Chapter 408: Returning Home and Encirclement

Upon hearing the broadcast and alert, the technicians immediately left the hall, leaving only A-1999, over a thousand Demon Hunters and sixty Gray Knights.

After all the technicians withdrew, it wasn't long before the hall's lights began to flicker and dim, and within the sealed space the airflow started to surge violently.

Soon, faint pink and violet lights began to appear and disappear in the center of the hall.

Then, with a roaring "Hoo!!" of airflow, a vortex portal about ten meters in diameter materialized before A-1999 and the others.

Seeing this, A-1999 stepped forward, approached the vortex portal, and lifted his hand to draw the plasma shotgun attached to his back.

"Click!" While cocking, A-1999 did not hesitate to pass through the portal, heading into the alternate dimension where the evil gods and demons "live," "reside," and "scheme."

The sixty Gray Knights followed closely, while the over a thousand Demon Hunters exchanged glances, gripped their large‑caliber firearms and energy cannons, and marched straight through the portal.

Arriving at the other side.

A-1999, too lazy to close his helmet, looked around and found the place resembled Earth's desert in the real universe, but the sky burned with pink‑purple flames, and in the distance stood an enormously grand palace complex.

"Sss—Hoo!!"

At this moment, A-1999 tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, as if reflecting.

?

A-1999's action caused confusion among the surrounding Gray Knights and Demon Hunters; after all, they couldn't understand what the company's legendary employee was contemplating.

Was he regretting coming to the alternate dimension?

Or was he fearful of the imminent confrontation with the evil gods and demons?

Impossible…

All members participating in the raid on the alternate dimension—excluding the Gray Knights of the "Giants" rank—were at most a little more nervous than usual, even the Demon Hunters who are still at the "Mortals" level.

After all, this was not an ordinary demon hunt, but a deep foray into the lair where the evil gods and demons could unleash their full power.

Of course, they were not there to hunt deities like the lecherous god or the defiling god; earlier Kelakesi's voluntary request had been vetoed by Sui Bian. With their strength, if they encountered such gods in the alternate dimension, they would at least hope to kill them outright, or be grateful just to die a swift death.

Thus, their main purpose in entering the alternate dimension was to use a plague doctor's vaccine‑derived "timed bomb" to create chaos for the evil gods and demons.

As for opening a portal linking the alternate dimension and the material universe, that technology is not possessed by the Regulatory Department; in fact, Magnus, who was seated on the Spiritual Energy Amplifier in Sui Bian's place, expended some Spiritual Energy to help A-1999 and the others open the portal.

As Sui Bian discussed with Kelakesi, because the evil gods and demons intended to unleash an alternate‑dimension storm in the Zero‑Three Universe and use chaotic power to shroud the cosmic realm of Shensheng Tala, Sui Bian launched this raid ahead of schedule.

The purpose was simply to "cause trouble and add obstacles" for the evil gods and demons.

After the mission, Magnus would reopen the portal for them to return to the material universe, so even the "Mortals"‑level Demon Hunters felt no fear; how could A-1999 be scared?

"Roar!!"

At that moment, the demons sensed the presence of fresh flesh and blood and swarmed toward the group's position.

These demons were either gaunt skeletons with a pair of blood‑flowing bat wings, or beasts with flaming red skin, massive muscles, bull heads and bull legs, or even wholly non‑humanoid massive beasts lacking any reason.

At a glance…

It was clear they were younger, less‑aged demons.

Because the Gray Knights from the primary universe have a high identification signature, their Holy Shield Terminator Power Armor bears many decorations related to "Human Truth," causing a faint golden aura to envelop them once they enter the chaotic realm.

The specially equipped power armor also carries the Pure Mark, and Demon Hunters with "Human Truth" ornaments are likewise protected by their chairman Sui.

If a demon that knows how "ferocious" humans are in the primary universe were to see them, it would never approach voluntarily; even at the sight of golden radiance it would flee far away.

Any demon that comes up trying to snatch the flesh of Gray Knights and Demon Hunters is certainly a "greenhorn" in the alternate dimension.

"Bang! Bang!"

Gunfire rang in unison.

But the Gray Knights' parallel explosive arrows mounted on their left‑arm armor poured moonlight explosive arrows infused with lunar water onto the demons, and the resulting violent roar instantly drowned out all gunfire.

"Puff! Puff!"

Struck by moonlight explosive arrows,. 50 Shellless Pulse Ammo, and 10mm spike ammo, the demons were pulverized in an instant; even though in the alternate dimension they may turn to ash without truly dying, they can still feel pain.

Especially weapons like the moonlight explosive arrow, designed specifically to counter demons.

"Hahaha!"

The sudden laughter made all the gunfire, cannon fire, and the sounds of demons exploding pale in comparison.

Looking toward the source, it was A-1999, eyes open, looking up and laughing heartily; his face and demeanor bore no hint of the fear the Gray Knights and Demon Hunters had imagined upon entering the alternate dimension.

"All of you, die! Hahaha!"

A-1999 fixed his gaze on the nearest cluster of demons, surged forward at breakneck speed, then angled the muzzle of his parallel plasma shotgun toward those clueless creatures and pulled the trigger.

"Boom! Boom!"

Two olive‑ball‑sized plasma cannon clusters, flashing with cyan‑blue light, burst forth and struck the two unlucky ones at the front.

"Bang! Bang!"

The cannon clusters exploded, not only shredding the two unlucky ones but also spewing high‑temperature plasma outward, inflicting continuous damage on the entire demon horde.

However, the true threat to the demon horde was not the plasma cannon clusters but A-1999, who had already surged into their midst.

The God‑slayer once again slipped the plasma shotgun to his back, freed his hands, spread his fingers, and in an instant grasped the necks of two bull‑headed demons, then…

"Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff—"

A-1999 used brute force to slam the two bull‑headed demons together; after four or five impacts, the two beasts were smashed to pieces.

Dropping the debris from his hands, A-1999's gaze fell on a sheep‑headed, horned demon about six meters tall, massive, with red skin, whose body trembled involuntarily and was turning.

"Trying to run?"

"There's no way you'll get away!"

A-1999 bent a knee and leapt, planting his feet on the sheep‑headed demon's shoulders, then seized its iconic pair of horns with both hands and twisted forcefully left and right…

"Sss…Sizzle!!"

From top to bottom, the horned demon was ripped apart by A-1999's hands!

"Hahaha!"

A-1999 laughed heartily again, continuing to tear, hammer, and smash with his hands, or to kick and fling demons with his legs.

Looking at this killing god's appearance, he is clearly enjoying it; where is there any of the earlier myriad feelings?

It turns out A-1999 has returned to a harmonious family…

It also cannot be said to be harmonious; just after returning from the hell plane to Earth, and then being taken home by Zigler and others, as father A-1999 met with his eldest daughter's husband and gave instructions on some matters.

Afterwards, under Zigler's leadership and guidance, A-1999 spent nearly five years integrating into society, and in ordinary times was no different from ordinary people.

Thereafter, A-1999 joined the Supervisory Department, specializing in handling demons that pose a high threat to the material universe.

Yet such a comfortable life, A-1999 always felt something was missing; when he received Sui Bian's direct order to lead the Grey Knights and Daemon Hunters through the portal to an astral space a million times more dangerous than the hell plane…

A familiar feeling…

A familiar roar…

Familiar demons…

Yes!

Exactly like this!

Only when surrounded by demons in an environment similar to the hell plane can A-1999 feel at ease!

Like the joy and excitement of returning home, it made A-1999 burst out in a hearty laugh.

???

On the demon side, however, there was no such good mood for A-1999; instead, they had been bewildered by this killing god and the fierce assault of the Grey Knights and Daemon Hunters.

"Howl…~! Howl…~!"

Some demons overreacted, realizing that these humans before them were opponents they could not provoke at all! Only low-, mid-, or high-ranking demons could handle them!

Thus they turned and fled.

One led the way, and more and more demons began joining the fleeing ranks.

However, how could A-1999, who had just "come home," let pass the appetizer? He immediately exerted a running speed that even the Grey Knights could barely keep up with, drew the Chain Sword hanging at his waist, and launched a one-sided "slaughter" against the demons.

Meanwhile, as A-1999 and company were about to wreak havoc in the astral space, inside the bridge of the Never-Surrender, located in the Scholars' Star Region of the 03 Universe…

"Chairman." The White Empress, still with a cold and beautiful visage, reported to Sui Bian standing before her: "The strike operation has commenced; OriginalBody Magnus will reopen the portal in 12 hours to allow A-1999 and company to withdraw from the astral space."

"Very good." Upon hearing the report, Sui Bian nodded slightly.

At that moment, Rog, with the Storm Fang slung behind his back, happened to lead a few Iron Fist Guards into the control room, walking straight to stand beside the control console, also preparing to report to Sui Bian.

He said: "Father, we have handed over the isotopes of the Book Idiot to the doctors, and the surface of Prospero has been cleared by our Iron Fist."

"Not bad," Sui Bian nodded again.

"Eh?" Rog looked left and right, then wondered: "Where's the guy who likes to pull backstabs (Kelakesi)? Has he left?"

"Yes." Before Sui Bian could say anything, the White Empress volunteered to explain to Rog: "OriginalBody Kelakesi has already led the Shadow Guard, boarding the stealth flagship to return to the Dark Star Region."

"He's back already! Tsk, I haven't even had a proper drink yet, sigh." Rog couldn't help but sigh.

"Don't worry." Sui Bian glanced at his chatty son out of the corner of his eye and said with a smile: "You brothers will be able to gather together soon."

"Oh?" Upon hearing his father say that, Rog instantly became interested and quickly echoed: "Father, do you mean… we are about to launch the general assault?"

"Yes." Sui Bian looked at the holographic star chart and explained: "Once we have completely taken the Scholars' Star Region, and Robert then sends the corresponding resources and reserves to each post, the New Human Empire will have only the sovereignty of the space near Shensheng Tala."

Moreover, the only one left standing beside Helusi is Peturabo, and the astral space that he relies on will soon be thrown into chaos by A-1999, plunging him into utter isolation and helplessness.

"Indeed." Rog nodded in agreement.

"Furthermore." Sui Bian added: "When we launch the general assault, I will provide protection, ensuring that none of my children die pointlessly under my watch, but I will not take the initiative to act; whether we can claim the greatest merit…"

Saying this, Sui Bian's tone sank, and he continued with a hint of meaning: "It's up to you and your brothers."

Instantly grasping his father's intent, Rog's spirits rose at once; looking at the holographic star chart, he saw a small red area completely surrounded by green and yellow, and could hardly conceal his excitement as he replied:

"Don't worry, Father; since the expedition, our Iron Fist has been 'nurturing essence and storing sharpness' all along—by then Helusi's head will surely be cut off by me!"

"Hahaha, having that intention is enough." Sui Bian chuckled, saying nothing more.

Immediately after, he ordered the White Empress: "Notify the other four OriginalBodies and all ranks of the expeditionary army; at this critical juncture they must steady their positions, not advance rashly, ensure they digest all occupied territories, and prepare for the imminent full-scale assault on Shensheng Tala."

Also, please urge Robert to quickly complete the recent personnel and materiel resupply."

"Understood, Chairman."

———————

…

The Solar System of the 03 Universe.

Likewise, as humanity's mother star system, the investment of the old and new empires in the Solar System is always the greatest; for example, star fortresses the size of dwarf planets number as many as one hundred thirty, most deployed in Pluto's outermost orbit.

If a fleet employing astral-space navigation technology, with uncountable scale and numbers, successfully reaches Pluto's orbit, destroys the nearby star fortresses, and continues advancing toward the direction of Shensheng Tala, it will encounter the defense arrays of Saturn and Jupiter's orbits, as well as vast numbers of Imperial fleets coming to encircle and suppress.

If this fleet still manages to break through and finally reach Shensheng Tala's gravitational sphere, what awaits them are four space fortresses like small moons, the main force of Helusi's Sons and the Steel Warrior Legion, plus countless Imperial warships and orbital artillery.

Moreover, even on Shensheng Tala's surface and orbit there are countless demonic beasts from the astral space, numbering in the trillions.

For example, when the Sparta Corps assaulted the capital of the Phoenix Star Region, they were hewn into "dragon clubs" by a Spartan veteran operating a Centurion V, their wingspan reaching a hundred meters of skeletal dragon; likewise, when the main universe erupted in an astral-space storm, beings not much smaller than a dragon, with blood-spattering blood fiends on their backs capable of spraying blood mist in all directions, and so on.

Judging by these alone, Shensheng Tala's defenses appear comparable to those of Earth in the main universe, but the main universe's technological content, due to its administrators and the R&D projects led by Chairman Sui, puts the two sides' starting points worlds apart.

Most importantly, humanity in the main universe fundamentally does not need to rely on astral space for interstellar travel, and thus does not need to breach layer after layer of defense, as is the case now…

Nearly 140,000 warp lanes representing various warships suddenly generated at the outlet vortex of the Rift Space, almost completely encircling Shensheng Tala from all sides.

(End of chapter)