Chapter 750

Chapter 750

Typically, monsters instinctively prioritize attacking the humans in front of them.

Thus, the soldiers on the walls serve both as defenders and a kind of bait. This principle has allowed Crossroad to endure as humanity's last line of defense.

Intelligent monsters, capable of tactics, have tried various methods to destroy the city.

They have targeted weak points in the walls or used overwhelming force to break through. However...

Charging headlong into our firepower, sacrificing themselves to break through, was a first.

"..."

A moment of silence followed.

Cromwell had leaped over the wall, an unprecedented feat.

The wall was not only tall but also wide, extending from the front black dragon wall to the original Crossroad wall, spanning the width of a small river.

Cromwell had leaped over all of it.

Of course, the damage the monster sustained in the process was immense.

Without a barrier or magical defenses, she took the full brunt of our firepower. Moreover, she used her own life force to propel her massive body over the wall.

Inside Crossroad, Cromwell lay in a mangled, shredded state, barely distinguishable from a corpse.

Normally, such a reckless attempt would result in the monster's death.

However, the problem was—

She was a zombie.

Wriggle!

The shredded flesh of the monster heaved violently.

A thick, white steam rose from her pulverized body.

Tentacles, lying limp, began to twitch, gripping the ground, and countless teeth clacked together, gnashing at the air.

And then—

Rip! Rip!

Cromwell, once a massive reindeer or stag-like creature, began to split apart along the lines of the wounds we had inflicted.

The chunks of flesh staggered, each taking a step and standing.

Parts of the antlers, individual tentacles, and the gnashing teeth formed—

Grotesque, monstrous versions of Cromwell's fragmented body began to walk, their limbs trembling.

They opened their gnashing jaws, emitting eerie sounds.

"Aaah, aaah..."

"Aaah? Aaaargh?"

"Aaaah... Aaah, aaah...!"

Rip! Rip!

Countless monsters began pouring out of Cromwell's body.

Humanoid forms, dog-like forms, rhinos, mantises, centipedes...

Grotesque masses of flesh with gnashing teeth, emitting distorted voices, and flailing tentacles spread out in all directions.

The artillerymen and mages on the black dragon wall desperately attacked, but due to the old Crossroad wall, their angles were not optimal. Moreover, the sheer number of emerging monsters meant a few shots wouldn't suffice.

"These disgusting creatures..."

I ground my teeth, watching the monsters stagger and spread into the city.

"Really causing trouble...!"

Fortunately, Crossroad is a fortress city.

The monsters breached the southern wall and entered the city. However, this doesn't mean the end of humanity's last line of defense.

Crossroad is fortified on all four sides. The monsters had essentially trapped themselves within walls.

"Everyone-!"

I shouted to the soldiers and heroes, stunned by the unexpected situation.

"Regroup and move to the northern, eastern, and western walls of Crossroad! Reinforce the defenses!"

"...!"Th.ê most uptodate novels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

"As long as we hold the outer walls, the monsters inside can't escape! Block the exits and take them down one by one! Don't panic!"

The civilians had already been evacuated from Crossroad.

By sealing off the city and methodically eliminating the trapped monsters, we could still defend the human world's entrance. We still held the advantage.

"Move quickly! Defend the other walls before the monsters break out!"

I commanded, extending my arm.

Dash!

I allocated the rescue missions based on the heroes' mobility and combat capabilities, covering the various groups of non-combat personnel scattered throughout the city.

The moment the orders were given, the heroes leaped into action, heading into the city without hesitation.

"Lastly, the farthest and most difficult rescue operation."

I clicked my tongue as I confirmed the final location.

"The old barracks housing retired and injured soldiers. It's in the center of the city."

This included Chain, Hecate, and others who couldn't participate in combat but had no place to go outside Crossroad.

Normally, being in the city center would have been one of the safest places, but now it was the most dangerous.

"Who will rescue them?"

I glanced at Lucas.

"..."

Lucas lowered his bright blue eyes, deep in thought.

Finally, he spoke in a dry voice.

***

"Aaah, aaah..."

"Aaah! Aaaargh..."

"Aaaah! Aaaargh-!"

Emitting meaningless screams, the grotesque masses of flesh traversed the city.

The monsters indiscriminately captured any living beings within the city, shoving them between their gnashing teeth and devouring them.

From livestock to small rats, nothing in their path retained its form, torn apart and consumed.

"..."

The retired soldiers hiding in the barracks watched in silence.

Chain trembled, her face drenched in sweat.

"What the hell are those things doing in Crossroad...? Did the wall fall?"

"That's unlikely. A signal flare went up just a moment ago."

Hecate glanced skyward.

"It seems these monsters somehow got over the wall, but our forces are still fighting. The signal flare is a call for all survivors to move towards the wall."

"Move towards the wall? How the hell are we supposed to do that?"

That was the problem.

The distance from the barracks to the wall was considerable. Even if it wasn't too far normally, it was an impossible distance for the retired, often injured, soldiers here.

Chain grabbed her crutch, swallowing curses. She could move, albeit with difficulty, but some of the retired soldiers had no legs or were bedridden.

How could they possibly make it to the wall through those monsters?

Thud!

Suddenly, the door to the barracks shook violently.

The retired soldiers peeked through the windows and saw monsters swarming the entrance.

Thud! Thud! Crack!

The barracks door was ripped off and fell to the ground. The masses of flesh, emitting suffocating screams, staggered into the barracks.

"..."

The retired soldiers turned pale, looking at each other in a cold sweat.

Shling—

Hecate and the four other Glory Knights drew their weapons from their sheaths.

"We can't escape on our own. Everyone, gather in the large room. Block the door and build barricades. Hold out until the rescue team arrives."

"What? But..."

There were already over a hundred monsters inside the barracks.

How could they hold out in such a situation?

"We'll create a distraction."

Hecate exchanged glances with the other Glory Knights and gave a bitter smile.

"We're still useful for at least that much."

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading

Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/jB26ePk9