Chapter 150 — Back I
5 min read ·
[Northern Region - Norrington City]
The dimensional field pulsed with unstable energy, reality itself warping and twisting in the space where the portal had first appeared two months ago.
The entire area had been transformed since that night when seventy-four men were pulled into an unknown dimension.
Military installations surrounded the field in concentric circles, each one bristling with weapons and soldiers.
Shielded bunkers provided cover for heavy artillery.
Observation towers monitored every fluctuation.
Supply depots ensured the garrison could maintain position indefinitely.
At the center of it all stood Major General Eric Langsten, a tall man with distinctive blue hair and eyes that marked him as a member of one of the thirteen Imperial families.
He paced inside his command tent, his expression grim, his mind working through tactical scenarios and worst-case possibilities.
’Two months... The portal’s been fluctuating for two months with no sign of what’s on the other side. No indication of whether they’re alive or dead.’
His hand rested on the sword at his hip, the weapon’s familiar weight providing small comfort.
’The dimensional readings suggest this is a C grade portal at most. Not catastrophic by historical standards. But any portal appearing spontaneously after years of stability is a cause for major concern.
And it’s about to stabilize completely. Which means an opening will form. Which means either survivors come through...
Or an invasion force does.’
He’d seen enough portal stabilizations during his military career to know the odds.
Humans pulled into portals rarely survived long enough to see the exit open.
The Monsters on the other side were always prepared, always organized and always ready to exploit any opening to the human world.
Knock. Knock.
The sound pulled Eric from his dark thoughts.
"Enter."
A soldier in crisp black uniform stepped inside and saluted sharply, fist to chest.
"Sir! The portal is stabilizing at an accelerated rate! Dimensional readings indicate full stabilization within minutes! An entrance is forming!"
Eric’s jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady.
"Understood. Sound general alert. All units to combat positions. Not a single Monster escapes alive if they try to come through. Is that clear?"
"Crystal clear, sir!"
The soldier saluted again and left at a run to relay orders.
Eric exhaled slowly, grabbed his sword, and walked toward the exit.
’Let’s get this over with. Either we’re recovering bodies or we’re fighting an invasion. No other options.’
****
[Portal Perimeter - Military Formation]
The garrison moved with practiced efficiency, thousands of soldiers taking predetermined positions in layered defensive formations.
Shieldsmen formed the front line, their massive barriers locked together creating a wall of steel and Aura.
Behind them, heavy weapon specialists prepared artillery and Aura cannons capable of devastating anything that emerged.
Sword specialists stood ready in the third line, their blades enhanced with various techniques.
Behind them, long-range attackers – archers with Aura-enhanced arrows and marksmen with specialized firearms – aimed at the forming portal entrance.
Every weapon pointed at the dimensional tear.
Every soldier’s Aura flared, ready to be unleashed instantly.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Eric’s footsteps echoed across the assembled forces as he walked to the front, soldiers parting to create a path for their commanding officer.
He stopped at the very front of the formation, his A+ rank Aura radiating controlled power, and turned to address his troops.
"Listen carefully! No one attacks before I give explicit orders!"
His voice carried across the entire garrison, enhanced with Aura to reach every soldier.
"The chances of any human surviving two months in an unknown portal dimension are almost negligible.
But there is still a chance. We will not risk killing our own people by attacking blindly if they emerge as hostages or under Monster control!"
He drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light.
"Instead, all of you will release your Auras simultaneously and direct the pressure toward the portal entrance!
Create an oppressive atmosphere that makes any emerging Monsters hesitate! Give me time to assess what we’re facing before engaging!"
"YES, SIR!"
The response came from thousands of throats simultaneously, the sound like thunder.
Immediately, the air became heavy as every soldier released their Aura, the combined pressure of thousands of awakeners creating a phenomenon that made reality itself feel thick and resistant.
The effect was directed like a weapon toward the portal entrance, an invisible wall of killing intent and power.
Silence fell across the garrison as not a single soldier spoke.
Perfect military discipline held everyone in absolute focus.
Around the perimeter, on rooftops of evacuated buildings, media personnel had set up cameras and broadcasting equipment.
Every major news network in the Federation was covering this live.
Millions of people watched from their homes, waiting to see what would emerge from a portal that had appeared without warning for the first time in years.
This wasn’t something that happened every day.
The dimensional fluctuations suddenly stopped.
The portal stabilized completely, the entrance solidifying into a swirling gateway between dimensions.
Everyone held their breath.
Then...
A figure stumbled through the portal, carrying what looked like wrapped bundles.
It was a human! Definitely human! Wearing a tattered military uniform.
The figure took three steps forward and collapsed to his knees, exhaustion evident in every movement.
"RETRACT AURAS! HOLD FIRE!"
Eric’s command rang out immediately.
The oppressive pressure vanished as soldiers pulled back their killing intent, weapons still aimed but fingers off triggers.
The figure raised his head, blood and dirt covering his face, his voice hoarse but clear.
"Major Ryan Sukov! Northern Region Fourth Division! The portal is under human control! No Monsters remain alive inside! We killed them all!"
Complete shocked silence filled the area.
Then the portal shimmered again, and more figures emerged.
Nine more humans, all carrying wrapped bodies or remains of their dead comrades.
All showing signs of extended combat and survival as they were barely able to stand.
But they were alive! Actually alive!
"Medics forward! Get those men immediate attention!"
Eric moved toward them quickly, his mind racing.
’Ten survivors out of seventy-four. Those numbers are catastrophic but better than zero. And this guy said they killed all the Monsters? In a portal? How is that even possible?’