My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon-Chapter 76: Strong

Elian took a deep breath to steady himself. He went through so much these past few weeks that he could hardly recognize himself. From a defect he was now a powerhouse fighting to become a tyrant.

He promised Bianca he would avenge her. That meant dismantling the upper echelons of humanity. He wasn’t worried about the damage to himself. He was afraid of bleeding at the wrong time—of dying before he could shield those he wanted to protect.

[Talent: Driven – activated. Elian Reed will never lose consciousness in the face of an enemy.]

"Heh, thanks."

At least until his second talent activated. If Adamant chained his emotions, Driven destroyed his hesitation.

This goes beyond humanity. I cannot fight in the Crucible if I cower to the humans. In order to be a Tyrant, I need to do what is necessary. And right now, that means dismantling those in power. And more eyes on me means less on Bianca.

Yes. Rather than let the Church know that Bianca had returned, he redirected their eyes toward something else.

If I’m going to announce myself, let’s make it in the flashiest way possible.

As Elian made his decision, Bianca’s affectionate whisper echoed in his mind.

"How bold. I like it. But do know this Elian, even if you make a mistake. You will not be alone. I will be right there beside you. Together we will make it work somehow, so go forth, my Tyrant. Wreck the world however you must—I’ll handle the rest."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Elian. I swear eternal devotion, and you go quiet on me? That’s just cruel." Bianca complained.

"Now you know how I felt."

"... Sorry it took so long," Bianca said sheepishly.

"You really going all out, huh?"

"O-Of course, didn’t I say as much? Prepare yourself!"

"You already own my everything though," Elian murmured.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"...Idiot."

"I already know you love me."

"Tch. Says who? Anyway, fight in peace, I will guard your back."

He couldn’t help but chuckle as he prepared for combat, "Thanks."

Elian tucked his head in and advanced towards the humans. He was going at formidable pace, but it was far slower than what his normal speed.

Let’s see what they come up with. I want to try Fluffy’s play.

Elian who saw how Fluffy terrorized the humans took notes. She let them finish their big move—then crushed their hope like wet paper. It was evil, malicious and immediately broke the spirit of the survivors.

The humans who saw him, all got up and began to panic.

"Bianca, how many?"

"There are twenty-two. Fifteen directly in front of you. Six to the left, who are cooking. One at the back who is relieving himself. All of them should be at Low Radiant rank."

"Got it. Here I go."

As Elian raced forward, the Crusaders all began to panic.

"What the hell is that? Is it friendly?"

"How did it get so close? What are the sentries doing?"

They then took out walkie talkies and began shouting orders. Meanwhile the more levelheaded quickly took out their weapons and prepared to intercept.

"Shield bearers! Form up. Put everything into cast Iron Clad in my command!"

"Ready! Squad leader."

"NOW! IRONCLAD!"

Mana surged at the row of defenders. Mana crystallized around them to create overlapping defensive constructs.

"Mages, prepare the counterattack. Once we stop that black knight, blast him!"

"But what if he breaks through!"

"This formation is enough to stop Dungeon Bosses, it will hold."

"Elian this seems unnecessarily cruel. Just kill them quickly. Do not try to copy Fluffy’s attempts of petty power plays," Bianca remarked in frustration.

Elian couldn’t help but chuckle at his Anchor’s comment and increased his speed.

"Here he comes!" a Crusader shouted.

But the moment they waited for never came. Through a column of seven people stacked their skills, it shattered like glass as Elian slammed into it. Bayonet skewered one human and helplessly dangled from Elian’s horn.

His heavy armor smashed along the other Shield bearers knocking them all out by dominoes. Compared to Elian’s body their shields might as well be made out of wood. His charge was so powerful, their bones snapped and shattered from just being in the way.

Weak. How will the humans even survive the Crucible at this rate?

He had braced himself for a clash. What he got was a stumble. Compared to the life and death battles between the monsters this was Elian’s most lackluster fight to date.

The realization didn’t thrill him. It unsettled him. A few months ago, just one of these men would’ve made him run. Now? He didn’t even need to try.

Feeling hollow, Elian raised his left hand. Sledgehammer’s three barrels spun to life—Living Metal rounds blasted holes into the Crusaders without any resistance.

None of their defenses were powerful enough to fend off Elian’s heavy bullets.

It was then that a group of six emerged and lined up wands in hand.

Only for a bright beam of energy to incinerate them all to burnt corpses.

"Really Bianca? I hardly did anything, and you even took that group? Isn’t the one taking crap the only one left?"

"Stop sulking. Do you know how impossible it is to snipe up six targets? Anyway, here comes the last one comes."

Elian felt drained and stomped towards the last human. It was a short man with a long beard.

Let’s just get this over with.

But then suddenly a wave of plasma passed by Elian’s face. The immense heat seemed to melt the very air. Confused what had just happened, Bianca’s words gave clarity.

"Elian watch out this person is fast."

"Huh?"

In the time it took to blink, a dagger appeared inches from one of Elian’s eyes. Unable to react fast enough he couldn’t evade. But rather than injure the tip just made a soft plink.

Elian then saw a figure trying to put distance. It was the same short, bearded man. Contrary to his appearance, he seemed far stronger than the others. For one Elian barely even saw him move.

"Why have you come here? Are you an enemy or ally of humanity? This is a dungeon protected by the Truthsong Church. If you stop, I will turn a blind eye to your disrespect."

I hope you have more bite than you bark.

"System, Scan."

___

Name: Arjun Sharma (M)

Talent: Rapid (A)

World: Earth

Species: Human

Class: Knight

Lvl: 67 | (Mid Dusk)

HP: 124,862/124,862 | MP: 75,000/80,000

Strength: C | Intelligence: C | Agility: A

Job: Thief (C) | Assassin (A) | Sonic Duelist (S)

___

Elian felt his blood boil. This was perhaps the most powerful human he had seen to date. Him having three jobs, on top of being a Knight meant that he should have some clout. His vision began to narrow taking in everything about this old man.

He smiled.

"Breaker. Are you strong?"

Arjun slowly changed stances. His body tensed. Sweat poured down as he locked eyes on Elian.

When the Arjun didn’t reply, Elian growled his question once more, "Breaker. I will ask again are you strong?"

"I am," he replied curtly.

"I see." Elian raised his right arm and made the turbines of Pile Driver begin to spin. "If I killed you, would the church consider me a threat? Or just a nuisance?"

"W-What?"

"I am asking if your corpse holds enough value to serve as a greeting card?"

"... Why are you after the Church? Were you sent by Bloodright or the Ascendancy?" he shouted.

Without another word, Elian detonated Cinderglass for his thrusters. The loud boom took the old man by surprise. Driving his right arm forward, Elian tried to stab Arjun in the face. Yet his opponent’s impressive agility allowed him to evade.

He’s a veteran fighter, but his hits have no power behind them.

The Dusk Tiered Breaker then sent a kick toward Elian’s side. But only a dull thud echoed. Annoyed that he missed, Elian leaned into his shoulder and tried to slam his body onto his opponent.

But he dropped down low and sent a blade toward Elian’s face. It bounced off with a sharp clink. Like a madman Elian threw his left arm for a straight punch. To which his opponent once again evaded with minute precise movements.

Elian leaked Living Metal on the floor like oil. He raised Sledgehammer to fire at the same time. Evading the projectiles Arjun concentrated on not getting hit. He backflipped to gain distance, indirectly touching the Living Metal on the floor.

This is Dusk tier? He fell for such an obvious trap.

Within a single breath, the Living Metal turned to spikes and skewered the Breaker’s hands. Elian capitalized on the split-second lapse. Black chains surged out of the Living Metal puddles and shackled his opponent’s limbs.

"Ack! W-What?"

"If this is what strong is, humanity is doomed."

Elian clutched Arjun’s head in one hand and yanked it upward until their eyes met.

"To the Church, the Ascendancy, and the Bloodright—your time is up. For what you did fifty years ago, I’m coming to end you. Bring your absolute best. It won’t make a difference." Elian said coldly.

"WAIT!"

Elian thrust Pile Driver forward. The blast turned the Dusk tiered Breaker into molten shrapnel—blood, bone, and pride erased in one pull of the trigger.