Thick, violet blood splattered across the jagged rocks of the Abyssal Chasm floor. The carcass of the Abyssal Warden lay shattered alongside three other abyss monsters; their ribs collapsed, their skulls pulverized into unrecognizable shapes. Alden Vance stood tall in the center of the carnage. He clenched his trembling fists—not from fear, but from a surge of power that threatened to shatter his very nerves."My heart... why does it feel like it’s about to explode?" Alden muttered, his fingers clawing tightly at his chest.THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!Every heartbeat echoed thunderously inside his skull. His human cells were working like a frantic furnace, devouring the raw Aetherium radiation from the monster carcasses surrounding him. His arm muscles hardened, and the deep lacerations on his back knit together within seconds, leaving behind thick, calloused skin that felt impervious to ordinary blades."Somatic Resonance..." Alden tightened his grip until his knuckles cracked. "The human b

The dry air of the Deadlands stung the lungs with the scent of copper and dust. A reddish wind roared, lashing sharp grains of sand against the black walls at the mouth of the Abyssal Chasm. Behind Alden Vance, dozens of former human slaves stepped out, their bodies trembling, barely believing they were breathing surface air again."This desert... it really is the Deadlands," Cael whispered. He stared at the desolate horizon stretching infinitely, his sunken eyes reflecting a mixture of terror and hope. "I thought we were just moving from one hell to another."Alden stood at the front. The tattered black cloak he’d scavenged from a Daemonicus soldier whipped in the harsh wind. His sharp eyes scanned the giant rock formations and barren hills. Inside him, his Somatic Resonance devoured the raw Aetherium flowing thinly through the desert air, constantly fortifying his muscle fibers and bone density."How far is the territory to the west, near Ironclad Fortress?" Alden asked without turn

A chilling silence draped over the main cavern of the Iron Skull Valley. Dozens of Ashen Vanguard members stood frozen, eyes wide, staring at the thick steel plate on Garrick Ironwill’s mechanical arm, now severely cracked and buckled from the raw grip of Alden Vance’s bare hand. There were no spells, no elemental glow; only raw physical strength that defied the logic of their minds.Garrick exhaled a heavy breath, thin wisps of smoke venting from the gears of his mangled arm. Instead of anger, the giant veteran erupted into a loud, booming laugh that echoed throughout the cave. "Good! You son of a bitch, you aren’t screwing around, kid! It’s been over a decade since I’ve felt this intense a level of intimidation from a pure human!"Alden released his grip and took a single step back. His sharp, cold eyes stared at Garrick without blinking. "I don’t have time to prove myself repeatedly, Garrick. If you’re in on my plan, we move now. Ironclad Fortress must fall before the Sovereign Con

The acrid stench of burning raw Aetherium and the sharp smell of fresh blood hung heavy in the air of the Ironclad Fortress Command Hall. The two-meter-thick iron door, once carved with protective sigils, now lay shattered to pieces on the stone floor, destroyed by a single pure strike from Alden Vance.In the center of the room, Commander Valerius lay helpless. His magic-engraved silver armor was cracked in numerous places. The dark blue blood distinct to the Daemonicus race trickled from the corner of his mouth, dripping slowly onto the now-torn red silk carpet.Alden stepped forward slowly. His boots crunched against shards of Aetherium crystals, creating a cold, grating sound that echoed throughout the hall. Behind him, Garrick Ironwill and dozens of Ashen Vanguard soldiers stood guard with raised weapons, their eyes gleaming with deep satisfaction at the sight of their oppressor prostrated on the ground."Get up, bastard!" Alden's voice sounded flat, yet it carried a physical pre

The thick iron gate of Ironclad Fortress creaked heavily as it slowly opened. The outer air, thick with the stench of scorch marks and pools of blood, wafted into the courtyard. From behind the thin fog of the Deadlands, a tall shadow walked calmly. Alden Vance stepped inside, dragging Captain Vane's large rune-engraved spear in his left hand, while his right hand held a steel chestplate emblazoned with the shattered emblem of the Sovereign Concord.Behind him, the barren desert ground was covered with more than a dozen shattered corpses of Daemonicus elite knights. The Three-Star Execution Squad, feared throughout the Deadlands, was now nothing more than a pile of flesh and dented armor.All the Ashen Vanguard soldiers lined up along the fortress walls stood frozen. Their eyes bulged in disbelief. Not a single sound was heard except for the howling cold wind and Alden's steady footsteps."Holy shit..." Garrick Ironwill muttered softly. The giant of a man stepped forward, his ancient