Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 90 - Eclipsion Reach

Mira received a significant upgrade on her talents, from just a single duplicate summon. Considering that each elite subordinate could be upgraded up to six times, their potential for growth was truly immense.

However, Atlas knew that once he exhausted his supply of standard tickets, his progress would likely slow down significantly. Acquiring more standard tickets wouldn’t be as straightforward as it had been with the generous bonuses he’d received early on.

As for exclusive tickets, he planned to save and use them only when a new exclusive character appeared in the banner. This approach made sense, but it also meant that getting duplicates for exclusive characters, like Morganna, would be exceptionally difficult.

Today marked the end of the current Reinforcement Phase, and he would have to face another defense, the final defense against challengers of this season. Afterward, he would still have the opportunity to select opponents for his own offensive strikes.

During this phase, any Lord had the option to decline a challenge, accepting minor material losses if they deemed the challenger too powerful.

But retreating wasn’t in his plans. Every preparation and upgrade he’d made for his subordinates had been geared toward fighting, not backing down. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Atlas and Edrik were at the Blacksmith Workshop, discussing their plans with Baldric.

"Ha! About eight of them have unlocked their elemental affinities. That’s good progress," Baldric said with a grin. "Without it, the runes I crafted for them would’ve been useless."

Edrik nodded. "Still, My Lord, I’ve double-checked. Everyone’s armor and weapons are in excellent condition."

Atlas returned the nod. "And the analysis of tomorrow’s opponent, Edrik?"

Edrik crossed his arms. "They have strong offensive capabilities, with a Lord who seems to have stayed in this division for quite a while. It’s... a woman."

"A woman?"

Hearing the mention of a female Lord brought Mira’s memory to the forefront of his mind; she, too, had been a woman chosen to become a Lord.

He nodded slowly, his thoughts drifting briefly to how cruel these battles had been from the very start.

"Do you have any hesitation about killing an opponent, if it’s a woman?" Edrik asked.

Atlas shook his head. "In a situation like this, even a woman can be stronger than a man. Gender doesn’t factor into my decisions here."

"Good to hear that," Edrik responded.

The next day arrived swiftly, and another island floated close, signaling the start of the battle. Atlas sat on his floating throne, Morganna standing silently behind him.

From the edge of the opposing island, a figure emerged, a woman, just as Edrik had described.

She looked to be in her mid-twenties, with long black hair streaked with silvery gray and piercing violet eyes. Her high-collared dress, a blend of deep purple and black, flowed like liquid shadow. She wore long gloves tipped with claw-like ends, adding to her... unique presence.

This was Serathra of the Eclipsion Reach.

The woman’s empty gaze fixed on Atlas as she spoke. "So, you’re my opponent this time, I see."

She tilted her head slightly, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

"You seem capable enough. I expected today’s opponent to at least put up a bit of a fight. Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Her arrogance filled the air as she stood her ground.

"Let me face her," Morganna said.

"Yeah, sure," Atlas replied with a faint smirk. "I’m still not used to beheading women."

From across the field, Serathra laughed again.

"Ha ha ha... you amuse me, Lord of such weak flesh."

Her empty eyes narrowed slightly.

"I will show you what true darkness is. I’ll peel back the veil and let you feel it claw at your soul."

She took a step closer, her voice gaining a twisted edge.

"You think you’ve seen despair? You’ve seen nothing. I am the veil that ends hope. I am the silence after the final scream."

Atlas raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. He gave her a half-smile.

"She really thinks she’s got the monopoly on darkness, huh?" he muttered to himself.

"Hey, Miss... maybe save your breath and get ready," Atlas added more loudly. "You might find there’s more darkness around me than you can handle."

Serathra’s lips twitched, though her eyes remained empty.

"You will regret this fight. When your limbs tremble and your will begins to crack... I will allow you the dignity to surrender. I’ll even permit your allies to drag you away, broken but breathing."

"I’ll understand," she added smoothly, "when you decide this is too much for you."

Atlas gave a short, dry chuckle. "Thanks for the offer," he said with a shrug. "You’re so kind."

This was the reality of the Lord Battles: kill or be killed. There was no room for hesitation, no mercy for anyone.

The battle began as four portals appeared, one at each side. From these swirling rifts emerged enemy troops, but something about them was unusual.

Each soldier was cloaked in a dark aura that seemed to pulsate and writhe around them.

"What’s happening to them?" Atlas muttered, narrowing his eyes.

"That’s the Dark element," Morganna explained. "More specifically, it’s an advanced form: Corruption. Poisonous, toxic dark energy that taints everything it touches."

Even as she spoke, Edrik was already issuing commands. "Fall back behind the Flame Beacons!" he shouted, directing the troops to retreat to the line of blazing beacons.

There were 16 in total now, their fiery glow serving as both a defense and a rallying point.

"Can Lyrassa counter the effects of the Corruption?" Atlas asked.

Morganna smirked. "I’ll cut through their forces and find that bitch. When she’s dead, the Corruption will dissipate, and victory will be ours."

"Be careful," Atlas said firmly.

Morganna’s smirk. Without another word, she leapt gracefully from the floating throne, descending toward the battlefield.

Edrik’s voice crackled through Atlas’s earpiece.

"The Corruption has less impact on those with a base affinity for Dark Element," Edrik explained. "On our side, Morganna, Raze, and Master Kurogasa have high affinities for it. And, of course, you do as well."

"Thanks for the info," Atlas replied with a nod. "We’ll hold our ground and prioritize long-range attacks for now."

The battle erupted in full force as the enemy troops launched a swift and aggressive assault.

Morganna, Raze, and Kurogasa each held their respective sides, their dark element resistance giving them an edge against the corrupted forces. Meanwhile, Atlas moved his floating throne to the fourth side of the battlefield, where Edrik and Kaida awaited his support.

The Flame Beacons unleashed a barrage of fireballs toward the enemy forces. The intense heat and fiery blasts caused the opposing troops to falter, hesitating for a moment.

Seizing the opportunity, Atlas activated his Stormcaller’s Amulet. A deafening crash of thunder roared across the battlefield, accompanied by streaks of lightning. The shockwave tore through the enemy ranks and scattered them in chaos.

Many lost their focus under the combined assault of fire and lightning.

"This is our chance!" Edrik called out.

The short-range fighters surged forward, closing the distance. Meanwhile, the long-range units provided covering fire, keeping up the pressure from a safe distance.

[Epic - Bloodlink Command (Active) Lv. 1]

Empowers nearby allies with a vampiric aura that enhances lifesteal and grants minor regeneration.

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

Exudes an intimidating aura that weakens the attack power of nearby enemies and boosts critical strike chances when surrounded by multiple foes.

[Epic - Bloodrush (Active) Lv. 1]

Channeling vampiric energy into muscles, grants a surge of speed, enabling swift, precise movements through enemies with rapid agility.

[Epic - Lifebound Shield (Passive, Defensive) Lv. 1]

Creates a natural barrier that absorbs a portion of incoming damage and converts it into health regeneration over time.

[Epic - Elemental Convergence (Active, Versatile)]

Temporarily fuses two elements for powerful combined effects.

Atlas activated his set of skills, his body becoming shrouded in a dark energy. The aura pulsed and surged, enveloping him completely. His spear, now crackling with energy, radiated with a combination of his Dark Element and Fire-based weapon.

He had trained this technique just the day before, a fusion of Dark and Fire Elements channeled into his weapon. With a swift motion, Atlas lunged forward, his spear blazing with dark flames as he charged directly into the enemy ranks.

[Hellfire: Flames that consume not only the body but the soul.]

[Elite - Flurry of Spears Lv. 2]

His movements became fluid, the spear thrusting and slicing with precision. Each strike sent enemies crumbling to the ground, their bodies convulsing as if their very souls were being ripped from them.

Amidst the chaos, Morganna’s pursuit finally bore fruit. She slipped past the corrupted forces with the grace of a shadow, her sharp eyes narrowing as she spotted her target, Serathra of the Eclipsion Reach.

"Reckless! Such a reckless move!" Serathra exclaimed, her laughter ringing out in a manic.