Chapter 36: Light of Protection!
Blood...
Sweat...
Tears...
And passion...
These were the emotions every soldier was meant to possess before stepping onto the battlefield.
They were meant to be loyal, and willing to risk their lives for their country despite any situation.
However, despite participating in three wars over the course of his life, two regular wars and one superhero war,
Sentinel never once felt like he had the heart of a soldier.
"At first, I joined the army because I wanted to escape the harshness of reality."
"Later, realising that the top levels of the world were all filled with filth, I awakened and wanted to change the world by myself."
"Yet realising that it wasn’t possible, I gave up my dreams and turned into an angry old man who only guarded his city."
"At that time I lived every day waking up and going to bed like a dead man."
"After all, a man with no dream is as good as dead."
Covered in cracks, Sentinel spoke out loud as he fought with the monster.
Boom!
Bang!
Boom!
With each blow they exchanged, shockwaves spread across the building, with a Sentinel unwilling to take even one step back.
Level 4 against level 5, a match that should have been impossible, however with just willpower alone, Sentinel made it happen.
"However! Days passed, and then I saw that kid Imperion!"
"With overwhelming power, he always rushed into battle after battle, liberating city after city from the hands of villains."
"Even leading us heroes of Elsiyum to end the war against heroes and villains!"
"Do you know how this old man felt!"
"Haha!"
Boom!
Laughing to the sky, he was suddenly thrown out by a bolt of lightning shot out from the monster’s hand as he crashed into the nearby wall.
However, just like the previous attacks, he once again stood up, unwilling to back down.
"In all my years as a soldier, I never once felt like I was truly protecting anything."
"When I first became a hero, I initially had hope, however it soon died."
"I once lost my dream, but now seeing this new era coming!"
"Seeing hope for this doomed society!"
"This old man once again has a dream!"
Standing up from the rubble, Sentinel remained smiling, however this time, the right hand he had used to block the blast was completely numb, and his vision was also not completely gone, obscured by blood and injuries.
Several of his ribs were broken and organs punctured.
Yet, he remained steady with each step.
"I have a dream, to wake and one day see no more exploitation by those in society."
"I have a dream to be able to watch children smile every day, without worries that they would be attacked by villains or worry about their future."
"I have a dream where people of the world are no longer blinded by greed and can pursue progress!"
Saying this, Sentinel’s aura began to rise, a scene that caused both Dr Lannister and the monster to pause.
"I-I-impossible! What the hell is going on!"
"You’re supposed to be dead!"
"Why can you still move!"
Roaring hysterically, Dr Lannister couldn’t understand why the man in front of him wouldn’t just die or at least give up.
From what he knew, most of the heroes of Elsiyum were only heroes on the outside who prioritized self-interest.
And this old man in front of him was just a grumpy stooge.
Yet what was this nonsense he was spouting about dreams?
Unfortunately, no one would answer his thoughts, as Sentinel, the person in question,
Triggered by his emotions, the god particle concentration in his body began to rise.
"And to achieve this dream, this old man is going to surpass his limit right here! Right now!"
"Now take this hit, both of you!"
Winding back his left arm which was still good, he suddenly felt a new ability be born in his body.
It seemed as long as he had something he wanted to protect, he could channel that will into his body to attack or defend.
Feeling this, he didn’t hesitate.
As he wound back, a blue-like aura began to wrap around his hand.
The atmosphere of the building began to change, as Dr Lannister sensed something was wrong.
"Fuck! Fuck, what is this, damn! Aberrant king, stop him!!"
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Channeling all his will into his left fist, Sentinel attacked.
"Protection! Smash!!!!"
Roaring at the top of his lungs, with that punch thrown he felt all the bones in his left arm shatter, so much so that he instantly collapsed to the ground under the pain.
Fortunately, the damage was already done.
Boom!
Following that punch, what happened next could no longer be described as level 4.
Rather, it seemed to have even entered the realm of level 5.
Under the power of Sentinel’s punch, the whole building, yes, the whole building, was directly disintegrated.
Not only that, but even about 5 kilometers behind it, all was reduced to a pit under that attack.
Fortunately, before launching the attack, Ethan had already ordered Nexus to clear out ten kilometers around the building, otherwise the consequences would have been serious.
And the audience, watching this happen, were all shocked. Was this still the Sentinel they knew?
That punch just now made them feel like it was Imperion rather than him.
"Cough" cough"
"Did I win? Haha, at this rate, not just Helios but I should be better than that Imperion kid too."
"Doesn’t that mean I’m now the number one hero?"
Feeling his life force slowly dissipate as he lay there on the cold bare ground, thinking that he had saved the city, Sentinel never once stopped smiling.
At this point, even if he died, he felt he was worth it.
At least that was what he thought until a familiar voice interrupted his thought.
"Hey, don’t go there writing me off so easily, I admit I was surprised, but that’s just it."
"Do you really think that’s enough to defeat my masterpiece?"
As the dust cleared, standing behind the Aberrant King, Dr Lannister suddenly appeared as he ruthlessly mocked Sentinel on the ground.
At this time, his lab coat was now covered in dirt and dust, his monkey mask was filled with cracks, and half of the Aberrant King was completely disintegrated by the blast.
However, in the shocked view of the world, its body began to regenerate.
"This is the end, Sentinel!"
"This is my win!"
"This is my perfect victory! Hahaha!"
"Greatness to the glorious evolution!"
Laughing happily, Dr Lannister couldn’t be any happier, this was the end. Today, he would defeat three of the strongest heroes in the world and make his mark in history.
Laughing without care, his heart was filled with joy.
Next, all he needed to do was kill the old man before him and find Imperion next.
Crack
Just as he was laughing, he didn’t notice the cracks on his monkey mask becoming more and more.
Until it couldn’t take it anymore.
Bang!
In full view of the world, the mask shattered, revealing an extremely old and decrepit face.
A face that left Sentinel, who was already dying, shocked that his heartbeat which was slowing down suddenly sped up.
"Impossible!"
"Junior brother! Why is it you!" he yelled.
Yes, behind the mask was none other than his own junior brother.