Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 337: Humans vs drones

Chapter 337: Humans vs drones

On the other side of the destroyed mountain range stood a formidable force poised for battle. Seven thousand soldiers clad in gleaming golden armor formed an unbreakable wall, their shields locked and weapons ready.

Leading them was a giant over ten meters tall—Grand Marshal Anglius—his imposing figure radiating authority and strength.

Beside them, thirty thousand fierce warriors from the Turkin Kingdom stood with resolute expressions. Runes etched around their hearts, pulsing with energy that continually enhanced their bodies and replenished their stamina. They formed the flanks, ready to prevent the enemy from spreading or regrouping.

The soldiers were arranged in tight formations, right in front of the devastation wrought by the mountain range’s detonation. They blocked the only viable path north, creating an impenetrable barrier against the advancing horde. The Golden Wave Legion held the center, prepared to bear the brunt of the hive’s charge, while the Turkin soldiers secured the sides, determined to stop any drones that might attempt to bypass the main force.

Despite the recent reinforcements, the overwhelming pressure weighed heavily upon them. The drones advanced like a dark, churning tide, a swarm capable of consuming entire cities. Their sheer numbers were staggering, but the terrain worked to the defenders’ advantage. The molten rocks, smoke, and residual flames from the explosion created a natural barrier, forcing the drones into a narrow bottleneck. This restricted their movement and diminished the advantage of their overwhelming numbers.

However, even with the bottleneck, the sight of these relentless killing machines—creatures that knew no fear or fatigue—was terrifying. The soldiers could hear the incessant clicking of pincers growing louder with each passing moment, an unnerving sound that grated on their nerves.

Grand Marshal Anglius surveyed the approaching swarm, his eyes keen and unflinching. He knew he could order a barrage of spells to weaken the hive, but it was not the time. The melee warriors would be the ones to stem the tide of the ground forces. Each second brought the enemy closer, their predatory eyes and palpable killing intent becoming clearer.

Despite the bottleneck, thousands of drones surged forward, climbing over one another in their eagerness to reach the defenders. A ripple of unease passed through the ranks as the soldiers beheld the horrifying creatures. Sensing their trepidation, Grand Marshal Anglius struck the ground with the butt of his halberd, the impact echoing like a thunderclap.

"Stand your ground!" his voice boomed, carrying over the din of the approaching swarm. "These beasts are made of flesh and will fall beneath our blades! Remember your homes, your families, and what you fight for! Today, we protect all that we hold dear!"

His words ignited a fire within the soldiers. The fear that had threatened to creep into their hearts was replaced with steely determination. After his rallying cry, a surge of devilish and demonic power burst from Grand Marshal Anglius’s bloodline and heart. His size swelled to an astounding sixteen meters, the ground cracking under his feet as raw energy radiated from him.

Without a moment’s hesitation, his Runic Set activated, channeling power throughout his massive form. He propelled himself forward with astonishing speed—nearing the speed of sound—closing the distance between himself and the front of the hive in the blink of an eye. With a mighty swing of his halberd, he cleaved through the ranks of the drones, unleashing a mighty explosion of energy that obliterated over a hundred in a single stroke and sent countless others hurtling backward.

The sheer display of might sent a surge of inspiration through the soldiers of the Golden Wave Legion and the Turkin Kingdom. Witnessing their leader’s unwavering courage and overwhelming power, they raised their shields and weapons high. Eyes focused and hearts resolute, they prepared to meet the enemy head-on.

As Grand Marshal Anglius continued his assault, drones swarmed toward him, leaping onto his colossal frame from all directions. They crawled over his armor, their pincers scrabbling for purchase as they sought to find a weakness. Anticipating this, Anglius tightened his grip on his halberd. Channeling explosive power through the weapon into his armor, he released a shockwave that blasted the clinging drones away, their bodies shattering as they were thrown into the air. Without losing momentum, he swung his weapon in a wide arc, decimating another swath of enemies.

His massive size and explosive attacks made it difficult for him to fight alongside the regular soldiers, which is why he had positioned himself at the forefront, where his power could have the most significant impact. Despite witnessing the giant’s devastating strength, the drones were undeterred. They continued their relentless advance, some attempting to swarm around him and press toward the main defensive line.

The first clash between the soldiers and the hive was brutal and intense. The front lines of the Golden Wave Legion braced themselves as the tidal wave of drones crashed into their shields. The impact was jarring, but the soldiers held firm. With disciplined precision, they counterattacked. Swords flashed, cutting through chitinous exoskeletons; spears thrust forward, piercing the drones’ bodies; shields were used not just for defense but to bash and stagger the oncoming creatures.

The drones screeched and clicked, their movements frenzied as they tried to overwhelm the defenders. Some attempted to flank, darting to the left and right in an effort to find weaknesses. But the Turkin soldiers were prepared. Maintaining sturdy formations on the flanks, they met the enemy with fierce resistance. Their weapons danced as they slashed, pierced, and smashed the drones, preventing them from spreading.

The battlefield became a maelstrom of chaos and blood. The soldiers fought with everything they had, each man and woman fully aware that there was no room for error. The ground became slick with ichor and littered with the shattered remains of the drones. The air was thick with the smell of ozone, blood, and the metallic tang of fear.

Suddenly, a shift happened on the battlefield. The sound of flaming wings began to echo ominously across the battlefield. Soldiers glanced upward to see the ant-crab hybrid drones starting to rise. Now that they could see the sky and were not obstructed by the smoke, the drones were ready to take to the air and attack from above, aiming to break the soldiers’ formations.