
Not only did she make jokes, but she even teased him, her Master.
‘Is this also some kind of butterfly effect?’
The reason why Integra had changed like this.
‘Well, she’s cute, so I don’t mind.’
Honestly, Luther preferred the current Integra to the one from Star Savior.
There didn’t seem to be any problems with her functionality, so there was no need to make a fuss about it.
‘The problem is Kapu, rather.’
Luther looked at Kapu’s head, which he had placed on the ground.
Kapu, the Limb Ripper.
A named enemy that could be encountered randomly in the western and southern regions of the Holy Empire.
Originally, the bandit group he led would have grown much larger and contributed to the chaos in the west, but not anymore.
‘I’m starting to fear the butterfly effect.’
Still, he had eliminated a future threat early on, so it would be helpful in protecting the world in some way.
Since it was a problem with no clear answer, Luther put it aside and walked towards Karen and Max.
He was also suffering from accumulated damage, so it was impossible for him to pursue the fleeing bandits.
“[But Master.]”
“What is it, Integra?”
“[If you collect the magic stones from the alien lifeforms, it seems further development will be possible.]”
“[Which ability would you like to develop?]”
Energy Gun, Nanosuit, Drone.
All three were extremely useful.
But Luther’s deliberation wasn’t long.
He had already made up his mind, and today’s battle only strengthened his conviction.
“I’m thinking of developing this little guy first.”
He picked up the drone, which had been destroyed by a single slap from Kapu, and said. Integra immediately replied gently,
“[Understood.]”
“[I will prepare blueprints for various drones.]”
“Okay.”
The drone’s capabilities changed drastically depending on how it was developed.
Combat type, reconnaissance type, boarding type, and so on.
Luther lightly gripped the palm-sized drone and walked towards Karen and Max.
–CROW–