Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 328: New units (II)

Chapter 328: New units (II)

Standing between two and three meters tall, the creatures had humanoid bodies with four insect-like legs emerging from the lower parts of their forms, each fiber exuding raw power. Dark, sinewy exoskeletal armor covered their bodies, resembling twisted bone, giving them an organic yet armored appearance.

Muscles rippled beneath the surface, showcasing immense physical strength. Their arms ended in razor-sharp claws—long and jagged, designed for tearing through enemies. Their heads were almost insectoid, with faceless, twisted visages. Eyes glowing a faint red emanated cold, lethal intent.

Despite severe wounds from the blast—pieces of their bodies and even parts of their heads missing—they charged with unbridled aggression, using their powerful legs to leap toward the group.

"Look out!" Freya shouted, gripping her mace tighter. She wanted to pull back, but breaking formation would allow the drones to infiltrate their ranks, bringing doom upon them all.

The creatures lunged with terrifying speed, landing on their targets. One descended upon a Turkin soldier, its claws slicing through armor and flesh with horrifying ease. The soldier gasped before crumpling to the ground, lifeless.

Another swept its massive claw, catching two soldiers off guard. They were thrown backward, blood spraying as deep gashes tore across their chests.

"NO!" Viserin roared, eyes wide with fury, but there was little he could do to help his men against the horrifying monsters.

The third creature targeted another soldier, impaling him through the abdomen. The soldier’s eyes widened in shock before dimming as he slumped forward.

"Damn it!" Jormungandr shouted in rage, surging all his energy into the halo of devil blood. The next second, the halo exploded, forming dozens of devilish figures that lunged into the fray of drones on the ground, unleashing bloodlust upon the enemy.

That spell seemed to drain the small yellow cat’s energy, but it took care of the drones on the ground, giving the others the chance to face the monstrous humanoid-insect hybrids that were butchering their people.

"Attack with everything!" Clasius yelled, dashing toward the creatures. The armor on his body reduced to a feather-like weight, allowing him to move at shocking speed.

Rage ignited within Viserin’s heart as he charged, sword raised high. The phantom of a massive lion merged around his figure, his ferocity, and power reaching their peak.

"For the Turkin Kingdom!" The remaining Turkin soldiers unleashed a ferocious cry, surging toward the creatures with renewed vigor. Swords clashed against exoskeletons, sparks flying upon impact.

Amara darted through the shadows, appearing atop one of the monsters. With swift precision, she drove her daggers into the gaps in its armor around its shoulder joints, hindering the movement of its arms. "Aim for the joints!" she shouted.

The soldiers obeyed Amara’s command instantly, their faces etched with determination and grit. With a unified roar, they attacked, driving their weapons into the exposed wounds and weak spots. Swords plunged deep into flesh, spears pierced through armor chinks, and axes hacked relentlessly at the creature’s limbs. It writhed under the assault, but its resilience was terrifying.

"Keep pushing!" one soldier yelled, sweat streaming down his face.

Despite their efforts, the creature remained standing. Its faceless, insectoid head turned slowly toward them, and its eyes glowed with menacing red light. A sense of dread began to creep into the soldiers’ hearts.

Viserin summoned every ounce of strength and sprinted forward, boots pounding against the blood-soaked ground. With a mighty leap, he propelled himself toward the creature, sword aimed for a decisive strike.

"DIE!" With a fierce cry, Viserin drove his sword into the creature’s neck, the blade slicing through its exoskeleton and severing its spine. The humanoid-insect hybrid let out a guttural roar before collapsing to the ground, its limbs twitching before falling still.

A brief cheer rose from the soldiers, but it was quickly cut short as the other two humanoid-insect hybrids turned their attention toward them. Despite witnessing their comrade’s demise, they showed no signs of concern or fear—only a relentless drive to kill.

One hybrid lunged at a group of Turkin soldiers who were catching their breath. "Incoming!" a soldier shouted, raising his shield just in time to deflect a deadly claw swipe. The force sent him stumbling backward.

The other hybrid focused on Mirena, who commanded metallic lightning tornadoes. Their eyes met, and a chill ran down her spine. "You’re not getting me that easily," she muttered, redirecting her swirling tornadoes to form a protective barrier.

Both hybrids leaped toward their targets, intent on causing as much destruction as possible before their own wounds could claim them.

"Watch out!" Clasius yelled, noticing the hybrid charging the soldiers.

Before it could reach them, Ouroboros intervened. With a powerful leap, he tackled the creature in mid-air. The impact sent both crashing into the ground and dust and debris flying. Ouroboros pinned the hybrid beneath him, muscles straining as he fought to control its thrashing limbs.

Without hesitation, the Depravita of Greed sank his massive jaws into the creature’s head, shattering its carapace. The hybrid’s movements ceased, its body going limp.

Meanwhile, the last hybrid bore down on Mirena. Despite her protective tornadoes, the creature’s relentless assault was pushing her defenses to the limit. Cracks began to appear in the swirling barrier, sparks flying as the hybrid’s claws tore at the metallic winds.

"Hold together," Mirena whispered, sweat beading on her forehead. She focused intently, weaving intricate patterns with her hands to reinforce the shield.

Just as the barrier was about to give way, a shadow fell over the hybrid. Freya descended from above, her mace raised high. Without a word, she brought the mace down upon the hybrid’s head. The impact was devastating—the creature’s head exploded in a shower of dark ichor, its body collapsing in a heap at Mirena’s feet.

Mirena stared at Freya, gratitude clear in her eyes, but it was not the time for words, as the battle had yet to end.

Regrouping quickly, the team focused on the aerial drones circling above—the last remnants of the hive’s attack force.