Chapter 253: Battle Maiden

The surge didn't stay contained.

Outside the rift, the air twisted violently, reacting to the same chaotic force that had just erupted from within. The portal churned faster, its edges tearing wider as unstable essence spilled outward in thick, visible waves.

Then it broke.

The rift ruptured with a thunderous crack, releasing a flood of corrupted essence that slammed into the surrounding area. The ground shook under the pressure, and the waiting martial artists tensed as the breach fully opened.

They didn't have to wait long.

Zombies poured out in waves, rushing forward without hesitation. Their movements were erratic, violent, and far more aggressive than anything seen from a standard level 5 extinction rift before.

Francis stood at the front line, unmoving as he observed the incoming horde. Martial artists from multiple nearby sectors had gathered behind him, their presence forming a defensive wall around the rift's exit point.

This wasn't just Tristan's problem anymore.

An evolved level 5 extinction rift meant regional danger, and as the one in charge of this jurisdiction, the responsibility fell directly on Francis. As a heavenly Lord, he couldn't step back.

He had to lead.

"Hold your ground," Francis said, his voice calm but firm as it cut through the rising tension. His eyes stayed locked on the approaching monsters, studying every detail and movement.

They weren't normal.

Some zombies had bloated, rounded bodies, their skin stretched thin as if filled with unstable liquid. Others moved on all fours, their frames twisted into bone-heavy structures that dragged across the ground with disturbing speed.

And then there were the brutes.

Massive figures of raw muscle charged forward, their sheer size alone enough to shake the ground beneath them. Each step carried weight, each movement radiating power that exceeded typical level 5 limits.

Francis's eyes narrowed slightly.

They've evolved… but how far?

The distance closed rapidly.

"Attack!"

His command snapped across the battlefield just as the first wave entered striking range. Martial artists surged forward, releasing their techniques in a coordinated burst of power aimed at stopping the charge.

But something else moved first.

ROAR!

A roar tore through the sky.

The sound alone forced several heads upward as a massive white dragon descended from above, its wings cutting through the air with overwhelming presence. Its body gleamed, radiating dense, controlled essence.

Then it opened its mouth.

A concentrated sphere of light formed instantly before being unleashed downward. The attack crashed into the front lines of the zombie horde, detonating on impact and wiping out a large portion in a single strike.

The explosion sent shockwaves through both sides.

Felecia watched from the formation, a grin spreading across her face as the pressure eased slightly. The sudden strike had created a clear opening where the zombies had been thinned out.

"What an entrance," she said, clearly impressed.

Scott exhaled beside her, tension leaving his shoulders as he recognized the timing of the reinforcement. The momentum of the battlefield had shifted, even if only slightly.

That was enough.

"Move!" someone shouted from the front.

The martial artists didn't hesitate.

With the first wave disrupted, they pushed forward aggressively, pouring their strength into the advancing horde. Blades flashed, fists struck, and essence techniques lit up the battlefield as both sides collided.

The real battle had begun.

The clash exploded forward the moment the opening appeared.

Felecia's grin hadn't faded as she surged ahead with the others, her strikes precise and fast, cutting through weakened zombies. Scott stayed close, his movements steady, guarding her flank as the battlefield descended into controlled chaos.

Above it all, Remedy watched.

Perched atop the white dragon, she scanned the battlefield with sharp, focused eyes. The tide had shifted slightly, but something felt off. Her gaze swept across the gathered martial artists again, searching.

Where is Adam?

He should have been here.

With a force like this, there was no reason for him to be absent. Yet no matter how many times she checked, she couldn't find him anywhere among the fighters below.

"I see Scott and Felecia," Ivy said suddenly.

Remedy's attention shifted as Ivy rose to her feet, balancing effortlessly atop the dragon's back despite the violent air currents. Her tone was calm, but her intent was clear.

"I'll go assist them."

Remedy studied her for a brief moment, then gave a short nod. "Be careful."

Ivy didn't reply. She simply stepped forward and jumped.

Her body dropped instantly, cutting through the air as gravity took hold. The wind roared past her ears, her descent accelerating rapidly as the battlefield rushed up to meet her.

From the center of her chest, a glowing, rose-colored liquid spread outward, moving with unnatural speed. It coated her body in seconds, flowing over her limbs like living metal as it began to harden.

Her arms and legs were the first to transform.

Interlocking plates of shimmering pink alloy formed seamlessly over her skin, replacing fabric with dense, reinforced armor. Each segment locked into place with precision, creating a structure built for impact and combat.

The transformation didn't stop.

The liquid surged upward, covering her torso completely before extending to her back. Thick, wing-like structures burst outward, heavy and mechanical, stabilizing her fall as they adjusted her trajectory mid-descent.

Finally, it reached her head.

A smooth visor formed over her face, sealing her expression behind a flawless, reflective surface.

Ivy was gone.

In her place, a weapon had been born.

The armored figure adjusted mid-air, halting its uncontrolled drop with a sharp shift in momentum. The wings flared, stabilizing her position for just a fraction of a second before she accelerated downward again.

Then she hit.

BOOM!

Her body slammed into a charging zombie with overwhelming force, the impact detonating through its frame. Flesh and bone exploded outward as the shockwave rippled across the ground, clearing space instantly.

Nearby zombies staggered from the blast.

The armored figure straightened slowly from the crater, fragments of blood and debris sliding off her polished surface. Her presence alone forced a brief pause in the immediate area.

This was no ordinary fighter.

This was Ivy's greatest creation.

Battle Maiden.