On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human

Instead of paying attention to Jacques, Layland observed the number of people behind Jacques. His side had around fifty thousand abled bodies meanwhile Jacques’ side had one hundred thousand. The number difference wouldn’t mean anything if they had just started the war but it wasn’t the case. The war had been going on for hours, so many of them were tired.

Although his side had the inexhaustible Warriors of the Alpha Legion, they wouldn’t significantly change the outcome of the fight. After all, the reinforcement that Luxibrae gave to the Light Elf was a third of the surviving army and all of them were in prime condition.

Using tactical hit and run, the Warriors might be able to survive the hurdles but the same wouldn’t apply to the Dark Elf. Their way of fighting was not as flexible as the Warrior’s way of fighting was. They also didn’t have as much stamina as the Warriors did, so they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the Warriors. In short, the Dark Elf wouldn’t have a nice ending.

“Well, I guess I just have to cause as much mayhem as I can on their side.”

Fortunately, Layland still could make a great change. This world was a place where one could destroy an entire continent with a mere punch. A million competent men wouldn’t hold a candle to an absurdly strong man. In this world, a single man’s presence could have a big impact on the result of a big war.

Although that kind of man was not many, Layland was one of them. His side might be unjustly outnumbered, but he could do something that wouldn’t make the number difference mean anything.

“You seem pretty confident that you can take me and my men at once,” Jacques remarked with a quirked eyebrow. “Well, I guess I have no right to lecture you on that as I feel the same. Why don’t we ignore our men and settle the things between us?”

“You have a grudge against me?” Layland asked in wonder.

“Hoh. You can talk.” Jacques stroked his chin. “I thought you couldn’t control yourself when you are in your True Form. I guess my information is already out of date.”

Layland didn’t say anything as he also had the same thought a few minutes before. When he entrusted his consciousness to the Demonic Essence, he had expected himself to run amok. It was much to his surprise that his control over his True Form got better after receiving his Power-up. Although he didn’t get as much as he wanted, that fact alone was enough to satisfy him.

Layland raised his greatsword, alarming everyone but Jacques. Both his and Jacques’ sides worried that they might get caught in the crossfire. Dying at the hands of the enemy was something they could accept, but being collateral damage was another story. It was as pathetic as it sounded. Even those who didn’t care about their pride didn’t want it to happen to them.

Boom!𝒐𝒱𝗅xt.𝚌𝚘𝓂

In the blink of an eye, Layland appeared before Jacques and swung Rexorem at him. Jacques blocked Rexorem in a swift motion but couldn’t maintain his position. As he was sent flying, the air exploded. Everyone registered the happening late. Layland had moved quickly and silently. The only thing that notified them of his movement was the explosion.

Instead of chasing after Jacques who was still tearing through the air with his body; much to their horror, he turned his attention to the Luxibrae soldiers. The Legion Commanders and the de facto General immediately shouted at their men to run away, but it was too late. When Layland pointed Rexorem downward, the ground in his surroundings rose like a wave.

The unlucky soldiers got swept by the rising ground and turned into red mush meanwhile the slightly lucky soldiers broke every bone in their bodies. The ground kept getting higher as if it was a tsunami. It would have risen as tall as 50 feet if Jacques didn’t put an end to it. He attacked Layland, forcing Layland to stop what he was doing.

“I thought I had made it clear to settle the matter between us.” Jacques frowned, putting his entire strength into his sword to suppress Layland at which he failed.

“Were you expecting me to hear you?” Layland tilted his head. “When we say we never want to conquer the world, have you ever listened to us? It goes both ways.”

“Don’t play the victim; you, filth! What happens is that you keep expanding your territory.”

“Oh, so you are allowed to ‘liberate’ our territory but we can’t do that to yours? Hypocrite.”

“Cursed Creations are not meant to exist.”

“Says the God whom you never see.”

It was at this moment that Jacques realized Layland was holding Rexorem with one hand. The other hand was pointing toward his stomach. There was a spherical mass of black energy in Layland’s palm. Before he could disengage, Layland pushed it into his stomach. His armour did nothing to block it as searing pain immediately assaulted his body.

Boom!

For the second time during their clash, Jacques was sent flying. What Layland had done to the Luxibrae soldiers was already unpleasant. Seeing what he did to the Paladin Master kicked their frustration through the roof. Given the development, it was not surprising all of them got wiped out.

Seeing how Layland dominated the battlefield made Eliseus’ heart beat faster. Her face flushed as she could no longer hold down her urge to let loose. She cackled and stepped forward, taking everyone on the Dark Elf’s side out of their dumbfounded state. A pair of wings grew out of her back and her presence became sickening. Even Teanosvera was quite surprised by it.

“I will have my fun with the Paladins. You can do your best to survive and not stand in my way.”

Without looking back, she dashed at the Paladins who gladly came at her all at once. Teanosvera couldn’t see her face but was sure she had the same look that his Master put on whenever he was excited. Shaking his head in amusement, he turned to the Phoenix standing in front of him. The said Phoenix didn’t seem to be amused by the development.

“Why don’t we settle our grudge, chicken?”

“You will like the smell of your roasted meat, you black duck.”

“Spirits don’t have flesh, you know? We will simply disappear when we die.”

Phoebesius flew at Teanosvera with irritation clear on his face, causing Teanosvera to smirk. He wasn’t as cocky and witty as his Master was yet, but he was starting to get it—the art of pissing one’s enemy off.

As the two Spirits clashed, the world was split in two. One half was burningly bright and the other half was deadly dark. The watching Dark Elves and Warriors took it as a cue for them to also move. They were outshone by those exceptional individuals, but it didn’t mean they had to remain in their shadows. They could get out of their shadows and show their shine off.

The battle became heated again. Those who were already exhausted were reinvigorated. They fought so passionately that they could overwhelm Luxibrae’s backup army. Of course, Layland mostly contributed to it. The Luxibrae army didn’t have to only worry about them but also Layland. After all, they became his playthings whenever Jacques didn’t exchange blows with him.

Amidst the battle, a sprout emerged out of the ground. It grew rapidly but no one paid any attention to it because of their battle. It became a small tree and then a big tree. Still, no one paid any attention. Of course, the fact that it was 300 feet away from them played a great role in “hiding” its presence.

Before long, the tree outgrew the trees in the surroundings. It wasn’t only bigger than any trees in Amizanima but also taller than them. At this point, Layland smiled beneath his mask. Jacques had also noticed something strange in the air but didn’t dare to look back. Layland was tougher than he had anticipated. The moment he turned his head around, he could say goodbye to his head.

“It seems we are not the only one prepared for this war,” Jacques remarked.

Layland didn’t say anything. He kept trading blows with Jacques as the tree that had suddenly appeared in Amizanima shone brightly in gold. The amount of Natural Essence that the tree contained made the amount that Stavros had utilized seem like a joke. Jacques couldn’t help grunting in frustration since it was already clear which side would win.

“I guess we have no choice.”

It was their side.

“He has to descend.”

Boom!

Although Layland could finally draw Jacques’ blood by slashing through Jacques’ armour, he wasn’t happy at all. He knew what Jacques was talking about and he couldn’t help grinning in disbelief. He had expected their last backup to be a mysterious group of absurdly strong Heroes but he was wrong. Luxibrae had someone more powerful.

“Kneel and beg for his mercy, Layland Kleinhaus!”

They asked their God for help. Much to his amusement, the said God obliged.

Boom!

A soul-crushing pressure descended upon the world. It weeded out the weak as it immediately killed those who had low resistance to Mana pressure. Layland was mostly fine but he experienced difficulty in breathing and moving. Though, he could teleport anywhere just fine. He opted to stand beside Aurelia. Eliseus joined them a second after with a solemn look on her face.

“God has descended,” Haletha muttered both in terror and disbelief.

Amizanima was completely illuminated. The golden light God was emitting was no brighter than the light the gigantic tree was emitting, but the former outshone the latter. Aurelia instinctively turned to Layland. She couldn’t make out any distinct features from the God before them but could tell whom he was targeting.

It was much to her surprise when she found Layland smirking mischievously at her. Pulling her up, he carried her like she was a child because of their height difference. In the next moment, a couple of heavy presence announced themselves. Together, their presence rivalled God’s presence.

Aurelia knew the presence, so she couldn’t help looking at the calmly smiling Layland. The said Demon had made a presumptuous gamble and won.

The Dragons came out of their hidden world.