BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

The Chimaeric Demons were in a heated discussion, talking about battle formations and defense strategies through their communication systems.

Right at that moment, the clones kept a form between human and wyvern—a hybrid state that merged both aspects.

Their bodies mixed human and reptilian features in a practical way—black scales covered some areas while human skin remained in others. Their faces showed a blend of both forms, with reptilian eyes and forked tongues alongside human features and a mix of fangs and regular teeth.

This hybrid form let them speak normally instead of just using Erik’s instability.

Yet despite all they had gone through, voices betrayed clear signs of worry.

"They’re gaining on us," a clone said. "At their current speed, they’ll reach the undead within minutes." Enjoy new chapters from NovelBin.Côm

"We should prepare for combat," another said.

The clone said it with so much resignation that it felt as if every ounce of hope had been drained from their existence, leaving behind only a hollow echo of acceptance. The clone had already accepted the inevitability of the coming battle.

In truth, he wasn’t wrong about feeling that way. The unknown flying thaids chased them for at least one hour. Erik tried to stay at a distance, but these things were much faster than he and the Chimaeric Demons were.

However, Erik decided against sending a group of clones to intercept them. The thaids were complete unknowns—their strength levels, abilities, and combat capabilities were all mysteries. Sending clones would not only waste valuable forces, but could also weaken their defensive might. With no tactical advantage to gain, splitting his forces now would just be an error.

Erik felt the ripple of emotions going on among the clones, and even himself, through instability, of course.

They felt determination, fear, rage, but also desperation. Everyone’s thoughts switched between staying strong and worrying about what could happen. Yet, despite the fear gnawing at them, there was also a stubborn refusal to give up, a silent promise to fight until their last breath.

[At least tell me you have a plan,] the biological supercomputer said. It knew what Erik was thinking, but they got into the habit of talking as if they didn’t.

<I’m working on it,> Erik said, watching the undead scouts’ formations through the eyes of his clones’ memories grow more scattered as the pursuing thaids gained ground. <I don’t think we will be able to avoid them for long.>

[Well, that’s a cheerful assessment. Any other good news you’d like to share?]

<Not helping.>

[Sorry. But seriously, we need options. You are right—combat is inevitable at this point. The question is whether we face them on our terms or theirs.]

<What would our terms be? We are sitting ducks.> Erik considered their situation. <If we turn and fight, we risk everything without knowing what we’re up against. If we keep running, we’ll eventually tire and be forced to fight anyway, probably in worse conditions. There’s also the small matter of what’s below us. The longer we stay over these waters, the more likely something decides to join the party from underneath.>

Erik paused. <I know what you are thinking. It would be best if we sent some clones to intercept the creatures and stall them for a while. But splitting our forces now would be suicide. We need every clone if we’re going to survive whatever’s chasing us, and we don’t even know if this strategy will work. The clones might get there just to be wiped in minutes, and we would only be weakened.>

"I see them!" another clone said, breaking Erik’s and the system’s flow of conversation.

As one, the Chimaeric Demons turned their heads back. Even Erik did. The difference was that his neck wasn’t exactly made to turn like the clones did. In the distance, he saw the dark mass of creatures following them appear.

Like a swarm of locusts devouring everything in their path, the flock of flying thaids filled the horizon and made the water below churn because of the beat of their wings.

"Shit…"

[You know, if you keep staring at them like that, they won’t magically disappear,] the biological supercomputer said, trying to lighten the mood.

<This isn’t the time for jokes.>

[Actually, it’s exactly the time for jokes. Your stress is affecting the clones through instability. They can feel your fear, and it’s making them more anxious.]

Erik forced himself to look away from the approaching swarm. <How can you be so calm about this?>

[Because panic never solved anything, and you’ve faced worse odds before.]

<Those were different situations.>

[Were they? Each time you were outnumbered, outgunned, and facing unknown enemies. Yet here you are, still alive and significantly stronger.]

Erik remained silent, thinking about the system’s words.

[Besides,] the system said, [we have fifty thousand Chimaeric Demons, each with multiple brain crystal powers. They aren’t just clones—they’re your creations, warriors who’ve survived battles that would have broken lesser beings.]

<I don’t think we are strong enough…>

[You have to be strong now. Your clones are capable fighters—they’ll show what they can do when backed into a corner. Remember how you’ve handled tough spots before—you adapt, you find ways through; you overcome. The clones are not so different from you.]

The system’s practical words cut through Erik’s anxiety. Though the swarm of enemies still dominated the horizon, his mind shifted from fear to strategic planning.

"Erik, let me take a look," Emily said, adjusting her scope.

Through the optics, the creatures came into horrifying focus. Each beast was enormous, easily twice the size of a bull, with leathery wings that stretched wider than a cargo truck.

Their bodies were covered in overlapping plates of chitinous armor, midnight black with an oily sheen that seemed to absorb the sunlight. Multiple rows of spines ran down their elongated backs, vibrating with each powerful wingbeat.

What made Emily’s breath catch was their heads—each creature had three of them on serpentine necks, weaving and twisting independently like snakes.

Each head had six glowing orange eyes. When the creatures opened their mouths, Emily saw countless sharp teeth curved backward—perfect for snagging apart their victims.

"Oh, my god…" Emily said. Those monsters were enough to make her tremble.

"What?"

"If..." Emily swallowed hard. "If they’re half as strong as they are terrifying, we’re done for."

Erik tried to keep his composure. The system did its best to cheer him up, and now Emily was ruining it. But he couldn’t blame her. After all, he was feeling as scared as she was.

"What do we do, master?" A clone asked.

Erik weighed their options. At that point, there wasn’t much they could do but do as the system suggested until that point. The first was to send the undead ahead as a delaying force. This would give his main group more time to escape, but ultimately wouldn’t prevent the flying creatures from catching up, since Mur was still several hours away. Besides, splitting his forces would weaken their overall defensive capability.

An alternative would be keeping the undead close as shields. The Chimaeric Demons could then strike from behind them while the undead took the hits.

The creatures let out a terrifying mix of sounds—a metallic screech combined with a deep roar. All the other creatures joined in, creating an awful shriek that was so scary it made everyone break into a cold sweat.

Erik looked below.

The ocean stretched endlessly, its dark surface most likely full of deadly creatures. There was nowhere to hide, nowhere to take cover.

<We can only go forward,> he said, watching as the distance between them and their pursuers decreased. Erik could not be indecisive.

"Move the undead to the rear," Erik said. "Prepare for combat."

The Chimaeric Demons moved the rotting creatures into a defensive screen behind the main formation.

It didn’t take much for the monsters to reach them, and Erik’s breath caught in his throat. Emily was right. Those things were ugly.

Erik knew he had to act now, before the battle started. Going into a fight without intelligence was the gravest mistake one could make. He needed to understand these monsters—their nature, their strength, and the extent of their brain crystal powers.

Erik’s analysis interface activated. Numbers, measurements, and detailed readings began streaming across his view as the system gathered data about the creatures.

—[Analysis]—

-Name: Three-Headed Void Ravager

-Physical Description: Massive flying predator, approximately 4 meters long with a 12-meter wingspan. Body covered in overlapping chitinous plates with midnight black coloration and oily sheen. Three serpentine heads on independent necks, each featuring six amber-glowing eyes and multiple rows of backward-curving teeth. Prominent spinal ridges running the length of the body.

- Brain Crystal Powers:

Draining Field (A96B): Projects an energy-draining field that weakens nearby opponents, reducing their physical capabilities and mana reserves. Effect strengthens with proximity.

Void Breath (A66B): Releases concentrated dark matter that corrodes both organic and inorganic materials. Multiple heads can coordinate attacks for devastating effect.

{Attributes}

-STRENGTH: 808

-INTELLIGENCE: 20

-DEXTERITY: 630

-ENERGY: 1767

{Others}

-Power Level: 1736

- Estimated Experience per kill: 464,800,445.02 @@novelbin@@

—[End]—

"Fuck…"

The statistics were terrifying. These creatures were much stronger than any single Chimaeric Demon—even stronger than Erik. Just looking at how much experience points they’d give if killed showed how incredibly powerful they were.

But killing them was going to be almost impossible, especially considering that with their draining field, the creatures were going to weaken Erik and the rest of the Chimaeric Demons.

That wasn’t the only problem. The creatures had two brain crystal powers, and all of them had more than 54 neural links.