Juan replied, "Yes, ma'am.”He rushed out and swiftly gave out an order."All citizens, please exit your homes. Madam Sage would like to have a word.” The announcement reverberated throughout the city via the loudspeakers, repeating incessantly. The citizens stepped out onto the streets, murmuring and whispering. They knew that the number of monsters outside the city was unprecedented, so the idea of defending the city against such a force was impossible.The streets and squares filled with tens of thousands of people, from children to the elderly, all looking toward the headquarters building. There, Sage stood in her Wyvern Peak battle suit. As the crowd gathered, Sage's voice rang out."Citizens of Geras, the wheel of fate has reached our doorstep. After eighteen years of collective effort, we finally have a glimmer of hope. The battle at Mount Regent has begun, with a million warriors fighting in the belly of the Millionth Mountains. Meanwhile, our city has been tasked with lo
The people outside the city were stalling for time, while those inside continued their desperate search for the Godkey. With hundreds of thousands of civilians joining the fight, the situation on the battlefield eased slightly. Despite the unstoppable tide of the monster army, the human’s fierce will to survive had blunted their assault. The numbers were at a deadlock, but the cost of the battle was heartbreaking. Someone even had their arms severed by a monster, but they responded by biting into the monster's neck with their teeth. Neither side was willing to give up without taking an enemy with them.Time slipped by, marked by the fall of one life after another. The battle outside Geras was even more ferocious than the one at Mount Regent. Sage truly embodied the spirit of emperors of the past who faced national crises head-on with their subjects.Inside the city, citizens and soldiers joined forces, fighting to buy every possible second for those searching for the Godkey. Meanwh
The roar of engines filled the air as the jets escorting the Godkey took off. Javier piloted one of the planes, issuing orders for formation and defense against the bird monsters."Copy that.""Roger.” As the planes ascended, the young soldiers carried with them the hopes of the world, heading toward Mount Regent on a mission fraught with peril. Despite knowing they could meet the same fate as those who had transported food supplies into their city years before, they were determined to complete their mission."We're off, Sage. Please hold on until we return," Javier said with a salute, his voice low but resolute.The jets surged into the sky, quickly crossing over Geras as they headed for Mount Regent.On the ground, Sage looked up at the aircrafts and called out, "Godspeed, everyone. Our fate lies in your hands.""Understood. We'll push forward no matter what,” Javier answered, “Everyone, prepare for battle. We're going to deliver the Godkey.”"Roger that.""Understood."Th
"Strider, if there is a next life, I hope we can go out on a date," Those were Sage's last words before the shockwave consumed her. Nothing could withstand the blast. Everything inside Geras was turned to ashes as the city was razed to the ground. The millions of monsters that were swarming outside the city were also destroyed in the explosion, leaving not even a trace of their remains. The blast wiped out everything within a hundred kilometers. It would take ten years before any life could hope to thrive here again.***The explosion at Geras resonated far and wide. Javier and his fellow pilots were navigating their jets toward Mount Regent. The sight of the mushroom cloud that rose behind them made the young warriors weep."Javier, Geras is gone. They've initiated Plan Three. Everyone’s…Everyone’s gone. Our city has been destroyed," they cried, faces wet with tears and hearts heavy with sorrow.Javier inhaled deeply. "Pull yourselves together, everyone. Madam Sage assigned
This was a protracted defense battle, and every single person bore an immense responsibility.The fighter jets carried the fate of all humanity, flying toward Mount Regent with the Godkey. En route, they encountered countless attacks from monstrous birds, but the squadron pressed on, determined to reach Mount Regent.***Mount Regent had been a battlefield for three whole days. Core soldiers like Remy, Sylvia, Helen, Ivy, and Strider were directing the battlefield, while over a million soldiers fought with discipline and organization. Thankfully, their communication remained unbroken as they waited for the Godkey."Remy, why hasn't Jerome shown up yet? He's got a few hundred thousand men with him. I wonder if they're all right?" Sylvia spoke to Remy through her communicator while fighting monsters. Jerome was the only one who had not joined the fight, his whereabouts unknown. No one knew where Jerome—better known as War Legate Dominus—was since he rarely appeared over the past ei
"Screech!"The screeching of bird monsters filled the air as they madly surged toward the Godkey. As this unfolded, Strider, Remy, and Sylvia took to the skies, also rushing toward the Godkey.Helen shouted, "Air support! Protect the Godkey!"Boom, boom, boom!A barrage of cannon fire blasted at the bird monsters in the sky. Amid the fierce combat, Nova caught the Godkey. With the artifact secured, Strider and the others immediately protected her. Nova plummeted back toward the ground. Soldiers, already instructed, converged toward her location, forming a steel barricade around her to shield her from the onslaught.When she landed, Strider commanded, "Activate the Timewinder and draw him out! We'll only be able to be truly victorious once he's defeated!""Understood!" Nova responded."Everyone, cover her!" Ivy ordered."Move out!""Attack!""This is our last chance!"The monsters pressed their attack, while Daisy, Thunder, and Miguel shielded Nova, allowing her to make her
Mount Regent began to shake violently as the interior filled with a golden light. Nova's eyes snapped open as she shouted, "Rise!"Whirr!The Timewinder roared to life, lifting off the ground as it was engulfed in golden light. Then, with a thunderous explosion, half of Mount Regent's peak was blown away.Whirr! The massive clock, together with Nova, burst out of the palace and soared into the distant skies. Everyone looked up when they saw the golden Timewinder, whose hands were spinning continuously. With each movement, time seemed to be twisted in its entirety.Nova stood before the Timewinder, arms spread wide, her light intertwining with the Timewinder’s. With a shout, it emitted boundless golden light which shot upward and swirled rapidly into the sky like a vortex. The golden light opened a tunnel through time and space, tugging at everything with immense gravity."Get lost!" Nova yelled.Boom, boom, boom!The vortex erupted, and the light shining from the vortex cove
Up in the sky, Nova, enveloped in golden light, reversed the hands of the Timewinder, and the vortex began to spin in the opposite direction.She shouted angrily, "Would you really do something as cowardly as attacking us from behind the scenes if you were a god? Let's see who exactly you are today. Show yourself!"With a roar, the massive golden vortex spun rapidly, and a shadow emerged from within it. The shadow was stretched by the vortex against its will, but the pull was too strong for it to resist. After ten minutes of struggle, the figure finally could no longer withstand the power of the Timewinder and was pulled out from the vortex.The shadow was revealed to be a man with a youthful appearance in a battle suit. However, he had white hair and looked like an immortal wielding a dark sword. "He's here!""Prepare for battle!"With the man’s arrival, Remy and the others let out a roar. Strider said, "Nova, get back here now!" Since the Creator had already arrived, there
The Daemon Emperor was startled."What is happening? This power..."Formless energy was surging forward, pressuring his nerves and senses.Below, Andy and the others trembled uncontrollably."Who is it?" Finnian stared into the crimson mist.Even Andy was horrified, his gaze locked on the unfolding scene in disbelief, and asked, "What is this? What exactly is happening?" At this moment, Adrian abruptly opened his eyes.Apparently, the Daemon Emperor had once conspired with Adrian's subordinates to ambush him.However, Adrian had managed to annihilate the traitors and sealed this Daemon Emperor. Now, fate had brought them together again."If I killed you once, I can kill you again." Adrian stood tall, his white robes fluttering in the air.The Daemon Emperor was stunned into silence."This is impossible! You're not that mortal boy!""Is that so? In this life, your end has come, and so has the era of the daemons." Adrian's voice was calm yet resolute. He stretched out his han
Adrian's face hardened at the words. He despised threats above all else. While he understood what the mysterious entity desired, he couldn't yet fully comprehend its implications or find a way to counter it. His only choice was to focus on growing stronger.Within the hot spring, waves of raw, terrifying power surged and crashed violently against Adrian's body.The force, though beneficial, was brutal and overwhelming. Adrian's body struggled to endure, cracking as though it were disintegrating."Arghhh!"A heart-wrenching scream echoed as Adrian's flesh was torn apart and his aura gradually dimmed."Ahhh!"His agonized cries echoed once more. He could no longer withstand the pain.In the distance, a towering figure appeared and sneered. "What's this? Can't take it anymore? Pathetic. Humans are truly the epitome of stupidity."Suddenly, Adrian erupted with an explosive surge of energy, and in that instant, he broke through to the pinnacle of the Void Stage."Hmm? He actually b
At that moment, the crowd was speechless.Adrian had ascended as if it were the easiest thing in the world.Faced with such a sight, no one could say much beyond admiration. Even if the Holy Son claimed Adrian had cheated, many secretly wished they could cheat the same way.Lacking Adrian's means, all they could do was envy him.Finnian chuckled. "Haha! You really caught us all by surprise, kid. Still, I'll count this as you repaying me a favor."For Finnian, the outcome couldn't have been better. With a broad smile, he seemed to have achieved his desired result. Adrian's successful climb was all that mattered to him.Once Adrian had vanished, the focus shifted to the rest of the group and their trials.When Adrian opened his eyes again, his entire body ached, but an oddly comforting sensation flowed through him. Surveying his surroundings, he realized he was now in a pond."Where am I?" he asked.Though uncertain about the place, Adrian knew he had cleared the trial and arriv
The onlookers stared in bewilderment, their faces etched with confusion as they struggled to grasp the unfolding events.Meanwhile, Adrian seethed with barely contained rage. This wasn't his first encounter with such torment. Every few steps he ascended, another trial awaited.To Adrian, the relentless punishments felt suffocating. Yet he pressed on—this was the final stretch of the climb. "Adrian, hang in there!" Andy shouted, urging him to conquer the last step. To Andy, reaching that final step symbolized Adrian's growth. He had witnessed Adrian's remarkable resilience countless times and held unwavering faith in his potential. In Andy's eyes, Adrian was destined for greatness. Adrian's expression turned cold as he locked his gaze on the steps ahead. Determination flickered in his eyes. "If reaching the top guarantees a reward, it doesn't have to be me up there. As long as someone makes it, that's enough." With that, he shifted his focus to the void above and formed
Adrian felt as if every nerve in his body was beyond his control. A deep sense of grievance filled his heart as the divine thunder from the void relentlessly crashed down.Rage surged within him, but under the onslaught of endless forces, he felt weak and constrained.Still, he had no choice but to press forward. He knew victory was within reach if he could endure a little longer—giving up now would mean death.If he fell, the shame and humiliation would crush him.Below, the Holy Son and others waited, eager to see him fail and mock him. This left Adrian no option but to push forward, striving toward the void above and his ultimate goal.The violent forces continued to bombard him from the sky.With every step, the thunder's impact intensified tenfold. His soul, already battered from a fierce battle with a horde of beasts, now felt as though it was dragging his exhausted body forward.Anyone else would likely have succumbed to despair. After all, under such immense pressure, ev
The oppressive forces descending from the void seemed determined to halt Adrian’s ascent up the staircase.Yet he refused to yield. To him, these overwhelming challenges were merely obstacles to conquer.He pressed forward with relentless determination.Thunderbolts continued to rain down, but the ominous red light from before did not return—a relief, as he never wished to endure its crushing weight again.The memory of that light still haunted him, leaving a lingering sense of helplessness. Its suffocating pressure had drained his strength, reducing him to a gasping, powerless state.Despite the toll on his body and mind, Adrian remained singularly focused on reaching the final step. His burning desire for greater power drove him forward, unwavering and resolute.Step by step, he ascended, reaching the 95th step in what felt like an instant.Only five steps remained. His gaze locked onto the summit, and a wild glint lit his eyes. A daring idea sparked within him, consuming his
Adrian pondered his situation, his cold gaze reflecting simmering frustration. Yet deep down, he recognized that whoever had designed the staircase was far from ordinary.Creating such a formidable trial required unimaginable power.Even a pinnacle Void Stage expert—or perhaps someone of the Multiply Stage—might bow in reverence before the ladder's creator."He won't last much longer. The divine lightning in this void is utterly destructive. In moments, he'll be reduced to ashes," sneered the Holy Son, his sharp eyes gleaming with malice.To the Holy Son, Adrian's demise was inevitable. Adrian had dared to offend him, and he was certain such audacity could only lead to death.Adrian caught the Holy Son's words and cast him a frosty glare. His intent to kill was unmistakable, though now wasn't the time.The staircase was no place for personal vendettas—eliminating him here would require careful planning.He also knew the Holy Son carried seals of immense power. A reckless move co
Finnian's sharp gaze reflected a hint of admiration. "Kid, you owe me a big favor this time. You'd better treasure this opportunity."Adrian remained silent, unsure how to respond. His cold eyes revealed no emotion, though he fully grasped the challenges ahead.Fear was a luxury he couldn't afford—he'd come too far to back down now.Suddenly, a streak of red light surged from the void, hurtling toward Adrian with terrifying speed. His eyes widened in shock as the crimson beam struck him, slamming him against the staircase.Caught off guard, Adrian collapsed, sprawled helplessly on the steps.The crowd below watched in astonishment. No one had expected his seemingly indestructible body to be overwhelmed so easily.The Holy Son sneered. "Haha! It seems he's triggered some kind of taboo. Let's see how arrogant he is now!"His voice dripped with schadenfreude, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction as he relished Adrian's struggle.Despite the crushing force, Adrian refused
"What exactly is up there pulling me so strongly?" Adrian's expression hardened as he pondered the mysterious force drawing him upward.A surge of violent energy erupted across the sky, crashing down like a raging storm.Adrian advanced cautiously, each step deliberate and precise.Gone were the reckless strides of before—now he moved with steely determination, fully aware of the lurking dangers.He'd learned that the void's formidable forces seemed to target him directly, compelling him to proceed step by step. Any attempt to bypass its unseen barriers would provoke a devastating strike."Ridiculous," Adrian muttered. "If I've chosen to climb, nothing will stop me."The void's relentless power intensified.Bolts of thunder hammered down mercilessly, battering Adrian's body. Yet fear never crossed his mind.What was there to be afraid of?To him, the divine thunder wasn't an obstacle—it was a crucible, a tool to temper his body and strengthen his resolve.Despite the storm, A