Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 705: Learnign the truth

Chapter 705: Learnign the truth

Vlad couldn’t help but smile as he felt the raw power coursing through his body. With the Legendary Demon Soul and these Divine Treasures, my battle power has reached an entirely new level!

"If I were to clash with the Legendary Vorometallciae again, I could kill him without a doubt!" The thought sent a surge of killing intent through the Depravita of Wrath’s mind, sharp and intoxicating.

Although the desire for battle burned fiercely within him, Vlad maintained his composure, as there was still a lot of work to do. He was not just a Legend, but a massive stronghold that would surely send enough power to kill him if he made the slightest mistake.

The Depravita of Wrath spent a great deal of time collecting resources and treasures from the tower—artifacts that would prove invaluable for his work.

With his haul secured, he left the tower behind and walked calmly back to his residence. Despite his newfound status as the supreme leader of the Korokor Stronghold—a status that entitled him to claim General Tiberius’s mansion—Vlad preferred the comfort of his own home.

The Depravita of Wrath was already familiar with it, and familiarity bred control, not to mention that it had already seen many successes, bringing a sense of confidence to his heart. Within a few minutes, he was back in his sanctuary and wasted no time before getting back to work.

The Legendary Demon Cage Runic Formation was already completed—a masterpiece of arcane engineering—but there was still much to be done in terms of rune crafting.

Other runic constructs could significantly impact the battlefield and reduce the pressure he and the soldiers would face. Vlad intended to make full use of every advantage he had for the incoming clash.

Without ceremony, he waved his hand, and a corpse emerged in a flash of light. It was none other than the body of the Legendary Vorometallciae with long-bladed fingers, whom Vlad had slain shortly after evolving into a True Depravita.

The corpse’s face was frozen in the last expression it had worn in life—a mix of shock, horror, and disbelief, captured forever at the moment Vlad tore the man’s heart from his chest.

Vlad took a deep breath. Using the vast array of treasures at his disposal, he began restoring the body with meticulous care. He worked tirelessly, guided by precision and an unsettling calm. When he was finished, the corpse appeared so lifelike that, if not for the absence of a soul, one could easily mistake it for merely sleeping.

A complete corpse of a Legendary being such as Vorometallciae was a priceless asset. To necromancers or puppet-masters, it could fetch a fortune. But Vlad hadn’t done this for money. No, he had something far more insidious in mind.

With a cold, merciless grin, he waved his hand again and summoned one of the Legendary Demon Souls.

"I can already imagine the looks on their faces when they see their commander walking among the living again." The wicked gleam in Vlad’s eyes sharpened.

He wasted no time, immediately beginning the next stage of his work. His runic pen danced across the surface of the corpse with inhuman precision, engraving lines of power that intertwined across the body’s skin and delved deep into its organs.

Each rune served a purpose, part of a grand design that would bridge death and unholy life. This was not simple necromancy—it was a fusion of soul magic, demonic energy, and high-level rune crafting.

Three long weeks passed.

Finally, the work was complete. A cold, unnatural light flickered to life in the corpse’s eyes as a demonic soul force ignited within it. Vorometallciae’s body began to stir, twitching and shifting with mechanical precision.

Vlad immediately activated his A.I. Chip, scanning the reanimated vessel for errors. The robotic voice echoed in his mind, confirming complete synchronization.

"Excellent!" Vlad shouted, unable to contain his excitement.

But the thrill was momentary. He quickly regained his composure, took a meditative posture, and began channeling energy inward. Tools and tricks were useful—crucial, even—but nothing could compare to one’s own power.

Now that his immediate projects were under control, it was time to return to training. While his energy pool was still far from the Legendary Rank, his body was very close.

However, as if fate were determined to interrupt him once more, a knock came at his door.

With a flash of light in his eyes, the Depravita of Wrath rose from his stance. At the entrance stood three familiar figures: Valeria, Scipius, and Cato.

The three scions looked uneasy—nervous, even—but this time, Vlad could sense that he was not the cause of their anxiety.

"Come in," Vlad said, his voice resonating with quiet authority.

The doors opened on their own, and the trio stepped inside. He could see the tightness in their expressions, the subtle tremble in their posture. Something was clearly wrong.

"It seems you’ve found something important," he said, his gaze steady.

The three exchanged glances, and after a silent nod of agreement, Scipius stepped forward and offered a crystalline shard. Without hesitation, Vlad took it and pressed his mind into the crystal.

A wave of data surged into his consciousness.

The files were filled with information about the Legend that had run away. His name was Patrick, and he had recently joined the Golden Sky Fortress.

Vlad’s brow furrowed. The fortress had seen a steep decline in new recruits after the war with the Void Heart Stronghold began, which was understandable after all the current war was one where even Legends could fall. For someone to join at this time was highly unusual.

As he scoured the information, clarity dawned.

Flashes of insight illuminated connections that had once seemed irrelevant. Patrick wasn’t just a soldier—he was working for someone very powerful and very dangerous.

The deeper Vlad read, the colder his expression became. By the end, his jaw had tightened, and a deep frown shadowed his face.

Without a word, he absorbed the crystal into his spatial ring and turned to the trio.

"You must speak of this to no one," he said, his tone like steel.

Valeria, Scipius, and Cato nodded immediately, dread written across their faces. Even if Vlad hadn’t commanded their silence, they would’ve taken every step to purge the memory from their minds. The weight of such information was far beyond what they were prepared to bear.

Vlad acknowledged their understanding with a small nod. "Leave now. Consider our previous misunderstandings forgotten."

The three scions exchanged quick glances, relief flickering in their eyes. Though they had ventured dangerously close to the edge by uncovering such volatile information, it seemed they would not be sacrificed for their curiosity—at least not this time. After offering deep bows, they turned and exited the residence.

Now alone, Vlad stood in silence.

"A spy among the Legends. So, it’s not just Vorometallciae I need to worry about... There are enemies much closer than I thought."

A heavy sigh escaped his lips. The weight of the world seemed to press down upon his shoulders, but his resolve didn’t waver. If anything, the pressure only sharpened his focus. He resumed his meditative position, determination solidifying in his heart like iron.

There were many ways to resolve his problems. He could scheme, manipulate, and outmaneuver—but none were as certain or direct as raw strength.

If he reached the power level of someone like Marshal Maximo, he wouldn’t need to worry about traitors or legends or even gods. All problems bowed before absolute power.

It didn’t take long for Vlad’s Depravita Aura to begin revolving, swirling around his body as it absorbed the ambient energy of the world. The aura pulsed rhythmically, steadily growing stronger with each cycle.

Simultaneously, the soul force of the Legendary Demon Soul nestled in his chest was nourishing both his body and energy pool, exponentially accelerating his cultivation speed.

With unwavering resolve and deep commitment, Vlad immersed himself fully in the process, pushing all distractions from his mind. He wasn’t the only one dedicating himself, either. The entire Korokor Stronghold was alive with determination.

Every seasoned warrior spent their waking moments striving to become stronger.

Though they had secured a devastating victory against the Vorometallciae, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before another battalion would come, driven by rage and the thirst for vengeance.

Three months passed.

Just as expected, another army approached the Korokor Stronghold, marching with brutal purpose. This time, their numbers were smaller—fewer than ten thousand. But their size didn’t comfort anyone. What caused concern wasn’t the quantity, but the quality.

Among them were over twelve hundred Sages, and the rest were all Guardians on the verge of entering the Sage Realm.

A heavy silence settled over the Korokor soldiers as they took in the sight. How could the Void Heart Stronghold produce such a force so quickly? Even for a warrior race like the Vorometallciae, this rise in strength was unnaturally fast.

Unlike the others, Vlad could see the truth. His perception pierced deeper than surface appearances.

"They truly are ruthless," he muttered, eyes narrowing.