Chapter 10: CH 10:Ready for Deployment
Kelly adjusted the grip on his sword as the portal behind him faded into shimmering golden dust. The stale, musty air of the train station mixed with the metallic tang of rust and decay. It was eerily quiet, save for the faint drip of water echoing from a distant corner. But what struck him most was the oppressive weight of the Endo energy in the air—a signature so heavy it felt like it was pressing down on his chest.
He scanned the dimly lit platform, his eyes narrowing. The energy signatures were close. He could feel the pull, similar to Kowai's, but distinctly different—less refined, more volatile.
"Alright," Kelly muttered under his breath, stepping forward. "Let's see what you've got."
The soft sound of shuffling feet drew his attention. From the shadows emerged the first figure—a tall man with green streaks in his otherwise brown hair. He carried himself with an air of authority, his white wings.
The man lunged at Kelly, slashing with his katars in a flurry of strikes. Kelly stepped aside effortlessly, his movements calm and calculated. The attacker skidded to a halt, breathing heavily, but his resolve remained unshaken.
"You will not stop us, fiend of the light! The Church will prevail, and the gods will be released!" the man shouted, his voice filled with fervor.
Kelly didn't reply. His expression remained stoic as he began to close the distance between them, each step deliberate and unnerving.
The man lunged again, aiming for Kelly's abdomen. Kelly twisted his body smoothly, avoiding the blade, and countered by slamming the butt of his greatsword's handle into the man's face. The impact sent the attacker staggering backward.
Regaining his balance, the man dashed away and unleashed a flurry of feathers that shot toward Kelly like deadly projectiles. Kelly, unperturbed, parried each feather with ease, his greatsword moving fluidly in his grasp.
Circulating Endo energy around the edges of his katars, the man growled, "You'll regret underestimating me."
Kelly finally broke his silence, his tone cold and measured. "Where is your friend?"
The man dashed forward with a powerful downward strike. Kelly raised his greatsword, deflecting the attack and letting the blade slide harmlessly to the side. With precision, he delivered a crushing punch to the man's gut, causing him to double over and cough up saliva.
The attacker staggered backward, but Kelly gave him no chance to recover. Grabbing him by the hair, Kelly let his greatsword fall to the ground and unleashed a barrage of devastating blows. A punch to the ribs. Another to the chin. A final strike to the temple. The man's eyes glazed over as he became little more than a ragdoll under Kelly's relentless assault.
Kelly stepped back briefly, his voice low and commanding. "Dark Comet x50."
He hurled the man into the air with a ferocious toss. The attacker's body soared skyward, but Kelly was already in motion, leaping into the air after him. With gravity Endo enveloping his arm, Kelly increased its weight exponentially, amplifying the force of his downward punch.
The strike connected, slamming the man into the ground with a resounding crash. The floor of the subway trembled under the impact, debris scattering in all directions.
The man lay motionless, broken and defeated. Kelly landed beside him, his movements still composed. He lifted his greatsword above his head, his expression unchanging, and brought it down on the man with merciless finality.
Wiping the blood from his blade, Kelly turned and began ascending the subway stairs. As he disappeared into the light above, he muttered to himself, "One more to go. Let's hurry this up."
Kelly emerged from the subway into the dim, rain-soaked streets of Seoul. The faint glow of streetlights reflected off the wet pavement, casting long, distorted shadows. He paused briefly, scanning his surroundings. The city seemed eerily quiet, but Kelly could feel it—a faint, yet potent Endo signature nearby.
Kelly walked around Seoul for thirty minutes before coming across one street. He turned his head down the street, the second target was close.
Pulling his greatsword onto his shoulder, Kelly began walking toward the source of the energy. Each step echoed in the empty streets, the sound a reminder of the grim purpose that brought him here.
"Stronger than the last one," Kelly muttered, his voice barely audible over the rain. "This might actually get interesting."
The Endo signature spiked sharply, and Kelly came to a stop in front of a derelict apartment complex. A faint golden light flickered through the building's broken windows. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the narrow alley, carrying with it the faint sound of chanting.
From the shadows, a figure emerged. This one was taller than the first, his frame lithe but powerful. His white wings shimmered faintly under the moonlight, the feathers pristine despite the rain. He carried a long spear, its shaft adorned with intricate carvings that pulsed with energy.
"You should not have come here," the man said, his voice deep and steady. He pointed the spear toward Kelly, its tip crackling with golden energy. "You've slain my brother. For that, there is no forgiveness."
Kelly tilted his head, his expression unchanging. "I don't care about your forgiveness. I'm just doing what I'm told."
The man's eyes narrowed, and his grip on the spear tightened. "I'll make you regret your arrogance."
With a burst of speed, the man lunged, his spear shooting forward like a lightning bolt. Kelly twisted his body, the spear narrowly missing his shoulder. He retaliated with a heavy horizontal slash, but the man leaped into the air, his wings spreading wide to carry him above the attack.
Hovering above, the man spun his spear in a blur of motion, releasing a barrage of glowing feathers. Each projectile tore through the air with a high-pitched whistle. Kelly sidestepped the first few and parried the rest with precise movements, his greatsword cleaving through the glowing feathers like paper.
The man descended rapidly, using the momentum to bring his spear down in a powerful thrust. Kelly braced himself, raising his sword horizontally to block the attack. Sparks erupted as the spear's tip collided with the blade, the force pushing Kelly back a few feet.
Without hesitation, the man spun around, using the spear's shaft to sweep at Kelly's legs. Kelly jumped over the attack and countered with a downward strike. The man rolled to the side, the blade carving into the pavement where he'd just been.
The man rose to his feet, his wings glowing faintly as he channeled Endo into his spear. "Wrathful Judgment!" he roared, thrusting the weapon forward. A massive golden energy wave surged toward Kelly, tearing through the street with destructive force.
Kelly reacted instantly, slamming his hand into the ground. A dense gravity field erupted around him, absorbing the brunt of the wave. The ground beneath him cracked and buckled under the pressure, but Kelly remained unharmed.
"Not bad," Kelly said, his tone almost mocking. "But not good enough."
The man dashed forward, his spear aimed for Kelly's heart. Kelly sidestepped, grabbing the spear's shaft with one hand and wrenching it upward. The man's grip held firm, and he used the leverage to kick at Kelly's chest. Kelly blocked with his forearm, but the impact sent him skidding backward.
The man didn't let up, spinning his spear and unleashing a flurry of strikes. Kelly parried each attack, the clash of metal ringing through the night. As the man thrust again, Kelly deflected the spear with his sword and closed the distance, driving his shoulder into the man's chest. The force sent the man stumbling back.
Kelly pressed the advantage, swinging his greatsword in a wide arc. The man ducked under the blade and retaliated with a swift upward slash of his spear. Kelly leaned back, the spear grazing his chin, and delivered a powerful kick to the man's midsection.
The man was launched backward, crashing into a lamppost with a metallic clang. He groaned but quickly recovered, using his wings to propel himself into the air. Hovering high above, he raised his spear, channeling a brilliant sphere of energy at its tip.
"Divine Execution!" he shouted, hurling the sphere toward Kelly.
Kelly extended both hands, summoning a gravitational vortex. The sphere was caught in the vortex, its energy twisting and distorting as Kelly redirected it upward. It exploded harmlessly in the sky, lighting up the rainclouds like fireworks.
Descending rapidly, the man aimed a downward strike at Kelly's head. Kelly sidestepped at the last moment, grabbing the man by his ankle and slamming him into the ground. The impact created a crater, cracks spiderwebbing across the pavement.
The man coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. But his resolve remained unbroken. He flared his wings, creating a shockwave that forced Kelly to retreat a few steps. Rising to his feet, he gripped his spear tightly, its energy pulsating with renewed intensity.
"You won't win," he said, his voice trembling with determination. "The gods are watching. Their will is absolute."
Kelly smirked, resting his greatsword on his shoulder. "Your gods won't save you."
With a burst of speed, Kelly closed the distance between them, his sword coming down in a devastating overhead slash. The man raised his spear to block, but the force of the attack drove him to one knee. Kelly didn't let up, delivering a series of relentless strikes that pushed the man further back.
In a desperate move, the man swept his spear low, aiming to trip Kelly. Kelly jumped over the attack, spinning mid-air and bringing his sword down in a diagonal slash. The blade connected, cutting deep into the man's shoulder. He cried out in pain, dropping his spear.
Before the man could recover, Kelly grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. "This is over," Kelly said coldly.
He slammed the man into the ground and raised his sword, coating it in dense gravity Endo. "Dark Comet," he intoned, bringing the blade down with overwhelming force. The ground shattered beneath the impact, the shockwave rippling through the surrounding area.
As the dust settled, Kelly stood over the lifeless body of his opponent. Sheathing his greatsword, he turned and began walking away, rain washing the blood from his armor.
"One more to go," he muttered to himself, his voice lost in the sound of the falling rain.
Ace, Sheldon, and Troy walked into the grandiose office of President K, the head of the Magus Corporation. The room exuded an air of authority, its walls adorned with ancient tomes, glowing artifacts, and portraits of past leaders. President K himself sat behind a polished ebony desk, his diminutive stature contrasted by the imposing aura he radiated. His bald head gleamed under the soft, magical light fixtures.
"Welcome, boys. You're later than I expected," President K began, his sharp eyes studying them. "I assume the beating you took was rougher than I thought."
Before anyone could respond, Troy suddenly spoke up, his voice breaking the tension. "Woah... an old man," he said with a blank stare, a small blush creeping onto his cheeks.
"Eh?" President K replied, visibly confused.
Before the president could fully process what was happening, Troy dashed forward with surprising speed, scooped the old man into his arms, and hugged him tightly like a long-lost teddy bear. His eyes sparkled with joy as he began stroking the top of President K's shiny bald head.
"What the hell are you doing!?" President K shouted, his tiny arms and legs flailing helplessly in the air like a ragdoll.
"Uh, you'll have to excuse our, uh, overly affectionate friend here," Sheldon said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Troy has this... thing for old people. Before all this, he used to volunteer at senior homes just to cuddle with them on weekends."
"WHAT?!" President K exclaimed, his voice reaching a pitch that threatened to shatter the glass ornaments on his desk.
President K teleported out of Troy's grip, reappearing on the far side of the room with his robes slightly disheveled. He adjusted them with a huff, glaring daggers at the group.
"WELL, I'M YOUR SOON-TO-BE BOSS! THIS IS EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL!"
Before he could finish his tirade, Troy rushed at him again, pulling him back into another bear hug.
President K slumped his shoulders in defeat, letting out a heavy sigh. "Fine. You know what? Forget it. Let's just get to business before I lose my mind," he grumbled, his tone laced with exasperation.
"Alright, listen up." He straightened himself as much as he could while still trapped in Troy's grip. "As of now, you're all being inducted into the Magus Corporation as junior Magus. This means you'll have the full support of the Magus behind you whenever you find yourselves in tough situations. However," his tone turned serious, "it also means you'll be sent out on missions. Some of which are... less than forgiving."
Troy finally released him, allowing President K to teleport back to the safety of his desk. Ace stepped forward, his expression firm and resolute. "We're honored to accept these positions, sir. And we'll do everything in our power to live up to Lancelot's trust in us."
Ace's words seemed to soften the president's mood. He stroked his bald chin thoughtfully before speaking again. "I knew Lancelot saw something special in you three. Very well. Across our multiverse, the gods' seals are weakening. These seals were meant to keep the gods contained, but groups like the Churches of Light have been working tirelessly to break them."
The room grew tense as President K continued. "We don't know the exact locations of these churches or the identities of those involved. However, we've pinpointed the realms they're operating in. We've sent operatives before... and none have returned."
The weight of the statement hung in the air. Sheldon frowned, Troy tilted his head curiously, and Ace clenched his fists.
The boys shared worried looks, the weight of President K's words settling heavily on their shoulders. The air in the room seemed to grow denser, charged with the gravity of their mission.
President K clasped his hands behind his back and continued, his tone firm. "You will all be dispatched immediately and given a hub emblem. These emblems are vital. They serve multiple purposes: they'll allow us to track your location if you're ever in trouble, teleport you back to the hub in the event of an emergency, and serve as your only way to re-enter the hub. Guard them with your lives."
Ace stepped forward, his voice steady. "Understood, sir. When can we leave? We're ready to start right away."
A faint smile crossed the president's face as he reached into a drawer and retrieved three glowing emblems, each etched with the Magus Corporation's crest. The shimmering light they emitted bathed the room in an ethereal glow.
"You can start right away," President K said, handing the emblems to Ace, Sheldon , and Troy. "Take these and bind them with your Endo. Once they're attuned to you, simply focus your mind on where you need to go, and they'll do the rest."
The trio each took an emblem, holding the objects with a sense of reverence.
"Now," the president continued, "your missions will take you to several realms where the Churches of Light have been reported. Your job is to dismantle their operations and prevent further weakening of the gods' seals. Here are the locations you'll be traveling to."
He gestured to a large map that materialized in the air, glowing with various points of light.
"First, you'll head to the Realm of Giants, a treacherous land where the terrain alone is as deadly as its inhabitants. From there, you'll travel to the Middlerealm, specifically Iceland, where the frigid environment will test your resilience. Next, the Adventurers' Realm, where you'll be sent to Brittania—a place riddled with danger and ancient lore. Finally, you'll journey to the Murim Realm, a world deeply rooted in martial traditions. Once all of this is completed, you'll return here to report."
The room was silent for a moment as the enormity of the task sank in.
"We understand," Ace said, stepping forward again. "We won't let you down, sir."
President K gave a firm nod, his sharp eyes meeting each of theirs. "Good. But remember—this mission isn't just about brute strength. Strategy, teamwork, and resourcefulness will be just as critical. You're being sent into the unknown, so stay vigilant."
The boys fastened the emblems onto their gear, closing their eyes as they channeled their Endo into the objects. A faint hum resonated in the air as the emblems responded, glowing brighter as they attuned themselves to their new owners.
As the light subsided, Troy smirked, twirling his emblem between his fingers. "I can't wait to go crack some skulls, I have a lot of frustration to vent."
Sheldon chuckled, his usual easy going demeanor giving way to determination. "Let's not keep the giants waiting."
Ace glanced at his friends, his expression resolute. "Alright, let's do this and save our world."
President K watched them with a mix of hope and concern as they activated their emblems, disappearing one by one in flashes of light.
Once they were gone, he sighed, his gaze lingering on the map. "Lancelot... I hope your faith in them is well-placed."
The group materialized in the middle of a colossal forest, each of them arriving one after the other. The scent of damp earth and the faint rustle of leaves surrounded them, and towering trees stretched endlessly, blotting out much of the light above.
Ace scanned their surroundings, his hand instinctively brushing his forehead. "Alright, let's stay sharp. First priority is to find a town and gather intel on the church's location."
The others nodded.
Troy cracked his knuckles. "Yeah, sounds great, but let's make it quick. This place gives me the creeps."
They started moving, leaping over roots and weaving through the dense forest with practiced agility. Using Endo to enhance their speed, they bounded off tree trunks and darted through the underbrush like streaks of light.
Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the calm, followed by the sound of splintering wood.
"What the hell was that?" Troy asked, freezing mid-step.
The ground trembled beneath them, and the massive figure of a silverback gorilla emerged from the shadows. Its fur glistened with a metallic sheen, and glowing red Endo coursed through its veins like molten lava. The beast stood at 15 meters tall, its burning crimson eyes locking onto the group.
Ace's hand clenched into a fist. "Everyone, stay on guard. That thing's huge."
The gorilla roared, pounding its chest with thunderous force before slamming its fists into the ground. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, forcing the group to leap into the air to avoid the upheaving earth.
"Sheldon, we're going to need backup," Ace called out.
"On it!" Sheldon replied, thrusting his hands forward. His Endo flared around him as three amorphous shapes formed in the air beside him. The first one solidified into a hulking humanoid figure with glowing green veins and crackling green flames emanating from its body about a third of the creature's size. The second morphed into a sleek, serpentine form, its surface bubbling with corrosive acid. The third took the shape of a winged beast with razor-sharp claws, hovering in the air.
The gorilla charged, swinging its massive fist toward Sheldon.
"Protect!" Sheldon commanded.
The flaming amalgamation leapt forward, intercepting the blow with a fiery explosion. The force of the impact pushed Sheldon back, but his creations held their ground.
Troy dashed in from the side, his body glowing faintly with green energy. The power of envy coursed through him, and his movements became a blur as he darted around the beast's legs. With a grunt, he launched a series of rapid punches, each strike reverberating with destructive force.
The gorilla roared and stomped the ground, attempting to crush Troy, but he leapt into the air, flipping over the massive foot.
"You're going to have to do better than that, big guy!" Troy taunted, landing gracefully on a nearby branch.
Ace inhaled deeply, his chest swelling as flames began to build in his throat. He unleashed a powerful blast of fire from his mouth, aiming directly at the gorilla's face. The flames engulfed the creature's head, forcing it to roar in pain and stagger backward.
"Keep up the pressure!" Ace shouted, his arms glowing with Endo as he slashed the air. Wild arcs of shot toward the gorilla, cutting into its metallic fur and leaving deep cut marks.
The gorilla retaliated with a swipe of its massive arm, catching Ace off guard and sending him hurtling through the air. He crashed into a tree, groaning in pain as he struggled to his feet.
"Sheldon!" Ace barked, his third eye glowing ethereal blue on his forehead. "More power!"
Sheldon's amalgamations surged forward. The serpentine one slithered up the gorilla's arm, its acidic body eating away at the metallic fur. The winged amalgamation swooped down, raking its claws across the beast's face and drawing thick, dark blood.
The gorilla roared in fury, its red Endo flaring wildly as it swung its arms, shattering trees and sending splinters flying.
Troy darted in again, his body surrounded by green energy. This time, his punches struck with the power of envy, an ethereal giant gorilla arm appearing over his as it slams into the side of the creature.
Ace's third eye began to glow brighter, and his body radiated a blue aura. A sudden flicker of gold slips through his body before disappearing. "Let's end this quickly" He combined the slashes with his fire, creating massive flaming crescents that carved into the gorilla's torso.
The gorilla stumbled, but it wasn't done yet. With a guttural roar, it slammed both fists into the ground, creating a massive shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet.
"Sheldon, finish it!" Ace shouted, coughing as he pushed himself up.
Sheldon's hands glowed with intense blue energy as he directed his creations. The flaming amalgamation exploded in a burst of fire, engulfing the gorilla's chest. The serpentine amalgamation wrapped tightly around its neck, dissolving its metallic fur with acid, while the winged amalgamation plunged its claws into the beast's head.
The gorilla roared one final time before collapsing, its massive body crashing to the ground and shaking the earth.
The group stood panting, bruised and exhausted but victorious.
"That... was insane," Troy muttered, grinning with excitement.
Ace wiped the blood from his lip and glanced at the smoldering remains of the beast. "This is so annoying, let's hurry and get out of this forest."
Sheldon dismissed his remaining amalgamation, his expression serious. "We need to keep moving. There's no telling what else is out here."
The group emerged from the dense forest into a vast clearing, their eyes immediately drawn to a sprawling village in the distance. The settlement looked like something out of a bygone era, with towering wooden buildings and cobblestone streets, but its most striking feature was the sheer size of everything. It was as though the village had been built for giants.
The boys exchanged glances as they cautiously approached the village.
"Everything here is massive," Sheldon remarked, his eyes scanning the towering structures. "These buildings are easily a hundred feet tall. It's like we just stepped into the world of giants."
As they entered the village, the sheer size of its inhabitants became evident. The people walking the streets were colossal, their heights ranging from 15 to 19 meters. Their movements were slow and deliberate, yet their presence radiated an air of strength and authority.
"Woah, everyone here is huge," Troy whispered, craning his neck to take it all in. "It's like walking into a land of titans."
The villagers stopped and stared as the group made their way through the cobblestone streets. The boys could feel the weight of their gazes, a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"Looks like we're attracting some attention," Sheldon muttered, keeping his voice low.
"Just stay calm," Ace said, his tone steady. "We're not here to cause trouble."
As they moved further into the village, they spotted a massive structure at its center. The building stood taller and grander than the rest, its ornate design hinting at its importance. Without hesitation, the group made their way toward it.
When they entered the building, they were greeted by the sight of dozens of giants clad in ornate armor, their weapons resting nearby. The room buzzed with tension, the air thick with authority.
"Looks like we just walked into their military base," Sheldon murmured, his gaze darting around the room.
One of the giants stepped forward, her armor shimmering in the dim light. She was tall even by the giants' standards, with piercing green eyes that locked onto the group. A greatsword rested against her back, its blade easily as large as one of the boys.
"Outlanders," she said, her voice booming and commanding. "You dare walk into our village, uninvited, and into our halls? Speak quickly, for we are not patient with trespassers."
Ace stepped forward, keeping his head held high. "We're here on a mission. We've been tracking the Church of Light across the realms, and we know they've begun to take root here. Wherever they go, destruction follows. We're here to stop them before it's too late."
The woman's eyes narrowed, and a murmur rippled through the hall as the other giants whispered among themselves. Finally, she spoke again.
"The Church of Light, you must be talking about those vilen mistakes of human organisms.
"So you've encountered them before" Ace asked stepping forward.
Yes many of my people have been disappearing and we later found out that they've been taking our people from the outskirts of the village.
Ace continues to look at that warrior concern flushing across his face as the lady continues. "From what we can gather they're using them as sacrifices of some sort for some type of ritual," she admitted. "Don't get too happy that I am sharing this information with you, we are not so quick to trust outsiders, especially ones as small as you since the church of lights followers are also of your frame."
"Small but capable, and don't worry we're here to help you get rid of the church even though we have our own reason for wanting them gone we would love to work together." Ace replied firmly.
The giant woman studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. If you wish to prove yourselves, you must first face the Trial of Resilience. Only those who endure the trial are worthy of our trust."
She gestured to the center of the hall, where a glowing golden orb hovered in mid-air, surrounded by intricate runes etched into the floor.
"This orb will test your strength, endurance, and resolve. If you survive, we will aid you in your quest. Step forward and place your hands upon it."
Troy raised an eyebrow. "Trial of Resilience? Sounds stupid do you want our help or not lady."
"Let's just comply Troy," Ace said, stepping forward. "Let's do this."
One by one, they placed their hands on the orb. The moment their hands made contact, a surge of energy coursed through their bodies, and the world around them dissolved into blinding light.
When their vision cleared, they found themselves standing in the middle of a battlefield. The ground beneath them was scorched, and the sky above was dark and stormy. Surrounding them were dozens of armored giants, each armed with weapons radiating energy.
"Looks like the trial's already started," Sheldon said, summoning three amalgamations in quick succession. The first was wreathed in flames, the second crackled with electricity, and the third radiated a dark, shadowy aura.
The giants charged without hesitation, their movements swift despite their size. The boys sprang into action, each using their abilities to counter the onslaught.
Ace unleashed a barrage of Flame imbue slashes, combining his flames with sharp, crescent-shaped projectiles. The attacks collided with the giants' weapons, creating shockwaves that rippled across the battlefield.
Sheldon directed his amalgamations with precision, sending the fiery one into the midst of the giants where it exploded in a brilliant blaze. The shadowy amalgamation cloaked the group in darkness, obscuring their movements, while the electric one surged forward, disarming several giants with powerful shocks.
Troy darted between the giants, his green aura flaring as he channeled the power of envy. With each strike, he absorbed a fraction of their strength, using it to amplify his own speed and power. He leapt onto a giant's shoulder, delivering a crushing blow to its head before springing to the next target.
Despite their efforts, the giants' overwhelming numbers began to take a toll.
"We're getting overwhelmed!" Troy shouted, narrowly dodging a massive war hammer.
"Then we end this now!" Ace replied, his third eye glowing bright blue. He began gathering his Endo, creating a swirling vortex of fire and energy.
Sheldon's amalgamations merged into a colossal beast, its form towering to the same size as the giants. It charged through the enemy ranks, its body igniting and exploding on impact, scattering the giants like leaves in a storm.
Ace released his attack, a fiery cyclone that tore through the battlefield before following it up with a huge blue slash that split the cyclone and ground ahead of him in half, reducing everything in its path to ash.
When the dust settled, the battlefield dissolved, and they found themselves back in the hall. The giant woman stood before them, her expression unreadable.
"You have proven yourselves," she said at last. "We will aid you in your fight against the Church of Light."
The boys exchanged tired but relieved glances.
"Good," Ace said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "Then let's get to work."