IDLE Database

While Aldrin was undergoing the application of the IDLE Database's multiplier on his real body, Irina relayed his words to the others.

Unlike him, who was slightly at ease when facing the smaller hyenas due to his experience of fighting hordes of insects, the four or twelve, if the other eight were included, couldn't do the same thing.

Firstly, they're mostly relying on the strength of their Metadomes. Their refined energy and their control were only supplementing it. Without the famed vehicle that allowed humanity to fight back against the unreasonable Dimensional Rifts, there's no way they could retaliate.

Secondly, most of them were inexperienced fighting against real Rift Monsters. They might have been trained even before they awakened as an Energy Refiner but nothing beats real experience.

Lastly, the appearance of the Dreadgnaw ate away their courage and determination to make a stand against the enemies. They instantly recognized the hopelessness in challenging it.

Such was the case with the trainees. There would come a time where they could overcome those three reasons but at the moment, that's something they had to carry on their backs.

In the brief time that Aldrin managed to buy for them, Frederic and Irina had already freed three trainees while they're receiving the support of Caroline and Clark.

The three freed trainees were already out of commission, sadly. Their panic reached their heads that it would need time before they could snap out of it. Due to that, they still had to rely on themselves to free the remaining five.

"Dammit! Wake the fuck up, you idiots! You're not dead yet, are you Energy Refiners or civilians we need to protect?!" Frederic yelled through the opened communication channel. It's at the volume where everyone frowned when it landed on their ears.

Despite his brutish fascination over battles, Frederic seldom cursed. However, that didn't mean he couldn't.

"Pick up your weapons and help your comrades out! We didn't get you out of that just to lament over your weaknesses! Stand up!" He continued at the same time as he freed another trainee.

Their Metadomes might've been chewed out on various parts but all in all, it's still operable. The location of the cockpit and the engine were the most guarded place and only the Dreadgnaw could rip it off with its jaw's strength and fangs' sharpness in a few bites.

"Y-yes!"

"I'm an Energy Refiner!"

At the very least, even if it sounded demoralizing, two out of the four freed trainees raised their arms and picked up their weapons to help liberate the remaining four.

"That's great. Four remaining! Let's keep at it and retreat. Aldrin can fall into danger if we take too much time." With her words laced with her worry over Aldrin, Irina encouraged the others while also reminding them of the one giving them an easier time to move.

Irina's Metadome spun at that moment and through her holographic screen that zoomed in slightly to check on Aldrin's state, her face fell as she witnessed the outpouring of more hyenas from behind the trees. She also spied a large ant and a large spider standing on their path but she lumped them as more enemies threatening their group.

She wanted to run to his side but if she did that, she's aware that their retreat would be delayed. That's why instead of that, she steeled her resolve to quickly finish what they set out to do.

As she spun in a full circle and her focus was quickly caught by the hyenas, she failed to catch that Aldrin's Metadome remained stationary while the purple Dreadgnaw charged at him in visible fury.

-

-

The pain had weakened but after experiencing three kinds of torture through the application of multipliers to raise his strength to that of a Stage 2 Energy Refiner, his mind blanked out for a moment.

He did recover but that's only when his Metadome got rammed from the front hurtling him backward.

A claw was about to send him to the afterlife but four human figures, clad in Basic Refiner Battlesuits superimposed by leather armors and wielding different kinds of weapons, emerged from behind to stop the Dreadgnaw.

The one wielding a heavy shield lifted it and after a brief shine, a powerful blast stopped the claw.

Following that, the one wielding the spear jumped out and thrust his weapon towards the purple beast. It was only one thrust but five more seemingly illusory thrusts from a spear followed, poking holes and drawing the blood of the enraged Dreadgnaw.

At that point, the Dreadgnaw retreated but its throng of smaller hyenas showed up from behind, their maws opened wide to take a chomp off the newcomers.

"… Sheesh. Saved by my Dimensional Clones." Aldrin shook his head in self-deprecation. He finally regained his senses and saw himself pathetic. Nonetheless, he dismissed that thought as quickly as he could. There's no time for lamentation. He could do that later.

Despite still feeling giddy, he resumed his Metadome operation through the EQL and lifted off its butt from the ground.

He then lifted its arm and aimed at the crowd of green-spotted hyenas. With unblinking eyes, he fired the Material Blaster.

[IDLE Points +150] x5

As it was connected to the Metadome's system. His enhanced refined energy gave it an upgrade. Its blast was wider than before, taking out more hyenas than he expected.

The ones who jumped were also affected. They got hit by the dispersing wind generated by the blast, destroying the momentum of their charge.

Taking that chance. Striker and Hitter who hadn't made their move yet did what they ought to do. The former jumped up and skewered two of the waggling hyenas while the latter drew the bowstrings in quick succession, impaling five more.

[IDLE Points +150] x2

The two skewered instantly died but the other five fell on the ground writhing in abject pain. A moment later, the four Dimensional Clones delivered final blows without missing a beat.

[IDLE Points +150] x5

Naturally, the seven corpses disappeared but that's the least of Aldrin's worries at the moment. The four Dimensional Clones that still had their orders to kill jointly move and pave their way towards the Dreadgnaw.

"I'm aware. They're all based on me.. But to see them taking these beasts out with extreme ease before my eyes felt unexpectedly surreal when everyone was having a hard time even with their Metadomes…" He sighed in slight amazement but soon enough, he cleared his mind to focus on his current objective.