2025-09-29 21:04:51They stood in a vast wasteland where the horizon could not be seen. Ancient ruins lay scattered about, their age impossible to guess. For two days and nights the squad marched tirelessly without spotting a single sign of life.
To make matters worse, the fog grew thicker with every step, shrouding everything in a pale veil. When they entered a jagged mountain range, the air grew denser, heavy with something eerie.
Most of the squad were Ascended, only a handful still Awakened, which at least made navigating this hellish terrain possible. But Ethan couldn't shake the thought that gnawed at him.
Something's not right… Even in a Tier 5 dungeon, we should have encountered beasts by now.
The unease twisted his gut.
Then it came.
A crushing pressure, so heavy it was hard to breathe.
"Everyone, be on alert!" Sony barked, his massive axe flashing as he drew it. His sharp instincts had already picked up on the evil presence lurking within the fog.
The Awakened tensed immediately. Sony didn't need to tell them twice.
Ethan steadied his grip on his blade. His Black Panther Hide armor, bought for fifty million Ace Tokens, pulsed with energy. Not only did it boost his speed, but its active skill, Shadow Panther, allowed him to conceal his presence. He may have only wielded a mutant-grade sword, but his techniques and his will made it lethal.
Hissss…
Their breaths turned ragged as the pressure thickened. The thirty-man squad quickly shifted into formation, mages and healers forming the center.
Then
BANG!
A wet shriek split the air. A purple fist shot from the fog and smashed into an Ascended clad in mutant beast armor. He didn't even have time to scream. His body burst apart like tofu, flesh and bone scattered across the rocks.
"Damn it!"
The mages unleashed a barrage of beams, but they sliced nothing but mist. The beast moved like a phantom. Another explosion rocked the ground, scattering their formation. By the time they regrouped, another Ascended had fallen, lifeless.
"It's a humanoid devilish beast!" Sony's voice thundered through the chaos. Only someone at Apex could read an enemy this fast.
"I already knew", Ethan thought grimly.His armor had warned him of the danger the moment it appeared.
"Protect the mages and healers—it's targeting them!" Ethan barked. His voice carried authority, and he dashed forward. His sword flared, wrapped in a condensed water blade.
CLANG!
The strike met flesh but it was like striking steel.
"What the hell…?!" Ethan's eyes widened. I thought humanoid beasts relied on intelligence and attack power, not defense!
He had used the Traceless Sword Technique, a Rank-S skill gifted to him by the Vanguard Guild after years of hard work. Even if it couldn't cut through, it should have left a scar. Instead, the beast stood unscathed.
From the fog stepped their nightmare.
A humanoid figure, skin purple as bruises, its tall frame lean but radiating deathly strength. It lacked muscle, yet its presence crushed them like a storm.
BANG! BANG!
Sony roared, aura bursting out as he activated his berserker skill. His energy scattered the fog, revealing the abomination.
He charged.
The clash shook the mountain, but within seconds Sony was hurled through the air, screaming. He landed hard, blood spraying as one arm was severed clean off.
"Damn it!" Ethan cursed then his eyes caught a fiery glow.
A massive fireball exploded against the beast, staggering it for a heartbeat. Ethan seized the chance, tossing Sony's battered body to the healers like he weighed nothing.
"Now!"
Fifteen Ascended surged forward with Ethan, raining down devastating blows. The beast blurred, dodging, before darting straight at the healers.
"Not a chance!" Ethan's speed exploded, his armor's skill kicking in. A colossal water serpent surged forth, coiling around the beast. Before it could break free, Ethan slammed his entire body into it.
BANG!
It was like ramming a steel mountain. Pain screamed through his bones, but he'd diverted its strike an inch away from a healer's skull.
"Damn… my whole body's numb"
"ROAAAR!" The beast shrieked in fury. This human this insectwas in its way. It shifted, honing in on Ethan.
Ethan smirked. His armor made him blur like a shadow. Right now, his speed rivaled Apex—over 220 points, faster than Sony himself.
The beast unleashed a storm of blows.
BANG! BOOM! CRACK!
Ethan slipped between them, every step like tracing fireworks in the dark. Not a single strike landed.
"Sony, now!" Ethan shouted, diving aside.
SPURT!
Sony's axe hacked down, biting deep into the beast's neck. Purple blood splattered the stones.
The beast staggered, shocked.
The battle raged for thirty more minutes. Together, they drove it back, mark after bloody mark tearing into its body. Ethan's panther armor and water skills worked in perfect rhythm, shackling the beast whenever it tried to retreat.
Finally, the creature was cornered. Wounded. Desperate.
Then
Puff.
It turned to purple smoke .
The awakened sensed more danger
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
THE MOCKERY OF MAN
BOOOM!A large explosion rang out. Gloria, Freddy, and Lynx were flung out through a shattered residential building. Dozens of humanoid beasts flooded them like a river. It was an ambush.Numerous injuries were seen on them like they came out from a horror movie. Freddy’s clothes were tattered. He was panting heavily. Lynx continued to maintain his focus.Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!Gloria threw many fireballs at the beasts, but they were strong. These beasts were at the peak of mutant-level beasts, which rivaled a middle-stage awakened. Gloria and Freddy were currently at the lower stage, but because of the constant battle they were beginning to enter the middle stage. Their attributes were slowly increasing.“Ethan!” Gloria shouted. Ethan was in the middle of dozens of beasts. He had drawn his [Death Blade], but he wasn't putting on any armour.Performing [Fiery Cloud Mountain Technique] together with [Starless Sword Technique], Ethan was like wind passing through even the narrowest spa
LOOTING
Looking at the billboard and Ethan's name, everyone was surprised and happy. At least one of their teammates was on the billboard."Ah, I am number 11," Freddy chuckled, looking at the class C aspect user, Ethan."Don't look at me. I defeated that monster toad, maybe that's what boosted my points," Ethan said calmly."Don't worry, everyone is on the rankings, which means we are already considered to have passed this trial. We may very well consider quitting now," Gloria said, happy she was number 15."Very well, how do you think we're gonna quit? I don't see any exit door," Ethan said, looking up and down as if searching for something."Damn you," Gloria cursed as she marched forward. Lynx and Freddy giggled. Ethan understood she was talking about safety, but he had bad news for her—ever since they entered this trial ground, nothing was safe.Ethan could still sense the powerful aura lurking around the ruins, but he couldn't lock onto its position. Anytime he tried reaching it, it esc
IMMORTAL SHOP
[Immortal shop opened][Listed items for sale][Weapons for sale ][Blue Goblin Spear tier 1: increases strength by 3. Price: 300 Astrum coins.][Iron Breaker Blade tier 2: increases strength by 5. Price: 550 Astrum coins.][Swift Bird Twin Dagger tier 2: increases speed and agility by 4. Price: 700 Astrum coins.][Boundary Pike tier 1: increases stamina by 4. Price: 400 Astrum coins.][Titan Grip Warhammer tier 1: increases stamina and strength by 5. Price: 800 Astrum coins.]Currently only 5 weapons were available in the weapon section, and the price was pretty high. The issue now was how he was going to get more Astrum coins. Because these weapons were at the low grade, what would happen when he levels up and needs stronger weapons?The only time the system awards him coins is when he fights high-level targets and completes special missions. Currently, he had about 3,800 Astrum coins which was considered poor since he could barely afford low-level weapons. Thinking about being poor
Fiery Cloud Mountain Technique
BangThe toad-like beast stood on its hind legs, its large toad eyes looking at Ethan with menace. Strangely, a bone-like weapon that looked like a hammer appeared in its hand.The aura of the beast had increased — probably at the middle-stage Sacred Beast.The tension in the air grew as the space became a bit heavy. Two gazes stared daggers at each other. If anyone should do stupidity and come in between them, they would instantly turn to mist.Ethan’s hand was on the hilt of his [Death Blade].The beast on the other side had its bone hammer on its back.“What! Does this guy have a death wish? I can feel its aura has increased!” a lady in purple armor cried out.Lynx, Gloria, and Freddy just stood there quietly. They were waiting for the moment.BOOOMLike a bullet let out of its pistol, the beast moved with frightening speed. Ethan just stood there unmoving.BangLike a mountain pressing down on an ant, the toad beast used its bone weapon on Ethan. The other awakened already thought
BATTLE ON
Shockwaves shook the entire area. Figures flew as they battled beasts head-on.It was now four hours since the beginning of the final trial. The awakened fought through the war-torn city. Most of them formed teams, while some chose to go solo.On top of a building, a fine teenage boy with silver hair and beautiful blue eyes that could capture souls stood. He looked around as if trying to figure out the depth of this hell.“What did you see?” a beautiful slender teenage girl asked.“Gods, it’s chaos in here,” Ethan said.With his [Third Eye], he could see a group of awakened—about five—battling a turtle-like beast. The beast had jagged, sharp edges for a shell.“That must be the boss,” he softly said.“Do they need help?” Lynx asked.“No, they’re doing pretty well,” Ethan said. He had been monitoring them for a couple of minutes now, and they were keeping the beast in a tight position.First, they isolated the boss—which should be a sacred beast—from its group. Because of how slow it w
SURVIVAL FOR THE FITTEST
"Sneaky bastard," Alex backed off, anger and fear in his eyes. "Look at what you've done. You have killed your fellow cadets. If the higher-ups hear about this your head will be chopped off in the public square." Alex looked with wide eyes."What kind of deranged person will pull off this massacre?" Alex thought, looking at Freddy."Oh really, you are talking about my head being chopped off in the public square. In this life it's survival of the fittest. You threatened me, so you deserve your fate," Ethan said as he began walking forward."Hahahaha," Alex laughed; his fearful face gone, replaced by calm mockery. "Of course I know it's survival of the fittest. These bunch of twats were too weak to adapt.""You see me and you have the same mind—I would like you and that girl to work for me," Alex said."Fool. You think you are going to see tomorrow?" Ethan said calmly."Hm, so much ego. You put up a great fight—I mean, you made me use my full strength, which no one under the Awakened ha
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