Chapter 384: Back to Kuro Mountain
Vlad, Freya, and Jormungandr stood atop the peak of a canyon, their faces etched with exhaustion as they gazed upon the relentless marching hive below. The wind whipped around them, carrying the distant hum of millions of wings and the clattering of chitinous limbs.
The trio had already attacked more than a dozen times, each unleashing all their power before escaping as fast as possible to avoid being surrounded. The strain was immense, pushing them to their limits. The hive mind adapted with every ambush they orchestrated, learning to counter their moves, making each assault more challenging. There were moments when miscalculations nearly cost them their lives.
A solemn expression settled on their faces as they surveyed the swarm. Though they had managed to eliminate over seventy Leviathan insect-humanoids, nearly one hundred remained, their numbers daunting. And that was not the only thing that bothered Vlad.
The young man felt a deep conflict within; such an incursion was clearly a major offensive, yet no Leviathan Elite Units were present. The Depravita of Wrath vividly recalled the might of those creatures, and it made little sense for them to be absent during such a massive offensive.
"I can’t shake the feeling that we’re missing something," Vlad muttered, his brow furrowed. The sun cast a harsh light on his determined features.
Jormungandr, the small yellow cat perched beside him, flicked his tail thoughtfully. "Perhaps they’re conserving their strength for a final assault," he suggested.
Freya tightened her grip on her mace, her knuckles white. "Regardless, we have to focus on the threat before us," she said. "They’re about a week from Kuro Mountain. Overlord must have already put the pieces in motion."
Vlad nodded. "Our communication artifacts should have reached headquarters by now," he said. "Every kill we make and every second we buy will count when the battle begins."
"Then we continue," Freya declared, her eyes sharp as she gazed at the hive below.