NOVEL WEB Chapter 474: The demons
Feng nodded with deep satisfaction. Arthur's serpent wasn't just protecting Chinese territory—it was elevating their capability to levels. China was emerging from the crisis stronger than it had entered, with forces that could challenge powers like America which had once seemed untouchable.
Palestine
In Jerusalem, President Hassan observed similar phenomena through reports from commanders across Palestinian territory. Formicia, the superior-rank spider that served as their protector, had established web networks that covered hundreds of square kilometers with efficiency.
"The spider queen's methodology exceeds our every calculation; she never failed to impress," Defence Minister Khalil reported with obvious relief. "She creates hunting grounds where our forces can engage demons under controlled conditions, with guaranteed escape routes if encounters become too dangerous."
Hassan studied tactical displays that showed Palestinian forces achieving victory ratios that defied conventional military doctrine. Formicia's webs allowed human units to attack demon forces from elevated positions while the spider queen managed enemy movement through terrain manipulation using her webs.
"Our awakened forces are achieving advancement rates that exceed those of first-world countries," Khalil continued. "Personnel who entered the crisis as civilians are now demonstrating combat capabilities that rival special forces veterans."
Palestine was experiencing a military renaissance that transformed it from a nation struggling for basic security into a regional power with forces capable of projecting strength across significant distances.
Northern Alberta Wilderness - Frost Wyvern's Domain
The frost wyvern soared through air that seemed to freeze by his will, ice particles dancing around his massive form like living snow. Below, the demons in the landscape had been transformed into something that resembled his ancestral hunting grounds—endless expanses of perfect ice sculptures that his human allies broke to gain experience.
Five epic-rank demons had emerged from a rift near what the humans called Edmonton. Demons that would have posed significant threats to the area.
The Frost Wyvern descended with patience, his eyes on the demons that emerged from the rift. The demons detected his approach, their attention turning skyward as they prepared defensive formations.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
His breath weapon activated with the sound of air freezing. The air itself froze into patterns that expanded outward in cascading waves, temperatures dropping so rapidly that moisture became ice crystals before it could fall as snow.
The first demon's exterior solidified into ice that cracked under its own weight as internal temperatures plummeted beyond any creature's ability to survive.
The second demon attempted to flee, its movements becoming sluggish as ice formed along its extremities. Each step became more laboured as supernatural cold penetrated its magical defences, turning his movement into a struggle.
The third demon tried to maintain offensive capability. The demon clearly believed the idiom 'offence is the strongest form of defence.'. But, to the demon's dismay, his offence was nothing but child's play in front of the ice wyvern that could turn him into an ice cube with a breath.
The Frost Wyvern's mental call reached the human forces positioned at strategic distances around the engagement zone. Canadian soldiers appeared from their insulated positions, they shot arrows and powerful weapons towards the ice sculptures, breaking them from afar.
Those soldiers were newly awakened and hadn't had the chance to level up yet. Their bodies were too weak to get close to the Wyvern's ice.
One of the lieutenants led his squad across ice that provided perfect traction for their modified boots while remaining treacherous for any enemy attempting to gain stable footing.
Those soldiers were able to handle the ambient cold from their specialised wear and powerful bodies. The demons, now immobilised by supernatural cold, could only watch helplessly as human forces approached them.
In the humans' eyes, the demons were no longer a threat. They were an experience box that waited to be broken to give treasures and experience.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The first demon shattered like glass sculpture struck by hammers, its frozen form unable to maintain structural integrity against focused assault. Fragments scattered across the ice, already beginning to sublime into vapour that posed no threat to human forces.
What had been a terrifying supernatural predator became nothing more than rapidly cooling debris scattered across pristine ice.
Private Jenkins, newly awakened and gaining his first combat experience, approached one of the many demon sculptures. His enhanced rifle fired rounds specifically designed to exploit the vulnerabilities created by extreme cold exposure.
Each shot found its mark, the demon's frozen form providing no resistance to projectiles that would have been deflected by his previously powerful demonic hide. The creature's death was swift and efficient, its elimination providing Jenkins with experience points that immediately increased his level, making him stronger for future encounters.
The Frost Wyvern observed the humans' execution with approval. These creatures learned quickly, adapting their methods to exploit the advantages his presence provided while developing techniques that would serve them well in future conflicts.
As the soldiers collected items that dropped from their successful engagement and prepared to continue, the Wyvern noted their advancement with satisfaction. Many humans had gained levels from the perfect opportunities he had given them.
Once again, another rift closed. Marking the end of demons in this area.
The Frost Wyvern resumed his patrol of Canadian territory, ice trails marking his passage as he searched for additional threats that could provide training opportunities for his human allies. Each successful engagement strengthened the forces under his protection while eliminating enemies that might otherwise threaten the civilians he had been charged to defend.
...
In the deepest reaches of the demonic dimension, the architects of Earth's crisis observed the ongoing invasion with indifference.
King Bael'zarok lounged upon his obsidian throne that was built from the resources of multiple worlds and millions of lives. The massive demon's body exerted immense pressure, making direct observation impossible for lesser beings who might dare to look upon his true nature. Around him, the court of high-ranking demons maintained their positions with the patient stillness of predators who had already claimed victory.
"What's the status report on Earth?" Bael'zarok commanded