Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

SSS Rank ability?

Atlas smirked when he heard that bold claim. Of course, someone with an ability ranked that high would not normally reveal it so easily. Still, it was perfectly in character for Bolin to do so. The man was simply that confident in his power and strength.

On the opposite side, Bolin flew backward, creating some distance. He raised both of his hands and made a sharp motion. In response, countless massive magic circles formed across the sky. Those circles began to spin rapidly, and moments later, explosion after explosion rang out as enormous shapes started to emerge.

Dragon heads.

A deafening roar tore through the heavens as dozens of dragons appeared. Azure dragons, with massive heads and pairs of branching horns, burst forth from the magic circles.

Those ethereal dragons twisted and coiled through the sky, merging seamlessly with Bolin’s flying army, hundreds of troops spreading out across the airspace in front of Atlas.

From below, from the position where Atlas’s forces stood far in the distance, the scene was overwhelming.

Atlas hovered alone at great height, standing atop the semi transparent magnetic platform. Alone.

Before him were hundreds, perhaps close to a thousand enemies, all ready to crush him at once.

Anyone who witnessed this sight would struggle to measure the resolve, strength, and sheer courage it took for him to stand there without retreating.

And instead of breaking morale, the sight only ignited the fighting spirit of those watching from below.

Today, they were ready to give everything they had.

"An ability that steals the abilities of those he defeats," Atlas murmured quietly.

With a sharp gaze, he stared at Bolin, who floated not far from him.

The analysis and suspicions shared by Atlas and his elite subordinates seemed to be correct. Bolin could take the system abilities of any lord he defeated, or more precisely, any lord he killed.

How many system abilities did he possess now? No one knew. But judging by how carefully and strategically he used his powers, there had to be limits.

"Look at how vast my authority is, Atlas!" Bolin roared loudly across the sky.

Atlas stared ahead with a sharp, icy gaze. At the same moment, something strange emerged from his left eye. It moved fast, like black fabric twisting wildly through the air. That shadow cloth swept around and settled behind him, forming a robe that fluttered and snapped in the wind.

At the same time, a surge of blue light and rushing water burst outward. A spirit beast appeared not far from Atlas. Zefyros roared loudly, lightning exploding around its form.

The Arclume Drakeling then shot forward and spun around Atlas. Its body gradually turned into pure energy, wrapping itself around the armor Atlas was wearing. When it finished, his armor had changed, now layered in deep ocean blue with sharp, fin like edges glowing in gold.

A full helmet closed over Atlas’s head.

But it did not stop there.

Wild red and black energy surged next, wrapping tightly around his body and adding another layer to his armor. From his forehead, a pair of crimson energy horns emerged.

The Demonic Reaper had now been activated.

Atlas raised his right hand to the side, and the Legendary Wavebreaker Spear appeared instantly, accompanied by bursts of golden lightning crackling around it.

And still, it continued.

One by one, weapons began to appear behind Atlas.

Swords. Spears. Blades of many shapes and lengths.

One, two, three, four, five. The number kept growing until there were dozens, all floating neatly in formation behind him.

The arrangement of weapons formed the shape of wings spreading from his back.

Over the past period of time, Atlas had been constantly training his Magnetic Earth ability, channeling his mana into thirty two weapons of at least Epic grade. As a result, he could now control all of them at once through his power.

Those long weapons hovered perfectly in place, moving like a pair of massive wings behind him. They were not physically attached to him, yet the sight was undeniably majestic.

"You came this close just to show off your toys, or what?" Bolin shouted loudly from across the sky.

"That armor sure looks way too flashy."

Flashy? This was the darkest form Luna had ever given to anyone.

"You are not seriously planning to stay this close when the battle starts, are you?" Bolin shouted again.

The countdown toward the real battle continued to tick down, growing ever closer. Yet Atlas showed not even the slightest sign that he intended to retreat or hide behind his troops.

"I know this will be an easy war," Bolin shouted once more. "But I have no intention of watching my opponent throw his life away so cheaply."

"At least give me a chance to show just how strong my army really is!" he continued.

Time kept moving forward. Still, Atlas remained hovering high above, golden lightning constantly bursting and crackling around his body.

On the far side, at the edge of Gacha Haven’s main island, the troops were fully prepared. Weapons were drawn across the ranks.

Those who could fly launched themselves into the air, hovering in place, ready to surge forward the moment the order to attack was given.

The elite subordinates were also prepared. Even so, they looked the most relaxed among them all, some not even holding their weapons yet.

Off to one side, Milo, with his messy hair and black suit, nervously shuffled a deck of cards in his hands.

The countdown kept racing forward, and the battle was truly about to begin. At the same time, the sky grew darker as thick clouds swallowed the sun whole.

A deep rumble of thunder rolled across the heavens soon after.

Hundreds of Bolin’s troops showed no intention of holding back. The moment the barrier opened, they would launch a full assault, rushing straight toward the target standing before them.

Atlas lifted his head slightly, his voice booming across the darkened sky.

"Come," Atlas declared. "Bring everything you have. Your numbers, your pride, your so called power. I will stand here and take it all. And today, this sky will remember who truly rules it."

The countdown hit zero.

The protective barrier in front of him shattered instantly, breaking apart like glass scattered into the air.

And in that very moment, the hundreds of enemy troops surged forward at once, unleashing their attacks together, all aimed directly at Atlas.