Flies soar through the air. The heaps of decaying flesh become too enticing, and with it, the flies propagate. The carcasses don't only have the flies as their sole consumer; there is also a lizard.

With resignation, it ate some corpses, a part that was less decayed than the others, its blue scale shimmered despite being stained by the blood of the corpses. The larger kin of his has rampaged here, the [Overload] of the dungeon rose and made the existence of his felt like needles at the back of its skull, forcing it to leave.

As it continued with its meal, it encountered a snake, trying to swallow some dismantled limb, The two reptiles took notice of each other's presence quite quickly, but the Lizard was quicker.

As the seething desire to have a proper meal, it went and struck first. It opened its mouth first and had its maw clamp on the snake upon its vulnerability. It savoured the raw and flesh blood, its fresh flesh.

After devouring its fresh meal, it looked at the mountains of carcasses and decided that it had enough.

***

[Year 32]

Hadro wished that he could rely on his children to protect him and the Nefuti people. It's clear that despite his being able to garner the memories of the Eldorians he cannot use it to lessen the gap in experience.

He cannot afford another disruption in his ascension, he already surmised that the invasion of the Ninth continent would take about a century, but that was uncertain now. Innovation is made in adversity will lead to development.

Hadro was sure that Jaheva and her faith were already making progress and all of it was significant, so he had to make sure that he could do everything to prepare the Eldorians. As they call themselves now, they haven't connected with the Drakins and the humans as of yet.

How many years has it been? Thought Hadro, he checked the panels of his system, and it was the 32nd year, he started his ascent in the 27th year. He was interrupted after five years of ascension.

That was a bad thing, he needed to ascend but first…

Hadro jumped up, soaring to the sky within seconds. Remembering what he did on his Realm he sent singular particles outwards in many directions possible. It all came back not even a second later.

Once he landed back on the ground, he stepped forward with incredible speed. He weaved through the dense forests and stopped in front of a large feline, it was the same feline he had met after he entered the Abyss back then.

It looked at Hadro with Alarm, whilst it was grooming itself it felt something touch its body but then a man suddenly appeared in front of him, how could it not be alarmed?

Hadro raised his hand “Now don't be rash.” he smiled, though it wasn't the kind that would reach his eyes. “You're the level of a deity, I'm here to make a simple proposal.”

Hadro didn't bother to placate the Feline, it was a deity, and at that point, it could simply understand the intent that he carried through his words. The deity immediately rose in speed, clearly fearing Hadro.

“Y-You're…”

“A god, yes.”

Its mind started to shift gears in thought, after a while, the Feline Deity spoke. “W-what do you want.”

“You see, I wanted protection for my children and followers. Can you be a part of that?”

Hadro still had the same smile, the Feline deity scanned him a bit longer before speaking. “What do I get out of this?”

Hadro beamed for a moment. “What do you want?”

The Feline deity looked confused for a moment and stuttered. “W-what?”

“My, I’m not here for a negotiation you know? I'm here for a mutually beneficial offer. I ask for your protection of my children and my followers in my absence, I will give you what you want! You are free to refuse.”

The Feline Deity stood still, ruminating over Hadro’s words. There was no reason to accept this then yet again, he was on the most dangerous continent to ever live he had done nothing but survive here.

Dragons, Wyrms, giant Serpents, beings multiple metres tall, it was gruelling to survive here. Now that the Feline Deity had fully digested that Hadro was there to make alliances then he relaxed.

“This seems to be worth my time, can I think about it?”

“That's nice to hear,” Hadro nodded. “I’ll see you again.”

Then Hadro vanished with a small gush of wind, and the Feline Deity sighed. After a while, Hadro had done the same, going to every single Deity he could find within his immediate vicinity, offering them the same as he did with the Feline Deity.

Of course, he has more things to do other than find willing bodyguards, so he goes back to the Overworld, the Material existence. But before he went back to the Nefuti settlement, he glanced at his palm and then reached forward.

There was a spark and Hadro managed to grasp something, something he knew he wouldn't be able to grasp before. But before he could get a hold and enact his intent it vanished and he just swung at the empty air.

“Huh”

He hummed, not disappointed at the outcome, he was sabotaged during his ascent to a Minor god, previously a Low Minor God, and now he was an Incomplete Minor God. he had seen a glimpse of what he was able to do, what he could do.

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One of them is to freely step into the Material and Abyssal dimension whenever he wants, of course, it costs some Soul Energy, but that's barely a concern now. He sighed and went back to the settlement.

He saw some people comforting his children, Mikhael was looking down sitting on some stump. Hadro made sure not to read the minds of his children out of respect, however, none of that was needed when it was clear what he was feeling.

He walked towards Mikhael and placed a hand over his shoulder, his son looked up and even he was surprised about the speed he displayed.

“My son, know that I do not blame you for anything. Please stop blaming yourself.” Hadro knelt down. “Mentally beating yourself down is pointless, help them instead. I am sure Paul will be proud of you if do that.”

“You… You think so?”

“Of course.”

Hadro knew that their age of existence was short but that cant be helped, Astators, or in this case, Aidens, are made with sentient souls, mostly taking their maturity and experience in life to make them.

Hadro did not do that, instead, he took pieces of himself and made the Aidens instead, every piece that he took from himself made the Aidens oblivious of many things like Love, Lazarus as an example, learned love on his own.

It's just the life experiences Hadro had in that particular fragment he used to make the Aidens were used, the memories numbed down not to affect their current existence. A failsafe of sorts, not to give the Aidens an identity crisis.

That's why it initially felt wrong to have them call him ‘Creator’, Father was more suited.

“Father, w-what can I do?” Mikhael stammered. His voice seemed so lost. He looked at his Father, hoping he could give him purpose.

“My Son, you have the power.” Hadro looked him in the eye. “Use it to make a difference. You see these people?” he nudged at the Nefuti. “They cannot defend themselves from this world filled with monsters. Help them, teach them.”

Hadro placed a hand on Mikhael’s head and ruffled his hair before turning toward the gateway, Mikhael watched him leave, staring at his back. Then Mikhael stood, he was convinced of his purpose.

He was Mikhael, the Aiden of War.

***

“Eren what is that?” Kasha asked while putting the cup in her mouth.

“It's just some Cosa seeds, I eat it because it makes me feel alive,” Eren replied, eating some roasted seeds one at a time.

Kasha raised a brow, clearly interested in what Eren had. “Can I try?”

“Sure.” Eren shrugged nonchalantly, showing the paper bag to Kasha.

Kasha took some Cosa seeds, they were roasted seeds, it was many times larger than a kernel, brown, and had a rough texture. Nonetheless, she placed it in her mouth and began chewing.

It was rough but crunchy and somehow, delicious. Kasha lit up as she chewed on the seed, she had to take a few more from the paper bag and eat some that Eren had to pull away his hand.

“Hey─!”

“Don't take too much.” Eren shook his head. “Even if I have to only eat four or eight at a time.”

“Why?” as she chewed another seed.

Then the feeling struck her, her heart started racing and her pupils dilated. She sat down for a moment in silence.

“Uh…” Eren looked at her with concern. “Are you okay, Kasha?”

Kasha now felt restless, she felt more awake than ever “W-What was that seed, Eren?!”

“I-It was Cosa seed as I said.” Eren looked uneasy but then realized that the Cosa seed had affected her and gave a sigh of relief. “Feeling alive? That's exactly why I choose to eat these seeds.”

Kasha felt so restless that she stood up and left the Bakery and went back to her office. Eren hummed and followed her back.

Meanwhile, in the north, Arkum was finalizing his expeditions. Going further north leads to a coastal plateau that contains a beautiful view of the ocean if one ignores the car-sized birds that prey on other animals.

“This looks beautiful.” Officer Jhin said in a daze

“It is if we don't get attacked every five minutes” Arkum grumbled.”How’s Khalid doing?”

“They’re doing great, Alvon,” Jhin answered succinctly.

Arkum nodded, his hand caressing his spear firmly. He had been in this place, supervising as the initiates built a Supply Anchor within the favourable area. The Scholars from Kasha’s tutelage have been recording a lot of things. Weather, geographical area and many more.

However, it seems that these areas are more dangerous than he imagined, without him he was sure that multiple initiates had already been snatched up. It was only thanks to Kasha’s continuous improvement of enchantments that they could have supplied caravans continuously supply materials from the Home village to these farther parts.

Arkum scratched his scalp, he missed his grandkids, how long was he in the expedition anyway? It seems that there are no other sentient species here so there are no allies to be made, so for now his focus is only one thing.

“I'm here, Alvon,”

Jhin turned around to see Rei, holding a spear. Jhin didn't personally know the boy, however, it's no secret that he was the Kin of man and their Patron God. Jhin slightly felt reverence for the boy.

Despite being trained by the same person, Rei had grown stronger exponentially, if they were to spar Jhin was sure he wouldn't lose only because of his experience. However, he didn't get discouraged just because of that.

He knew that Rei had worked hard, harder than anyone he knew, even Khalid who was his fellow Officer. So losing to Rei is not something he would mull over, he would be proud to say he had spared with him.

Arkum turned around and looked at Rei, he smirked for a bit. “You know I’ve been training both of you for a while,” Arkum said, glancing at both studying their structure very well. “How about both of you spar?”

None of the two looked alarmed, In fact, since it was brought up. The two had been eager to prove themselves to their mentor.

“I concur.”

“I Agree.”

Arkum smiled, he scratched his chin with stubble and was fascinated. He knew the two well. Though Jhin was later than others, he was still a hunter back then. Whilst he didn't know any kind of Martial arts to fight against men and monsters back then.

He learned quickly, in fact, Arkum thought that he was at a disadvantage, Rei had been training ever since he had seen him swing a spear. It was not fair to say that Rei had been obsessed with the idea of catching up to Arkum.

However, that didn't mean he believed that Jhin would lose easily. He wouldn't be an officer if the only thing he can do is write things down on paper. That would be foolish to assume so.

“Alright let's go to an open area!” Arkum walked first and the rest simply followed.

On Shavik’s end, there were more jungles, hills and rivers flowing than he could count. Not that he hated it. He was concealed from anything that not even the extraordinary could perceive.

Why was he using his Aura abilities? It was not his intent, he was simply hiding from his Officers as a game of extreme hide and seek. Though, he was not the one hiding.

He stepped on a branch and it didn't even break he simply stepped unto it and moved forward, he could barely smell the locations of his Officers. However, that didn't mean that he was completely clueless about their location.

He stepped towards the running river, its current was strong, and stepping there would easily displace his location from the others. Yet he feels someone’s presence within the river.

Were they submerged underwater? No, that would be too obvious. Shavik walked on the rocks protruding above the waters and used them to cross the river until he was on a specific rock formation.

He reached his hand and unto the air, his hand felt something then twitched.

“Acsien Sazan, You are to be on messenger duty starting today and next week.”

The Officer looked at Shavik and Saluted. He was standing behind the rocks against the current, hiding where stood. Whilst also using a skill that would conceal his presence. However, that was not enough to hide from Shavik.

Sazan asked for this game to commence, simply because it was a form of training. He wasn't even mad about the punishment, it was something he asked for. He then jumped out of the water and into dry land, soon vanishing within sight.

Though not out of Shavik’s senses though. He was gradually fading in the distance when it came to Shavik’s senses.

Shavik sighed and went back to the last Supply Anchor point. Here on out, they have officially reached the farthest, and now they must scale a mountain. He has heard of the news of Arkum’s endeavour.

He had finished the expedition above the north. Shavik had also finished his and all that was left was Garuk. Shavik has yet to hear of his mission being completed. Their goal, for now, was to explore until a helpless setback stopped them.

For Shavik, this had come, a giant mountain stretching from side to side as if stopping him from crossing at all came to make sure he couldn't cross. Well, if he was crossing alone then he could.

But the mission isn't for him alone, it was for his initiates and officers too. He can't put them in danger because he wants some fun for himself. He had to go back to the headquarters and discuss it with his fellow Alvons.

***

“Alvon, please relay your orders!”

Garuk gritted his teeth as looked at the giant in front of him. Its scales shimmered blue thanks to the daylight, reflective as it may seem, it was still large the size of a two-story building, with jaws that could snap alloys.

It roared and Garuk stood his ground. “Go! Report that another monster from Omniarc has arrived!”

The captain hesitantly stepped back, then turned around, he ran like his life depended on it. Garuk wasn't alone, he was with his officers. Carrying a spear that was enchanted by Kasha herself.

“Let's make sure this thing doesn't get to the Supply Anchor!” Garuk roared and his officers groaned in approval.

[Omniarc Acheloura]