Chapter 967: Tai Er's Call for Help

Eleven minutes and thirty-three seconds later, a blinding white light like a high-frequency flash instantly illuminated the heavy sky.

In an instant, the scorching heat rose to tens of millions of degrees, exceeding the sun, and in the fission melted everything around.

A violent shockwave swept across the battlefield.

As mushroom clouds rose, the blood-red tide covering the land seemed to be interrupted, pausing briefly.

The tactical warheads originally intended for intercontinental nuclear retaliation scattered across the Far East, and under hypersonic technology, they completed their mission in a moment.

But, everything was only temporary.

In the utterly silent command room, Tai Er, as if aged ten years, laboriously leaned on the console and stood up.

Altogether seven nuclear bombs, bombarded in a cross pattern around Red Tower, temporarily blocking the frantic spread of the blood-red corpse tide.

There was no other choice.

In the haste, they simply didn't have time to mobilize the army's Awakened Ones to blockade the spread.

Even if they could, given the horror of the corpse tide, it would likely be a drop in the bucket.

The ground trembled.

In the distant sky, a strange light flashed—it was the phenomenon caused by particle streams striking the faraway ionosphere.

The nuclear bombs were not detonated nearby, nor did they dare to approach.

If the nuclear explosion's effect were poor, then under the oncoming corpse tide, their soldiers might have to fight to the death against the monsters in radiation.

He could not bear such a cost.

At the same time, he was also uncertain whether, under the power of the central nuclear explosion, that hellish gate constantly spewing monsters would be destroyed.

He only knew that in the time ahead, all they could do was hold the Safe Zone and hold the remaining survivors in this war zone.

This was a difficult battle, even without any chance of victory.

But no matter the outcome, he might forever bear the stigma.

Under the nuclear explosion, high-energy radiation will permanently contaminate the land.

Just like Chernobyl, vast tracts of land will become death zones, and thereafter the nuclear radiation will contaminate the zombies, producing large numbers of aberrant mutants.

And the global atmospheric belts will, with the movement of the troposphere, spread the radiation-filled dust to every corner.

Radiation will be everywhere.

Perhaps such level of contamination would not be a major impact elsewhere globally, but once it occurs, it is permanent.

Just like 'low-background radiation steel'.

After humanity's first nuclear test in 1945, this radiation‑free steel permanently disappeared from Earth, so that the only way to obtain uncontaminated steel is to salvage ships sunk before 1945.

Radiation penetrates everywhere; even ore buried a hundred meters underground will still be contaminated.

"Lord Tai Er... what should we do next..."

"Really, is there still any way..."

The voice was dry and hoarse.

In the command room, many Awakened Ones and high‑level officials all looked toward Tai Er.

Under wartime regulations, Tai Er, originally of the Soviet army, quickly rose on his great strength to become one of the senior leaders of the Soviet war zone.

He is now the mainstay of everyone.

Facing a look of expectation, even hope, Tai Er's throat moved, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

What else could he do?

Aside from throwing nuclear bombs to temporarily delay the spread, the rest could only be fighting.

Besides that, perhaps the sent distress signal still counts as a sliver of hope.

But as of now, the person he placed his greatest hope in has not yet replied to his message.

He had already gone to ask that person, although he didn't know what Lin An should do, but the indelible impression Lin An gave him in the trial was like a straw, making him want to cling to it desperately.

As long as the other side has a way to resolve this crisis, the Soviet war zone is willing to pay the due price!

The interception line at the farthest point has already begun exchanging fire.

Under the attack of monsters utterly unlike ordinary zombies, large numbers of soldiers are dying.

The red‑colored zombies rushed forward like beasts.

These monsters have rotting skin all over, and the exposed muscle tissue resembles a small‑sized licker.

Their super‑fast movement speed nearly catches up to a small car; in terms of speed alone, they already exceed ordinary zombies by more than three times!

Their strength is immense; although their muscle tissue lacks protection, it is comparable to bullet‑proof armor.

The tough muscle tissue can easily catch bullets in the flesh, and they charge straight into the line under rifle fire.

Unlike the ordinary zombies' tearing‑and‑biting of humans, these monsters, named Red Tower Zombies, seem to prefer tearing humans apart; their attack pattern is usually to sprint fast and then rip apart any human they see, "enjoying" the sensation of blood pouring over them.

Agile in action and with enhanced defense, each Red Tower Zombie can match half a First‑Level Mutant.

With their numbers, it is practically a nightmare.

No one knows how these monsters appeared; even from the start of the mission to now, the elite units Tai Er sent out have not been able to step half a pace into the Red Tower's center.

A few seconds later, Tai Er, his thoughts in turmoil, took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

He could not continue to show this state.

Once he also showed despair, the entire army up and down would utterly lose morale; by then... even fleeing would be a luxury!

Looking at the crowd, he shouted sternly:

"All Third‑Level units, go into battle!"

"Each one leads a thousand‑person Second‑Level squad, using a piercing offensive to stop the corpse tide's spread!"

"Before they're all dead, no one is allowed to return!"

"The remaining Awakened Ones will hold their positions; the regular troops will cover the survivors' retreat!"

The order was issued, and everyone in the command room felt their hearts sink; many wore a bitter smile.

This is...

They had to trade their lives for time, covering the main force's retreat.

The situation... has really deteriorated to this point; can we only abandon the mission entirely and try to preserve the population?

Regardless of everyone's various thoughts.

Tai Er led by example, quickly tidied his appearance, then without hesitation pushed open the command room door, preparing to join the battle.

Outside the command center, the howling cold wind mixed with gunfire blasted in their faces.

Under the heavy snowfall, the whole world seemed to have fallen into chaos.

The wind is cool, the snow is cold.

Tai Er glanced at the distant front line, then couldn't help but look at the few private messages he had sent out, and gave a rather desolate bitter smile.

Since sending the cross-zone messages, the remaining few Third Ranks from other war zones have replied to him.

Just...

Those Third Ranks he met during the trial, although some replied, besides expressing sympathy verbally, the rest all said they were powerless to help.

Even though they had fought side by side before.

Apart from Fiona, far away across the ocean, who unreservedly offered full support, the other war zones all appeared completely uninvolved.

Quite normal; everyone is having a hard time.

Especially after the trial ended, many war zones hadn't gained much progress in disaster mitigation. I heard that many war zones of the North American Alliance, upon returning to reality, faced a huge crisis and are still struggling, on the brink of collapse.

Moreover, Tai Er knows that, being too far away, these war zones can't help him either.

Even if Fiona gives her all, it actually doesn't help much.

Large-scale troop deployment is impossible, supplies and equipment are tight in every war zone, and Third-Rank individuals are like pebbles in large-scale battles, unable to make any impact.

Desperate times call for desperate measures; under immense pressure, he is merely hoping.

He hopes that perhaps someone among them could create a miracle.

For example.

Lin An.

Just as he was bitterly preparing to turn off the useless private messaging function, a message suddenly came back.

"What's the situation?"