Chapter 60: Battle Between Giants
John turned toward the source of the attack, and the scene before him made even him raise an eyebrow.
The three injured Brutes, along with the remaining ones, had begun ripping enormous chunks of concrete from the ruined streets and collapsed buildings. With deafening roars, they hurled the massive blocks toward the military formation.
WHOOSH!
BOOOM!
Concrete exploded on impact, sending shards of rubble flying in every direction.
"Take cover!"
The soldiers scattered behind abandoned vehicles and barricades. But the moment their formation broke apart, the surrounding zombies seized the opportunity.
"RAAAAGH!"
They surged forward from all directions, pouncing on the isolated soldiers. In an instant, the military’s orderly formation began to crumble.
High above the battlefield, the snipers aboard the helicopters shifted their aim.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
High-caliber rounds rained down on the charging Brutes. The bullets tore into their thick flesh, splattering black blood across the streets, but the massive creatures refused to fall.
Then—
PSSHHT!
One sniper round punched straight through a Brute’s left eye.
"ROOOAAARRR!!"
The giant monster bellowed in agony and lifted its head toward the helicopter hovering above. Its remaining eye burned with murderous rage. With a furious roar, it bent down, grabbed a massive slab of broken concrete, and hurled it into the sky.
WHOOSH!
Seeing this, the other Brutes copied its actions. One after another, gigantic chunks of concrete shot toward the helicopters.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
The pilots weren’t prepared for the barrage. They desperately pulled on their controls, trying to change course and evade the incoming projectiles.
One helicopter narrowly avoided a concrete block. Another rolled sharply to the side. But the third wasn’t as fortunate.
KRAAASH!
A massive slab of concrete slammed into its tail rotor. The helicopter spun out of control.
"This is Air Con Two! We’ve been hit! I repeat, we’ve been hit!"
"Mayday! Mayday! Brace for impact!"
The crippled helicopter spiraled uncontrollably through the air. As it fell, it slammed directly into another helicopter flying nearby.
BAAAAM!
"This is Air Con One! We’ve been hit!"
"Brace for impact! Mayday! Mayday!"
The final helicopter climbed to a higher altitude, barely avoiding the barrage of flying debris.
Meanwhile, the two damaged helicopters plummeted toward the streets below.
BOOOOOOM!!
BOOOOOOM!!
Two enormous fireballs erupted almost simultaneously, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
"ROOOOOAAARRR!!"
The Brutes threw back their heads and roared triumphantly, as though celebrating their victory. Then, they resumed their brutal assault on the remaining soldiers.
John glanced back at the pinned wolf. The monstrous creature was still struggling violently, desperately trying to free its hind leg from the steel beam. But no matter how hard it thrashed, it couldn’t break free.
John gritted his teeth. After a brief hesitation, he turned away from the wolf and charged toward the Brutes, several steel beams hovering silently behind him.
At the same time, Tony and Bear also rejoined the battle.
Tony thrust both hands forward. Streams of water shot out, twisting around two Brutes before solidifying into massive shackles that wrapped tightly around their arms and legs. The Brutes struggled against the bindings.
CRACK! CRACK!
The water restraints trembled violently. Although Tony managed to slow their movements, the monsters’ overwhelming strength made it impossible to restrain them completely.
Bear limped forward, carrying a gigantic steel beam across his shoulder. He glanced at Tony.
Tony understood what Bear intended. Without another word, he abandoned the Brutes and redirected his ability. Thousands of water bullets condensed around him before shooting toward the surrounding horde.
SHHHK! SHHHK! SHHHK!
The compressed water bullets tore through zombies that were attempting to overwhelm the soldiers, relieving the pressure on the collapsing front line.
Meanwhile, Bear closed the distance to the restrained Brutes. The two monsters roared furiously and charged toward him.
"ROOOAAARRR!!"
Bear answered with a roar of his own. Gripping the massive steel beam with both hands, he swung it with all his might.
BAAAAM!!
The pointed end of the beam slammed into one Brute’s head. The impact staggered the monster, sending it crashing onto its back. The second Brute seized the opportunity.
BAAAM!!
Its enormous fist slammed into Bear’s already injured shoulder.
"ROOOAARRR!!"
Bear cried out in agony. Even so, he refused to retreat. With his remaining strength, he drove a devastating punch into the Brute’s face.
BOOM!
The monster lost its balance and smashed face-first into the ground. Bear didn’t waste the opening.
He raised the steel beam high above his head before driving its sharpened tip downward with all his might.
PUCHI!
The beam pierced straight through the Brute’s skull. Dark blood gushed across the shattered pavement.
Before Bear could catch his breath, the other Brute charged again, throwing another heavy punch. Bear blocked it with his uninjured arm. The impact forced him back several steps. He lifted one massive leg and kicked the Brute square in the stomach.
THUD!
The monster was sent flying several meters across the street.
Bear picked up the bloodstained steel beam and rushed after it. Before the Brute could regain its footing
BAAAM!!
Bear’s powerful kick slammed into its chest, knocking it flat onto its back once again.
Gripping the beam tightly with both hands, Bear raised it overhead. Then he brought it down.
BOOM!
Again.
BOOM!
Again.
BOOM!
Again.
BOOM!
He continued smashing the Brute’s head until its skull collapsed into a mangled pulp. Only then did he stop.
Raising the bloodstained steel beam high into the air with one hand, Bear threw back his head and released a victorious roar.
"ROOOOAAARRR!!"
He turned toward the remaining Brutes. John was already fighting them.
Seeing that, Bear finally let out a sigh of relief.
The strength left his body. His vision blurred. His eyes rolled back. The massive steel beam slipped from his hand.
CLANG!
His gigantic body toppled forward. As he fell, his transformation began to fade. The thick brown fur receded beneath his skin. His towering frame shrank. His massive paws returned to human hands. By the time his body struck the cracked asphalt, Bear had reverted to his original human form, lying unconscious amidst the ruins of the battlefield.
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