24: Evolving Heat Vision

War wielded his massive sword in a defensive stance, his body poised like a cheetah preparing to pounce. His muscles visibly swelled with a rapid surge of power, emanating a palpable aura of impending doom.

"Can a modified human still manage this?" Rhodes raised an intrigued eyebrow, savoring the challenge.

"Hahaha~" Zhan Zhan laughed deeply, "How will you handle this move?"

Before Rhodes could react, Zhan Zhan's body shot away, the gleam of his blade flashing before Rhodes' eyes.

"Boom!"

Witnesses only caught the blur of their movements before an explosive noise resonated. Smoke and dust billowed, obscuring the field of view.

As the dust settled, the two figures emerged like shadows within the haze.

Rhodes clutched Zhan Zhan's neck, fingers piercing his flesh, blood oozing from the wound. Zhan's body dangled lifelessly, his monstrous strength no match for Rhodes' casual grip.

The scene baffled the Egyptian soldiers. Rhodes had easily choked the life out of War, as if throttling a rabbit.

Amid the chaos, the plague's horse began to flee, its master's terror transferring to the spirit beast, compelling it to escape.

Recovering from his shock, the plague spurred his horse forward, fleeing the scene.

He recognized the overwhelming might of Rhodes, the ability to strangle War singlehandedly proving the magnitude of his strength.

Seeing the general flee, the Egyptian forces dropped their arms and scattered, avoiding the menacing Athenian pursuit.

"Capture him!" Sig ordered, signaling the Athenian soldiers to chase the fleeing plague. A light cannon missed its target due to distance.

Rhodes' gaze bore into the plague, eyes simmering with the knowledge that this man's actions had caused the deaths of innocents in Athens.

"Alert! The host [Rhodes] has unlocked [Heat Vision] evolution!"

Rhodes' eyes ignited with crimson radiance, two blazing beams shooting forth, disintegrating multiple Egyptian soldiers in their path, leaving only ashes in their wake.

Startled, the plague felt an ominous chill and glanced back, spotting two parallel red beams piercing the air, aimed directly at him.

Within moments, the beams converged, penetrating his chest before he could react. Blood oozed from the wounds as he peered down, witnessing his organs dissolve into a molten mess that evaporated into a foul mist.

Spewing blood, the plague's body slumped over the horse's back, the sensation of searing heat engulfing him.

His horse reacted to the pain, accelerating and bucking the plague off before galloping away.

Rhodes, sensing the dying man's escape, fired the red lasers once more. The beams scythed across the battlefield, disintegrating every living entity in their path.

In seconds, the landscape transformed into a river of blood and charred remains, the screams of the Egyptian soldiers fading into an eerie silence.

Athenian soldiers hesitated, cautious not to draw Rhodes' destructive power upon themselves.

Sig, too, stood frozen in shock, struggling to comprehend Rhodes' staggering growth rate. He found no precedent in history to match Rhodes' exponential advancement.

Only a handful of Egyptian soldiers who fell in their flight escaped unscathed. These survivors fled, recounting tales of the red-eyed Demon God who brought death.

"Don't pursue. Let them spread the word," Rhodes commanded.

Athenian forces set about clearing the battlefield, ceasing their pursuit of the few Egyptian survivors.

Those who had escaped collapsed in exhaustion, hearts racing with fear. Shaking limbs, they were unable to shake the nightmare they had witnessed.

"There… what was that?"

"The deity! The red-eyed deity!"

Shaken survivors found brief respite before a newfound chill pierced their minds, rekindling their terror. The nightmarish scenes replayed, propelling them to flee Egypt and never return.

Inside the Pharaoh's palace in Egypt, two sphinxes stood sentinel before the main hall, exuding an oppressive aura that unsettled all who approached.

Within the hall, surviving deserters knelt before the Pharaoh, fearful to meet his gaze.

Seated atop the hall, wielding a golden staff, the Pharaoh exuded an air of regality. His dark blue skin concealed his eyes, lending him an otherworldly air.

A scarlet gemstone adorned his waistbelt, and a silver-white longsword rested beside him. His concentration commanded respect as he listened to the deserters' report.

Upon hearing their accounts, the Pharaoh rose, drawing his sword as he advanced toward the kneeling men.

As his footsteps approached, the deserters trembled, unable to lift their gaze.

Sitting in the hall, the Pharaoh donned his golden shoulder pads and bottoms, his long blue hair cascading behind him. Dark and empty eyes studied the kneeling men as he prepared to pass his judgment.