Chapter 67 – The First Resistance
Across a distant, storm-wracked dimension, Hayden's Shadow Legion advanced. Infinite dragons roared, clones multiplied, and tendrils of living darkness snaked through space itself. Every SSS-Rank anomaly they had already absorbed marched as one, loyal and unstoppable.
Then, a pulse halted them.
> [System Alert: Unknown Multiversal Force Detected | Power: Omega+++ Threshold | Threat: Active Resistance]
An entire civilization appeared, cities floating in the void, their shields glowing with anti-Omega+++ energy. Beings of pure energy and matter combined, their presence warping reality itself an enemy unlike any Hayden had absorbed.
Selene floated closer, light sharpening. "They can resist… even your Omega+++ touch."
Hayden's shadow rippled, eyes narrowing. "Then they will learn the Monarch's balance… one way or another."
> [System Notification: Full Assimilation Protocol Activated | Omega+++ Powers: Maxed | Time Manipulation: Absolute | Shadow Legion: Infinite Deployment]
He struck. Shadows engulfed the space between worlds, clones striking at every angle, dragons diving through temporal distortions. Time bent, slowed, and fractured but this civilization adapted instantly. Their energy shields absorbed strikes, countered tendrils, and reflected fragments of Hayden's own shadow back at him.
> [System Update: First Real Challenge Detected | Assimilation Resistance: Partial | Threat Level: Omega+++ Compatible]
Hayden activated Omega+++ Shadow Merge, disappearing into infinity, becoming everywhere at once, while Shadow Clones struck in infinite waves. Shadows wrapped around cities, dragons tore through space, and yet, the defenders did not break they adapted, fought, and breathed defiance.
He smirked faintly. "Interesting. Finally… someone who can truly challenge me."
> [System Notification: Assimilation Protocol Adaptive Mode | Shadow Legion Tactics Optimized | Omega+++ Abilities Max Efficiency]
One by one, Hayden began targeted assimilation. Shadows engulfed key commanders, energy was converted into obedient forms, and each fallen enemy joined the Shadow Legion, now retaining fragments of their original will but fully loyal to him.
> [System Notification: Assimilation Successful Partial | Resistance Overcome | Shadow Legion Omega+++ Strength Increased]
As the first wave of resistance fell, Hayden's eyes glowed with infinite calm. "Every threat… every world… every mind that resists… will eventually serve. But this one… was strong. Clever. Worth the effort."
Selene rested her hand on his arm. "They could have destroyed continents if you hadn't intervened."
Hayden nodded, shadows curling protectively around both of them. "And now… they serve. Forever part of the Legion."
> [System Update: Multiversal Stability Reinforced | Shadow Legion Infinite | Assimilation Protocol Adaptive | Monarch Omega+++ Status Absolute]
The resistant civilization now lay under Hayden's dominion, their power folded into his army, each former enemy a perfect Shadow Captain.
The multiverse had been challenged and the Supreme Shadow Monarch had emerged stronger than ever.
Hayden looked across the infinite realms, calm, absolute, unstoppable. "Next."
> [System Notification: Expansion Phase Continuous | Assimilation Protocol Adaptive | Shadow Legion Omnipotent]
The Monarch's empire had truly begun its reign across all realities, unstoppable, unchallenged, and eternal.