Chapter 56

Around the time Yara and the others fought Elaine, an army composed of orcs and demons marched towards a towering fortress controlled by the Innate Nation. This fortress, named New Dawn, surrounded the gateway leading to the Grandsky Realm and was the Innate Nation’s first line of defense against any would-be intruders.

At this moment, weapons of war far more devastating than L2 Sunfire Lasers and V9 Mana Bolt Gattling Guns pointed at the massive blue portal that had recently activated. New Dawn would unleash hell on any unknown entities that passed through, no questions asked. The Innate Nation could afford no mistakes during this critical time.

According to long prepared plans, a stream of soldiers specialized in scouting and stealth made their way through the gateway and into the new world beyond. None of them knew what was waiting for them on the other side, but they showed no fear as they did their duty.

Unfortunately, New Dawn’s offensive capabilities focused inward rather than outward. That was why the several million strong army of orcs and demons confidently marched until they stopped a mere thousand feet away from New Dawn’s walls.

Only a hundred thousand among the army belonged to the old guard – the ones who entered the Innate Dimension way back when. Their levels averaged 600 to 650. The rest were their descendants, proliferated over five centuries, with levels between 350 to 500.

When their army stopped, Major General Luca, a beautiful elf with short yellow hair and a longbow on her back, appeared on the ramparts of New Dawn. She looked over the unorganized army of demons and orcs before locking onto a certain demon standing at the front and shouted, “High Demon Vikaros, are you reneging on the treaty between our people?”

Vikaros, a demon more masculine than most, stepped forward with a sneer. “Hah. Ridiculous. We would not be standing here today if not for the events of three years ago. The late Demon General Vokoth and Warchief Ugak followed your so-called treaty; look what it got them. A knife in the back!”

“That’s right!” An eight-foot-tall female orc walked up to Vikaros’s side. “My father, Warchief Ugak, was an honorable orc who kept his promises. Yet Yara, that conniving old wench, murdered him for no reason. Now you have the gall to accuse us of breaking our agreement. We have not forgotten this slight!”

“We have not forgotten!” The army roared, their voices shaking the ground.

Luca was unphased by the accusation and responded, “Stop twisting the truth. Lady Yara only acted after General Vokoth’s brother, Xeron, attempted to assassinate her family member.”

Vikaros sneered. “Just because you say he did, we have to believe you? And even if that was the case, why did Yara kill General Vokoth and Warchief Ugak too?”

Luca was about to comment when Ugak’s daughter shouted, “It doesn’t matter what you say. What matters now is whether you will let us through the gateway or not.”

“We cannot take the risk of you announcing the existence of the Innate Dimension prematurely.” Luca firmly answered. “Immediately return to your borders, or we will consider your presence here an act of war.”

“Then you leave us no choice.” Vikaros made a hand gesture. “Siege weapons, forward!”

At his command, twenty massive catapults the size of two-story houses appeared at the front of the army. Engravings lined their surface as they began to pulse with mana. A few demons loaded the catapults with a metal ball and shouted, “Ready!”

“Fire!” Vikaros waved his hand.

With a heavy whoosh, the catapults unleashed their payload. Luca promptly shouted over her shoulder, “Defensive barrier!”

A giant blue dome that covered New Dawn blinked into existence as the metal balls soared through the air. In less than a second, they collided with the mana barrier and shattered, revealing the blackish blood hidden within. Sizzling sounds rang out as the corrosive blood melted the barrier, only for fresh mana to reinforce what was lost. The catapults continued firing until blood covered the whole dome.

Vikaros laughed upon seeing this. “Let’s see how long you’ll last under this much Blood Oil.”

Blood Oil was a special alchemical concoction commonly used by the Sin Dimension to take down mana barriers and was very effective. Vikaros had assaulted several fortresses using it in the past, so he knew it was only a matter of time before New Dawn’s barrier fell.

However, as the minutes passed, it became clear this barrier was uncommonly durable. Knowing that New Dawn could receive reinforcements at any moment, Vikaros shouted another command, “War arrays, activate!”

The several million strong army activated the pendants hung around their necks and funneled their power into a thousand of their strongest fighters, 80% of which were demons. The designated combatants separated themselves from the army and made their way forward. Vikaros and Margaret, the daughter of Warchief Ugak, led at the front.

Before they got very far, Ska’dur jumped out from within New Dawn and landed in the army's path. He crossed his arms over his bare chest and gazed over the approaching army, his unkempt beard and unruly hair blowing wildly in the wind.

“Halt!” Vikaros raised a fist and looked over his presumed foe. “Ska’dur, is it? I’ve heard of you. The humans regard you as their strongest. Surely such praise hasn’t gone to your head? Do you really think you alone can stop our advance?”

Ska’dur let out a booming laugh. “I’ve always wanted to test myself against those from the Grandsky Realm, but I’ve never had the chance. I think your level advantage and numbers will serve as a nice handicap.”

Vikaros gaped for a moment before shaking his head and shouting, “Kill this fool and quickly take down the fortress’s barrier! Freedom awaits, brothers and sisters!”

“Freedom!” The army behind Vikaros chanted as the thousand war array recipients charged forward with Vikaros and Margaret at the front.

Feeling the powerful aura coming from his foes, Ska’dur’s desire for battle awakened, and he activated his innate skill, Mutation, causing his skin to tremble and bones to crack. Ska’dur’s body underwent massive changes as his head transformed into that of a bear, his skin into the scales of a dragon, and his limbs into that of a clawed reptile. Apart from the physical changes, traits from over 15 monsters strengthened various aspects of his body, whether it be the durability of a Mythril Golem or the explosive power of a Phantom Leopard.

After the transformation, yellow energy carrying a powerful vitality erupted from Ska’dur’s body, encompassing him within. The energy behaved like fire in the wind, its movement random and chaotic.

It was Life Energy.

[Transcendent (Legacy)] Life Energy – Level 603

Description: Acquire a unique energy based on the essence of the five primary stats. Use Life Energy to enhance your skills or body temporarily. The effectiveness of the enhancement depends on the quantity of Life Energy consumed. Life Energy slowly recovers over time. Each level increases the maximum amount of Life Energy you can store, the recovery time, and the enhancement value of each point of Life Energy.

Feeling power coming from three sources, a war array, his innate skill, and Life Energy, Ska’dur never felt better. He had lived without struggle for too long, and looking at the demons and orcs rushing at him, the passion he felt in his youth erupted once more.

After beating this army back, it was time for the Grandsky Realm to know his name.