The engagements conducted by the Steel Legion proceeded with exceptional difficulty.
Particularly without Lelith's intervention, and with the Hrud and Kroot forces operating without restrictions against deploying planet-killer ordnance and advanced atomic weaponry.
The tactically compromised Hrud and Kroot vessels, protected by void shields, though proximity rendered deployment somewhat hazardous, nevertheless managed to withstand primary shockwave effects and activated maximum weapons systems.
Excepting Celestine, who could resist through her unshackled Emperor's Light, the remaining Steel Legion personnel, having only recently activated their gene-enhancement protocols, progressively demonstrated tactical disadvantage.
All four engagement zones deteriorated into protracted, attritional conflicts. While monitoring combat operations, Kei redirected attention toward his system interface.
[Career: Dimensional Demon God]
{Rainbow: Wanderer of Countless Worlds, Primordial Realm Lord}
{Red: Destiny Chronometer, Divine Entertainment Competition},
{Purple: The Strong Don't Die by the Knife, Planet Devourer}]
[Demon God's Proxy (1/3): Kocho Kanae]
[Trait Extraction: 2]
[Trait Duplication: 1]
Kei considered [The Strong Don't Die by the Knife] momentarily, but ultimately directed the purple Trait Upgrading toward [Planet Devourer], which offered significant power amplification.
The stronger you get, the easier you are to be chopped down.
And he already had no limit on lifespan.
Strategic patience remained advisable.
[Planet Devourer (Purple) into Supernova Devourer (Red)]
[Supernova Devourer (Red):
Can absorb the energy from stellar explosions, cosmic black holes, and any similarly destructive force to power itself, greatly increasing its energy capacity limit. If internal energy is below advanced cosmic level, all energy will be converted into advanced cosmic energy. Absorption and conversion efficiency drastically increased. Trait levels up after absorbing one unit of stellar energy.]
Within Kei's physiological structure, the previous capacity limitation of 26 planetary energy units began expanding at exponential rates.
The comprehensive energy within the Primordial Realm similarly expanded rapidly.
As though quantitative accumulation had triggered qualitative transformation. The vital essence within him, previously flowing with galactic patterns, now aggressively consolidated and compressed, manifesting blinding luminescence.
Sequential energy crystallization, comparable to microscopic particulates, initiated formation.
Eventually permeating the entire Primordial Realm!
Since previous enhancement, the realm, originally dimensioned to contain Terra, had merely doubled spatially, yet its dimensional integrity and density increased by an order of magnitude.
(Dimensional world Primordial Realm upgraded: Energy intensity increased, hyperdimensional AI engine computational speed enhanced. Current core calculation speed: 800 frequency.)
(Dimensional world refinement improved: Slight enhancements to various concepts and special effects; capable of higher-order simulations.)
(Dimensional Source Rules incomplete: Recommended to acquire Power Stone, Reality Stone, Mind Stone, and Soul Stone for replication and completion.)
Has this transitioned from dimensional space to comprehensive universal manifestation?
He contemplated while recognizing the tenfold amplification in internal energy capacity, focusing on the notification.
He possessed neither the Time Stone nor the Space Stone.
Perhaps his comprehension of temporal and spatial mechanics, combined with [Wanderer of Countless Worlds], now enabled rudimentary universal operational maintenance?
"I'll try it after I return," he muttered to himself.
He had provisionally entrusted the Time Stone to Wong before transiting to the Warhammer universe.
That thing had a massive impact on the Marvel Universe.
Who knows what might happen to the native Marvel timeline if he took it away. After all, he only meant to leave for a few days.
But when he got back, time might be messed up, and several years may have passed in the Marvel Universe.
Concurrently, the four environmental configurations had been systematically devastated by excessive weapons deployment while Kei focused on personal enhancement.
Authentic combat experience invariably surpasses simulated engagement for developmental purposes.
Confronting advanced xenotech weaponry, despite power armor mitigating primary damage, Steel Legion personnel sustained critical injuries, approaching mortality thresholds. Their gene-enhancement protocols remained in preliminary activation stages.
Far from optimal functionality.
As temporal progression continued, all four engagement zones demonstrated increasingly desperate tactical situations. The Steel Legion contingent, excluding Celestine, whose genetic restrictions remained incompletely addressed, approached complete tactical defeat!
Confronting terminal engagement parameters, Imperial forces maintain two strategic options: Breakthrough or termination!
At this critical juncture, no Steel Legion personnel selected termination. As they vocalized defiance against tactical failure and advanced toward hostile elements, Kei, having reestablished situational awareness, discreetly employed [Divine Entertainment Competition] capability to enhance their combat effectiveness by 1%.
Under standard operational parameters, such minimal enhancement would remain imperceptible. Individuals with marginally reduced sensitivity might register no effect.
However, at this critical threshold, even such minimal enhancement proved sufficient to transcend developmental limitations.
Each combatant began physiological transformation.
Within life-extinction engagement parameters, they developed enhanced capabilities.
Galactic Force, Commissar classification... Energy intensity increased by 300%, Fallen Form fully activated, Warp Ability control increased fourfold, Emperor's Wrath control increased fivefold... Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveI~Fire.net
Kei examined the analytical data provided by the Labyrinthian Circuit with evident appreciation.
Being close to death was a terrifying thing.
For Steel Legion personnel, this constituted their first authentic engagement, confronting comprehensive tactical operations by Hrud and Kroot forces.
It clearly exceeded their operational parameters. Yet ultimately, through sheer determination, they withstood overwhelming opposition, completely neutralizing the Hrud and Kroot vessels.
Thus, the trial reached conclusion.
When the contingent rematerialized outside Solenfar Outpost, only Celestine maintained vertical posture, everyone else had collapsed to the ground.
Lieutenant Voss exhibited comprehensive injuries, his left upper appendage distorted at 90-degree angle, with compound fracture visibly protruding.
Captain Sicarius resembled thermally processed aquatic organism, his dermal layer carbonized and destroyed by advanced atomic weaponry, exposing subcutaneous muscular tissue.
Though his Fallen Form had initiated cellular regeneration, insufficient bioenergetic reserves rendered recovery processes suboptimal.
Commissar Yarrick had experienced complete follicular destruction, all dermal projections eliminated.
One optical organ remained firmly compressed, vital fluid adhering to orbital margin, as he struggled for respiratory function while expressing disoriented satisfaction toward the celestial canopy.
Tech-priest Datius, Sister Miriya, the Inquisitor, Inquisitor Greyfax, and others displayed comparable injury patterns.
The unrestricted destructive capability demonstrated by Hrud and Kroot forces substantially exceeded their operational limitations in canonical narrative.
Kei provided physical acknowledgment.
The Labyrinthian Circuit activated, synchronizing with Warp and Anti-Warp conceptual frameworks. Within minimal chronological parameters,
All personnel injuries underwent complete remediation.
"Normally, according to my rules, the victor of the trial would receive a reward. But your situation is special, so I bent the rules a little. As for your spoils of war, I've placed them outside the village, you can go gather people to collect them yourselves."
As he concluded communication, the structural remnants of the Hrud and Kroot vessels materialized upon the unoccupied terrestrial expanse beyond Solenfar Outpost.
"Emperor's throne! This... my acquisition? Combat salvage? I..."
Commissar Yarrick established vertical posture, observing the enormous accumulation of xenos vessel components with emotional moisture threatening optical function.
Such materials represented incalculable value!
"Your operational space... sustained substantial damage." Celestine maintained awkward positioning.
The Demon God Trial environment had previously contained numerous architectural structures, now completely obliterated following engagement.
"It'll recover on its own." Kei chuckled and waved casually.
As the damage represented conceptual-level source annihilation, the environment could rapidly reconstruct. Without fundamental mass alteration, energy expenditure remained negligible.
"Gratitude is expressed." Captain Sicarius maintained horizontal positioning, demonstrating reluctance toward mobility.
His facial structure, now exhibiting initial indications of psychological conditioning, conveyed profound appreciation.
During maximum tactical disadvantage, he had distinctly registered ethereal contact upon his shoulder, granting exceptional combat capability.
Nearby, Commissar Yarrick, Lieutenant Voss, Tech-priest Datius, and others similarly articulated gratitude.
"While my moral parameters may demonstrate imperfection, they maintain positive alignment. Should operational support be required, communication is welcomed!"
"Affirmative assessment! Honor dictates compliance—our service remains available!"