Chapter 376: Fight on top and below the bridge
The Leviathans stood with their eyes closed, their energies in a state of stasis. This was especially useful for the drones, whose life spans were already short; the stasis delayed their natural deaths. They had been in this state for over three days, waiting for their next mobilization, when the insect-humanoids suddenly opened their eyes. Even in hibernation, their instincts were top-notch, allowing them to detect the enemy approaching.
Sadly for the Leviathan warriors, that was far from enough to save them. Dozens of arcs of lightning-infused fire fell from the sky in the next seconds. Some of the Leviathan warriors managed to move in time, but three were caught in the blast—their bodies scorched, their exoskeletons burned from the inside out. The explosion didn’t stop there; the combination of lightning and fire generated a shockwave that harmed the Leviathans around them, causing the deaths of nearly three hundred aerial drones.
Although those losses were grave, the hive mind showed no fear. All eyes focused on the small yellow cat flaming in the air, gazes cold and ready to attack. Jormungandr felt those thousands of Leviathans’ hungry and ruthless stares, but there was no fear in his heart. He was ready to fight them all, but that was not his mission. After weakening the Leviathan warriors, he dived toward the side of the bridge, heading for the pillar that kept the entire structure in place.
The Leviathans observed the small yellow cat’s movements, their eyes glowing as the hive mind seemed to figure out his goal. Although the Leviathans did not speak or interact with other life forms, the hive mind was incredibly wise and understood the importance of the bridge; there was no way they could allow its destruction.
However, before the Leviathans could even mobilize their forces to stop Jormungandr, two figures dashed from the start of the bridge, advancing like a freight train. They blasted every single drone in their path—one covered in red lightning and infernal fire, the other bursting with totemic light and a crimson aura.
Vlad and Freya raced through the mass of Leviathans on the bridge, their weapons cutting a swath of destruction. Vlad swung his halberd with ferocious power, each sweep releasing arcs of crimson lightning that electrified the drones upon contact. The drones exploded into fragments, their bodies no match for his might. Freya wielded her mace with equal ferocity, every swing generating shockwave that sent drones flying off the bridge with broken bodies.
The ground drones posed no threat to them; their momentum was so intense that any drone attempting to block their path was instantly obliterated. The duo moved in perfect harmony, side by side, covering each other’s blind spots as they advanced. Not only were they eliminating the drones, but they were also targeting critical points atop the bridge—support cables, structural beams, and joint connectors vital for the bridge’s stability. With precise strikes, they weakened these points, causing cracks and destabilization as they moved forward.
Each drone they destroyed released streams of Origin Force, which flooded into their bodies, rejuvenating them and making them stronger. Vlad felt the surge of energy amplify his strength, the Heart of Wrath within him pulsing with power. Freya’s totemic energies resonated, her vitality and agility heightened with every enemy fallen.
The Leviathans’ focus shifted toward the duo blazing through the bridge. Coldness and killing intent rose in their eyes as they recognized them as two of the major singularities among the humanoids—figures who had caused multiple setbacks. They needed to protect the bridge from the small yellow cat, but they also had to confront these formidable opponents.
It didn’t take long for the hive mind to make a decision. Thousands of aerial drones rose into the air, immediately dashing after the small yellow cat, while the rest of the Leviathans concentrated their forces on the humanoids, attempting to surround them. Thus, a ferocious battle erupted both on the surface and beneath the Karman Bridge.
Vlad and Freya’s eyes narrowed as they sensed the great pressure of tens of thousands of Leviathans dashing toward them. If it were just drones, it would be one thing, but they had to remain vigilant for the more than ten Leviathan warriors among them. These insect-humanoid warriors possessed the strength of High Champions, and neither Vlad nor Freya had reached the level where they could simply ignore attacks of that magnitude.
It was paramount that they not be surrounded or halted, so they continued their assault, their moves blasting dozens of drones each time. Vlad thrust his halberd forward, sending a wave of crimson energy that sliced through the ranks of drones, severing limbs and cutting pathways. Freya swung her mace overhead, bringing it down with earth-shattering force. The impact created fissures in the bridge’s surface, destabilizing it further while obliterating the drones caught in the strike zone.