Once all of the Hayes clan's corps entered the battlefield, the situation on the planet immediately reversed—at least on the surface.
These Hayes warriors, equipped with superior combat gear and an indomitable fighting spirit, effortlessly pushed back the demon forces on every front.
Every battlefield where both sides clashed was turned into scorched earth under their combined firepower.
Neither the Hayes' heavy weaponry nor the demons' Abyssal magic were things the natural world could endure.
The demons' Abyssal magic, when unleashed, instinctively disrupts the rules and environment of the world.
Even their corpses, after death, release pollutants that completely Abyssalize the land and rivers.
As for the Hayes' own damage to the world—no need to elaborate.
Their heavy weapons and mana-based technology alone were capable of obliterating the very essence of the world.
Importantly, their ammunition might even outnumber the demons'!
On the battlefield, many demons were turned to ash by heavy artillery before they even saw the enemy.
Under such overwhelming firepower, the Hayes clan gained unprecedented advantages on all fronts.
---
"Commander, the situation on Front 3 has been updated. The Poison Sore Corps successfully repelled the enemy and is now counterattacking…"
"Commander, Front 16's update: the Exterminator Corps has advanced thirty kilometers, approaching the edge of the black lands…"
"Commander, on Front 7, the Deathbringer Corps has engaged the enemy—over thirty peak-level legendary foes have been killed…"
"Commander, the Great Scientist Corps has fully assembled and is heading toward Front 9…"
Reports flew in like snowflakes.
Seeing these reports, the commander's expression relaxed considerably.
He turned to the magical map.
On the map, the black representing the demons had mostly disappeared, while the purple representing the Hayes clan had advanced significantly.
The gap between the sides needed no explanation.
"As expected, these damned twisted creatures simply cannot withstand the power of mana and technology," the commander mused.
At that moment, several researchers approached, handing him a new report.
The commander frowned upon seeing its title.
"What is this?" he asked, his blue-purple eyes fixed on them.
A researcher replied emotionlessly:
"This is a casualty report, sir."
"A report on soldiers experiencing psychological imbalance on the battlefield."
The commander's anger flared.
"Don't you people understand we're at the most critical stage? Countless regions need conquering, countless troops need support, every corps is suffering heavy casualties—every single one!"
"Sir, I understand, but…"
The researcher's cold tone only fueled the commander's anger.
"Through scientific calculation, we discovered a terrifying fact: as this war continues, more and more soldiers are developing various psychological issues!"
"Psychological issues?"
The commander calmed slightly.
"You mean the chemical agents suppressing soldiers' emotions have lost effect?"
Every Hayes soldier, regardless of rank, is periodically injected with a chemical compound infused with "divine blessing."
This agent significantly reduces emotional fluctuations for a set period.
Soldiers with reduced emotional volatility maintain maximum calm even in the harshest conditions.
Such soldiers could sustain high morale for a week under catastrophic conditions without breaking.
However, note that the term is *significant reduction*, not complete elimination—and the true "maximum" is still uncertain.
In real life-or-death combat, many Hayes soldiers still experience massive emotional swings, resulting in incidents including fleeing, attacking officers, or even defecting.
"No, sir. We dissected many soldiers sent back due to extreme emotional fluctuations. Surprisingly, the chemical levels in their bodies remain normal."
"This result indicates they are rational, and…"
"We have reason to suspect it's because…"
"Enough!" the commander interrupted, flipping open the report.
Seeing the overwhelming data, he groaned, waving his hand, and shouted at the researcher:
"I'm not a damn scientist! Now—immediately—"
"Explain in the simplest terms what's happening!"
The researcher fell silent—long enough for the commander to nearly explode…
"The soldiers on the battlefield are undergoing a collective, unconscious mental collapse."
"Many soldiers—even you, sir—are becoming increasingly irritable, impulsive, and bloodthirsty."
"Some, in extreme cases, have performed blasphemous acts in front of everyone, loudly claiming to perceive another approaching evil world."
"And these incidents are increasing exponentially as the war drags on."
…
The commander went silent.
He realized the researcher was correct.
Since first encountering these monsters, he had felt his own emotions growing "richer," less coldly controlled.
Just moments ago, he had lost control, snapping at a researcher over a routine report.
"I can't make sense of these messy reports! Tell me directly—how did this happen?"
"And what should we do?"
The researcher calmly replied:
"End the war as quickly as possible, sir."
"Before the soldiers completely collapse, finish this war at maximum speed."
The commander turned to the map, looking at the arrows representing the Hayes clan.
After a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and issued a new order:
"Tell all troops at the front: aside from essential defense, every unit must join the offensive!"
"Tell them they must advance and finish this war—fast."
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the base, a four-armed demon lay on an operating table, being dissected, whispering to the Hayes researchers observing it.
One researcher, with the weakest mental fortitude, was already pale, covering his head and futilely trying to block the whispers.