“The survivors in the Northern, Central, and Southern sectors have been secured and brought to the safe zone. However, we were unable to enter the Eastern Sector without encountering enemy forces.” A solemn middle-aged Special Agent, with a body riddled with scars, reported to the higher-ups sitting around a large table. However, the man was neither fearful nor too respectful to his superior. The only exception was the Minister of External Affairs, who had volunteered to join them and was the person in charge of most of the Special Agents. “The whereabouts of Madam Jevani, subsequent to her battle, remain unknown. In addition, the invaders have caught around 50 hostages, all of which are imprisoned within web-like cages.” “So we’ve reached a stalemate.” Michael Lopmore, looking more annoyed than before, shook his head and leaned back on the chair. “We cannot suffer to let them in our city any longer. We have to act decisively and swiftly.” Declared Bhak Djinn, whose hands were clas
Jennifer Savbra and Sulong Braveheart were taken to the already crowded meeting room, in which the higher-ups were awaiting for the reports.The first person to react was Kleya, the Nightmare Witch. Upon seeing the brown-haired and relatively petite Commander, she frowned.“Jennifer?”Likewise, Jenny’s body stiffened as she instinctively performed a military salute. Silya was kind enough to give her an abridged briefing, but it was still daunting to come face to face with Kleya.“...”With a blank face and clenched fists, Jennifer walked towards her direct superior. She wasn’t feeling guilty about her actions, after all, she had left her capable confidant in charge of the outpost. Moreover, it was the Witch Queen herself who had hinted about Zeke’s identity, so it was to be expected for her to go and seek him out.Still, Kleya seemed to be oblivious about the relationship between Zeke Orland and Jennifer, and from the look on her face, she wasn’t that pleased to see the Commander appe
“I am what you call a System Holder. Either I help you or I die.”In a situation like this, lying would have severe consequences for him, therefore, Zeke opted for speaking the truth. Of course, he only revealed the tiniest bit of it, but from the surprised look on the General’s face, it was apparent that he knew about the Systems.However, unlike the exaggerated and fearful reactions of humans, the Proto-Demon was merely surprised. He didn’t look threatened or become hostile.‘I also can’t directly oppose General Zhang and the rest due to the oath.’ Thought Zeke to himself as a sigh escaped his lips.“So it wasn’t out of compassion or kindness.” Commented Gajin Cordis, a soft smile forming on his demonic face.“As a civilian living in the Nezulian Republic, I want to defend my homeland. However, I wouldn’t surrender myself to the enemy forces out of ‘compassion’ and ‘kindness’. That’s plain stupid and outright suicidal.”“...”Gajin’s pupils dilated in a strange way as his stare inte
“Stop!”Gajin, who was struggling against Michael Lopmore, shouted and twisted his body to the side, firing multiple flaming arrows toward Bragdt’s direction.Alas, their potency was too weak as they were hastily fired, so Bragdt was easily able to deflect them with a swift sweep of his long spear.Essyna, who had been severely weakened from Kleya’s magic, knelt on the ground and gasped for breath, her body trembling ever-so-slightly.Like a hideous monstrosity, Bragdt’s mouth opened wide until it covered the entirety of his ugly face. His intention was clear as he crept closer to Essyna, seemingly about to devour her.Zeke leaned forward and activated ‘Champion of Speed Mode’ while using ‘Self-Injection’ to boost his stats. Like a literal bolt of lightning, he shot at Bragdt while unleashing multiple deafening thunderbolts.Fortunately, his interception did work on Bragdt and forced him to side-step and thrust his spear.As the spear was inches away from his torso, Zeke’s body let ou
Michael Lopmore’s ability allowed him to control the speed of his movement. However, very much like Julia, he had trained his body beyond the limits, thus rendering him akin to a moving tank.Even though he had fought Gajin and clashed with Jennifer, it didn’t look like he was going all-out. He was capable of much more.When his rapid body appeared next to the fallen general, he felt a chill run down his spines. A creepy aura of death and decay descended upon him as Zeke swung down the long scythe.He raised his arm to block the strike, but, much to his surprise, the scythe ripped through his skin and caused a nasty wound.Zeke, who had used ‘The Reaper’, slashed with the Scythe three times, successfully wounding the Hero. However, he felt a powerful blast that flung him in the air.Tiny buzzing projectiles made of Jennifer’s ability latched onto Michael’s body and exploded, making him stagger to the side and groan.Three humanoid Proto-Demons, wielding longswords, charged toward Gaji
“...”Kleya’s calm expression changed slowly but surely as Zeke’s Aether was replenished and his wounds started healing.A crimson fire enveloped his charred left arm, burning resplendently. Six blinding orbs of white light were floating behind him, forming a circle, and lastly, there was a creepy and ghastly silhouette that hovered right above him, threads linked to its bony fingers as it controlled Zeke.The surge of power was unlike Zeke had ever experienced. He felt rejuvenated as all the stats and skills of Sulong and Velvet were temporarily transferred to him.“I will not let you kill any more of them. It is not up to you to decide who lives and who dies.”Right after saying that, Zeke’s body literally vanished only to instantly appear in front of the Nightmare Witch.The ominous darkness burst from her hand, but it was too late as Zeke used his flaming left fist to punch her.Much to everyone’s surprise, the 6-Star Witch was sent flying like a cannonball. Not only that, but a b
Zeke was breathing rapidly while pressing his hand against his chest. He was on the brink of falling unconscious, however, he still kept pouring out voltage while glaring at the Nightmare Witch.She was also weakened, but not entirely incapacitated. Her pale face and the beads of sweat trickling down her forehead notwithstanding, she stood straight and silently looked at the seemingly defeated youth.“Your Excellency, I think this is enough. We should tend to the wounded.”General Zhang and Minister Bhak order the Special Agents to help those affected by the Death Door. As for the Proto-Demons, most of them fell unconscious and only 5, including Essyna, were able to resist the Death Door’s soul-rending aura of decay.Instead of attacking the youth, who clearly wasn’t going to give up even while in such a condition, Kleya walked to the Witches and took out an elixir from thin air.She knelt on the ground and, one by one, she poured a few drops into their mouths. The effect was immedia
Due to Gajin Cordis’ condition, which, albeit got better thanks to the Healing Elixir, was still not enough for him to awake from his slumber. Only after a whole week did the General regain his senses and wake up. Zeke had stayed with him and Essyna the whole time, but he wasn’t mistreated by the Department of Defense. The infrequent reports he would get from Special Agent Elizabeth were enough to satisfy his curiosity about what was happening outside. Michael Lopmore was taken back home and didn’t wake up yet. The Nightmare Witch returned to the Witch Association along with her kin, and a public funeral was held at the Central Plaza of Poudel City. Albeit slowly, peace was returning and the civilians felt reassured that all the streets were guarded by Special Agents and large tanks. Zeke met up with Sulong and told him to return home, which the latter didn’t oppose. After all, Sulong too had been locked up, but not in a cell. Ever since his capture, he was locked in a hotel ro