Chapter 444 — Until None Remain

The warrior dropped his weapon and ran.

"OPEN! OPEN THE GATE! LET ME OUT! HE WILL DEVOUR ME!"

Damian’s telekinesis pulled him forward.

His remaining leg pushed off the dissolving corpse.

He flew like a missile, Slaughter Intent blazing around him like visible fire.

’DIIIIIIE!’

His axe buried itself in the running giant’s back.

The warrior crashed forward.

BOOM

Damian held on, his weapon working as he moved across the warrior’s body.

SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH

Spine, lungs, heart, all were destroyed in seconds.

And the giant went completely still.

Devouring energy erupted for the final time as Damian lay on top of the massive body as it dissolved beneath him.

Strength: 776 → 784

The energy filled him one last time.

But it wasn’t enough to replace missing limbs or heal damage this severe.

He rolled onto his back, staring up at the dome’s ceiling.

Pant... pant... pant...

Blood covered everything, his and theirs mixed together until he couldn’t tell the difference.

Outside the dome, absolute silence fell.

"..."

Then Regulus Blackwood’s voice broke it.

"He killed all five of them..." The words came out disbelieving. "With one arm and one leg... he killed the remaining giants..."

Sicar Verratoux’s pink eyes were wide.

"That weapon art... powered by pure Slaughter Intent... what IS it?!"

The Sword Demon’s voice carried satisfaction.

"It’s called Abyssal Slaughter..."

His smile widened.

"But I’ve never seen anyone achieve that level of mastery except the Headmaster..."

Whoosh

The ward began opening as figures rushed in.

Icarus and the old woman reached Damian first.

The General’s cold expression had shattered completely, shock written across features that rarely showed anything.

The old woman knelt beside Damian, her hands glowing with a healing skill.

But she stopped, staring at his blood-covered form.

"Why did you go to such lengths just to join this training center?"

Damian’s lips moved, blood bubbling between them.

"I need... to get stronger..."

The old woman’s weathered face showed confusion.

"You’re already strong beyond your years... Why such desperation?"

Damian’s remaining hand clenched weakly.

"My parents... are trapped... in a giant portal..."

His voice came out barely above a whisper.

The old woman’s eyes widened.

She turned sharply toward Icarus, their gazes meeting.

’Hell Portal...’

The thought passed between them without words, grim understanding settling across both their faces.

Icarus’s jaw tightened as he opened his mouth.

"You can’t do anything about that portal." His voice came out flat and absolute. "No one can enter it right now... The dimensional barrier is completely sealed from the inside."

Damian’s crimson eyes blazed despite the blood covering his face.

His lips moved again, forcing words through sheer will.

"Then I’ll kill... all of them..."

Blood dripped from his mouth as he spoke.

"Every giant genius... until none remain... until the entire new generation is gone..." His breathing came shallow and ragged. "The giants will fall... into chaos... They won’t be able... to pay humans any attention... that portal... will open."

Icarus stared at him for a long moment, then he turned around and started walking away, his back to Damian.

Damian’s vision was fading, darkness creeping in from the edges.

His lips moved one final time, the question barely audible.

"Did I... pass?"

Icarus’s voice carried back to him, cold but carrying weight underneath.

"Welcome to the Northern Military Training Center, Damian Valcor." He didn’t turn around, just kept walking. "Try not to die before you accomplish what you came here for."

Damian’s lips curved upward fractionally, blood painting his teeth.

Then his eyes closed as darkness took him completely.

The assembled candidates stood frozen, still processing everything.

They’d watched a seventeen-year-old kill five A rank giants through sheer will and madness, without showing any fear.

Watched him devour their corpses like some kind of monster.

Watched him push past every limit that should have killed him.

Regulus Blackwood’s confident expression had vanished.

"He’s insane."

Sicar Verratoux’s voice came out quiet.

"Completely insane... Looks like I have to read every information about him carefully..."

The Sword Demon tilted his head slightly.

"No... Not insane. Just willing to pay any price for what he wants." The smile on his face never wavered. "That’s the most dangerous kind of warrior there is."

****

Icarus walked away from the dome, snow crunching beneath his boots.

His cold expression hadn’t changed since Damian’s eyes had closed, but his jaw worked slightly as he moved.

’That kid...’

The thought circled through his mind without completion.

Buzz Buzz

His military communicator vibrated against his chest.

Icarus pulled it out, frowning at the unknown number on the screen.

’Weird...’

This was his military-issued device, assigned directly through the Northern Command. The encryption and security protocols made it nearly impossible for anyone outside the chain of command to access the contact information.

He accepted the call anyway, bringing the device to his ear.

"Senior General Icarus speaking."

"Icarus! My old friend, how have you been doing?"

The voice came through warm and friendly, carrying familiarity that made Icarus’s entire body go rigid.

His hand tightened on the communicator until the casing creaked.

"How did you get my military contact number..." His voice came out barely above a whisper. "Lord Kinsley."

Silence stretched for a heartbeat.

Then laughter came through the line, light and teasing.

"It seems you’re still the same Icarus after all these years... You should try being a bit more cheerful, you know? We used to spar together at the Academy, remember?"

Icarus said nothing, his expression frozen.

"Why did you call?"

The warmth in Kinsley’s voice vanished instantly, replaced by something colder and more businesslike.

"I’ll be direct then." His tone shifted completely. "I heard you’re in charge of the Northern Military Training Center... All I need you to do is send back one candidate who should have arrived there today."

Icarus’s eyes narrowed.

"I’ll owe you a small favor for this. Nothing major, just a simple request between old acquaintances."

Icarus’s gaze turned toward the dome in the distance as Kinsley’s voice continued without waiting for a response.

"The name of the candidate is Damian Valcor, recommended by the Military Police."