Chapter 496: Quite The Pinch
GRADE A…
STARWEAVE MAIN BASE…
“BEEP”
“Sending reports in request of the situation at Zone B Knull Gate War in Grade C.”
“The Knull army is currently in battle with the Ascension Alliance, with major powerhouses balancing the scale—five Knull Wanderers are present, four of whom are currently engaged in battle.”
“A total of five Pseudo-Eternal stage experts have been deployed, alongside two Eternal beings from the Ascension Alliance.”
“The Eternals include one from the Onyx Coil Group and another from the Sky Rend Alliance.”
“Both Eternal beings have yet to engage in battle due to one of the Pseudo-Eternal beings choosing to remain standing.”
“This could hint at the possibility of a Knull King’s Descent.”
“If such were to happen, the two Eternal beings might need more backup from the other Eternals.”
“The situation is still under control… for now.”
“BEEP!”
“Sending reports in request of the situation at Zone A Knull Gate War in Grade A Lifeline Corner.”
“The Knull army is currently in battle with the Ascension Alliance, with major powerhouses clashing.”
“There are ten Pseudo-Eternal stage beings, and one Knull King currently engaged in battle against the Alliance warriors.”
“The Alliance forces include seven Pseudo-Eternal stage beings and four Eternal stage beings—one from the Lycanis Pack, one from the Giantkings, another from the Elunari Dynasty, and one from the Vampiro Family.”
“The war situation is burning hot, with all Eternal stage beings and Pseudo-Eternals along with the Knull King Locked in fierce combat.”
“According to Starweave’s statistics, backups might be needed to ensure victory. An estimated five more Pseudo-Eternal beings or two more Eternal beings are required.”
“Things are getting worse, Peak Weave Asteralaxia. The combined might of the Ascension Alliance is struggling to hold the line against the invading Knulls.”
“And we’re almost out of backups.”
The thick masculine voice projected through the glass walls of the blue-painted room. About a hundred holographics were beeping in the air, most of them sharing various footages of an ongoing battle.
There was a large office table in the center of the room. A seat stood behind it, and behind that chair was the man who had spoken.
He was clad in futuristic white trousers and upper vest which seemed like a combination of a hoodie and a mask, though both were unworn and laying behind his neck.
His hands were folded behind his back as he took his place. Sitting before him in the other chair was a lady—wearing the same robes, a long white gown adorned with a glittering, star-like appearance.
Her long blue hair trailed down behind her as her eyes remained knitted on the various flashing holographics.
“Exactly how many backups can we afford if things go south?” the lady asked.
The man furrowed his brows before replying.
“Well, we have a lot of Cataclysma stage experts left, but in a war of this scale, they won’t be able to create much of a ripple.”
“The only ones who could make a major impact are the Eternity stage experts, and right now, Endearth only has three Eternity stage experts who are not currently at war.”
“You’re the fourth, Peak Weave Asteralaxia.”
“Send a message to all three and inform them to prepare for deployment.”
“If the situation in Zone A—Knull Gate War in Grade A Lifetime Corner—gets worse, deploy two of the Eternity experts to assist. And if a Knull King appears in Zone B, send the last Eternity expert to support the front.”
Asteralaxia said as the man his lips parted to say more only to halt at the last instance.
He eventually nodded, replying:
“Yes, Peak Weave Asteralaxia. I’ll get to it now.”
He turned his back and stepped into the elevator.
The door closed with a DING, and once more, silence followed in the room.
“Huuuuuu”
A deep exhale settled in the room after the man left.
Asteralaxia’s hand, which had been resting on the large table, retreated to her side as her neck dropped backwards, landing against the headrest of the chair behind her.
Her eyes closed for a few minutes, flashing with memories, mainly consisting of footages.
She remained in that state for a long while before her lips eventually moved.
“Things are getting harder than I imagined…”
The words pierced through the room.
“Yes. Seems like you’re truly in quite the pinch…”
The voice rang out right after, and Aster unconsciously nodded her head.
But in the next instant, her eyes flashed open in shock, her neck snapping upward as she looked before her—only to find the back of an extraordinarily tall figure standing right there.
She couldn’t see his face, but she could faintly see the tips of horns peeking up.
Her hands instinctively rose up to his back, conjuring a powerful ball of Aetheris that burned and cracked the space around it.
“And who are you?” Aster asked, though her mind was already burning with questions
‘How? How did he get in?’
‘The glass here is harder than diamonds and has been installed with space-locking power. No one can come in through teleportation or anything else.’
‘The only way through is the elevator, but I didn’t hear the ringing.”
‘Besides, he came in here with no most likely no permit robe, which should’ve set off all the alarms, yet they’re all quiet.’
‘Just how did he get in?’
The ball of Aether crackled with even more power, but the figure didn’t turn back.
He leaned closer to the various footages in the air, studying them with close scrutiny as if searching for something.
Eventually, he rose upright and then calmly turned towards her.
“How are you doing, Aster? Been a long time?” he greeted with a smile.
Aster sat in shock for a couple of seconds.
Her mind couldn’t wrap around the face before her.
It was devastatingly appealing—almost unbelievably so—but those horns sent the hairs on her body standing on end.
The face was unrecognizable, but if there was one thing that shook her to her core, it was that voice… and that smile.
They were far too familiar.
Her mind raced, connecting dots with a speed that blurred out everything else.
One image rose to the surface, burning away all doubt and Aster’s eyes flashed in disbelief.
“Ryuk!?”