Chapter 70- After the War

The battlefield lay in ruins, the once-thunderous sounds of clashing steel and war cries now replaced by an eerie silence. Elias stood over the lifeless body of Solmara, the Warlord Goddess, his breath heavy and his body trembling from the immense battle. His muscles ached, and his vision blurred for a moment, but he forced himself to stay upright. He had won.

And then, the system activated.

[System Message]

"You have defeated Solmara, the Warlord

Goddess.' "Power Absorption Initiated..."

A golden light engulfed Elias, his body shuddering as Solmara's divine strength merged with his own. It was unlike anything he had felt before-an overwhelming force of command, strategy, and conquest pouring into him. It wasn't just raw power; it was knowledge, a deep understanding of war, battle formations, and tactical supremacy.

The system's voice echoed once more:

[Abilities Acquired from Solmara, the Warlord Goddess]

• Warlord's Authority (Passive): Enhances leadership instincts, allowing Elias to command lesser warriors or allies with absolute efficiency, Grants a presence that intimidates weaker foes and strengthens allies.

• Imperial Guard (Defensive Skill): Summon spectral warriors imbued with divine armor to shield and counter enemy attacks. They last for a limited duration.

• Rallying Cry (Support Skill): Temporarily boosts his and his allies' combat prowess, increasing their strength, speed, and endurance.

Sovereign's Dominion (Active Skill): Alters the battlefield to Elias' advantage, weakening his enemies and granting him supreme control over combat conditions.

• Glory of Conquest (Ultimate Skill): Channels. Solmara's divine might, greatly increasing

Elias power for a short period. During this time, his attacks strike with unstoppable force. However, excessive use may drain his vitality.

"Power Absorption Complete."

Elias clenched his fists, feeling the new power coursing through him. His wounds remained, his exhaustion real, but deep inside, he knew he had ascended once again.

Then, another message appeared.

[System Reward]

"Due to your victorious conquest over Solmara, you have been granted a divine artifact."

A shimmering light materialized in front of Elias, and within it, a dagger slowly descended into his grasp. Its blade was sharp and thin, humming with divine energy.

[Divine Dagger - Acquired]

• Blade of Precision: The dagger's edge ignores armor and defenses, allowing it to pierce through even the toughest divine barriers.

Laceration Effect: Any wound caused by the dagger deepens over time, making it harder for enemies to heal.

• Weightless Grip: The weapon feels like an extension of the wielder's hand, making it perfect for swift, precise strikes.

Elias ran a finger along the dagger's edge, its power undeniable. This wasn't just a weapon-it was a tool of execution.

But there was no time to dwell on it. The battle was over. Now, his team needed him.

Returning to the Surface

The system glowed once more, and a final message appeared.

"Floor 50-Cleared." "Returning to the surface."

A blinding light consumed Elias and his remaining teammates. Within moments, the

battlefield vanished, and they were standing at the Trial's rest area-The Sanctuary of the Fallen.

The scent of clean air replaced the stench of blood. Warm torches lined the sanctuary walls, casting a dim, comforting glow over the stone halls.

Althea was barely conscious, leaning against

Lyra for support. Her face was pale, and her armor was soaked with blood. Even Lyra, though standing, looked utterly drained, her magic

reserves depleted.

Elias immediately stepped forward, his hands steady despite his exhaustion. "Let's get to an inn,' he said firmly. "She needs treatment."

A few mortal healers from the sanctuary approached, their robes flowing as they checked Althea's wounds. "She will recover, but she

needs rest, one of them said. "It's a miracle

she's alive after facing the War Goddess' army."

Elias nodded, then glanced at Lyra, "You too. We all need rest.

She sighed but didn't argue. "Yeah. Let's get out of here.

Together, they left the sanctuary and made their way back to the nearest safe zone in the city.

Rest at the inn

The inn was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos they had endured. The room was small but clean, the beds soft enough to ease their aching bodies.

Elias helped lay Althea down, her breathing slow but steady. Her wounds had been bandaged, but

her body still needed time to heal.

"She's lucky, Lyra muttered, sinking into a chair, rubbing her temples. "If we had been even a second too slow, she might not have made it."

Elias sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his own hands. His knuckles were still bruised from the fight, his body screaming in pain. But the

weight of victory was heavier than any wound.

"Next time, he murmured, "I won't let any of you get hurt like this."

Lyra scoffed. "Bold words. You're not a god, Elias

He looked at her, silver eyes unreadable.

"No," he said. "But I'm getting closer."

A silence fell between them, not uncomfortable, but heavy with understanding.

Tomorrow, they would have to decide what came next. But for now, they had survived.