...
In the underground cavern.
Qin Mo, who was simultaneously studying his weapon while charging the teleportation device, suddenly felt an intense unease. A strong sense of revulsion washed over him, overwhelming his thoughts and senses.
At first, he assumed it was an illusion. After all, it was impossible for a large number of psionics to be nearby. However, the feeling grew stronger, to the point where he could distinctly sense where it originated from.
Slowly, Qin Mo lifted his gaze toward the ceiling. Though his eyes couldn't pierce through it, he knew something vile had manifested directly above him, at the pinnacle of the hive tower.
This thing felt like an abomination embedded within the material universe, distorting the terrain, atmosphere, and even the very laws of physics around it.
"Gray, report the progress of the war," Qin Mo halted his work without hesitation, rose to his feet, and donned his powered armor helmet, issuing the inquiry.
His command was transmitted directly to Gray through the communication channel, reverberating in the latter's mind.
"We've already begun advancing into the eastern section of the hive. The enemy forces are in disarray, with a significant number of deserters emerging."
"After conferring with the various regimental commanders on the front line, I estimate we can spare at least six regiments to assault the hive tower's peak."
Gray's report was punctuated by the sounds of battle—the screams of enemies and the thunderous explosions.
The hive tower wasn't a major target in this war, and it wouldn't be difficult to allocate troops to take it now that the battle was progressing favorably.
Yet, Qin Mo stopped Gray. "Inform Yaon to prepare for teleportation. Everyone else should continue the assault on the upper hive. I will personally handle the tower."
"Understood… I'll notify Yaon immediately." Gray hesitated briefly, unsure of what had disturbed Qin Mo's research. Though Qin Mo's personal involvement wasn't necessary in this stage of the war, Gray was one to obey rather than question, so he complied.
Upon receiving the order, Yaon immediately extracted himself from the battlefield, retreating through the enemy ranks to regroup with his own forces before preparing the teleportation sequence.
Meanwhile, Qin Mo equipped his powered armor, picked up his chainsword and staff, and stood in the clearing, ready for teleportation. Enraged, he commanded the main AI, "Send me directly to the center of the hive tower's peak. I'll teach those who dabble in sorcery a lesson they won't forget!"
...
At the pinnacle of the hive tower.
The servant, controlling the entity known as Thorn, now a chaotic egg, forced it to follow him into the fortified governor's residence. He began searching through the hidden corners of the various rooms.
He knew this place all too well, as if it were his own home.
In no time, he found what he was looking for—a set of scattered communication device components.
Quickly assembling the pieces, he transmitted a command to his subordinates, hidden in some remote corner of the hive world: "Bring your transport ship to the low orbit and pick me up. We'll wait for the governor's warship together, and then head home."
"Understood. For the glory of the Lord of Wisdom!"
His subordinate obeyed without question or negotiation, immediately piloting the transport ship, which soon began its ascent toward the hive tower.
The servant, unhurried, glanced at his master.
Thorn, now a chaotic egg, was thrashing in a frenzied attempt to resist his control, causing the ground beneath it to tremble with every movement.
"Patience. You won't have to wait long. Once the grand plan is complete, you'll be free," the servant murmured soothingly.
Of course, Thorn couldn't comprehend the words and continued struggling in vain.
The servant, smiling, calculated his grand plan while gazing out the window, eagerly awaiting the transport's arrival.
Two seconds later.
A rift of energy appeared in the center of the expansive courtyard, and from the corner of the servant's eye, he noticed a second rift manifest within the branches of a large tree.
From the first rift emerged a warrior clad in powered armor. Just the sight of him made the servant feel uneasy.
From the second rift, half-trapped in the tree, emerged another figure, his body melded with the wood. His chainsword and staff appeared as though they were extensions of the branches. Yet this person was undeterred, stepping out from the tree like a phantom.
The bizarre sight left even the servant incredulous. "This... this defies reason…"
The man who had stepped out of the tree walked forward with a furious stride, his movements exuding rage.
Watching this unfold, the servant quickly deliberated whether to flee or take another course of action.
Facing an untouchable being, accompanied by someone who could pass through solid objects like a ghost—this was not a confrontation worth engaging in directly. Retreat seemed the wiser choice.
After a moment of thought, the servant glanced at Thorn beside him, considering whether the chaotic egg could buy him some time, just enough to find an escape route.
Though this might interfere with the grand plan, survival had always been part of the plan itself.
As the servant weighed his options, Yaon and Qin Mo converged in the courtyard and marched forward, completely unconcerned about what enemies might be lying in wait inside the fortress-like mansion.
"Yaon, stay by my side and provide support," Qin Mo commanded while walking, raising his hand toward the building ahead.
Sparks of electricity danced through the air, followed by a small bolt of lightning shooting from Qin Mo's fingertips and striking the wall of the building.
For Yaon, who had never witnessed Qin Mo in action, it was a moment of awe. He activated bullet time, hoping to fully appreciate the divine power before him.
The lightning bolt slithered through the air, swiftly reaching the outer wall of the building. Rather than shattering it, the bolt pierced straight through.
Moments later, blinding flashes of light burst from every window, accompanied by deafening thunderclaps. Brilliant lightning surged out, as though a colossal bomb had been detonated within. The once-grand fortress-like structure was instantly obliterated, its remains scattering in all directions.
Even the residual energy from the attack filled the air around the hive tower with crackling electricity.
"..." Yaon, witnessing the scene, was left speechless, his mind completely blank.
"Follow me," Qin Mo commanded as he came to a halt.
"Yes," Yaon replied, hastily following Qin Mo, instinctively scanning the area for life signs.
When the scan confirmed no living creatures nearby, and Qin Mo no longer sensed that overwhelming revulsion, they knew with certainty that the enemies had all been annihilated in the previous strike.