Episode 612
A deafening screech echoed as the monstrous creatures from beyond charged toward the Thermo Fortress.
Leo leaped down from the watchtower to the wall below. He and Daria exchanged grim looks, their expressions hardening at the sight of these terrifying beasts, so unlike the usual monsters they faced.
Just then, Helen Draker, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, rushed over to them. She, too, had been drawn out by the sudden appearance of these creatures.
Approaching Leo, she spoke urgently. “Commander, these monsters are unlike anything we’ve encountered before.”
Leo nodded in agreement, his face mirroring her concern. “Exactly. The fact that these creatures, so different from the Undying Legion, have appeared out of nowhere is unsettling.”
Helen turned her gaze to the advancing monsters, her expression grave as they neared the outer defenses.
The usual beasts they fought were animalistic in form, but these new creatures defied categorization. Some were humanoid, others beast-like, and some were grotesque amalgamations or formless abominations. They were about to clash with the fortress’s outer defenses, which were made of iron bars infused with magic—effective against beast-like monsters, but their efficacy against these new threats was unknown. Helen, Leo, and Daria could only hope for the best as they watched the scene unfold.
The leading creatures charged fearlessly at the iron bars.
With a thunderous crash, one of the creatures slammed into the barrier, the magic coursing through the bars wrapping around its body. Normally, this would incapacitate a monster, but these creatures were different. They withstood the magic, continuing to batter against the barrier. Others followed suit, undeterred by the magical energy.
Daria, watching from above, frowned. “These creatures are unlike any we’ve faced. Their resistance to magic suggests they might break through the barrier.”
Suddenly, a massive roar erupted from behind, and a colossal creature appeared. Its upper body resembled a giant ape, but its lower half was disturbingly spider-like. It swiftly approached, using its many legs to grab a nearby rock-like monster, tearing it apart and hurling the pieces at the iron bars.
The impact was devastating, the bars crumpling under the force. Leo’s eyes widened in shock. “How can a monster do that?”
Monsters typically acted on instinct, incapable of such complex actions. Yet these creatures not only coordinated their attack but also used tools to dismantle obstacles, rendering previous defense strategies ineffective.
With the barrier breached, the monsters surged forward. Leo clenched his jaw and turned to Daria. “Commander, the outer defenses have fallen. Prepare the first line of defense.”
Daria nodded and descended from the wall, while Helen ordered her forces to stand ready. If the monsters breached the first line, they would have to engage them directly.
The monsters quickly reached the first line of defense, a stone wall, as the mages atop the fortress signaled each other. As the creatures approached, the mages unleashed their magic.
“Fire!”
A barrage of spells—fire, explosions, lightning—rained down on the monsters, tearing through their ranks. The sudden onslaught left many monsters in ruins, their bodies riddled with holes.
The air filled with the creatures’ dying screams as the mages prepared for another wave. The remaining monsters trampled over their fallen kin, charging the wall.
Again, the mages unleashed their magic, the wall serving as a platform for their devastating attacks. This strategy, devised by Hades, allowed them to conserve energy and avoid counterattacks, proving effective in this siege.
Leo and Helen observed the battle from the wall, noticing strange movements among the monsters that had retreated. Spikes emerged from their bodies, sprouting long tendrils that wrapped around the corpses of their fallen comrades, absorbing them.
The creatures grew larger and more grotesque, some even sprouting wings. Soon, they took to the skies, bypassing the wall and heading straight for the fortress.
But as they descended, a massive barrier of light appeared, halting their advance and sending them crashing to the ground. The second line of defense, a magical barrier, had activated, stopping the airborne assault.
Thermo Fortress, fortified against the dark sorcerers and monsters of the abyss, stood strong. The barrier was a testament to the countless battles fought and won.
Daria and the archers of the Centaur Bow appeared on a mobile tower, aiming their bows at the monsters. Daria loosed the first arrow, marking the target.
The archers followed, their arrows piercing the monsters with deadly precision. The arrows released a green smoke, a potent biological toxin that boiled the creatures’ skin.
The toxin, ineffective against the undead, proved lethal to these living monsters. The Centaur Bow archers, pragmatic and unburdened by notions of honor, were prepared to do whatever it took to survive and win.
As the toxin spread, the monsters writhed in agony, collapsing. Daria marked another target, and the archers unleashed another volley, driving the creatures back.
Then, a strange sound echoed from beyond the horizon. The surviving monsters retreated toward it, fleeing the battlefield.
Pursuing them would be dangerous, as their unpredictable nature could lead to greater losses. Leo watched them disappear, finally allowing himself a sigh of relief.
But he knew this was only the beginning. “If this was just the first wave… the main force will be even stronger.”
They needed to find out who was controlling these creatures and orchestrating the attack on the fortress.
At that moment, someone appeared behind Helen. It was Shadia, the deputy commander of Nemesis. She approached Helen and whispered something in her ear.
Helen’s expression darkened as she absorbed the information Shadia had relayed.
Once Shadia disappeared back into the shadows, Helen let out a deep sigh and turned to Leo.
“Commander, we have a problem.”
“A problem? Don’t tell me something’s happened to Rom?”
Helen shook her head at his words.
She spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully.
“Those beasts… it seems they haven’t just appeared here.”
Her brow furrowed as she continued.
“We’ve received reports of similar attacks in the major kingdoms and cities of the central continent.”
Thud!
A massive golem collapsed with a resounding crash, blocking the path of Baron and Harvey Draker.
Behind them lay the wreckage of dozens of fallen golems.
Harvey Draker glared at the shattered remains and spoke.
“Something’s not right.”
Baron, slipping on his gloves, questioned Harvey’s observation.
“Not right? What do you mean?”
Harvey gestured towards the golems.
“There are too many guardians. The Ruy I remember was a city long past its prime. With its leader gone, even in a secure zone, there shouldn’t be this many guardians…”
He clenched his jaw, continuing with conviction.
“Zeke Draker, that bastard, must have done something.”
Baron responded in a detached tone, looking at Harvey.
“Do you really believe Zeke Draker has such power? Enough to animate an ancient, defunct city?”
Harvey’s red eyes flashed as he glared at Baron.
“You still don’t get it. Zeke Draker’s abilities surpassed those of a mere mortal long ago. His power exceeds even Arthur Draker’s…”
At that moment, an overwhelming aura emanated from Baron.
Rumble!
Harvey winced under the oppressive force.
Baron looked down at him and spoke.
“Don’t sully the name of the divine with your petty judgments.”
Harvey, about to retort, thought better of it and stepped back. He realized arguing with a zealot would only be a waste of time.
Clicking his tongue, he shifted his gaze and spoke to Baron.
“The Book of the Lion is over there.”
Together, Harvey and Baron navigated through the golem debris and moved deeper inside.
Soon, they came upon an arched entrance.
Harvey raised his hand to the arch, and a strange symbol glowed on the back of his hand.
Creak—
He had secretly implanted an authentication key, stolen from the leader when he escaped, to bypass the security zone.
Buzz!
Once the authentication was complete, the invisible barrier at the archway vanished.
Harvey and Baron stepped inside.
A vast chamber unfolded before them, with a single glass case at its center.
Baron approached the glass case slowly.
“Is that it?”
Inside the glass case, resting in the center of the chamber, was a book with a black cover.