The Ultimate Support Character

Back when I impulsively stepped into the Portal leading to Dark World, I was helplessly caught by the Blade Monarch Remilia.

At that time, no matter how quick or strong my Energy Control was, she overwhelmed me with the abundance of her Source Energy. She even effortlessly canceled the Orb of Concealment that I tried to rely on.

Now, I've grown strong enough to consider myself on par with an early Rank 4 Transcendent. However, given that my Transcendent Pathway was still stuck within the 2nd Realm, contesting someone who firmly stepped into that level would be harder than when I faced the veiled woman.

Ah. No. Fighting her was actually easier. I even cut down the tailed barbarian in one strike. But that doesn't inspire confidence.

A Rank 4 Transcendent in their 4th Realm of Transcendent Pathway is like an entire Pathway apart due to the benefits of reaching it.

During Mortal Rank, the 4th Realm is equivalent to having the ability to defy gravity and fly to the skies.

During Transcendent Rank, the 4th Realm is equivalent to having one's Domain upgraded.

Yep. Just like Remilia's Domain that dominated me despite my Adaptability's effects to weaken it.

If the granny that Nysia fought broke through to the 4th Realm, she wouldn't be able to cope with the difference despite her busted Defense Manipulation

That's why even though I prepared myself to be spotted by our pursuer, confronting a Rank 4 Transcendent directly is out of the question.

"This will be tricky," I muttered to myself as I continued to passively absorb the stored Chaotic Energy that I brought with me.

With this, I wasn't only replenishing my Chaotic Energy reserves quicker but I was also tempering my body and progressing in my Transcendent Pathway.

Remember. When it comes to my Pathway, I can skip gaining enlightenment to them, I only need sufficient Source Energy to sail through.

And even if there's a line in the report Ferne submitted that I had a peculiar ability to harness and control Chaotic Energy, many would dismiss that as implausible without direct evidence.

Because even their Lord Quetzal should be unable to do it. He could absorb them as another source for progress but controlling it and using it as some form of attack would be impossible.

As the dot in the vast Chaotic Space grew larger, I got a clearer look at their Space Vessel.

It has a metallic black hull that seems to blend into the darkness inherent in its surroundings. It's an elongated vessel that was reminiscent of the starships depicted in sci-fi space opera movies.

I have my Energy Senses and keen eye to thank for being able to detect spots from this distance.

The indicator that pointed out its identity was the Source Energy trail it was leaving behind as well as the obvious trait of the Space Beast used to reinforce its outer shell. It's probably what gave it the ability to enhance and accelerate its speed in sailing through this vast Chaotic Space.

In any case, like the smoke from the exhaust pipes of rockets or any vehicles, the Source Energy trail behind them was difficult to mask. The cannons attached to its side also had traces of Source Energy. They had just been fired against the Space Vessels I left behind.

True to my guess earlier, they're using a large-sized Space Vessel. Compared to our Kingfisher which is only considered a medium-sized Space Vessel, the Transcendents aboard that vessel should be in three digits.

How many Rank 4 will they have? One is the minimum and three should be what to be expected if they're really out here to capture us.

"What's the point of overthinking this? All I have to do is get their attention and dip anyway."

Clearing the unnecessary thoughts from my head I started by letting my Transcendent Aura be unleashed.

Wooong!

Accompanied by a dazzling light, I became like a beacon to gather their attention.

I should still be out of their Source Energy radar but with the light I was emitting, it's like I'm dangling myself like bait.

The Space Vessel didn't stop and continued on its course.

I also have no way to find out if they already noticed my presence so...

The next thing I did was to give them a welcoming gift.

Bedevilled Outburst!

Enhancement Aura!

Random Improvement!

One Domain-like Skill and two Inherent Skills. Additionally, Autoskill is up and running the Domain of Valor.

Enhancement Aura is to give the Energy Projectiles additional protection from the corruption of Chaotic Space. It would allow my projectiles to travel further.

Random Improvement is just like its name. It either enlarged or minimized those projectiles as they zoomed in toward the incoming Space Vessel.

During the first few minutes when I crazily poured in Source Energy to those Energy Projectiles, not even one of what I sent out reached the Space Vessel's vicinity.

If they're watching me, laughing at my seemingly stupid attempt should be what's happening on-board.

That's fine though. As long as the Rank 4 Transcendent reacted to me, that's more than enough.

And I wasn't left disappointed.

Upon reaching a certain distance, a Transcendent Aura strong enough to break mine spread open from the Space Vessel.

Following that, a threatening cannon wave shot in my direction.

BANG!

The danger senses of my Adaptability immediately recognized how threatening it was as the crimson color flashed in my vision.

Upon observation, dodging the cannon wave was impossible. It was shot by the Space Vessel itself so the speed broke through the Chaotic Space like a flash of light.

"It's great that they're not holding. They're angry at my show, huh?" I smirked despite the impending danger.

My heart couldn't help but race in this situation. This was more exciting than facing the Serpent Sentinels, after all.

I guess my acute battle senses from when I was at the peak also started to affect my mindset.

Regardless, I will still be honoring my promise.

I hurriedly sent messages to my Companions that I made contact with our pursuer.

Following that, I nonchalantly cut off my Transcendent Aura and activated another set of skills.

Phantasmic Doppelganger!

Bulwark of Invulnerability!

My clones immediately went to my front as they also tried to activate the inferior copy of my skills.

Multiple Quintuple Shields formed and became like a fortress.

Then, with my Energy Control and Energy Molding stretched to the limit, I created a Source Energy barrier to cushion the attack.

Would it be enough?

Of course not.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Before my eyes, the clones and the shields protecting them melted like butter under the intense attack from a large Space Vessel.

Thankfully, when it reached the Source Energy Shield that I compressed to the point that it only provided protection to my vital organs, the strength of the cannon wave already significantly lessened.

Ignoring the heat and pain that reached my body, I gritted my teeth and counterattacked.

Energy Projectiles once again formed and passed through the still-churning Chaotic Space.

Bypassing the strong Transcendent Aura, I targeted its sides where the cannons were mounted to take them out of the equation.

If they're going for a chase, minimizing their combat power like this should be the priority if breaking the Space Vessel itself is impossible.

Now… Let's see how that Rank 4 Transcendent will respond.