Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 522: Dwarf vs small yellow cat

Chapter 522: Dwarf vs small yellow cat

The golden giant wasted no time and immediately issued a series of precise commands. Thousands of Xaos soldiers marched into the city with synchronized steps, their movements disciplined yet no longer oppressive.

To reassure the people, they removed their helmets, revealing friendly smiles and approachable demeanors. The message was clear: the people of the Strong Hammer Kingdom were now part of the Xaos Civilization, and the soldiers were honor-bound to protect.

No one obstructed their advance. Soon, the soldiers reached the city’s central square, where they began unloading a series of containers from their space rings. These containers were filled with cubes of monster meat—powerful energy-rich sustenance—and others contained red pills designed to heal the sick and elderly, curing ailments and restoring vitality.

The citizens of the Strong Hammer Kingdom were initially hesitant and nervous about this sudden change in their lives. But Torin’s reassurances had instilled trust, and at his signal, the civilians emerged from their shelters.

Slowly, they began accepting the food and medicine being distributed. Awe and disbelief spread across the faces of the people as they tasted the cubes of meat—the finest, most nourishing food they had ever eaten—and watched the red pills work miraculous changes in the weak and infirm.

---

Hours passed, and the atmosphere in the city shifted dramatically. A jubilant mood began to permeate the streets. Children wandered wide-eyed, staring in awe at the towering Xaos soldiers while eagerly devouring cubes of monster meat. Hundreds of Xaos medics moved through the crowds, using healing alchemy to treat the wounded and ill.

In the heart of the city, a massive structure was being erected—a communications tower forged with precision by Xaos engineers. Once operational, this tower would allow Overlord to monitor and guide every single person within the city, ensuring order and efficiency.

Torin observed these changes from a distance. A wide smile spread across his face as he saw everything proceeding smoothly. The sight of his people smiling and well-fed reaffirmed his belief that he had made the right decision. But his introspection was suddenly interrupted.

"BOOOOOOOM!"

A thunderous sound shattered the relative calm, jolting Torin out of his thoughts. His eyes widened as he turned toward the horizon and saw a gargantuan serpent emerging from the sky. The creature, more than four hundred meters tall, was a vision of terror and majesty, its fiery body wreathed in lightning. Its immense form cast a colossal shadow over the city, striking fear into the hearts of those who saw it.

"There is no need to worry, Torin," Vlad said calmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "That is my champion."

Torin instinctively gripped his hammer and shield, ready to defend his people, but Vlad’s words gave him pause. He glanced incredulously at the Xaos King, barely able to comprehend what he was hearing.

The citizens of the city, too, noticed the serpent, their panic threatening to boil over. But before chaos could take hold, the Xaos soldiers moved to calm the crowds, their steady presence providing reassurance.

All eyes turned back to the serpent as it began to descend. To their astonishment, the massive creature transformed mid-air, shrinking down until it became... a small yellow cat. The surreal transformation left everyone stunned, struggling to reconcile the two vastly different forms.

The yellow cat, his eyes calm and discerning, nodded softly to Grand Marshal Angius before turning its gaze to Torin. He descended gracefully from the sky, landing lightly on Vlad’s shoulder, his gaze never leaving the dwarf king.

"So, you’re the one who desires a battle of skill," the cat said, his voice clear and steady. "My name is Jormungandr, the Depravita of Gluttony and an Alchemy Master. I will be your opponent."

Torin stared at the yellow cat, still grappling with the fact that this small, unassuming creature was the same serpent that had dominated the sky moments ago. But the absurdity of the situation faded quickly as his battle will surge. His eyes burned with determination as he stepped forward.

"Let’s see who can forge the best weapon!" Torin declared, his voice filled with conviction.

Jormungandr offered a small smile, clearly enjoying the dwarf’s indomitable spirit. "Very well. Show me what you’ve got."

---

Five hours later, two kilometers outside the city, the contest was ready to begin. Torin and Jormungandr stood opposite each other.

Vlad had prepared the arena himself: a molten pool of lava to provide heat and energy and a flowing river, crafted with Xaos soldiers, to cool the weapons during forging. Earth mages had even constructed spectator stands around the area, allowing everyone to witness the duel.

The people of the Strong Hammer Kingdom gathered eagerly, their eyes gleaming with pride and excitement. Despite their newfound allegiance to the Xaos Kingdom, they still saw Torin as their leader, and their loyalty to him was unshakable. They cheered loudly, their voices carrying across the arena, fueling Torin’s determination.

Vlad stood in the center of the arena, a small smile playing on his lips as he observed the excitement of the crowd. He knew this contest would solidify the bond between the Strong Hammer’s people and the Xaos Kingdom. Rising into the air, he stood between the two challengers, waving his hand to summon two identical sets of materials.

"Each of you will receive the same resources," Vlad announced, his voice carrying across the arena with effortless authority. "The task is simple: forge the best weapon you can within one hour. The better weapon will determine the winner."

He allowed his words to sink in before raising his hand and shouting, "Begin!"

The contest erupted into motion. Torin and Jormungandr immediately set to work, each with their unique approach. The dwarf chose to forge a traditional sword, wielding his hammer with precision and strength as the rhythmic sound of metal meeting metal echoed across the arena. He drew energy from the molten pool, shaping and refining the glowing steel with every strike.

Jormungandr, in contrast, relied on alchemy. The yellow cat conjured vibrant alchemical flames that danced with unnatural colors, melting rare ores with meticulous precision. The air around him shimmered as he combined materials in ways that defied conventional understanding, his movements fluid and exact.

The crowd watched in rapt silence, their eyes darting between the two competitors. Every hammer strike, every spark of alchemical fire, seemed to carry the weight of the contest itself.