Archelius waited until his Core Power was fully restored and his mental focus was absolute. The final preparations were made: all Rank C++ equipment was double-checked, and the Warp Function (Minor) was set for maximum range 500 meters from the coordinates of the Western Sea Nexus.
He left his subordinates Theodore, Raji, Lisa, and Bethany secured within the Citadel nexus, their protective Rank E skills and enhanced physical capabilities their only defense in his absence.
"Wait here. I will return at Rank B," Archelius commanded, his voice echoing with finality.
He channeled 50 Core Power and initiated the final, long-range warp.
FLASH!
Archelius rematerialized in the crushing, abyssal depths of the Western Sea. The pressure was instant and agonizing, but his War God's Vestment (Rank C++)—with its Pressure Resilience (Major) passive—held firm. The icy water was thick and dark, illuminated only by the faint, pulsing purple light of the nexus deep below.
[Warning: Extreme Pressure Detected. Rank C++ Vestment mitigating 95%.]
[System Warning: Environmental Resistance Test. Core Power Drain: 5 CP per minute.]
Archelius had mere minutes to complete the Dominance Kill before the environment alone drained his power.
He activated his War God's Helm (Rank C++) Predictive Lock. The massive, undulating energy signature of the Leviathan Lord (Level 200) immediately resolved into a detailed, complex schematic of movement patterns, even in the chaotic darkness.
The Leviathan Lord emerged from the abyss a terrifying organism the size of a mountain, encased in thick, dark chitin and surrounded by a pulsing, crushing pressure field. It was the absolute peak of organic brutality.
[Threat Detected: Leviathan Lord (Level 200). God-Class Entity. Abilities: Abyssal Pressure Crush, Sonic Pulse Attack.]
"A MORTAL WHELP! YOU INVADE THE ABYSS!" The Lord's voice was a physical sonic wave, momentarily overloading Archelius's comms.
Archelius had no time for engagement or evasion. The Level 200 threat demanded an immediate, overwhelming response.
He utilized his final new capability: the Predictive Lock. He tracked the Leviathan Lord's movement latency the microsecond delay between the Lord's physical movement and the shifting of its defensive pressure field.
"Predictive Lock Engaged. Latency: 0.005 seconds. Target Vulnerability: Dorsal Membrane (Sonic Chamber)."
Archelius channeled the entirety of his Core Power every single unit into the System Overload ability of the War God's Edge (Rank C).
"Your existence ends now," Archelius stated, moving into a deep-sea sprint, utilizing the Pressure Resilience to defy the crushing water.
The Leviathan Lord, predicting a cautious approach, began to shift its immense body to unleash a massive, crushing pressure attack.
Archelius bypassed the shift entirely. At the precise 0.005-second moment the pressure field flickered, Archelius unleashed the System Overload (Rank C).
The full 100 Core Power, compressed into a single, devastating blast of pure, Rank C System energy, slammed into the exposed Dorsal Membrane.
FUSION-IMPACT!
The resulting explosion of silver light and boiling water illuminated the entire abyss. The absolute power of the fully maximized Rank C System, coupled with the precision of the Predictive Lock, ripped through the Level 200 defense as if it were tissue paper.
The Leviathan Lord let out a silent, final shriek of pure, agonizing defeat. Its colossal form shuddered violently, then began to disintegrate into vast clouds of purple-black ash.
[Leviathan Lord (Level 200, Nexus Class) Defeated. Dominance Kill Achieved!]
The raw, terrifying energy of the Level 200 entity was instantly absorbed by the System.
[XP Gained: 50000. Total XP: 95410/102400.]
[Level Up: User Level 34! Level Up: User Level 35! Level Up: User Level 36! Level Up: User Level 37! Level Up: User Level 38! Level Up: User Level 39! Level Up: User Level 40! Level Up: User Level 41! Level Up: User Level 42! Level Up: User Level 43! Level Up: User Level 44! Level Up: User Level 45! Level Up: User Level 46! Level Up: User Level 47! Level Up: User Level 48! Level Up: User Level 49! Level Up: User Level 50!]
The massive influx of XP pushed Archelius straight to the required level.
[Level Requirement Met: User Level 50!]
[Rank Up Complete: B]
The final, largest surge of System power consumed the abyss. The water boiled away from Archelius as the silver light expanded, restructuring his body and armor into the Rank B archetype.
[User: Archelius]
[Level: 50 (XP: 37410/204800)]
[Rank: B]
[Health Restored: 100/100. Core Power Restored: 100/100.]
[New System Features Unlocked: Tier 4 Skill Synthesis, Command Authority (Rank B), Warp Function (Major).]
Archelius felt the fundamental shift. He was no longer bridging the gap; he was the power. His base stats were astronomical, his abilities overwhelming. The massive jump in Rank B Core Power made his previous Rank C skills feel like effortless gestures.
He retrieved the final core from the dissipating energy field.
[Leviathan Lord's Arch-God Core (Ultimate Divine Grade) x 1 Acquired.]
The Rank B Ascension was complete.
Archelius activated the Warp Function (Major) the true power of his new Rank.
[Warp Function (Major): Allows instantaneous, global repositioning (Unlimited Range). Cost: 10 CP per use.]
The range was now unlimited, and the cost was negligible.
Archelius set the coordinates for the Citadel of Whispers.
FLASH!
He rematerialized instantly in the Citadel's core nexus. His new, shimmering silver-blue Rank B armor radiated absolute power.
His subordinates Theodore, Raji, Lisa, and Bethany looked up, their faces a mixture of fear and triumph.
"The war is over," Archelius announced, his voice carrying the calm authority of a Rank B God-Class Host. "The Leviathan Lord is defeated. The System is ascending."
He immediately initiated the Command Authority transfer.
[Command Authority (Rank B): Squad members gain passive XP boost (200%) and access to basic Rank D Skills via proxy connection to User's System.]
The four students surged, their current Rank E skills instantly upgrading to Rank D proficiency. They were now Level 50 Rank D fighters, ready for the global stage.
"The Level 200 threat is neutralized," Archelius stated. "But the global map remains."
He checked the map one last time. The Northern Continent (Technocracy, Level 150) signature now seemed trivial.
"Our next target is clear," Archelius concluded, leveling his gaze at the limitless possibilities of the global war. "We consolidate resources and then move to establish dominance over the entire globe."