Chapter 326: Thanks so much for your generous offering

"Ha! You think I’m one of those chumps who fell for that scam already?"

Voidcrawler King Lucien burst into loud laughter, then his voice seethed with anger. The many eyes covering his body glowered at Orion with clear hostility.

"Lucien, my intentions are genuine."

"To show my sincerity, I can let you bring in even more dark creatures. Alpha-level monsters too, if you want."

Orion stared at Lucien with an intentional cold indifference in his eyes.

"Heh… You think I’m an idiot?"

"… …"

Just as Orion and Lucien were bickering, Arthas and Leonidas had slipped into a private conversation on the Survivor’s Platform.

"Boney McBoneface, what’s your take on Hulk’s last question?"

Since returning from the Godforsaken Land, Leonidas had no battles on his territory. He was bored stiff.

"What take? Hulk only told us half the story, then bailed. Either something came up, or the situation’s not critical yet. If Orion isn’t sweating it, why should you?"

Leonidas and Arthas were old friends who spoke freely with each other.

"I just don’t want us losing a brand-new ally. Wouldn’t it kill our rep if a Champions Alliance member got whacked?" Continue reading on NovelBin.Côm

Arthas didn’t respond—he knew Orion possessed a teleportation array Arthas himself had given him. If things got truly dire, Orion would contact him. The fact Orion hadn’t done so meant there was still room to maneuver.

Arthas was just a bit hesitant because Orion’s world was in the midst of a divine war.

If Arthas suddenly dropped in there, it might draw a demigod’s attention. He was still mulling over whether or not to warn Orion in advance.

––––––––

Moonshadow Valley, Blackstone City.

Alarms blared atop the city walls. Warriors from every clan(tribe) army rushed up to the battlements, staring out at the dark creatures advancing in the distance.

"Eight Alpha-level dark creatures in total. Everyone, be ready to respond if needed."

Lorelia had sacrificed a handful of small spiders to bring back this intel. Delilah, Lilith, Earthshaker, and Slagor—the four Alpha-level defenders at the south gate—were busy analyzing this info and planning how to reinforce their troops.

Meanwhile, Onyx, Rendall, Thundar, Twilight Viper, Lysinthia, Thunderhawk, the Four-Winged Blood Bat, and the Abyssal dragon were all posted around the walls, waiting to repel any dark creature incursions.

Orion had released the Abyssal dragon right before the long night began.

Counting everyone except Lorelia and Rockwell stationed in the underground fissure, the Stoneheart Horde boasted twelve Alpha-level combatants total—mounts included. That’s a serious lineup for any Legendary-level lord’s territory.

"Eight Alpha-level dark creatures? We can swallow all of them at once," Earthshaker boomed. With Blood Sharing on his side, he craved a big battle.

"Sure, I’m not worried about these eight monsters. But has it occurred to you they might be packing a Legendary-level will projection?" Delilah cautioned. "If we drop our guard and walk into that trap, there’s a good chance one of us won’t make it out alive."

This kind of thing had happened before. With Orion absent, all the Alpha-level dark creatures in the territory would converge on Blackstone City.

Delilah was dead certain at least one of them would carry a hidden will projection from a Legendary-level lord. If that will projection cut loose, even though Orion had left his own will projection behind, there was no guarantee he could save anyone in time.

"Let Rendall and the others know: stay sharp, and be prepared for a possible will projection."

"Understood!"

A succubus scout from the Sentinel Corps took off to deliver that order.

"Same drill as always: if I jump in the fight myself, Lilith’s second in command, Slagor’s third."

Lilith and Slagor both nodded. Defending the Horde was their undeniable duty.

"Also, we’ve got Voidcrawlers and Night Stalkers in this wave. Pass the word: get more crossbows and catapults out of storage."

Voidcrawlers, capable of flying at low altitude, would pose a serious threat if the Horde didn’t have arrow towers. As for Night Stalkers, they were little more than cannon fodder among dark creatures, and Delilah wasn’t worried about them.

She glanced up at those arrow towers lining the walls and felt an unexpected surge of relief.

All around the wall, each Horde army readied themselves for battle.

"Archers, crossbowmen, catapult crews—check your gear once over! When the fighting starts, there’s no slacking off," bellowed Dirtclaw, rousing the cannon-fodder troops. "If anybody chickens out or bolts, you disrespect me—and that means the whip for you!"

Dirtclaw couldn’t hide his excitement. According to Orion’s rules, he just needed a little more merit, and he could earn Alpha-level resources. He intended to grab that chance during these dark beast tides. If all went well, he’d receive his share.

His first attempt to advance still hadn’t gotten Dirtclaw to Alpha-level, but it didn’t dampen his drive. He knew his aptitude wasn’t the greatest, but the Horde gave him hope.

The Horde’s rules and resources were clear. Dirtclaw believed if he kept putting in the effort, he’d eventually reach Alpha-level. He had no doubt in his mind.

"Elder Dirtclaw, I’ve double-checked all the catapults. The Elder of Stewardship also sent over some more crossbows—those have been inspected, too."

Gort spoke up. Though he was one of the eight council elders, Onyx had sent him to help out with the cannon-fodder troops under Dirtclaw’s command.

Gort knew Onyx was trying to let him see how things really worked under the surface, so he’d better learn the ropes. And, as a bonus, Gort might get a piece of the glory for himself.

"Elder Gort, keep at it. Once this fight’s done, I’ll split some of the war spoils with you!" Dirtclaw promised.

----

Void passage. The Eightfold Spear Barrage suddenly activated, wiping out every dark creature Lucien had sent through.

With a casual sweep of his hand, Orion drew three Alpha-level dark source crystals toward him. Right in front of Lucien, he swallowed them one by one, closing his eyes to refine the energy.

"Lord Lucien," he taunted, "thanks so much for your generous offering."

Naturally, Orion’s goal was to provoke Lucien, hoping the Voidcrawler king would send even more dark creatures for him to slaughter.

"Hmph! Don’t gloat. You’ll be the one crying soon enough!"

Lucien snorted, his face twisted in anger, multiple eyes glaring murderously at Orion. But Orion paid no mind; a stare alone wouldn’t kill him.

Meanwhile, the battle had already broken out in Blackstone City, and Orion was busy linking his will projection there to monitor the fight.

Over at Blackstone City, countless Voidcrawlers (centipede-like creatures) were gliding in massive swarms, just above the ground. It was a terrifying sight.

Boom!

The arrow towers began firing as soon as the Voidcrawlers crossed into range. Volley after volley of arrows rained down without pause.

"Ready, hold steady!"

"Fire in three ranks—keep the rhythm!"

"Don’t panic, don’t go flailing around—stay focused!"

Dirtclaw’s booming voice rose along the battlements as Gort stood by his side. Watching the dark horde approach just above the ground, everyone held their breath.

Fwhoosh! Fwhoosh! Fwhoosh!

Arrows, javelins, and stones from catapults ripped through the air again and again.

Then, from deep in the darkness ahead, eight enormous Alpha-level dark creatures suddenly leapt into view—each one a gigantic Voidcrawler. Before anyone could process it, these eight Voidcrawlers coiled together, heads meeting tails, merging into one giant, huddled sphere.

A moment later, the orb slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash, rolling straight for Blackstone City.

"Shit!"

"Look out!"

Debris screeched under the crushing weight, alerting everyone in Blackstone City—especially the Alpha-level fighters. Lilith, Delilah, Earthshaker, and others leaped to their feet, watching in alarm as the unstoppable sphere barreled toward them.

Onyx and Rendall reacted first, jumping down from the walls—Onyx swinging his stone axe, Rendall wielding his spiked club—and both struck the orb.

But the impact sent them flying, leaving them slightly wounded. Then came a thunderous crash as part of Blackstone City’s wall collapsed, ripped open by a gaping breach.

"You three—get over there and break them apart! Don’t let that sphere keep rolling!"

Delilah’s urgent shout betrayed her agitation. Immediately, Lilith, Thunderhawk, Onyx, Rendall, Thundar, Earthshaker, Slagor, Twilight Viper, Lysinthia, and the Abyssal dragon all converged on the breach.

Countless bloodline warriors of the Stoneheart Horde and dark creatures were already killing each other in droves, and chaos raged around that broken wall segment.

…

Back at the void passage, Orion’s expression grew heavier.

"Lord Orion, didn’t expect that, did you? The walls of your city are already crumbling!"

"Hahaha…"

Lucien’s mocking cackle echoed across from the other side.

Orion spared him a glance, speaking dispassionately:

"The battle isn’t over yet. You might be celebrating way too soon."

Lucien cut the laughter, turning serious as he studied Orion. He’d been hoping to see panic, but nothing in Orion’s eyes suggested alarm. That unnerved him.

Lucien was also impressed that Orion, a fellow Legendary-level lord, had territory defenses in place. Those arrow towers along the walls shouted loud proof.

However, they seemed somewhat one-dimensional in raw firepower, which told Lucien that Orion’s realm was still under construction—much like his own.

So Lucien just let out another laugh that sounded mostly forced. He had a will projection in Blackstone City, so he knew exactly how the battle was unfolding. He also knew Orion likely had his own will projection there, which was why Lucien hadn’t sent his in person to clash.

…

Within Blackstone City, under everyone’s combined attacks, the massive Voidcrawler sphere was finally blasted apart.

Onyx, Thundar, and Lysinthia quickly led their mounts to isolate three of the gigantic Voidcrawlers, while Thunderhawk coupled with the Four-Winged Blood Bat to cut off two more. The last three found themselves under siege from Lilith, Earthshaker, Slagor, and the Abyssal dragon.

Meanwhile, hordes of other dark creatures seized the momentary confusion to swarm onto the walls, and the battle erupted in all corners.

…

Orion hovered above the void passage, focusing on three fronts at once—monitoring the horde’s fighting via will projection, staying alert for any moves from Lucien, and seeking advice in the Champions Alliance chat.

Hulk: "Is there a way to attack someone on the far side of a void passage?"

Leonidas: "Whoa, that’s nuts, man!"

Arthas: "Not unless you’re a demigod. Even if you were an arch lord, your attacks would be heavily weakened passing through the void passage. Unless you’re using certain techniques like illusions or curses, don’t even bother."

Orion felt let down seeing their answers. "Guess I’m still too weak..." he thought.

Then the Alliance’s Deputy Commander, Edward, chimed in with something startling:

Edward: "If you’re willing, tear open the scroll I gave you. That should kill whoever’s on the other side of the void passage—and destroy the passage itself. But you’d very likely attract a demigod or god’s attention. Maybe you’d get wiped out, or maybe you’d catch someone’s eye and zoom straight to the top."

Edward’s suggestion made Orion hesitate.

He did carry the blood of an ancient Titan, but facing demigods or gods at his current level would leave him with zero control. No way. He dismissed Edward’s idea immediately—he wasn’t suicidal.

Still, Orion wanted to see if he could at least try attacking Lucien with his own power. Something about the Voidcrawler King’s methods rankled him, and Orion felt compelled to give Lucien a taste of real trouble.