Asura in Arknights

“5714C… less than half the standard value, there is still a problem.”

After glancing at the radiation intensity readings provided by the protective suit, Provence, already on duty, quickly decided on their next target.

"Clear a passage first."

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Special Spells

Now that they had entered the contaminated area, Provence naturally took over command of the team.

One of the most important tasks of their advance team is to clear a path for the teams that follow, which is usually not a problem for experienced Rhodes Island operators.

However, this time, they were facing the most challenging of all types of contaminated areas.

"Alright! Huang, come over and give me a hand." ACE called Huang over to help.

The tall Ms. Felin agreed and followed ACE, nimbly jumping into the carriage.

A short while later, the two of them worked together to lift a box about half a person's height out of the carriage.

Aside from scholars who specialize in this field or disaster messengers who have personally experienced multiple natural disasters, few people would know that the contaminated areas left by different types of natural disasters are completely different, because these natural disasters bring different sources of radiation.

For example, the last storm that hit the Great Knights' Territory, while the polluted rainwater wasn't very destructive, was incredibly pervasive. Any room that wasn't completely sealed would be infiltrated by the rainwater.

What happens next is the important part.

As the natural disaster subsided and temperatures gradually warmed up, the accumulated rainwater began to evaporate.

Some of the Originium contamination returns to the atmosphere as rainwater evaporates, becoming part of the natural cycle again, accumulating and brewing for the next natural disaster, while much more contamination remains.

Just like the scale that forms when water quality is poor, these Originium particles, which are difficult to see with the naked eye, spontaneously gather and condense into a thin, radioactive 'crystal film' on the surface of everything.

This crystalline film is extremely thin and completely transparent, making it almost indistinguishable from the outside, much like a layer of wax applied to an existing object.

The effect of this crystalline film is similar to that of waxing; it is incredibly smooth and also has good hardness. To move freely on this thing, you must wear special spiked boots.

This crystalline film is extremely difficult to remove using conventional methods; any expert would shake their head in disbelief. While it could be dissolved with a special solvent if one truly wanted to clean it, the cost would be enough to cause any wealthy person's heart to stop.

Fortunately, they were only looking for something this time, so they didn't need to remove the pollution.

Therefore, Rhodes Island's approach was quite crude. Ace and Blaze took out several parts from the box and assembled them into a machine that resembled a push lawnmower.

ACE stuffed several standard-sized Originium into the machine, and with the roar of the engine, Huang pushed the machine forward.

Amidst the piercing noise, countless glittering fragments littered the ground as the machine passed. The machine not only damaged the crystalline film, but also left a neat trail of scratches on the floor.

This can only be done on the ground... In some complex terrains, other methods are still needed.

Seeing that the machine was working properly, Provence turned his gaze away with satisfaction.

She thought for a moment, then asked, "Knight, what type of Originium Arts do you possess? What is the furthest distance you can probe?"

Li Ang was stunned for a moment before realizing that Provence was talking to him.

"I cannot disclose the type of Originium Arts, but I can tell you the specific effects."

Provence didn't care. It's common for people to keep their Originium Arts secret. Anyway, she only needed to know the scope of her abilities.

Recalling the effects of reconnaissance spells used by ordinary people, Li Ang cautiously said, "The environment in the contaminated area has a great impact on my Originium Arts. Even in open areas, my observation range is only about 500 meters. If I enter a more complex environment, the range may be further reduced."

"500 meters...that's already too big."

Provence was quite satisfied; no wonder Dr. Kelsey had specially chosen him.

They are currently in a heavily polluted area with extremely severe interference; such a reconnaissance range would be considered elite even by military standards.

"So what can you detect? Terrain? Life? Can you penetrate obstacles?" Provence continued to press.

"...Similar to ultrasound imaging, it can only detect the shape of an object. I have to determine what it is. It has a certain penetrating power, but it is not very effective against crystal films. However, it can distinguish between living organisms and flying life forms."

This time, Li Ang didn't hold back and simply described the effects he perceived.

Some Originium Arts can be combined to achieve similar effects, but few individual spells can be as comprehensive as Li Ang's perception. What Li Ang considers a weakness is not really a weakness, because almost no one can achieve his level.

After learning about Li Ang's abilities, Provence began to greet the Ubika sisters who were standing nearby.

"Elena, I remember that you and your sister both mastered the same Originium Arts?"

"...That's right, we are learning astrological magic passed down in our family."

When discussing their family heritage, the two sisters both wore complex expressions, but because they were both wearing protective suits, the two people next to them did not notice their subtle feelings at that moment.

This feeling lasted only a short time. Before anyone else could notice, Astesia explained, "Although it's the same Originium Arts, Ginny and I have different focuses. Simply put, I'm better at close-quarters combat, and my sister... well, let's just say she's a caster with no combat experience."

This is not far from what Provence herself had guessed. Apart from both of them carrying a small celestial globe, their inclinations can be judged from the weapons they wield.

However, it was another detail that caught Provence's attention.

“…Ginny?”

"It's Elena."

Seeing that Xingji seemed unwilling to explain further, Provence wisely refrained from pressing the matter further.

In any case, it's most likely their family's messy affairs. The older the family, the more complicated and messy the rules are. Provence has no interest in meddling in other people's family matters.

“Then, Star and Knight, please walk in the middle of the group. Elena, follow your sister. Dr. Warfarin and I will bring up the rear... Is that alright, Dr. Warfarin?”

“Of course, no problem,” Warfarin replied nonchalantly.

Although warfarin is positioned as a healer, it should theoretically be a protected entity.

But she is actually the strongest person in the team besides Li Ang. The title of Blood Demon Prince is well-deserved. If they really encounter danger, it is hard to say who will protect whom.

"Knight, please be sure to pay attention to our surroundings, and remember to communicate with Elena at all times, so as not to miss our mission objective."

As he spoke, Provence looked toward the last star.

"Starry Sky, your only task is to protect the two people beside you."

“I am ready,” Xingji replied with utmost solemnity.

Having Xingji protect him? This arrangement made Li Ang feel a little embarrassed.

“Well… I think I can protect myself. Miss Xingji only needs to protect her sister,” Li Ang said.

"Don't be so chauvinistic."

Perhaps sensing what Li Ang was thinking, Provence walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Your task is the most demanding in the team. If you can do all the work by yourself, then what are we needed for?"

"Don't worry, just in case, we shouldn't encounter any enemies."

Although they did not believe that the operation would encounter any threats outside of the environment, Provence still made this most conservative arrangement.

As for those two elite operators? They didn't need Provence to assign them any tasks; they understood their jobs perfectly well.

If there really is an enemy, only after breaking through two elite operators from the front will it be time to return to the point where Astro Blade needs to take action.

"Alright then," Li Ang sighed.

Since Provence has already said that, what else can he say?

"Then it's up to you, Miss Star."

Xingji nodded slightly.

"Gi... Elena, stay close behind me from now on and don't wander off anywhere."

"Sister!" Elena called out somewhat displeased.

However, Xingji, who knew her younger sister's temper well, completely ignored her complaints.

Seeing that Xingji ignored her, Elena could only look at Provence and asked with a hint of curiosity, "Why did you arrange it this way? Do you think there's any danger?"

"That's right, I'm on guard against the kind of mutated creature you mentioned."

"..." Xingji couldn't help but twitch his lips.

She thought Provence was mocking her wild ideas again, but she didn't expect that Provence was serious.

Although the chances are extremely slim, Elena's guess cannot be completely ruled out.

Moreover, even without mutated creatures, it can protect against infected creatures that use this place as a nesting site.

"Unfortunately, the Candle Knight still hasn't come."

"Dr. Warfarin, we still haven't received a reply from her?" Provence said regretfully.

"No, the interference here is too severe. Ordinary communication methods are useless." Warfarin spread her hands, feigning helplessness.

As she spoke, she turned on the transmitter she carried with her, and only a noisy electrical sound came out.

They are now close to the very center of the catastrophe. Even though the Originium contamination here has diminished considerably, it is still beyond the capabilities of ordinary machines.

In such places, neither conventional nor unconventional communication equipment can be used, and even most electronic devices cannot be used without special treatment.

"Then what do we do? Keep waiting?" Provence asked.

This mission can only continue with all three parties present at the same time. But if the representative from Pol Pharmaceuticals doesn't come, are they just going to stand there doing nothing?

ACE and Huang acted quickly; the road they cleared was almost at the main entrance of the urban plot.

"We don't need to wait for her. We can just turn on our personal cameras and record the whole thing."

Warfarin waved her hand dismissively, "Don't worry, Kal'tsit has a good relationship with their chairman, he won't cause trouble over something so trivial."

How could the relationship not be good? The chairman himself is standing right in front of you right now.

Moreover, Warfarin knew that the Candle Knight was currently in these ruins, and she didn't know what the situation was like on her side.

If the occasion weren't so inappropriate, she would have grabbed Li Ang and demanded an explanation, asking him what exactly he was up to.

"……OK then."

Seeing Warfarin's confident assurances, Provence believed her.

Glancing at Elena, who was sulking, and seeing that the other side's representative for this mission had not objected, she said, "Everyone, turn on your cameras. We're ready to go."

Upon hearing what Provence said, the serious and earnest Miss Star took action.

The celestial globe in her hand lit up with a bright but not dazzling soft light, and a strange power wrapped around Li Ang and Elena. This seemed to be a unique defensive spell.

The next moment, several shining points of light appeared around Li Ang and Elena, rotating around their bodies along fixed orbits.

It's like a few small satellites.

Although it is essentially Originium Arts, Li Ang's perception tells him that this Originium Arts is quite special.

Well... this doesn't seem to be an Originium Arts technique released by Astro Star himself. The 'fluctuation' of the spell is different from the 'fluctuation' of Astro Star himself. Li Ang has never encountered this situation before.

Strictly speaking, this is an Originium Arts technique performed by a special being using Astrologer herself as a medium, and ultimately 'borrowed' by Astrologer. However, judging from Astrologer's own performance, she is still completely unaware of this situation.

If the older sister is like this, what about the younger sister who also possesses the same family's Originium Arts? Is she in the same situation?

An astrologer... astrology? Interesting.

Li Ang suddenly became somewhat interested in this otherwise tedious journey.

It wasn't just because of Viviana's unusual actions, but also because of the unique Originium Arts possessed by the Ubika sisters.

No, we must find an opportunity to let Elena use her Originium Arts as well.

Countless thoughts flashed through Li Ang's mind, but on the surface, Li Ang did not show any abnormality. Instead, he said, "Miss Xingji, there is no need to waste your energy now. If we encounter any danger, I will notify everyone in advance."

“It’s alright.” Xingji shook his head. “Once the constellation guardian is released, it can last for a long time without my maintenance, provided it is not destroyed.”

Elena, standing to the side, hummed twice and muttered something like, "That's my sister's special skill."

Judging from how effortlessly Xingji uses it, this ability is indeed powerful. The only drawback... is probably that it's not suitable for use at night.

After all, the light from this spell was a bit too bright.

At that moment, ACE's shouts came from ahead.

"Provence! Come here right now! There's something going on at the gate."

Chapter Sixty: The Strange Plot 21

"what's the situation?"

Because ACE's voice was calm, Provence judged that this was not an emergency, but rather as if he had discovered some useful clue.

She walked to the front of the group and, with her excellent eyesight as an archer, immediately spotted the obvious marks on the gate of the urban area.

"The gate was damaged? By someone?"

The unique marks left by the re-solidification of the melted metal didn't look like damage caused by a natural disaster at all.

Is it really possible that someone actually comes to this godforsaken place?