Lizard man

Zhao had quickly prepared himself even though he didn't have much, he held a sword that had dropped some time ago when Acel went hunting and brought the corpse of a goblin. He had got a rusted iron sword and ragged armor from it. Goblins usually steal things from passersby as even getting something was a miracle. After the million enhancement, Zhao had gotten his hands on 10 Pseudo-Legendary Solfare and 10 Blue Soul Armors.

|Pseudo-Legendary Solfare|

A weapon made by a blacksmith god long ago. It had fallen into the void accidentally while forging it. It is not yet complete. It holds the power of Vac fire, a special type of fire that cannot be extinguished. It can be changed into any weapon the host wishes to use.

Rank: Pseudo-Legendary

|Blue Soul Armor|

An armor made naturally by the increased %^&$ in &^%$# realm. It provides a complete defense against anyone below a Diamond grade.

The Solfare and the armor were both extraordinary in the sense that even a child could hold it against the supreme soldiers of an intermediate kingdom. Zhao himself wore 1 armor and took the Solfare, which turned into a longsword according to his wish, its blade shimmering with the unquenchable Vac fire that danced along its edge, casting a faint, eerie glow. The longsword felt perfectly balanced in his hand, its form adapting to his modest mastery, though he knew its potential would grow as his skill improved. He gave another set to Acel, and the moment Acel caught hold of it, it instantly changed into a fiery red spear, the Vac fire licking along its length, transforming his platinum-grade weapon into something far more formidable. Even though Acel was Legendary-grade, his previous weapon had been outclassed by his own power, and the Solfare spear now matched his strength perfectly. Zhao gave the rest to the Eternal Legion; the leaders—Valorn, Balor, and Lyra—wore one set of armor themselves and equipped the Solfare, each weapon shifting to suit their mastery: Valorn's became a broadsword, Balor's a greatsword, and Lyra's a sleek, curved bow. They gave the remaining five sets to the soldiers, who adapted the Solfare into longswords, spears, and axes, each weapon reflecting their individual combat styles. Though it wasn't enough for all 20 soldiers, it was still unnecessary for a Bronze-tier territory. A single one of these soldiers was more than enough, as even then it would have been a one-sided utter massacre. But Zhao, being new in this "field," didn't know about this and had taken his full army. Only later would he understand how much of an overkill this had been. He had not put any defense as with the barrier no one could attack his base, its protective dome an impenetrable shield against external threats.

As he neared the Stronghold, Zhao could see all the soldiers lined up neatly, their formation a testament to their discipline and readiness. The Eternal Knights stood at the front, their radiant armor gleaming in the fading light, their presence imposing and unyielding. Behind them, the Eternal Archers formed a precise line, their bows pulsing with elemental energy, quivers brimming with poison-tipped arrows that glinted ominously. In the middle, Rita's Elf Archers stood, their graceful forms blending seamlessly with the Eternal Archers, their keen eyes scanning the horizon, adding an additional layer of ranged precision to the formation. Acel and Valorn were at the forefront, their commanding presence a beacon for the troops, their weapons—now enhanced by the Solfare—radiating power.

They all bowed as soon as they saw Zhao come near them, their movements synchronized and respectful, a silent acknowledgment of his leadership. He motioned them to stand up with a slight wave of his hand, his posture steady and authoritative. Valorn stepped forward, his armor clinking softly as he moved, and spoke, his voice deep and resolute, "Lord, our full forces are ready. We are only leaving Marcus, his team, and the engineers here since they don't have anything to do on the battlefield and could do more help here given our tight circumstances. Their skills are better suited to fortifying Abyss while we're away, ensuring our resources and defenses remain secure."

Zhao nodded, his expression resolute, his mind already shifting to the mission ahead. "Good. We'll depart immediately. Let them stay here. Their work will ensure Abyss remains strong in our absence."

Zhao moved out of the barrier as a small pathway opened in the translucent dome, a narrow gap just wide enough for the group to pass through single file. Zhao and his team left as it closed behind them, the barrier sealing shut with a faint hum, its protective energy reasserting itself. They were moving quickly, their pace brisk and purposeful, thanks to the titles of Zhao and others which enhanced their movement speed. Zhao's skills, including those from his titles like "Smart Merchant" and "I Am Famous," also raised their morale, which caused them to move even faster, their steps fueled by an unspoken determination to succeed. The soldiers' Legendary-grade Dominion rank amplified their physical capabilities, their enhanced speed and endurance far surpassing that of ordinary humans, allowing them to cover the distance with remarkable efficiency.

Along the way, they had passed through many monsters who, for some reason, ran away the moment they saw his soldiers. Unknown to Zhao, the soldiers all at Legendary class emitted a near-tangible Aura, a powerful, invisible force that radiated strength and dominance, enough for not a single being to come near them. When Acel went hunting, he had restrained the Aura to avoid scaring off prey, but otherwise, not a single creature dared approach. The monsters—hulking beasts with jagged claws, scaly hides, and glowing eyes—fled in all directions, their instincts screaming at them to avoid the overwhelming presence of Zhao's army. The forest trembled with their retreat, branches snapping and leaves rustling as they disappeared into the undergrowth, leaving the path clear for Zhao and his forces.

Despite their rapid pace, they had taken rest along the way, as even though the soldiers could maintain such movement effortlessly, Zhao still could not adapt to it with his physique. His Black Iron 3-star Dominion rank, while bolstered by his titles and skills, was no match for the Legendary-grade endurance of his soldiers, and his body ached from the strain of keeping up. They paused in a small clearing, the soldiers standing guard while Zhao sat on a fallen log, catching his breath. The Blue Soul Armor provided unparalleled protection, but it couldn't compensate for his physical limitations. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest heaving as he steadied himself, the Solfare Long Sword resting across his knees, its Vac fire flickering faintly, a constant reminder of its power. The soldiers, meanwhile, remained alert, their eyes scanning the surrounding forest, their Legendary Aura restrained to avoid detection but their presence still imposing.

The sun was just rising as it was the 3rd day since his coming here, its golden light filtering through the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing. Zhao and his soldiers had left early that morning, their departure timed to maximize daylight for the journey and the impending battle. They had to be quick, as they did not have much time to spare—the Hell's 1987th Legion was a looming threat, and every moment spent preparing was a moment closer to their inevitable arrival. Zhao stood, his breathing steadier, and signaled the group to continue. "Let's keep moving," he said, his voice firm despite his fatigue. "We can't afford to waste time."

They kept on moving as they left the area of the forest completely, the dense trees giving way to an open expanse that stretched out before them. It was Zhao's first time seeing something other than forest since coming here, and the change was striking. The landscape was ghastly, resembling a desert with nothing but stones scattered across the ground, their surfaces worn smooth by time and the elements. They had reached the Macre Ravines, a region famous for its rich red stones, their vibrant hue a stark contrast to the barren terrain. Zhao, however, currently held no use for them, as his focus was on defense rather than decorations. The red stones might have value for trade or aesthetics, but his priority was fortifying Abyss against the legion, and such luxuries could wait.

They soon reached the hideout, a temporary area nestled within the ravine, its rocky walls rising sharply on either side. The hideout was filled with monsters that looked like lizards, their scaly bodies glistening in the early morning light, their eyes glinting with a predatory gleam. Zhao estimated at least 500 of them, their hisses and growls echoing through the ravine as they patrolled their territory. The group stopped about 300 meters from the area, the soldiers restraining their Legendary Aura to avoid detection. In their realm, if they hid themselves, no one under their rank could detect them, their presence cloaked by the sheer power of their Dominion.

They took a short break before the fight, finding a small outcropping of rocks to rest behind, shielded from the monsters' view. Zhao sat again, his body still adjusting to the journey, while the soldiers stood watch, their weapons at the ready. The Solfare Long Sword rested in his hand, its Vac fire flickering faintly, a silent promise of the destruction it could unleash. Acel approached, his fiery red Solfare Spear gleaming, and reported, "My lord, the monsters are unaware of our presence. We can strike at your command."

Zhao nodded, his expression resolute. "We'll rest for a few minutes, then move in. The certificate is our goal, but we'll take whatever resources we can. The world will soon see the birth of a legend."

A legend who can butcher gods like nothing.