Chapter 199: Entering the Sky Gate
In order to showcase what Asher taught, he decided to make a demonstration.
"Who wants to do it?" Asher asked. "Who wants to try carving the null gem?"
"I’ll do it." Barbara stepped forward without hesitation.
A smile crept to Asher’s lips as he seemed to already know—and was pleased that Barbara was the one who voiced her desire first. He then turned to the sand cloud in the distance, "Okay, Barbara. We’ll create the opening, and you’ll dive in when I signal to take the null gem out."
Once he nodded, the squad moved again.
But this time, Fimos on the read was replaced by Barbara.
Kai and the other porters could only watch from a distance as the squad moved in for the kill.
Makos charged through the sand cloud while the other three circled around. Inside, he located the four-armed skeleton that was still digging underground and shoulder-charged it hard from the side.
A loud crack resounded as the four-armed skeleton was sent tumbling aside.
Its red glowing eyes fixated on Makos, and it roared, unleashing skeletal hands from the sand that shot towards him in an attempt to immobilize him. But Makos already anticipated this as he had seen this ability from the first one.
"Bull Charge!"
Swoosh—!
Makos’ entire body swelled bigger and heavier.
But terrifyingly enough, his speed also increased as if his weight didn’t matter at all.
Once he made second contact, the four-armed skeleton was pushed out of the sand cloud.
At the same time, Damas was already running straight at it. Dark red scales rippled across his body, and an immense pressure began to radiate from him—a pressure that locked onto the four-armed skeleton, pressing it down.
Giving no time for it to retaliate, he thrust his sword.
Clang—!
Surprisingly, his strike cracked the breastplate, exposing a faint white light from behind it.
Damas used the forward momentum to spin mid-air and made another strike at two of the four-armed skeleton’s right arms, pinning them to the ground. Then, Asher came in at extreme speed.
He dodged a swipe and landed another thrust on the cracked breastplate.
And it shattered, revealing the white gem behind the ribcage.
Like Damas, he also spun and struck the four-armed skeleton’s other arms, giving a clear path for the finishing blow. He looked over his shoulder and locked eyes with Barbara behind him, "Take it now!"
Swish—!
Barbara didn’t hesitate.
Her eyes locked onto the white null gem, and she charged straight to it.
Like a climber scaling a sheer, steep wall, she hooked her hands onto the four-armed skeleton’s ribcage and lodged her feet between the bones for leverage. Then, she drew back her arm and drove her fist into the exposed ribcage with every ounce of strength she possessed.
Surprisingly, it cracked as Asher had already marked it with the same lamb-shaped mark.
She grabbed the white null gem firmly and was surprised to feel resistance.
But it didn’t matter—her physical strength was quite high.
She yanked it with another pull, ripping the white null gem free, and somersaulted backward, landing lightly on the sand. Then, she leaped further back for good measure while watching the four-armed skeleton thrash in its death throes.
Across its entire body, white steam hissed.
It was its energy leaving its body, pulled to the white null gem in her hand.
Barbara, eager for glory, tossed the white null gem back and went in for the killing blow.
She made another swing, but this time, her fist crashed against its skull and sent it tumbling from its shoulders. The second column of energy screamed skyward, and the Sky Gate above shuddered as it grew even weaker.
Now, two of the Noble Star Beasts had already fallen, leaving only one more.
Just one more, and the Sky Gate would close.
"Incredible," Sabas praised inwardly. "A Noble Star Beast actually died from one attack from a measly Grade-2 Awakened Supernal. Even though the mark from Asher helped weaken it— even further, it’s still impressive."
"Not as much as losing its null gem, though."
"Yeah. Stealing its null gem actually weakened it so much."
"Why didn’t the academy teach us this?"
"Because they wanted you accustomed to facing a Star Beast head-on," Rob answered—while crossing his arms. "So you can hold your own when it matters. Knowing their weaknesses is only a useful tool, but not enough. The higher the class of the Star Beast, the fewer weaknesses they have. Eventually, there’s nothing left to exploit. Only you and the Gods mattered then."
None of the porters had gone face-to-face with a Star Beast above the Pest-class.
And from the look on Rob’s face, the stronger Star Beasts are horrifying.
"Great work, Barbara." Asher gave a thumbs-up as he straightened his back and sheathed his sword again. "As expected of a High Angel, you’re quite strong. Even with our help, punching its head clean off is still quite a feat."
"You praise me too much, Senior Asher." Barbara bowed her head.
Even though she was respectful, she was feeling good inside.
Now she felt certain she could hunt Star Beasts far more comfortably as the Star Beasts within her territory, within the Dead Range, shared the same structure—as this Noble Star Beast she had dismantled.
Both are undead.
And the knowledge of carving the null gem first would undoubtedly sharpen her efficiency.
Pushing her productivity to new heights.
Above Chester.
It was the right thing to volunteer.
Just in time for the battle to finish, Fimos returned with a small, hand-sized device.
One that was no doubt on the corruption radar.
And with the radar secured, the seniors and porters began strapping on their winged boots as it was time for them to enter the Sky Gate—and tackle the last Noble Star Beast. Since the gate hung in the sky, the winged boots were necessary.
"It’s going to be harder this time," Asher said, his tone devoid of the nonchalance he had earlier. "Inside the Sky Gate, every Star Beast is slightly stronger. The dimension itself boosts their stats, and they also have home advantage. Keep your eyes wide and your guards up."
Kai and the other porters nodded in understanding.
Seems like the two Noble Star Beasts were the appetizer; now it’s the main course.
On Asher’s lead, the squad launched skyward—flying straight to the swirling vortex.
Kai’s blood thrummed with anticipation as the Sky Gate swirled before him—a maelstrom of white energy that promised a whole new world. His first Sky Gate. The stories, the broadcasts, the casualty reports—all of it dissolved into the singular, electric pulse of what lay ahead.
Now, with the training in Professor Hera’s class, he was better at using the winged boots.
Flying became seamless, and that includes the others.
He flew forward.
And the moment his skin touched the swirling energy, a coldness bit into his bones.
Not the cold of winter or wind, but something else entirely—a chill that bypassed flesh and settled into the marrow. He kept his eyes open, refusing to blink, refusing to miss the moment the world opened up.
For a single suspended breath, the white consumed everything.
Then, it peeled away.
Kai sucked in a deep breath once the scenery beyond the portal came into view.
Steep mountains rose on all sides with dark and uneven flanks, enclosing a broad valley where emerald meadows rolled between colossal slabs of stone. The rock formations rose up at odd angles; their rugged surfaces streaked with grey moss and grey grass.
Everything was muted—washed out.
As if the color had been drained from the world by a catastrophic event long ago.
Kai and the others landed softly on the strange soil, and the corruption hit immediately.
Hit harder than it ever had outside the Sky Gate.
A suffocating weight that pressed against their Halos and seeped through the cracks made it hard for them to breathe properly. The energy native to the Blue Void bore down from every single side, and it was hostile.
It choked them with a pressure that was both physical and mental.
Kai’s lungs strained.
Behind him, the porters faltered, coughing severely as they dropped to their knees.
Only Kai remained standing due to his resistance to corruption.
"How are you still standing?" Rob asked, shocked that a Lesser Angel remained standing.
He did say that his Divine Lock is a mutated one, but still, this is surprising.
"Ah," Kai smiled lightly, seeing no need for him to lie. "I won all three titles in the Blood Rite—through luck. I got all three Crystallized Teardrop of Argus vials."
"Incredible," Makos nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Seems like the academy got a real monstrous Lesser Angel."
All of them laughed in humour, finding this to be a pleasant surprise.
Being students at the same academy, Kai’s strength would also work well for them.
But Kai felt uncomfortable.
He was also laughing out of politeness, but there was this chill rushing down his spine. It felt like he was being surrounded by enemies with nowhere to go. I shouldn’t have backed down in the middle. I should’ve said it aloud.
Kai stopped himself from saying that he won the three titles fair and square.
Arrogance might offend the seniors.
However, it would also be a shield to make them wary of him in case they have bad intentions.
It was his mistake.
It took a moment for the others to stand straight.
Kai turned to Bree and placed a hand on her waist. "Are you okay?"
Bree gave a weak nod—her face was pale, and her breathing was shallow but steady.
She was recovering.
"Damn it!"
A sharp curse cut through the air.
Asher smacked the corruption radar with the heel of his hand, scowling at the screen. The red bars jumped erratically, spiking and dropping without reason, even though he held the device perfectly still and pointed it straight ahead.
He shook it. Slapping it. But the readings continued their chaotic dance.
"It’s broken," He muttered, then let out a sheepish laugh while rubbing the back of his neck. He turned to the others. "Well. This is the life of a mediocre squad with barely any sponsors. You can only make do."
Since the radar was dead, there was no way for them to track the last Noble Star Beast.
Asher straightened; his easy smile returned.
"No other choice but for us to split into groups." He said, and then began giving orders.
Makos and Rob, with two porters, one of whom was Barbara, would go east.
Asher and Fimos, with Sabas and another porter, would head north.
Damas would remain near the portal in case any stray Star Beasts wandered nearby.
And Grines, along with Kai and Bree, would take the west.
The groups formed quickly, and Kai watched the radar dangle uselessly from Asher’s belt as the senior turned away. Broken. Just bad luck. He wanted to believe that. But his gut was not in line with his mind.
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