Chapter 50

After shaking off the monsters, the vehicles made their way across the base. Our destination was the enemy’s leader — the place where the ‘Queen’ resides.

While the exact location of the Queen remains unknown, figuring out the direction is fairly straightforward.

Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…

[The Queen’s fury echoes around]

A chilling, bone-rattling scream reverberated from the distance, sending shivers down our spines.

“Head in the direction of that sound!”

“Got it!”

The source of that noise is where the Queen must be.

Dududududu…

“Over there, spiders were approaching from the opposite direction!”

On our way towards that sound, spider monsters attacked us from a completely different direction.

‘The ammunition battalion is vast, with multiple scattered ammunition depots.’

Monsters emerging from other depots, or rather, hatcheries, are now coming to hunt us.

Fortunately, the monsters charging from afar are not densely packed.

Thanks to this, we can manage.

“Run them over!”

Smash!

Screeeeh!!

Large horns, spikes, and blades attached to the vehicles shred most of the approaching monsters, which have been enhanced by Mac’s magic.

“Ha, ha-ha! How do you like the power of our combat vehicles?!”

“Well done, you bastards!”

The awakened combat engineers proudly exclaimed, and rightfully so, given the immense power displayed.

‘Prioritizing material acquisition was the best decision.’

These combat vehicles are equipped with not only superior armor but also formidable combat capabilities.

They effortlessly mowed down the few monsters in our path, moving forward without a hitch.

As a result,

Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

The monstrous scream grew louder and more intense than before.

“It sounds like it’s coming from over there!”

“Isn’t that another ammunition depot?”

Before long, we successfully reached the source of the noise.

“Uh, what?”

“That… it looks like an ammunition depot.”

Like the other depots, it resembled a tunnel or cave dug into the mountain.

However, one significant difference stood out.

“It’s enormous…”

These igloo-shaped ammunition depots, used as hatcheries, were already much larger than typical military depots.

Yet, the door of the depot before us dwarfed even those, as if an entire mountain had been carved away to create its vast entrance.

“That’s where our unit received its ammunition supplies.”

“Lieutenant Kim?”

“It’s the largest ammunition depot within the supply battalion. Who would’ve thought the monsters’ leader would be here?”

Given the scale of this depot, it seemed unlikely that it only stored ordinary shells and ammunition.

It might even hold missiles or other large-scale ordnance.

The massive door of the depot was half-open, and inside, we saw a colossal, white spider.

Shaaaaaaaaa!!

A surreal sight: a spider the size of a large truck, spitting and screeching.

“That’s the Queen.”

The Queen’s Battle Cry weakens enemies and strengthens her allies.

Here, we are the enemies, and the spiders are her allies.

Before this Battle Cry filled the air, the battle was significantly in our favor.

Conversely, it means…

“If we take out the Queen, the rest will become a disorganized rabble despite their numbers!”

Even though there are many of them, I am confident that we can handle them once their buff is eliminated.

As the newly hatched monsters from the other depots chase us, our plan is to swiftly decapitate the Queen.

“It’s not just the Queen.”

“Of course, the Queen wouldn’t be alone. Damn it.”

Screeeech.

Squeeeek.

The Queen, towering in size, comparable to a massive truck was surrounded by slightly smaller but still massive creatures, about the size of vans.

There were around twenty of these large monsters.

As I focused on these creatures, I suddenly gained an insight.

[Acquired Junior Grade Cooking Secret: Enlightenment of Arachron White Spider Preparation]

[Arachron ‘s sharp and sturdy forelegs are highly regarded as blacksmith materials, but they are difficult to use as food ingredients unless they belong to a special species. The key is to first process the forelegs…]

[While the skin is tough, except for the forelegs, applying heat will soften it, making it easier to remove. However, be cautious as the flesh can become very tender and lose its texture. To maintain flavor, handle the flesh delicately…]

“The name is different too.”

So far, the spiders we fought had the prefix ‘Imperfect’ in their names.

They were immature, not fully developed.

Imperfect larvae.

The giant spiders before us now were different.

‘Fully grown adults, born, nourished and matured.’

Fully matured adults.

This battle felt like it would be much tougher than anything we had faced before.

But.

“We must end this quickly.”

The newborns from other hatcheries are likely racing toward us.

If they join forces with these adults, it will be disastrous.

“Sergeant Shin… do you think that’s possible?”

After drawing his blade, Gwang-il asked nervously as he hurriedly chewed on his combat rations.

I had only one thing to tell him.

“Did you forget already?”

Whether it was possible or not—that wasn’t the important part.

“We make it possible, even if it isn’t.”

That’s the nature of the military.

No, perhaps it’s not just because we’re in the military now.

“It’s about survival.”

“…You’re right.”

This entire world had become one where that was the only way to live.

“Charge! Glorious death awaits us on the battlefield!”

“Tonight, we feast on them!”

“Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”

No more words were needed.

Starting with Gwang-il, who had shaken off his hesitation, the warriors surged forward, and the awakened ones in the rear drew their weapons.

The battle has begun.

* * *

“Eliminate the queen as quickly as possible!”

“Yes, sir!”

As the awakened ones charged with their weapons, the engineers took their seats in the combat vehicles.

“Attack!”

“Hahaha! I knew we’d need this design someday, for fighting against such huge monsters!”

Vrooooom…

The combat vehicles, modified by the engineers, charged forward.

The massive horn-like ram at the front of the lead vehicle sped towards the queen.

The attack was poised to deal significant damage if it hit directly.

Shiiiiing!

Thud!

“Damn…!”

“Damn it, we should have modified the engine too!”

A couple of adult monsters latched onto the vehicle, preventing it from moving forward.

The wheels spun uselessly, failing to propel the combat vehicle.

‘Even with reinforcement, the engine is still the same as the original.’

If we lose in a contest of strength, it won’t matter.

If their engineering skills improved, they could modify the engine as well, but that hasn’t happened yet.

At least a few adult monsters were occupied trying to stop the combat vehicles.

“Damn it, get out of the way, you bastards!”

“They’re determined to protect the Queen!”

The key to their strength lay in the Queen’s buffs.

The enemies seemed to know this as well.

The Queen only shrieked from behind, not stepping forward.

I muttered in disbelief as I watched. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the n0vᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Even monsters can take strategic positions?”

Like in a game, with the buffer in the back and the tanks in the front.

‘So, they have high intelligence.’

Given their ability to form such a formation, they probably wouldn’t just blindly consume a debuff dish if we threw it at them.

Our side struggled to approach the queen, but…

Clang!

Keiieek!

“Ugh…!”

The sharp claws of an adult monster blocked our path.

We wanted to end this battle swiftly.

But at this rate, it would only drag on.

‘We need to come up with a plan, anything.’

But how?

Each monster was incredibly powerful.

If we had time, we might be able to deal with them, but to eliminate them quickly…

‘Huh?’

At that moment, I noticed something strange.

“The monster that just blocked me!”

It was undoubtedly a strong monster.

But there was one peculiar thing about it.

“It seemed like it was missing a leg…”

“What?”

“You’re right! That one is missing a leg!”

Taking a step back from the battle and looking again, it was clear.

One of the monsters was indeed missing a leg compared to the others.

‘Wait, it’s not just that one.’

That monster was the only one missing a leg, but the other monsters had their own issues.

One had a white body with strange bruises, and another seemed to limp slightly, its front claws not moving as they should.

“These monsters…”

“Are they injured?”

I wasn’t sure how they had gotten hurt, but the one missing a leg seemed to be the most severely injured.

If there was a weakness, we had to exploit it.

“That monster! The one with a missing leg is our opening! Focus all firepower on it!”

“Yes, sir!”

Just as a glimmer of hope began to rise, thinking we had found a weak point to exploit…

“Sergeant Shin! Behind us…!”

One of the soldiers, engaged in long-range attacks from the rear, shouted a warning.

When I turned around and looked in that direction.

‘Damn it.’

In the distance, a swarm of spiders that had hatched from another nest was approaching.

They were still a bit far, but it wouldn’t be long before they arrived.

If we get surrounded on both sides, then it would be total annihilation for us.

“We need to act fast!”

“What should we do?”

In the face of imminent death, my mind raced frantically.

“Escape? No. Even if the combat vehicles are sturdy, if just one gets overturned, it’s a disaster.”

“Should we dig into the ammunition depot instead? We won’t get surrounded from both sides… If we avoid being surrounded, what then? Even if we escape, how can we beat those numbers?”

No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t find a solution.

Maybe I should have chosen to escape the moment I heard about the Queen’s power.

“Even now, scattering and fleeing might save a few of us.”

As I was about to give the order to retreat, something caught my eye inside the ammunition depot.

“Missiles…?”

Large missiles. And shells.

“Min-jae hyung.”

“Are we retreating?”

“No.”

It seemed Min-jae hyung was considering retreat too, judging by his expression.

But my thoughts were different.

“Summon all the fire mages.”

“What…?”

Min-jae hyung looked momentarily baffled, but then he seemed to understand my intentions.

“No, it’s your call. You must have a plan. Just wait a moment.”

Soon after, nodding gravely, he stepped back.

“Reporting sir!!”

“Fire Mage Unit, all 7 members specializing in flame spells, assembled!”

Amidst the chaos of battle, only me and the fire mages stepped back momentarily.

These mages had been with us from the start.

Along with the recently awakened survivors, including the youngest of the sibling sisters who were close with Grandpa Park.

Their faces were smeared with soot from fire spells, and they gasped for breath as they gathered.

“It’s an urgent situation. There’s no time to explain,” I asked, focusing on the one thing that concerned me the most.

“Just one question.”

“Yes! Please ask anything!”

“Can you cast spells that detonate a little later?”

If this wasn’t possible, it could pose a problem. But…

“Yes? Ah, you mean delaying the explosion?”

“It’ll require some attention, but it should be doable.”

“It doesn’t seem too difficult!”

If they could manage that as well, then there would be no issue.

“Good. There’s something you need to do.”

“We’re ready for anything you ask.”

“Do you see those sections inside covered with spider silk?”

I pointed with my finger.

The soldiers’ gaze shifted to the interior of the ammunition depot, where the huge stockpile was covered not just with webs on the floor but also with protruding items.

“Yes, it’s visible.”

“Given how they’re sticking out like that, those must be where the shells are stacked in the depot, right?”

“Just focus on what you can see.”

Their task was simple.

“Remember what I mentioned earlier? That delayed magic? Aim it at those sections.”

“You mean inside the ammunition depot, not at the monsters?”

“I’m sorry, there’s no time to explain. Please do it quickly and aim for the stronger spots.”

“…We’re not entirely sure what you’re planning, Sergeant.”

“It’s what Corporal Shin has ordered. There must be a reason. Understood!”

The mages closed their eyes immediately, beginning to chant something akin to a spell.

Confirming their readiness,

I returned to the forefront of the ongoing battle formation.

“Sergeant Shin!?”

“This area is too dangerous for you! Sergeant Shin, you’re not a frontline combatant, so fighting from the outskirts would be…”

The place I headed to was the very epicenter of the fierce battle.

It was a gathering place for high-level warriors in our guild.

As someone from the production line, it wouldn’t be unusual for me to perish here at any moment, but for him, he would be here.

“Gwang-il! Jeon Gwang-il!”

“Hehehe, having fun, are we? Let’s see if you can make me enjoy it more, you bug…”

“Snap out of it, you idiot!”

Gwang-il, who was single-handedly grappling with a monstrous adult-level creature like a madman, turned his head slightly after I lightly smacked him on the head.

“Grr… Ah, Sergeant Shin?”

“That’s right, idiot.”

“Couldn’t you just say it? Why hit me on the head like that?”

“…Sorry.”

Sorry to interrupt your fun, but there’s work to be done.

“Anyway, what’s the matter?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes?”

It was where the strongest individuals in the unit with enhanced physical abilities gathered.

Only they could pull this off.

“From now on, we’re changing our combat strategy a bit.”

“What are you planning… No, I suppose you have a plan. How should we change it?”

“Targeting the Queen is impractical. We’ll lead the monsters into the ammunition depot.”

“Not targeting the queen, but leading them inside…”

After a moment of consideration, he nodded.

“Well, this might actually be easier than the current battle. Is that all?”

“One more thing. After we successfully lead them inside, we need to seal the ammunition depot.”

“Seal it?”

Inside the ammunition depot are creatures like the Queen and her soldiers…”

“We’re going to detonate the ammunition depot.”

With an enormous amount of explosives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Translator: One Force

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