Chapter 304 Lead by example.

Words : 1208 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

On a dimly lit, opulent room aboard one of the massive carriers orbiting the mist-shrouded planet. The air was thick with the scent of saltwater and exotic spices. In the center of the room, a towering shark man lounged in a glowing pool of water, his razor-sharp teeth tearing into a grotesque, tentacled sea creature. The sound of crunching echoed ominously as he devoured his meal with gusto. Suddenly, the door slid open with a hiss, and a nervous fishman scurried in while clutching a tray of more bizarre seafood. His gills flapped anxiously as he approached the pool. "Sir," he began speaking while his voice trembled, "the pirates we sent to test the waters against those robots... they were wiped out. Completely." The shark man paused mid-bite with a tentacle dangling from his jaws. He swallowed noisily and leaned back while his beady eyes narrowed. "Mmm, so how'd it go?" he rumbled while tossing another handful of food into his gaping maw. The fishman hesitated while his fins twitched. "Well, the pirates were defeated, but the robots didn't come out unscathed. They've got a few Tier 3 fighters, nothing too impressive, but..." He trailed off while his voice faltered as he fidgeted with the tray. The shark man's eyes locked onto him while glowing faintly in the dim light. "Spit it out," he growled while his voice was being low and dangerous. The fishman gulped. "They have a Tier 4 bionic warrior. We don't know his exact sub-tier, but he took out the entire pirate fleet single-handedly with some kind of energy sword. And... there's more. They've got a Khryssari with them." The shark man's brow furrowed, and he leaned forward while the water sloshed around him. "A Khryssari? Here? In this backwater sector?" He chuckled darkly while his teeth glinted. "Mmm, interesting. I was getting bored babysitting that pampered noble who still smells like pee. A Tier 4 brawl might be just the fun I need. But a Khryssari... that could complicate things." He leaned back again with his grin widening. "Still, if it's just a Tier 3 Khryssari champion, I could crush it without breaking a sweat. Might even enjoy it." The fishman's trembling intensified, and he took a step back. "Sir, there's... something else about the Khryssari..." The shark man's grin faded. "What is it? Out with it!" he shouted while slamming his fist into the water and sending a wave splashing across the room. The fishman flinched while his voice was barely a whisper. "The Khryssari... it's a female." The room fell silent. For a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the ship's engines. Then, with a sudden burst of motion, the shark man lunged out of the pool while the water cascaded off his massive frame. He grabbed the fishman by the shoulders with his claws digging in. "W-what did you say!?" he stammered while his voice was uncharacteristically shaky. "T-the Khryssari is a female, sir!" The fishman squeaked with his eyes wide with terror. The sharkman's jaw dropped open, revealing rows of jagged teeth. Without warning, he snapped forward, engulfing the fishman's head in one bite. The poor servant's body went limp as the shark man chewed thoughtfully, then spat out the remains. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and grabbed a communicator from the edge of the pool. {On it, boss! Overdrive initiating now!} Mini Cleo's voice chirped in his mind. {Overdrive activated. Status: all green. Energy reserves are insufficient for prolonged conflict. Summoning the Emperor Halo to convert natural energy into electric energy... Overdrive engaged!} To the humans, it happened in the blink of an eye. A radiant golden halo materialized on Rex's back, its light piercing through the mist. His wings glowed with an otherworldly brilliance as he shot into the sky, leaving a trail of golden sparks in his wake. The Paladin, now in command, drew his sword and shouted orders with military precision. "Everyone, listen up! As the second-in-command, I'm taking charge! Spread out in a half-moon formation and begin the retreat! Anyone who tries to run will answer to me!" His voice was like steel, and that made the group move swiftly, falling into formation with practiced efficiency. As they retreated, the ground beneath them began to tremble. A low, guttural roar echoed through the mist, growing louder with each passing second. The humans exchanged uneasy glances; their faith in Rex was the only thing keeping their fear at bay. High above, Rex hovered, his energy claymore blazing in his hands. The mist below churned violently, and then it emerged, the colossal figure with its form shifting and indistinct, like a mountain given life. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its roar shook the very air. Rex's voice boomed across the battlefield, calm yet commanding. "Stay on course! I'll handle this." The humans didn't need to be told twice. They quickened their pace, their formation tightening as they moved toward the safety of the plateau. Behind them, the clash of titans began. Rex's golden light clashed with the monstrous figure's shadowy form, the shockwaves of their battle rippling through the mist. The lead Paladin lowered his sword, his voice barely a whisper. "By the goddess... he truly is her chosen." The battle raged on, a dazzling display of light and shadow, as Rex stood between the humans and the unimaginable threat. And in that moment, the humans knew one thing for certain: they were witnessing something beyond mortal comprehension. The battlefield was chaos incarnate. The 201st Legion and the human Crusaders fought valiantly against the relentless tide of Harvesters and the lumbering golems that emerged from the mist. The air was thick with the sounds of clashing steel, energy blasts, and the guttural roars of their enemies. But amidst the chaos, the lead Paladin stood like a bastion of order, with his voice cutting through the din as he shouted out commands. "Left line, tighten up! Don't spread out too much; you'll get surrounded! Right line, fall back faster! You're breaking formation!" His sword glowed faintly as he swung it in a wide arc, sending a shockwave rippling through the ground. The wave struck a golem square in the chest, shattering its core in an instant. The massive golem crumbled to the ground, its glowing eyes dimming as it fell. The Paladin's ability made him a natural predator of the golems. With every strike, his shockwaves tore through their defenses, reducing them to rubble. But even as he fought, his eyes kept darting to the sky, where the mist churned violently. There, barely visible through the haze, was the silhouette of a colossal golem and its glowing eyes like twin suns piercing the fog. And circling it was a golden comet, growing brighter with every passing second. Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire "Guys, look at the sky!" one of the Crusaders shouted with his voice tinged with awe. Several fighters paused mid-battle, their eyes drawn upward to the spectacle unfolding above them.

Chapter 304 Lead by example.

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