Chapter 189: Shadows Beyond the Gate

The Astral Gate remained open, its enormous surface separating two worlds.

For several hours, nothing had crossed through it. Leo’s civilization had continued its preparations, establishing observation points and reinforcing the settlements closest to the unfamiliar connection. Their inhabitants were intelligent enough to understand that the absence of an attack did not necessarily mean the absence of danger.

And they were right.

Beyond the gate, Liam had finally decided to begin moving his forces.

Within the world of Essiel, preparations had reached their final stages.

Across different regions, groups of inhabitants had gathered, each awaiting the command to depart. Some were familiar with the concept of interworld invasions, as if they had participated in previous battles.

The pantheons had also made their preparations.

Their followers and forces were being organized, while the angels had begun gathering those who would participate in the coming battle. The constellations, meanwhile, had their own arrangements, with several already preparing to cross into the unfamiliar world.

None of them knew exactly what awaited beyond the Astral Gate.

However, their god had chosen this world as their next destination. That alone was enough for them to take the invasion seriously.

On the other side, Liam observed the Astral Gate.

He had already gathered sufficient information about Leo’s civilization. Their inhabitants possessed a sophisticated society, their communication was well organized, and their response to the appearance of the gate had been cautious rather than reckless.

It was time to see how they would respond to an actual invasion.

Liam did not immediately send his forces through. Instead, he began opening the path for their arrival.

The surface of the Astral Gate shifted, its previously calm appearance changing as the connection between the two worlds became more pronounced. The space beyond it seemed to deepen, revealing a distant landscape that did not belong to Leo’s world.

Then, something appeared. A silhouette.

Leo received the report shortly afterward.

"Something is happening at the connection."

His attention immediately shifted toward the projection.

"What changed?"

"The surface of the gate has become more active. We have detected movement beyond it."

Leo examined the displayed images.

At first, there was little to distinguish the movement from the distortions they had previously observed. However, the silhouettes gradually became more apparent, revealing that something was approaching from the other side.

"Are they crossing?"

"We believe so."

Leo remained silent.

"Increase the observation coverage. Notify the nearby settlements and prepare the defensive forces. I want to know how many are approaching before we make any decisions."

The orders were immediately distributed.

Across the surrounding region, black slimes began moving toward their designated positions. Some climbed the observation structures, while others gathered near the settlements, preparing to respond to whatever emerged.

For the first time since the gate appeared, the possibility of an actual invasion had become immediate.

From a distant perspective, the first figures began emerging.

They were difficult to distinguish.

The Astral Gate was enormous, and the figures appearing within it seemed almost insignificant against its vast surface. Yet their numbers continued increasing, with silhouettes gradually filling portions of the opening.

Some appeared to be walking, while others seemed to float above the ground.

Behind them, additional shapes could be seen approaching.

The distance made it impossible to identify their appearances, much less their individual abilities. Only their general outlines could be observed, and even those were partially obscured by the strange light surrounding the connection.

But there was no mistaking their intentions. They were coming through.

Liam watched from beyond the visible battlefield.

The first groups had begun crossing, and the movement of his forces was progressing without significant problems. He had deliberately avoided revealing too much through the initial arrival, allowing the opposing civilization to observe the approaching army from a distance.

He wanted to see how Leo would respond.

His consciousness shifted briefly toward the other world, where the black slimes were already reorganizing their positions. Their observation structures were being used to track the approaching figures, while information continued circulating between the settlements.

’So they noticed.’

Liam did not interfere.

The first stage of the invasion was no longer about observing the enemy. It was about establishing a presence in another world, and he intended to see how much resistance Leo would offer before committing more of his forces.

Within Leo’s domain, the reports continued arriving.

"The number of figures is increasing."

"Can we identify their species?"

"Not from this distance. Their appearances are obscured, and we cannot determine their individual characteristics."

"Are they armed?"

"We cannot confirm that either."

Leo examined the projection.

The silhouettes were becoming more numerous, and some had already crossed far enough to stand within his world. Their movements were steady, with no apparent attempt to conceal their arrival.

He considered ordering an immediate attack, but the lack of information made such a decision dangerous.

"Do not engage yet. Continue monitoring their movements and determine whether they are establishing a formation."

One of the slimes shifted.

"Should we prepare an attack?"

"Prepare for one, but do not initiate it without further information."

Leo’s attention remained fixed on the approaching army.

He had expected the enemy to eventually make a move, but the scale of the invasion was becoming clearer with every passing moment.

This was not a single creature entering his world. It was an army.

The figures continued emerging from the Astral Gate.

Their silhouettes spread across the distant landscape, gradually occupying more of the space beyond the entrance. Some appeared to gather in groups, while others moved farther away from the gate, establishing their positions within the unfamiliar territory.

The black slimes watched from their observation structures.

None could yet determine the exact number of invaders, their identities, or the extent of their strength. The distance concealed too much, and the unfamiliar nature of the opposing forces made their observations incomplete.

However, their civilization was no longer dealing with a theoretical threat.

The invasion had begun.

Liam remained focused on the unfolding scene.

He could see his forces entering Leo’s world, and he could also see the black slimes preparing to receive them. The opposing civilization had not collapsed into disorder, nor had it rushed blindly toward the gate.

Liam found that response acceptable.

There was still much he wanted to learn about Leo’s world, and the arrival of his forces would provide the first opportunity to examine its actual defensive capabilities.

Beyond the gate, more silhouettes continued appearing. The distant landscape was gradually filling with the forces of Essiel.

And somewhere within the unfamiliar world, Leo was preparing to meet them.