At the bottom of the Endless Abyss…
The very source of all corruption…
"This is truly a peculiar creature…"
Chu Hao observed the bodies of dozens of Hayes soldiers before him, speaking softly.
"According to textbook classifications, this species can indeed be categorized as a dark race."
Streams of Chu Hao's divine fire flowed into the Hayes soldiers, parsing their life data and presenting it to him for analysis.
"However, the body structure of this Hayes soldier seems completely different from ordinary dark creatures."
"Their bloodlines are relatively stable, maintaining viable life forms, but their internal organs have mutated beyond recognition."
With a few gestures, Chu Hao summoned the image of a fully deformed organ before his eyes.
"Their organs—especially the lungs and stomach—have clearly undergone countless mutations."
"The appearance resembles what would happen to organs exposed long-term to environments full of chemicals and radiation—completely distorted."
A glint of curiosity appeared in Chu Hao's eyes.
In the next moment, the soldier's lungs were dissected and displayed in detail.
Chu Hao frowned at the chaotic mass before him.
A tangle of disordered tissue, the lungs were no longer functional in any conventional sense—a bizarre mesh of useless tissue and tumors.
He had never seen normal lungs mutate to such an extent.
"Logically, such lungs should have lost functionality long ago—or at least drastically reduced it."
"Even for demons—whose biology defies conventional rules—internal organs prioritize function over chaos."
"Yet judging from their previous performance, they appear unaffected by these abnormalities."
The conflicting nature of these organs puzzled Chu Hao.
"Next, the brain and eyes of the Hayes soldier…"
He extended his hand, bringing the data of their brain and eyes before him.
"For some reason, these organs show no signs of mutation."
"On the contrary, due to a certain cursed magic, they exhibit beneficial mutations, enhancing intelligence and perception."
"If the other organs were naturally distorted by the environment, then the brains and eyes were deliberately protected by a powerful entity."
"But what kind of world environment could produce creatures like these rodent-like beings in such a form?"
"Or… why would a hidden entity use cursed magic to specifically protect their cognition and vision?"
After a pause, Chu Hao pulled a Hayes soldier's soul forward.
"Ignite its soul!" he commanded.
Divine fire enveloped the soul, burning it completely.
From the ashes emerged a single gray thread.
Chu Hao grabbed the thread—it contained traces of divine power, embedded like a parasite within every Hayes soul.
To him, this was less a seed of faith and more a trademark left by a god within its creation's soul.
Some unknown form of divinity had imprinted a unique mark within its creation—only a true god could achieve such a feat.
But the most troubling revelation was:
"If these threads are real…"
"…then there is a terrifying truth: a world within the secret realms has naturally given rise to a god."
"And at least a mid-tier deity at that!"
"How is that even possible?"
---
"Do not retreat!"
"We must hold this position until the last soldier falls!"
"We need to cover the Brain-Eater Squad until they safely reach the forward base!"
"Fire!"
A Hayes officer gripped a massive mana-powered grenade launcher, shouting at a regiment of soldiers while launching grenades toward the distant demon positions.
The explosions that followed unleashed unimaginable destruction across the blackened battlefield.
Any minor demon caught in the blasts was instantly obliterated.
Even sub-legendary demons suffered grievous injuries and temporary incapacitation.
Yet, the officer's attention was fixed elsewhere—on a special squad unlike the ordinary soldiers in appearance or armor.
They were not merely warriors but a blend of scientists, magicians, alchemists, and divine practitioners.
They were loading a four-armed legendary demon, trapped in a magical array and screaming, into a massive military vehicle.
Its destination: the forward base, several hundred kilometers away.
Similar scenes played out across Hayes' positions—vehicles transporting demons, Abyssal creatures, Abyssal flora, and blackened earth samples raced toward the base.
Not only was Chu Hao attempting to understand the Hayes, but the Hayes themselves, sensing the extraordinary nature of the demons, were using technology, alchemy, and magic to study the Endless Abyss and its creations.
This was not merely a battle between species—it was a clash of worlds.
A death duel between two deities.