The eastern shelter had finally begun to feel safe.The civilians were no longer huddled together in fear, and the injured soldiers had managed to stabilize those who needed immediate attention. There seemed to be peace. Unfortunately, it didn't last.A deep vibration rolled through the ground.Liam looked up.Beyond the ruined buildings, the central tower stood against the darkening sky, its upper sections wrapped in thick black tendrils. A moment later, an enormous pulse of dark mana erupted from its peak.The wave swept across the city.Windows shattered. Abandoned vehicles trembled, and the black growths covering the buildings began spreading again, crawling over concrete and metal like living things.Then came the screams.Far beyond the shelter, Abominations that had collapsed after the destruction of the relay began moving again. Broken bodies dragged themselves upright as dark mana flowed into their wounds. Creatures that had been retreating toward the tower stopped and turne

Nobody needed to be told twice.The soldiers scattered behind the remains of the defensive machinery. Lily dragged Karl away from the centre of the street, while Lucas retreated toward a collapsed building.Alex tried to move, but his legs nearly gave way.Liam caught his arm."Can you still fight?"Alex looked at the enormous mass of dark mana forming above the guardian."Honestly? Not much.""Then save what you have.""And what about you?"Liam looked toward the guardian."I'll make an opening."Alex stared at him as though he had lost his mind.Before he could object, Liam stepped forward.---The dark sphere had grown large enough to cover half the street.The guardian raised its arms, preparing to unleash the attack.Liam could feel the mana gathering in the air. It pressed against his skin, heavy and suffocating, as though the entire battlefield were being crushed beneath an invisible weight.His Silver Peak core revolved frantically.It wasn't enough.He knew that with absolute

[ Cultivation: Gold Beginner. ][ Adaptive Core Status: Evolved. ][ Foreign Mana Integration: 200%. ][ Authority Acquired: Dark Mana Control. ]Liam stared at the interface in front of him. He had crossed an entire major cultivation rank during the battle, yet he could hardly believe what had happened. Only a short while ago, he had struggled to interfere with the guardian's dark mana. Now, he could sense the same energy moving through the ruins around him.It felt different from ordinary mana.He could feel its presence without activating Insight, almost as though his core had developed a new sense. Even the faintest traces of dark mana seemed to draw his attention.Then suddenly something changed.The dark particles drifting through the air suddenly stopped moving.Liam frowned.A moment later, they began flowing toward him.At first, he assumed his new authority was absorbing the remaining energy. He instinctively reached for it, attempting to draw the particles into a controll

"However, their latest transmission indicates that they encountered an unidentified enemy near a settlement previously considered secure."The display showed a damaged settlement surrounded by unfamiliar terrain."Their distress signal was received shortly before communication was lost. We don't know the full extent of the situation, and their last confirmed position may no longer be safe."Liam stepped closer to the map."How long ago was the signal sent?""Long enough that we cannot afford to delay."Alaric studied the team."You have demonstrated an ability to coordinate under pressure, and you have repeatedly managed to survive situations that overwhelmed other groups. I am assigning Room 1313 to locate Angelina and Elena, determine what happened, and bring them back alive."Karl immediately nodded."Understood."Lily examined the terrain displayed on the map."Do we have any information about the enemy?""Very little," Alaric admitted. "The region's communication network has beco

The figures charged.Liam fired first.His railbow released a bolt that struck the leading figure in the chest, throwing it backwards into two others. Before they could recover, Karl rushed forward, his claws tearing through the air as he intercepted the next wave."Don't let them surround us!" Liam shouted. "Karl, hold the front! Lucas, take the strongest ones. Lily, I need those symbols intact if possible!""Understood!" Lily answered.Alex moved to Liam's left, his mana-converting axe already glowing. He swung at an approaching resident, releasing a concentrated burst of force that hurled the target across the street. The impact shattered a nearby wall, but the resident rose almost immediately, the black symbol on its forehead pulsing.Alex stared at it."You're kidding me."The resident charged again.This time, Alex waited until it was close before striking the ground. His axe discharged a powerful wave of mana, lifting broken stones and throwing several attackers off balance. He