The Evolution Of A Goblin To The Peak

Chapter 1151: The Demon: Preparation

News had already spread across the outside world about the forces of the Blood Lightning Monster, said to be hiding in an inconspicuous land known as the High Water Plains.

The High Water Plains was a remote territory, lacking any major faction or kingdom. Its strongest force, the Green Verdant Association, was led by an expert who had only reached the Solidifying Realm—an S-rank at best.

Even so, the plains stretched vast, nearly ten thousand kilometers in diameter.

Upon hearing the rumors, various powers immediately dispatched scouts to confirm the truth. Nothing had been verified yet, so they continued searching for traces within the High Water Plains.

...

Guardian Fortress

Torkez stood before the portal with several of Astros’ experts gathered at his side.

The portal pulsed with light before several familiar figures stepped through—Alice, Vashno, Amanda, Eztein, and Franklin.

"How is it?" Torkez asked at once.

"It’s done," Alice replied. "The people of Ekatoe City are safely in the Involin Forest. Our warriors there are also prepared to fight at any moment."

The group spoke as they walked through the corridors, eventually arriving at the deck. Alice paused, her gaze sweeping across the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Some people have already discovered our location, so we’re slowly moving away," Torkez explained.

Alice remained silent, her eyes fixed on the world outside.

The original plan had been to keep the fortress hidden and use the portal as their passageway. But Souta had rejected that idea immediately—demons were already on their trail, and he knew they would eventually catch up.

So a new plan had been set into motion.

In the Involin Forest, Elder Hanmi of the Witch Clan was leading the civilians in their evacuation. Soon, only the experts of Astros would remain there, ready to defend.

Then Alice felt something. Her gaze shifted sharply toward the ground.

Hmm?

She spotted several figures hidden below, staring up at the floating fortress.

"In an hour at most, we’ll be facing a group of them..." Alice said heavily.

"It’s within the plan," Torkez replied firmly. "Then, I’ll initiate the spatial jump."

He turned and gave the command.

The Guardian Fortress shuddered, and a blinding light enveloped its entire structure. In the next instant, both fortress and light vanished.

The people hidden below were left in shock, wide-eyed at the sudden disappearance of the colossal fortress.

Ohm!!

Several tens of kilometers away, the Guardian Fortress reappeared high in the sky. Thanks to the Imperium’s modifications, its spatial jump capability had been improved—allowing for far greater leaps than before.

The fortress paused for only a minute before resuming its steady, rumbling flight.

"This should buy us some time before we can attempt another spatial jump," Torkez said, his tone calm but his eyes sharp.

Caution was necessary. They could not afford to overextend—the portal’s range was limited, and if the fortress strayed too far, the link would collapse. Only a high-tier portal forged from rare, powerful materials could bridge such distances, and they had no such luxury.

"It’s better to increase our strength, even if only by a small amount," Vashno added, his voice low before he turned away, disappearing into the fortress’ dim corridors.

Inside, the Guardian Fortress was alive with motion. The air vibrated faintly with the hum of mana engines, while footsteps and hurried voices echoed through the steel halls. Guards patrolled every corner, their armor clattering with each shift of their stance. Runes etched into the walls pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of the fortress’ defensive enchantments.

Preparations consumed everyone. Workers hauled crates of supplies, smiths hammered sparks in the forges, and scouts rushed in and out of communication halls, carrying urgent reports. The entire place felt like a heart pounding before war.

Time slipped away quickly.

Under Torkez’s command, the fortress executed several more spatial jumps, each one shaking the halls with a resonant ohm before light swallowed the fortress and flung it across the skies. They had already traveled thousands of kilometers, though always in calculated arcs within the portal’s range.

Meanwhile, Astros’ higher-ups secluded themselves in chambers thick with energy, straining to push their strength even a fraction higher. Everyone knew what awaited them—an ocean of experts, each battle potentially their last.

Elsewhere, Isabella worked with feverish focus, the sharp scent of alchemy filling her workshop. Vials clinked as potions simmered over glowing flames, each one a lifeline she hoped would keep their warriors alive. Gragas hammered deep in the forge, the ringing of steel echoing through the halls as he reforged armor and weapons, sparks scattering like tiny stars in the darkness.

The Guardian Fortress carried them forward, a moving citadel trembling under the weight of coming war.

Almost all of Astros’ warriors now wielded purple-grade equipment—just one step below the coveted orange grade.

Inside a spacious chamber, Alice sat in a lotus position, her eyes closed in deep concentration. Energy circulated through her body, causing her form to glow faintly with a dark bluish light.

My elemental power has already reached the peak of the Integration Stage, she thought inwardly. To advance any further, I’ll need to break through to the Seventh Shackle... but that will take time. I only just completed my last advancement.

Her mind ran through possible paths forward.

Her Archetype, [Golden Spear: Legend of Victory], was an inheritance of the King of Knights himself—a source of immense power she never questioned. Mastering the first stance more thoroughly would sharpen her combat prowess even further.

Then there was her [Dream Power I]. If she could elevate it to the next level, her versatility in battle would soar. Yet that path carried its own obstacle—her lack of proficiency. Dream power was elusive, slippery, and wielding it never came naturally to her.

"I could try..." Alice murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The bluish aura around her flickered like a restless flame as she opened herself to possibility, balancing on the edge between hesitation and determination.

In war, countless emotions would surge across the battlefield—fear, rage, despair, and hope. For Alice, these were not just passing feelings; they were fuel. Each one could be absorbed, strengthening her dream power and sharpening her presence.

Beyond that, she held within her arsenal several secret demonic techniques. Since the demons already knew of her existence, there was little reason to keep her heritage hidden any longer. If the battle grew desperate, she could even reveal her true form. After all, rumors had already spread of a demon fighting under the banner of the Blood Lightning Monster.

"I know what to do," Alice whispered, her resolve firming as she opened her eyes. Rising gracefully, she let her aura settle back into her body.

She walked through the fortress corridors until she stood before the chamber where Souta was training. Yet when she extended her senses, she felt several other presences already gathered within. It seemed she wasn’t the only one preparing.

They all had the same idea: to enter Saya’s inner consciousness and train in the accelerated flow of time. Within that hidden realm, hours would stretch into days, and days into weeks. It was the perfect crucible to sharpen their strength before the storm descended upon them.

...

Tens of kilometers away from the Guardian Fortress.

A hundred figures hovered in the air, their gazes sweeping over the vast land below. The wind howled at that height, carrying with it the faint pulse of lingering energy.

"There’s a spatial fluctuation here," one man said, his eyes narrowing as he extended his senses. "If it truly belongs to the Blood Lightning Monster, then we should pursue at once..."

"I can track it," another replied. Power rippled from his body like waves crashing against reality itself. "They won’t be far. The fabric of space has grown denser lately—spatial techniques are more restricted than before."

A mocking voice cut through the air. "Well, well... Spatial Whisperer. I didn’t expect you to lower yourself to chasing after the tail of the Blood Lightning Monster."

The one addressed—Spatial Whisperer—slowly turned his head. A second group was approaching, their formation tight and disciplined. At the front was a tall man radiating fierce confidence.

"Ray Borg..." the man beside Spatial Whisperer muttered grimly.

The two groups came to a halt in midair, facing each other with sharpened wariness. The atmosphere thickened instantly; the clash of their auras made the very air tremble, as though violence could erupt at any moment.

Ray Borg’s sharp eyes swept over Spatial Whisperer’s side before a cruel smile tugged at his lips. "So... tired of playing pretend for the Gluttony Army already? Word is, you suffered a pitiful defeat in Selnes Country."

Spatial Whisperer’s gaze was unreadable. His voice remained flat. "If it’s a fight you want, I’ll oblige you later. For now, my priority is locating the Blood Lightning Monster."

Ray Borg chuckled and raised one hand, signaling his men to withdraw slightly. His grin widened. "Then go ahead. Track him down... for me."

Spatial Whisperer studied him for a long moment, remembering the last time they clashed. He knew this man well—Ray Borg, a dreaded expert from one of the Large Countries. A fighter capable of countering spatial abilities. Someone not to be underestimated.

Without another word, Spatial Whisperer turned, motioning for his people to follow. Their figures blurred into the distance, the tension in the air lingering like a storm that had yet to break.

...

High Water Plains.

This was the land where traces of the Blood Lightning Monster and his people had been sighted.

Now, countless experts poured into the region by the hour. The once-quiet plains, ruled only by modest sects and wandering cultivators, had become a gathering ground for powers beyond comprehension.

The local factions of the High Water Plains didn’t know what to do. Their strongest stood only at S-rank—mere ants compared to the overwhelming auras now descending upon their land. Every time a new group arrived, the skies shook, and the ground seemed to tremble under their presence.

The locals whispered among themselves, faces pale. Small towns closed their gates, families fled into the forests, and merchants abandoned their caravans on the roadside. Rumors spread like wildfire.

"Blood Lightning Monster is here..."

"They’re saying he killed a Fifth Evolution Monster."

"Why bring their grudges here?! We’ll all be dragged into this!"

Above, the atmosphere thickened with killing intent. Dozens of experts hovered in the sky, their energies pressing down like invisible blades, suffocating every ordinary person below.

"Blood Lightning Monster is here!" a voice roared, echoing across the plain.

"He’s using spatial techniques to flee!" another replied.

"Then he can’t be far. We can still catch up to him."

Groups of warriors exchanged words, their voices sharp and restless. Some spoke in low, calculating tones, while others spat venom, their faces twisted with hatred. For many, the Blood Lightning Monster was no abstract legend—he was the shadow behind their grief, the storm that had stolen their comrades, their families.

The High Water Plains, once an inconspicuous land of flowing rivers and gentle winds, had become the eye of a gathering storm. The weak could only watch as giants descended, praying they would not be crushed when the heavens finally split open.