Chu Hao's will was soon carried out.
With the help of Heaven Mountain's army, countless demon legions were sent to the front lines where the Zerg swarms raged.
Of course, "soon" here referred to several weeks at least.
After all, the scale of this war was enormous—beyond anything Chu Hao had ever experienced.
A war fought across the vast prototype of a multiverse meant that even a week or two was but a fleeting moment in the grand scope of it all.
This war would last for years, perhaps decades.
And every being involved already knew that.
Yet amid this endless stretch of time, one particular being began to lose her sense of it.
That being was the angel, Adeline.
And she could clearly feel—something about herself had changed.
Something was very wrong.
---
"Great Angel, we're scheduled to rendezvous with the Forty-Second Demon Legion and move to position XR-788."
Inside Adeline's flagship, she sat in her seat, eyes unfocused and expression dazed.
In front of her, her subordinate—one of the Heaven Army commanders—was delivering a detailed report on the current battle situation.
"We've completed sufficient reconnaissance of the XR-788 battlefield. Here's what we've found—please look at the display."
He tapped the screen beside him.
On it appeared countless Zerg eggs with gray, gradient markings, being laid in rapid succession from the swollen abdomens of dozens of broodmothers.
Inside each egg, larvae were developing at an astonishing rate—pushing the limits of biological growth.
Within minutes of being carried away by worker drones, these larvae would hatch into new Zerg, identical to their predecessors.
The newly hatched creatures would then be tossed into nutrient pools—large or small, depending on their intended function.
There, driven by instinct, they would extend the tendrils along their sides and absorb every trace of nutrients in the pools—down to the last drop.
Not eat—absorb.
Because in Zerg design, absorption was far more efficient than digestion.
Once the nutrients were drained, metamorphosis began.
Those that absorbed less became workers or basic combat drones.
Those that absorbed more evolved into new broodmothers or hive minds.
And the rare ones that absorbed massive amounts—whose bodies began to crystallize—would become "super Zerg," beings beyond legendary, even touching demigod levels.
Each super Zerg could unleash terrifying power, leading vast swarms to annihilate all who dared resist.
"Your Grace," said the commander, "you can see behind the XR-788 frontline—there are many mature broodmothers there. They are our primary targets!"
"These broodmothers are replenishing the fallen Zerg at a rate of hundreds per second."
"If we can destroy this position, the pressure on several nearby warzones will drop significantly!"
The commander continued his meticulous tactical briefing, even explaining how they would exploit the "cannon-fodder nature" of the demons to minimize Heaven's own losses.
To him, it didn't matter how strong the demons were.
They were still expendable—hideous, repulsive creatures who could never compare to the pure and glorious Heaven Army led by angels.
This wasn't about strength—it was about status.
"When those demons clash with the Zerg—"
He stopped abruptly.
The commander had just noticed something troubling.
The angel sitting before him wasn't listening at all.
In fact, Adeline's eyes were closed, her hand resting under her chin, lips slightly curved upward—like she was... asleep.
"..."
The commander dared not voice his thoughts.
Angels were sacred—far above beings like him.
He had been taught from birth that angels were divine, holy entities, and that mortals like him were unworthy of judging them.
Still—
"...Hrrr... hrrr..."
The soft sound of snoring reached his ears.
His face twitched.
"Ahem!"
The commander cleared his throat loudly, jolting Adeline awake.
"Ah—ah! I wasn't asleep! Continue!" she said quickly, eyes wide.
The commander, his face blank, resumed his report, though Adeline was only half-listening.
"I don't know what's wrong with me lately," she thought. "I feel… lazy. Too lazy."
"And worse, it's getting stronger. I actually fell asleep during a briefing from a mortal subordinate! That's shameful! Angels are supposed to embody diligence!"
She discreetly pinched her thigh, trying to snap herself awake.
But then, another realization hit her—one far worse.
"Wait… Adeline, think! What were you dreaming about just now?! Oh heavens, how shameful!"
Suddenly flustered, she waved a hand at the commander.
"Your battle plan is fine. Proceed as you've outlined. You may go."
The commander blinked in surprise, then bowed deeply and left with his aides.
When the room was empty, Adeline finally exhaled heavily, breathing in deep, nervous gasps.
Like any sentient being, angels had rest cycles. They could dream.
Normally, their minds were fixed upon holy thoughts—visions of Heaven's teachings or divine revelations.
But her dream had been… different.
She had dreamt of herself surrounded by endless darkness,
entwined with chaotic, black mist—
and feeling pleasure.