The Dawn of the New World

Hao Xuan walked over to the Death Mold and took the light from its leafy embrace to point it towards the sea of shadow beasts blocking his path.

"How long will the charge last on the battery?"

"Approximately two hours if you depart within the next five minutes."

"It took me what, 8 hours to get here? How am I gonna make it back in two?"

"There is no other option. The only way out is through them."

The entire mountain was beginning to splinter and pull apart so it was only a matter of time before the land Hao Xuan was standing on would be gone too. And if the material plane didn't collapse in on itself then the monstrous beast trying to come through the shadow world would lay everything to waste nearby.

"That's...easier said than done. These shadow beasts are not that strong but there is no end to them. And what happens if I run into one of the big ones I saw on the way over? It will be impossible to fight them alone."

"The alternative is death. There is a 17% chance of success if the host attempts to run back but if you choose to stay then this place will be your grave without a doubt."

Hao Xuan sneered at his attempt, "Look at you trying to sound so human. I guess some somethings scare even you huh?"

"Negative. The system is unable to feel primitive emotions such as fear. The top priority has always been the host's well-being. It is imperative that you depart without delay."

"I know and I will. It's just...I have to say goodbye first."

"Goodbye? A useless human sentimen-"

"Shut up."

He turned towards the area where all the Orcs were buried first. There was no reason to keep a low profile anymore so he spoke loudly and proudly, even though none of them could hear him anymore.

"I have let you down! I promised you a better future, a better life than what you had in those caves where I first met you. But I have failed, I know that now I cannot blame anyone but myself."

His voice fell, almost as if he was talking to someone close by, "I was sure it would be different. I saw you fighting by my side for countless ages to come but that memory is fading now. The future is not what I thought it would be."

He turned towards the mountain where Black, White, and Nidhora rested.

"All of you...you might not be here anymore but your memories will continue to live on with me...whether that is for the next few hours or centuries. I will be a witness to your achievements and as long as I live....so do you."

Hao Xuan rubbed his shoulders where he could still feel the two little worms playfully fighting with each other.

"You are here, with me," he whispered before slowly turning away, "Now we can go."

Hao Xuan made a grasping motion and the hammer materialized in his hand. His brow shot up inquisitively, "It feels different."

*beep*

"I used the new materials that you picked from the settlement to add several unique perks to the weapon. Not only has its size been increased but you can also utilize internal energy in your attacks."

"Hmmm."

The Chaos Qi bubbled within his meridians and the power of the Lycan bloodline was pushed to its limits. His hands and feet became bigger, and bulkier with the added muscle mass.

When Hao Xuan channeled some of the Chaos Qi into the hammer it was immediately absorbed by the metal parts. The entire top half began to expand and pull out making the base even wider.

Its face doubled in size while streaks of blue lighting began to spark from the empty space between the black plastic and silver metals.

The more Chaos Qi he poured into the hammer the more it absorbed until it was lightly humming of its own accord.

"It feels like I am holding a thunderbolt in my hands. There is so much Qi charged into this little stick."

"The weapon was redesigned especially for such an event. It can maintain an independent internal charge for close to five standard hours. With every strike, it can release a small amount of static charge which will be reabsorbed upon impact."

"Are you saying it can recharge itself?"

"Affirmative. As long as more than half of the energy reserves remain within the weapon, it will be able to rebuild the charge to maximum capacity through active combat with the help of a simple converter installed within the base of the weapon."

"So as long as I keep swinging it won't completely run out of energy."

"Only if the weapon's internal reserves remain above 50%."

"Then I just have to pace myself...although that's easier said than done when I will be under attack from every possible direction."