Chapter 104: 104:Take The Shot
The ground cracked apart violently, sending jagged fissures racing across the frozen land.
Then something enormous burst out from below.
A gigantic lobster monster erupted from the earth.
Its massive body was covered in thick crimson armor that looked more like forged metal than flesh. Sharp spikes protruded from its shell, while layers of hardened plates overlapped one another like natural shields.
Every movement of the creature produced grinding noises as its armored body shifted. Its long antennae twitched through the air like whips, sensing prey. Two enormous pincers hung before it, each one large enough to crush a vehicle with ease. The edges of those claws were jagged and stained with dark blood.
Beneath its shell, dozens of powerful legs dug into the ground, allowing the monster to move with terrifying speed despite its size.
Most frightening of all were its eyes.
Two glowing crimson eyes stared out from beneath its armored head.
They burned with pure hostility and killing intent, sending chills down the spine of anyone who met them.
The moment it emerged, one of its gigantic pincers snapped forward.
CRAAASH!
A nearby Caraprace monster was caught instantly, and the huge claws closed.
A sickening crunch followed as it echoed throughout the area.
The unfortunate creature was crushed into pieces before it could even react.
Chunks of its shell and flesh exploded outward as the lobster casually tossed the remains aside like worthless garbage.
"AHHH! What is this?" Duster jumped back onto his feet, nearly stumbling from shock.
Seon immediately began gathering dark energy into her hands, preparing a curse spell.
Before she could cast it, Gianna quickly grabbed her arm.
"Stop! Don’t attract its attention!"
"She is right. Don’t provoke it."
Rock appeared behind them with a somber expression as he watched the gigantic monster.
"Then what?" Seon asked.
"The lobster is taking down the Caraprace, which is a good thing for us. Let them wear it down, then we will strike at the right moment."
Rock decided to observe for now.
Unfortunately, things quickly went wrong.
The surrounding Caraprace monsters watched their own kind being torn apart without mercy, but instead of fighting back, they suddenly turned around and fled in every direction.
"..."
The squad blinked in confusion.
For a moment, nobody understood what was happening before their very eyes.
The gigantic lobster slowly turned around.
Its crimson eyes locked onto the small group of humans standing in the distance.
The glowing eyes flared as the monster charged.
The frozen ground exploded beneath its legs as it rushed toward them with brutal speed.
"Incoming!" Rock shouted, drawing his sword.
Gianna immediately nocked an arrow and released it.
The arrow whistled through the air before striking one of the lobster’s joints.
BOOM!
The explosion forced the monster slightly off course.
At the same time, Seon unleashed a barrage of curses.
Dark energy slammed into the lobster repeatedly.
Unfortunately, all it did was make the monster even angrier.
SQUEEEECH!
A piercing squeal erupted from the creature.
The sound was so sharp that everyone instinctively covered their ears.
The lobster raised one of its massive claws and slammed it into the ground.
BOOOOM!
A faint shockwave spread outward.
Then it did something that made everyone rub their eyes in disbelief.
The claw struck the ground again with a strange clicking sound.
And using the force of the impact, the gigantic monster launched itself forward, making its enormous armored body shoot into the air.
For a brief moment, the huge creature seemed to be flying.
The sight made everyone’s blood run cold.
Its massive shadow expanded rapidly across the snow as it came crashing toward the squad.
"RUNNN!" Rock roared at the top of his lungs as he prepared to dive aside.
Just then...
BAAAAAANG!
A deafening crash echoed across the battlefield.
The airborne lobster suddenly jerked sideways as the black APC slammed into it at full speed.
The powerful impact struck the monster directly.
Without anything to brace itself against, the lobster was sent flying.
Its huge body crashed into the snowy ground and rolled repeatedly across the frozen landscape before finally coming to a stop.
A painful groan escaped from the creature.
Duster stared at the APC before looking at the driver through the windscreen.
"Goddamn. Reigns. You just rammed it hard."
Rock hurried over and knocked against the side door.
"Boy, do you even have a license?"
Reigns shook his head calmly.
"That’s bloody illegal."
’The hell... Is it really the time to discuss that?’
"Can you defeat it?" Reigns asked solemnly while looking at the monster.
Above the lobster’s head floated a level number.
Lv36.
The number hung there like a dreadful executioner’s axe waiting to fall.
"No, I can’t defeat it alone."
For a moment, Reigns felt his heart sink.
Then a wide, creepy grin slowly spread across Rock’s face.
"But we have something that can!"
_____
BOOOOOM!
The lobster chased after the menacing black APC in a frenzy.
Apparently, it had not taken the body slam very kindly.
The APC continued speeding across the snow, drawing all of the monster’s attention.
The giant lobster pursued it relentlessly.
"Cough... Brother Rock... Is that thing really capable of killing it?" Duster asked nervously.
He and Reigns were currently assembling a large cannon on top of the APC as quickly as possible.
Before going on the mission, they had received basic training for several emergency situations.
Setting up the cannon was one of them.
The vehicle bounced violently as it sped across the uneven terrain.
Cold wind lashed against their faces, and the metal parts in their hands rattled loudly.
Reigns knelt on the roof while tightening heavy bolts into place. His fingers moved rapidly despite the freezing temperature.
Piece after piece was connected together.
Sweat mixed with snow on his forehead as he focused entirely on the assembly.
Beside him, Duster struggled to hold a support frame steady while passing over components.
Every time the APC hit a bump, both nearly lost their balance.
"Who knows?"
Rock’s answer immediately made Seon and Gianna glare at him.
Meanwhile, they continued firing at the lobster from the rear windows, making sure its attention remained locked onto the APC.
Reigns grabbed the final component and carefully moved it toward the mounting bracket. He was just about to secure the last piece when a knock came from beneath the roof.
Rock had climbed up halfway and was looking at them.
"Kids, make sure to check things before firing, or you are going to die first. I might as well remind you in case you have forgotten."
"There are no second chances."
Reigns opened his mouth to curse.
Then he swallowed the words back down.
"Thanks, Rock... That was some very good encouragement. Now that you have reminded me, can you please focus on the road ahead and let us do the job?"
Rock simply shrugged before climbing back down.
A few moments later, the final piece clicked into place.
CLANK!
The cannon was finally assembled.
Duster immediately stepped forward and grabbed the firing controls.
Before he could do anything, Reigns smacked his hand away.
"Duster, get your hands off... Do you even have a good aim?"
"Of course I have... I learnt archery during primary school."
Reigns stared at him for a second.
Then he decided it was best to ignore that statement completely.
Instead, he leaned over the roof and shouted toward the back of the APC.
"Gianna, you need to take the damned shot."
"Coming!"
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