Honkai Beasts originated from Imaginary Space; they were pure Imaginary beings.
They were born with the ability to manipulate Honkai energy, treating it as sustenance. But when humans controlled this energy, the effects differed.
Energy focused into a single point, blade and intent merging into a single strike; self-sacrificing, delivering this decisive blow!
Mountain Cleaver!
The blade sliced through; the energy roared, shaking the air, deeply embedding itself into Adieto's shoulder, until it was blocked by intersecting blades.
Swish—Screech—
An arm flew into the air; energy crackled, extending downwards along the humming electric motors of the exoskeleton, slowly cutting into its chest.
Ryan stood on the Honkai Beast, vaguely seeing a dark, gem-like object within its chest.
The Honkai core. Without destroying it, even the most grievous wounds would heal. This was the greatest difference between High-Rank Honkai Beasts and lesser ones; only those with Honkai cores were named.
A little more… just a little more!
Ryan pressed down hard on Adieto's other two arms, inching his blade downwards. But his pupils constricted slightly.
The alloy rifle was melting, unable to withstand the Honkai energy. Adieto's other arm glowed crimson, seemingly forming another blade.
No time left.
Ryan was fully aware of this; he instantly made his decision. As his rifle began to melt, he raised his head.
BOOM!!
Headbutt. Ryan felt like he'd hit a rock; his alloy helmet dented, sending Adieto reeling backward; the descending blade grazed his right arm.
His right exoskeleton arm melted; his combat suit ripped; his skin was burned by the intense energy. But Ryan seemed to have lost feeling; he watched his rifle disintegrate, focusing his energy into his fists.
Inch-Fist. Landslide.
He only needed a conductor to condense energy—rifle, blade, or fist.
BOOM—Swish—
Bones trembled; muscles swelled; white energy exploded; black rock scattered. The five- or six-meter monster was thrown backward; a blade grazed Ryan's chest.
The world slowed in Ryan's eyes. His expression was devoid of ferocity; his grey eyes showed only focus, like when he was dissecting corpses with Mobius.
The trajectories of the five blades were clear; they aimed to dismember him from all sides. Yet he pressed forward.
"Get back here."
Bang!
A flash struck Adieto's back; it seemed someone gently pushed it; it lifted its head, seeing the human charging forward, passing through its blade net. He leaned forward, his elbows raised.
Rooted feet, like a charging tiger, all his strength focused in his elbows.
Extreme-force. Two-Electric Head.
BOOM!!
Like a drumbeat, the force of the blow cleared the dust from the bridge. Kevin, firing wildly, looked up, seeing a gigantic monster sent flying, crashing into the river, sending up a massive plume of water.
Then a figure followed, accelerating in mid-air, falling into the river like a meteor, creating another massive splash.
Is this guy even human?!
Ryan ignored Kevin's thoughts; he wouldn't give the Honkai Beast time to breathe. Like a tiger pouncing on a goat, he leaped into the water, his left foot pushing off, as if breaking through air, seeing three spinning blades pass by.
'Triple slash? But you need fifteen seconds to regroup.'
Ryan's brain worked like a computer, analyzing the data. The Honkai Beast was predictable and lacked cunning.
A whistling sound approached from behind; three 'circular saws' pursued, slashing relentlessly towards his back.
Ryan didn't need to turn to know what was coming; he didn't dodge but used this opportunity.
Faster. Surpass its perception with speed—
Bang!
His right foot hit the river's surface, sending up another column of water. In an instant, he lunged towards the dark shadow.
Adieto was raising its top two blades, looking down, seemingly unaware of how the human had suddenly accelerated, escaping into a blind spot.
With Honkai Beasts in front and circular saws behind, Ryan didn't hesitate. He pushed off Adieto, leaping upwards, twisting his body, bending his knees, surging forward like a frantic warhorse.
"Get up!"
BOOM!!
A knee strike to Adieto's jaw; its triangular head almost separated from its body; its massive form was sent flying.
It wasn't flesh and blood; it wouldn't be stunned like a human; it had even anticipated the trajectory of the blades.
"Why would I dodge?"
Ryan seemed to understand its thoughts. Grabbing an arm, he twisted his body, spinning the creature like a shot put.
"You're blocking for me."
Rumble…
Blades tore through solid objects. The three pursuing blades embedded themselves in Adieto's body, sparking as they sliced through its flesh. Ryan retreated.
Swish—
Two blades descended, leaving two circular cuts in the air. Then Adieto spun wildly.
"Lack of pain is helpful. Even severe injuries aren't a problem."
A crimson vortex appeared on the lake's surface; steam erupted; the bridge was severed. This violence prevented approach, but two blades couldn't cover all angles. Ryan crouched, counting silently.
Ten seconds.
He leaped onto the debris, watching the grinder shred the concrete, leaving deep gashes.
Five seconds.
Trees were severed; a large clearing appeared instantly.
One second.
Ryan's foot hit the ground; the Honkai Beast stopped spinning; three palms opened, energy spheres gathering in its hands.
"You're honest; not a second late."
The blade storm was imminent. In the final quiet moment before the storm, several energy beams struck like lightning.
Bang… bang… bang…
Black rock scattered; the energy was insufficient to tear Adieto apart, but it slammed it into the ground. Its triangular head lifted slightly, seeing the enemy charging.
Ryan's legs were wide; his body rose; his fists were hidden beneath his ribs. His right leg launched upwards; the ground dipped; his crimson fist shot towards the chest.
Twist, lean, punch.
Extreme-force. Earth-Shattering Cannon!!
BOOM—
A thunderous roar echoed through the forest; a blinding flash pierced the night; trees crashed; a powerful shockwave hit the soldiers' faces.
"What… what was that?"
Soldiers in the ruins looked up. In front of their defensive line lay dozens of Honkai Beast corpses. They'd fired, then engaged in close combat, but they knew they were just cannon fodder.
That Emperor-Class Honkai Beast meant death for everyone, except perhaps Kevin. No one believed Ryan could defeat it; their mission was containment, waiting for heavy ordnance.
"Ryan won!" Kevin's excited shout cut through the comms. "Everyone, push harder! Eliminate these Honkai Beasts!"
"Probably… he used the armed helicopters as bait to lure the monster…" Himiko twitched her eyes, about to send someone to check the situation.
BOOM!
A dark object slammed into the front line, smashing the last few Honkai Beasts into the ground. Himiko blinked, realizing it was half a corpse, resembling a dark gem. A man stood atop it.
His clothes were torn, revealing defined muscles and tanned skin. Remaining Honkai energy shimmered around his muscles; his handsome face was expressionless as he turned, meeting her gaze.
Then, in a flat tone, he asked:
"Now, ask your superiors. Have they seen my limits?"