Chapter 129: The Stage Three mutated ape had long since prepared itself for death

"Artillery ready!"

"Fire!"

The mortar position on the mountainside erupted with a thunderous roar. Shells detonated in the center of the beast horde, sending flames soaring into the sky. Thermal imaging showed dozens of mutated creatures reduced to wreckage in this single barrage.

"Maintain fire suppression!"

"Prepare to detonate the preset minefield!"

The captain wiped the dust from his face, his cold gaze sweeping across the surging beast horde ahead.

Although the situation was heavy, there was little worry on his face.

With ample ammunition and a solid defensive line, these mutated creatures, while fierce, were not enough to break through their firepower net. As long as they didn't commit low-level errors, get their lines breached, or suffer a surprise attack, they wouldn't even sustain casualties.

At the current pace, they would completely resolve the Qingfeng Mountain beast horde in three hours at most.

The facts were indeed as he had imagined.

In the first half-hour, the battle was entirely under control.

The surging firepower tore the charging horde into fragments, mortars bombarded the areas where the mutated creatures gathered with precision, drones circled in the sky, using machine guns to sweep up any stragglers, and the team members encouraged one another.

At this rate, they might finish the mission ahead of schedule, perhaps in less than three hours.

However, all these advantages were completely reversed the moment that Stage Three mutant appeared.

"Boom!"

The mountain shook violently, and a massive rock was tossed into the air, crashing heavily onto the artillery position. Amidst the horrified gazes of the crowd, a giant ape, standing a full six meters tall, smashed through the rock wall and charged out.

Its muscles were knotted, and its blue-black fur was covered in a thick stratum corneum, like a natural suit of armor. Its head was hideous and terrifying, with a protruding jaw and fangs as white as knives. Every swing of its thick arms brought with it a dull wind pressure.

Most chilling of all were its eyes—pure, simian pupils, pitch-black and cold, revealing the ferocity of a beast, yet eerily carrying a trace of near-human brutality.

"Open fire! Concentrate fire!"

Amidst the captain's roar, all firepower shifted instantly. Bullets sparked against its fur, and shells exploded against its chest in blinding flashes of light, yet the mutated giant ape merely staggered slightly before letting out a deafening roar.

"Bang!"

It exerted force with its thick hind legs, and the concrete bunker shattered upon impact. One team member was pierced through the chest by its sharp claws, blood spraying onto the giant ape's hideous face.

Another person had just raised their weapon when they were torn in two.

"Retreat! Scatter—"

The captain's order was cut short as the mutated giant ape grabbed the wreckage of an armored vehicle and swept it across, sending three team members flying like ragdolls.

Drones poured ammunition frantically, only to be grabbed by the ape as it leaped, stuffed into its bloody maw along with their payloads.

In just a few minutes, the entire defensive line had turned into a slaughterhouse. Broken weapon parts mixed with visceral fragments covered the ground, and the giant ape squatted on the wreckage of the command vehicle, leisurely gnawing on flesh of unknown origin.

It looked up toward the county town at the foot of the mountain, a bloodthirsty light dancing in its pitch-black pupils.

Qingshan County Heaven-Pivot Academy.

"Report! The first defensive line has fallen! The beast horde has broken through the blockade and is currently assaulting the second defensive line!"

The communicator's voice was hoarse with anxiety, fingers tapping out a series of rapid sounds on the keyboard.

Chen Mingyuan stood up abruptly, the monitor in front of him flashing with a blinding red alarm.

"Has the Yunshan Heaven-Pivot Academy responded?"

He asked immediately.

"Yunshan has received the request for aid!"

The communicator responded quickly.

"Three teams of superpowered individuals are on their way, expected to arrive in one hour!"

"We are currently requesting reinforced support."

Three teams of superpowered individuals? What can that small number do!

They had underestimated this beast horde far too much.

Chen Mingyuan's gaze swept across the battle map; the markers for the second defensive line were turning red one by one. He grabbed the communicator, his voice spreading throughout the branch:

"All combat personnel, take note: you must hold the beast horde at the second defensive line."

"Repeat, hold them at all costs!"

When he put down the communicator, his knuckles were white from the force.

One hour—could they hold out for one hour?

If they held out, were just three teams of superpowered individuals really a match for that Stage Three mutated creature?

And, was there really only one Stage Three mutated creature?

Outside the window, faint sounds of explosions came from the direction of Qingfeng Mountain, the firelight dyeing the night sky the color of blood.

Suddenly, Chen Mingyuan gritted his teeth, seemingly firming up a certain thought, and gave an order to everyone.

"All non-combat members, proceed to the shelter immediately."

"Those who are married, those with children, evacuate immediately."

"Those whose parents are still alive, evacuate immediately."

"Those with fiancées, those planning to marry, retreat immediately."

"I will bear all responsibility alone."

His heart beat violently in his chest, not because of fear, but because of a strong, near-premonitory unease. This feeling was too intense, as if it were telling him: even if reinforcements arrived, they might not be able to stop this beast horde.

If they all died here and it could buy the safety of the public, then he, Chen Mingyuan, would gladly give his life. But if sacrifice couldn't stop it, then it would be better to let more people live.

"Director!"

Everyone in the operations room looked at him in shock.

Never mind that the beast horde was still within Qingfeng Mountain; even if they had already broken through the lines and entered the city, if Chen Mingyuan were reported for saying this, he would face severe punishment.

If this beast horde were quelled within Qingfeng Mountain, the punishment he received would be even greater.

"Execute the order."

"I will bear all responsibility."

Chen Mingyuan did not explain, merely repeating himself.

The air solidified for a few seconds.

"Director, have you forgotten that the soldiers fighting for their lives at the second defensive line are also, like us, someone's son, husband, or boyfriend?"

"They are still fighting; how could we possibly retreat?"

A young member, still bearing the greenness of someone who had just stepped into society, said with a serious expression.

"That's right, Director. We didn't join the Heaven-Pivot Academy just for the benefits."

"If my parents knew I ran away at a time like this, they'd break my legs."

The young man in charge of the archives grinned.

The surrounding Heaven-Pivot Academy members, though they didn't speak, held the same attitude.

On Qingfeng Mountain, the Heaven-Pivot Academy soldiers responsible for guarding were still fighting the mutated creatures; how could they, these people, possibly retreat?

In any case, their families had already entered the shelters, so they had no worries; even if they died, the country would take good care of them.

They understood Chen Mingyuan's thought process—he just wanted to let more people live.

Even Heaven-Pivot Academy personnel had the right to live, rather than being forced to die in war.

But this was something they could not do.

From the first day they joined the Tianshu Academy, they had thought about the day they might die in the future. Perhaps this day had come a bit too quickly, but they had long since prepared themselves.

The originally heavy atmosphere suddenly became heated.

Someone began to silently check their sidearm, someone took a box of treasured good cigarettes to distribute to colleagues, and someone kissed the photo of their family on their phone screen before locking it in a drawer.

Chen Mingyuan's eyes grew hot. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he said nothing, only laughing and scolding.

"A bunch of brats."

(End of chapter)