Chapter 305: Counting Down to the End

Four days before the end of the grace period,

Brock and Angr, the feshkur immortal, crossed a blue barrier hidden deep in Antarctica to enter one of Earth’s ten D-Grade dungeons. They were welcomed by a sight of carnage. Giant, furry yetis lay on the ground, their bodies broken. Beyond those, a thousand-foot-long ice dragon with white scales covering its entire body had fallen onto an eternal glacier, cracking it in half and slipping into the gap. A large hole was visible on the dragon’s chest.

The dungeon boss was done for.

Compared to all those dead monsters, the small camp by the dungeon entrance seemed almost comical. Four figures sat by the bonfire. As soon as Brock arrived, Jack sat up and rushed over, wrapping the brorilla into a tight hug.

“Bro!” he exclaimed, looking Brock up and down. “I heard about what happened. I’m terribly sorry. Are you okay?”

“No,” Brock replied honestly, “but will be.”

“It’s a good thing you made it in time,” Shol said, approaching as well. “At least now, your father gets to survive. Where there is life, there is hope. He will find joy again.”

Dordok was also there. “I was looking forward to seeing you again, Brock,” he said, “but I did not expect the circumstances to be so disastrous. I know it is a heavy hit. My condolences.”

“Even I hadn’t divined that clash,” the Sage added. “I wasn’t searching actively. It was my fault. I’m sorry.”

Hearing their comforting words, Brock felt touched. His big bro had good bros. “I understand,” he said. “Past is past, and future is future. Soon, I revenge. The son will help the father. Then, all better. Slow recovery can start.”

Jack locked eyes with his little brother, seeing the pain and courage within. He nodded. “You got it, Brock,” he said. “You’ve gotten stronger as well. Peak E-Grade? King? You weren’t playing around this past year.”

Brock tried to laugh. When he realized he couldn’t, he settled for a proud smile. “You great too,” he said. “I proud of you. Worthy big bro.”

“We are both worthy, Brock,” Jack replied. “Come. We have a few days to spare. Tell us all about your adventures, and I will tell you all about ours. And, in four days…we will claim the future.”

Jack, Brock, Shol, and Dordok walked back to the bonfire. Thanks to their high cultivation, the antarctic cold didn’t bother them at all.

Meanwhile, the Sage took Angr aside, explaining how she could safely leave the planet. The Black Hole Church would not interfere in the coming battle. All they would do was ensure, to the best of their ability, that nobody else interfered either.

This war was Jack’s and Earth’s to fight.

***

Three days before the end of the grace period,

The war for Earth had come to a halt. Both the Flame-Brotherhood alliance and the Ice Peak had recalled their strongest cultivators, using the little remaining time to train excessively and tackle E-Grade dungeons. The rest of the planet had fallen into a state of silent tension; everyone knew that their future would be decided in a few days, but all they could do was wait.

On the side of the Animal Kingdom and the various merchants, preparations were hectic. The Integration Starship, on which the Integration City was built and which floated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, had rotated on its belly, sinking the City into the waters—and shielding it with a bubble that kept the water out. On the other side was an expanse of similar size to the City but completely empty. Just a five-mile wide circle of white stone, where the merchants and workers were hard at work constructing a massive stage.

The Planetary Overseer had decided to celebrate the end of the grace period with a big concert—the Grace Concert. It would be held right there, on the Integration Starship, surrounded only by water and clouds. The empty expanse would serve as space for the audience, there would be a small starship dock on one end, and the performers would appear on the massive center stage that was just getting built. Of course, the entire event would be broadcasted across the globe.

Vanderdecken, who had risen to meteoric fame after the Integration Tournament, would be the main performer. There would also be others of smaller caliber, including a few celebrities who had survived the Integration.

The entire planet was buzzing with excitement. As worried as people were about the Animal Kingdom descending at full force, they needed some way to relax. The concert and all the excitement around it were the perfect excuse.

Most people had no idea that the concert was also set to host the last and greatest clash between the Flame-Brotherhood alliance and the Ice Peak.

***

Two days before the concert and the end of the grace period,

The professor, Edgar, and Vivi sat around a table. These were the three leaders of the alliance—well, the two of them were leaders, and Edgar was Edgar.

“How is it looking?” he asked, watching the professor.

“Adequate,” she replied. “The plan is ready. Our warriors are trained to the best of our ability, we have scoured twenty low-tier E-Grade dungeons clean, and everyone is gathered in Valville. We have done everything we can. Now, we just have to follow the plan and pray.”

“I thought you didn’t believe.”

“I don’t need to believe. I just have to hope.”

Edgar cracked a smile. “I will do my best, professor.”

“The Flame River is also ready,” Vivi added. “I have recalled everyone at or above the peak F-Grade. They should be arriving soon, and then we can start.”

The other two nodded. Edgar leaned back, letting the tension out of his shoulders. “It’s strange,” he said in a rare moment of vulnerability. “I always knew this day would come. Yet, now, it feels unreal. Like I got so used to the waiting that I forgot it would ever end.”

“I share the feeling,” Vivi replied, a faint smile on her lips. “It’s almost nostalgic.”

“It is natural.” The professor shrugged. “Enjoy this feeling while it lasts, then go out there and give it your all. Let’s win or die in a final hurrah!” Her face darkened with hatred. “And, no matter what happens…let’s get revenge for the brorillas.”

The faces of Edgar and Vivi darkened as well. Edgar sighed. “Man, I’d love a drink.”

“I’ll organize a party tonight,” the professor said. “I was leery to celebrate while people are starving everywhere, but screw it. Our cultivators need that courage. Let’s drink like we’re about to die, because unless a miracle happens, we are.”

“Really? Can you organize a party at such short notice?”

“I can micromanage an army, young man. A party is nothing. Let’s enjoy ourselves tonight, and then…the future is waiting.”

***

Two days before the concert and the end of the grace period,

Alexander Petrovic stood before a mirror, dressed in an immaculate black tuxedo sewn directly on his measurements. He turned around, watching the dark fabric fall over his back. His piercing blue eyes stood out, and his blond hair cascaded over his shoulders like a golden curtain.

He smiled, showing teeth. “Perfect,” he said. “Is everyone ready?”

An array of well-dressed men and women stood behind him, all dressed to the t. Their eyes were cold.

“Yes, sir,” they replied as one.

“Perfect. Then, let’s go. The future is waiting.”

***

Vanderdecken held his electrical guitar, practicing some chords. His leather vest fell loosely over his chest, while the chains hanging from it clanged against each other. Long brown hair framed his face.

“You can do this, Kane,” he told himself. “So what if the whole world is watching? You almost won an interstellar talent show. You reached the E-Grade. You’re finally about to become famous!”

“Are you ready, sir?” a djinn asked respectfully from outside the room. “The rehearsal is about to begin.”

“I’ll be right there, Jimminy,” Vanderdecken replied, taking deep breaths before the mirror. Slowly, he calmed down. “Come on, Kane. Don’t be nervous. This is the most important time ever. The future is waiting.”

***

Brother Tao stood on the prow of a ship, crossing the stormy waters of the Pacific. “We’re almost there, sir!” a Japanese sailor shouted from the mast. His enhanced attributes let his voice resound over the thunderclap.

Despite the ship’s constant and violent rocking, Brother Tao was steady like he’d been bolted to the prow. His face was hard. Behind him, seven more monks awaited, all middle-aged and with the composure of martial masters.

“It is time, my brothers,” Tao told them, ignoring the fierce rain that whipped his face. “The time for honor. The time to fight. The time to grab our destiny and refuse to let go.” He smiled bravely. “The future is waiting.”

***

Galicia Lonihor, the assigned planetary overseer of Earth-387, stood in her private quarters inside the Integration Starship. “Only one day left,” she muttered, letting her breath roll out. “And then, I can finally go hunt Jack Rust. Maximus, my son… I will avenge you.”

A knock came on her door. She already knew who it was. “Come in,” she said. A lycan merchant appeared, bowing deeply in her presence.

“Elder,” he said respectfully. “Our scouts report that the Flame-Brotherhood alliance plans to crash the concert, but we have not been able to figure out their exact plan.”

The overseer laughed. “Let them come,” she said. “The politics of the weak do not concern me. No matter what they do, it will be a good chance to nip the problem in the bud. With our support, the Ice Peak can’t lose, and soon, I will be able to act personally and crush them all.” She smiled expectantly at the thought. “There is only one day remaining. And then…the future will be mine.”

***

On the final day of the grace period.