Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 398

Chapter 398: Dangerous Trials II

Standing at the strategy table, surrounded by his core team and Vanguard emissaries, Aiden outlined their next steps.

“Our scouts report increased Abyssal activity near the border towns,” he began, pointing to a cluster of red-marked locations on the map. “Malakar is preparing a counteroffensive, and we need to be ready.”

Rick, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, frowned. “The Abyss won’t just throw numbers at us. Malakar’s too smart for that. He’ll aim to break us from the inside.”

Myne nodded, her expression serious. “He’s probably already deployed his spies. We need to tighten our security and root them out before they can cause damage.”

Aiden glanced at Dren. “Double the patrols and increase background checks on all personnel. Use spirit wards to detect any Abyssal corruption.”

Dren saluted. “On it.”

One of the Vanguard emissaries, a luminous being named Altharion, spoke next. “Our forces can hold the border towns, but we’ve detected a surge of dark energy near the Eastern Nexus. It could be a weapon or a ritual site.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. “We can’t ignore that. Rick, assemble a strike team. Myne, you’re with me. We’ll investigate the Eastern Nexus while the Vanguard fortifies the border.”

Rick raised an eyebrow. “You sure it’s wise to split up right now? If this is a trap—”

“It probably is,” Aiden interrupted, his tone firm. “But if we sit back and wait, Malakar gains the upper hand. We need to stay on the offensive.”

Rick hesitated, then nodded. “Just don’t get yourself killed out there. We’re not rebuilding this whole operation without you.”

Aiden allowed himself a faint smile. “I’ll do my best.”

The Eastern Nexus

The Eastern Nexus was a desolate wasteland, its once-lush forests scorched and lifeless. The air was heavy with the stench of decay, and the ground was littered with fragments of corrupted crystal.

Aiden and his team approached cautiously, their weapons drawn and senses heightened. Myne’s shadowmancy scouted ahead, revealing faint traces of Abyssal energy leading toward a massive obsidian spire that jutted from the earth like a jagged wound.

“That’s definitely not natural,” Myne muttered, her eyes narrowing.

As they drew closer, the ground trembled, and a low, resonant hum filled the air. The spire pulsed with dark energy, and from its base emerged a horde of Abyssal creatures—twisted amalgamations of flesh and shadow.

“Hold the line!” Aiden shouted, his Martial Spirits flaring to life. The Golden Sword radiated a brilliant light that cut through the darkness, while the Death Dragon unleashed waves of annihilating energy.

Myne’s shadows danced around her, forming razor-sharp tendrils that tore through the advancing creatures. Despite their overwhelming numbers, the team held their ground, their coordination flawless.

But as the last creature fell, the spire began to crack, releasing a surge of chaotic energy. From its core emerged a towering figure—an Abyssal general clad in obsidian armor, his form radiating malice.

“So, you’re the one causing all this trouble,” the general sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “Malakar sends his regards.”

Aiden stepped forward, his eyes blazing with determination. “Tell Malakar we’re just getting started.”

The general laughed, raising a massive blade wreathed in Abyssal flames. “Then let’s see if you can back up your bravado, little mortal.”

The Abyssal general’s blade descended with a deafening roar, carving a fiery arc through the air. Aiden met the strike head-on, the Golden Sword glowing brilliantly as it intercepted the massive weapon. The clash sent shockwaves rippling through the wasteland, scattering dust and debris.

“Focus on the spire!” Aiden shouted, his voice commanding despite the strain in his arms. The Abyssal general was far stronger than any opponent he had faced since arriving in the Immortal Realm.

Myne nodded and vanished into the shadows, her figure dissolving into a cascade of darkness. She reappeared at the spire’s base, weaving intricate patterns in the air. Shadowmancy tendrils coiled around the spire, seeking its weak points to destabilize the structure.

The Abyssal general snarled, his fiery blade igniting even brighter. “You think you can destroy the spire while I’m here? Foolish mortals!”

Aiden grimaced as the general’s immense strength began to push him back. Calling on the Death Dragon of Infinite Darkness, he unleashed a concentrated blast of annihilating energy. The dragon’s shadowy roar reverberated across the battlefield, forcing the general to leap back to avoid the attack.

“Don’t get cocky,” the general growled, raising a clawed gauntlet. Abyssal sigils burned in the air as a torrent of shadowy tendrils erupted from the ground, seeking to ensnare Aiden.

But Aiden was ready. He invoked the Destiny Thread of Million Miracles, its golden threads weaving around him in an intricate dance. The threads deflected the shadowy tendrils, cutting through their energy with ease.

“You talk too much,” Aiden countered, dashing forward with blinding speed. The Golden Sword struck like lightning, each swing creating arcs of radiant light that forced the general to retreat step by step.

Meanwhile, Myne’s assault on the spire intensified. She summoned massive shadow constructs—towering beasts that battered the spire’s base with relentless force. Cracks began to spread across its surface, and the pulsing energy grew unstable.

The general roared in fury. “Enough!” He slammed his gauntlet into the ground, summoning an infernal barrier of fire and shadow around the spire. Myne was forced to retreat, her constructs dissipating as the barrier repelled her attacks.

“Dren! I need backup!” Aiden called out.

From the edge of the battlefield, Dren appeared, his dual blades gleaming with ethereal light. “On it, boss!” He charged at the general, his movements a blur as he unleashed a flurry of precise strikes. The general roared, his attention divided as he fended off the coordinated assault from both Dren and Aiden.

“Myne, bring it down now!” Aiden shouted.

Myne nodded, her hands moving faster than ever as she summoned a massive shadow hammer. The weapon materialized with a heavy thud, its surface etched with glowing runes. With a roar of effort, she brought the hammer down on the spire, shattering the barrier with an explosive burst of energy.