Chapter 375: Stripping and Slap

Deanka Metropolitan Time: 2182/07/02 15:14.

A passage to another parallel universe is possible; the vortex suspected to be a Space Gate has been forming for nearly four hours.

During those four hours, the initial Deanka could only rely on its native defensive forces to repel the traitors' assault, suffering heavy casualties.

But with the proactive appearance of the goddess Hera, the battle in the most populous, densest metropolitan area was effectively eased.

Moreover, OriginalBody John assembled a temporary fleet in an extremely short time.

Subsequently, John led this fleet through Harvest Star's "Star Gate", crossing 1,600 light‑years almost instantaneously, arriving at the hub system only sixteen light‑years from Deanka, and then, using a leap‑migration method, successfully rushed to aid the isolated, helpless Deanka.

If this had been thirty years ago, John would have needed at least seventeen hours for a fleet to cross more than 1,600 light‑years, even with the newest leap engine.

Seventeen hours…

According to the Black War Gang's tactics, Deanka is either fully seized by the traitors or bombed, set ablaze, and poisoned in low Earth orbit, turning it into a dead, silent planet.

Because Hera is a variable, the possibility that the traitors might issue an extermination order cannot be ruled out.

As for the so‑called "Star Gate", it was actually developed by Umbrella's senior research director Wang Zhaofeng, who led a team in 2149—over thirty years ago—to successfully create a derivative model using the Short‑Range Teleportation Device, capable of spanning light‑year distances.

Visually the Star Gate resembles the manager's Halo, but while the Halo is a world‑ending weapon, the Star Gate is a service‑oriented, convenient tool; its transmission works like a "highway" built across the vast galaxy.

The maximum transmission distance between two Star Gates is four hundred light‑years. If every star system and colony installed a Star Gate, one could certainly live a life of "tea in Paris, Earth, at noon a steak in Arcadia, and back to home on Harvest Star for a good night's sleep"—but…

How could that be possible?

Even if Umbrella and the UEG were extremely wealthy and never short of resources or manpower, it would be impossible to place a Star Gate in every system and colony; moreover, humanity must devote massive effort to weapons, warships, and civilian needs.

Thus human leadership devised a compromise: select hub systems for Star Gate placement to improve efficiency.

After thirty years of construction, the Solar System and the Forge, Border Fortress, Oslo, and Temple star regions were the first to complete Star Gate and hub‑system deployment; the remaining regions are gradually being refined.

The Border Fortress and Oslo star regions frequently receive various alien harassments, requiring reinforced troops and supply logistics; the Forge region transports ships, weapons, equipment, and other goods across the entire human domain.

The Temple star region was pre‑assigned for a simple reason: although the human domain has expanded considerably, the edge of the Temple region remains over four thousand light‑years in a straight line from the edge of the main human territory, necessitating an early solution to the excessive distance.

When John learned of a suspected interdimensional storm and of the rebel Astate and Mortal Auxiliary forces, he rode nonstop and reached Deanka in just four hours.

Yet he was still "one step too late."

The 16th Battalion commander Saertu, whom he had favored and intended to cultivate, actually fell in battle?!

John left Saertu and the 16th Battalion in the remote backwater of Deanka for over a decade because the battalion had often operated alongside him before.

Whether conquering a suitable planet with indigenous inhabitants or subduing the Kirahani and Velyn pirate tribes, the battalion's victories came too quickly, bringing abundant rewards and honors; John feared other units would become envious, so he sent the 16th to Deanka to cool off.

But John could not have imagined that his decision would cause Saertu—who had the potential within the Sparta Corps to stand alone and share his burden—to meet an untimely death.

Of course, John blames himself, but his anger will not dissipate on its own; he needs to personally "meet" and slay the toy that is Saertu.

At this moment, inside the central control room of the Leoni Da's core world.

It resembles an enormous bridge, with a massive central console and large control stations, where "civilian" Spartans in custom‑made uniforms steer the Leodi Da Ni, or dispatch and manage the entire fleet and the Border Fortress star region.

Beside the central console stands John, clad in dark‑green, soot‑colored, ancient Greek‑style armor.

He also wears over the armor a dark‑red brocade robe embroidered with gold thread, with a flaming red cape hanging from the armor's back, bearing the fear‑inducing spear his father bestowed.

Besides this massive OriginalBody, four meters seven tall, the area beside the console holds thirty "warrior" Honor Guard members equipped with exclusive Terminator suits, and a female admiral only 1.73 m tall, whose youthful face is marked by a resolute, sharp gaze.

At that moment, the admiral, standing with her head tilted upward, urged John: "Sir, there's no need for you to act personally; my subordinates and I can capture that Aizekeier Abaton."

"No need to say more, Admiral Byron," John replied gravely, "I want those guys to know that Sparta is not a corps to be bullied."

The Admiral Byron John referred to is Tis Byron, who, after the colonist invasion incident, followed John into the Sparta Corps.

Back then a junior captain with a scar on his face, Byron is now the commander‑in‑chief of the Sparta Corps auxiliary forces, his appearance restored by nanotech.

She told John that capturing Abaton wasn't empty talk; her command skill and elite troops are indeed capable of handling low‑ and even mid‑level demons.

But assigning only their auxiliary forces against Abaton might still be a somewhat risky move.

"Fine." Byron had to concede, then continued: "Sir, the 16th Battalion's chain of command mentioned in the report a self‑proclaimed Olympian deity named Hera who wishes to…"

"We'll discuss that later," John cut off Byron's report, instantly activating the armor's Short‑Range Teleportation function; just before vanishing he added, "The recovery and after‑care of Deanka are yours; I'll be right back."

Having said that, John and the thirty Honor Guard vanished completely from Byron's sight.

Seeing this, Byron immediately turned, operated the central console to pull up various real‑time data and intelligence, and began handling Deanka's recovery and after‑care for John.

———————

…

Still inside the hangar of the Abaton flagship…

"Swish~! Swish~!"

Accompanied by that flash of light, John and the thirty warriors completed the teleport.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

"Tap! Tap! Tap!"

The traitors gathered in the hangar still unleashed concentrated fire on the Sparta that performed the second jump, and among them were nearly a hundred Terminators equipped with heavy weapons.

However, even with boosted firepower and more troops, they still could not breach the Sparta energy shield.

After all, the warriors belong to the Sparta Corps' Honor Guard, and each Honor Guard's Terminator is a custom‑made, father‑blessed power armor; the handful of traitors stationed in the hangar simply cannot pierce the warriors' defenses.

The most physically imposing John, unfazed by any attack, looked over the entire hangar, fixed his gaze on one tunnel entrance, then strode toward it and commanded in a deep voice, "Kill every traitor, leave none."

"Understood." the warriors replied in the same solemn tone.

Next.

John didn't even bother to raise a Spiritual Energy shield, relying solely on the protective stance generated by his war‑god armor as he sauntered out of the hangar amid the traitors' barrage.

During this, a few clueless, self‑aggrandizing traitors clad in Terminator power armor brandished powered claws and swords, charging at John as if to halt a single Umbrella OriginalBody's stride.

Because Abaton once claimed, "Their OriginalBody is nothing to fear!" and John emitted not a hint of Spiritual Energy, the Terminator traitors got hot‑headed.

Thus…

"Boom!" The shield, not fully deployed, was easily shattered.

"Pow!" Immediately followed the sound of a fist smashing a massive flesh worm like a hammer, bursting outward.

With a 'hiss!' the body and its simple armor were forcibly torn apart, ripped into pieces.

- No names.

In an instant, those hot-headed rebel terminators were reduced to bloody pulp, or their bodies split cleanly into left and right halves, lying limp on the distant metal deck, twitching.

- No names.

John had already entered the passage, his figure fading as he completely left the hangar.

- John -> John (provided glossary). Also hangar maybe generic? It's 'hangar'. Not a name.

Just moments ago, not a single rebel, nor even a warrior, could discern what had occurred—not even catch an afterimage—before those hot-headed rebel terminators collapsed dead.

- No names.

'…' The rebels left in the hangar fell instantly silent.

- No names.

Is this not something to fear?!

- No names.

Some Black War Gang rebel veterans, upon seeing the vast gulf between the Umbrella OriginalBody and 'them,' even began to recall 'their' memories…

Black War Gang

- Umbrella OriginalBody: Umbrella OriginalBody (provided glossary for Umbrella -> Umbrella, OriginalBody -> OriginalBody).

Before they followed the Warlord to topple the old imperial regime and forge a new Human Empire, they had once witnessed nine OriginalBodies who stubbornly upheld the old regime, mercilessly slaughtering their brothers with overwhelming force, leaving horrifying and haunting memories.

- War Marshal: likely a rank, "Warlord" or "Marshal"? In Chinese, War Marshal could be "War Marshal". It's a title. Should translate meaning: "War Marshal". Not a proper name. So translate.

- Empire: Empire (provided glossary).

- Human Empire: Human Empire (provided glossary).

- OriginalBody: OriginalBody (provided).

Though they are instantly killed when facing any OriginalBody, they can at least catch the afterimage of an OriginalBody swinging its weapon… yet before they could even discern whether the Sparta Corps' OriginalBody had struck, their brothers were already dead.

- Sparta Corps: Sparta Corps (provided glossary).

- OriginalBody: OriginalBody.

The outcome is clear at a glance; the Sparta OriginalBody could be even stronger than those nine OriginalBodies.

- Sparta OriginalBody: Sparta OriginalBody? Actually "Sparta OriginalBody" means "Sparta OriginalBody". Since Sparta is Sparta (provided glossary). So "Sparta OriginalBody". We'll translate as "Sparta OriginalBody". Note: The glossary gives Sparta as English for Sparta.

However, the rebels now have no leisure to ponder the differences between OriginalBodies, for they are likewise no match for thirty warriors.

- No new names.

Not long after, the Thirty Warrior Guard, having cleared the rebels from the hangar, made the same decision as the 16th Battalion, opting to split into five teams on this enemy ship to exterminate every living thing in sight.

- Thirty Warrior Guard: "Thirty Warriors Guard"? Could be a unit name: "Thirty Warrior Guard". Might be a proper name of a unit. The rules: official & sect rank/title, technique, item/artifact, beast, and realm. Unit names maybe considered as official title? It's a military unit. Could translate meaning: "Thirty Warrior Guard". Not a proper name; we translate.

- 16th Battalion: "16th Battalion". That's a unit designation; translate as "16th Battalion". Not a proper name.

As for whether they will meet the same fate?

- No names.

To become a bodyguard for an Umbrella OriginalBody, one must be a centenarian and champion of battalions and companies, and possess immense spiritual potential.

- Umbrella OriginalBody: Umbrella OriginalBody (provided glossary for Umbrella -> Umbrella, OriginalBody -> OriginalBody).

- battalion, company: "battalion, company". Generic.

- Spiritual Energy: Spiritual Energy (provided glossary).

It would be strange if the rebels could match them; if not for their OriginalBody personally summoning and striking, these warriors would have already given Abaddon a lesson.

- Abaddon: likely a person's name (Abaddon). Should be pinyin: "Abaddon". Since it's a name, we keep as pinyin capitalized: Abaddon.

And at this moment.

- No names.

John had already reached Sartu and the arena where twelve Spartans fell in battle, sensing the anguish and steadfast resolve of these beloved commanders as they died, which compelled him to quicken his pace and continue advancing toward the bridge.

- John: John.

Sartu

- Sparta: Sparta (provided).

- bridge: "bridge" (ship's bridge). Generic.

Not long after, John slew any rebels daring to block his path, arriving at the hall outside the bridge.

- No new names.

Upon entering, John immediately smelled a pungent, nauseating stench—the odor of

- No names.

And the bulkheads here are lined with many dead, or half-dead, unconscious individuals whose skin retains normal color and whose bodies show no mutation—these are the Astate.

Astate

Their builds are stocky, with estimated heights around 2.3 to 2.5 meters, clearly not belonging to Umbrella.

Umbrella

Through spiritual perception, John can confirm that this group of Astate are not from the main universe, and they seem unwaveringly loyal to the so-called Emperor, and they intensely hate those who call themselves the Black War Gang's traitors.

Spiritual Perception

main universe

Emperor

Black War Gang

Loyalist faction?

Loyalist Faction

John's brows furrowed into a shape resembling the Chinese character for 'river', as if imagining what kind of torture this loyalist faction had endured.

- No new names.

At that moment, John's brows relaxed, and he then turned his gaze toward the hatch that allowed entry and exit to the bridge.

- No names.

With a whoosh, the hatch opened.

- No names.

With a thud, thud, accompanied by heavy footsteps, Abaddon walked out of the bridge into this hall, slightly lifted his head, tried to make eye contact with John, and spoke disdainfully: "I am Aze…"

Abaddon

Aze

With a whoosh, the sonic boom from a massive object moving at high speed interrupted Abaddon's shouting.

- No new names.

With a bang, the spiritual energy barrier was easily torn apart by brute force.

Spiritual Energy Barrier

With a rip, rip, the metal armor, like an onion, was torn and peeled off piece by piece by brute force.

- No names.

With a puff, where the armor and skin were stuck together, they were both pulled off by brute force.

- No names.

In less than a blink, all motion finally ceased; John was seen gripping Abaddon's sky‑high braid with his left hand, lifting this bloody mess with one hand.

John

Abaddon

sky-high braid

As for the bloody state, it was because in a brief moment John tore apart Abaddon's spiritual energy barrier with his bare hands and also stripped away his personal terminator, leaving him bald.

John

Abaddon

Spiritual Energy Barrier

personal Terminator

bald

How… how is this possible?!

- No names.

Abaddon roared in disbelief and struggled desperately, but he could not move John in the slightest.

Abaddon

John

In contrast, John, this original body, had maintained a cold expression throughout; after humiliating the traitor who had slain his beloved commander, he raised his right hand, opened his palm, and then fiercely slapped Abaddon's mouth, which was still spewing nonsense.

John

OriginalBody

Abaddon

Bang!!

- No names.

The sound of the skull exploding echoed throughout the hall.

- No names.

(End of chapter)