Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 416: Jormungandr’s return

Chapter 416: Jormungandr’s return

As the last of the Leviathans fell and the battle for Kuro Mountain came to an end, a profound silence settled over the battlefield. Exhausted beyond measure, the human troops began to collapse where they stood, their bodies finally succumbing to the overwhelming fatigue that had been kept at bay by sheer willpower and determination.

No matter if they were seasoned generals or simple foot soldiers, all shared the same exhaustion. The moment their minds processed the fact that the fight was over, their willpower and fighting spirit finally gave in.

Black blood, thick and viscous, coated the landscape, and millions of Leviathan corpses were strewn across the mountain and its surroundings. There was much work to be done—disposing of the Leviathan bodies to prevent contamination, tending to the wounded, and fortifying their position—but at that moment, the only thing that everybody could do was simply rest.

Grand Marshal Anglius, Major General Theodoro, and King Viserin surveyed the weary faces of their soldiers. They knew the importance of dealing with the aftermath promptly, but they also understood the limits of human endurance. The same fatigue that assailed their troops weighed heavily upon them as well. Exchanging resigned glances, the trio allowed themselves to sit down, laying aside their weapons and armor. The cool ground provided a welcome respite to their aching bodies.

However, even as they rested, the strongest warriors remained alert, their senses honed for any sign of danger. They knew that the aftermath of battle could often be as perilous as the fight itself. It was this vigilance that caused them to tense when they noticed a figure flying toward them from the horizon.

Grand Marshal Anglius, Freya, and Ouroboros immediately reached into their space rings, retrieving powerful alchemical drugs that would restore their strength and energy. Though they knew the backlash from such potent stimulants would be severe, they were prepared to endure it if necessary. Their eyes narrowed, muscles coiling as they prepared for a potential new threat.

As the figure drew closer, details became clearer. The tension in their bodies began to ease when they recognized the familiar form. It was none other than Jormungandr, the Depravita of Gluttony. The small yellow cat moved gracefully across the sky, flaming wings unfurled behind him. Although the purity and density of his energy pool allowed him to fly unaided, the flaming wings enhanced his speed and maneuverability.

Vlad’s eyes narrowed as he observed Jormungandr’s approach. He could see wounds on the small cat’s body—signs of broken bones and torn skin—that indicated the battle with the Divine Leviathan had been fierce and had not ended simply when they were blasted into the distance. Despite the severity of his injuries, Vlad noted that they were mostly superficial. There were no signs of internal organ damage, and he knew that with Jormungandr’s robust constitution and Depravita Heritage, he would heal in a matter of hours, so there was nothing to worry about.

The small yellow cat reached Kuro Mountain and descended next to Vlad. All eyes were on him, a mix of concern and curiosity reflected in their gazes. They were eager to hear what had transpired after Jormungandr and the Divine Leviathan had disappeared over the horizon.

"I managed to wound the Divine Leviathan," Jormungandr began, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. "I took its right arm and both of its legs and drove a hole through its body using my strongest spells and also forced it to drain the last of its Divine Force. However, in the end, it managed to escape."

An annoyed expression crossed the Depravita of Gluttony’s face. He had wanted to end the life of the Divine Leviathan once and for all, but after pursuing it beyond the borders of Karman Country, he was forced to retreat. Even with his considerable power, venturing deep into the Monsoon Continent without backup was suicide since the number of Leviathans in it could be counted in the tens of millions.

While Jormungandr felt dissatisfied with the outcome, everyone else looked at the small yellow cat with awe and admiration. They had witnessed firsthand the terrifying power of the Divine Leviathan and how it had nearly killed the Xaos King. Yet Jormungandr had managed not only to confront it but to grievously wound it. Even if the hive mind managed to repair the Divine Leviathan, it would be extremely costly, and without the ability to recharge its Divine Force, the threat it posed to the human forces was significantly diminished.

"You did a good job," Vlad said warmly, a smile spreading across his face as he saw Jormungandr’s frown. He reached out and gently patted the small yellow cat on the head. As he did so, he activated his A.I. Chip, allowing its analytical power to scan Jormungandr.

As Jormungandr enjoyed the affectionate gesture, the robotic voice of the A.I. Chip echoed in Vlad’s mind.

[Beep! Scanning target.

Target scanned successfully.

...

Name: Jormungandr

Race: Feline / Depravita

Level (Energy): 14 ➔ 16

Level (Body): 15 ➔ 16

Life Level: Sage Tier

Class: Mage / Demon Soul Master

Lineage: Blazing Deceit (Guardian Devil Bloodline)

...

Stats:

Strength: 19.9 ➔ 50.4

Agility: 57.1 ➔ 111.3

Vitality: 20.6 ➔ 81.5

Energy Pool (Magic): 308.2 ➔ 1350.3]

Vlad’s eyes widened as he reviewed the data. Jormungandr’s levels had increased significantly. The small yellow cat’s forte had never been his physical strength, which was why, even after the awakening of his Depravita Seed and evolution along the Depravita Path, he had just now attained a Guardian Tier body. However, his energy managed to break through the bottleneck of the Champion Rank before anyone else, and he became a Guardian Tier life form!

"No wonder you were able to summon such a powerful spell with such ease," Vlad mused aloud, recalling the awe-inspiring sight of the massive three-hundred-meter flaming lightning snake that had sundered the sky and driven the Divine Leviathan thousands of meters into the distance. It was a display of power that few could hope to match.

Not losing focus, Vlad examined the rest of Jormungandr’s stats. Although the small yellow cat’s physical attributes were a fraction of his own, the energy pool was simply gargantuan. With such a vast reserve of magic, Jormungandr could unleash spells capable of obliterating an entire city. In all honesty, Vlad wasn’t sure who would win if a fight were to start between the two of them.