6:00 AT, Day Forty-one | Near Fort Treachery (West Jungle)

  I am crouched in the branches of a tall jungle tree. Of course, Ray is next to me, looking super duper cute as always. Her blades seem ready to do some slicing and dicing. Which is good, because that is exactly what we are about to do.

  I drop from the trees and shoot towards the fort, dodging the dense trees along the way. Gunfire rains down upon me, but it is all deflected with a clever {Lightning Barrier}. I grab the spike that is attached to my back and drive it deeply into Fort Treachery’s shield. Beside me, Ray and several others do the same.

  The thrum of electricity can be heard as it rushes through the cables and shatters the shield. Our ground forces immediately charge out of the forest, most of them in mechs designed to go right through the walls.

  I land right in the middle of the fort and am greeted by five great-levels. I nearly lose my head as one of their rifles rips apart the space where I was standing just moments ago.

  I dash away and then activate my {Draconic Breath}. The space in front of me explodes into a torrent of fire. The great-levels as well as anything within 50m in front of me are completely incinerated. The smell of burning metal fills the air and I am forced to put up my helmet to protect myself from the toxic fumes.

  Ray appears beside me and slaps me on the back. “Darling, you are super hot.” is all she says, then she flashes me a grin and dashes off into the fray. Suffice to say, the rest of the forces are absolutely decimated under Ray’s blades.

  We easily capture Fort Treachery and turn it towards our service. But, this has been far too easy. We may be the Moonlight Duo, but there is no way we should be progressing this smoothly.

  11:00 AT, Day Forty-one | Fort Gluttony (Eastern Snowy Forest)

  The spikes arc through the air and impact the shield. In familiar fashion, electricity courses through them from our fusion generator and the shield glows white. Then, it shatters in a spectacle that is sure to be spread all across the net.

  Wasting no time, our entire force charges right into the fort. Good thing too, there are at least two dozen great-level soldiers waiting for us. Ray and I might be awesome, but that is a bit too many for us to handle alone.

  With a combined effort between Rigar’s warhammer, Ray’s blades and my spear. Plus the several hundred other soldiers. We quickly clear out the fort. There was one great-level that gave us a bit of trouble. They had some sort of poison dart gatling gun. A truly horrific innovation. We must be careful if we should ever encounter them in the future. Thankfully we have been carrying a large amount of health packs ever since we traversed the jungle and had to deal with the ambushes there.

  Of course, the poison still hurts like the deepest depths of Kek’s basement. But our soldiers push through and are as good as new in no time.

  When we reach the center of the fort we find a massive feast laid out. So after we quickly capture it, everyone starts digging into the feast. The fort is named gluttony, so it is fitting that we get a nice treat.

  However, mere moments after our troops start eating, they all collapse to the floor. Writing in pain.

  “Hey darling, did you check the food for poison?" Ray asks, sitting next to me, about to shove a komodo dragon drumstick into her mouth.

  “Wait, wasn't that your job?”

  We both look at each other and then Ray quickly tosses the food away. Then we get busy and help distribute health packs to the downed soldiers. Army management tip: if you walk into a previously hostile fort and find a feast waiting for you, make sure to test for poison beforehand.

  Luckily, the recovery from the poison gives Ray and I a good opportunity to slink off into one of the barracks. We engage in a nice amount of headrubs and cuddles. After all, it is important to refresh one’s mental health while at war. Of course, there is no better way to do that than spending time with one’s super duper cute girlfriend. So it is safe to say I will be sure to replenish my mental health all the way to full. Though Ray seems to insist that a few more headrubs can't hurt, and I do not dare to argue with her.

  15:00 AT, Day Forty-one | Fort Blasphemy (Middle Snowy Forest)

  We break the shields using the same strategy. It seems they aren’t going to nerf our technique again. Which is good, we don't want to wait around for several hours as artillery slowly chips away and weakens the shields. Rigar always says it is quite a slog to do it normally, and having such easy shield-breaching methods is nice. He also said that shields in such in the arena seem to be a lot weaker than normal. Probably so that the viewers don't have to watch us endlessly shell shields for days. I doubt that would make very entertaining content.

  If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  Ray and I enter the fort first, as usual. The typical soldiers do seem to be quite a bit stronger than normal. They have definitely been better equipped. Hopefully this means we are about to face some nice challenges.

  Several enemies appear out of nowhere next to me, suited in ghostsuits. They manage to get a few lucky hits in, and the poison surges through my body. But the ghostsuits have such little defense that I easily cut them into ribbons. After a few moments of rest and a health pack, the poison is gone and I am back in action. They have definitely stepped up their attack power.

  Still, they don't pose that much of a challenge against the combined efforts of Ray and I. For any tougher opponents, she can easily slip behind them while I distract them. We are basically a two person army at this point. We meet very little resistance until we come upon the core of the fort.

  Standing right in front of the core is a massive man. Not quite as big as Rigar, but it wouldn't be unreasonable to compare them. He is coated in silver armor that looks extremely thick and heavy. It matches well with his hair, which has gone completely gray with age. His only weapon is a massive spiked shield. The second core member of Luna’s faction for sure.

  “Welcome, Moonlight Duo.” The man’s voice is quite deep and soothing. “I am the one known as Frank The Great, Holy Centurion of the Holy Roman Empire, Grandmaster of all That is Known and Undefeated Champion of The New Roman Empire. Kneel before me, for you have at last met your match. You shall not pass beyond this point, upon my very honor!”

  I turn to Ray. “Darling, is it just me or is this guy a bit, you know..”

  “Crazy? Self-absorbed? Egotistical? Maybe with a side of chunni?” She smiles.

  “Yeah, those. Well anyways, how about we destroy that fragile honor of his?” I grin, in a totally not evil way.

  Ray matches my grin, “Gladly darling. Let's show him what the Moonlight Duo is truly capable of!”

  I take a step forward and then before I can blink, I get a big faceful of shield. Frank’s shield crashes into me before I can even think to dodge. I go flying backwards and crash through a wall into a barracks. Thankfully, I land gently on a bed and avoid too much damage thanks to my armor. I wonder how many times my armor has saved my life during this trial, it is definitely important to be well-armored.

  I hear the clash of metal as Ray’s blades plink harmlessly off Frank’s shield. It seems that he somehow threw it forward at me and then instantly retrieved it.

  I move in and activate {Energy Surge} and direct it all into my spear, lightning it up like a miniature sun. Ray dashes back as I charge in. Frank plants his shield firmly in the ground, ready to absorb my assault.

  My spear makes contact and I am thrown back from the explosive force released.

  When the smoke clears, Frank is still standing. There is not a single mark on him, my attack did absolutely no damage. “What the klack is this guy made of?” Ray exclaims, rushing over to help me to my feet.

  “Some sort of special alloy I think. It must absorb impacts and other energy and then he can simply discharge it into the ground.” I quickly jump to my feet and kiss Ray on the cheek. But our brief respite is quickly ended when the shield comes rushing between us. We barely manage to dodge and the shockwave from its passage destabilizes me a little bit.

  Frank takes advantage of the opening and moves in, and lands a devastating kick to my side. I hear the crunch as several of my ribs crack. I quickly inject a health pack and watch as Ray manages to land a strike to Frank’s exposed side. Her blade digs in deep, but it doesn't seem to get all the way through his armor. She is blown back by the return of the shield.

  This guy is one tough opponent. I guess my assumption about Vel being the weakest core member was correct. Frank is way stronger. It almost makes me scared to think who the last core member is.

  “Ha, you plebeians could not hope to stand against the Great Frank. Kneel before your superior!”

  “Hey Ko, can we be done with this guy already?” Ray asks, looking at me super duper cutely. My mind seems to come alive as I formulate a strategy to demolish this guy. After all, my dear Ray desires it, thus it shall be.

  I run over and grab one of the spikes we used to pierce the shields. The line is still tight, so with a great effort I pick it up and run at full speed towards Frank.

  He raises his shield, but I drive the spike in as hard as I can. It is designed to break through and withstand plasma shields, so with a bit of effort it goes right through the shield. Then, Ray casts {Lightning Bolt} and I jump away as Frank lights up like a little star.

  Ray gives me a high five, but the happiness quickly drains from our faces when Frank seems to be completely unscathed by the attack. “Ha, a little jolt won't be enough to take me out! I am Frank The Great!”

  Then, a warhammer appears out of nowhere and smashes into Frank, shattering his armor instantly and he is whisked away to be respawned.

  Rigar emerges from one of the side alleys. “You two really need to get some armor piercing. Or try to not fight literal tanks. Always pick your battles properly.”

  “For klack's sake, Rigar. Why’d you have to come steal all our glory!” Ray thumps Rigar hard on the back. “Now how am I supposed to get extra cuddles from Ko?”

  I sneak up behind Ray and wrap her up in a hug. “If you want cuddles, all you must do is ask, darling.”

  We capture the fort, and then engage in a long session of assorted cuddles and headrubs.

  I am not sure what will be waiting for us at Fort Pride, but I am sure that Ray and I will overcome it together. After all, we are the Moonlight Duo. A few snowflakes couldn't possibly defeat us. Ray is just too cute to let that happen.

  So, bring it on.

  End of Chapter 134

  Next: Chapter 135 | Cracked Pride

  If you are enjoying the book, you could follow, favorite, rate, or review it, I'd really appreciate it.

  Checkout the official