Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 392: Second day

Chapter 392: Second day

If the Xaos Forces had faced a human army, entering the walls after provoking such devastating casualties would have granted them a few hours of rest, as the enemy would have been exhausted. But that was not the case with the Leviathans. Even after losing more than half a million drones, tens of thousands of aerial units, and over twenty insect-humanoid hybrids, they still raged head-on toward the fortress with overwhelming power and killing intent.

Of course, given Overlord’s knowledge of the hive, he knew this would happen. The next second, the Mages who had been inside the fortress all this time showed their worth. Hundreds of men and women placed their hands on the massive outer ring walls, making sure everything was in order before pulling back.

In the following moment, massive magic matrices and energy conduits glowed across the fortress, emerging from the top of the volcano and reaching into the walls. Under the guidance of the Mages, that white energy took form.

Thousands of drones marched toward the walls as the magic matrices burst with power. In the next second, torrents of fire emerged from every inch of the fortress’s walls.

"Shriiieeek!" Screams erupted from the drones as they were scorched immediately under the massive waves of fire erupting from the walls. The massive surge from the hive that seemed to know no end froze for a second before immediately pulling back, standing right outside the ring of fire that surrounded the fortress.

It was a striking scene when viewed from the sky. The walls surrounding Kuro Mountain spouted fire non-stop, and right outside the range was a sea of darkness made up of millions of creatures that only knew how to kill and devour. The fortress contained tens of thousands of exhausted soldiers, but their eyes remained sharp as they gazed at the massive dark army.

"Ring of Fire will last thirteen hours. Use the time to replenish your energy and rest," Overlord’s voice emerged from their communication gems, and everyone relaxed for a moment. The A.I. Clone never made assumptions or sent mixed messages. If it told them they had thirteen hours, then they had that.

The troops took a moment to rest. Soldiers slumped against the inner walls, their armor battered and covered in soot. Medics moved among them, tending to wounds and distributing healing potions. The scent of cooked meals began to waft through the air as cooks set up large pots over open flames, preparing sustenance for the weary fighters.

After eating, many found places to lie down, closing their eyes to snatch a few hours of much-needed sleep.

---

Freya, Grand Marshal Anglius, Major General Theodoro, and King Viserin were all in a room. The group’s vitality was stronger than others, so they recovered faster. They were not making plans or strategies, as Overlord had already figured out every move for the war from now on, and they were simply allowing their minds a small respite from the war as flames illuminated the darkness of the night.

Seated around a simple wooden table, they sipped from cups of herbal tea. The warm liquid soothed their throats, raw from shouting commands during the battle.

"It’s been a long day," Viserin remarked, his voice deep but tinged with weariness.

"Indeed," Anglius agreed, stretching his shoulders. "But our soldiers performed admirably."

Freya nodded. "They did. The way they held the line against the Leviathans was nothing short of remarkable."

Outside, the distant shrieks of the Leviathans echoed, a constant reminder of the enemy that waited. The hive mind was making sounds that boomed like thunder, ensuring everyone remembered the horrors awaiting them the moment the flames were over.

Theodoro leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the window where the orange glow of the Ring of Fire bathed the night sky. "Overlord’s timing was impeccable," he said. "Activating the Ring of Fire just as we reached our limit."

"Yes," Freya agreed. "His calculations are precise as always."

There was a moment of silence, broken only by the crackling of the flames and the distant, eerie noises of the Leviathans. Each of them was lost in thought, the weight of the war pressing heavily upon their shoulders.

They continued their quiet conversation, sharing stories from before the war and reminiscing about simpler times. It was a small comfort amidst the chaos, a brief escape from the relentless struggle.

Finally, the sun began to rise, casting a pale light over the fortress. All the soldiers saw how the constant stream of energy coming from the volcano into the outer ring’s walls was starting to diminish. Everyone understood that the Ring of Fire that kept those monsters at bay was turning off, and the war would soon reignite.

The Turkin soldiers rose onto their demonic mounts as the Shadowstrike Legion, led by Theodoro, prepared to attack alongside the Golden Wave Legion. Armor was donned, weapons sharpened, and final checks made.

As for Freya, she stood next to Ned and the rest of the Lords of Horror. The hive mind could constantly adapt, and they would be on the lookout for the Lords of Horror this time, so Overlord did not bother to hide them, as it would be a waste of time.

Freya adjusted her grip on her mace, her eyes scanning the horizon where the dark mass of the Leviathan army awaited.

The thirteen hours had passed, and as the last flickers of the Ring of Fire died down, the dark waves that surrounded Kuro Mountain immediately marched forward. Their pincers glowed ominously as they began to scale the tens-of-meters-tall walls.

"Here they come!" a soldier shouted.

Spells of all kinds and a massive sea of arrows began to fall on the incoming hive, thousands perishing every second. Mages unleashed torrents of elemental magic—fireballs exploded amidst the swarm, bolts of lightning arced through the air, and shards of ice speared through the drones.

But the hive was relentless, advancing forward, rising through the mountain base, and heading toward the humans.