Chapter 6
After that brief and tense conversation, each of us went our separate ways to focus on our own affairs.
Kang Jun decided to continue cultivating to gather as much Qi as possible for the upcoming battle. He realized that, with the current pace, it would be difficult to reach the second level of his technique—and the real battle was less than a day away.
So, Kang Jun resolved to develop his lightning energy to enhance the reflexes in every part of his body and boost his overall reaction speed.
To do that, he needed to enter deep meditation. He looked around and chose a spot where there were fewer people—near the wall where supplies for sleeping were being distributed. Most had already collected theirs the day before, and there weren't many newcomers left who might disturb him.
Settling into a comfortable position, Kang Jun guided his Qi from the tips of his toes to the crown of his head. He needed to dive deep—into his organs and blood vessels—as deeply as possible. Kang Jun had to feel at least a faint electric impulse sent by the brain to control the body. The procedure wasn't hard, but it was exhausting. He had to focus intensely on every millimeter of his body, tracking each change.
Sweat covered Kang Jun's body. Hours passed as he tried to detect the impulses, but he hadn't succeeded yet. He'd only scanned surface-level areas like his legs, arms, back, neck, and chest. He avoided going deeper into his organs and brain—it would take more time, and he hoped to find an easier route.
In the past, his father had helped him awaken his lightning energy and also shared how to do it alone, without external tools or people. That's why Kang Jun was pushing himself so hard now—to grasp the knowledge passed down by his father through his own effort.
Wiping his face with his sleeve, Kang Jun focused again—this time concentrating on the stomach, liver, kidneys, and beyond. After four hours of meticulous effort, the results were still disappointing.
But Kang Jun didn't give up. Regathering his will, he sent another stream of energy through his neck toward his head.
Two hours later, he finally reached his eyes. After a detailed scan, he managed to sense an electric impulse. At first, there was only one—but with every second, he could detect more and more. They weren't only heading toward his eyes—he started tracking those moving throughout his entire body.
After about three more hours, Kang Jun was able to sense every single electrical impulse flowing through him.
He focused his Qi and channeled it through those impulses. He felt his power grow, and lightning energy started building within his body with every passing second.
Within forty seconds, his entire body became electrified. If someone had looked into his eyes at that moment, they would have seen hundreds—or even thousands—of tiny lightning bolts flickering within them. His eyes turned blue as his lightning Qi activated.
After adapting to this new power, Kang Jun calmed the Qi in his body, and the lightning that covered his skin disappeared.
When he opened his eyes, he noticed Trent Barlow sitting nearby—the knight now part of his team.
Trent saw that Kang Jun had finished meditating and said:
"I sat here to watch your back so no one would disturb you. You're a valuable ally to me. I hope everything went well."
Kang Jun didn't hesitate and replied, "Thank you," with a smile, surprised by such kindness from someone he had met just yesterday. In truth, Kang Jun had sensed someone near him, but since he didn't feel any hostile intent, he continued his training—ready to defend himself at any moment if needed.
The knight then gestured toward the field kitchen and said it was time to line up for food, as it was the last day of rest and training before the battle.
While standing in line, Kang Jun silently repeated a mantra for protection against mental attacks. It helped clear his mind—he had worked with his brain more than with his body all night, and focus consumed a lot of energy. That's why people say you mustn't skip meals while studying—or progress will slow.
After stuffing himself, Kang Jun returned to his sleeping spot and began practicing activating the lightning Qi he had developed through understanding his body's impulses.
At first, it took some time, but soon the activation became faster, and he reached the point where he could summon it as easily as regular Qi, even though it now contained elemental enhancements.
The activation time dropped to less than a second. The lightning Qi, once visibly sparking across his body, became fully controlled—only his hair slightly lifted, hinting that lightning now coursed through him.
Rest time soon ended, and the final round of training and theory review began.
This time, the load was minimal so that everyone could conserve their strength for the assault set to begin that evening.
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Meanwhile, in the castles above...
Hundreds of nobles had gathered in lavish halls. The tables groaned under the weight of exquisite food and fine liquor.
Elegant conversations filled the air, accompanied by graceful music. The men wore expensive suits, the women stunning gowns—but none of them had forgotten their weapons.
Everyone understood that even a castle guarded by thousands of prisoners below wouldn't stop the monster horde.
Outside the noble chambers stood thousands of trained knights, most of whom wielded auras. Each knight could take down ten enemies alone—before falling themselves.
In the streets and underground levels, thousands gathered to witness what was happening and, if possible, join the slaughter. A single monster head earned one silver coin.
The three kings ruling the surrounding kingdoms were in the Clara Stronghold, eating and drinking their fill. They were simply waiting for the monster attack—bored out of their minds in this cavern.
One of the guards protecting the kings was deeply disappointed by what he saw. These men had been legends when he was a boy—the strongest warriors of their time. Now they were three pigs who couldn't even fit into their armor.
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Kang Jun, now fully rested after training, felt his strength return. Looking at the torches burning around him, he realized night had fallen—which meant the time allotted was nearly up.
He decided to lie down for a bit longer and wait for the knights' command. The people around him whispered nervously. Some were even trembling with fear. Kang Jun understood them. He had only been in real combat three days ago himself. What troubled him most was that he had no idea what they were going to face.
Half an hour later, teams were formed, and everyone received their equipment. Most wielded basic swords; the stronger ones also carried shields. Some, lacking the strength but hoping for protection, took both sword and shield—not realizing how badly they were mistaken.
Preparation soon concluded. Buildings and the areas near the walls had been cleared to accommodate the soldiers and knights. Houses and their surroundings were now field hospitals and supply points. The field kitchens and rations had been moved to the third line of defense—the safe zone.
Now it was time for the first team to climb the walls. Their footsteps betrayed their fear. Knees and hands shook. Some couldn't stop their teeth from chattering. That clattering echoed against the walls, and the eerie silence only worsened the tension.
Kang Jun, too, felt the pressure and fear creeping in. His hands began to tremble slightly—but then a hand landed on his shoulder.
It was Trent Barlow, the knight in his squad, and Kang Jun immediately felt more at ease.
Trent sat beside him and said, "Soon, our comrades will join us. Then I'll tell you everything I know about the monsters we're about to face."
Just fifteen minutes later, an old man, a young boy, and a middle-aged man with a snake-like gaze arrived.
As soon as everyone sat down on the ground, Trent Barlow began to speak:
"Throughout all the time we've been fighting these so-called monsters — which in essence resemble insects in various shells — only two types of bugs are currently known to exist: soldier bugs, which use their bodies and strength to fight, and subjugator bugs, which take over human minds and force them to kill their comrades.
But in my opinion, there are still other types we have yet to discover, especially since just twenty years ago subjugator bugs didn't exist at all. And now, there are enough of them to regularly conduct reconnaissance alongside the soldier bugs.
The main problem lies in the fact that they are controlled by a queen who synchronizes and processes all the information gathered by the bugs and commands them from the depths.
According to the former right hand of the Kingdom of Karma, after the first bug assault on the kingdoms, three kings, along with their closest and most powerful subordinates, descended into the abyss to end the threat of the bugs once and for all. But for most of them, that path became a one-way journey.
Tens of thousands of bugs ruled those lands, and as soon as the kings and their entourage arrived, a brutal battle broke out that lasted more than three days. When they finally reached the queen — having suffered heavy losses — they were forced to retreat because qeen hide more army inside the cave and almost surrounded them for killed all them togather. After that, they never returned to that abyss. They called for reinforcements from the outside, but their requests were ignored.
Several years have passed, but reinforcements never came. So the kings decided to ignore the problem and hope for the best — although they also began preparing for another bug assault, knowing that the last one would not be the final."