Chapter 1026

CLANG!

The battle raged on with fierce intensity that seemed to shake the very foundation of the town of Kiten.

The core members of the Dawn force were causing widespread chaos and not relenting at all.

Leo, even with a single hand, was still deflecting incoming attacks and fighting with the same vigor as if he had all his limbs intact.

His stance was completely firm, his strikes precise.

And his speed?

It was devastating to his foes.

Seeing that he was one-handed, the enemy forces mistakenly thought he would be an easy target, but they were immediately cut down like they didn’t matter in the grand scale of things.

Leo wasn’t overly aggressive like Rivock; he was perfectly calm while taking down his opponents.

Beasts and warriors alike fell to his slender blade.

After all, he wasn’t the vice-leader of a clan for nothing.

Even Max was raining down lightning like a localized storm.

He wasn’t standing aside the same way Kael was, choosing instead to take the fight straight into close combat.

His movements were fast, sharp, and precise—almost like Kira’s, just without the whole blinking movement.

He remained incredibly quick on his feet and caused immense devastation wherever he went.

The enemy mages didn’t stand a chance against his advance.

For some strategic reason, aside from Thalos and Noir, the core members were actively avoiding the heavier beasts on the battlefield.

They stayed clear of their path, refusing to directly engage with them.

Grey noticed this and was occasionally hauling his lightning sword here and there to take out the specific beasts that could cause too much trouble for the group.

Everybody was actively taking down enemies as fast as they could while Grey observed from his position, watching with high intensity.

The next second, a shift in movement caught his eyes.

Snapping his head to the side, he could see them moving.

The Zodiacs!

’Wait. Why only five? Why is number one still standing over there?’

The other five quickly sauntered over toward the battlefield, ready to cause chaos.

Without hesitation, Grey reached up and touched his neck to find a communication choker sitting there casually.

Rubbing his thumb firmly on it, the equipment lit up instantly.

"Listen up, the Zodiacs have made their move. They are on the battlefield. Only five made a move. I repeat; the Zodiacs have made a move to join."

The urgent message carried across to every core member who wore a corresponding choker, and instantly, they all paused.

Every single core member except the monster group consisting of Thalos, Noir, and Kira.

Every human, whether warrior or mage who was part of that elite core group, paused as they all looked up simultaneously toward the threat.

The five Zodiacs didn’t walk together; they immediately spread out across the terrain.

Mid-stride, they were effortlessly taking out any regular Dawn force soldier who came at them as if they were mere toddlers.

"Split up," Amir gave the order immediately through the network.

Without any prior planning whatsoever, the core members aside from Amir split up and quickly dashed toward the approaching Zodiacs.

Turning to his side, Kael could see three figures running in perfect synchronization with him: Alba, Mada, and Jay.

And their specific target was the crimson-haired ex-principal of the Lunaria Academy—Lucien Nightbane—Upper Zodiac Number 2.

Receiving the collective order to split up, Thalos, Fenrir, Noir, and Kira all dashed forward in unison.

Their eyes were locked on one target and one target alone.

They didn’t speak a word, carrying the exact same intent like a singular unit.

The fuel of their drive was for different reasons.

They all bolted for Orion Stormvale—former Principal of the Aetherian Academy—Upper Zodiac 3.

Thalos was heading toward him for the sole purpose of revenge.

It was the exact same with Fenrir. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

As for Noir, he was dashing forward because of his wounded pride.

Back then when they had first clashed with Orion, the man had dealt him a devastating strike to the head that could have easily killed him if he were a normal beast.

His saving grace? He was a familiar; hence, he was sent back to the familiar world immediately after that powerful punch.

Kira was also heading for Orion because of her own wounded pride.

The man had previously escaped from her powerful strike that by all accounts should have killed him.

Today, these four were going to either kill Orion, or he would kill them all.

Nobody was entirely sure of the result that would come out of this battle because the last time they clashed, they had Grey who dealt the heaviest damage.

So today... will they be able to defeat a man who is said to be closest to godhood or not?

Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, Dante, Lyra, Max, and Leonardo had picked their own specific target: Zodiac Six.

This was a Zodiac who would have passed as a normal, plain dude under any normal circumstances.

He didn’t look standout at all and just donned the standard Otherworlders’ robe.

He was entirely calm, his green eyes tracking those speeding toward him as if they were mere pests.

Concurrently, Viktor, Sol, Charlotte, and Gunther were rushing toward Zodiac Seven who, just like Zodiac Six, looked quite plain.

That was precisely why these two had been able to fool a young Grey into believing that they worked with Gustav in the factory, allowing them to deliver the news of his father’s fake death to him without any complications.

The last available opponent, Lower Zodiac 10—Vince—was being approached by his old-time friends from when they were all together in the academy.

Scarlet, Greg, and Raze moved forward... oh! And they had the obvious backing of Arthur and Vanica, who had already positioned themselves far away from the direct clash but still remained close enough for their various affinities to work and help the trio from the rear.

Tak. Tak. Tak.

Vince walked forward with chilling calmness as he looked at the trio who stood before him like immovable walls of flesh.

"Vince... we—we don’t have to do this. Just come back to our si—"

The corner of Vince’s lips twitched in irritation as he lifted his hand to the sky.

A hundred metal swords appeared instantly, gleaming with destructive power and energy.

Greg’s gaze sharpened immediately as he saw this display.

’He—he has grown stronger than ever before.’

"... Oh! But I want to do this," Vince smirked, and then hauled his hand downward, sending the metal swords screaming at the trio with rapid velocity.