Infinite System Inheritor Return From The Abyss

"Enemies from the sky! Defend the kingdom! Don't let them touch the ground!"

The shouting of knights echoed across the walls as another cannon fired, sending a deep boom into the air followed by a burst of purple smoke that spread wide like fog.

Archers reloaded frantically. Ballistae were pulled back into place. Knights on horseback raced to reinforce the front line.

The emperor, standing high on the wooden platform built just beside the city's wall, gripped his spyglass with force, raising it to his eye once again to examine the invaders closely.

His sharp eyes narrowed, and his frown deepened.

"What in the name of the heavens... what sorcery is this?!" he muttered with cold anger as he saw several of the falling figures glowing with colored light, strange spells surrounding their bodies as they floated or soared with magical grace.

One woman had her feet coated in green winds, stepping in the air like she was walking on invisible stairs.

Another was gliding like a bird, her back glowing with wings of pure light.

And worse—one figure was wreathed in flames, his entire body surrounded by heat, yet untouched by it.

"Magic... they're using magic..." he growled under his breath, voice filled with disbelief and fury.

"Insolence! Forbidden craft… right in front of my eyes!"

He turned quickly to a nearby knight.

"Send word to the Magic Inquisition. I want the High Purger present at the gates. These sky-demons are wielding what is outlawed in my kingdom. If they use magic, they are enemies. If they breathe spells, they die."

As the knight bowed and ran, another voice spoke firmly beside him.

"Father, I will ride with the front lines. Allow me to lead the charge."

It was the Crown Prince, clad in silver armor with a blue cape, sword already drawn. The prince's eyes burned with determination as he climbed onto his white horse.

The emperor gave one quick look to his son, then nodded.

"Very well. Show them the strength of our bloodline. Show them why this kingdom never bows."

The prince kicked his horse into motion, galloping toward the frontline as soldiers parted to let him pass.

The emperor returned to his spyglass, watching the sky with unblinking focus.

He caught sight of someone unusual—a large figure, spinning mid-air, both arms pulled back like a slingshot preparing to release power. The person had two enormous hammers—one in each hand, each the size of a full-grown man's chest.

A gust of green wind suddenly burst behind the man, swirling like a cyclone in reverse.

The figure grinned—a wild, confident smirk—and then launched downward.

He wasn't falling—he was diving.

"By the gods! What strength!" the emperor gasped, pulling the spyglass away for a moment in awe.

He turned to his generals and shouted, "Focus the cannons on those with magic barriers! Stop the ones with light under their feet! Ready the sky spears—prepare for intercept! Do not let them hit the ground with that much force!"

As he looked back again, he noticed something else: other figures beginning to imitate the hammer man. Some had green light beneath their boots, some rode beasts, some were using momentum and positioning in the air to move faster, dropping like comets toward the kingdom's outer wall.

The emperor with his spyglass still raised, scanned the sky again, eyes quickly moving from one glowing figure to the next.

And then—he froze.

His hand trembled slightly as he focused in.

One of the flying invaders—the man with the twin hammer heads—was no longer just diving.

He had pulled back one of the massive hammers, spun once in midair with a surge of unnatural strength, and then—

He threw it.

Straight at him.

The emperor's mouth fell open. He tried to speak, to shout an order, but it was already too late.

"Protect the Emperor!!" one of the commanders screamed with panic, eyes wide as he saw the enormous hammer hurtling toward them like a falling star.

One slamming into the emperor's side to push him out of the way just in time.

Several elite guards jumped in front, shields raised, trying to form a wall, others simply ran to intercept—

BOOM!

Smoke and dust covered the landing platform as shattered wood, broken stone, and collapsed banners littered the earth. The wind carried ashes in circles while soldiers rushed in panic, calling out commands and names. The sound of galloping boots and clashing metal echoed through the air like a chaotic song of war.

"Protect the Emperor! Protect His Majesty!" shouted a general, his voice cutting through the cloud of confusion.

From within the smog, a figure coughed—the Emperor.

His royal robe was torn, part of his shoulder bleeding where a splinter had struck him, but he was alive. Two guards were crouched over him, one covering him with a broken shield, the other helping him to sit up.

"Your Majesty!" the healer arrived, immediately tending to his wound as the Emperor gritted his teeth and looked toward the battlefield with rage in his eyes.

The Crown Prince slid off his horse and ran to his father's side. "Father! Are you alright?!"

The Emperor coughed again and wiped dust from his face. "I'm fine. That weapon—it was thrown. Like it was nothing!"

He looked up through the broken railing and saw the large man who had thrown the hammer—still standing, walking forward, his other hammer resting on his shoulder, grin wide on his face like a war-hungry beast.

"They are demons!" the Emperor growled.

"Shall I send the knights to intercept?" the prince asked, fury tightening his grip on his sword.

"No," the Emperor muttered, standing slowly with the help of his guards. "Send the Black Shield Battalion. No matter who they are, they must not reach the gates."

Meanwhile, on the field, the man with the twin hammers—Kang Daewon, laughed as he watched the chaos his weapon had caused. "Oops," he said casually, spinning his second hammer once in his hand.

From the left side, Seoha landed in a crouch, her blade still blazing. She smirked. "You just made the king angry."

Daewon grinned at her. "Hope he's still alive."

More invaders were landing all across the outer field, some crashing into abandoned farmhouses, others surrounded by soldiers already forming formations. Spells began flying, arrows rained, and magic circles lit the field like stars fallen to earth.