Affinity: Chaos

Chapter 2117: The Battle At Serepolis City Wall(GT Bonus Chapter Reward)

Old Humphrey materialized beside the small group, his gaze settling on the black cat nestled in Odelia’s arms. A flicker of surprise crossed his weathered features. He had heard the rumors about Grey’s unusual companions, yet this was his first true look at Void. Beyond the cat’s strikingly pure black fur and matching eyes—so dark they seemed to swallow the light—there was nothing outwardly remarkable. Still, the old man felt a faint, inexplicable pressure in the air around the creature.

Hands clasped behind his back, posture ramrod straight, Old Humphrey addressed them in a low, steady voice.

”I trust you’re all prepared for what is coming.”

A plain mask appeared in Grey’s palm. Without hesitation he raised it and secured it over his face, concealing every distinctive feature. The Gnomes must not recognize him until the moment he chose to strike. That was precisely why Old Humphrey had assigned Grey no open tasks while the others were present. The possibility of additional traitors among their ranks could not be dismissed, and the old man refused to take the risk. He had even forbidden the few who had seen Grey upon his arrival from speaking of the young man’s identity to anyone else.

In Old Humphrey’s eyes, Grey was their single greatest hidden blade. Keeping that blade sheathed until the perfect instant was non-negotiable.

While the group watched the dark mass of Gnomes advancing across the desert, a Ninth-stage Sovereign clad from head to toe in heavy armor strode forward and bowed deeply before Old Humphrey.

”Sir...”

Old Humphrey cut him off with a casual wave of the hand. ”I know. I’m coming.”

Once the messenger had departed, Old Humphrey turned back to Grey, Reynolds, and the three young women, his tone hardening.

”Remember, do not overexert yourselves. Grey, above all, you move only after I give the signal. Not a moment sooner.”

Grey inclined his masked head.

”Don’t worry, Old Humphrey. This isn’t my first time on the battlefield.”

Over the past two days the five of them had dissected every possible approach to the coming fight. Grey had explained the general nature of his ability, and Old Humphrey, true to form, had insisted they wait for the single most advantageous moment. Timed correctly, that ability could claim the lives of at least half the Peak Sovereign Gnomes in a single devastating strike. Such an opportunity could not be squandered. They had rehearsed the sequence again and again until every participant knew exactly when to act and when to hold back.

Blaire stepped closer, her expression serious. ”Be careful. We won’t be able to support you at the beginning.”

Grey nodded and mouthed a quiet ”You too” toward the three women. Odelia was the last to leave. She began to hand Void over, but Grey shook his head.

”Keep him with you for now.”

Odelia frowned, arguing that the battlefield would be far too dangerous for the cat.

Grey only smiled beneath the mask and assured her Void would be fine. Only when the small black form simply vanished and reappeared in her arms did understanding dawn. The cat was every bit as formidable as it was adorable. She stopped insisting and carried her new battle companion with her as she departed.

Reynolds waited until the women were gone before offering a wry grin.

”You’re probably the only person in the history of countless wars who has to hide his strength every single time he steps onto a battlefield.”

He had sat through every planning session and understood the strategy perfectly: Grey would deliberately suppress his true power, fighting only among the Ninth-stage Sovereigns and revealing nothing of his deeper abilities. The moment Old Humphrey gave the signal, Grey would abandon that battlefield and plunge into the ranks of the Peak Sovereigns, sowing chaos where it would hurt the enemy most.

Grey had long since grown accustomed to this method of fighting. Ever since Grey first discovered how devastating his ability could be against Gnomes, he had learned that its greatest strength lay in surprise. Timing was everything. Over the years that same approach had brought him consistent success against both Gnomes and Necromancers alike. Strike at the perfect instant, and the advantage was absolute.

”Come on,” Grey said, already turning. ”Let’s join the others on the wall.”

Reynolds followed without another word. In a matter of seconds the two of them reached the city wall. As expected, the section facing the oncoming Gnomes was packed shoulder to shoulder with warriors. Grey and Reynolds slipped into the crowd with practiced ease; Grey among the Ninth-stage Sovereigns, Reynolds among the Eighth-stage fighters. Reynolds’s cultivation was still only in the early stages of the Eighth stage. Though he could handle certain Ninth-stage opponents, they had agreed he would not stand out during the opening exchanges. Only after the surprise attack succeeded would he unleash his full strength.

No one paid particular attention to the arrival of two additional masked men. Fresh warriors continued flooding onto the wall every second; a pair of newcomers was nothing unusual. Grey’s presence drew a few brief glances, Ninth-stage Sovereigns were not common,nbut the massive black cloud rolling toward the city quickly claimed everyone’s focus.

Conversations rose and fell along the battlements. Some warriors spoke with fierce confidence, certain they would drive the invaders back. Others muttered worriedly, eyes flicking toward the city behind them. Their families waited there. If the wall fell, those families would not survive.

As the Gnome army drew closer, Old Humphrey, who had been standing at the foremost edge of the wall, rose smoothly into the air. His voice rolled across the ranks, clear and commanding.

”Warriors of Serepolis City! The time has come to eradicate these cancers that have plagued our desert for far too long...”

Grey studied the faces around him while the old man spoke. Like every seasoned general before a decisive battle, Old Humphrey poured strength into every word, stoking courage, anger, and resolve until the entire wall seemed to thrum with shared purpose.

When the speech ended, Old Humphrey raised a clenched fist high above his head.

”For humanity!”

The roar that answered him shook the stones beneath their feet. Grey and Reynolds raised their own fists with the rest, voices joining the thunderous cry.

”For humanity!”

****

Author’s Note: Hey guys, this will be the first extra Chapter we’ll be getting after getting 50 golden tickets. I was feeling really demoralized, but after getting to 50 golden tickets I was motivated to write, so please vote for extra Chapters and to encourage me, I really need it!

The book’s visibility has reduced significantly due to my prolonged absence and I really need each and every one of your help to get it back on track. Vote, comment, and engage the book, each interaction is greatly appreciated by me and I’ll do my best to any any questions you have regarding the book going forward. Also, henceforth you’ll notice fewer errors in the book since I’ve gotten an editor to help with that now.