At Abry Hills...A Dark Knight approached Adrian, bursting with excitement as he reported, "Mr. Adrian, there's a stronghold up ahead, approximately fifty people." His eyes shimmered with fervor and awe.Adrian gently patted the Dark Knight's shoulder and spoke kindly, "Well done. Rest for now. Let the second team begin their operation." He then turned to the other Dark Knights. "To the rest of the teams, conduct a thorough search. If you encounter resistance, eliminate it. We'll meet at their headquarters."Encouraged by Adrian's instructions, the young Dark Knight saluted earnestly, his excitement palpable. "Yes, sir."After an hour of swift action, Adrian's Dark Knights had completely eradicated all the small and large outposts surrounding the Black King League's headquarters. Thirty outposts, with over eight hundred occupants, fell to the surprise attacks of Adrian's elite soldiers. Not a single enemy soldier was spared.Adrian's Dark Knights were seasoned veterans, each capab
The headquarters of the Black King League was hidden within Abry Hills, nearly taking up the entire range.After killing the last outpost guard, the Dark Knights callously kicked aside the lifeless bodies and drew their Darkblades. Five teams of Dark Knights met up, lining up in front of a massive steel door embedded in the mountain wall, resembling soldiers awaiting inspection."Mr. Adrian, all the Dark Knights have returned. Please give us your instructions.”Adrian, dressed in a black robe, stood before the Dark Knights and nodded with satisfaction. He glanced at the towering steel door and said, "Blast it open.""Yes, Mr. Adrian," the Dark Knights responded in unison.Just as they were preparing to detonate, a massive ax flew through the air, viciously cutting toward three Dark Knights.The three Dark Knights noticed the ax immediately. They frowned and unsheathed their swords without hesitation. Their pitch-black Darkblades clashed with the giant ax, creating intense sparks
"General!""Protect the general! Kill these bastards!""Attack!"Ebonie collapsed with a resounding thud, his gaze gradually losing focus. Blood spilled from his mouth, his lips twitching as if trying to say something.‘How... How is this possible?’ Ebonie couldn't believe it even in death. With his formidable strength, he never expected to die in such a miserable manner.Ebonie died with his eyes wide open. The densely packed Sablewind soldiers trampled over his corpse, roaring angrily as they clashed fiercely with the solemn Dark Knights ahead of them.In the instant of collision, large numbers of Sablewind soldiers fell like wheat before a scythe. They realized that these few Dark Knights in front of them, though few in number, were incredibly powerful. They were like reapers of death, taking down one soldier after another with each strike.The shadow of death loomed over their hearts, and the screams of their comrades tormented the Sablewind soldiers incessantly. After a fie
Outside the metal gate of the headquarters at Abry Hills, the battle had come to an end. Amid a field littered with corpses, the Dark Knights were covered in blood and exhausted. Yet, their eyes still brimmed with determination and the joy of victory."Mr. Adrian, we have annihilated a total of 756 enemies. Five Dark Knights are heavily wounded, and three lightly wounded," gasped the captain of the Dark Knights as he approached Adrian, pride evident in his voice."Well done. After the battle, I will ensure Zector is duly rewarded," Adrian expressed approval.Upon hearing this, the captain of the Dark Knights was instantly overjoyed. He gave a deep salute. "I will give my life for you, Mr. Adrian."Adrian nodded in satisfaction.Suddenly, Abry Hills began to shake violently, with large rocks tumbling down. The Dark Knights who were cleaning the battlefield immediately called to their companions, hastily seeking cover. One injured Dark Knight watched as the sight of a falling boulde
At that moment, a towering iron-armored spider over six meters tall crashed through the gate, appearing before everyone's eyes. Its eight metallic limbs pierced the ground like sharp spears. Mounted on its abdomen was an oversized crossbow, glowing red-hot from its previous barrage, exuding terrifying energy.Adrian frowned deeply as he looked at this iron-armored spider, which sent shivers down one’s spine. This thing shouldn't exist in the hands of an underground world organization. Instead, it resembled a war weapon from a certain country's secret research. These ordinary Dark Knights were no match for such a mechanical monstrosity. It seemed he had no choice but to order their retreat first.Knowing this, Adrian quickly made up his mind and commanded all the Dark Knights, "The mission is over. Immediately proceed to the designated evacuation point and withdraw swiftly.""What? No, Mr. Adrian, we want to stay and fight alongside you.""Yes. Mr. Adrian, let us fight with you.""
The iron-armored spider's head swiveled 180 degrees in vain, unable to find Adrian.With steely resolve, Adrian delivered a crushing stomp that shattered the spider's neck, sending sparks flying. Steel fragments severed circuits, extinguishing the red glow in its eyes.Upon destroying the spider's head, it seemed to go berserk. It relentlessly tracked Adrian, no matter where he moved.Evading another strike, Adrian calmly intercepted a cold shadow aiming for his face, gripping it with immense strength until it crumbled under his bare hands, embedding deeply into the steel.With a shout, Adrian spun and slammed the spider into the ground, creating a deep pit and stirring up dust. He then seized one of its legs, rendering it powerless as the crossbow bolts futilely fired around him.On the horizon, a convoy of armed off-road vehicles appeared, led by a stern-faced, burly man—the interim head of the Black King League's Dragoria headquarters, Dawid.Until now, he believed the league'
Ebonie's eyes flashed with madness and satisfaction as he roared, "Die!"An earth-shattering explosion erupted, flames shooting skyward. The shockwave left everyone's eardrums throbbing in pain."Is it over?" a soldier asked, shouldering an automatic rifle and gazing at the distant flames in shock.The older soldier beside him let out a sinister chuckle and said, "No one can survive such an explosion."Dawid wholeheartedly agreed. He knew better than anyone the terrifying power this weapon held. Within a hundred-meter radius of the explosion's epicenter, no one could have remained whole. Within five hundred meters, the shockwave would crush internal organs and brains alike to ensure death."Dawid! We're here. Where is the enemy?" someone shouted as two more ironclad units emerged."What?! The enemy was dealt with so quickly?" Jonas was stunned after hearing Dawid's explanation, though Emilia beside him flashed a knowing look."What? You don't believe me?" Dawid asked."Well..."
They all stared coldly at the mysterious man who had walked right into their trap. They were so focused on Adrian that they completely ignored the Armored Spider behind them, which was starting to move."Release General Dawid!" Jonas shouted. His expression was cold, but he was secretly overjoyed.At Jonas’ command, hundreds of soldiers aimed their weapons at Adrian, who remained calm and indifferent as if the surrounding soldiers were nothing to him.Despite his pain, Dawid began laughing loudly and glared at Adrian. "I know who you are. So, those worthless fools couldn't kill you after all. How about we make a deal? If you let me go, I'll ensure you leave here safely. How about that?"Suddenly, terrified screams erupted from the soldiers."Get away! That monster is moving!""Damn it! Arrows have no effect on it! Use grenades to blow it up!""Ahhh! Die, monster!"The surrounding soldiers looked around in confusion.Dawid was taken aback and asked, "What's happening? What..."
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