Chapter 670 The Ravine (4)
It seemed, if only for a brief period, that the amount of firepower available would be sufficient. The onslaught resulted in the incineration or blowing hundreds of ant-like thaids, causing their exoskeletons to shatter.
Visibility was limited because of the heavy air, which was filled with a dense fog of smoke and debris. The pungent smell, reminiscent of burnt hair, filled the air as the scent of burnt chitin mixed with the sharp and metallic aroma of gunpowder. The overpowering sensation that stung their nostrils and caused their eyes to water couldn't deter them from forging ahead; they had no alternative but to keep going.
However, the relentless and vast swarm, resembling a sea of chittering monstrosities, continued unabated.
While Acting in unison, their legs and mandibles formed a cohesive unit, resembling a tidal wave that consumed the surrounding light.
The sheer magnitude of their numbers was astonishing, as they formed a living carpet that extended across the ground and scaled the walls of the ravine.
Even though there were casualties, it appeared their ranks remained unaffected, almost as if a new creature replaced every fallen one.
The blinking of their eyes in the smoky darkness was both unsettling and mesmerizing, as it added to the chaos and created a unique light show.
"We can't let these bugs overrun us! Aim for their eyes, their damn eyes!" Mira gave the example, her laser gun sizzling as it cut through the swarm.
As the Xeridon Anteris poured down, the once barren and lifeless rocky ravine walls appeared to ripple and shudder.
In the ravine, the mercenaries' weapons created a thunderous roar and their shouts resonated off the narrow walls.
The chaos that unfolded was akin to a symphony of destruction, a cacophonous concert in which only those who were willing to do everything they could to survive would prevail. The darkest angles were punctuated by bright flashes of light emanating from the muzzles of their guns.
With surgical precision, the laser beams sliced through the swarm, showcasing their brilliance and deadly nature.
As they cut through the air, the beams transformed into streaks of pure, searing light, leaving a trail of obliterated creatures in their wake.
The sight they witnessed could be described as almost beautiful, resembling a deadly ballet where light and death intertwined, creating a stark contrast to the harsh reality they were facing.
As each flash of light illuminated the surroundings, a distinct scent of burning chitin filled the air, followed by a momentary agonized screech as the creatures met their inevitable demise.
"Keep firing, don't let up!" said Kael through the communication devices, his voice tinged with both urgency and encouragement.
The rockets launched into the air with significant force, creating spectacular explosions filled with vibrant shades of orange and red.
Powerful shockwaves spread out from the center, causing the ant-like thaids to be torn apart in groups as they propagated.
Creatures' bodies were scattered in every direction, with fragments of their exoskeletons glimmering in the light as they flew.
Amidst the chaos, the machine guns rattled on, their harsh staccato rhythm creating a continuous backdrop.
As the bullets flew, they punctured the oncoming mass of creatures, creating holes in their ranks. The occurrence of each impact was accompanied by a brief spray of chitin fragments, which served as a stark reminder of the sheer lethality possessed by their weapons.
But the Xeridon Anteris seemed to be everywhere. With every casualty, there was a clear influx of two more combatants who pushed ahead, resulting in an accumulation of their fallen bodies forming mounds that lined the base of the ravine walls.
The sight before them was grim, a somber reminder of the overwhelming number of Thaids they faced - a towering mound of lifeless creatures.
The ravine's walls appeared to be teaming with creatures, almost as if they were being birthed from the very stones.
It was a sight that would chill anyone to their core - an endless sea of chitin and mandibles, their numbers so vast it was hard to comprehend.
The situation was dire, the tension palpable. Every second mattered in this desperate fight for survival.
"Come on, Nexthorn Vanguard, show these critters what we're made of!" Aiden tried to cheer his comrades, his machine gun chattering as it mowed down a line of advancing Xeridon Anteris.
Engaged in a relentless fight, the mercenaries wore expressions of intense concentration on their faces, coupled with a dawning understanding of the gravity of their situation.
In the heat of battle, sweat trickled down their foreheads, causing a burning sensation in their eyes and combining with the dirt and grime of the battlefield.
Despite the weight of their weapons, they continued to fire, their actions driven by both desperation and a mechanical instinct.
The individuals involved in the mission were aware that they were engaged in the task of eliminating a significant number of Xeridon Anteris, yet it seemed futile, akin to using a broom to sweep away an avalanche.
The creatures showed their relentless nature, refusing to break their swarm-like mentality even in the face of fallen comrades.
With each step that the creatures took towards us, their bodies pulsed with an increasing surge of mana. The activation of their brain crystal power was a sight that caused the mercenaries to feel a chill down their spines.
The air was filled with a buzzing energy, causing the hairs on their arms to stand on end as if a palpable wave of power was washing over them.
Out of nowhere, the creatures' movements underwent a sudden transformation, becoming easier and more synchronized.
With a dramatic increase in speed, they became a blur of chitin and mandibles, giving the illusion that they were present in many locations.
As each second passed, the situation was becoming desperate, and the tension in the air was so palpable that it felt almost suffocating.
With great intensity, the tension escalated to an extreme level as several Xeridon Anteris boldly leaped onto the moving vehicles, demonstrating their incredible agility and gripping the metal surfaces with unwavering tenacity.
In response to the creatures being so close, the mercenaries inside let out screams and were unable to move due to fear. As panic threatened to take over, a sudden blur of motion erupted from one of the lead vehicles.
It was Erik. In a display of extraordinary athleticism, he leaped into the air, his body bending in an arc that defied gravity, showcasing a level of agility that appeared almost otherworldly.
With the agility of a cat, he landed on one of the besieged vehicles, causing his boots to make a resounding thud against the metal roof.
As he faced the swarming thaids, his eyes became hard and focused, his intense gaze matched only by the sharpness of the blade he wielded.
With a single, fluid movement, he swung his Flyssa, and with deadly precision; the blade sliced through the air, severing the head of the nearest Xeridon Anteris without giving it the slightest opportunity to react.
With an eerie finality, the head of the creature came loose from the body, bouncing several times as if in a macabre dance, until it descended into the bottomless pit below.
Erik moved with such incredible speed that it was impossible to keep up with his actions; he was like a blur of motion.
With a silver streak, his blade was a symbol of impending death, and it moved with lethal grace. Within a few brief moments, he eliminated the unwelcome guests from the vehicle.
Right when the convoy's spirits were lifted, a piercing scream filled the air. The source that Erik's eyes shifted to was a woman who had been cornered by a Xeridon Anteris in one of the rear vehicles, with its menacing mandibles just inches away from her face. The moment Erik began assessing the situation, time appeared to decelerate, stretching out the experience. There was no room for error; he had to act now.
Erik defied the limitations of an average human with an incredible burst of speed, propelling himself out of his vehicle and launching his body through the air like a missile.
As the gap between the two vehicles diminished, Erik landed with impeccable precision, coinciding with the moment the Xeridon Anteris made a sudden lunge toward the woman. With a fluid and deadly arc, his Flyssa swung, intercepting the creature just as it was mid-leap.
With astonishing ease, the blade cleaved through the exoskeleton of the creature as if it were nothing more than flimsy parchment, resulting in the severing of its head from its body.
Propelled by its momentum, the lifeless form of the creature sailed past the woman, causing her to stagger back in a mix of astonishment and relief.
Erik didn't savor the moment. With a quick and forceful kick, he propelled the carcass of the creature off the vehicle, which then disappeared into the shadows below.
He turned his gaze towards the woman, and for a moment, their eyes met. Silence was enough; there was no requirement for verbal communication.
"Stay alert," Erik said, his voice tinged with urgency as he vaulted back to his vehicle. "This isn't over."
With a newfound resolve, the woman nodded, clutching her weapon in her hands. Her rescue had not been a mere stroke of luck, but a testament to the leader's skill and bravery.
If Erik showed the bravery to face these horrors head-on, showing no fear, she could also gather the courage to hold her position and engage in the battle.
With remarkable ease and grace, Erik bounded back onto his vehicle, his agile movements showcasing his lethal precision.
The convoy experienced a surge of joy, which caused their jubilant cheers to reverberate through the narrow ravine and fill the air with a tangible feeling of triumph.
Erik's heroic deeds not only saved a life but also rekindled the passionate determination in every individual who was in attendance.
As the vehicles moved, the flickering light from the sun illuminated the mercenaries' faces, emphasizing the renewed determination that was visible in their features.
The effect of his actions on the convoy was immediate. Cheers erupted from the mercenaries.
"See that, Nexthorn Vanguard? That's how it's done!" Erik's voice crackled through the communication devices, his tone filled with fierce pride. "Now, let's finish this!"
Overwhelmed by a surge of newfound courage, the mercenaries made their way back to their weapons, their aim now even more resolute and their determination unwavering.
If Erik believed victory was within their grasp, they would follow him through the treacherous ravine, no matter the cost.
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