Chương 315: Chapter 307: When the Mighty Clash, the Weak Perish

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 14 hours 53 minutes 4 seconds.

"Tell the three generals I'm leaving the continent."

"As you wish," Hina replied with a slight bow. Descending the steps of the Hoplite stronghold, Priam slipped into the bustling crowd. His elevated charisma made it easy to either draw attention or blend into obscurity. No one batted an eye at the alien draped in mist, with fiery hair. I could assassinate someone in broad daylight, and they'd never notice. This new world was a stage of possibilities, audacious or unsettling. Brushing aside the intrusive thought, Priam focused instead on the vivid surroundings.

Weaving through the crowd, he found himself smiling. The cacophony, exotic smells, and kaleidoscopic garb painted the picture of a foreign land. Everything was new and waiting to be discovered. Taking in the spectacle, Priam strolled up the main street. Jōkamachi was a newborn city, its foundations laid less than two months ago. Despite advanced mechas, the System's miracles, and an abundance of resources, it still bore the hallmarks of a rushed development. Compromises were evident everywhere.

While the military compound was stone, the rest of the buildings were humble wood. Colorful but basic banners and flags dotted the landscape, advertising markets, shops, or public baths. The dirt roads were pressed flat by the passage of carts and exoskeletons. Still, the diversity of the pedestrians was striking.

"Some people are practically naked, and others look like they're wearing five layers," Jasmine observed.

"That guy's got a better sense of style than me, but that one? A blind man would dress better."

"Surprised? A civilization can encompass many cultures."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Priam was surprised as Jasmine's question was genuine.

"Well, back on Earth, there were hundreds, maybe thousands, of traditional outfits depending on the region. Same with food and art—just as diverse."

"Really? On Arkania, they taught us that social uniformity prevents hatred."

"Sounds pretty dystopian to me. I'll grant you this: standardizing science is useful—screw the imperial system—but diversity can be important." Priam chuckled.

"Sure, differences cause conflicts, but maybe the looming threat of extinction will help us get our act together."

"That's Prometheus' problem, not yours. Ooh, that stand smells amazing!"

"You just devoured two steaks half an hour ago."

"I have a fast metabolism," Jasmine shot back.

"Let's see what they're selling." The pair approached a street vendor hawking what resembled a hot dog. A rolled flatbread replaced the bun, the sausage's meat was unidentifiable, and the sauce was a suspicious green. Yet, the smell awakened his appetite.

"What's in it?" he asked.

"Not sure, but it's three contribution points if you want to try it," the young Hoplite said. He couldn't have been older than fifteen. Priam grimaced.

"Forgot to bring any currency." His Tier-6 silk boxers were probably worth more than the entire planet, yet he couldn't afford street food. What a life...

"Figured as much. Your ocular implant isn't even active. Move along; free samples are only for pretty girls." Priam rolled his eyes and turned away.

"It's not bad," Jasmine said, munching on something in his shadow.

"Did you just steal that?"

"It's not stealing. He said it was free for pretty girls."

"And that has what to do with you?" Priam teased.

"It'd be more convincing if you hadn't popped a boner the last time you saw me naked." Priam wisely chose to let the jab slide, shifting his attention back to the intricacies of Hoplite society. Dematerialized currency and discreet ocular implants coexisted with martial culture and vibrant traditions. While Hoplite society sometimes felt like a blend of feudal Japan and Sparta, the technological sophistication reminded him how advanced this civilization truly was.

Stomach still growling, Priam reflected on the knowledge he had gained from the Hoplite database. New perspectives on thermal energy, groundbreaking theories on massive object kinetics, and a detailed genome map of the Hoplites had all enriched his scientific repertoire. Most thrilling, however, was a holistic compendium on spearcraft—its science and application among humanoids. The true gem, though, had been the conversation with the military AI.

It sparked the idea to request access to cutting-edge research on artificial intelligence. Two centuries ahead of humanity, the Hoplites had danced close to creating a true AGI. While the integration had erased it, its foundations remained meticulously documented. With this new knowledge, Priam felt more capable of understanding—and perhaps advancing—his add-on. His mentor's warning still echoed: [Priam's System] is a boon until someone turns it into a bane.

Grinning, Priam eventually took to the sky, heading toward humanity's new capital. Plains, forests, deserts—every biome was dotted with the scars of war. Priam passed by Var Elegis strongholds without engaging. Despite his bond with Kazuki, he wasn't aligned with the Hoplites. In exchange for their knowledge, he was willing to assist them, but provoking the Var Elegis risked retaliation from Arnold in Elysium. An open war was premature. The memory of his battle against the Homunculus Tyrant made his jaw clench.

After my quintuple Tribulation, I wonder if he'll remain the strongest... The upcoming duels against the tribes would settle that question. Flying a hundred meters above the ground—the maximum altitude to avoid angering the sovereigns of the sky, winged titans capable of massacring Hoplites and Var Elegis alike—Priam crossed a significant portion of the continent in under two hours. More than abstract numbers, this long journey gave him a sense of the planet's vastness.

His fiery wings and kinetic mastery propelled him at Mach 3 with minimal energy expenditure, yet the journey still dragged on. At last, the coast appeared. Priam didn't slow, breezing past a Var Elegis defensive line. He absorbed a few bullets, shifted into mist to evade laser fire, and left the continent behind. The ocean sprawled endlessly, its vastness echoing Valaryth's. Ten minutes later, Priam encountered a storm capable of swallowing entire fleets.

Tempered by the Deluge, he soared through unscathed, laughing as the elements battered him in vain. Nature's fury was wasted on the Juggernaut. Eventually, calm returned, broken only by glimpses of leviathans lurking in the waves or shadows of sky colossi above. Priam theorized that as long as he stayed a bit above water, he was relatively safe. That assumption faltered when a massive shark leaped, aiming to devour him. Priam sidestepped midair, brushing his hand against its rough hide as it arced past.

[Identification] [Mega Squatina Proxima - Tier 1] - A titan of the deep, a hybrid of three shark species from the homeworlds of the Hoplites, Terrans, and Æsir. Its gigantism has altered its perception of its environment, and it now sees small humanoids like you as food. Hunger, not malice, drives it. For a human, the distinction is irrelevant.

"Even here sharks are misunderstood," Priam muttered as he activated [Kinetic Control]. His meridians protested, but the colossal shark froze mid-leap. He nearly laughed aloud at the feat. In a few months, he had gone from a regular human to a Champion capable of immobilizing a titan.

"Well, since I'm here, let's test this gigafauna." Hoplite reports suggested the System had scattered the nine civilizations across three continents to stave off immediate, catastrophic war. The oceans separating these lands teemed with nightmares meant to deter naval expeditions. Priam was curious about just how formidable these guardians were supposed to be. Raising his right hand, he summoned a fireball the size of a car and hurled it into the shark's gills.

The resulting shockwave and searing heat injured but didn't kill the beast.

"Resilient…" Though still Tier 0, Priam knew the strength of his attacks. Even a mundane Pyroball could incinerate a Tier 0 Earl. Lowering his hand, he reached for the mist, summoning Promesse. [Unrelenting Thrust]. His favorite spear skidded across the shark's slick hide before finally sinking in. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"Bulletproof." The study of the shark's strengths and weaknesses dragged on for a few minutes more before Priam finished the beast with [Tribulation Piercing Spear]. Promesse tore through the monster like a meteor before vanishing into a cloud.

"No threat to us, but I can't see anyone normal taking this thing down," Jasmine summarized, nestled in the shadow of his neck.

"This thing's as tough as a top-tier Tier 1 tank. And considering it's a marine creature, even a Tier 2 would struggle to kill it. Perfectly engineered to isolate continents before the second Reunion," Priam concluded, his tone clinical.

"And after?"

"After? It's going to be a massacre…" Relaxing his kinetic control, Priam released the prey that had thought itself a hunter. The corpse hit the water's surface with a resounding crash.

"With any luck, it'll serve as a warning to the next ones…" Four hours later, the System interrupted Priam's study of his new knowledge. New Quest: Proxima - Domination A territorial war pits humans, Arkanians, and Empyreans against each other. Eliminate a crowned enemy leader. Reward: Teleportation of one million humans to Proxima. Reward (last hit): A̶c̶q̶u̶i̶s̶i̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶t̶a̶r̶g̶e̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶r̶a̶c̶i̶a̶l̶ ̶T̶a̶l̶e̶n̶t̶(̶s̶)̶. Understanding of associated Talent (Homo Elysian Predation).

Difficulty: Mythic Fifty additional sub-quests available. Expand? Narrowing his eyes at the notification, Priam finally spotted the coastline. The new home shared by humanity, the Arkanians, and the Empyreans lay just ahead.

"About damn time… All this water is unnatural." Priam chuckled at Jasmine's exasperated sigh.

"You remind me of a cat. Most of them hate being wet."

"Oh, I love being wet. I just hate the ocean." Priam was spared from replying to her provocation by the sight of a skirmish on the beach. A hundred humans clashed against twice as many Arkanians. Swearing under his breath, the Champion surged forward. Markus stifled a sob as he dragged himself through the sand. Behind him, the screams of his company filled the air, haunting cries that would haunt him until his death—which seemed imminent. The thought sent another wave of panic crashing through him.

His lungs seized, each breath a battle. Desperate, he dug his nails into his thigh, biting the inside of his cheek to jolt himself back into focus. Fuck, fuck, FUCK! Move or you're dead! He wanted to curse his weak body and his weaker mind. A movement to his left caught his attention, and he turned his head. Carmen was running—fleeing the carnage. Sweet, radiant Carmen.

A rookie teacher who had confided in him that she chose "Hard" mode during the Tutorial to follow one of her students—a choice the autistic child had made without understanding the consequences. The boy had died at the end of the trial, but Carmen had survived. At least physically. She wasn't a fighter, but her love gave her the strength to protect the weak. When Prometheus had raised an army to rescue humans scattered across the continent, she had joined to honor the boy she couldn't save. She wasn't a warrior.

For that reason—and because he had fallen in love with her—Markus had followed her. If a teacher could fight, so could a bus driver. This was their last mission before leave. They had just completed a reconnaissance mission at the Arkanian border. When they returned, he planned to propose. The ring was in his pocket.

"My love," he whispered. Carmen stopped, hearing him despite the noise. Her gaze swept over his bloodied leg, and she understood. Markus wouldn't make it alone. She could have run. Should have run. Instead, his future fiancée decided to come back for him. Markus knew it was a terrible idea, but it filled his heart with joy. Carmen took a single step toward him, and then her chest exploded. A projectile struck her left breast, obliterating the heart behind it. Markus's eyes widened in horror before he screamed.

Blinded by tears, he began crawling toward her. Through the explosions and chaos, he moved for what felt like an eternity, fueled by rage, despair, and a love that refused to die. Yet, Carmen remained far away. When the cries began to subside, he couldn't help but glance back. A wave of dizziness overtook him as he saw a figure approaching, framed by fire, blood, and grief. The man had a tattooed face and a cybernetic hand, gripping a chainsaw-like weapon. He wasn't human. He was the enemy.

"Please," Markus begged, raising his left hand to plead.

"I just want to hold her. Let us be together in death." Life had become unbearable. Maybe death would be kinder. A snicker answered him. The Arkanian moved, and pain blossomed. It surprised Markus less than the object that fell beside his head. Half-buried in the sand, his severed hand seemed to wave at him. Horror gripped him so tightly he didn't even try to fight back as the monster crouched to bring its face closer to his.

"Ah... You pain? Don't cry. Soon no pain," the Arkanian mocked in broken speech. The chainsaw roared, edging closer to Markus's face, and he scrambled backward. The sand scraping against his stump tore a scream from his throat, but the agony helped him move. Carmen was within arm's reach when a boot pressed him down, pinning him against the sand. Markus looked up as the Arkanian raised his weapon. In that instant, the enemy became the embodiment of all the world's evil.

A part of his mind caught a fiery streak in the sky behind the enemy. Hope flickered in Markus's eyes. My king? As the chainsaw decapitated him, he was still hoping. His head rolled to rest beside Carmen's body.

Status: PHYSICAL: Strength 893 Constitution 1 422 Agility 1 173 Vitality 1 322 Perception 858 MENTAL: Vivacity (D) 599 Dexterity 752 Memory 891 Willpower 1 012 Charisma 653 META: Meta-affinity 999 Meta-focus 559 Meta-endurance 915 Meta-perception 539 Meta-chance 594 Meta-authority 429 Potential: 27 621 Tier 0 Sun points: 1 143 444 [He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 8 hours 43 minutes 18 seconds.

Concepts: Breath (T0): 100% / Harmony Fire (T0): 100% / Unity Pyro (T1): 100% / Half-step Unity Mist (T1): 100% / Symphony Bloodlines: Phoenix: 3% Dragon: 1% Rewards standing: Fusion Token - Skill (Epic) Evolution Token - Skill (Legendary) Affinity Token - Tier 1 (30%) Alien Concept fragment (7th Terror) Talent Token - Upgrade (Seraph) Revelation Token - Ideal Prerequisites (Epic) Colosseum VIP Token Reborn Token - Reset biological lifespan (Legendary) Minor skill Epiphany High Tribulation essence (Soul Tailored - Sumstreh's half core) Seed of Potential Trophy Compass [Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until: Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 900 / 3 attributes > 1 200 / 1 attribute > 1 500 Next arc already complete on Patreon if you want to find out what happens next! https: //www. patreon. com/ANovelConcept