Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 376: Fight on top and below the bridge

Chapter 376: Fight on top and below the bridge

The Leviathans stood with their eyes closed, their energies in a state of stasis. This was especially useful for the drones, whose life spans were already short; the stasis delayed their natural deaths. They had been in this state for over three days, waiting for their next mobilization, when the insect-humanoids suddenly opened their eyes. Even in hibernation, their instincts were top-notch, allowing them to detect the enemy approaching.

Sadly for the Leviathan warriors, that was far from enough to save them. Dozens of arcs of lightning-infused fire fell from the sky in the next seconds. Some of the Leviathan warriors managed to move in time, but three were caught in the blast—their bodies scorched, their exoskeletons burned from the inside out. The explosion didn’t stop there; the combination of lightning and fire generated a shockwave that harmed the Leviathans around them, causing the deaths of nearly three hundred aerial drones.

Although those losses were grave, the hive mind showed no fear. All eyes focused on the small yellow cat flaming in the air, gazes cold and ready to attack. Jormungandr felt those thousands of Leviathans’ hungry and ruthless stares, but there was no fear in his heart. He was ready to fight them all, but that was not his mission. After weakening the Leviathan warriors, he dived toward the side of the bridge, heading for the pillar that kept the entire structure in place.

The Leviathans observed the small yellow cat’s movements, their eyes glowing as the hive mind seemed to figure out his goal. Although the Leviathans did not speak or interact with other life forms, the hive mind was incredibly wise and understood the importance of the bridge; there was no way they could allow its destruction.

However, before the Leviathans could even mobilize their forces to stop Jormungandr, two figures dashed from the start of the bridge, advancing like a freight train. They blasted every single drone in their path—one covered in red lightning and infernal fire, the other bursting with totemic light and a crimson aura.

Vlad and Freya raced through the mass of Leviathans on the bridge, their weapons cutting a swath of destruction. Vlad swung his halberd with ferocious power, each sweep releasing arcs of crimson lightning that electrified the drones upon contact. The drones exploded into fragments, their bodies no match for his might. Freya wielded her mace with equal ferocity, every swing generating shockwave that sent drones flying off the bridge with broken bodies.

The ground drones posed no threat to them; their momentum was so intense that any drone attempting to block their path was instantly obliterated. The duo moved in perfect harmony, side by side, covering each other’s blind spots as they advanced. Not only were they eliminating the drones, but they were also targeting critical points atop the bridge—support cables, structural beams, and joint connectors vital for the bridge’s stability. With precise strikes, they weakened these points, causing cracks and destabilization as they moved forward.

Each drone they destroyed released streams of Origin Force, which flooded into their bodies, rejuvenating them and making them stronger. Vlad felt the surge of energy amplify his strength, the Heart of Wrath within him pulsing with power. Freya’s totemic energies resonated, her vitality and agility heightened with every enemy fallen.

The Leviathans’ focus shifted toward the duo blazing through the bridge. Coldness and killing intent rose in their eyes as they recognized them as two of the major singularities among the humanoids—figures who had caused multiple setbacks. They needed to protect the bridge from the small yellow cat, but they also had to confront these formidable opponents.

It didn’t take long for the hive mind to make a decision. Thousands of aerial drones rose into the air, immediately dashing after the small yellow cat, while the rest of the Leviathans concentrated their forces on the humanoids, attempting to surround them. Thus, a ferocious battle erupted both on the surface and beneath the Karman Bridge.

Vlad and Freya’s eyes narrowed as they sensed the great pressure of tens of thousands of Leviathans dashing toward them. If it were just drones, it would be one thing, but they had to remain vigilant for the more than ten Leviathan warriors among them. These insect-humanoid warriors possessed the strength of High Champions, and neither Vlad nor Freya had reached the level where they could simply ignore attacks of that magnitude.

It was paramount that they not be surrounded or halted, so they continued their assault, their moves blasting dozens of drones each time. Vlad thrust his halberd forward, sending a wave of crimson energy that sliced through the ranks of drones, severing limbs and cutting pathways. Freya swung her mace overhead, bringing it down with earth-shattering force. The impact created fissures in the bridge’s surface, destabilizing it further while obliterating the drones caught in the strike zone.

Their combined attacks sent shockwaves and energy arcs across the battlefield. The sheer power was overwhelming, but they always found moments to strike at the bridge’s weak points—smashing support beams, cutting tension wires, and destabilizing anchor points.

Meanwhile, Jormungandr was not having an easy time. The small yellow cat constantly dodged attacks from the thousands of aerial drones swarming around him. His flaming wings generated shockwaves of heat that sent any drone getting too close, spiraling away, their wings scorched and nonfunctional. He darted through the air with incredible agility, always one step ahead of the pursuing drones, preventing them from surrounding him.

Despite the relentless assault, Jormungandr focused on his mission. He aimed his lightning attacks at the pillars beneath the bridge—the very structures that kept it in place. Concentrated bolts of lightning struck the metal supports, overheating them and causing the material to weaken and warp. The metal groaned under the stress, fissures appearing as the integrity of the pillars diminished.

However, the aerial drones began to adapt, using themselves as shields to protect the bridge’s weak points. They formed tight formations, sacrificing themselves to intercept Jormungandr’s lightning blasts. The small yellow cat grimaced but remained undeterred, weaving through their ranks to find openings.

On top of the bridge, the battle intensified as Vlad and Freya finally reached its center and faced the Leviathan warriors. The insect-humanoid warriors were wise, the hive mind having learned of the duo’s might. Knowing that a direct clash would result in immediate defeat, they employed the drones strategically.

The Leviathan warriors used the drones to execute preventive strikes—sending waves of drones to attack and hinder Vlad and Freya’s movements. The warriors would launch attacks from a distance, using projectile-like limbs or acidic spits, then retreat behind the drone swarms before Vlad and Freya could counterattack.

Vlad and Freya found themselves frowning. The Leviathans’ tactics were troublesome; the fight was becoming extremely burdensome. The amount of Origin Force the drones provided was minimal compared to the energy expended in killing them. Their muscles burned from the continuous effort, but they couldn’t afford to stop. They needed to keep attacking and also conserve energy for when the bridge was on its last legs.

Determined, they pressed on. Vlad leaped into the air, bringing his halberd down in a sweeping arc that unleashed a wave of red lightning. The energy tore through the drones, scattering them like leaves in a storm. Freya spun in a tight circle, her mace emitting a crimson aura that expanded outward, crushing any drone within range.

Blood and metallic fragments coated the battlefield as drones and pieces of the bridge were sent flying, their bodies shattered. They kept a keen eye on the Leviathan warriors, who continued to harass them from a distance. Whenever an opening presented itself, Vlad or Freya would launch an attack toward the warriors, but the drones would intercept, sacrificing themselves to protect their stronger counterparts.

Despite the onslaught, they continued to target the bridge’s weak points. Vlad drove his halberd into a critical joint, twisting it to cause maximum damage. Freya smashed her mace against a load-bearing beam, the impact causing it to buckle and snap.

Above and below, Jormungandr continued his harrowing aerial battle. The aerial drones were becoming more coordinated, using themselves as living shields to block his attacks on the bridge’s pillars with greater precision and skill. He weaved through their formations, his flaming wings leaving trails of fire in the sky. With a swift maneuver, he ascended sharply before diving straight down, releasing a powerful lightning blast that struck the base of a pillar. The metal screamed as it overheated, but drones quickly swarmed the area, absorbing subsequent attacks with their bodies.

The small yellow cat gritted his teeth. ’They’re relentless,’ he thought, but his resolve did not waver. He needed to weaken the pillars enough for the bridge to collapse.

Back on the bridge, Vlad and Freya pushed themselves to their limits. The drones kept coming, and the Leviathan warriors continued their hit-and-run tactics. The duo’s movements were a blur of offensive and defensive maneuvers. Vlad deflected incoming projectiles with his halberd’s shaft while Freya used her mace to block and counterattack.

Their breathing grew heavy, but the end was in sight. The bridge began to show signs of imminent collapse—cracks spreading, supports failing, and sections sagging precariously.