Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 448: Inhumane weapons of war

Chapter 448: Inhumane weapons of war

Vlad’s eyes were sharp and cold as he watched the distant missiles streaking through the sky. He knew full well that these missiles did not carry any conventional explosives but something far more nefarious and dangerous. Had this weapon been intended against any other human force, he would have opposed it with every fiber of his being. Yet, in this dire situation, he reluctantly accepted its use. The stakes were too high. The Leviathan Race threatened the survival of the entire world, and no measure, however terrible, could be entirely dismissed.

The missiles nearly vanished from Vlad’s sight before they finally landed somewhere deep in the Ztan Country. He focused intently on the distant horizon, waiting to see what would happen. The moment the missiles touched the ground, they did not explode with fire or shrapnel. Instead, their metallic shells opened with a silent mechanical grace, releasing a dense gray fog that began to rise extremely fast into the sky.

Even though the human forces were tens of kilometers away, all the soldiers could see the fog covering the distant landscape. Those who understood the nature of that fog gulped nervously, but they did not lose their composure. They retained calm in their hearts, aware that Vlad and Overlord had planned this carefully. The wind currents pushed the gray haze deeper into the Ztan Country, carrying this silent menace into enemy lands.

Vlad glanced at Jormungandr and Ouroboros, nodding to the two other Sky Seed Depravitas before dashing forward. With shocking speed, he coursed through the air, leaving the rest of the army behind. He positioned himself inside the gray fog, his energy flaring around him like a protective shield. He was ready to isolate himself from the fog’s influence if it proved harmful, but he first needed to test its effects. Considering that as a Depravita, his vitality was overwhelming, and his immune system was nothing short of monstrous, he could afford to take this risk.

Vlad stood silent for a moment, recalling that Overlord had already tested the gray fog in controlled environments. Still, if he was going to lead hundreds of thousands of soldiers through it, he wanted first-hand confirmation. Determination appeared on his face. Finally, he took a deep breath, allowing the gray fog to enter his lungs. Immediately, dizziness assaulted him, accompanied by a brief wave of nausea. He staggered slightly in midair, but the feeling vanished almost instantly. Other than that brief discomfort, he felt nothing else.

Of course, Vlad would not rely on his personal experience alone. He knew he had long since shed much of his humanity, becoming something far greater—a Depravita. The soldiers behind him were still human, albeit enhanced, so he needed a representative test subject from among their ranks. He had something even more powerful at his disposal to ensure everything was right.

"A.I. Chip," he commanded silently in his mind.

Immediately, the faithful robotic voice echoed in his consciousness:

[Beep! The gray fog is not harmful to the Host’s body.]

Vlad smiled faintly at this confirmation, but he knew he could not use himself as a perfect template for the rest. He focused once more and sent a message:

"Come here. Be careful."

"Yes, my King!" came the immediate response.

A massive golden figure dashed toward the gray fog at impressive speed. It was Grand Marshal Anglius, not as fast as Vlad, but still incredibly swift. More importantly, Anglius possessed the highest vitality among the purely human troops. If something went wrong, he would have the best chance of surviving the ordeal.

The golden giant stopped about a hundred meters from the gray haze, his eyes sharp and wary. With a nod from Vlad, Anglius stepped forward and began to breathe the air. Dizziness and nausea assaulted the Grand Marshal, nearly making him lose his footing. He stumbled, but that feeling lasted less than a second. Immediately, he felt fine, as if nothing had happened.

Vlad’s eyes, as keen as an eagle’s, observed Anglius closely. The A.I. Chip scanned the golden giant thoroughly, checking for any sign of damage or future harm. The report came swiftly:

[Beep! Target’s body and biological system are intact. There is no damage or sign of future damage.]

A thrill of excitement coursed through Vlad’s heart as he read this. He was now completely sure that this weapon—the gray fog—would not harm his people. It was a huge relief, considering what a strategic gamble this had been.

"Let’s keep marching!" Vlad commanded, his voice resolute.

"Yes, my King!" Anglius responded, transmitting the order through his communication gem.

Immediately, the head of the army marched forward, and soon the rest followed. Many soldiers experienced dizziness and nausea as they reached the gray fog, with some falling to the ground. But like Vlad and Anglius, they recovered swiftly, continuing their march as if nothing had happened. Their trust in Vlad and the preparations made for this offensive was reaffirmed.

It did not take long for Vlad to return to the sky with Jormungandr and Ouroboros. The trio nodded to each other before their gazes sharpened, each using their A.I. Chips and senses to scan the surroundings, ensuring no hidden danger threatened the troops. They knew that the south was dominated by the Leviathan Race, so conflict was inevitable. The question was what form it would take.

Soon enough, the human forces encountered a swarm of Leviathans in their path. However, instead of a massive amalgamation of hundreds of thousands or even millions of battle-ready creatures, they witnessed a truly grotesque and disgusting scene. A vast swarm of drones lay convulsing on the ground, continuously puking while black blood oozed from every single orifice. They were in unimaginable agony, their bodies racked and broken.

It was clear that the cause of this horrifying death was the gray fog that had passed through this area, pushing deeper into the south of the continent. Even Vlad, who would not shy away from oceans of bloodshed, felt a cold shiver run down his spine. This was truly inhumane. He understood the necessity, but the cruelty of this method was undeniable.