Transmigrated with my corruption system

"The nature of life is vast and intricate... yet you only begin to understand it now, in defeat." Kaelgor smirked, easily blocking a hammer strike while gesturing to the surroundings.

The sight caused Aelira to steal a glance as a gasp of shock tore from her throat. What could only be described as endless slaughter was unfolding, with both sides suffering major casualties.

But even amid the carnage, it was becoming painfully apparent who was emerging on the winning side. The coalition of clans, with their army of tens of thousands, was overwhelming the Greyson banner.

If this continued, their defeat would be sealed soon. Aelira tried to break away and join the wider battle, but Kaelgor stopped her, clenching his fist and smashing toward her head.

She was forced to block, skidding backward from the impact. "Your battle is with me," Kaelgor smirked, the smile on his face widening.

With all the opposing clan leaders locked in their own fights, it wouldn’t be long now.

"Hmph!" Aelira snorted, unable to hold back any longer. Her gaze shifted toward the distance where the sounds of clashing and shockwaves emanated.

"Once Ulric defeats your lord, you won’t have anywhere to run," she muttered, a faint smile stretching across her face.

The words caused Kaelgor to wince slightly. His eyes narrowed as thoughts raced through his head.

He had seen the first exchange and the hope the other clan leaders and Aelira placed on the youth. Combined with how long the battle had lasted, her words didn’t seem so far-fetched. Wouldn’t retreating now be the smarter choice?

Before he could spiral deeper into his thoughts, an explosion suddenly rocked the distance, followed by an overwhelming aura that stretched for thousands of meters in a split second. Wherever the aura pulsed, wisps of golden energy rained from the sky.

A huge silence descended across the battlefield as everyone stared at the phenomenon. Then cheers suddenly erupted from the coalition of clans, led by the D-ranks bearing the Thunderstorm crest on their robes.

Their lord had been at the peak of D-rank, pursuing insights that would help him push for the elusive C-rank tier. Had he finally achieved it after all this time? Could they reclaim Tempest City and spread their dominion to other city bases under Thunderblade’s lead?

At first they hadn’t been sure, sensing only the overwhelming aura. But seeing the rain of golden wisps, the truth was undeniable.

It fueled their chants and cheers as they fought with even greater determination.

The clansmen under the Greyson banner and their allied forces weren’t nearly as joyful as some of the light in their eyes dimmed.

If the fate of the battle hadn’t been decided yet, then this sealed it.

"I wouldn’t place my hopes on him if I were you," Kaelgor muttered, all uncertainty washed away. Their victory was confirmed.

The grin on his face widened as he saw the glint of worry flash across Aelira’s eyes. And with good reason. She fully understood the massive difference in power levels between D-rank and C-rank. Even worse, Ulric wasn’t even D-rank yet, he was still at E-rank.

Before, she would have thought the same as the rest. But after everything she had seen, this time she chose something different. She placed her faith in him, just like Amber and the others. Only it didn’t come from misguided hope or desperate last chances.

The night he had claimed her, she had felt an eerily strong connection form between them, establishing a deep link. She had already known he was far from normal, but that moment had sealed it.

With all those thoughts circling in her head, she lifted her head once more. The worry faded from her eyes as she spat,

"Don’t be so sure."

She swung the massive hammer again at the figure before her. Kaelgor’s brows furrowed slightly as he saw the rising glint of confidence in her eyes.

"You don’t really think he stands a chance?" he muttered, raising his arms to block the attack while curling his fists to counter at her open torso, sending her skidding back.

He had expected her, of all people, to understand the situation... not this. Was she blinded by delusion?

Still, he pressed on, his eyes trailing across her voluptuous curves as a lewd smile spread across his face.

"If you become mine... I can consider sparing your life once we win the war..."

The words had barely left his lips when the massive hammer in Aelira’s hand glinted with a resplendent sheen.

It smashed against him, sending him skidding back for the first time since the battle began as she growled,

"I’d rather die."

"Fine. Have it your way," Kaelgor spat. His face darkened as he charged forward once more. This time, he was done holding back.

***

Elsewhere on another edge of the battlefield, while the phenomenon unfolded, murmurs swept through the ranks.

"Ha! You see that golden energy?! That means our lord Thunderblade has broken through. It won’t be long before he kills that pathetic excuse of a leader and slaughters you all."

"Hahaha, I bet you’re feeling regret for following a war you can’t win."

"Hmm, poor bastards. I would be scared too if our lord was about to get killed."

"Tell you what, if you kneel before me and form a slave bond... I’ll consider letting you live."

"Hmph! Don’t get too cocky, you little bastards!"

"So what if our lord dies... I will join him in battle. And now that I think of it... I’m bringing you with me."

"Yeah, that’s right! Kill those little pieces of shit and teach them what happens when you mess with the Greysons."

"Uh, no wait...we can talk about this."

"I was just spouting nonsense... you didn’t really believe anything I said..."

***

At yet another edge of the battlefield, two figures moved in surprising coordination.

One hurled blades of ice at multiple F-rank beings, instantly severing their heads. The other formed walls of earth, blocking all attacks directed at them with surprising ease.

They even drew the attention of a few E-rank beings who sought to kill them.

But anyone who got within a hundred meters suddenly found a poisoned blade lodged deep into their necks.

Taking a moment to stare at the carnage around her, Lyra exhaled faintly and conjured another set of ice spears.

Previously, with the number she had already unleashed, she would have reached her limit. But now it felt no different than breathing.

Amber stood beside her, stone walls conjured from her talent rising to defend them against all attacks.

As the battle continued, their eyes couldn’t help but widen as realization dawned on them. Combined, they were practically invincible against F-rank beings, all because of one person. It only fueled their determination. They would not let him down.

***

At another edge of the battlefield, a scrawny old man came into view. Stroking his white beard in thought as his eyes darted across the battlefield.

It was just as bad as he had expected. The little brat had bitten off far more than he could swallow. And now, seeing the phenomenon signaling the birth of a C-rank being...It couldn’t be any more apparent, Alaric mused.

He walked slowly toward the distance where Ulric was battling Thunderblade. A smile stretched across his face. Once he saved the brat’s life, the boy would definitely owe him one. And having seen his potential, that would mean a lot in the future.

Pausing for a few seconds, he indulged in a couple of wild fantasies, already imagining what he would extort from him.

That was all it took before the booming sounds in the distance suddenly vanished, causing the entire battlefield to pause once more as they understood the full magnitude of the situation.

The direction of the battle would be decided by whichever leading clan leader won. A single wave from the victor would be enough to wipe out the opposition.

Gulping audibly, they all looked into the distance as the silence stretched. Tension rose dramatically until the outline of a figure came into view.

A few breaths later, thunder rumbled in the distance. Kaelgor yelled out in relief.

"Hahaha, it’s Lord Thunderblade!"

The rest of the coalition army cheered in exhilaration at the confirmation. And as the figure drew nearer, it became fully apparent.

The Greysons and their allied clans looked downcast.

The last flicker of hope was snuffed out. The outcome had been sealed the moment they witnessed Thunderblade’s C-rank ascension phenomenon.

They had hoped this would be like the other times, when he had defied the impossible. But looking back, their expectations had been a little too ridiculous.

Even with all the feats he had accomplished, the young lord was still human in the end. And like any other, he had limitations. The lord had simply finally hit his.

***

At the side, Alaric inhaled sharply. Had he been too late? His heart dropped slightly as his eyes seethed with rage.

A ball of energy slowly coalesced in his palms. If Ulric were there, he would have been shocked, the energy reeking from it was tens of times stronger than what Thunderblade had been able to cast at his strongest.

But just before he could obliterate the figure in the distance, the next course of action caused him to freeze as his eyes blinked rapidly.

***

While all the other Greysons wore downcast expressions, two figures in the crowd stood out.

Amber and Lyra. They could still sense their connection to him, even though it felt a little weaker than usual.

Still, as the figure approached, that wasn’t what piqued their attention. When he drew closer, the aura radiating from him felt eerily familiar. If they didn’t know better, they would have assumed he was a stronger version of Shadow Puff.

Before the thought could fully form, Thunderblade’s hand rose into the air. The clouds darkened as thunder rumbled violently.

Then a sea of lightning thunderbolts crashed down. Only this time, they weren’t blue or purple.

They were spectral dark. Falling to engulf the army formed by the coalition of clans in a horrifying display.