Chapter 812

Although the number of mutants and their strength was rising higher and higher, the group continued to slowly and firmly advance.

However, their group had started suffering from casualties.

“Damn it! Lun Tai, if this keeps up, do you think we’ll be able to push all the way to the destination?”

Roddy was still piloting the Tidal Fighter. All of its drones had been sent out and all the weapons on the Tidal Fighter was constantly firing. He shouted to Lun Tai through the guild channel. “Damn it, there are too many enemies in the sky! The Tidal Fighter cannot hold on anymore!”

“Then get down here!” Lun Tai was also worried that something might happen to the Tidal Fighter and he quickly gave Roddy the order. “Bei Tai, Tian Lie, Xia Xiaolei, clear a space in front!”

The other members of Meteor Rock Guild had scattered around the group to provide support. By now, Tian Lie had seemingly gotten used to accepting Lun Tai’s order. And while he did not reply, he quickly rushed towards the position marked by Lun Tai. A roar slammed into several of the mutants gathered there, shattering them to bits.

Bei Tai had spent all this time on the truck bed on one of the pickup trucks, not moving even half a step away. He moved his left hand, sending a barrage of bullets to sweep the area in front of Tian Lie.

Xia Xiaolei bent his body before kicking the ground with both feet. His figure charged into the mutant group ahead while both his hands transformed out bone blades. Slashing like a hurricane, he quickly carved out a field of corpses.

They had swiftly cleared out a temporary landing pad.

“Hurry, Roddy! We don’t have long!” Lun Tai shouted.

“Do I f**king not know that?!”

Roddy muttered furiously as he quickly moved the Tidal Fighter down. Quickly, he kept it into his storage gear before bringing out his Sentinel mech.

Even though their current situation was very grim, it was not yet to the point where he needed to use his trump card, the Gundam.

Nicole had been flying up in the sky to defend the Tidal Fighter. After Roddy landed the Tidal Fighter, she too landed. And while she appeared tired, she forced herself onwards. Bringing out the Ion Pulse Sword, she charged into another group of mutants.

Although it was safer to attack using laser cannons, it also consumed more energy. In this battle where there was almost no end in sight, she chose to engage in a melee combat.

“We can’t hold on anymore! We have to retreat back for now!”

The Guild Leader of Dawn’s First Glimmer Guild rushed towards Lun Tai, an agitated expression on his face. “Two of our team members are already injured! Many of our skills are on cooldown! We need to rest!”

“Those are just injuries! Did you not see that guys from other teams have died?!” Lun Tai sent him a cold glance. “Enough nonsense and just bear with it! Did you think you were given the Thunderstorm Tank for no reason?!”

“If we keep taking them on, our men are going to die!” Huan Yu clenched his fists.

“If they die, then they die! This is a bloody instance dungeon! Would no one die here?” Lun Tai impatiently waved him off. “If you insist on retreating, fine. Hand over the Thunderstorm Tank and you fellows can rest for 15 minutes!”

“Err…” Huan Yu revealed a hesitant expression.

Lun Tai sneered. “You want to use it? If you want to use it, then just f**king head to the front and fight!”

Seeing Huan Yu run back resentfully, Lun Tai secretly swore.

If it weren’t for the fact that I’d given you guys a Thunderstorm Tank, would you only have two wounded fellows right now? Several of your men would probably have died.

In order to have the horse run, it must be fed with grass. Lun Tai understood that very well.

But now that I have given you the grass, you’d better run!

Huan Yu jumped onto a pickup truck. As he was giving orders through their guild channel, a highly concentrated wave of bone spikes shot towards him.

Huan Yu swiftly brought out a handkerchief, which unfolded before him, growing in size to a three-metre square handkerchief. The bone spikes struck the handkerchief only to create a series of muffled sounds. Not a single one managed to pierce through.

At the same time, however, tens of round spheres the size of watermelons descended from the sky above to strike the surface of the handkerchief.

The spheres were yellowish-green in colour and appeared soft. It was as though there was liquid inside them. After striking the handkerchief, they suddenly erupted to spray out large clumps of liquid.

The handkerchief had been staying suspended in mid-air by itself. But upon making contact with the liquid, it was instantly broken down. Riddled with holes, it gently fell to the ground.

The liquid also splattered onto several Awakened ones who were too close to the area. Immediately, it burned through their protective suits and they rolled on the ground, screaming in pain.

“My Shockright Cloth!”

Huan Yu immediately let out a pained cry. But before he was done crying out, another concentrated wave of bone spikes flew over.

The grade of the protective suit that Huan Yu wore was not low. Thus, this wave of bone spikes failed to pierce through the suit. Even so, the formidable impact sent his figure flying and he fell down from the pickup truck, tumbling on the ground.

At the same time, a new batch of mutants rushed over from the front.

“F**k!”

Lun Tai swore loudly.

This batch of mutants was clearly different from the previous one. They had been upgraded once more.

The previous batch of mutants all had different appearances. It was practically impossible to find two identical mutants. This time, however, many of the reinforcing mutants shared the same look. The only differences there was that they were separated to a few different types.

The frontmost row consisted of monsters as heavy as rhinoceroses. The hardened outermost layer of their skin was so thick that not even heavy machine guns could pierce through them. Only 20mm calibre firearms and above could damage them somewhat.

Behind these mutants was a group of slender, mantis-shaped monsters with bodies covered in spikes. Three bone blades jutted out from each arm and they spun around swiftly like a propeller.

Farther behind them were mutants sporting large arms. Their arms were covered with a high number of honeycomb-like holes. Bone spikes were constantly growing out from the holes before high-speed airflows shot them out. In the past, they had already encountered mutants that could fire out bone spikes before. However, the bone spikes from those mutants – be it their speed or number – were far from a match for these newly-appeared batch of mutants.

At the rearmost position was a group of gigantic, slow-moving, turret-like mutants. After finding a suitable position, they would stretch out eight jointed and segmented appendages. The appendages were inserted deep into the ground to affix them in place. Next, they turned to face the sky and fired out one acid sac after another.

Bei Tai had acted quickly, directing his attacks to the front the moment they appeared. However, the effects of his attacks were far weaker compared to before. Shrapnel scattered about all over the place, but the damage inflicted was limited.

Their two Thunderstorm Tanks in the front row opened fire simultaneously. And while the heavy-looking mutants had formidable defences, they were naturally far from capable of withstanding the power of the Thunderstorm Tank’s main turret. That said, the blast area of the Thunderstorm Tank’s arc of light was limited. Only ten plus of the first wave of mutants were struck, reduced to cinders. As for the remaining mutants, they withstood the other artillery fire and rushed forward.

Relying on the cover provided by the heavy-type mutants, they advanced until a certain distance. Next, the mutants with slender bodies promptly leaped high up, vaulting past the mutants before them to make their way into the crowd of humans.

“Close combat! Prepare for close combat!”

Huan Yu struggled to get up from the ground before shouting his lungs out. At the same time, he pulled out a rope. With a gentle flick, the rope instantly sprung up straight. Then, like an iron rod, it swung towards one of the melee-type mutants.

Although defending had become very difficult just now, their group was still like an iron barrel and almost no mutants could break their line. But with this, their entire formation was immediately broken through.

After a breach was opened, the mutants surged in like a tsunami. And so, the battle, originally that of firing concentrated barrages at the enemy, became individual battles.

The Awakened ones and Players all threw away the firearms in their hands and turned to close combat.

A Player’s body inflated like a balloon. He was using a skill identical to Lun Tai’s Muscle Fruit skill. With gauntlets on both hands, he roared loudly and stopped a heavy-type mutant that was charging towards him at full speed. Flesh collided against flesh with a loud bang and the heavy-type mutant was stopped. At the same time, though, the Player’s two legs were pushed deep into the ground.

The Player’s face turned red and cracking sounds came from his teeth. He gained the upper hand in the exchange of strength. Finally, with a roar, he ripped out one of the mutant’s arms. He then followed it up with a punch to the mutant’s body, completely blowing away the mutant’s upper body, leaving nothing behind.

Immediately after that, however, three more heavy-type mutants charged towards him. Trailing behind them were two speedy melee-type mutants. Additionally, a concentrated wave of numerous bone spikes was also shooting towards him.

The bone spikes struck every part of his body, but the Player continued to kill two more of the heavy-type mutants with his bare hands. In the end, however, a bone blade sliced open his stomach. With a furious howl, he fell.

The mutants in the distance that shot out acid sacs fired another salvo.

This time, their target was the Thunderstorm Tank used by Dawn’s First Glimmer Guild.

Countless bullets and beams of light shot into the sky to blow up the acid sacs as they were still in mid-air. But while most of them evaporated in mid-air, a small portion of the acid continued to descend from the sky like rain.

The Thunderstorm Tank’s electromagnetic shield could not block liquid. Thus, the acid made it through the shield and fell upon the surface of the tank. Immediately, the highly-corrosive acid burned the armoured plates. In but the blink of an eye, it had become riddled with holes and wisps of green smoke wafted out.

Thankfully, the acid was not concentrated on one spot. Instead, it only burned through numerous tiny holes through the surface of the Thunderstorm Tank. That said, it would not be able to withstand a few more of these attacks.

“Everyone, stop advancing! Turn to defence! Qimu Xi, finish off those long-ranged monsters!”

Lun Tai shouted. At the same time, he also jumped down from the pickup truck. With a shield in his left hand and a battle axe in his right hand, he fought his way towards the opening in the front.

Qiao Qiao had activated her Anti-materialization skill, transforming herself into a black clump of mist before rushing forward.

Soo Soo, on the other hand, summoned out over 10 blazing phoenixes in one fell swoop. The phoenixes soared before diving down.

Xia Xiaolei’s right arm had created a rapidly-vibrating sword and he shot furiously with the thermal blaster on his left hand.

Bei Tai brought out two more large steel ingots from his storage gear. His liquid metal arm had been continuously opening fire and the resulting high temperature caused it to turn slightly red.

Tian Lie stood at the fore. He had the toughest body there. Be it the bone spikes or the bone blades, none could truly damage him. On the contrary, with every slash of the black sword in his hand, a mutant would be cut down.

With several of them taking action at the same time, they were able to immediately patch up the opening that the mutants abruptly created. As for the mutants who managed to charge inside, the many Players and Awakened ones fought them and finally managed to wiped them all out, albeit with great difficulty.

Meanwhile, Qimu Xi had – the moment Lun Tai gave the order – used her Sight Teleport skill to instantly make her way through the many layers of monsters encircling them. With a flash, she appeared in the middle of the group of acid-spewing mutants.

“Lotus… Burst Flash!”

There were nearly a hundred mutants in the group. Thus, in order to kill them all in the shortest time possible, Qimu Xi had no choice but to use her ultimate move.

Promptly, her whole figure seemingly transformed into a phantom, which swiftly rushed towards the mutant closest to her.

Blade light descended before moving upwards again.

The blade light flashed in a fleeting manner, but nothing abnormal happened. Qimu Xi, though, was already rushing towards another mutant.

Her figure flashed forward.

Blade light descended before moving upwards.

Again.

And again.

Like pillars of fire, blade light flashed out one after another. Nearly a hundred flashes of blade light appeared in the span of but a single breath.

After just a short instant, Qimu Xi had returned to stand before the first mutant she attacked.

Then…

Burst!

Only then did the near 100 blade light – created by Qimu Xi’s slashes – suddenly took effect, all at the same time. Every mutant that had accepted the flash of blade light earlier was affected. It was not just one blade attack on each mutant. Rather, countless blades of light shot out from every inch of their bodies.

Blood gushed out to fill the sky, utterly staining Qimu Xi’s face.

Her blood-soaked hair hung down beside her cheeks. Add her cold gaze to the equation and she looked like a demon rising from a sea of blood.

However, her body quivered. Suddenly, she staggered and fell down.

In order to kill off the group of long-ranged mutants, she’d had to – during that short period of time – over exhaust herself.

Suddenly, a beam of light shot towards Qimu Xi from the sky. It was like a shooting star.

Nicole pushed the thrusters of her Floating Mech Armour to their limits. With a dive, she scooped Qimu Xi up and nimbly dodged the numerous bone spikes before flying back into the group. There, she released her grip and let Qimu Xi down.

“Nice job!” Xia Xiaolei jumped high into the air to catch Qimu Xi before carefully placing her onto one of the pickup trucks. After that, he clenched his fists and let out a low growl.

Qimu Xi’s face was pale with exhaustion. All she could do was slowly nod and force out a faint smile.

Although Qimu Xi had killed off the acid-spewing mutants, the other mutants were still surging towards them like a tsunami. The flying mutants in the sky had also been replaced with a singular, identical type. These mutants possessed a sleek and slender body. Also using bone blades as weapons, they kept taking turns to launch diving attacks.

“Damn it! Lun Tai, if this continues, I will have to use Gundam!”

Piloting his Sentinel mech, Roddy leaped high up to slam against one of the mutants. His metal war blade collided against a spinning bone blade. Following an ear-piercing grating sound, the bone blade was severed. However, the impact also forced Roddy to take two steps back while a small part of his war blade flew off.

“If you use it now, what do we do later?!” Lun Tai’s battle axe hacked apart a heavy-type mutant, causing its blood to spill all over his body. Without bothering to wipe the blood away, he shouted into their guild channel, “Did you forget that we still have to face the [S] class Aderick?!”

“We can’t even handle our current situation! How can we worry about what happens later on?” Roddy shouted back. “What are these guys made of? Why are they so tough?”

The original left arm of the Sentinel mech that he was current piloting had been ripped off and destroyed previously. This newly-attached arm was a spare part that had not been strengthened using Star Sand. As a result, the weakness of the arm’s war blade could clearly be seen. Already, several nicks and cracks had appeared on it.

“No matter how tough they are, hold it! You get back and bring Adam out. Set up a bunker quick!” After giving the order through their guild channel, Lun Tai rushed to the back and shouted, “Swolegem! Where’s Giant Rock Guild’s Swolegem? Hurry up and get over here!”

A Player whose whole body had transformed into stone ran over. He glared at Lun Tai furiously and said, “We are only working together right now. Do not use that commanding tone on me! Do not forget, we are Players. You fellows are just nat-“

“Can your nonsense!” Lun Tai grabbed him by the neck and said through gnashed teeth. “Now is not the time for you to lecture me about social etiquette! If you want to live, be obedient and listen to me! Let me be clear about this. Even if all of you die, there is still a chance for my team to escape! What I want to do now is ensure that everyone survives! Yap one more time and I’ll snap your neck!”

Swolegem also had a tall and muscular body. Without activating his Muscle Fruit skill, Lun Tai appeared a notch smaller than him. However, Swolegem found that – with Lun Tai grabbing his neck – he was incapable of moving in the slightest.

Additionally, the killing intent spilling out from Lun Tai’s body actually made him dispel the thoughts of retorting.

“Alright! It’s time for you to show us what you got!” Lun Tai jerked his head backwards to look at Roddy, who had retreated back into the middle of their group. There, he brought out big pile of alloy plates from his storage gear.

Those were prefab alloy plates. Adam shuttled about quickly there, laying down the foundation and basic form for a fortress.

“This is…”

Swolegem gaped at what was happening before him.

“Enough gawking!” Lun Tai forcefully pushed Swolegem and said sharply. “Use your reinforcement skill on them! These alloy plates on their own cannot stop the acid’s corrosive power!”

Swolegem held back his rage and rushed towards the alloy fortress. There, he stretched his left hand out and pressed against an allow plate.

Countless miniature crystals grew from the surface of the alloy plate, gradually covering its entire surface.

Back when Lun Tai was making deployment arrangements with the 18 Team Leaders, he had paid particular attention to Swolegem’s skill.

He could crystallize any object. The crystallized object would possess not just high strength, but also a certain degree of resistance towards heat, cold, acid, alkali etc.

Roddy’s storage gear would always have a high number of prefabricated alloy plates. With Adam in charge of the assembly process, they could construct a small fortress within 10 minutes.

And while it was not too big, by squeezing, they would be able to fit everyone inside, albeit barely.

By adding Swolegem’s crystallization skill, they should be able to temporarily stop the next wave of long-ranged bombardment.

Already, a new wave of long-ranged mutants had appeared in the distance. It would not be long before they arrived within firing range of Lun Tai’s group. But by Lun Tai’s estimate, they should be able to finish constructing the fortress before the next wave of bombardment.

But the problem here was…

Even if they could temporarily stop this wave, what should they do for the next one?

The number of mutants was simply endless. And now that they had been forced to stop advancing, they would fall into a passive position of being attacked. They would be exhausted and killed.

They were already at the outskirts of the city. With the exception of this small, temporary fortress, they no longer had any defensive positions to fall back to. No matter how they dragged this out, given their numbers, it was just a matter of time before the ocean-like number of mutants drowned them.

With Adam in charge of the construction process, it did not take long before the basic form of the small fortress was complete. Under Lun Tai’s orders, several small teams had already run inside. They then opened fire non-stop through the loopholes on the walls.

The other members from Meteor Rock Guild stayed in the outermost positions, becoming the fulcrum to firmly support the defences there.

“Damn it, Lun Tai! What are you planning?” Tian Lie shouted furiously into the guild channel.

“If we keep this up, we’ll be buried here with them! Don’t you fellows have a Tidal Fighter? We’ll leave by ourselves!”

“Where are we going to find the space to take off now?” Lun Tai grunted. “Besides, look up in the sky. There are so many flying-type mutants. Even if we take flight, will we be able to reach the destination while fighting them?”

“Then come up with a plan!” Tian Lie shouted furiously.

“I have a plan! But for now, shut it with your nonsense! Hold the line and let everyone retreat! Also… catch one of them for me, alive!”

Adam is a robot Roddy made using android parts from the Star Sand mine.