Chapter 232: small island situation
Chapter 232: small island situation
On the other side of the island, far atop a towering spire, a massive energy phenomenon shimmered. Streams of black lightning roared, breaking the silence of the night, illuminating the sky with blinding flashes. The gathered energy suddenly exploded and vanished in an instant, leaving behind a thunderous boom that echoed across the entire island.
BOOOM!
The black lightning struck a specific point, right at the area where an active portal remained, not far from the soldiers' patrol. They witnessed it from a distance, though their view was obstructed by the ruins of fallen buildings. But they knew exactly what had just happened—the tower's lightning attack had obliterated the foreign creatures emerging from the portal.
"Take that… die, bastards," one soldier sneered, his eyes reflecting the sharp glint of triumph as he gazed at the flickering lightning.
"That tower is incredibly powerful and fierce," another soldier remarked in amazement, imagining the fate of the targets caught in the lightning's wrath.
The patrolling soldiers couldn't hide their joy. Watching the lightning strikes felt as if they themselves had defeated the alien creatures. They had fought for over 12 hours with uncertain results, facing enemies with overwhelming strength unlike anything they had encountered before.
Of course, experiencing such a colossal battle for the first time had brought them closer together, kindling their desire to grow stronger so they wouldn't suffer more losses—or leave their loved ones behind.
"Thank you, Lord Lein and Princess Nita," said a soldier sitting by the truck bed, his tone casual as he recalled the moment when reinforcement troops from the World Market Alliance arrived to assist.
"Yeah, without them, our island might have been destroyed."
"The World Market Alliance's power is beyond belief—I saw Lord Takulani's strength with my own eyes," another soldier said, recalling the intense battle from hours earlier when Takulani arrived to lead the rescue team from the alliance.
"His swordsmanship is incredible. I heard he used a rare-level skill," the soldier added, reminiscing about Takulani's skillful movements in combat.
The lightning tower that had just activated was a gift from the World Market Trade Alliance to all human islands. With these towers in place, eliminating the alien creatures had become much faster and more efficient.
The World Market Trade Alliance even provided energy crystals for smaller islands that struggled to sustain themselves—all under Nita's command as the alliance's leader, while Lein remained in a soul-forging trial chamber.
"Imagine how powerful an island with thousands of these towers would be," one soldier wondered aloud, amazed by the continuous flashes of lightning destroying everything in their path.
"Without a doubt, it'd be unstoppable. Hahaha!" his comrade replied with a small laugh, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere despite the anxiety lingering in their hearts.
The lightning's relentless strikes became their beacon of hope, with no sign of stopping.
***
A medium-sized island floated amidst the void of the dark night sky, like a silent fortress adrift among lifeless stars. The night wind carried the sound of explosions and heart-wrenching screams, shattering the oppressive silence. From several glowing portals, figures with extraordinary powers emerged, their eyes gleaming with a sharp light, and every step they took brought destruction.
Their goal was clear—to demolish buildings and hunt down the rulers hidden within the island.
"Hmm… how could Team #12 fail to conquer this new realm?" muttered a dark-skinned man, gripping a long sword tightly. Scars etched across his face gave him a fearsome appearance, further intensified by the powerful aura radiating from his body, like a predator ready to strike.
"Sir, please be cautious. The Guardian has ordered us not to act recklessly to ensure the mission's success," one of his subordinates advised in a low voice, trying to suppress his fear. His gaze served as a reminder, though his hands trembled slightly as he held his weapon.
The dark-skinned man sneered, a thin smile forming on his lips. "You're right. Teams from other realms are already moving too." Despite his fierce demeanor, he was not a man prone to carelessness. His sharp eyes revealed that he knew exactly when to restrain his ego and when to unleash his fury.
"Everyone, prepare... destroy everything swiftly."
His command was clear, striking like lightning hitting the ground. Without hesitation, he led his twenty-member team, moving like shadows. Leaping over twenty-meter-high buildings posed no challenge for them. Their movements were like a storm, crushing everything in their path.
This dark-skinned man's team was just one of many invading the island, all with the same objective: to annihilate it entirely.
…
Elsewhere, far from the portals where alien creatures emerged, a massive circular wall stood firm, though it was surrounded by hundreds of enemy troops. Behind the wall, thousands of people huddled together, seeking shelter and hoping for salvation. These were the island's residents, gazing at the sky with fearful faces, waiting for aid that seemed never to come.
"Oh God, please... I can't take this anymore," whispered an old woman, her voice trembling as she curled up in a corner. Her dim eyes welled with tears, and her wrinkled hands clutched a tattered cloth on her lap.
Around her, many others sat in silence, pressing their bodies against the wall, hoping to hide from the horrors outside. But the sounds of explosions and screams only made their hopes feel more distant.
"Where is the president? Why hasn't he shown up yet?" shouted an old man with an unkempt beard, his voice breaking the silence. It was filled with sorrow, expressing a long-held mixture of anger and fear.
Several people glanced his way, torn between agreeing with him and trying to keep calm. But before anyone could respond, an explosion rang out.
BOOM!
A burst of blue light sliced through the air, instantly shattering the wall behind the old man, creating a massive crack. At the site of the explosion stood a woman with long black hair flowing in the wind, her body clad in green combat gear. She gripped a magic staff tightly, her cold gaze fixed on where the old man had stood moments ago.
Her expression was filled with hatred, and just as she prepared to swing her staff again, a hand reached out, halting her movement.
"Abigail, stop,"
The voice of another woman cut through the tension. Though her face also bore signs of anger, she managed to keep her emotions in check.
Abigail rolled her eyes but did not resist. She cast one last sharp glance at the crowd of civilians before turning away, her steps rigid.