Chapter 353

Episode 353. The King of the Center~ (3)

Despite the heroic efforts of those superhumans, the assault inside the stronghold was progressing much slower than expected.

But when you think about it, it makes sense.

If barriers drop in the passageways, unless you have raw firepower like Pashtira…

Even if you’re a superhuman, you either have to go around the passage or spend time breaking through the barrier and then move forward. Either way, it takes a lot of time.

In areas without superhumans, the troops inevitably get worn down in battles against the enemy’s defense forces.

My main force is made up entirely of D-rank or higher superhumans, thanks to the “Superhuman Soldier Training Facility” and the chimeras created by Gryanarr, so there’s no big issue there.

But the mercenary forces and the genuine monster troops, which make up the bulk of our numbers, are continuously suffering losses during the breakthrough…

-“Commander, we need additional troops!”

-“The Tanhoizer defense force is deploying tanks and walkers, but we’re lacking firepower.”

“Sigh.”

Given the situation, I decided there was no other choice.

I immediately sent down the 2nd and 3rd assault pods to reinforce the troops inside Tanhoizer.

This time, I even deployed heavy weapons, tanks, walkers, and other heavy armored units.

Not just assault pods, but also some patrol ships and large shuttles were mobilized.

By the way, how on earth did Gryanarr’s mobile fortress, Tyranno, get here considering its insane size?

Well, when it first launched, the monster core was just big enough to fill one assault pod, so that’s how it was transported.

==========

But as soon as I sent down the 2nd assault force, the damage reports came in much higher than expected.

“Commander, may I report the results of the 2nd assault?”

“Hmm.”

“First, the heavy weapons and armored units had about a 50% success rate in landing, while the regular troops had about a 70% success rate.”

“…That many were wiped out?”

Hearing the report, I couldn’t help but express my doubts, to which our Jessica replied.

“Yes, it seems we lacked the firepower to cover them compared to the 1st assault.”

“Ugh.”

During the 1st assault, the patrol ships (+escort ships) and aircraft covering the pods were wiped out too much.

“Moreover, although they were all repelled now, at that time, the Tanhoizer’s destroyer squadron broke through the defense line and charged in.”

“Hmm, I told them to deal with it immediately, but they failed?”

“Yep, they said the enemy kept dodging and the response was a bit delayed.”

On top of that, the NPC fleet also tried to block us.

Unlike the 1st assault, the forces being intercepted in the 2nd assault increased rapidly.

But as a result, in the 3rd assault, I deployed additional patrol ships that still had some reserves.

Plus, since all the fleets had come out from inside, there would be no more surprise teleport attacks from the rear.

I positioned our Kraken No. 2 at the forefront to absorb most of the anti-air fire from the stronghold.

Then, I had it ram straight into the gaping hole in the stronghold, allowing its tentacles, each with the firepower of a heavy cruiser’s main gun, to wreak havoc inside.

And as a bonus, the assault troops inside the Kraken boarded the base.

But as soon as the Kraken charged in, Tanhoizer’s defense fleet tried to ram it with their prows.

And all sorts of bizarre tactics were aimed at the Kraken, which was wriggling inside the stronghold…

“An additional enemy fleet is charging at Kraken No. 2 from the 11 o’clock direction.”

“Contact Kraken No. 2, tell them to start pulling back and retreat.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Quickly, with the help of nearby fleets, I decided to pull Kraken No. 2 out of the stronghold and move it to the rear.

But even though we managed to repel (?) the Kraken…

The defense facilities in the sections where the assault pods were supposed to land were completely destroyed by the Kraken’s tentacles from its full-body ram.

At the same time, the troops that had already entered were determined to take out the stronghold’s anti-air defenses first.

So, the situation was only getting worse for Tanhoizer…

Two days later.

“We’re out of resources…!”

In a few hours…

Due to the “forced cancellation of hiring due to lack of resources,” it seems like the mercenary groups are about to desert en masse.

Before that, because I forcibly held onto the Tanhoizer fleet, the fleet has been significantly depleted, and if this continues, I might have to consume my main forces as well.

I was feeling extremely nervous, as if high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes were about to hit me.

-*Bzzzzzzz.*

-“Commander! Urgent report!”

“Speak quickly.”

-“We have successfully captured the command center of Tanhoizer Fortress! We’ve won, Commander!”

“Whaaat?”

—————————————-

<Event>

<The command center of the stronghold 'Tanhoizer Gate Fortress' has been captured!>

<Rewards>

<You can receive additional rewards weekly from 'Tanhoizer Gate Fortress'.>

˪<150,000 Minerals, 12,000 Rare Resources, 5,000 Gold>

˪<The stronghold's resource warehouse capacity has been increased by 7,000,000!>

˪<The docking system lock function between 'Tanhoizer Gate Fortress' and the Commander's base has been unlocked!>

—————————————-

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!”

“Success, Commander!”

“Kyaaaaaaaah!”

Despite the obvious fatigue from the grueling battle, hopeful voices came through the comms.

Naturally, upon seeing the event message, I couldn’t help but let out a cheer of joy.

Then, after holding hands with Jessica and dancing in celebration.

I decided to take a screenshot of the new battle results event along with the previously taken proof shots and post them in the gallery.

But there was one unexpected problem here…

—————————————–

Title: Breaking News) Icarus successfully captures Tanhoizer…

Author: News Boy

Content: [GIF of the Tanhoizer defense fleet and Icarus’s mercenaries ceasing combat]

After a few explosions inside the stronghold, they stopped fighting.

It’s just a prediction, but it seems like Icarus has definitely taken over Tanhoizer.

Maybe ㅇㅇ

Comments:

-[Wow]

-[They actually took it]

-[Incredible ㄹㅇ]

-[Amazing]

-[They really took Level 7 all by themselves ㄷㄷ]

-[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL this is hilarious]

—————————————–

—————————————–

Title: Holy crap, I got it!!!!

Author: Icarus

Content: [JPG of the assault operation in progress], [JPG of the conquest confirmation via event message]

I won, damn stronghold!!

Comments:

-[Congrats]

-[Props for the strategy, slow noobs thumbs down]

-[LOLOLOLOLOLOL]

-[Are you the one who’s slower than the reporter watching this?]

-˪[Yes, that’s me]

-[Slow♡Noob♡]

-[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]

-[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]

—————————————–

“…How did they write that so fast?”

The self-proclaimed ‘reporters’ who were watching the situation posted the results much faster than I, the actual person involved, could.

Because of this, instead of being purely congratulated for the Level 7 stronghold result.

I ended up being mocked in the gallery for a while as the “slow noob♡” (?) in disgrace.

Of course, that situation didn’t last long.

After all, it was true that I had conquered Level 7 “all by myself.”

Before long, users started genuinely praising my stronghold capture.