Chapter 172

“Edward! What about those guys?”

“They’re following us! Just like we stirred a beehive!”

With that shout, Edward adjusted the equipment.

The screen displayed the rear view and the radar screen.

The radar screen painted in deep red and swarms of flying cryptids approaching like dark clouds.

“Jason, set the aft barrier to maximum output!”

[ Aft barrier output increased. ]

After confirming the thickening of Jason’s aft barrier, he issued the next command.

“Squid, fire all rounds!!”

Once again, showers of cannonades fired by the giant.

Missiles spread white smoke as they flew towards the swarm of cryptids accompanied by the sound of gunfire.

BOOM! WHOOSH!!

– KIEEEE!

The lead group of the cryptids fell to the ground after getting hit mid-approach.

– KIAAA!!

– KIII!!

The cryptids pushed through the smoke of explosions.

Even though a significant number had been eliminated, it didn’t seem to make much of a difference due to their overwhelming numbers.

“Squid, rearm the weapons!”

The weapons of the giant got replenished.

Meanwhile, the swarm of cryptids approached rapidly.

A monstrous creature with two long wings and four smaller ones, making up a total of six wings, slightly elevated its altitude, casting a shadow over us.

Its crimson exoskeleton covered its body and face. Its pointed, spike-like shape and its jaws divided into several sections.

Six elongated eyes aligned along its face directed towards us, revealing hostility.

The dangerous cryptid ranked at Level 7, the Hornet.

– KIIIIEEEK!!

The Hornet emitted a sharp screech and lifted its smaller wings.

The small wings, pulled back as far as possible, swung forward simultaneously, and spines densely grown inside the wings rained down like rain.

KACHACK, KAGAGANG!!

How sturdy they must be to make a sound akin to steel grinding against steel even when hitting a barrier.

[ Barrier damaged, output reduced to 95%. ]

“Squid, target the Hornet!”

Following my instructions, Squid adjusted the aim.

Having detected that movement, the Hornet sprung back and then dashed below the slanting line in a large arc to escape.

“Tch.”

Even a high-grade entity has its wits about it.

Meanwhile, other monsters rushed forward.

A monster with birdlike wings similar to the Hornet’s insect-like exoskeleton, the Diver.

A flock of creatures resembling a random amalgamation of insects and birds surged above our heads, folding their wings tightly against their bodies before plunging down.

“Squid, fire!”

A volley of fire was unleashed at the squad of divers.

Blasts and smoke erupted in the air, and the dive-bombing Divers disappeared.

– KIEEEE!!

Divers breaking through the explosion.

Some attacks missed, but the mass collision attacks hit Jason’s barrier.

KUNG! KANG!

The Divers were bounced off the barrier.

[ Barrier damaged, output reduced to 94%…92%. ]

Jason reported on the situation.

Meanwhile, the Hornet flew back up.

– KIIIEEEK!

The small wings of the creature were drawn back and then swung forward again, unleashing sharp thorns.

KUUNG! KUNG!

[ Lateral barrier damaged, output reduced to 80%. ]

“Edu! A large one’s coming!”

Jason’s shout mixed with Edward’s voice.

Just as he said, behind the screen, from among the monsters, a huge creature with a round body and several large wings appeared.

A bat-like shaped monster with countless tentacles erupting from its front.

The tentacles that wriggled like antennae split sideways, and from inside, a flat-bodied cryptid resembling a centipede crawled out.

The Cryptid’s precision bombardment unit and a Level 5 cryptid, the Centipede.

– SHISHISHIK!

These creatures opened their exoskeletons on the Carrier, the massive flying cryptid acting as a transport ship for cryptids, and started their bombardment.

Even in the unstable situation, their gummy liquid attacks flew fairly accurately.

KUUNG!!

[ Upper barrier damaged, output reduced to 90%. ]

Severe attacks.

“Edu, are you sure you’re fine!?”

Edward cried out in urgent tones.

“I’m fine, we’re almost there!”

Nodding my head, I replied and gave another order.

“Squid, rearm the weapons! Keep firing!”

The giant’s cannons continued to spit fire endlessly, and the cryptid swarm’s attacks grew fiercer.

The barrier continued to be whittled down.

Just as the cryptid creatures surrounding us were about to fully enclose, Sita’s voice rang out.

“Sister, we’ve arrived!”

“Good, cancel the summoning!”

The one-eyed giant disappeared.

“Iason, ascend at full speed! Let’s break away!”

[ Accelerating at maximum speed, ascending. ]

Iason tilted the bow upwards, gathered energy, and then released it.

– KIEEEE!

The enemies following behind were scorched to a point beyond recognition by the intense power.

The white battleship nearly surrounded by the cryptids shook them off and ascended into the sky.

“Niisia! Now!”

“Got it, Edu!”

Niisia nodded and immediately sent a signal.

The recipient of that signal began to flicker with a blue light.

[ Received attack start signal from Commander. ]

An army of Invaders stationed in a secure basin some distance from the battlefield,

[ Attack begins. ]

Their launch pads, loaded with anti-aircraft missiles of various sizes, angled upwards, and all missiles were launched skyward.

A massive barrage so great that it instantly blanketed the basin in thick white smoke.

An enormous number of anti-aircraft missiles aimed for the cryptids’ flanks and zipped in at lightning speed.

KWAAANGH! WHOOSH!!

Explosions occurred one after another.

– KIEEEE!

Flight type cryptids caught in the attack exploded in groups and fell burning to the ground. The entire swarm was thrown into confusion by the unexpected attack.

Unlike their lackluster performance while guarding the Megabase previously, the Invaders’ anti-aircraft weapons unleashed terrifying destructive power against suitable foes.

Continuously incoming surface-to-air missiles continued to strike the disoriented cryptid swarms.

– ….

The cryptid commander, Brain, noticed the sudden change from a distance.

Trying to reorganize the lines again by stretching out its hands, things weren’t going to be straightforward.

KUUUUU-

– KIIIEEK?

– KYAAAA!!

A rough sound echoing from the front of the cryptid swarm.

The cruiser fleet that had been gliding low and hiding behind the mountains revealed its majesty.

[ Excellent guidance, sir! ]

Nodding his head and sending that communication, Bolder.

The eyes of the seasoned commander who has gained skills and experience through many battles burned with zeal.

[ You, Commander, have taken great risks by luring the enemy! So shouldn’t we respond with all our might!? ]

– OOOOOH!!!

The roar reached beyond the ships.

Every gun and anti-aircraft cannon aimed at the cryptids, and then Bolder raised his voice.

[ All cannons, commence firing! Annihilate these monstrous creatures! ]

KWANG, BANG!

The fierce bombardment fired by the cruisers.

Torrents of shells poured down upon the cryptids, and the flight type cryptids that were flailing around started getting swept away.

– KEEE…

– KYAAK!!

[ Full speed forward! Keep firing!! ]

The cruiser fleet moved forward while continuing to attack.

– ….

The Brain realized the situation wasn’t good and confirmed the enemy deployment.

The offensive led by large flying vessels coming from the front and the terrestrial forces settled to the left flank.

Recognizing the enemy’s positioning, Brain directed all forces towards the empty air space on the right.

The entire army of the flight-type cryptids moved together following the outstretched dry fingers.

Brain, realizing they were being aimed for individual defeats by keeping a distance and reorganizing the ranks, but then another enemy appeared from the right as if reading his mind entirely.

[ Wow, so many. ]

[ Yeah, it’s a nightmare. ]

[ Hmm, does even someone like Commander dream? ]

[ …Do you know what you think I am? ]

Futile chatter transmitted over the communication lines.

The pilot who used such chats to relieve tension faced the cryptid army with their side completely exposed.

[ Anyway, it’s time to work. Don’t lose to those monsters! Let’s engage! ]

[[[[ Laser! ]]]]

Hundreds of fighters cutting through the blue sky and rushing towards the enemy.

The fire control system finished its calculations, and missiles stored in internal bays faced the enemy.

[ Fox Two. ]

Simultaneous with the squadron leader’s signal, the sky knights all shouted the same words and launched their missiles.

KWAAANGH!! WHOOSH!!

– KEEEK!?

The flight-type cryptids falling like rain.

The speeding fighters plunged right into the swarm, unleashing machine guns.

– KYAA!!

The swarm of cryptids fell into chaos again, unable to respond adequately.

Then, the white battleship positioned itself before the swarm of cryptids trying to retreat.

“Alright, release the units!”

Numerous armed vehicles appeared on the empty ground.

Armored vehicles aimed their heavy machine guns skyward, and the self-propelled anti-aircraft guns trained their barrels on the flapping cryptids.

“Fire!”

Curtain of fire shooting towards the sky.

– KIEEEEK…

Cryptids under attack became riddled like sieves and crashed down.

[ Full speed forward! Pursue them! ]

Cruisers were already chasing from the rear.

[ Missile launch. ]

Anti-aircraft missiles from the Invaders continued to rain from the side.

[ Gun, gun, gun! ]

And then, the fighter jets weaving through the cryptid swarm, delivering precise hits on key individuals with their machine guns and missiles.

The flight-type cryptids were battered from all directions before they could regain their senses; their numbers rapidly dwindled.

– KYAAAK!

– KIEE…

The flight type cryptid fell towards the earth like rain, uttering pitiful cries.

– …?

The Brain, who noticed these sights, started to stretch out his dried hand but slowly drew the arm back.

– …?

A pheromone flapping its wings curiously on either side.

The Brain perceived that the situation had gone beyond recovery and quietly tried to withdraw from the battlefield.

Then.

[ Where do you think you’re going? ]

The sound from the sky and the sudden sensation made Brain quickly turn his body.

A white battleship was already approaching him.

On it stood an 12-meter tall one-eyed giant, who had just disappeared from view.

– …!!

The dark void inside the barrel aimed at him.

As Brain hastily spread all his hands, the flames erupted from the darkness before he could.

A high-speed assault of the cannon that pierced through the air.

The view of Brain was completely covered by the incoming shells.

WHOOSH!!

An explosion happening above the nest.

Simultaneously, the collective consciousness that bound them disappeared from the cryptid swarm, causing massive confusion.

– KIEEEE!

– KYAAAA!!

Some cryptids attacking each other.

Some creatures attempted to escape by flying upwards and down towards the ground, and the massive swarm of cryptids collapsed entirely.

[ Keep firing! Reduce their numbers as much as possible! ]

[ Right-o, they’re predictable! ]

The cruisers and fighter jets relentlessly chased such enemies and continued their attacks.

Watching those sights, Edu nodded and looked forward.

“Well, since we’ve finished off their forces, all that’s left is that thing.”

Edu smirked upon gazing at the large lump of flesh twitching, the nest of the flight-type cryptids.

“Then let’s attack-”

The moment his small hand lifted into the air, a cheerful voice came from just beneath his chin.

“Wow! Mommy!”

“Hmm? What’s the matter, Seoli?”

“Over there, there’s a bead! A huge one!”

Saying this, Seoli pointed somewhere.

That tiny finger pointed towards the nest of the flight-type cryptid creatures.

“…What? Inside there??”

“Yes!!”