Exactly ten minutes later, just like Kierra had said, the preparations were complete.

The Forgotten Heroes team quickly boarded the aircraft, accompanied by Captain Joshua, who would serve only as an overseer for this mission.

The aircraft was spacious enough for all twelve of them to sit comfortably.

For communication, they wore simple headgear—nothing else for protection. But with Captain Joshua aboard, they all felt slightly more at ease.

Surely, if something went wrong, Captain Joshua would be able to handle it.

Raizel had no choice but to rely on that belief.

Though, if things got truly desperate, he could use his Anti-Magic Sword and Spear telepathically to levitate or protect himself in a pinch.

As he pondered this, the magically empowered aircraft roared to life with a low hum from its energy thrusters.

The hangar gate on the 10th floor began to open wide automatically.

< Warning! Team Forgotten Heroes, please wait for clearance! >

< Clearance confirmed. You may proceed. >

"Alright… Sit tight, guys!" Kierra called out as she pulled up the controls.

Then, with a powerful whoosh, the aircraft lifted off the platform and surged into the skies, heading beyond the limits of Megacity 17.

The view from the top was nothing sort of breathtaking. Towering skyscrapers and massive, proud structures shrank beneath their feet like miniature models.

Raizel gazed out the window, quietly taking it all in. He truly enjoyed the moment.

The feeling of soaring through the skies—it stirred something inside him. One day, he wanted to experience this sensation on his own, without relying on technology. Just him, the wind, and the sky.

The others were equally excited, enjoying the smooth ride that Kierra was handling with ease and grace.

Raizel couldn't help but admire her a bit.

Not only was Kierra a skilled fighter, but she was also an extraordinary pilot. No ordinary person could operate an aircraft like this with such precision.

The role of a pilot wasn't just a supporting position, it was also crucial. Flying through the skies was a privilege only a few could afford or master. In missions, pilots played a vital role in transportation, evasion, and support.

And if the pilot happened to be a talented player too… that was nothing short of amazing.

Soon, the aircraft approached the very edge of Megacity 17.

Everyone's eyes widened in awe at the sight: a massive, transparent energy dome that enclosed the entire city like a protective membrane.

However, to their surprise, the aircraft passed right through it without resistance.

Looking back, they saw the full scope of the Mega City's structure.

Towering support pillars—tens of meters tall—held up the entire platform. Each was reinforced with pulsating magical energy, glowing faintly against the sky.

It was a breathtaking sight.

For someone like Raizel, who had memories of a much simpler world in his past life, this level of advancement was almost beyond comprehension.

A city suspended high above ground, protected by magic, powered by forces beyond imagination—truly, a marvel of magical civilization.

But compared to truly advanced magical civilizations, this was nothing.

As the aircraft soared beyond the Megacity's protective dome, it passed over a barren wasteland, where traces of natural habitat or greenery were almost nonexistent.

It was a bleak sight.

The land below was cracked and weathered, stripped of vitality—scarred by the long-lasting effects of war and continuous invasions.

A heavy silence settled over the aircraft's interior.

Inside the Megacity, life thrived in abundance: vibrant, advanced, and full of light. But out here… it was a vast, lifeless expanse. No trees. No grass. Not even birds or animals in sight.

It was like a scene torn straight from a post-apocalyptic world.

Nevertheless, the AeroCraft pressed forward, flying steadily for over thirty minutes before nearing its destination.

"We're here!" Captain Joshua announced from the front.

As the aircraft slowed, a hum of energy vibrated through the floor. Everyone instinctively began their preparations.

They summoned their gear—protective vests woven with enchantments, a variety of melee and ranged magical weapons, and most importantly, potions for recovery and temporary boosts.

Raizel watched the others prepare their equipment with interest. Only now did he realize how lacking his own preparation was in comparison.

Following the team outside, he stepped onto the flat, dusty ground as the aircraft landed behind them with a gentle thud.

"Huh? Where's your weapon, Raizel?" Yuan asked, adjusting his magical gauntlet. Judging by his gear, he was clearly a melee fighter—likely the tank of their group, although his frame wasn't as bulky as Garret's.

The others glanced over with mild curiosity.

In response, Raizel casually summoned his Convergence Spear.

Its gleaming, snow-white surface and razor-sharp edge immediately caught everyone's attention.

"Wow! You've got such a beautiful spear, Raizel," Maestro commented, genuinely impressed. He was holding a sleek baton-like weapon, faintly glowing with suppressed energy.

"Indeed. It's beautiful… and deadly as well," Raizel said with a smirk, spinning the spear with ease and confidence.

"Ehh? When did you get a magical weapon, Raizel?" Kierra asked, eyeing the spear with interest while flipping a dagger skillfully between her fingers.

"Just recently," Raizel replied with a shrugging tone.

At that moment, Captain Joshua narrowed his eyes and said,

"Your weapon... it's not simple."

Raizel's heart skipped a beat at the Captain's sharp observation. Still, he kept a calm expression, silently reminding himself to be more careful around high-ranking members. If they discovered what his weapon could truly do, he might land himself in serious trouble.

While he wasn't sure if others could access the weapon's hidden ability, if someone did manage to use it—or analyze it properly—they might uncover its antimagic property.

Thankfully, Captain Joshua didn't press further. Instead, he turned toward the distance and spoke in a firm tone,

"Alright, enough chatter. Look over there. The Gate will be opening soon. Get into formation. And remember—I will not intervene in your battle unless absolutely necessary."

At his command, Maestro stepped forward, leading the group toward a large, flickering gate that pulsed with chaotic lightning, as if barely containing the storm within.

"Captain, can't we just destroy the Gate before they come out?" Navarna suddenly called from the back.

Captain Joshua looked at her blankly for a moment before sighing.

"No. We can't. Just focus on what's ahead of you. Don't underestimate them."

--

12:00 PM, East Ridge Zone

Under the scalding summer sun, Raizel and Yuan stood at the front of the formation, positioned directly in front of the Gate. The others stood at their designated spots, spaced strategically around the area, ready for combat.

Behind them, Maestro stood with his signature elegance, already playing a hauntingly powerful melody on his violin. The sound wasn't just music—it was magic.

Shimmering, colorful notes formed above their heads, slowly descending like glowing petals. As the musical aura wrapped around them, everyone felt the effects instantly—clearer minds, sharper senses, and a noticeable boost in physical strength.

Raizel exchanged a glance with Yuan, both clearly impressed.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, the portal before them surged with energy, pulsing like a heartbeat. The swirling vortex crackled with violent lightning.

"They're coming, Fellow Daoist!" Yuan shouted with a grin, his voice full of battle spirit.

With that, he clapped his gauntlets together in a praying gesture, eyes closed.

Then, with a flash of energy, his body transformed. His muscles expanded rapidly, his frame growing more imposing. His gauntlets roared to life, coated in a shimmering layer of magical energy that rippled with power.

Raizel gripped his spear tightly, not wanting to be left behind.

He was ready.

Earlier, he attempted to cast Antimagic Field on the portal, hoping to disrupt its structure. But it barely had any effect. His antimagic energy reserves were too limited, and his spell mastery wasn't strong enough yet.

If I want to stop these things from forming… I'll need stronger spells and way more stamina.

For now, he had no choice but to fight.

Moments later, a figure emerged from the rippling blue portal.

Whoosh!

Without hesitation, Yuan bolted forward, the ground trembling beneath his thunderous steps.

The invader—an elf with long, pointed ears—twitched as if sensing something. His eyes locked onto the approaching giant and widened in disbelief.

"H-How—?"

That was the first and last thought he had.

Bang!

A heavy blow from Yuan's gauntlet smashed through his skull, sending blood and fragments flying.

"Excellent!" Captain Joshua called from the side, clearly impressed by the raw, aggressive style. "Don't give them time to breathe!"

Raizel's gaze shifted to the stream of enemies pouring out of the portal. They all had humanoid features, but with pointed long ears, lean builds, flawless beauty, and wore green, leaf-stitched armor.

They were elves.

"Raizel… attack!" Maestro's voice rang from behind, laced with urgency and rhythm.

Raizel nodded and charged forward to join Yuan in battle.

It was his first time seeing real elves and now he had to kill them.

Weren't elves supposed to be the purest, most peaceful race?

But reality... seemed very different.

Puchi!

His spear pierced cleanly through an elven warrior's chest before it could finish casting a spell.

The weapon drained the elf's magical force instantly—but Raizel restrained the flow just enough to keep the elf's body intact, at least from the outside.

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