Chapter 103: 103:Giant Grabs Aren’t Tasty
The moment the gigantic pincer burst out from beneath the ground, the entire salt field seemed to come alive, as if something sleeping beneath had finally awakened.
Cracks rapidly spread across the white surface in every direction.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
One explosion followed after another as the seemingly harmless, snow-covered field transformed into a battlefield.
The large, stone-like mounds scattered throughout the salt lake suddenly started to split apart.
What everyone had assumed were frozen rocks had suddenly begun moving.
The ground erupted violently as dozens of massive Craprace monsters clawed their way out from beneath the salt lake.
Their dark shells glistened beneath the pale sunlight while giant pincers snapped through the air with enough force to crush a man. Sharp legs dug into the ground and dragged their massive bodies forward.
The sight alone made many faces turn pale.
"What the hell are those things?"
"There are more!"
"Behind us too!"
The civilians who had been resting immediately scrambled backward in panic. Several children began crying while their mothers hurriedly pulled them away from the battlefield.
The guards reacted instantly.
"Defensive formation!"
"Protect the civilians!"
"Move them back!"
Swords and spears were raised as mercenaries rushed to reinforce weak points in the formation.
Even the experienced warriors looked alarmed as more and more Craprace monsters emerged from beneath the ground.
"Here we go... You have your answer, Reigns!"
Duster shouted as he sprang to his feet and pulled out his weapon.
Reigns’ eyes widened when he spotted a Craprace emerging directly beside the APC.
The creature let out a harsh screech and immediately charged toward the vehicle.
"Shit!"
Without hesitation, Reigns summoned the Dryads.
Mana gathered around him before two elegant figures materialized beside him.
"Protect the APC!"
The two Dryads nodded and immediately headed to the APC, their bodies blurring forward.
Meanwhile, the charging Craprace raised its giant pincer high into the air.
Before it could strike, dozens of thick vines burst from beneath the ground and wrapped around its legs.
The creature struggled violently.
At the same moment, Splash Shooter emerged behind the Dryads.
The plant monster opened its flower-like mouth.
THUP! THUP! THUP! THUP!
Powerful energy orbs shot through the air in rapid succession.
The attacks slammed against the monster’s shell, forcing it backward as cracks slowly began appearing across its armor.
"Everyone, hold on."
The Dryads continued directing vines throughout the battlefield while the Splash Shooter relentlessly fired at anything that was seen approaching the APC.
Meanwhile, the battle had already erupted across the field.
"Reigns... Go and get the message."
Rock shouted as he drew out his short sword, his expression already serious.
Without waiting for a response, he rushed forward to intercept the approaching monsters.
One of the giant pincers came crashing toward him, but Rock stepped into its path.
WHOOSH!
Rock dodged swiftly.
The pincer smashed into the ground, sending chunks of salt flying everywhere.
At the same time, Rock stepped forward and swung his sword.
CLANG!
The blade struck directly against the creature’s joint.
CRACK!
One of the monster’s arms was hacked off completely, making the Craprace let out a painful screech.
Not far away, Duster was already charging straight into the middle of the battlefield with his usual reckless confidence.
A massive crab monster lunged toward him.
But instead of retreating, Duster grinned.
"Come then!"
A giant pincer swung downward.
Duster lowered his body and slipped beneath the attack before slamming his weapon upward.
BANG!
The strike landed beneath the monster’s shell.
The creature staggered backward.
Before it could recover, Duster stepped forward again and delivered another brutal strike.
CRACK!
One of the legs shattered instantly, making the monster loose its balance and collapse sideways.
Duster immediately jumped onto its back.
Raising his weapon high above his head, he roared and brought it down in repeated strikes.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
The shell finally broke apart, dark blood splashing across the white snow as the creature stopped moving.
"Next!"
Duster shouted, searching for another target.
Nearby, Seon remained close to the APC.
Unlike Duster, she didn’t rush into close combat.
Her hands moved rapidly as dark mana gathered around her fingers.
A cold wind swept across the battlefield.
"Cursed Weakness."
Black mist spread toward one of the approaching Craprace monsters.
The creature immediately slowed down, its movements growing sluggish and the strength behind its pincers visibly weakened.
Seon’s eyes narrowed.
"Cursed Pain."
Another curse followed, and the monster suddenly began convulsing violently; its body trembled as it screeched in agony.
The weakened creature was then quickly finished off by nearby guards.
Seon didn’t stop at just that.
She kept on casting one curse after another, spreading debilitating effects across the battlefield.
The advancing monsters became slower and weaker, giving the defenders precious breathing room.
Beside her, Gianna had already taken out her bow.
Her expression was calm despite the chaos surrounding them.
She pulled back the bowstring.
A sharp arrow immediately whizzed through the air.
SWISH!
The projectile struck directly into Craprace’s eye, making the creature screech in pain.
Before it could recover, another followed.
SWISH!
Then another.
SWISH!
Gianna’s hands moved rapidly and smoothly.
Each arrow found a weak point.
Whenever a monster threatened the defensive line, an arrow would suddenly appear and force it back.
Several guards looked at her with surprise.
Her accuracy was terrifying.
Meanwhile, Reigns completely ignored the battle raging around him.
He weaved through the fighting monsters and sprinted toward the APC.
Just then, a crab monster lunged at him from the side.
Reigns immediately sidestepped and continued moving without entering a fight.
Another giant pincer came crashing down toward him.
He ducked beneath it and jumped onto the APC through the window.
Landing in the driver’s seat, he quickly grabbed the communicator that was still ringing.
"Hello!"
The voice from the other side sounded urgent.
"Hello!"
"Is everything alright!"
"What’s going on?"
Reigns tightened his grip on the communicator and shouted back.
"We are attacked by Craprace."
The other side suddenly fell silent.
"..."
"We were about to inform you that... this field is full of them. If you encounter huge stone ball-like things, then don’t go near them. They aren’t stones—they’re crab monsters."
Reigns glanced outside.
The situation was growing worse with every passing second with more and more monsters emerging from beneath the ground.
Some had already begun circling around the formation, attempting to attack the civilians from the sides.
"Are you all alright?"
"Yes... the two plant monsters protected us."
Reigns let out a small sigh of relief. At least the scouts were safe.
Seeing the situation developing around him, he quickly made a preliminary decision.
"Scouts, come back... Going alone might be dangerous. Return at once..."
He ended the call and switched to another channel.
After several seconds, the communicator connected.
"Sir Hex, we have a problem. We have encountered a horde of Craprace monsters... We are clearing them, but what about the crowd?"
For several moments, only static could be heard while the sounds of raging battle echoed around him.
Then Hex’s calm voice finally came through.
"Command them to fall back... Hold on. The reinforcements are on the way."
"Yes sir!"
Reigns answered immediately.
The communication ended.
He placed the communicator down and prepared to jump off the APC.
Just then...
A strange feeling crawled down his spine.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up.
His body froze instinctively as he turned around.
The sunlight above had suddenly disappeared.
A huge shadow spread across the ground.
Reigns slowly raised his head, and his face instantly turned pale with what he saw before him.
’Ahhh hell nooo!’
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