Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 429: Trump card (I)

Chapter 429: Trump card (I)

The battle on the shores of Kylen Country had escalated into an all-consuming inferno. Explosions echoed across the landscape, and flames licked the sky and scorched the ground as destruction raged in every direction. The once tranquil coastline was now a hellish battleground, and the situation was growing increasingly dire for the Depravitas and the Viking princess.

Freya and Ouroboros fought fiercely on the ground, their bodies moving in a deadly skill as they faced the onslaught of Leviathan warriors and aerial units. Freya’s mace swung with brutal efficiency, crushing the exoskeletons of insectoid foes while her shield deflected incoming claws and spines. The power of her Totems allows her to reach a shocking speed.

Ouroboros moved with feral power. His claws sliced through the air, tearing into the Leviathans with savage precision. Muscles rippled beneath his white fur as he dodged and counterattacked, but even his enhanced senses struggled to keep up with the relentless swarm. Small wounds began to accumulate, each one a testament to the overwhelming pressure they were under.

"Freya, behind you!" Ouroboros snarled, lunging to intercept a Leviathan warrior aiming for her blind spot. He tackled the creature, driving his claws deep into its thorax before flinging it aside.

"Thanks!" Freya shouted back, slamming her shield into another attacker. Despite their prowess, the duo was being pushed to their limits. They had been unable to take down another Harvester.

Things only grew worse as the Harvesters rose into the air, their bulbous forms filled with lighter-than-air gases that enabled them to ascend slowly but steadily. Although the Harvesters were slow, the trio could not follow them deeper into the Moonson Continent as the overwhelming presence of Leviathans there would make it a suicide mission.

High above, Vlad was locked in a fierce aerial battle. The Depravita of Wrath wielded overwhelming might and destructive power; his body was enveloped in a fiery aura that blazed against the darkening sky. Lightning crackled around him as he clashed with tens of Elite Units and thousands of aerial drones.

Vlad moved with incredible speed, his fists and kicks enhanced by lightning and fire, carrying more than enough power to take down any Levithan that got struck. He dodged a flurry of spines launched by an Elite Unit, countering with a devastating punch that shattered its carapace. Another Elite Unit swooped in from above, claws extended, but Vlad spun mid-air and delivered a thunderous kick that sent the creature hurtling toward the ground.

Despite his superior strength and speed, the sheer number of enemies and their flawless coordination made it nearly impossible for him to break through. The Elite Units performed synchronized attacks, each one setting up the next in a seamless chain that kept Vlad on the defensive. They were determined to prevent him from descending toward the Harvesters once more.

Vlad gritted his teeth, frustration boiling within him. His killing intent surged as he realized their situation was worse than it seemed. They couldn’t afford to be exhausted here; Kylen Country was dominated by the Leviathan Race, and reinforcements were undoubtedly on their way. If they didn’t destroy the Harvesters now, they would lose their chance.

"Damn it!" Vlad roared, wrathful energy coursing through his body. He unleashed a shockwave that blasted the surrounding Leviathans away, momentarily clearing a path. His eyes glowed with fiery energy as he prepared his final attack. A laser beam erupted from his gaze, slicing through the air toward one of the ascending Harvesters.

The beam carried immense power, enough to obliterate the Harvester. But just before it struck, an Elite Unit intercepted it, sacrificing itself as a shield. The laser blasted through the Elite Unit, but its potency was diminished, and it failed to penetrate the swarm of aerial units guarding the Harvester.

Rage flashed in Vlad’s eyes as he watched his last laser beam nullified. He couldn’t afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment. Taking a deep breath, he regained absolute control over his soul.

"Freya! Ouroboros! Fall back now!" Vlad’s voice thundered across the battlefield.

On the ground, Freya and Ouroboros hesitated. They exchanged a glance, and reluctance was evident in their eyes. They still had strength left, but they understood the gravity of the situation. Retreating wouldn’t be easy, and staying would be fatal.

"Understood!" Freya called back, deflecting another attack before she and Ouroboros began to pull back, fighting their way through the swarm.

Vlad began to ascend higher into the sky as if preparing to escape. The Leviathans paused, the hive mind calculating its next move. Chasing Freya and Ouroboros would mean losing sight of the Harvesters, so it directed its focus on Vlad. Wounding the man would hinder him for a long time, a desirable outcome for the hive mind.

Elite Leviathans surged after Vlad, aerial units forming a perimeter to cut off his escape. Vlad glanced over his shoulder, a cold smile playing on his lips. Just as he reached the optimal height, he halted and turned to face his pursuers.

The runes covering his body began to glow, emitting an intense light. The Leviathans recognized the buildup of power and knew he was preparing for a cataclysmic fall. The hive mind remained confident; it believed the Elite Units could intercept and stop his attack.

Vlad’s smile widened, his eyes reflecting the arrogance of his foes. "Take this!"

A whip of dark Depravita Aura emerged from his Soul Dimension, intertwining with the glowing runes. The infusion of his Depravita Aura caused the power within him to surge exponentially. The sky darkened, and a demonic red sun appeared where Vlad hovered.

"Inferno Comet Fall!" Vlad shouted, his voice echoing like thunder.

He dived down, arcs of lightning propelling him forward with immense speed. The air around him ignited, and the sky trembled under his might. The Elite Units rushed to intercept, forming a barrier between him and the ground. They braced themselves, ready to sacrifice everything to stop him.

As Vlad descended, the heat and energy radiating from him intensified. He was a blazing comet!