CHAPTER 269: SLASHING THE SHOCKWAVE

BOOM!

A deafening explosion rang out as Liora’s colossal fists collided with Collossith’s skull.

The impact was far greater than before—a shockwave so powerful it tore through the air, cracking the earth beneath them. The ground shook violently, and the vines that had held firm beneath the creature’s weight splintered and scattered, torn apart as if they were mere threads.

The air vibrated with the force, rippling like a heavy curtain caught in a storm. The ground beneath Liora and Collossith cracked open, sending debris flying. A massive crater formed beneath them, as if the land had been gouged out by some divine force, the earth splitting open like a rift in the world itself.

"Oh shit," Mirela gasped, her voice laced with panic. Her eyes widened as she watched the shockwave spiral outward, racing toward them with terrifying speed.

But her panic wasn’t from the battle unfolding before her. It was the visible wave of destruction—Collossith’s recoil—heading straight for them, crashing through the air with ruthless force.

The blast was so immense that even its reflection, the shockwave’s recoil, was just as destructive. Mirela’s stomach churned at the realization.

This will be troublesome, Adyr thought, furrowing his brow. He quickly folded his wings in front of him, ready to block the incoming wave. There was no time to escape, no room to dodge—he would have to brace against it.

Before he could fully brace, a voice cut through the chaos, calm and collected.

"Not enough."

Lucen’s cold words rang in the air as his figure remained steady atop his white bird. With a swift movement, his sword cleaved through the shockwave. The sound of it slicing through the air was a sharp, metallic hiss.

Adyr blinked in surprise. He cut the shockwave?

Looking closer, Adyr saw Lucen’s sword tip glowing faintly with a fading blue light—a sure sign of a Spark skill at work. Lucen had infused a skill into his sword to slice through the shockwave itself, nullifying its destructive force.

Even though Adyr understood the mechanics of the skill, the display of such precise control still left him speechless.

Before Adyr could fully process Lucen’s feat, Mirela’s voice echoed through again, laced with urgency.

"Oh no, I miscalculated."

The moment they turned toward her, following her gaze, they understood the gravity of her words.

Behind them, the shockwave continued its relentless advance, swirling the dust and debris into a haze. The wave was speeding toward the massive walls of the Velari Kingdom, towering hundreds of meters away.

Mirela had chosen this location with careful consideration, believing it was far enough from the city to remain unaffected by the shockwaves and tremors of the battle. But even she hadn’t anticipated the sheer magnitude of the force they were facing.

"The distance is still great," Lucen observed quickly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "The shockwave will lose its potency before it reaches the city. The walls will likely mitigate the rest of its impact."

But Mirela didn’t seem convinced. "Still, it can be enough to threaten the lives of the citizens." Her voice trembled slightly as the gravity of the situation dawned on her. The people of the city were mortal, not like the practitioners who could withstand such forces. Even if the shockwave didn’t kill them, it could severely damage their internal organs.

While the two were quickly trying to come up with a solution, a heavy sigh drew their attention.

"Even though I can’t shield them, I guess I can give them something to help them survive." Adyr’s eyes were locked on the distant walls, his gaze unblinking as he released his Presence, integrating Grace into it.

The effect was immediate—an invisible aura emanated from his body, flowing outward like the first rays of dawn. The warmth of it spread across the land as Grace

integrated seamlessly with his Presence, turning the aura into something more—something divine.

Although Grace’s healing range wasn’t so small, it still paled in comparison to the vast reach of Presence. By combining the two, he was able to spread the healing effect across a much larger area without losing its potency.

As the aura surged forward, it began to follow the shockwave, moving in tandem like a protective shield of light.

The energy moved with purpose, illuminating the earth beneath as it passed, filling the air with a soft, golden glow. The ground seemed to come alive, the healing light making it appear as though the earth was breathing, slowly being nurtured back to life as the aura raced to catch the shockwave ahead.

—-

"Vale, how is the station?" Malrik stood atop the massive city walls, his expression tense, eyes locked on the distant horizon where he expected Colossith to appear at any moment.

Liora’s order had been clear—warn the citizens, prepare them for battle, and prevent the chaos, panic, and fear that would erupt once the enemy was in sight.

Malrik had wasted no time. Long before Colossith’s form breached the skyline, he had already acted. The message was delivered to King Vale Von Velaris, and through him, it spread swiftly to every lord and citizen within the city’s walls. Mounted messengers had been dispatched to the surrounding villages, ensuring that word of the upcoming fight reached even the farthest corners of the kingdom.

"As instructed, Lord Malrik, we have delivered the message to the entire city." Vale dipped his head slightly in respect. He wore ceremonial crimson robes beneath a half-cloak, his golden armor gleaming as if he were dressed for both war and coronation. "Several riders have already left to warn the nearby villages."

Behind him stood the lords of every territory in the Velari Kingdom, including Orven Draven, their heads bowed toward the middle-aged practitioner before them, awaiting his next command with rare deference.

Even Vesha was present. She stood beside her father in a flowing white gown, her long golden hair cascading down her back.

Normally, in such an assembly of the kingdom’s highest-ranking figures, the presence of someone of her second-tier status would have raised questions. But no one—Malrik included—spoke against it. It wasn’t simply because the looming battle left no room for petty disputes. The true reason was that Adyr’s public favor toward her had elevated her standing to the point where, in the eyes of many, she now stood on equal ground with King Vale himself.

"Good. Keep a few cavalry units and some carts ready in case anything unexpected happens, to help evacuate the citizens if necessary." Malrik’s tone was heavy, but it was natural for the situation.

Although the planned battle was to take place far from the kingdom walls, he was fully aware of the destructive power that both Colossith and Liora could unleash—enough to wipe out entire lands and bring down kingdoms with ease.

Vale and the gathered lords swallowed hard at his words, each of them grasping the severity of the situation. "Yes, Lord Malrik."

When they first learned that their respected Practitioners had decided to face the nightmare of their kingdom—Colossith—and defeat it once and for all, the news had been met with a mixture of tension, surprise, relief, and determination.

Of course, even with all the faith they had in Practitioners, they understood the dangers. They knew that if things spiraled out of control, the entire kingdom could be lost. Yet, despite the risks, they had chosen to give their full support to the decision.

So had the citizens.

King Vale lifted his gaze from the walls and looked out toward the city. In the streets and squares, people had left their homes and gathered together, waiting in prayer.

From children who had yet to reach adulthood to elders at the end of their days, from skilled craftsmen and devoted parents to wandering drunks, all stood with the same expression, the same expectation, united in silent hope for the battle about to unfold.

"May God Astrael bless us," the king murmured, adding his own prayer to the countless others, and waited alongside his people with a single heart.

"It’s starting."

Malrik’s voice pulled the lords and Vesha from their silent prayers. Heads turned toward the horizon, following the line of his gaze.

Their mortal eyes could not pierce the distance, but they still felt it—a sudden, suffocating weight pressing over the city. It was like the cold edge of a blade resting against their throats, waiting for the moment to strike.

Shoulders stiffened, breaths slowed, and the air itself seemed to thicken.

Adyr...? The thought crept unbidden into Malrik’s mind. Such potent bloodlust.

He could feel it too—not as deeply as those more attuned to killing intent, but enough to recognize its raw, oppressive force. Despite the great distance, it was as though a monster crouched somewhere beyond sight, watching the kingdom with unblinking eyes, ready to slaughter.

Feeling his killing intent this strongly, even from so far away, means he can really lure Colossith from its lair

Malrik’s jaw tightened, his expression hardening further. The first phase of the plan—provoking the beast—might actually work.

A subtle vibration ran through the stone beneath his boots, so faint that no one else seemed to notice. Then another, stronger this time, rippled up through the walls. Malrik’s gaze sharpened. On the far horizon, something began to move—small at first, then growing, swelling in size until its outline was unmistakable.

The shape moved with unstoppable momentum, each stride pounding the earth like the steps of a furious giant. Sunlight flashed across its massive frame, and as it grew clearer in the distance, the monstrous silhouette took form—broad, towering, and brimming with raw power. It was like a raging bull tearing through the land, its charge shaking the distant plains, a storm of dust and force trailing in its wake.

Far from the city walls, Colossith advanced toward the battlefield.