Published: March 2, 2025
It felt as if he had returned to the beginning of the apocalypse, the moment when the Demon Realm Gate had just opened.
The soaring demonic energy rose up into the sky, seeming to ignite a signal of alarm for the entire world. The gloomy sky, filled with murderous intent, not only caused the temperature in the Main Battlefield of Area Eight to drop several degrees, but also brought a profound pressure upon everyone present.
It felt like a heavy stone was piled on his chest; at this moment, he was gasping for breath, cold sweat streaming down his face.
“Hu… hu…”
His breathing was noticeably different from that of an ordinary person, quickly drawing the attention of those nearby, until with a sharp sound, a slap suddenly struck his face.
This blow was not strong, merely "knocking" him out of his daze.
“Are you feeling better?”
A serious and powerful voice rang out. Hearing this, the young man, who looked to be in his twenties, turned to the side and saw a tall man, nearly two meters in height, standing in front of him.
“I… I’m much better…”
A voice that seemed to be murmuring escaped the young soldier's lips. Looking at his pale face and tear-streaked appearance, the tall man gently shook his head.
“Everyone feels nervous, but being nervous doesn’t solve any problems. Adjust your mindset. As a front-line soldier, soon we may have direct contact with the first wave of demonic creatures. You…”
Perhaps the phrase "direct contact with the first wave of demonic creatures" was not very comforting, as upon hearing his squad leader’s words, the young soldier's face turned even paler.
Seeing this, the tall man decisively withdrew his ineffective consolation and gently put his arm around the young soldier’s shoulders, lowering his head to speak softly.
“Later, when I give the command, you move out. I will charge ahead of you, stay close to me and don’t fall behind.”
“Okay.”
A voice that sounded like a mosquito buzz came from the young soldier. Before he could react further, a massive sound suddenly erupted ahead.
Endless demonic energy seemed to turn into a substance, coalescing into a smoke dragon that roared as it shot out from the nearby Demon Realm Gate. In an instant, the entire battlefield was filled with a rich, rotten odor.
Behind them, the voice of the chief commander of the Main Battlefield of Area Eight echoed distantly.
“Everyone! Prepare for battle!!”
“Swish~”
At this moment, swords and blades rang out in unison!
“Artillery units! Fire!”
“Boom!”
In the next moment, the sound of thousands of cannons roared!
The young soldier felt the ground shake beneath his feet, followed by countless "fire meteors" streaking overhead, shooting straight up into the sky before diving down furiously, smashing into the area around the Demon Realm Gate.
In an instant, a sea of flames erupted, as if congealing into a steel hell at the forefront.
“We are strong… we are strong…”
Beside him, another white soldier clasped a cross in his hands, murmuring in prayer. Perhaps the soft prayer stabilized the young soldier’s nerves; at that moment, with artillery support, his previously taut heart unexpectedly calmed down somewhat.
Until a ray of light flickered from within the Demon Realm Gate.
“Swish…”
The point of light stirred and tore through space. A thick silver crossbow bolt, over three meters long, came hurtling towards him, directly striking the chest of the nearby white soldier.
The immense force was like a cannonball, instantly reducing the white soldier to fragments. The bolt continued its momentum, shooting straight backward, leaving a complete trail of blood and flesh.
Watching the cross that had fallen at his feet and the internal organs stuck to the body, the young soldier froze in place for a moment.
“Boom!”
The sound of cannon fire grew louder, and in an instant, it was deafening, making the young soldier’s eyes flash with stars and his ears buzz until a large hand harshly grabbed his arm.