As the goblins arrayed themselves on the battlefield, Lex watched with anticipation, his gaze fixed on William’s invasion portal. He was deeply curious about the so-called "mutated beast followers" William had mentioned. Deploying these 50,000 goblins had been a calculated move.
Twenty years had passed since the end of the divine protection period in the world of gods. By now, an average demigod’s followers typically numbered between 3 to 5 million, with at least 500,000 professional combat units. The 50,000 goblins represented a tenth of that standard military force. Students were expected to dispatch enough troops to exterminate these goblins without crippling their own foundations. The quantity and quality of forces they deployed would reveal their true strength. If even these goblins proved challenging, Lex would know they lacked the power to compete for tournament qualifications.
Just as the goblins finished forming their battle lines and began advancing, a swarm of grotesque creatures surged from William’s portal—monstrosities Lex had never seen before. The horde paused momentarily at the portal’s mouth, waiting until no more reinforcements emerged. Once 50,000 mutated zerglings had gathered, a piercing shriek tore through the air. Instantly, the swarm charged toward the goblin formations less than two kilometers away.
Lex scrutinized the creatures. So these are the mutated beasts. Their appearance alone screams ferocity—but how do they fare in combat? Each zergling stood armored in overlapping bony plates and scales, limbs muscular, claws razor-sharp. The dorsal scythes on their backs curved menacingly. Their very anatomy screamed lethal efficiency.
Within moments, the zergling tide crashed against the goblin ranks. Though disciplined, the goblins wavered briefly at the sight of equal numbers—no overwhelming numerical terror here. Their commanders barked orders, steadying the lines. As the swarm closed in, archers at the rear loosed volleys of arrows.
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But the zerglings dodged effortlessly. Equipped with hyper-sensitive visual tracking and reflex systems, they weaved through the projectile rain. Only when evasion proved impossible did they twist mid-sprint, deflecting arrows off their reinforced dorsal armor.
Lex’s eyes widened. To evade arrow storms so flawlessly… These are elite troops already.
Then came the true assault. At 200 meters, the zerglings’ vein-covered wing membranes vibrated violently. Their speed exploded as they entered a frenzied charge. Against the goblins’ shield walls and spear formations, the swarm struck like living battering rams.
Wooden shields reinforced with iron splintered on impact. Goblin soldiers—barely four feet tall—were hurled backward, crashing into their comrades. The frontlines collapsed instantly. What followed was pure carnage. Chainmail tore like parchment under zergling claws. Iron blades meant for slashing merely scratched their scales.
The battlefield dissolved into chaos—goblins shrieking, zerglings shrieking louder. Lex witnessed a masterclass in biomechanical warfare: adrenal glands pumping ceaselessly, scythe-limbs cleaving goblins in half with each stroke. Within minutes, the once-orderly goblin army shattered into fleeing mobs. The battle devolved into a rout.
William tugged an invisible thread of faith. Abruptly, the zerglings halted. A goblin mid-scream froze as a scythe stopped millimeters from its throat. Survivors collapsed, weeping. The swarm turned as one and loped back to their portal, leaving carnage in their wake.
A quick assessment told William his losses numbered under a hundred. He glanced up at Lex’s hovering divine avatar. “Well, Lex? Do I qualify?”
The god’s projection twitched almost imperceptibly. “...Adequate. Prepare to depart shortly,” Lex replied through telepathy.
As William’s figure vanished into the portal, Lex scanned the battlefield. Of 50,000 goblins, barely 20,000 remained—and only because William had shown mercy. A few more minutes would’ve meant total annihilation.
Hmph. Such combat prowess… They could challenge low-tier supernatural species. The boy has every right to arrogance. But how many of these beasts does he truly command? Lex mused, already strategizing.
