Arthur gritted his teeth and tightly gripped caliburn, pouring power into it to stabilize the bubble. Everyone inside felt like they were trapped inside a spinning top, completely disoriented by the terrifying barrage.
The bubble they rode behaved like a plane out of control. Despite Arthur's desperate efforts, the situation barely stabilized, and the following beams struck relentlessly like bone-eating maggots.
Every evasive maneuver was difficult. Arthur could only barely avoid direct hits by grazing past them. Continuing like this was not an option.
"Vali, how many of these pure energy attacks can you reflect?"
Raizen suddenly spoke up. Vali's eyes flashed with understanding. He knew exactly what Raizen meant.
After exchanging a glance and observing the number and firing frequency of the massive creatures behind them, Vali replied confidently,
"If we work together, reflecting every single one back at them won't be a problem."
"Then let's go."
Light wings manifested behind Raize, while Vali simultaneously summoned the White Dragon Emperor's light wings.
Arthur instinctively opened a gap in the bubble, and the two of them shot out like twin white auroras, soaring into the sky.
Once outside, the dense dark aura immediately pressed in on them. Both frowned as they felt a chaotic, vile force trying to invade their bodies. Every breath drew in dark mist.
The dark energy even attempted to corrode their minds.
Madness, distortion, darkness, filth, chaos—
A layer of radiant holy light emerged around Raizen and Vali, forcibly expelling the negative influence. The invasive, twisting force in their minds was scattered.
Raizen had already identified the species attacking them.
BETA. Extraterrestrial-origin species.
In another world, these beings had nearly driven humanity to extinction.
They possessed terrifying vitality and adaptability, overwhelming numbers, and in Raizen's memory, they were comparable to the Zerg from StarCraft—except at an even higher level.
There were many types of BETA. Those used for frontal assaults and large-scale battles included Soldier-class, Warrior-class, Tank-class,Grappler-class, Destroyer-class, and Fort-class.
There were also laser-type BETA: Laser-class, Heavy Laser-class, and Super Heavy Laser-class.
The ones attacking them now were Super Heavy Laser-class BETA.
The presence of such vicious entities in this ruined realm made it impossible for Raizen not to be wary.
In their original world, BETA had invaded the solar system in numbers too vast to calculate.
Yet compared to their true main force, that invasion was likely just a drop in the ocean.
In the original setting, the BETA that arrived in the solar system were merely "miners," not combat troops.
If non-combat units already possessed the power to devastate planets and dominate the solar system, then how terrifying would true combat BETA be?
Without real intelligence, Raizen couldn't make an accurate judgment—but BETA were a threat he treated with maximum caution.
Right now, the priority was intercepting these devastating laser barrages.
Ssshhh——!
Each Super Heavy Laser-class BETA needed a short cooldown between shots, as firing produced immense heat. They cooled themselves using three pairs of massive heat-dissipation wings, similar to other laser BETA.
The rising thermal currents generated by their attacks were enough to form gigantic cumulonimbus clouds.
Above their massive bodies, storm clouds had already gathered, lightning raging within the dense black masses.
But that didn't mean Raizen and the others could relax.
There were still huge numbers of Laser-class and Heavy Laser-class BETA. Heavy Laser-class BETA fired beams far stronger than standard Laser-class ones, capable of shooting down targets 500 meters high from 100 kilometers away, with a maximum estimated range exceeding 1,000 kilometers.
Boom——!
Countless points of light ignited like stars in the night sky. Deep within the distant BETA horde, Heavy Laser-class BETA began charging, their beams of death baring their fangs.
"Balance Breaker!" ×2
[Divine Dividing Scale Mail]
Pure white aura condensed around their bodies, forming solid white armor. Blue, crystal-like wings gleamed brilliantly.
Raizen and Vali flew at a steady pace behind the bubble, both entering Balance Breaker simultaneously. They spread their hands and faced the countless pulsing light sources ahead.
In the next instant, over a thousand beams merged into a roaring tide of light and surged toward them.
An overwhelming barrage from impossible angles, completely sealing off all evasion routes.
It was like being targeted by thousands of one-shot snipers in a shooter game.
Dodging was impossible—but neither Raizen nor Vali intended to dodge.
"Reflect!"
A mechanical voice echoed.
The blue wings behind them expanded fully, jointly forming a massive energy mirror.
Like light striking a mirror and bouncing back, every incoming beam was reflected by this ability—returning straight to its source.
"Divide——!" ×2
Another portion of the halved energy was absorbed by the White Dragon Emperor's power.
After the enemy's volley ended, it was their turn.
"Vali, for targets at this range, how many can you take down?"
Raizen gathered blazing white energy orbs in his hands while speaking to Vali, who was doing the same.
Vali let out a cold laugh. "All of them."
He thrust his palms forward, releasing dense energy spheres as silver beams tore through the sky.
Raizen smiled casually. Entering Gunslinger mode, he unleashed energy blasts at a terrifying frequency.
With every shot, a silver beam split the heavens, striking laser BETA from several kilometers away to dozens of kilometers distant with pinpoint precision.
Though capable of powerful laser attacks, laser BETA were fragile. Within their main bodies was a reactor-like organ—hit that, and they self-destructed.
Accelerated thought locked onto each BETA target. The uninterrupted firing rate was so extreme that even Vali couldn't keep up.
Incoming beams were reflected again and again, and the energy absorbed through the White Dragon Emperor's wings was used to strike back with the enemy's own power.
Roar——!
Angry screeches echoed from the distance.
Raizen and Vali didn't linger. After covering the retreat and eliminating the enemy's long-range firepower, their wings flared, transforming them into streaks of aurora as they rapidly withdrew with the main group.
In the opposite direction of their retreat, over a hundred kilometers away, lay a black ocean.
The sea was pitch-black. The sky was pitch-black. Everything was submerged in oppressive darkness.
Sensing the distant energy fluctuations, the black sea churned violently. Massive amounts of dark power and mist surged skyward, spreading outward.
Gigantic stone pillars rose from the sea, and at their center, a colossal figure emerged from the depths.
Ang—!
It had a square shape, with a snail-like spiral shell riddled with countless holes. Its head was grotesque—upside-down eyes beneath its mouth. Its maddening cry resembled that of an elephant.
From the shell opening extended countless writhing tentacles and a pair of massive claws, slamming against the water as if issuing a challenge.
Dense dark power and a sanity-shattering roar sent the sea into full chaos. Water spouts connecting sea and lightning-filled sky surged upward. The ocean boiled as if cooked alive.
If Raizen were here, he would immediately recognize this grotesque being.
The ultimate boss from the Ultraman Tiga world.
The Great Darkness—Evil God Gatanothor.
Raizen would never have imagined encountering such a familiar existence in this ruined realm. The aura released by this Gatanothor was far beyond anything portrayed on television.
Ang—!
Its long roar drove the sea into frenzy. Like a command, dozens of monstrous figures burst from the boiling black ocean, flying into the sky.
Black-skinned, bird-headed, grotesque forms with relatively small wings—yet capable of supersonic flight.
These were the monsters known as Zoiger, subordinates of Gatanothor.
Hiss…
After the black clouds in the sky began to boil, they were affected by Gatanothor's power. Dark energy erupted violently, and countless wailing resentful spirits flew out from the pitch-black sea, forming bodies constructed from darkness itself.
A massive swarm of densely packed evil demon birds circled endlessly in the sky. These were all small Zoiger monsters.
A twisted, frenzied psychic will radiated outward from Gatanothor. Instantly, all the monsters that had appeared shot off in a single direction at high speed.
That direction was exactly where Raize and the others were.
It was also the direction where they had encountered the BETA.
Gatanothor's enormous body began moving toward the shoreline, while the black storm in the sky rapidly expanded.
Countless Zoiger surged forward at supersonic speed. Along the way, even when they encountered BETA units, they showed no fear and charged straight at them.
Within this already ruined and dead world, large-scale slaughter erupted.
---
On the other side, after putting distance between themselves and the BETA swarm, Raize's group discovered that many areas here contained BETA bases. Due to their sheer numbers, they had no intention of engaging in prolonged battles.
After locating a relatively small BETA base, only a few kilometers wide and with no other species nearby, Raize and Vali's group moved in and wiped it out directly.
BETA were truly hideous to look at, the kind of creatures that made one want to destroy them on sight. While the team split up to clear out these disgusting beings, Raize endured the nausea and devoured one Laser-class BETA and one Super Heavy Laser-class BETA.
Raize was curious about their laser abilities and the massive reactor-like organ inside their bodies. After consuming them, subtle changes occurred within his own body.
Raize obtained the laser ability, and one of his internal organs seemed to have transformed into something resembling a reactor. Calling it a mana furnace would not be inaccurate.
This was similar to the magic circuits used by magus in the Fate world to absorb and refine magical energy, except it felt far more advanced and ancient.
It was more like Artoria's Red Dragon heart—requiring no deliberate refinement. With every breath, it automatically absorbed energy from the atmosphere and converted it into usable power.
As time passed, energy accumulated naturally and in turn strengthened the body itself.
Getting such a benefit meant the discomfort hadn't been for nothing. Raize even thought that if one day he could devour an Apostle and obtain an S2 perpetual motion engine, his body would never lack energy again.
After clearing out the surrounding BETA, the group regrouped and entered the interior of the BETA nest.
"Ugh! This place is so disgusting. These ugly things should just disappear!"
Kuroka spoke in disgust as she looked around. The environment was like entering the intestines of some massive creature, with walls made entirely of flesh. As a nekomata, she absolutely hated this place.
The fleshy walls before Raize were even more disturbing than ghoul RC-cell walls. These walls seemed alive, slowly writhing, expanding and contracting like breathing organs. No wonder Kuroka felt sick.
Arthur's sister, Le Fay, clutched her staff tightly and hid behind her brother, forcing herself not to look at the nauseating surroundings.
"Kuroka, the disgusting species you're looking at actually have the power to destroy planets."
Raize suddenly spoke while following beside Bikou, drawing everyone's attention.
Destroy planets? These ugly things?
Everyone thought these creatures were troublesome, especially the Super Heavy Laser-class ones that gave the feeling of death upon being hit—but planet destruction sounded exaggerated.
Bikou and Le Fay didn't believe it. Kuroka assumed Raize was joking to distract her.
Only the calm Arthur and the silent Vali didn't show disbelief. Vali looked at Raize and asked,
"Did you obtain information about these creatures?"
Raize had copied Vali's White Dragon Emperor power, magic, combat experience, and memories. Vali believed Raize must have gained shocking intelligence from these beings.
Raize nodded, then asked Vali in return,
"What do you think of their combat power?"
Vali thought for a moment before answering,
"The laser-firing ones are extremely troublesome. The ground units can't fly, so they're manageable, but if there are too many, they'll still be a serious problem."
The others nodded in agreement. After fighting the BETA, they understood their weaknesses. Ground units were merely exhausting to deal with.
As long as they stayed airborne, those ground BETA were helpless, and the initiative stayed on their side.
But as Vali said, once the numbers grew too large, it became a serious issue. Their stamina wasn't infinite.
"But I'll tell you this—the ones you just found troublesome aren't even combat units. In their society, they're essentially mining workers."
"What? Mining workers?!"
Bikou repeated it in disbelief. Creatures with that level of combat capability weren't even soldiers? Then how strong were the actual combat units?
Arthur's mind worked quickly. He now believed Raize. Those BETA consumed almost everything, leaving barren land behind—calling them miners was accurate. Their attack organs might not even be weapons, but tools for mining.
"They're like bees in a hive. Every individual has a role. They're biological weapons, and their true population couldn't even fit inside the solar system."
"Any planet is a mining target. They won't leave until the entire planet is consumed. Let me show you a hypothetical comparison."
Everyone listened in disbelief.
Raize activated a magic circle, projecting an image formed from his memories—footage resembling the Zerg from StarCraft.
Had they ever seen a locust plague?
Now they were witnessing one from space.
Gigantic tumor-like organic vessels approached a planet, releasing countless eggs that multiplied and spread at terrifying speed.
A planet without advanced intelligence or strong lifeforms would be completely overrun in less than a day, everything edible consumed.
Against civilizations capable of resistance, what people imagined as "human-wave tactics" were laughably weak.
The swarm's charge was like a natural disaster—unstoppable.
When the projection ended, Vali and the others grimly compared the BETA they had fought to the numbers shown. If they faced a galactic-scale swarm, how long could they survive?
Suddenly, silver light flared behind Vali as Albion's voice echoed.
[If that's the case, then those creatures are indeed extremely dangerous. The ruined realm holds many opportunities, but it also contains countless lethal, world-ending threats.]
If their numbers truly exceeded the capacity of the solar system, even a Heavenly Dragon like Albion would feel fear.
Dragons might charge fearlessly against strong enemies, but against something so overwhelming that even looking at it killed the will to fight, no dragon would be foolish enough to think it could withstand it.
Albion himself had died under siege during the Three-Faction War. Against a swarm like that, he wouldn't last minutes.