I Devour the Leftovers

Chapter 19: Preparations

The dead messenger lay in the dirt, his neck bent at an unnatural angle. The Ironclad were silent, their eyes flicking between Kaelen and the body. They had seen him fight, but this was different. This was calculated. Efficient. Cold.

Mara stepped forward, her jaw set. "You killed him. The Rust King will be here within the day."

Kaelen didn't respond. He was already walking toward the largest pile of scrap in the field—the remains of the Steam Golem and the Rustborn they had slain. He had work to do.

He sat down amidst the metal and bones. He closed his eyes, activating the Alchemic Codex.

[Scanning Available Materials...]

[Materials Detected: Steam Golem Parts (High Density), Rustborn Cores (Corrosive), Ironclad Scrap (Low Grade)]

[Recommendation: Synthesize Defensive and Offensive Modules.]

Kaelen focused. He needed a weapon that could counter the Rust King's alleged "corruption." He needed armor that could withstand the Great Cannon.

He picked up a Rust Core. It was brittle, flaking, and radiated a sickly orange energy. He then grabbed a piece of the Steam Golem's Hull—thick, reinforced steel.

He placed his mutated arm over them. The Vyre larva pulsed, extending a thin, purple tendril. The materials began to dissolve, breaking down into their base components.

[Synthesizing: Rust Core + Steam Hull]

[Process: Filtering Corrosive Elements, Reinforcing Molecular Structure]

[Result: Rust-Resistant Composite Plate]

A sheet of dark grey metal formed in his hand. It was lighter than steel but harder than diamond. It was immune to oxidation.

Kaelen began to mold it. He shaped it into a full suit of armor, covering his entire body. It was sleek, angular, and fit him like a second skin.

[Trait Upgraded: Living Metal Shell -> Rust-Proof Exoskeleton]

[Defense: 85% Physical/Magical Resistance]

Next, a weapon. He took the Gearwork Circuits from the golem and combined them with the Mana Capacitor he had claimed earlier.

[Synthesizing: Gearwork Circuits + Mana Capacitor]

[Process: Creating Energy Loop, Focusing Discharge]

[Result: Arc-Caster Gauntlet]

A gauntlet formed over his right hand. It was covered in glowing blue lines. It could channel the Vyre's energy into a focused blast of electrical force.

Kaelen stood up. He was encased in dark grey armor. His right gauntlet hummed with power. He looked like a machine of war.

Mara approached him, her eyes wide. "What... what are you?"

Kaelen looked at her. "Ready."

He turned and walked to the edge of the Scrap Fields. He could feel it. A tremor in the ground. A vibration in the air.

The Rust King was coming.