Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

Atlas stepped to the edge of Gacha Haven Island as the war zone began to form before his eyes. A vast expanse stretched far ahead toward the enemy island, which looked even larger than his own.

The war zone took shape as mountains rose rapidly, fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. Trees spread at incredible speed, forming dense forests, while lakes appeared and rivers carved their paths across the land.

In just moments, it was as if an entirely new landmass had been laid out between the two islands, ready to host a massive war.

Atlas stood still as all of his elite subordinates appeared one by one at his sides. Edrik took position to his right. Morganna stood on his left, followed by Lyrasa. Then more figures emerged, Kurogasa, Mira, Karian, and others, until they formed a solid line at the front.

Behind them, the main army of one thousand full combatants lined up in perfect formation. The sheer number of them was staggering.

This was the first and largest war Atlas would ever fight in an all out confrontation.

The battle would begin in exactly thirty minutes, a span of time that now felt dangerously short. Soon, the fate of more than a thousand people on this island would be decided, along with the future of the entire Vanguard Dominion Alliance.

Atlas stood there in his full armor, dark black with glowing blue lines running across several sections. His expression was cold and focused, his sharp eyes locked ahead. He lowered his body slightly, not quite bowing, more like preparing to leap.

Then the ground beneath him cracked.

In the next instant, an explosion of golden lightning erupted around him as his body shot upward at extreme speed.

Within seconds, Atlas was already floating high in the air, surrounded by a raging water aura and violent lightning bursting around his form.

Another small blast followed beneath his feet, from his boots, like a rocket igniting midair. Atlas accelerated again, tearing through the sky and piercing the clouds as he rushed toward the center of the war zone.

Moments later, he came to a stop and hovered calmly in the air once more. The golden lightning around his body slowly faded and went still.

From this height, the vast landscape of the war zone looked small beneath him. The same was true for Bolin’s floating island, visible at the far end of the battlefield.

Between them stood a semi transparent barrier, hovering silently in front of Atlas. It would only fully open once the battle officially began.

Atlas waited there alone, gazing into the distance where he could clearly see Bolin’s forces standing neatly at the edge of their island. They were lined up with discipline, just like his own troops.

Then it happened.

All of the distant soldiers, each wearing red cloaks layered over either light or heavy armor depending on their roles, suddenly launched themselves into the air.

Hundreds, perhaps close to a thousand troops, shot upward at once. They filled the sky in a single surge, like a massive swarm bursting forward and claiming the heavens in an instant.

Right after that, they moved in perfect unison. And within moments, the familiar figure of the old man who had faced Atlas time and time again was now standing directly before him, balanced atop his flying sword.

It was obvious that Bolin was deliberately showing off the scale of the army he had brought this time. Not just their numbers, but their levels as well.

"Nervous?" Bolin spoke, stroking his white beard with a smug smile. "Are you scared, Atlas? You should be scared!" he declared loudly.

"My army has an average level of one hundred and eighty. Average!" he shouted, his voice booming across the sky. "You have already seen how my system ability works, have you not? You have seen how all of my troops can fly freely through the air!"

His eyes burned with arrogance as he leaned forward slightly. "I will crush you with ease. You and your pathetic forces that can only crawl on the ground, staring up helplessly as the sky becomes your grave. You never belonged up here, Atlas. This battlefield was never meant for insects like you."

Even after all the information Atlas had gathered about Bolin, the old man was still trying to emphasize that his system ability was these flying swords.

Atlas could admit that Bolin was indeed impressive in how he utilized that special ability. Even if he was likely able to use other abilities now, the one tied to flying swords still remained bound to those who had already been linked to it.

In fact, some of those people were now standing among Atlas’s own ranks.

Golden lightning erupted around Atlas, electricity crawling over his body as it wrapped around him. His black hair lifted slightly as the energy surged.

"This will not be easy," Atlas said, his expression completely flat, revealing nothing. "It will not be easy. I did not come to challenge this battle without preparing myself for defeat."

He then gave a faint smirk. "I have lost. Twice," he said, his eyes fixed on Bolin. "It seems I was too confident, and it ended with those two losses."

Bolin flew closer after hearing Atlas’s words, until his face was almost pressed against the protective barrier.

"Enough with your boasting?" Bolin said coldly.

"I am only saying this," Atlas continued. "I do not underestimate this war at all, Senior Bolin. You have my respect. I have prepared something big, something very big, and I am not even sure you will be able to stay calm once you realize what it is."

"Now then, why don’t we just see," Bolin replied. "Who will end up with a shocked expression when their neck is cut off after this battle begins."

"A very frightening threat, honestly. But I will finish this great war today," Atlas said calmly. "Now, do not hold back in showing your superior system ability. Remind me again, what is your rank? I ask humbly, since you are planning to kill me anyway."

Bolin laughed and stared sharply at Atlas. "Have you ever heard of someone with an SSS Rank ability before, Atlas?"

"That sounds impressive," Atlas replied.

"You are standing in front of that person right now," Bolin said.