Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 340: Ferocious bloodshead (II)

Chapter 340: Ferocious bloodshead (II)

The insect-humanoid hive warriors were relentless in their adaptability, constantly seeking openings in their enemies’ defenses. Now, they employed a cunning tactic: using one of their own as bait to draw the golden giant’s attention and focus while the other two prepared to attack from the flanks for a lethal blow. Their intent was clear—to overwhelm Grand Marshal Anglius and create a breach in the human lines.

However, just as they readied themselves for the kill, two soldiers broke ranks from the front of the Golden Wave Legion. In any other situation, breaking formation during such a high-stakes battle would have been suicidal, jeopardizing not only their lives but the integrity of the entire defensive line. Not to mention that ordinary soldiers of the Golden Wave Legion could not handle the hive warriors. Yet these two were anything but ordinary.

One of them, a woman with piercing eyes, hurled her sword with deadly precision, impaling a drone instantly. In the blink of an eye, two daggers materialized in her hands. Shadows cloaked her entire body as she dashed forward at near-supersonic speed, becoming a blur on the battlefield. At the same time, the other soldier—a man with a calm demeanor—set his sword ablaze. His body moved as if he weighed less than a feather, effortlessly making his way toward the enemy with fluid grace.

The insect-humanoid hybrids were caught off guard. What they thought was their carefully laid trap had turned against them. Before they could react, the woman appeared behind one of the hive warriors, her daggers finding the perfect angles to bypass the creature’s hard shell. She pierced the back of its skull, and the hive warrior let out a shriek before collapsing. Simultaneously, the man struck with his flaming sword, the weight behind it akin to a mountain collapsing. The blade sliced deep into the chest of another hybrid, sending it flying backward with a massive gash.

Amara and Clasius stood side by side with Grand Marshal Anglius, their energies flaring as they defended their position, repelling the hive warriors. The Royal Guard’s eyes were sharp, their energy ready to burst.

The killing intent in the hive warriors exploded as they realized how meticulously the humans had set traps, slaughtering their strongest forces. Their multifaceted eyes glowed with fury. Three of them marched forward, the power in their four legs exploding as they made a massive leap into the air. They were not alone; dozens of aerial drones rose by their side, forming a protective swarm around them.

The hive warriors understood that rising above the battlefield made them susceptible to the Mages’ barrage of spells. But by using the aerial drones as cover, they hoped to shield themselves long enough to reach the human lines. As expected, a hail of spells blasted the aerial drones to pieces, and explosions lit up the sky.

While some spells reached the three hive warriors, they endured, their armored shells cracking but holding. Their eyes burned with a desire to kill as they were ready to descend into the midst of the human soldiers. Even if they perished, they intended to wreak havoc upon landing, creating chaos and openings for the hive drones to flood through.

But before the insect-humanoid hybrids could begin their descent, three arrows darted from the back of the battle line. Each arrow rotated as it flew, charged with shadow energy and a mighty gale. Upon impact, they transformed into shadowy tornadoes, striking the chests of the three hive warriors at point-blank range. While the arrows couldn’t pierce their hard shells, the true power lay in the force behind them. The tornadoes propelled the hive warriors backward, sending them crashing into the mass of drones behind the front lines.

The archer responsible was none other than Roman. He had been waiting patiently for this moment, every second his body itching to unleash his full power. Watching his comrades fight with everything they had, he resisted the urge to act prematurely, suppressing his true strength and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Now, the hive was caught off guard once more.

The three hive warriors crashed to the ground, the shadows from Roman’s arrows morphing into binding tendrils that wrapped around them. The bindings would last barely a few seconds, but that was more than enough time. In the next instant, a barrage of spells rained down upon them. Trapped and unable to dodge, the hive warriors were blasted to pieces.

Casualties upon casualties mounted on the side of the hive, yet they fought on with unrelenting ferocity, adapting to every tactic the humans employed. The soldiers fought valiantly, using every ounce of their strength to keep the drones contained, preventing them from breaking free. But with each passing minute, fatigue set in. Muscles burned, lungs heaved, and their minds wavered under the strain.

Grand Marshal Anglius felt the weight of exhaustion pressing upon him. His massive form had taken a beating, his armor dented and scarred. Yet, he refused to yield. "Hold the line!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the cacophony of battle. "For our homes! For our families!"

Just when it seemed the hive might overwhelm them, a voice echoed across the sky.

"Eat this!" Jormungandr roared from above.

The small yellow cat hovered in the air, his energy flaring brilliantly. He had used every precious second to recover his strength and was now ready to strike again. Above him, a gargantuan serpent head wreathed in flames and crackling with lightning materialized. The serpent dove from the heavens with overwhelming might, crashing directly into the hive’s core.

The explosion was cataclysmic. Thousands of drones were obliterated in an instant, torn apart by the raw force of the blast. The earth trembled as five hive warriors caught in the attack were vaporized, leaving only scattered remnants behind. The fiery serpent’s head scorched the battlefield, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The soldiers shielded their eyes from the blinding light, a mixture of awe and relief washing over them.