OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 180: Killing A Man

Chapter 180: Killing A Man

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Emir rode on his bike, trailing behind Alex's massive Armored Personnel Carrier, an APC, a hulking vehicle bristling with heavy armor and mounted weaponry.

The APC's imposing presence dominated the wasteland, with its angular design and metallic surface reflecting the ambient light.

Its tires were rugged and sturdy, built for navigating rough terrain.

A series of small windows lined its sides, and turret-like structures adorned its roof, showcasing the array of weaponry it carried.

Emir enjoyed the slipstream it provided as he rode behind it, lost in his thoughts:

'Alex said that a hunter triggered some sort of ghost...'

He immediately realized that it was an AI manager of the ruin finding fault in whatever that hunter did causing her to get mad...

'But just when I trapped Aria there, really? Is it really a coincidence?'

Scoffing, Emir mumbled with a grin:

"Even if it isn't, there ain't much I could do about it either way. Let's just save this damsel in distress and get it over with."

Just as he said that, his terminal rang out:

"Emir, ETA, one minute, ready?"

"I'm ready, as I'll ever be Jake."

"Alright!" Emma cheered, causing both Emir and Jake to chuckle.

Placing his terminal back in his pocket, he checked on his Aetherstorm Launcher.

Before coming here, Emir contemplated the idea of carrying his other weapons to hide the fact that he was a celestial but dismissed it.

He understood that it was wiser to break away from the group and embark on the mission to rescue her by himself.

With that in mind, his bike cut through the ruin's entrance that bore scars of recent chaos, following the massive APC ahead.

Injured hunters lay scattered on the sides, and the once vibrant shops had shuttered their doors.

The insurance company's building was filled to the brim with hunters, all clamoring for compensation for their losses.

Emir couldn't help but scoff at the scene.

And as they ventured into the ruin, darkness momentarily engulfed his bike before giving way to a burst of bright lights.

It was a stark transition, highlighting the precarious nature of this world. Soon, their progress was temporarily halted at a security checkpoint. UEF guards, armed and vigilant, barred their path with their vehicles. Emir watched as the APC was scrutinized before being granted access. When it was his turn, one of the guards motioned for him to stop.

"I'm with them." Emir asserted.

The guard nodded, acknowledging his identity.

"I know that, Sir Emir. We just needed to confirm. You can proceed."

Emir raised an eyebrow at the guard's words but waved a casual thanks before continuing on

his way.

A flicker of unease crept over him.

'Are they watching me?'

"...Fuckem."

Shrugging off the thought, he revved up his bike and closed the distance to the APC, determined to maintain his cover while plotting his next move.

They moved past what was a lush and broken residential area, turned even more destroyed as once tall buildings now lay wasted on the ground.

Getting his terminal, he awaited Jake to inform him of the situation.

Which he did moments later:

"Guys, this area is fully cleared out; most of the monsters remain deeper in the ruin. We will help Alex and those that are fighting there, then we split up to find our rescue target."

"Got it."

"Noted."

"Alright!"

All three members of the squad replied promptly, evident in their words of who said what. And as they reached a wide clearing, Emir and his companions could already hear the echoes of gunshots in the distance.

The atmosphere was tense and charged with the energy of battle.

Moments later, they reached the battlefield, where monstrous roars shook the ground as the hunters were in the midst of an active war zone, killing all they could see.

The APC roared into action, its massive wheels crushing debris and obstacles in its path.

Emir watched as Alex manned the mounted minigun, rotating it to face the oncoming horde of monsters.

Bullets sprayed forth like deadly rain, tearing through the ranks of the A-to-S rank monsters.

"Keep 'em coming!" He bellowed as he held the trigger steady.

Emma sat beside him, Aether subtly crackling in her hands.

But she held it in and kept firing with her own minigun, one that was imbued by Jake's runes, giving her the power to unleash powerful bursts of Aether with each bullet.

The combination of bullets and Aether was devastating, cutting through the monsters with

ease.

Meanwhile, Jake expertly maneuvered the APC, allowing Emir an easier time to focus on his Aetherstorm Launcher.

With every pull of the trigger, bolts of Aether erupted from the weapon, striking down monsters left and right.

Emir's eyes were calm as ice as he targeted the most formidable foes surrounding the APC, taking them down one by one.

Around them, other hunters joined the fray, following after them while firing off their own

weapons.

The battlefield became a swirling storm of chaos and hidden power, monsters clashing with hunters in a battle for supremacy.

The monsters were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless.

But the hunters were a well-coordinated force, each member covering the others' blind spots and providing support when needed.

As hunters, they had faced danger countless times, so their ability to adapt was unmatched.

They didn't need to be told when to attack or defend as their teamwork with strangers was

more than good.

But suddenly, a force disrupted their charge as hundreds of towering S-rank monsters rushed at the leading APC, ranging from crocodiles to felines and all manner of animals, their massive claws, fangs, and teeth gleaming with deadly intent.

However, Emir wasn't about to back down.

He maneuvered his bike, lining the monsters up in an attempt to kill most of them at once.

Silently, he chanted:

"Aether Blast."

And boom!

His torrent of Aether engulfed all that remained in its sight, reducing them to smoldering

ashes.

Emir then noticed Alex look back at him for a moment, surprise evident on his face, only to return his focus on the monsters, targeting those remaining, hitting their weak spots with

ease.

'Did he notice?'

...But it didn't matter either way; there wasn't any concrete evidence showing that he could

use Aether.

Emir concluded as he watched Emma do the same, bolstering the barrage, causing the

monster to roar in pain and frustration until the wave of S-ranked monsters was all but wiped

out.

They didn't stop coming however, and Jake kept dodging more of the monster's attacks,

swerving the APC out of their clutches.

Meanwhile, Emir continued to use his Aetherstorm Launcher to deliver precise shots,

focusing on weakening the horde's strength.

The other hunters did the same with their guns, taking aim and firing them relentlessly, raining down hell on their opposition.

One by one, many by many, monsters fell, their monstrous forms crumbling under the relentless barrage of firepower.

The battlefield was now littered with the defeated remains of once formidable foes.

"OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

"OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

"OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

And as the last monster fell, a collective cheer erupted from the hunters.

They had emerged victorious, but the battle had taken its toll.

The hunters were battered and exhausted, most of them retreating to rest while those that

stood strong continued to charge forward.

Placing his terminal next to his ear, Emir spoke:

"This is where we part ways, Alex. Godspeed!"

"Godspeed!"

The back of the APC lowered with Emma and Jake swiftly exiting on their bikes, displaying no

hint of hesitation.

Emir trailed behind them, watching as the APC surged forward, its minigun still unleashing a barrage of bullets.