Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 387: March

Chapter 387: March

Freya could not help but sigh as explosions reverberated through the sky. The cacophony of blasts echoed across the battlefield, a grim reminder of the hive mind’s relentless adaptability. Each detonation was meant to weaken the Leviathan forces, but the enemy was constantly adapting, growing smarter, and hindering their moves. No matter how good a strategy was, it would not work forever; they were forced to constantly improve or risk being overwhelmed.

She gazed across the ranks of soldiers beside her. The worst part was not the failure to activate the Echo Bombs the right way but the impact it had on the morale of the troops. Facing a massive and intelligent army full of creatures that felt no fear of death and were willing to sacrifice their kind without a second thought was not something normal humans were prepared to do. The Leviathans were a relentless force, their collective consciousness making them a formidable opponent.

Luckily, all those here were people whose minds were powerful enough to survive the apocalypse and had undergone rigorous military training. Their willpower allowed their hearts to endure the pressure and remain firm in their battle formations. The soldiers stood resolute, their faces hardened by determination. They knew what was at stake.

In the distance, the road of sacrificial drones continued marching forward, activating all the Echo Bombs in their path. Each explosion sent plumes of smoke and debris into the air, but the drones pressed on undeterred. They reached the end of the plain before moving back, and not just that—they began consuming the dead and wounded of their kind, leaving not even a drop of black blood behind. It was a chilling sight, the hive mind efficiently recycling its fallen to fuel its advance.

After the entire plain was considered secure, the hive mind acted once more. The army of Leviathans marched forward, the drones taking the lead, their pincers echoing like the drums of war once more. The rhythmic clacking created a haunting melody, a steady beat that signaled the approach of destruction.

As the Leviathans closed in, now only three thousand meters away from the frontline of the Xaos Forces and Turkin soldiers, movement stirred within the walls of the fortified Kuro Mountain. Massive machines began to glow with magical matrices as mages channeled their energy inside. The air hummed with arcane power, and in the next moment, they fired hundreds of flaming boulders nearly five meters in diameter. The fiery projectiles arced through the sky, leaving trails of smoke and embers in their wake.

Grand Marshal Anglius and Major General Theodoro exchanged small smiles as they watched the boulders soar. It brought back memories of the first major clash at the Silent Wind Military Base when they faced an army of twenty thousand demons led by an Abyssal Champion. Back then, such numbers felt like a death sentence, but now they didn’t even cross their minds.

Unfortunately, just as they had improved, so too had the enemy they faced. It was the first time the hive mind encountered these types of flaming boulders, but it was quick to react. Tens of insect-humanoid Leviathans raised their claws, firing powerful darts toward the incoming projectiles, trying to intercept them before they could land. Sharp projectiles whistled through the air, colliding with the flaming boulders.

However, the premature explosion of those boulders did not save the Leviathans. The moment they were struck, the boulders detonated, unleashing hundreds of flaming and sharp debris into the hive. Fiery shrapnel rained down upon the drones and aerial units. While the blast was far from enough to harm the sturdy Leviathan warriors, it easily decimated the drones and damaged the aerial units.

Freya allowed herself a small smile as she observed more than ten thousand drones perish under the barrage, with many more wounded. It was just the beginning. Immediately, a second barrage of flaming boulders was fired, filling the sky once more with blazing missiles.

But the hive mind had already adapted. As the second barrage descended, the Leviathan warriors did not fire their darts. Instead, just as the boulders were less than three meters from impact, dozens of ground drones lunged toward each one, forming a cocoon around them right before they exploded. The drones were pulverized, sacrificing themselves to protect the hive. While the first barrage had taken down tens of thousands, the second only managed to eliminate less than three thousand.

A deep frown appeared on Freya’s face, mirrored by the rest of the generals, as they witnessed how short-lived their strategy was. The hundreds of mages surrounding the artillery ceased channeling energy into the weapons. The communication gems in their hands glowed softly, Overlord’s directives reaching them instantly. Continuing that maneuver was no longer cost-effective; their resources would be better utilized elsewhere.

Freya clenched her fist around her mace. "They’re adapting too quickly," she muttered.

Grand Marshal Anglius nodded solemnly. "We need to stay ahead, but our options are dwindling."

Major General Theodoro glanced at his communication gem as it pulsed. "Orders from Overlord," he announced. "Prepare to engage directly."

The next moment, the gems in the hands of all the soldiers began to glow as each received the same message. Their eyes sharpened as they took deep breaths, steeling themselves for what was to come.

"March."

It was a simple word, but it electrified the air. Every soldier understood the weight of the command. It was time to charge toward that massive wave of darkness. Hearts pounded, but fear was replaced with resolve.

Viserin’s eyes were sharp as he stood atop a massive demonic bear, its fur dark and eyes glowing with fierce energy. Raising his sword high, he shouted with all his might, his voice echoing across the battlefield.

"For our kingdom and our home! Charge!"

The Turkin King led the charge, his heart burning with determination. Tens of thousands of Turkin soldiers surged forward behind him, their mounts thundering across the ground. They used the terrain to their advantage, maneuvering with practiced skill as they prepared to clash with the oncoming drones.

The soldiers roared in unison, a battle cry that resonated through the air. Weapons were drawn, shields raised, and spells prepared. The ground shook under the combined weight of their advance and the approaching Leviathan