Chapter 320: Dimensional Defense (1/2)

”A Dimensional Defense… I should've backed out when I still can. I had a hunch that it would be about this…”

A Rank 1 Transcendent near me clutched his head, lamenting his choice to repay the Great One's graciousness.

The one next to him gritted her teeth and clasped her hands into a fist to stop it from shaking.

And the one next to her took a step back as if he was shocked by what he heard.

That's the various reactions of the Rank 1 Transcendents upon hearing what the Task will be.

Is the weakening of the Dimensional Barrier dangerous? Of course, it is, especially for someone who had just reached Transcendence.

According to what I heard from Alwyn, Dimensional Defense became the more common name for the battle whenever the Dimensional Barrier weakened. In there, it's easy for a Transcendent to die, especially Rank 1 like us. Mortal Ranks couldn't join it after all. Mortal bodies will not be able to withstand the nature of the Dimensional Space.

Much like how it is in Mortal Rank, the weakest ones will most likely become cannon fodder.

Well, the same thing will happen to the Rank 1 Transcendents of the enemy world after all. They will be the ones tasked to build the Dimensional Bridge by pooling in the Energy or using items that contain energy such as Energy Stones and the likes. At first, they will be the hottest target of the defenders to stop them from building that bridge.

Although their lauded objective for attacking an Invasive World was to eradicate it, it's just an embellishment of what they really aimed at. Each world has its own resources, most importantly, the Source Energy. If the Dark World benefits from Mortal World's Source Energy then if those Transcendent Worlds successfully took them down, they would be dividing the Dark World's Source Energy among themselves to strengthen them.

As always, there's another side of the coin. The Dark World denizens are the evil invaders to the Mortal Worlds while those Transcendent Worlds who keep on attacking them are the bad guys in here.

Nonetheless, I somehow find myself looking forward to this Task. It's not like I will be crucial in it. I will be focusing on gathering information and new insights about these higher worlds. Their motivations will be laid bare.

”W-why are you smiling? Aren't you scared?”

While I was lost in my thoughts, the one on my right suddenly asked me. Looking at his expression, he's just the same as the one on my left. Shaken and regretful.

It's not like there will not be any benefit in joining the defense. With two Source Energy that will clash and mix in the Dimensional Space, being active in it will provide more progress than a regular Absorption Session or fighting on a normal battlefield. The risk is high but the benefit is also high.

Looking at how the Transcendents will die one after another, the chance to also loot some items to the enemies or to allies who died is high.

This is why the Exalteds are cheering. Alwyn said that the higher ranks prioritize to kill those lower in rank than them; Rank 4 to Rank 3, Rank 3 to Rank 2 and Rank 2 to Rank 1. Not everyone will pit their necks to fight the same rank. They will be more inclined to butcher ducklings than wait for a mother duck to lay a golden egg.

And even if there is someone who will prioritize stopping those at the same rank as him, killing each other will be near impossible.

”I'm looking forward to the benefits that I will get, of course. Rather than rotting away without any progress in that prison cell, I will choose to fight in the Dimensional Space any moment. Who knows? I might get lucky in there.”

Alwyn only said not to be flashy and excessive. This will be fine, right? Besides we still don't know where they will put us in the equation, these guys are just reacting too early… These higher world Transcendents are a bit disappointing. However, it's not like I don't know where they're coming from. They will be like kings if they are sent to Mortal World but in this kind of battle, they're the pawns who don't have the ability to kill any other chess pieces.

Upon hearing my words, those nearby stepped back and distanced themselves from me. But there's someone from a few steps away who also heard it. With something like an idiotic grin on the mug of his face, he swaggers his way towards me with his chest puffed out.

”Great optimism! It's rare to find someone with the same optimism as me. I'm Udann, you?”

”Ember,” I answered sparingly.

”Great. Unlike these scaredy cats, only those like us can shine in this kind of situation. I am close to completing the 1st Realm of my Transcendent Pathway. If not for being sent to that prison, I would've already long surpassed the guy who tossed me in it.”

With unexpected talkativeness, Udann continued to shoot his mouth off while we listened to the rest of the Oxflame Monarch's speech.

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