"Just what did you kids- teachers, do? What happened?" A fellow teacher of the Star Luo Academy was looking Karni over. He was a Soul King Healing System.
"Oh, you know." Karni grunted. "Getting rid of some good old corrupt policemen."
"The police chief, to be exact." Siduo added. There was no use hiding it at this point. The whole city knew Karni and Siduo had trouble with the police, but everyone also knew that it's trouble with its corrupt part.
"Are you crazy? She's a Soul Sage!"
Karni scoffed. "Heh. You should see her state. Her Evil Soul Master friend got me by surprise and hit me, but she could barely walk."
The teacher with the heal-type Martial Soul stared a bit. Based on the injuries he saw, Karni was speaking the truth. His body was not in much harm, it was only the toxin he was helping Karni purify. "You two are monsters. Soul Kings winning over a Soul Sage?"
"We prepared… a lot." Karni raised a finger, before putting it down because it hurt the muscles on his back.
"And we are from Shrek." Siduo added.
"Right. That motto of yours is almost as famous as the academy itself."
Shrek raises only monsters. The teacher believed in that more than in their preparation.
The man shook his head. "So what now? You said she had an Evil Soul Master with her? Did you get proof?"
"More than that." Siduo smiled. "We have direct confirmation of her cooperation with them. We'll go to the Tang Sect immediately after this."
"Hm. But the healing process should take… a while…" The man stopped healing for a second and stared at Karni, face wide. "… How?"
"My Bloodline." Karni smiled. "I managed to isolate the toxins in my back early on but couldn't fully get rid of them on my own. So, thanks for that. Shall we Sisi?"
"Wait! If it was really Stonefish toxins we should really check with some medical Soul Tools as well."
"With all due respect, my bloodline is very sensitive to foreign things, because it really likes to befriend them. I doubt most analysis type Soul Tools could compare. We really should be on our way."
The teacher watched, flabbergasted by the whole thing. He couldn't help but sigh at the end. "Do be careful. You're the strongest teachers this school has."
… … …
"It will take a few days…"
"Hm."
"I'll stall as much as possible."
"Hm, hm." A man was thinking to himself while listening to the audio that two Yellow Agents delivered.
"Report!" A Purple Agent entered.
"Speak."
"What the Yellow Agents said is true. There were toxic needles everywhere at the place of battle. The toxin has attributes that can corrupt the Soul."
"Hm. Since the two Yellow Agents were able to get this much done, let them prepare a plan to capture the police chief and the Evil Soul Master. Tell them we'll deal with everything else. They must start as soon as possible. We cannot allow those two to call for backup."
"Yes, sir!"
… … …
Karni was looking over the city plans. There were multiple places circled red, arrows leading through the streets, all of them leading to one spot in the end.
It was his first time doing something like this. He was the tactician, but it was Siduo and him both who were leading it. Before he went to Star Luo Continent, he would have preferred to stay as only the tactician. But he had realised he needed to start taking actual action. He could not avoid this mission, he needed to take responsibility, since he started it.
However, he did not have many experiences with leading yet. Siduo did. Wulin did. Because of that, Siduo and he divided the roles. If he had the time, he could come up with plans, backup plans and backup plans of backup plans. Right now? Not so much. They had to rely on improvisation, and unexpectedness. As much as Karni wished to take charge, it would be irresponsible to do so alone. He simply did not have the experience. Siduo however, much like Wulin, had rich experience.
Karni and Siduo were both the leaders, but at the same time, neither of them was. It was to limit the uncertain elements of the plan.
Karni pointed to the map as he was explaining everything. Around the police station, in red lines, was a giant shape of a droplet. The police station was at the very bottom of it. At the top was a giant X.
"Alright, to summarise everything." Karni started as a bunch of Yellow, White and even Purple ranked agents were looking at Siduo and Karni. Karni and Siduo were dressed in Yellow themselves, currently being known as Yellow One and Two.
"We will encircle three sides of the Police Station completely. Yellow Two will enter first and hopefully bait them to us or at the very least make them question each other. The enemy is sharp, but also reckless and filled with hate. We need to exploit it." Karni pointed at the bottom of the red droplet.
"It would be ideal if we can finish them there. However, should they react fast enough, get them going in the opposite direction. Make sure to have two people even in the smaller streets. They will not openly attack the people, they know they will be their cover. We want them to use that. Make them flow smoothly toward the X, closing off all escapes. Remember to shift formation according to their initial reactions. Yellow Two and I will tell you who will lead the operation based on how they react. From then on, the back team will make sure to prepare the final scene, while the pursuit team will make sure to lead them to the right spot."
Karni now turned toward the top of the map. "There is a good chance that they will take a hostage, but it' s not guaranteed. We do not know how much the police chief will have healed by tomorrow, but we do know they will be bringing one more person with them, and we know that that person is a former Soul Master. If we're lucky, they will be unable to grab hostages. If we're unlucky, five agents will dedicate their efforts on freeing the hostages. You already know who you are." Karni looked to the Purple Agents. The strongest of this operation, and all of them were agility systems, specifically judged by Siduo beforehand.
"You five will prioritise saving any hostages while Yellow Two and I serve as distraction. Remember, saving them comes after we lead them to the right spot. After we save the hostages, the real battle will start. As soon as the Purple Agents succeed, we go all in. We are not looking to capture the Evil Soul Master, but we are looking for the capture the police chief. Luckily, the police chief is durable, so we can be a little rough. Remember to create an encirclement around that place, even if no hostages are there. Should they not take any, we attack as soon as they get here." Karni encircled the X.
"Finally, if, somehow, their backup does come, we have two Black Agents on standby. This, however, is exceedingly unlikely, as based on our intel, they would have to be two days early. Should it happen anyway, we are to listen to the Black Agents in how to continue the mission. That is all. Any questions?"
One White Agent raised their hand.
"Yes?" Karni pointed.
"What exactly is the shifting of formation? You only explained we should encircle them like we do at the police station." It was a woman's voice. A familiar one. Very familiar. Was that Lan Meixiang? How interesting. He didn't know she was in Tang Sect, let alone the fact that she had become a White Agent. She never used any of the Tang Sect techniques during class. He will have to scold her about that when they return.
"Is this your first mission?"
The White Agent paused and nodded.
"The shift of formation is standard protocol on bigger missions. If there is one key detail that holds the mission together, we adapt to make sure that key does not change. In this case, if they try to escape here," Karni pointed to the map, to the side of the red droplet, "you do everything in your power to stall, giving your fellow agents time to adapt so the formation can change into this."
Karni drew another droplet, except it was a lot smaller and now the bottom was where the hypothetical breakout was supposed to happen, while the top that led to the X stayed the same.
Usually, White Agents are briefed a week after they become part of the Battle Hall. This meant that Lan Meixiang had to adapt on the fly. She was a newbie among the Agents.
"Any other questions?" A few more people raised their hands. Karni decided to answer all of them. That was his role as the lead tactician this time around.
… … …
Karni walked back to the academy. It was late in the afternoon already, but Siduo and him decided to call the Special Class in today.
From their espionage of the recording device the past day, they found out that the police chief knew a lot of details about people close to Karni and Siduo. They planned to take them hostage to escape with greater ease.
Of course, the Tan Lanyue as the police chief was still assuming she could stall until the backup came from Shi Zan's side. She didn't know how efficient Karni and Siduo were, nor did she know that they planted a bug.
However, there was still a possibility that they might try and somehow break into the Star Luo City Academy during the escape. The formation Karni designed for the Tang Sect mission should prevent that, but he would rather be safe than sorry. He already informed the Headmaster, and he already said that the teachers will be on the lookout that day.
The Special Class came. Karn smiled when he saw their worried faces. "Don't worry, no extra training, just something all of you have to do tomorrow."
The class visibly relaxed.
"Jianyu, Wang Chao. You two will stay at home that day." Siduo said first. Jianyu almost tried to complain but changed his mind when he saw the traces of worry on his sister's face.
"The rest of you will stay with the Headmaster during that time. The Headmaster already knows. You will get into school and go to the Headmaster's office immediately. There will be no classes tomorrow." Karni added.
Everyone was a bit confused, but they nodded. Only Lan Meixiang looked uncomfortable.
"It is imperative that you do so." Karni emphasised. "There will be an operation tomorrow regarding some of our enemies. They might try and target you. It is very, very unlikely that that will happen, but I will not risk danger to my students." He turned to Lan Meixiang, the only one that was still looking worried.
"Lan Meixiang. After tomorrow, if you still refuse to use Tang Sect techniques during the Special Class, you can forget about staying in Special Class."
"What?!" The girl screamed in both surprise and indignation.
"And I hope you understand what shifting the formation means now?" Karni asked.
The girl blinked. "You are the…" She stopped herself.
"Yes." Karni nodded.
The girl didn't question that Karni recognised her; she was more than familiar enough with her teacher's understanding of Sound. Yet, she did not recognise him during the meeting.
"Of course, you can go on the mission. It is your duty after all." Karni added. "But don't hide the Tang Sect techniques anymore. If you don't fuse them enough with your other skills by the end of the year, you can forget about trying out Shrek."
The girl gulped. "I thought I was meant to keep them a secret."
"Silly girl. My movement is all based on Tang Sect. We don't reveal information on members, but we don't have to hide our skills. Most people do not recognise them. And those who do, there's no point hiding our abilities from anyway."
The group stared at the teacher and the student, very confused. To them, they were moving their mouth but making no sound. Siduo said from the side. "It's a private conversation. Usually, Teacher Val would talk to her in private, but time is of the essence. Know that it doesn't concern you. Everyone's dismissed."
… … …
The next day, Siduo, dressed in a yellow uniform and a small golden mask, entered the Police Station. Until she got them out, everything was on her shoulders. She could not afford to be easy-going.
She had been a bit doubtful of Tang Sect's judgment of letting the two of them lead this mission, but from what she noticed, the Tang Sect only assigned younger members to this mission. They did deem the enemy to be a real threat, but they authorised the use of Mechas, that would protect the members from Mr. Stonefish's Toxins. Two Black Agents were also constantly on standby. While it was said to be due to potential backup, Siduo thought it was likely for protection instead.
The police station all turned to look at her when she entered. They froze simultaneously, like a bearer of some great doom had come. None of them stopped her. All policemen were aware of what Tang Sect was; they knew not to mess with these uniforms. It signified active duty.
They were also all aware of why she was here. How couldn't the Tang Sect be here when the rumours within the police station had spread so much. Evil Soul Masters were in their midst. And yesterday? They were forced to sleep in the station, due to potential "traitors".
Some of the policemen looked scared, others looked resolute, and some looked relieved, saying things like: "It's finally over."
Siduo started with a short announcement. "Those who are not found to have been directly in contact with the Evil Soul Masters will not be punished. Similarly, those who provide concrete intel will even be rewarded."
Short and simple, but the atmosphere visibly relaxed. Tang Sect was the punisher of the unjust, but it also held firm in its believes. No one doubted Siduo's words.
She walked up floor by floor, announcing the same thing over and over again. Then she reached the top and without knocking, entered the chief's office.
The police chief looked at her. "I've heard you talking to my people. Quite the arrogant one, eh? The Tang Sect used to be more discreet."
"Unfortunately, you are a public enough person that this needs to be public as well."
Tan Lanyue only stared. The Stonefish guy was not with her. Siduo also felt the police chief's Soul Power fluctuations. She had mostly recovered, but not to a hundred percent. Her powers seemed unstable. It was likely that she used some medicine with side effects.
"What does the Tang Sect want with me?"
"Nothing. I am simply here to deliver our verdict. Tan Lanyue, you are hereby under arrest for conspiring against the federation and cooperating with Evil Soul Masters. We have the place surrounded. Give up nicely, or we will take you in by force." She said this then turned around and walked toward the door.
"And what proof do you have exactly?" There was a slight teasing tone in her voice.
Siduo turned around and lowered her mask just as she was stepping out. "We got a recording device into your mecha when you were fleeing. We got eeeeverything. By the way the North is completely open." She grinned and sped away, before Tan Lanyue could process it all.
"Fuck, it's her!" The one who killed her son was here with her and she didn't even recognise her!
She rushed out of her office, only to find no one there, other than those working here.
"Shit! Fuck! Shit!" She rushed back into her office and pulled her phone. "Shi Zan! Did it work! Were you able to bind it?!"
"Yes. I don't like it though. Why is your Soul Ring Cured on-"
"It doesn't fucking matter. Come this instant! Grab your bastard son! We'll meet in the mecha bay!"
… … …
"Everyone in position?" Siduo asked, already a good deal away from the station, but close enough to be seen. She had to act as bait. She was in the North—the part that was "open".
Obviously, she didn't think that the chief would come here. Tan Lanyue would likely think it's bait. If the chief was smart enough, she might even consider the fact that Siduo revealed herself intentionally. Either way, hesitation and doubt was good for them.
It didn't take long for her to hear the news from the other side of the police station.
… … …
Tan Lanyue had an ugly face as she was faced with the reality of the scene. She underestimated the Tang Sect. They were completely surrounded. By mechas no less. She was lucky to bring out two mechas of her own.
She sat in her own mecha, the custom one that police chiefs got. She looked to the side where Shi Zan sat in his own Mecha—that was the police captain's. Zhen Haoran's mecha. The one who spilled all the information when Karni and Siduo captured him.
But rushing through the group of mechas in front of her would be reckless. They encircled the whole side of this building. While they weren't all high level mechas, there were about thirty of them. It didn't matter that her mecha was black. They could not survive this.
"Turn around! If they're there as well, we'll force our way through a single point!" Tan Lanyue said over the mecha communications to Zhen Haoran.
The two mechas did a U turn in front of the police station as soon as they got out. The Tang Sect mechas did not follow, nor did they shoot.
Tan Lanyue grinned. This could be helpful. Tang Sect thought of itself as righteous. They would not attack them if there was a danger to the surroundings and the innocents. In this case, the police station itself was their cover. Tang Sect would not shoot, because there was a chance that they could hit the police station and the people inside. Innocent people worked inside the police station, even normal people without Soul Power.
They reached the other side and were met with another terrifying sight. It was all empty. Even the streets in front of them. It was… something was wrong. They planned for this.
She looked far into the distance and saw one person waving at her. Wu Siduo. The fucker who killed her son.
This was bait. She knew this was bait. But she was right there. And the street was empty.
"Don't be stupid, Lanyue." She heard over the commlink. "How are you going to avenge him if you're not alive to do it?"
She snickered but agreed. "Let's follow for a bit and then take her by surprise. We need to escape. Watch out for the boy that's usually with her as well."
The man agreed. They had a quick plan.
The two mechas flew toward Siduo with full thrusters. Siduo started running at full speed. They were not slow, but Siduo was the best in speed among her peers. Her only equal was Xie Xie.
Over the coms, Siduo's voice could be heard. "I am the frontline leader, Yellow One is in charge of the backline. Commence the operation."
Should Tan Lanyue had decided to go through the mechas instead of following, Karni would have been appointed as the frontline leader instead.
Tan Lanyue felt oddly anxious. She had underestimated the kids twice before. She did not want to repeat the mistake. She glanced to the side. She was not surprised. The Tang Sect was covering all the alleys they could escape to.
She called over the commlink and got confirmation. They passed through four more alleys and then the mechas turned in unison, charging toward one of the alleys.
… … …
"Teams 15 and 17, help 16, keep them there! The rest of you, shift formation at the southwest. Send them north!"
Hundreds of Tang Sect mechas moved from the alleyways in unison, without chaos. They were well organised.
Siduo received intel on what was happening. It was good Karni planned for all this. "Teams 20, and 11, you're close, help keep them at bay. The rest of you, on the double."
It did not take long for the other two teams to go and help the first three. The rest of the mechas had enough time to make reform the formation around the two police mechas.
"That's it. Team 3, you're not doing anything, push them in this direction. No need to get into direct combat, just 'encourage' them."
Karni admired Siduo. She really did have leadership qualities. Perhaps not so much through her charisma to encourage, but charisma to command. It was a quality that even Tang Wulin had yet to develop. Something that came through one's own experience. While he listened to that side, he was commanding his team to go to the endpoint and prepare the "surprise".
The more Karni listened to Siduo thought, the more he wondered. Who was the control system between them? She was almost acting like a control system. Was she a control system in the past as well? Or perhaps she had experience with actual warfare? The more he knew about her, the less he seemed to know about her.
Karni would have been able to command similar commands, but only due to the fact that he simulated this situation in his head multiple times, and the fact that he could see the immediate future.
He listened as the two police mechas were forced to break out of the small siege the Tang Sect made around them, to send them toward where Siduo was. She was constantly repositioning herself to help the Tang Sect members orientate.
Tan Lanyue and Shi Zan activated their thrusters, this time directly toward Siduo.
Siduo commented. "I don't think they'll have any more ideas about escaping. Luckily, we managed to keep them away from potential hostages. Yellow One, time for the final phase." Siduo addressed Karni.
She started running again. Toward the most isolated spot that Karni's team had just finished preparing. A little spot in the city park that would allow for Karni and Siduo to go all out. The city council was already informed about it all. For all everyone knew, this was a training drill by the local federation authorities.
Siduo stopped as she reached the park. And she waited. All of her team was very far away, surrounding the park, to prevent an escape. Siduo was alone. This was also to prevent any potential chaos from incurring due to miscommunication. If all the mechas fought and cornered them, casualties could build up quickly. They wanted to avoid that at any cost.
The police mechas charged straight at her now that the Tang Sect mechas seemed to vanish.
Siduo heard over the coms. "Incoming." She brought out her Motorbike from the storage belt. She pressed on the gas and started driving away from them. Just in time to see a giant shadow fall from the sky.
The two mechas barely managed to react. A giant sword, covered in silver feathers sharp enough to cut the space apart, descended upon them with a metallic body. Something burning followed right behind.
The arm of the police chief mecha was cut off smoothly. It could not resist at all. The weight and the sharpness, alongside a constant rhythm that flowed through it all made metal of a black mecha be like butter.
In the next moment, missiles; hundreds of small, but extremely bright missiles landed between Tan Lanyue's and Shi Zan's Mechas. Separating them perfectly.
This had been the plan from the start. Even if Karni had been the one leading the frontline before, this barrage would have happened all the same, with Siduo instead providing a last second distraction.
From now on, Karni's squad was on main duty. It was a smaller squad focused on long-range capabilities. Karni and Siduo could use it if an unpredictable element appeared. For now, though, the safest way was for them to face Shi Zan and Tan Lanyue alone.
Karni's mecha was slightly smaller than the police chief's despite being of the same grade. It was said that the smaller the mecha, the more powerful it was. Karni's mecha had thick arms and legs, a chest section comprised of three layers that allowed for great manoeuvrability, and its head was sharp, in a slight triangle-like shape.
On its shoulders and legs, thrusters that released a pure blue fire activated, turning the mecha to the side instantly. The Greatsword, not looking exactly like Karni's Guardian, but similar, was pointed upwards. It shone brightly, the second Soul Ring of the Cosmic Instrument activating through the weapon. At the same time, the mecha started spinning, parallel to the ground, slashing at the police chief's mecha yet again.
It was here that a motorbike appeared behind Shi Zan's Mecha all of a sudden, two whips flapping on the side. When Karni spun, Shift went off, and Siduo, who was driving away, was now driving into Shi Zan's Mecha. Her thrusters activated as well, adding to its already terrifying speed. In the last second, the wheels rose just a bit, bouncing the motorbike into the air, into the mecha of the Stonefish Soul Master.
The wheels put tracks onto the cockpit of the enemy mecha, while the whips lashed downwards at the legs. It was clear that Shi Zan was not used to commanding a mecha, because he could barely react.
The whips spun around the mecha's legs, then Siduo pulled with her arms stretched, entangling the legs and forcing the mecha to fall.
Before it even hit the ground, the cockpit exploded, emergency sit sending Shi Zan out. On Tan Lanyue's side, the sound of thrusters activating at more than the three times the recommended capacity was heard.
Siduo and Karni had quick communication, and switched targets. Siduo went after the flying mecha that police chief was in. It was now missing an arm and both legs, but that also made it lighter. It was faster than what Karni could chase with his mecha, as his was focused on manoeuvrability not on speed. But the Chief's mecha was not fast enough to outrun Siduo's motorbike, designed primarily for speed.
At the same time, Siduo's motorbike would quickly encounter trouble if those toxic spikes of the Stonefish Martial Soul would pierce her wheels. Karni was better at defence than her now. His mecha also took in the design of the panda, being quite thick.
Karni looked at Shi Zan through the mecha and was surprised to see that he carried someone with him—a familiar face that Karni had trouble placing correctly without taking a close look.
His thrusters caught up incredibly fast to two running humans. Stonefish Martial Soul was not known to be fast at all, but with the mecha immediately incapacitated, Shi Zan didn't really have much of a choice but to run on foot.
Karni's giant Greatsword slashed downward, just as blue needles filled with toxins fired at the mecha. That was dangerous. They might not be able to hurt Karni through the mecha, but the toxins were aimed clearly at the joints. If those stopped functioning, Karni's manoeuvrability would cease to exist.
The multi-directional thrusters Karni installed flared up, turning the mecha to the side while putting the giant Greatsword in front of the mecha for defence. The silver feathers danced in front, disrupting the toxic blue needles, making most of them turn to the side, missing the Greatsword completely, while those that did hit, hit at an angle.
The feathers suddenly disappeared, and Shi Zan felt an ominous feeling inside him.
"Father, watch out!"
Shi Zan turned, a smaller, yet still giant Greatsword shone with silver feathers, going for his head.
Shi Zan's Soul Rings shone with full might. His defensive abilities activated at once, alongside his Stonefish Avatar and Battle Armour.
Karni cursed, calling forth his own Battle Armour: Flow. He stepped on the ground, a Lotus Flower sprouting from his feet, lunching him upward softly yet quickly, avoiding the needles on the man's skin.
He recognised the younger man now. It was one of the gang members Karni and Siduo busted almost six years ago now. His Martial Soul was also Stonefish, though the guy was crippled now. This one was the one Karni and Siduo were most wary off back then, but they managed to get disarm him with great efficiency, so they did not truly experience the abilities of the Stonefish until now. So… these two were father and son.
He Shifted, before the man could aim at him freely. He appeared right behind Shi Zan on the ground, swinging his Greatsword again. Strength was flowing in his arms now; Royal Panda Cushion activated as well.
"Behind!" Shi Zan's son shouted again.
"Silence!" Karni thundered, locking the sound down completely. That man was lucky he had his Soul Power crippled and was just a civilian now. Karni swung, but at the same time prepared for immediate defence. Needles flew at him as soon as Shi Zan's son shouted.
Shi Zan was thrashed away, but he survived even the strength of sharpness. Stonefish lived up to the fact it had "stone" in its name. It was a defence-poison type after all. Defence Types with an Avatar activated were much more powerful than Black Mechas.
Karni spun, parried and controlled his swings as best he could to face the counterattack. He had trouble making a full spin with his Guardian, he was unable to Shift while defending. That was a weakness he didn't fully know he had until now.
He could split his staff into drumsticks to change into Twin Swords mode, but that would expose him. He also couldn't just split a drumstick apart, as that would automatically change the Guardian into a different form. That was another thing he hadn't considered when adding the functionality of automatic form change. He'd have to change that in the future. He originally included this for better flow. Who would have thought it would be detrimental to him now. It had proven to be useful in the past, though, so he'd have to turn it into an optional feature he could turn on and off.
Since changing forms was dangerous, he opted for the option that was slightly more dangerous. His second Soul Ring shone. Mirage Bestowal. The Guardian glowed as Karni danced in between the spikes.
The problem with Mirage Bestowal was that Karni was facing a Soul Sage. The Avatar made the illusions less effective against it. The soul, mind and body became one when the Avatar was used.
Even with Karni's Spirit Abyss Spiritual Power, he had to use a lot of effort to manipulate the man.
Yet even that was about to backfire, Karni saw. Suddenly, thousands of needles shot in all directions but the man's son. Karni realised the man's weakness, but first, he had to defend.
Most of the needles were simply intercepted by the Guardian, but a lot of them still made it through. The Guardian was also decently damaged from that attack.
Karni could barely move between the needles; he deflected most of them with his Royal Paw Pads or put himself in a way the Battle Armour could take them. But that damaged the Battle Armour as well.
The toxins were corroding his weapons, as well as his armour. Stonefish was a terrifying Martial Soul. It did not help that it was also enforced by Shi Zan's Battle Armour.
Then he saw a single, big cyan blue spike launched at him. It was the attack Siduo warned him about. And just like she said, it was always launched at opportune moment.
He had to twist hard, but he could still intercept-
His left arm was hit. Something invisible. It didn't damage him, but… How did, when did…
He saw the Battle Armour glowing. Wait… that wasn't a One-Word Battle Armour like Siduo reported. That was Two-Words, just missing the wings. A Ring was shining on the Armour. Fuck. Two-Word Battle Armours could Cure other rings on them! How did Shi Zan get a new armour so fast? And was that skill the Silent Scale from Tan Lanyue?
Karni's movement broken, he could not put the Greatsword in front of himself as a shield in time.
Karni stretched the same arm that got hit, paw filled with the Royal Panda Pad, enforced by the Royal Panda Cushion. It was the best he could do. He'd be down an arm for the rest of the fight. He could still do with that.
The great cyan spike collided with the soft Royal Panda Pad.
And bounced off.