Corps InterFusion

Corps InterFusion is the penultimate book in Jonathan Brooks' Magical Fusion series, bringing Larek Holsten's journey to the brink of its final confrontation. After the revelations and desperate battles of Corrupted SufFusion, Larek faces the consequences of his growing power and influence - and discovers that victory creates as many enemies as defeat.

Following a harrowing battle where he nearly died, Larek's slow recovery has given his enemies a crucial opportunity to strike back at him and his growing organisation of Volunteers. The Scission Interception Corps - once the Kingdom of Androthe's primary defence force before the introduction of Apertures fractured their power and rendered them increasingly obsolete - has taken it upon themselves to oppose the Volunteers' growing influence. What was once a necessary defence organisation has become an outdated institution clinging to relevance through political manoeuvring and obstructionism.

The SIC isn't content with passive resistance. They've enlisted the help of the local Factions to actively stop Larek and his friends from consolidating control over the region they've just freed from a Calamity. Whilst Larek has been fighting monsters and closing Apertures, political forces have been working against him, turning his victories into PR disasters and his heroism into a threat to established power structures.

To complicate matters further, the Gergasi in their Enclave - the true architects behind much of the suffering in the Kingdom - have noticed this new threat to their superiority. They're moving to investigate Larek and his Volunteers, which means the conflict is about to escalate dramatically. Larek now faces enemies on multiple fronts: the obstructionist SIC, the power-hungry Factions, and the genuinely dangerous Gergasi, all whilst trying to protect the people of the Kingdom.

Fortunately, Larek's recent near-death experience has led to dramatic improvements in his personal development. With new knowledge and new Skills at his disposal, the Fusionist can take on all comers like never before, including a particular adversary that has been a thorn in his side throughout the series. In short, it's time to take down the SIC.

But here lies the challenge that defines this instalment: whilst killing every member of the Corps is certainly within Larek's capabilities, doing so would only jeopardise the safety of the Kingdom and the world as a whole. The SIC, for all their faults and political machinations, still serves a necessary function. Destroying them entirely would create a power vacuum and eliminate experienced defenders when they're needed most.

Instead, Larek must attempt something far more difficult than simple destruction. He needs to find a way to interfuse the old SIC with his new Volunteer organisation, combining them into a cohesive whole. It's a challenge that will test not just his magical abilities and combat prowess, but his political acumen and leadership skills. The logger who once wanted nothing more than to perfect his Fusion crafting must now unite rival organisations whilst preparing for the final confrontation with the Gergasi.

Jonathan Brooks, author of the Earthen Contenders series, uses this penultimate instalment to set up the series finale whilst delivering a complete story focused on internal conflict, political manoeuvring, and the difficult work of building coalitions. For readers who enjoy LitRPG / GameLit, progression fantasy, and crafting / enchanting systems, Corps InterFusion delivers satisfying mechanical advancement whilst shifting the narrative focus from pure combat to leadership and organisation.

Corps InterFusion is essential reading before the series finale, Divine Fusionist, as it unites the forces necessary to face the Gergasi and resolves longstanding conflicts that have simmered throughout the series.