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
first day in school
Ethan walked through the overly spacious environment. All he saw was military color everywhere; this matched the setting well, as he understood quite clearly.Looking at his card, Ethan saw the information deeply imprinted on it.[ Name: Ethan Sylvester ][ Class: Freshmen ][ Aspect: Necromancer ][ Aspect Class: B Rank ][ Realm: Peak Stage Awakened ]“What? Necromancer?” Ethan was surprised as he saw the aspect they thought he had. “Why? What would make them think I am a necromancer?” Ethan was unhappy.Although necromancer was a good aspect, Ethan still felt they got his aspect wrong. What he wanted them to know was his space aspect.“Unless…” Ethan understood.Unless they caught him summoning the Fiery Cloud Mountain Toad when he was fighting the Black Mockery of Man.“That must be it. Since they saw me fight it when it was alive and I killed it, they must have thought I was a necromancer,” Ethan nodded.Still, the problem was how he would keep up with this lie.“Eh, I will think
A new chapter
Author’s Note:If you read up till this chapter, I want to say thank you for supporting me and sticking with me. Honestly, it wasn’t easy. I have a job on the side, and I am also a student, so dropping regular updates would be a little bit hard. Please bear with me. Thank you :)""""""""""""""""""""""""""""Ethan stared blankly at the ceiling as his fractured arm twisted back to normality.His mind was still in a rumble after seeing himself almost dying for the third time. The first was in his former life, the second was at the front lair of the king who wants to see tomorrow and now, and now this.Maybe one day he would gradually get used to it. But still, he could bear to die—he just couldn’t bear leaving his family behind.After staring blankly for forty-five minutes, his body was almost done healing up. He gradually returned to normal as his face straightened.Perhaps he was not strong enough. He could currently beat an Ascended right now, but that didn’t mean he could beat a Sacr
punishment
Ethan and the group finally arrived at the lounge.Feeling the luxurious room once again, Ethan’s head finally calmed down. Immediately, he hopped into the jacuzzi. The night sky was beautiful—countless stars scattered like dust, making the view even more spectacular.Putting on his headset, Ethan drifted to sleep inside the warm jacuzzi.Ding ding ding ding ding.The alarm blared. It was so loud it jolted Ethan awake instantly.The sky was almost fully bright as the sun began to rise. Ethan stood up and stretched his calm muscles. By now, his skin tone and body mass were becoming more and more fine-tuned.“Alright, it’s time,” Ethan said calmly as he walked to his bedroom, completely naked.Staring into the mirror, he adjusted his silver hair and tied it with a string.On his bed was a cardboard box labeled with the insignia of the military—a falcon pouncing on a snake.“How did they get this here?” Ethan wondered in shock. Throughout his rest, although he had let his guard down, he
Decisive
“What are you kidding me?” everyone in the hall exclaimed.“Who the hell is this kid?” a Transcendence with a mysterious aura looked at Ethan with sharp eyes.“The audacity… how dare he,” another Transcendence said. He had grey hair and seemed quite old.“Careful, old man,” General X gave the grey Transcendence a tough look. The other snorted and kept quiet. Who didn’t fear General X? Perhaps that person wished to meet his Creator.Everyone in the hall was quiet as they stared at the silver-haired Awakened. Too much pressure was exerted in the air, even choking those with weak levels.Supreme Diana looked at Ethan but didn’t cause much emotion to leak out. But one must know that this silence could cause destruction.“State your reason,” Supreme Diana said with a commanding tone.Ethan stared calmly. His title [UNBENDING] came to work. He got this title when he reached the lair entrance of the King who wanted to see him tomorrow.Surprise filled most of the Transcendence faces. “This k
Unbow
To see a supreme in their midst was a rare occurrence for the cadets. Some even took out their cellphones, snapping pictures of Supreme Diana from afar.Ethan and the group were seated at their table, quietly drinking wine. Gloria was still moody, though it didn’t show much.“Come on, will you? Are you going to spoil the reputation of the top rankers?” Ethan asked.Gloria remained silent.Ethan understood. She was newly awakened and hadn’t experienced much yet."You’ll soon get used to it" Ethan thought, chuckling inwardly.Richie walked back to the group, wearing the same smile he always carried—only this time, it was even wider.“Congratulations,” he said.“Thank you,” Ethan replied dryly, taking another sip of wine.After examining Ethan for a moment, Richie continued, “You should understand the importance of your rank now.”He waved his group away with a simple gesture.Ethan watched him closely." This guy sure has authority—for three middle-stage Ascended to follow him," Ethan th
supreme morvain
Ethan and the rest were shocked. Ethan quickly regained his calm. Lynx and Freddy stood quietly.“As thought as much,” Ethan said.“Better watch your back, Ethan,” Alex said as he walked off.“Is it only me, or why is everyone singling us out?” Freddy asked, feeling uncomfortable.“There is nothing to worry about. I am here,” Ethan said."""""""""""""Five minutes later, a sturdy man with long brown hair came over to the huge stage.“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the matriculation of Helios War Academy for first-year students,” his voice was steady and calm.Ethan was sure he was part of the military and not the Axion Guild.“Our special guest for this ceremony is Dean Diana, aka the Phoenix of Helios and the Storm Bringer of the War of Black Death.”“Nice accomplishment as a lady,” Gloria said, surprised. Who would have thought the dean was a veteran of the War of the Black Death?Everyone stood up and bowed. Ethan, of course, didn’t. He didn’t know why—the system didn’t want him
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