Chapter 59: The Fifth Year
Chapter 59: The Fifth Year
The fifth year passed like a breath of wind—brief, yet heavy with transformation.
In that time, the world had changed beyond recognition.
For the long-lived Lifeforms, this five-year span might have been merely a blink, a fleeting moment. But for humans and the short-lived races, it marked a profound and irreversible shift. The landscape of their minds had been reshaped by the weight of the past, their world forever altered.
What had occurred in these five years?
First, the number of the Voidborn had steadily grown. Their presence was now everywhere—unavoidable, ever-expanding. Like the Faceless, the Soulless Humans, and other such creatures, they could spawn dozens of new bodies in a single night. Even the lesser creatures, the earthborn, were multiplying at an alarming rate. Their reproduction speed was staggering—within a year, they could overrun entire territories. This rapid growth was one of the most critical factors in their survival and dominance.
Too quickly, the Voidborn had become unable to fully contain themselves.
They could only extend outward—beyond their current bounds.
Now, the entire Azure Heights had become the "stage" and the "realm" of the Voidborn. The once-dominant Voidborn were now called by a new name—Voidlifeform.
The Great Earth Cores, once mysterious, had begun to develop their own complex history. They were not unlike the more civilized species, using machinery to harvest minerals and refine materials. They communicated through complex networks of underground flows, and even used the same deep-sea vents and subterranean currents to transmit signals. They monitored the surface with glowing eyes and cold, calculating gaze—just like the Voidborn.
The Great Earth Cores had also adopted this same method.
And so, the entire Azure Heights had become a living theater—a vast, interconnected system of life, power, and struggle.
The Great Earth Cores, in particular, had begun to emerge as dominant forces. They were not just passive observers. They had started to initiate the process of lifeform evolution—though only three Face forms had been observed thus far. These massive beings would become the foundation of future colonies and supply hubs.
Meanwhile, the primary focus of control remained on the Faceborn, the Faceless Humans, and the Soulless Humans.
With countless earthborn and Faceless Humans now entrenched beneath the surface, the Great Gloomfang had been established as a vast underground network. The source of this network was never-ending—gold veins, mineral-rich deposits, and precious ore flowed continuously into the depths.
These resources would be mined and distributed underground, refined into tools and weapons for the army. The minerals and ore, meanwhile, were stored within the Veil Chambers of the Red Lifeforms, serving as energy reserves.
Yet, this system remained fragile. As long as the supply of raw materials was abundant, and the storage facilities remained secure, the system would function. But if a single breach occurred, or if the resources dried up, the entire structure could collapse.
For this reason, the Faceless Humans and Soulless Humans were increasingly conscripted as laborers—managing the flow of resources, maintaining the tunnels, and guarding the veins.
During this period, the Master of the Voidborn remained the central figure—the one who oversaw every decision, every movement. Even the earthborn were under his watchful eye.
He was not a distant ruler. He was present in the field, overseeing operations, managing the flow of information, and sending reports directly to the Master.
Still, he maintained a sense of balance. The surface remained peaceful, untouched by violence. He ensured that the most basic needs of the Voidborn were met—the foundation of stability.
He waited for the arrival of the Master—for the moment when the Red Lifeform would be fully awakened. Only then would he act, only then would he send the signal to the others.
As for the lower races—the earthborn, Faceless Humans, and Faceborn—though their numbers were already vast, they continued to grow. Every day, new ones emerged. The entire system had become routine, automatic.
"Wait until the Master arrives. Then, his position will be secured."
—This was a common saying among the Faceborn, whispered in the dark.
Outside, the relationship between the Voidborn and humanity had also evolved—subtly, but significantly.
The Veilborn were now the true rulers of the surface. They wielded the Veil as a weapon, a tool, and a shield.
Using the Veil's form, they could project their presence—creating images, illusions, and even entire cities in the sky. The Veilborn had become the face of the Voidborn, the envoys of the unseen.
And yet, the Master himself—Ku Zhiye—remained a mystery.
He had not yet arrived.
The Master was still in the dark, waiting.
But he was not idle.
He had already begun to weave his plans.
He had taken control of the Veil Chambers, securing the energy reserves.
He had begun to manipulate the flow of information, the movement of resources, the fate of the surface.
He had even begun to influence the minds of the Red Lifeforms, using their own systems against them.
He was not just a master of the Voidborn.
He was a master of time itself.
For five years, he had been preparing—growing stronger, more cunning.
He had learned to manipulate the very fabric of reality.
And now, as the Red Lifeforms began to awaken, he would unleash the full power of the Veil Chambers.
In that moment, every Red Lifeform would resonate with the same frequency—shaking the earth, cracking the sky.
And as the Red Lifeforms stirred, the Great Mouths would rise from the depths—spitting out glowing, fiery light, burning the surface with their gaze.
The Earth Cores would awaken.
The world would tremble.
And the Master would finally step forward—into the light.
For the first time, the Faceborn would understand the true nature of "The Great Gloomfang"—not as a place, but as a force.
And Ku Zhiye?
He would be the one who held the keys.
The world was changing.
The fifth year had passed.
But the real battle had only just begun.
(End of Chapter)
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