HBWnovel Chapter 459: Red vs. Black Showdown · Aerial Combo
Chapter 459: Red vs. Black Showdown · Aerial Combo
Chapter 459: Red vs. Black Showdown · Aerial Combo
Akhilleus Kosmos: The Miniature World Enclosed by the Azure Sky
Rank: A+
Type: Barrier Noble Phantasm
Range: 0@@@@
Maximum Capture: 1 person
Known as the World Shield, Achilles' trump card is extensively described in over a hundred lines in the 18th song of the Iliad. This divine armament was crafted by the god Hephaestus himself. It miniaturizes the world Achilles lived in, with the outer edges featuring ocean currents due to the sea god's influence.
While it's naturally a shield meant for defense, the combative and aggressive Achilles developed a new use for it. The method he is using now involves deploying the Noble Phantasm and charging forward, crushing the enemy with this miniature world—a technique even Hephaestus did not envision.
As an A+ rank defensive Noble Phantasm, the World Shield boasts extremely high defensive capabilities, able to almost completely block attacks from anti-personnel, anti-army, and even anti-fortress and anti-country Noble Phantasms. Since it projects a world, facing it is akin to facing the world itself. How can human power contend with the world, even a small one?
Thus, this attack method can be considered both offensive and defensive, making it the perfect counter to the seemingly unbeatable Divine Thunder Barrier.
Accompanied by Achilles' shout, the world inscribed on the shield activated, expanding rapidly. In front of the shield unfolded a miniature world, reconstructing space and time.
"Prepare yourself, Black Assassin!"
With this strike, Achilles was determined to land.
Faced with such an almost undefeatable attack, Shinji showed no sign of panic. Every move Achilles made was within Shinji's calculations, and the World Shield charge was expected. This was not just because he was a well-versed fan of various heroic spirits but also because Chiron had informed him of all Achilles' abilities before the battle, including the effects and countermeasures for his Noble Phantasms.
Such dynamic vision and reflex speed aren't easily overcome by simple tricks.
Shinji didn't expect to defeat Achilles so easily. As soon as Indra's Thunder left his hand, he ascended even higher, thrusting forward with Ishtar's War Spear, aiming once again at Achilles' back. At this moment, Indra's Thunder was continuously emitting lightning, not enough to shake the World Shield's defense but forcing Achilles to keep the shield in place.
With Indra's Thunder in front and Ishtar's War Spear at the back, how would Achilles defend?
Achilles seemed to have anticipated Shinji's plan. He kept the shield steady with his left hand while his right hand brandished a throwing spear, mirroring Shinji's movements.
The black-gold war spear and the simple throwing spear collided in mid-air. Initially, the throwing spear was deflected, but it then curved and, along with the black-gold war spear, both were flung into the air.
This was undoubtedly Achilles' skillful maneuver. Given that Achilles was using one hand while Shinji used both, and Shinji had the advantage of gravitational acceleration, Achilles should have been at a disadvantage. Initially, Achilles was indeed at a disadvantage, as evidenced by the deflected throwing spear.
However, after the throwing spear was deflected, Achilles unhesitatingly employed the "+" in his "Strength B+," instantly doubling his power. This unexpected surge in strength caught Shinji off guard. If not for Shinji's Strength being B and his timely use of "Mana Burst," the result would not have been both spears being disarmed, but rather Shinji losing his spear alone.
Though his meticulously planned strike did not fully succeed, Achilles could accept this outcome. Without his two divine armaments, the mortal Shinji, lacking "Divinity," had no way to penetrate the "Andreias Amarantos" defense. Achilles could now fight freely and aggressively.
Taking advantage of Shinji's inability to counteract his falling momentum, Achilles swung his fist heavily toward Shinji's head.
Despite his carefully planned pincer attack being thwarted, Shinji was not flustered. Having practiced countless times with Chiron, he was accustomed to such scenarios.
Reflexively, he caught the oncoming fist with his left hand, chopped at the wrist with his right hand, and then slid down the arm to grab Achilles' chest. Using his full strength, he slammed Achilles to the ground. Finally, he stepped on Achilles' chest twice before leaping away. Upon landing, he didn't forget to taunt.
"Get up, stop pretending to be dead on the ground. I know such minor injuries mean nothing to you!"
P.S.: Achilles also has a history of failed pursuits—he couldn't catch Hector. The two ran around Troy, and Hector eventually escaped. This was mainly because Hector's agility was nearly on par with Achilles, and Troy had the sun god's blessing. With the combined buffs and interference from allies, Achilles failed to catch up and was often troubled by Hector's guerrilla tactics.