Lord of Annihilation

Seeing the Formician uninjured after such a lethal attack, the corner of Alex's mouth faintly twitched.

'I poured 20% of my power into that attack…and it's still alright?'

Squinting his eyes, he closely observed the other party. With his enhanced vision, Alex could see the golden patterns on the armor dimly glowing and radiating with energy. Surrounding the golden patterns was an invisible whirlpool of energy that faintly distorted the surrounding space.

'This…!' Alex was astonished. The distortion surrounding the armor looked very familiar. Pondering for a bit, Alex suddenly realized.

'That's it! I knew that the distortion looked familiar… it's actually compacting space!'

Compacting or folding space was a concept that every human belonging to the modern era knew about. It was an effect that occurred during the initial stages of warping.

Before the invention of hyperdrive, warping or warp travel was the commonly used method of transit in space. It had the effect of folding large distances of space, allowing the ship to travel a relatively short distance and save large amounts of time.

Warp travel required the use of warp cores, which were large, costly, cumbersome to maintain, and difficult to fuel. Not only that, but warp travel also had a fixed probability of failing, making it risky and unsafe.

The invention of hyperdrive enables ships to enter a sub-dimension and then travel through there, making the journey shorter, cheaper, and safer allowing it to replace warping.

However, this did not mean that the technology of warping was forgotten. Warp travel marked a very important milestone in Mankind's conquest of space. It occupied a special place in the hearts of every human, much like that of the 'internal combustion engine' or the 'internet'.

'The armor is folding the space surrounding this guy. I see… this makes the attacks waste energy, traveling through all these troublesome folds. By the time it reaches his 'actual' body, there is little to no power left from the initial attack.

Understanding the rationale behind the Runic Armor, Alex's eyes glowed with interest.

'How fascinating. How can such a compact suit of armor utilize technology like warping?' Interest and greed started to grow within Alex's eyes.

In fact, from the moment Alex had seen the other party he had been faintly feeling jealous. Not only did the opponent have a super cool-looking armor…now it also possessed such miraculous properties.

Clapping his hands, Alex decided: 'I want it. A little paint job and it will look even cooler!' 

'As for breaking through its defense and killing him…' joining his hands together, Alex slowly separated them.

Whitish-blue soul power gathered and condensed to form a straight pole-like shape. The pole then gradually increased in its size and girth. One end of the pole gathered an extra amount of soul power and formed a sharp tip.

Holding this spear-of-fire with both his hands, Alex gently chanted.

"Stage 2 spell [Flame Lance]!" drawing back his hands, Alex leaned in and threw the spear with all his might.

Containing a tyrannical amount of heat and energy, the spear shone with unmatchable brightness as it pierced through the darkness of space. It shone as bright as the sun, as it gradually grew in size and might.

The Formician Warrior who had tanked Alex's wave of fireballs had barely managed to recover from his stupor.

While the Runic Armor had chipped away most of the fireballs might, the remnant energy contained in the attack of a Mid-Level Stage 2 being at peak strength, was not something a Low-Level Stage 2 like him could face head-on.

The Formician's internals was in a tragic state with his soul power being tainted and burned by Alex's soul power. Having stood still, it had used the last 3-second pause to disperse the remains of Alex's soul power.

'This human! For injuring the Great Ba'lorks to such an extent, you will pay for this!!' It cursed within its mind and was planning to retreat.

Fight him head-on? 

Ba'lorks was brave, not suicidal. Facing a Mid-Level Stage 2 head-on with his strength was nothing short of offering his life for sacrifice. While his armor was strong, it depended on the strength of its use for maximum effectiveness. 

'I have to escape and gather with my kin.' Opening his eyes, he was about to retreat when a chill passed through his spine. 

Seeing that bright, shining spear fly towards him while containing awe-inspiring might his body froze in place. The thoughts that were being produced in his mind were constantly being incinerated by the spear's aura!

Shilck!

With its target fixed in place, unable to move, the [Fire Lance] easily clashed against the Runic Armor, breaking its defense and piercing into the Formician's head and exploding!

Waves of ferocious heat ran amok the Formician's body and burned through his body, turning it into ash. 

A low-level Stage 2 being, one that had slaughtered a squad of human mechs, was effortlessly killed by Alex's attack. This was the difference between technology and soul power.

'Finally, he's dead.' Seeing the suit of black armor float in space, a smile formed on Alex's face. Channeling soul power to his feet, he propelled himself forward and approached the armor.

Grasping it in his hands, Alex slowly inspected it. 

'It looks even cooler up close! A bit of red undertone and it will look fantastic!' Alex nodded his head satisfied. He noticed some cracks on the body of the armor but decided to pass it onto Reyna for repair and study.

To be able to fold space effortlessly, it was sure to be something amazing and of great importance.

'With that in the bag. All that's left is to prepare for the coming battle.' Alex looked up at the horizon.

A dense, multi-colored swarm of invaders were heading towards him, currently. At the rate of their approach, they would reach the battle-cruiser behind Alex in approximately 23 minutes.

Alex turned around and started to fly towards the battlecruiser. The coming battle was going too long and difficult.

'Mankind will not lose this time, for they have me!' Alex tightly clenched his fists and heroically concluded.

----------------

"What took you so long?!" the moment Alex entered the hanger, a furious voice reprimanded him.

His pupils immediately shrunk, before he mechanically turned his head towards the source of the voice. Wearing a smile to hide his anxiety he greeted.

"Haha, you've arrived too. I was just…" inwardly however, Alex was screaming: 'Why is she here! Isn't she supposed to be at the Middle-Rim!'

"You were just… what?" the voice continued to berate. 

Firm footsteps accompanied by a pair of long, straight legs entered Alex's vision. The pair of toned legs were attached to a slim, shapely body that was wearing the military Officer's uniform. Sporting a cold expression, Anya finally neared Alex.

"You were specifically instructed to 'report and REMAIN' inside the ship!" her tone was cold and incisive. However, hidden within her beautiful brown eyes, was an undisguised worry.

"Look Anya, I'm fine, aren't I? Those creatures could never hope to…" Alex opened his hands wide and explained.

However, he was interrupted by Anya, who hugged him tightly. Placing her head on Alex's chest, she softly spoke.

"Please adhere to your given instructions. You are strong, yes. But I don't want to see you injured."

Being hugged by Anya, Alex's mind was focused on a completely different matter. 'As soft as always. I can never get enough of this sensation.' Closing his eyes, he 'savored' this sensation.

Seeing Alex being unresponsive, Anya grew confused. Raising her head, she looked at the 'lewd' expression on the other's face. 

"You're having lewd thoughts, aren't you?" taking a deep breath, she 'gently' asked.

"My thoughts are a hundred times lewder than anything you can imagine." Alex 'honestly' replied.

Facing his answer, Anya simply sighed. Alex laughed at her response and leaned in, giving her a kiss.

"I haven't seen you in a month. Why are you here?" finishing the kiss, Alex asked.

"The frontline in the Middle-Rim was successfully constructed without any incident three days back. I was about to return to the HQ when I received news of the attack here and of you being sent."

Relishing the feeling, Anya replied with her eyes closed. A smile hung on her face.

"Of course, I can't leave my 'rash', 'dumb' boyfriend to fight all alone, so I requested to come here, arriving just a few minutes ago, when you were in patrol. Do you have any complaints, sir?" she teased him with an official tone.

"Not at all, Miss Mentor," Alex replied in kind, leaning his head in for another kiss.

"Cough, cough." It was then that he was interrupted by an awkward cough. Alex and Anya immediately separated and saluted towards the source of the interruption.

"Greeting the High Commander!" both of them simultaneously spoke. 

Facing their greeting was a white-haired old man, who was the very same person that had guided Alex during his visit to the World Council. 

The aged High Commander who was a supporter of the Hellwig family: "It's good to see the youngsters be unafraid and vibrant. However, please mind the place and time of such thing soldier." He chided the duo while having a bright smile on his face.

As a close friend and war comrade of the 'Supreme General' (Alex's father), the old Commander was more than happy to see Alex being in a relationship. 

However, feeling the hostile and jealous gazes sent towards the loving couple, by the dozens of soldiers present in the hanger, the old commander had to speak up to ease the tension.

Anya wore a serious face, while inwardly laughing. Alex on the other hand wore a scowl on his face and inwardly muttered: 'You're all just jealous at my luck and charisma.'

Just as the old commander was about to continue speaking, the light inside the hanger turned into a flashing red and loud blares started to sound off.

{WARNING! THREAT DETECTED IN VICINTY! PLEASE PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!}