Chapter 11: The Doomsday Beast Attacks!

Stelle and March 7th watched with amusement as the two "older" young girls sized each other up.

"What are you looking at?" Herta snapped, glancing at Theresa.

"At how beautiful you are!" Theresa retorted bluntly, staring directly at Herta. Herta stared back in astonishment, while Theresa met her gaze with a serene smile.

"Well, little sister, you've got some nerve," Herta remarked, intrigued by Theresa's boldness. "Not even a bit afraid of me."

"Why should I be afraid of someone as cute as you?" Theresa countered. "And I'm not a 'little sister,' I'm Theresa."

[ "I'm not 'Hey You!' I'm Magical Teriri!" ] the Homu System chimed in mischievously, adding to the absurdity. Theresa stiffened her face, fighting back a laugh as she mentally scolded the system for its antics.

Theresa's blunt compliment caught Herta off guard. The puppet's porcelain face flushed slightly.

"Thank you. I know I'm beautiful too!" Herta declared confidently.

The onlookers chuckled, thoroughly amused by the two young girls' standoff.

"I heard the Nameless saved the Space Station, Asta. Is that right?" Herta asked, turning to Asta.

"Yes, Madam Herta, thanks to the Nameless's intervention, the Space Station was able to weather the Antimatter Legion's invasion. Theresa, in particular, was instrumental in ensuring the safety of our security personnel and staff," Arlan explained to Herta.

"Hmm, thank you for your timely assistance. I knew I could count on you not to stand idly by," Herta replied. "How about this? I'll waive all train repair and resupply costs for this trip." She glanced at Himeko and Welt as she made the offer.

"Madam Herta, are you sure? The train repairs alone are estimated to cost over ten million credits," Himeko confirmed.

"That's nothing," Herta assured her. "Not only this time, but I'll cover the next ten train repair bills as well. After all, there aren't many Nameless left who still uphold their pioneering spirit. If it weren't for your assistance, Herta Space Station would already be space debris."

Herta addressed the group with sincere gratitude. While her emotional intelligence might be lacking, she understood the importance of expressing her appreciation.

"We couldn't possibly accept such generosity," Welt replied politely with a smile.

"My word is my bond. You protected the Space Station—waiving a few train expenses is a small token of my appreciation," Herta insisted.

Her words brought nods of agreement from the group.

[Warning! Warning! High-energy reaction detected!]

The Space Station's alarm blared, cutting through the crowd's chatter as security personnel escorted the staff to the emergency shelters.

"Save me!"

"Heh heh... Aaaah! The Antimatter Legion is here!"

Some staff members cried out in panic, their voices thin and fragile.

"Roar!"

Amidst the piercing alarm, a massive shadow swept across the Space Station and slammed into the protective shield. The creature, a grotesque monstrosity with jagged limbs, glowing eyes, and a maw filled with teeth, clung to the barrier, its claws scraping relentlessly in a futile attempt to pierce it.

"Watch out! The Antimatter Legion is attacking!"

"That's the Legion's Planet Destroyer—the Doomsday Beast! We can't possibly withstand it!"

The Doomsday Beast, forged by the Antimatter Legion from fragments of Dusk Leviathans and the weeping bones of countless souls melted in the Warforge binding the unresolved wills of the deceased. The creature displayed complex emotions like wrath, sorrow, and manic joy, its core powered by a dark matter engine that symbolized the power of destruction and rebirth.

"Let me handle this!" Theresa and Welt said simultaneously, their voices overlapping. They paused, exchanged glances, and smiled wryly.

"You haven't changed at all, Old Yang," Theresa chuckled, her eyes fixed on the Doomsday Beast looming above.

"Neither has the Headmaster. What's your plan? Don't tell me..." Welt trailed off, his gaze shifting to Theresa as she summoned the Oath of Judah amid the astonished stares of the assembled staff.

"Need you even ask? This is my first stop, after all!"

"Welt, use the Star of Eden to deploy a shield and block the encroaching Divine Grace Barrier. I'll take care of that massive beast!" Theresa said, effortlessly wielding the Oath of Judah. Welt nodded in agreement. Despite often being teased as the "Oath of Judah Launcher," Theresa's combat prowess was far from weak, and her small stature belied her great responsibility.

"Are you sure about this? The Divine Grace Barrier could be dangerous for you, carrying the Vishnu Factor," Welt said while urging everyone to evacuate.

Stelle shook her head resolutely, determined to fight alongside them. Though she had only known the Nameless for a short time, she cherished their warm camaraderie.

"I'm staying too! Come down here!" March 7th shouted at the Doomsday Beast. The creature locked its gaze on her, tore through the shield, and landed before them.

"...!"

The group stared in exasperated silence at the stunned March 7th, who blushed sheepishly.

"I'll stick with you to the end!" Himeko declared excitedly. For some reason, seeing Theresa nearby filled her with a surge of exhilaration.

"Watching Miss Himeko get so fired up is quite the spectacle~" March 7th teased, composite bow in hand.

"I second March 7th's observation," Dan Heng added, gripping his Cloudpiercer Spear.

Welt said nothing, instead conjuring a black-gold shield to protect everyone. With this barrier in place, the team's confidence surged.

"Don't hold back," Herta called out to the Nameless from her position near Asta. "Give it your all." Her words brought a sense of relief to the group, knowing they wouldn't have to worry about damaging anything and being forced to pay for it.

"ROAR!"

The Doomsday Beast slammed its massive claw down. Theresa, her short legs propelling her forward, swung the Oath of Judah to meet the attack. She didn't notice her eyes shifting to a faint crimson hue, a sign that the Vishnu Factor within her was activating. Nor did she fully grasp the Doomsday Beast's true power. But after hearing it was classified as a Planet Destroyer, she resolved to hold nothing back.

CRASH!

"AOOO!"

Theresa's swing sent the Oath of Judah crashing into the Doomsday Beast's descending left hand, unleashing a deafening explosion and a pained roar from the creature.

Theresa landed hard, the Oath of Judah's weight creating a crater in the floor. The Doomsday Beast snarled at her furiously, bellowing in rage.

"I'm going all out now, Old Yang!" Theresa shouted. Welt nodded, assuring them that his black hole barrier would shield them from the Divine Grace Barrier's effects, as both were divine keys.

"Oath of Judah — Zeroth-Rated power! Divine Grace Barrier, deploy!"

(TL Note: Is that right?)

Shink!

As Theresa activated the Oath of Judah, the golden cross suddenly launched thirteen lances into the void, accompanied by the clatter of chains.