Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 60 - Fall of the Grove Beast

"Damn. What kind of Lord, at this rank, wields power like this? What kind of transformation grants that level of strength?"

Even from a distance, the difference was clear.

Soren, now in his beast form, had blocked Raze’s full-force strike like it was nothing.

Every step the creature took sent tremors through the battlefield, shockwaves rippling outward, forcing most of the troops to stay back. Only the elite fighters could get close without being flung aside. From the ground, spectral roots burst forth, lashing out like living chains, ready to ensnare any who dared to approach.

From above, Atlas remained on his floating throne, eyes locked on the monster. Edrik now stood beside him.

"My Lord, I’d say we’ve hit the jackpot with this one."

Atlas raised a brow. "Is that a good one or a bad one?"

"Anything can be good... if we’re smart enough to handle it."

It was clear Edrik wasn’t just talking about Soren. He meant the power behind him, the source that had gifted him this terrifying form.

"This guy has the ability to summon spirit beasts," Edrik explained. "We saw the bear. I’d bet he can summon a wolf and a stag as well."

"And this form?" Atlas asked.

"It looks like he’s merged with them. A full fusion with the spirits. That’s what makes it so unstable... and so powerful."

"Merged?" Atlas repeated, brow tightening.

"Yes. Most likely, it’s his final resort. A survival method. I doubt he even cares about what happens to him now. He chose this path for power, even if it kills him."

"And what’s beyond that?" Atlas asked quietly.

Edrik’s expression darkened. "Whoever gave him that power. That’s the real threat. Whoever his backer is... we’ll have to face them sooner or later."

Atlas nodded slowly. "But whether we let this guy go or kill him here, that threat’s still coming, isn’t it?"

"Exactly right."

Atlas’s gaze returned to the beast. "Then it’s best we take him down now, before anyone else on our side falls."

Edrik nodded once, firm. "Agreed."

Raze charged forward with brutal force, ignoring the spectral roots shooting up from the ground in a desperate attempt to restrain him.

He lunged and grabbed hold of Soren’s leg. Soren let out a fierce roar, swinging a massive arm down toward Raze, just as a chain blade sliced through the air, embedding itself in Soren’s left arm. Kurogasa had arrived, his blade locked onto Soren’s arm, dealing relentless damage.

Morganna shot through the air, her scythe flashing as she struck at Soren’s face, then landed on the beast’s shoulder, hacking away again and again with brutal precision.

The beast barely stood a chance against Atlas’s Elite Subordinates.

Soren let out a thunderous roar, unleashing a massive wave of energy that radiated in all directions. The sheer force sent Atlas’s floating throne tumbling backward, the shockwave ripping through buildings, fortresses, and anything in its path, leaving devastation in its wake.

Despite the chaos, Raze remained relentless, hammering Soren’s leg with brutal strikes. Morganna, thrown to the ground by the wave, quickly recovered, launching herself back into the air. With precise control, she floated momentarily before diving in to attack again.

Kurogasa and Karian joined the fray, each delivering their own punishing blows to the beast.

From a distance, the troops could only watch in awe as the Elite Subordinates unleashed their full strength. Yet, it was impossible to ignore the overwhelming power of their opponent.

This wasn’t a fight that would end easily.

Atlas activated the Stormcaller’s Amulet, his hand trembling with electric energy as the skies above darkened once more. Thunder rumbled, and flashes of lightning lit up the heavens. Then, a blinding, massive bolt of light descended from above!

The lightning struck Soren’s massive form directly, its sheer force causing all the Elite Subordinates to retreat to a safe distance. Moments later, an earth-shaking roar of thunder echoed across the island, the impact reverberating as if the entire landmass had been struck with unrelenting force.

Soren was immediately bombarded with attacks from all sides once again. It was clear he could no longer mount any meaningful defense.

[Elite - Duskbound Presence (Conditional Passive) Lv. 1]

[Common - Endurance Boost Lv. 10]

[Epic - Bloodrush (Active) Lv. 1]

Atlas steadied himself before leaping from his floating throne directly toward the roaring beast. The troops watching below froze, holding their breath in disbelief.

"The Lord? He’s jumping into the fight against the beast?!"

"I get that the Elite Subordinates are monsters, but that doesn’t mean we can just stand around!"

"I won’t let myself stay idle any longer."

"Let’s go! Join the fight!"

Atlas shot toward Soren’s head as the beast roared in agony. But Soren’s massive left hand lunged up, aiming to crush him mid-air.

Atlas focused every fiber of his being, feeling as though he could command every part of his body with absolute precision. He spun his spear, and just as Soren’s massive hand came crashing down, Atlas skillfully maneuvered, using the spear to deflect himself out of harm’s way.

With a graceful twist, Atlas somersaulted above Soren’s head, the beast still writhing in pain. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on the spear.

[Elite - Flurry of Spears Lv. 2]

Atlas plunged down, driving the spear’s tip directly into Soren’s eye. He held his ground, pressing into the target. With a fierce pull, he wrenched the beast’s eye from its socket.

Soren staggered, losing balance, and fell backward with a thunderous crash.

Atlas began to fall, floating in mid-air with nothing to catch his descent. Until, Morganna darted forward, grabbing him with her right hand. Together, they surged forward, chasing after Soren’s massive, collapsing form.

In one fluid motion, Morganna flung Atlas back toward Soren’s head. Atlas twisted in mid-air, barely believing this was real. He was soaring, almost flying, and he readied himself for another strike.

[Common - Piercing Thrust Lv. 7]

The skill activated, and his spear propelled him forward, driving him straight toward the beast’s neck with deadly precision.

The spear struck true, piercing deep into the beast’s neck. Spectral white blood sprayed out as Soren’s massive form dissolved into smoke. Moments later, his original body appeared on the ground, lifeless and crumpled not far from where they stood.

[You have successfully slain Soren, the Lord of Ashroot Grove.]

[You have won the battle.]

[You have gained 20 Rank Points.]

[Your island size will receive an upgrade.]

[You have received 650 Arcane Shards.]

[You received 12,240 Exp]

[...]

A cascade of notifications filled Atlas’s vision, but his attention shifted to the sound of cheers. The troops, overjoyed by their hard-earned victory, ran toward him in celebration.

Edrik and the others approached him.

"Anyone who knew you two weeks ago wouldn’t believe you’d be capable of this, My Lord," he said with a proud smile.

Kurogasa bowed deeply. "My Lord, I’m confident your potential will grow even greater than this, and it is an honor to stand by your side as you achieve it."

Light enveloped them one by one, gently lifting them away and returning them to Gacha Haven.

From a distance, they watched Soren’s floating island crumble, breaking apart piece by piece and sinking into the clouds below.

But another marvel unfolded before them.

Gacha Haven, Atlas’s island, began to expand. From its outer edges, new land rose like pieces of a puzzle locking into place, steadily increasing the island’s size.

At last, his domain was growing!

**

(Author’s Note:)

That’s a wrap on Volume 1!

Atlas just wrecked a beast lord, leveled up the island, and made it look way too easy.

Who was your MVP of this opening Arc? Drop a comment and a Golden Ticket if you’re ready for Volume 2.

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