The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1522: The Mad Hunter (4)

Boasting a formidable 500,000 warriors, the 25th Heaven’s Army stands as a colossal force. Within its ranks are 350,000 immortals, spanning the spectrum from True Immortals to the venerable Immortal Lords. Complementing them are 140,000 demigods, each an individual powerhouse, accompanied by 900 gods, 98 Supremes, and two Celestials.

Renowned as a universe-spanning titan, the Heaven’s Court owes its esteemed reputation not only to its consistent thwarting of the Paragon but also to the sheer might of its assembled warriors.

The 25th legion found its deployment along the perilous frontiers of the Beast Universe, a frequent transit point for demons navigating their way towards the territory of the Righteous Faction.

Tasked with the elimination of the notoriously elusive Mad Hunter, their 10th unit, a contingent led by ten gods, 20,000 demigods, and 50,000 immortals, was positioned closest to the hunter's last known location and thus dispatched.

The vanguard of this force, consisting of 10,000 immortals, 2,000 demigods, and three gods, arrived first at the scene.

Though the subsequent wave was a mere ten minutes behind, the initial deployment felt more than sufficient, leaving them confident in their overwhelming advantage.

After all, what meaningful resistance could seven individuals possibly pose against such an immense military contingent?

However, their assumptions were drastically, devastatingly wrong.

The 'Mad' moniker bestowed upon the Hunter was not acquired lightly; it was a title earned through deeds that resonated across the entire universe, a testament to his fearsome reputation.

Periodically, rifts known as dungeons materialize, disgorging beasts dispatched by the malevolent Foreign Race. Left unchecked, these incursions can escalate into catastrophic outbreaks, capable of obliterating an entire planet within mere hours.

During his time as a True Immortal, the Hunter undertook a journey to a planet within the Demon Universe. His objective was to engage in training with resident monks, a discipline aimed at mastering emotional control.

This period followed a brutal campaign a few weeks prior, where he and his brother had annihilated an entire settlement of savage demons known for preying on the weak.

While undergoing tutelage with the monks, a dungeon unexpectedly opened, triggering an outbreak that engulfed the planet in chaos in under an hour.

This particular planet was intended as a sanctuary for demons seeking peaceful coexistence, meaning they were utterly unprepared for such a sudden and violent onslaught.

The Hunter was compelled to intervene, and for six continuous hours, he waged a relentless battle, felling over 300,000 beasts from the Foreign Race. His unwavering focus ensured that not a single inhabitant of the planet suffered any harm.

Among the colossal number of slain monsters, 3,000 were identified as demigod-level threats.

Following this staggering display of power, he was bestowed with the title 'Mad'. His given name, Hunter, was gradually superseded by 'Mad Hunter', an appellation that perfectly captured the essence of a warrior whose blade knew no rest until the very last enemy was vanquished.

Now, viewers across the cosmos watched with bated breath and slackened jaws, witnessing the legend of the Mad Hunter unfold. The crimson-haired Blood Demon moved with an unnerving calm, his blades weaving a deadly dance.

Swishing through the air, his swords found their mark, dispatching foes and drawing vital blood.

Hunter himself was a phantom, a blur of motion, with three gods now maneuvering around him. Each of the gods bore grievous wounds, contrasting sharply with Hunter’s pristine appearance.

Even if minor injuries were sustained, the ambient blood filling the surroundings possessed potent restorative properties, ensuring his rapid recovery.

A god wielding a fearsome mace materialized behind Hunter, while another, armed with a sword, appeared directly in front, attempting a pincer maneuver. Yet, Hunter remained unmoving, seemingly unfazed by the converging attacks.

"You people never learn."

The instant those words left his lips, a piercing scream echoed from the god wielding the mace.

To the stunned disbelief of all observers, the god's hand was severed, causing the mace to clatter to the ground. Before he could even register the loss of his limb, a sword shot through the very mouth from which his scream erupted.

Exiting the other side, the god’s body rapidly withered, and he collapsed, his demise as swift and ignominious as that of an insignificant insect.

The sword responsible for his death pulsed with energy, waves of power radiating from its length.

The remaining sword-wielding god and the one brandishing a shield hastily retreated, their faces contorted with undisguised fear. A predatory smirk touched Hunter’s lips as he turned his attention towards the sword, a glint in his eyes.

"Return to me, Lucian. This battle is far from over; become a God Sword with all haste."

"Understood, Master."

The sword dematerialized in a flash, and Hunter refocused on the two gods left standing. "Very well, I require more God Swords. Perhaps you would be so kind as to offer your heads?"

He surged forward, appearing before the sword-wielding god. His broad, sweeping strike landed squarely on the god’s shoulder.

While his armor absorbed some of the impact, it was ultimately cleaved through, and his shoulder sustained a deep wound. Yet, the moment Hunter's sword withdrew, a powerful kick slammed into the god’s head, propelling him backward with immense force.

The shield bearer scowled and hurled his shield, intending to send Hunter hurtling away. However, his eyes widened in horror as Hunter vanished, only to reappear directly behind him.

With seamless grace, his sword moved, plunging into the god’s heart. Hunter manipulated a second sword, driving it through the deity’s skull. Like its predecessor, this sword absorbed the god's lifeblood and essence.

"The same applies to you, Mika. Become a God Sword."

"Yes, Master."

Thus, two gods met their end, and the third was next in line.

Uncle Jojo weaved through the chaotic battlefield with an almost drunken gait, a unique technique he had painstakingly developed and perfected over the years. A wide, unsettling grin was plastered across his face as he swayed rhythmically.

His ice-coated gauntlets needed but a single decisive blow to pierce chests or shatter skulls. He didn't even bother guarding his back, confident that Hunter was watching over him.

Having fought side-by-side numerous times, all five Blood Guards focused solely on their brutal work, secure in the knowledge that at least five demigod-level swordsmen were their rear guard.

Uncle Xian, too, was making all axe wielders proud. One might assume that the sheer weight of an axe would result in a slower rate of killing.

Uncle Xian vigorously disproved this notion, demonstrating to everyone present that even with a hefty axe, his swiftness in dispatching foes remained unaffected.

Meanwhile, Lady Elysia remained seated, her demeanor serene. Yet, even in her stillness, it was evident her aura was continuously intensifying.

In the past, any death within their ranks caused her to grow stronger. Initially, many suspected her involvement in these demise. However, it soon became apparent that her bloodline and class dictated that proximity to death was the catalyst for her power increase.

Millions perished during her time on Earth. Though these fallen were not as formidable as those she had encountered before, she absorbed immense power from them. Now, with two gods, over 500 demigods, and thousands of immortals slain, her might had surged beyond all conceivable limits.

As this carnage unfolded, within more than a dozen starships, thousands of enraged warriors observed their comrades being systematically annihilated.

A significant drawback of this era's technological advancement was the alarming ease with which almost anything could be streamed. This brutal confrontation was broadcast live, allowing them to witness the demise of two of their gods amidst thousands of other casualties.

Some of the ships were already light-years ahead, indicating they would reach the battlefront considerably sooner than the rest.

Aboard a vessel light-years distant, two Celestials, their faces contorted with fury, watched their warriors being cut down.

"Today, if these scoundrels do not perish by my hand, I shall rename myself 'Idiot'." His rage ignited with ferocious killing intent.

"Calm yourself, Lu. We shall see his end today, even if his esteemed father were to materialize and attempt his rescue."