Chapter 304: It’s Starting to Get Serious

"Specters...this is Specter-1, how are you doing up there?"

"We are busy boss—" responded one of the Blackwatch forces. Graves could hear through his comms the sound of intense gunfire and explosions echoing in the background.

"Boss, we’ve got our hands full with these associates," another voice chimed in, filled with the strain of combat.

"We’re not holding up too well down here either," Graves muttered under his breath, his attention still locked on the looming threat of Lin Feng. "But we’ll manage. Just keep those associates off our backs as long as you can."

"This is Specter-4, available for assist," came a new voice over the comms, providing a glimmer of hope.

"Specter-4, can you go to my current position? I’m going to need help on taking down Lin Feng."

"Solid copy, Specter-1, coming in hot," replied Specter-4.

As Graves continued to engage Lin Feng in battle, he activated the diagnostics interface on his Titan’s Guard Mark II suit. The holographic display appeared before his eyes, showing an extensive list of data and status indicators.

Diagnostics Report - Titan’s Guard Mark II

System Integrity: 67%

Power Distribution: Optimal

Armor Integrity:

Left Arm Plating: 76%

Right Arm Plating: 68%

Chest Plate: 82%

Leg Armor: 93%

Helmet Integrity: 95%

Weapon Systems:

Plasma Cannon: Online

Plasma Blade: Online

Targeting Systems: Optimal

Ammo Reserves: 42%

Auxiliary Systems:

Life Support: Functional

Communications Array: Optimal

Mobility Systems: Optimal

Energy Core: Stable

Error Logs: 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Minor damage detected in the right arm plating. Recommend immediate repair post-battle.

Energy core fluctuations detected, but within acceptable parameters.

Communication array received minor interference, affecting long-range transmission.

Graves couldn’t afford to be distracted by the damage, but he knew that some repairs would be necessary once they dealt with Lin Feng and his associates. The Titan’s Guard Mark II had served him well in this battle, but it was showing signs of wear and tear.

"What’s the matter? Are you going to stand there?" Lin Feng taunted.

Graves extended his arms forward and fired a plasma cannon that was simply swatted away by Lin Feng’s bladed arm.

"Have no more tricks up your sleeves?" Lin Feng taunted as he began to menacingly walk forward. He was not rushing anymore, as if believing that he’ll win this fight.

Just then, Specter-4 swooped in from above, firing a volley of miniature missiles from the suit’s shoulder-mounted launchers. The projectiles homed in on Lin Feng, exploding upon impact and creating a series of fiery explosions around him. Dark energy emanated from Lin Feng’s body as he grunted in pain from the concussive blasts.

Graves watched as Specter-4 landed next to him. "Right on time. How’s your suit?"

Specter-4 quickly ran a systems check. "It’s still optimal, sir. It can take a beating from Lin Feng. You... looked rough, sir," Specter-4 remarked with concern.

Graves nodded, acknowledging the damage to his own Titan’s Guard Mark II suit. "We’ll have to make do. Lin Feng won’t go down without a fight."

Lin Feng, recovering from the missile barrage, seemed to regain his composure. His monstrous form radiated dark energy as he grinned menacingly at the two defenders.

Without wasting a moment, Lin Feng lunged at Graves and Specter-4, his bladed arm slashing through the air. Graves and Specter-4 split apart, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. The force of the attack created a shockwave that sent debris flying in all directions.

Graves and Specter-4 fired their plasma cannons simultaneously from two different directions, creating a crossfire that forced Lin Feng to defend himself from multiple angles. The searing plasma beams struck Lin Feng’s monstrous form, causing him to roar in pain.

Despite the relentless assault, Lin Feng continued to press forward, his bladed arm deflecting some of the plasma blasts while others seared into his flesh. He showed no signs of slowing down, his determination unwavering.

"This is getting pointless," Graves gritted his teeth. If only there was a way for them to know if their attack was damaging him or not, but there was none.

Lin Feng jumped forward, his eyes locked on Specter-4. With lightning speed, he managed to catch Specter-4 within his grasp, his monstrous hand closing around the Blackwatch force’s suit. Specter-4 struggled to break free, but Lin Feng’s grip was like a vice.

Desperation in his voice, Specter-4 yelled through the comms, "Specter-1, I’m in trouble here!"

Graves could see the dire situation his comrade was in. He needed to act quickly. He aimed his plasma cannon at Lin Feng, but before he could fire, Lin Feng’s monstrous arm shifted, placing Specter-4 between them, effectively using the Blackwatch force as a shield.

Specter-4 continued to struggle within Lin Feng’s grasp, his plasma blade extended and attempting to cut through the monstrous arm that held him. But it proved futile as the flesh seemed to reinforce itself upon contact with the blade, preventing any significant damage.

Graves knew he had to find a way to break Lin Feng’s hold on Specter-4. He quickly assessed the situation, trying to spot any weaknesses or vulnerabilities in Lin Feng’s monstrous form.

"Argh..." Lin Feng began to tighten his grip on Specter-4 causing him to gasp for air.

Graves couldn’t let his comrade be crushed by the relentless grip of Lin Feng. He fired another plasma shot at Lin Feng, aiming for the same damaged area on his chest plate.

But at this point, Lin Feng is not minding the damage to his chest plate. The searing plasma shot struck Lin Feng, causing him to grunt in pain, but his focus remained on crushing Specter-4 within his grasp.

Specter-4’s struggles grew weaker as the monstrous grip tightened further. He gasped for air, his vision starting to blur. Graves knew that time was running out. Desperation fueled his actions.

Graves swooped in, determined to cut through Lin Feng’s monstrous arm and free Specter-4. He activated his suit’s plasma blade, the searing energy blade humming to life. With all his strength, he brought the blade down on Lin Feng’s arm.

The plasma blade made contact with Lin Feng’s flesh, but to Graves’ shock, it barely made a scratch. Lin Feng’s blood, solidified on contact with the plasma, acted as a near-impenetrable armor. The blade couldn’t cut through.

Specter-4’s struggles grew weaker as his suit’s systems began to fail. His last words came through the comms in a strained whisper, "Specter-1... help..."

Graves aimed the cannon at Lin Feng’s head, making one last ditch effort but Lin Feng’s eyes glowed brightly red, and a beam similar to earlier was shot out from his eyes, pushing Graves backward with a powerful force. The searing energy beam narrowly missed him but left his suit’s systems heavily damaged. Graves struggled to regain control as alarms blared in his helmet.

Lin Feng, still holding Specter-4 in his grasp, lifted his monstrous arm, preparing to strike the final blow. Graves reached out his hands to his comrade, but it was too late, Lin Feng pierced Specter-4’s chest with his bladed arm, ending his life. Specter-4’s suit went limp, and his lifeless body hung in Lin Feng’s grasp.

"Hmm...this is odd, this is not the usual reaction when you see your comrade die before your eyes. Well...it must be a summon," Lin Feng commented, as he threw Specter-4’s corpse to the ground. "Let’s see. I need to inflict emotional damage on you or on your boss. Let me ask you this...Graves...did your boss consider you as a friend not a summon?"