Chapter 403
With the order given, it didn’t take long for the Aspirants to rush into the locker room, grabbing their VMS boots and strapping them on.
Communication devices linked to one another and back to the control tower were distributed amongst them.
Those who used weapons immediately retrieved them.
Trisha held the katana Ray had given her.
The weapon possessed an air of undeniable majesty.
Its blade had been forged from brilliant crimson steel that shimmered beneath the light, its razor-sharp edge reflecting a fiery brilliance with every subtle movement.
Near the base, the crimson gradually deepened into a rich orange before fading toward the gleaming edge, creating the illusion that the blade itself was burning.
Running along both sides of the sword were elegant flame-like engravings. Their flowing patterns looked as though tongues of fire had been frozen into the steel during the forging process.
The guard was its most striking feature.
Fashioned into the shape of a blazing inferno, the circular tsuba consisted of intertwining golden and crimson flames radiating outward from the centre.
Despite its intricate craftsmanship, it remained sturdy enough to withstand even the fiercest of clashes.
The hilt was wrapped in pristine white rayskin beneath vibrant crimson cord, creating a firm and comfortable grip that settled naturally within the wielder’s hand.
A polished golden pommel completed the masterpiece, adding a final touch of regal elegance.
Whenever the katana was unsheathed, it looked less like a weapon and more like a living flame.
Its gleaming crimson blade radiated an overwhelming aura of power and unwavering resolve.
Every swing left behind the illusion of flickering fire, as though the sword itself longed to reduce everything standing before it to ashes.
Caster retrieved his sleek pair of short swords before fastening them securely to his hips.
As for Chloe...
Ray had gifted her a brand-new bow alongside a magical quiver of arrows—both obtained from the System Shop as one of his evolution rewards.
The moment he had read the quiver’s description, he had genuinely been tempted to keep it for himself.
Aside from endlessly replenishing its own arrows, every arrow it produced possessed a different special effect, making whoever wielded it incredibly versatile in battle.
But...
He ultimately decided against it.
One simple reason.
He wasn’t an archer.
A bow simply didn’t suit his fighting style.
So, he handed the entire set over to Chloe, patiently explaining what every type of arrow could do.
She had been overjoyed upon receiving such an incredible gift.
In fact...
She had even asked him what she could possibly do in return.
Recalling Ray’s answer that day...
A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she secured the quiver onto her back.
"I don’t want much. Just become stronger. Because I need you just as much as I need the others."
That single sentence had ignited something deep within her heart.
No one had ever looked at her that way before.
Without pity.
Without disappointment.
Without silently judging her weakness.
No one had ever spoken to her with the respect she had always longed for.
In a world where strength determined one’s worth...
Even her own family had abandoned her.
"..."
Choosing not to dwell on those painful memories any longer, Chloe quietly exhaled before finishing her preparations.
After addressing the Aspirants, Jake had already mobilised the Militants and departed for the food production facility.
That left Sergeant Lincoln in command of the Aspirants.
Within minutes, everyone had boarded the Hellicarrier.
With less than three minutes remaining before the Aberrants reached the Corps, the massive aircraft lifted into the sky before accelerating forward at tremendous speed.
Far below...
Dozens of military hover vehicles raced across the ground with astonishing speed, weaving through buildings and infrastructure as they surged toward the coming battlefield.
It was obvious.
The war was about to begin.
— Citizen evacuation... eighty percent complete.
Mina’s voice echoed through Lincoln’s communicator.
The Sergeant ground his teeth.
"The Aberrants? How much longer until we intercept them in the city?"
— You are one minute away from the city. They will arrive there in a few seconds.
Mina paused briefly, her fingers gliding rapidly across the keyboard.
Around her, the operators worked tirelessly, each monitoring different floating screens filled with flashing dots, live feeds and tactical information.
— Jack Kyre has already engaged the Aberrants at the Main Shelter. Captain Jake has arrived at the food production facility and has begun combat.
Lincoln lowered his gaze to the tactical display resting in his hand.
Around him, the Aspirants remained seated in silence.
Some tapped their feet anxiously.
Others clasped their hands together in silent prayer.
Although they had been overflowing with determination only moments ago...
Now that battle was truly upon them...
Reality had begun to sink in.
Sweat rolled down several faces.
A few quietly gripped their knees.
Only a handful of Aspirants remained calm and composed.
— The artillery vehicles have arrived. They are setting up their firing positions.
After another series of keystrokes, Mina continued.
— Civilian evacuation complete... one hundred percent.
A brief pause followed.
Then...
— We have arrived!
The pilot’s voice thundered through the Hellicarrier.
The instant those words rang out, every Aspirant rose to their feet.
Some confidently.
Others with trembling legs.
Soon...
The rear hatch slowly lowered.
A violent gust of wind rushed into the carrier.
.....
Outside...
The hover vehicles screeched to a halt.
Mounted cannons rose from their roofs one after another.
Their barrels slowly tilted toward the sky as soldiers waited for the approaching enemy.
The city had become eerily silent.
Not a single civilian remained.
Pffffff—! Pffffff—! Pffffff—!
Compressed gas hissed loudly through the air.
"...."
One after another...
The Aspirants landed atop nearby buildings.
The Hellicarrier continued hovering above the city while they spread across the rooftops.
Ray landed beside Van, Felix, Kai, Trisha and Chloe.
Caster occupied another rooftop alongside several Aspirants.
Berg stood atop a different building with another squad.
Lincoln remained alone at the very front.
Standing atop a lone building overlooking the city.
The structure beneath his feet trembled ever so slightly as he waited.
They didn’t have to wait long.
A colossal mothership slowly drifted into view above the city.
Before it even reached the centre...
Gigantic figures began dropping from its underside.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Every impact shook the surrounding buildings.
The streets quaked violently beneath their immense weight.
It felt as though an earthquake had struck.
Chloe calmly nocked an arrow onto her bowstring.
Ray stretched both hands to his sides.
Purple lightning crackled across his vision alone as two daggers materialised within his grasp.
One obsidian black.
One crimson red.
Trisha tightened her grip around her katana’s hilt before lowering her centre of gravity.
Van raised a hand toward the glowing blue chest piece firmly attached to his torso.
It pulsed rhythmically with every heartbeat.
Buildings continued crumbling beneath the tremendous impacts.
Dust clouds swallowed entire streets.
The Aberrants...
Had arrived.
"FIRE!" Lincoln’s voice boomed across the battlefield.
Without a second’s hesitation...
The artillery cannons unleashed a devastating barrage of condensed energy into the sky.
The battle...
Had begun.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter