Gun of Ashes

Heavy and stable, like the guardians of the mountains, the nimble Black Angel finds it difficult to hit the fragile parts, while a casual strike from the Sword Dancer, once it connects, could completely defeat the Black Angel.

The two sides approach slowly. The Sword Dancer does not wish to drag on for too long, so he retrieves the last piece of armored musket and grips it tightly in his hand. This time, he does not attack first but waits for the Black Angel to make a move.

Time passes second by second, and the distance between them continues to close. It is only now that the Black Angel slowly raises his head, staring directly at this steel creation.

”Who do you think has a better chance of winning between the two?”

Someone walks over from behind, and Nikola looks at the beasts below, asking curiously.

”The side of technology.”

Merlin replies in this manner.

”Are you, as an Alchemist, so worshipful of technology?”

There is some confusion on Nikola’s sickly face. These questions have lingered in his mind for a long time, but he has never gotten a precise answer.

Although Merlin always says Alchemy is dead, those unknown forces remain so powerful and fascinating. Nikola once had thoughts about it too, but Merlin never disclosed anything to him, as if, as he says himself, he intends to take this last Alchemy to the grave.

”No, it’s precisely because I understand Alchemy too well that I can clearly recognize its disadvantages.”

Merlin explains like this.

”The progress of a few has no effect on changing the world. Only the advancement of an entire group can leave a mark on the world.”

He stares at the Sword Dancer, saying that this is the crystallization of technology. Although it still uses some Demon flesh, at least this speckled crystal is the new node they can achieve.

”Alchemy has existed for a long time, but it cannot be applied on a large scale. Even if it is so strange, it only circulates in myths. But technology is different. Look at the steam engine. It has only been around for such a short time. In the history of the world, it’s just a fleeting moment, yet this moment has changed the entire world.”

Nikola also looks towards the workshop below. As the Sword Dancer approaches, the Black Angel launches a new round of attacks. It dances around the Sword Dancer like a martial artist, with continuous sparks bursting from the chaotic Iron Feathers, compelling and fierce, yet in reality causing little damage.

The Sword Dancer perfectly uses its heavy armor to withstand wave after wave of attacks.

”But... is there such a possibility?”

Nikola says curiously.

”I’m studying electricity; you’re well aware of this. But initially, this was not favored by people. Those people thought that only making bigger and grander steam engines was the direction the world should take next... only you supported me.”

”Honestly, over time, I realized you might not just have agreed with my idea back then, but you knew it was right, just like Alchemy being replaced by steam engines, and steam engines being eventually replaced by electricity.”

Merlin remains silent. This seemingly young man has too many secrets in his brain.

”Could it be possible that Demons are the same?”

Nikola whispers. At this moment, Merlin’s gaze finally shows some relaxation. He slowly moves his eyes, but Nikola doesn’t notice him at all, instead placing his gaze on the gracefully dancing Black Angel.

”You have continuously been turning those unknown forces into known ones, making them usable to humans. So are Demons like that too? We use the properties of their flesh and turn it into a type of material.

Is there a day when we completely understand Demons, understand everything about them, and by then this unknown power will just become a type of technology.”

Nikola’s eyes suddenly light up as he speaks, as if he has discovered some kind of secret.

”A technology so advanced that when we first encountered it, we didn’t understand its nature at all, and could only describe its existence in simple, foolish myths.”

Just like the thunder revered by mortals, high above, it has long since been held in people’s hands.

Nikola remains fixated on the duel below. He is not aware of what he is saying, like a person whimsically musing strange conclusions. Yet, such conclusions make Merlin glance aside slightly. Just as he is about to speak, a violent clash of steel interrupts his thoughts.

The battle below has reached a fever pitch, and the high-speed attacks make even the Black Angel feel a bit fatigued. The Steel Body will be limited by fuel, and the flesh-and-blood body will also feel tired. Its offensive slows down, giving the Sword Dancer an opportunity to find a counterattack.

The Sword Dancer suddenly swings up the sword blade, which has been used as a shield to block multiple fierce attacks from the Black Angel. But this time, as he swings the sword to attack, those covered areas are exposed, providing a chance for the Black Angel to attack.

Just as there is a gap in performance, the Sword Dancer’s attack misses. The Black Angel swiftly dodges the sword strike and strikes fiercely at the uncovered spot, exactly falling into the Night Owl’s scheme.

This is a feint. The Third Generation Armor has very little flesh-and-blood content. Even after running for so long, enhanced by the Florun Potion, the Night Owl’s consciousness remains absolutely rational. In contrast, Lorenzo in the Black Angel is different. As the Night Owl speculates, no matter how resistant the Demon Hunter is, after running for so long, he will inevitably be affected to some extent.