Jack activated his [Eyes of Judgement]. The world around him momentarily blurred. Replaced by a torrent of data that only he could perceive.
The monstrous Frog-man was now overlaid with vibrant, luminous information. Detailing its very essence.
[Creature: Front-Left Claw of Ink Dragon]
[Species: Ink Dragon Body Part]
[Power Scale: Very High]
[Karma: Negative - Extremely Evil]
[Archetype: Transformed Creature]
[Weakness: Seal]
[Origin: A front left claw of the mythical Ink Dragon. Transforming into a Frog-man Abomination.]
[Objective: Reuniting with other body parts and conquering the world.]
[Traits: Immortality, Mythical Defense, Great Magic Resistance, Physical Damage Reduction, Enhanced Regeneration, Illusion Absorption, Primeval Roar, Bloodlust, Aura of Corruption...]
Jack's spectral form stiffened. [Immortality]. That one word cut through the chaos like a razor.
His hoverbike's lightning blast and Reina's powerful illusions had done nothing. The [Mythical Defense], [Great Magic Resistance], and [Illusion Absorption] explained why.
But [Immortality] confirmed his worst fears. This wasn't a monster they could kill in the traditional sense. It was a piece of something much, much older. And infinitely more resilient.
The list of traits. An endless litany of destructive capabilities. They confirmed the creature's overwhelming power.
"Love!" Jack's voice was sharp. As he swerved to avoid another stomp from the gigantic monster. "This thing is immortal. We can't kill it. The only way is to seal it back."
Reina was still perched on the hoverbike. She turned her head. Her dark eyes went wide. "How would we do that, Dear?"
"I have no idea. But, that temple must hold the key." Jack explained rapidly. "You need to get everyone there. I will handle the monster meanwhile. But I need ten seconds. You know... to fully transform into Judge Jack. Only that form had a chance to distract and survive against it."
He knew his Judge Jack form. The hulking Black Buto. It was his most physically potent. It was pure destructive power. And capable of withstanding immense punishment.
Against an immortal creature, damage might be irrelevant. But stalling, holding its attention, was paramount.
His human form was out of question. His specter and kamaitachi forms could definitely survive. But, to keep holding its attention until the seal was ready? He was not that confident.
He needed to be strong enough not to be instantly annihilated. To act as a formidable, immovable object. Until a solution was found. And Judge Jack should be the answer.
"Ten seconds, Dear? You got it." Reina replied. Her expression hardened. Her usually affectionate tone was replaced by a steely resolve.
Without another word, she took over the Lightning Hoverbike. As Jack jumped down, she veered sharply. Turning its nose directly towards the giant Frog-man.
Its glowing yellow eyes, still untouched by their previous assault. Tracked her movement. Drawn by the sudden shift in focus.
"Hey, Ugly!" Reina shouted. Her voice echoed across the black lake. A challenge in every syllable. "Over here! Think you can catch me?"
She unleashed another lightning blast from the hoverbike. Not expecting them to deal damage. But aiming to annoy. The energy beam crashed against the monster's head.
It didn't cause any damage. But the monster's head snapped towards her. It lumbered forward. Its massive, clawed feet splashed through the inky water. Kicking up waves of black liquid.
Each step sent tremors through the ground. One that could be felt even where Jack stood. Preparing for his transformation.
Reina's daring maneuver worked. The creature's focus was entirely on her.
Jack didn't waste a second. He began his process of transformation. His muscles swelled. His leather outfit dissolved. Replaced by plates of bone and metallic armor. Blazing with dark flames. The Naraka Armor.
A massive, two-handed war hammer materialized in his gauntleted hand. The Judgement Warhammer.
The air crackled with raw power. Distorting even the light around him. As his burly human form became a physical manifestation of wrath.
The transformation was not instant though. Nine seconds. Eight. Seven. Time ticked down. A countdown to the unleashing of pure, unbridled force.
The Frog-man was now fully engaged with Reina and the hoverbike. Swatting at it with its colossal hands.
Reina unleashed her evasive maneuvers. Dancing around its attacks. Her illusions flickered. Creating phantom bikes that drew its attention.
It didn't work that well. The creature was immune to illusion. But, she was buying Jack precious time. A living target drawing the ire of an immortal beast.
Six. Five. Four. The transformation was nearing completion. The steamrune energy was solidifying into a form of immense power and resilience.
Three. Two. One. The transformation reached its apex. With a final, explosive surge of dark energy, Judge Jack fully materialized.
He was a colossal figure. Easily three meters tall. His demonic form radiated an oppressive aura of wrath and judgment. He was no longer the transcendent Steamrune Engineer. He was now the embodiment of vengeance. Physically ready to face down a mythical horror.
"Reina, get everyone to the temple! Find a way to seal this thing!" Judge Jack roared. His voice was a deep, guttural rumble that shook the air. He delivered a command that reverberated with absolute authority.
He didn't wait for a reply. With a powerful leap, he launched himself. Towards the monstrous Frog-man. His war hammer was raised high.
Reina, mid-evasion, blinked. She didn't question his command. She knew what needed to be done. Her mission was to protect the means to seal this horror. And that meant these knowledgeable archeologists.
She swerved her hoverbike. Zooming to the direction where the expedition members were.
"Alright, you lot!" Reina yelled. Her voice was amplified by a subtle illusion. Directed at the struggling expedition members. "Let's go to the temple! We need to find a way to re-seal that thing or we would all be doomed."
The Laycard couple looked up. Startled. The burly man glanced at his wife. A leaner woman with athletic build. They seemed exhausted. Their combined fusion spells seemed to drain much of their energy.
"Hurry! Get on!" Reina urged. Bringing the hoverbike closer. A lifeline amidst the chaos.
"My husband can stall that thing. But he won't be able to defeat it. We need to find a way to stop that thing!" She pointed towards Judge Jack.
He was now clashing against the giant Frog-man. The impact sent ripples across the lake. Making the very air tremble. A testament to the raw power unleashed.
As the Laycard couple scrambled onto the back of the hoverbike, Reina noticed something odd.
Leon Drake, the man still in the draconic armor, suddenly let out a shout. His armor shifted. Metallic plates sliding and reforming with an audible clang. And from his back, two leathery, draconic wings unfurled. Beating the air with immense power.
He heard Reina's words and knew she was right. He grabbed the elderly Dr. Crafton and the teenage girl Chloe Chase.
With a powerful flap, he ascended into the murky sky. Heading directly for the floating temple. His form was not exactly subtle. But it showed impressive spectacle.
"Well, that's convenient." Reina muttered. A faint smirk touching her lips.
These protagonist-type characters always had some trick up their sleeves. It saved her from ferrying three more people. Streamlining her task.
Just then, the elegant Baroness Artheim retracted her glowing constructs. A shimmering, spatial rift tore open in the air beside her. Crackling with arcane energy.
"We'll be in that temple." She shouted to Reina.
"This way! Bell! Ned! Moby!" She commanded. Gesturing to the three logistic members who had been surprisingly effective with their basic combat spells.
Without hesitation, the three men, plunged into the flickering portal. Followed by the baroness herself. The rift snapped shut behind them with a soft pop.
Reina raised an eyebrow. "Teleportation, too? Seriously! What a talented bunch."
She glanced at the Laycards behind her. Who were clutching onto the hoverbike with a mixture of awe and unease. "Looks like you two are my only passengers, then. Hold on tight!"
With the two remaining archeologists on board, Reina gassed the hoverbike. The powerful engine roared. And the vehicle shot across the black lake.
A blur against the dark water. Heading directly for the ancient temple that now floated ominously. Several meters above the surface. She had her objective. And she would succeed.
Meanwhile, Judge Jack slammed his war hammer into the Frog-man Giant. The impact shuddered through the monster. Creating a deafening CRACK that echoed across the lake.
A big dent appeared on its scale. From the point of impact. Leaving smoking trails on the war hammer's surface. The point where it met the creature's scales.
The monster grunted. A deep, rumbling sound of annoyance. But it didn't stumble. It wasn't damaged much.
Yet, its glowing yellow eyes fixed on Jack with a primal, malevolent glare.
"You're tougher than you look, eh?" Judge Jack snarled.
He pulled his hammer back. The weight of it was no burden to his titanic strength. And he swung again. This time, he aimed for the monster's knee. Hoping to disrupt its balance and force a reaction.
The Frog-man reacted with surprising speed for its size. Bringing its massive, clawed hand up to block. The hammer met the hardened scales. With a clang that resonated like a bell. Sending sparks flying.
The scales held. But the force of the blow still sent a jolt through the monster. Making it hiss. A clear sign of discomfort.