Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 384: Back to Kuro Mountain

Chapter 384: Back to Kuro Mountain

Vlad, Freya, and Jormungandr stood atop the peak of a canyon, their faces etched with exhaustion as they gazed upon the relentless marching hive below. The wind whipped around them, carrying the distant hum of millions of wings and the clattering of chitinous limbs.

The trio had already attacked more than a dozen times, each unleashing all their power before escaping as fast as possible to avoid being surrounded. The strain was immense, pushing them to their limits. The hive mind adapted with every ambush they orchestrated, learning to counter their moves, making each assault more challenging. There were moments when miscalculations nearly cost them their lives.

A solemn expression settled on their faces as they surveyed the swarm. Though they had managed to eliminate over seventy Leviathan insect-humanoids, nearly one hundred remained, their numbers daunting. And that was not the only thing that bothered Vlad.

The young man felt a deep conflict within; such an incursion was clearly a major offensive, yet no Leviathan Elite Units were present. The Depravita of Wrath vividly recalled the might of those creatures, and it made little sense for them to be absent during such a massive offensive.

"I can’t shake the feeling that we’re missing something," Vlad muttered, his brow furrowed. The sun cast a harsh light on his determined features.

Jormungandr, the small yellow cat perched beside him, flicked his tail thoughtfully. "Perhaps they’re conserving their strength for a final assault," he suggested.

Freya tightened her grip on her mace, her knuckles white. "Regardless, we have to focus on the threat before us," she said. "They’re about a week from Kuro Mountain. Overlord must have already put the pieces in motion."

Vlad nodded. "Our communication artifacts should have reached headquarters by now," he said. "Every kill we make and every second we buy will count when the battle begins."

"Then we continue," Freya declared, her eyes sharp as she gazed at the hive below.

Vlad and Jormungandr exchanged glances and nodded. Eliminating the powerful Leviathans that could hinder their defensive formations was crucial. Moreover, the Origin Force they obtained with each kill bolstered their own strength.

They huddled together to plan their next move, aiming to take down as many Leviathan insect-humanoids as possible while avoiding severe injuries. "We can’t underestimate the hive mind," Jormungandr warned. "We haven’t seen the Special Unit yet. It could be recovering or waiting to strike when we least expect it."

"Agreed," Vlad replied. "We proceed with caution."

After several minutes of meticulous planning, the trio devised a strategy. The hive was traversing the canyon—a narrow passage that could work to their advantage.

As the Leviathan swarm entered the canyon, the sky above them began to darken unnaturally. Clouds swirled, and a wave of fire ignited across the heavens, casting an ominous glow. The hive mind reacted instantly. Drones ascended, forming protective rings around the insect-humanoid warriors, ready to act as shields. The warriors and aerial units scanned the skies, searching for the small yellow cat known for his fiery assaults.

But the wave of fire did not descend upon them directly. Instead, it split into clusters of flaming orbs that rained down sporadically. The hive mind commanded the drones to form canopies over the Leviathan warriors, using their own bodies as shields. The fiery clusters collided with the drone canopies, incinerating hundreds of drones. Yet, with millions at their disposal, the loss was negligible, and their sacrifice kept the Leviathan warriors intact for the impending war.

Suddenly, two massive explosions erupted from within the canopies.

"BOOM! BOOM!"

Shockwaves rippled through the swarm as the drone shields were obliterated. The hive mind reeled in surprise. As the smoke cleared, Vlad and Freya stood atop the shattered remains of two Leviathan warriors, their eyes blazing with determination.

The initial rain of fire had been a diversion—a ploy to trick the hive mind into focusing upward while Vlad and Freya hid within the fiery descent. Cloaked by the flames, they had plummeted with incredible speed, piercing through the drone canopies and striking down the Leviathan warriors before the hive could react.

Without wasting a second, they unleashed their full might.

Vlad gripped his halberd tightly, the weapon pulsing with energy. Electricity crackled along its blade, intertwining with swirling flames. He spun in a full circle, the halberd carving a luminous arc through the air. As he moved, the lightning and fire coalesced into a whirling tempest around him.

Completing his rotation, Vlad released the accumulated energy in a devastating surge. The arc expanded outward in a brilliant ring of elemental fury, slicing through the surrounding Leviathans. Insectoid limbs and armored carapaces were cleaved effortlessly, two more insect-humanoid hybrids disintegrating under the onslaught. The ground trembled, and the air sizzled with residual energy.

Standing firm amidst the chaos, Freya channeled every ounce of her Force and Totemic Energy into her mace. The weapon glowed with ethereal light, sigils etched along its surface, igniting one by one. She raised it high above her head, her muscles straining under the immense power.

With a fierce battle cry, she slammed the mace into the ground. The impact unleashed a colossal shockwave that radiated in all directions. The earth cracked and buckled, seismic waves tearing through the ranks of the Leviathans. Creatures were thrown into the air, their exoskeletons shattering as the ground beneath them exploded. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the immediate aftermath.

Powerful Leviathans were crushed to pieces, but the hive mind was swift to respond. Recovering from the shock, it directed the full might of the swarm toward the duo. Waves of drones surged forward, forming a living tide of chitin and mandibles. Aerial units descended en masse, their wings buzzing with a menacing hum.

Vlad and Freya’s eyes narrowed. Even with their immense strength, they were in incredible danger. Yet they showed no fear or dread—only calm determination. Before the massive waves of Leviathans could reach them, the sea of flames that had covered the sky began to descend toward them with immense power, casting a fiery glow over the battlefield.

The young man and the Viking princess moved swiftly toward each other. Vlad extended his lightning cloak to envelop them both, electric arcs dancing around their forms, while Freya raised her shield high, channeling all her energy into it. Just as the fiery waves descended with overwhelming force, they braced themselves.

The hive mind was outsmarted; it had not anticipated that the wave of fire would fall while the duo was still on the ground. It had clearly failed to calculate their determination.

As the burning heat scorched their skin, Vlad and Freya endured, standing firm amidst the inferno that consumed everything around them. The ground sizzled beneath their feet, and the air was thick with the smell of smoke and ash. Their eyes remained sharp, focused on finding an escape. Once they spotted an opening—a brief gap in the wall of flames—they unleashed their energy, dashing through the fire. They resisted the searing heat and their own wounds, adrenaline propelling them forward as they leaped toward the cliff of the canyon.

The hive mind seethed with fury at their endurance; it could not comprehend how they continued to cause so much damage and still survive. Leviathan drones and aerial units immediately swarmed toward them again, dark silhouettes against the fiery backdrop, the hive mind unwilling to let them leave. The buzzing of wings and clattering of chitinous limbs grew louder as the swarm closed in.

But before the duo could be overwhelmed, a small yellow cat descended from the air. Jormungandr grabbed Freya with his paws and used his tail to grasp Vlad’s wrist. With a powerful thrust of his wings, he lifted them both into the sky, dashing away at full speed. The wind rushed past them as they soared above the chaos below.

Shrieks emerged from the hive as they watched the trio escape, overwhelming rage and killing intent emanating from the collective consciousness. The sky was filled with the piercing cries of the Leviathans, echoing their frustration. Vlad and Freya could hear the enraged sounds and exchanged small smiles despite their injuries. The rage of the hive mind was a good sign; it meant their efforts were having an effect, sowing confusion and anger among their enemies.

As they moved into the distance, trails of Origin Force flooded into their bodies, rejuvenating them and amplifying their energies. A warm glow enveloped them, healing wounds and restoring vitality. Suddenly, both the small yellow cat and the young man’s bodies trembled, a magnificent light appearing in their eyes as they gazed at each other.

Freya noticed the silent exchange between the duo, curiosity flickering in her eyes. Before she could ask what was happening, Vlad spoke, his voice resolute.

"We must reunite with the troops," he said firmly.

The Viking princess nodded, sensing the urgency in his tone. It was clear that something meaningful was happening with the body and soul of the duo, and she just hoped it would help in the next clash.