Chapter 85: 84

The monsters we had seen so far emerged, filling up the horizon. But this time, it was different.

The sky.

Beneath a heavy, clouded sky that seemed ready to pour out rain any moment, a group of beasts even blacker than the sky descended.

I swallowed dryly, studying their formation through the telescope. It was as if a huge storm cloud was rolling in.

[Enemy Information - STAGE 4]

- Lv.? ??? : 2 units

- Lv.15 Rock Gargoyle : 360 units

- Lv.20 Steel Gargoyle : 242 units

The total count was six hundred. Each of them was about the size of two or three full-grown men combined, so the intimidation they exhibited was far greater than what the numbers suggested.

"They're coming..."

Lucas, who stood next to me, stated, as if to confirm the obvious. I forced a quivering smile.

"I've been waiting for you, damn monsters."

I glanced around me. To my left and right were cannons and ballistas, packed tightly atop the ramparts. All of them were primed to fire, just waiting for the monsters to come within range.

All of Crossroad's regular soldiers were assigned to the cannons and ballistas. Each four-person team was assigned one cannon and one ballista because they would be launching attacks throughout the defensive battle. Inevitably, either the cannon or the ballista would break down at some point. They needed to maintain the barrage, and that's why they had a backup.

That was the role of the regular soldiers.

Clang, clang!

In the center of the defense line, the newly installed automatic defense turret rotated its massive gun barrel, emitting an intimidating sound. Though it took some time to reload, the turret, capable of launching heavy magic projectiles, could inflict substantial damage on the gargoyles. It would play a crucial role in this defensive battle.

Three parties were positioned in the center of the ramparts.

In the front line was the main party that had fought through the battles alongside us so far. Immediately behind them, the second line was occupied by the newly recruited sub-party, the Shadow Squad.

In the last line, the final reserve was composed of five N-grade heroes, whom we'd brought in one or two at a time.

These three parties would clash body-to-body with the monsters who broke through the barrage.

After taking one last look at the situation atop the ramparts, I turned my gaze back to the sky.

The gargoyles were approaching at a frightening speed. The peculiar crimson glow in their eyes flickered beneath the storm-clouded sky.

No matter how often I saw it, I couldn't get used to those monstrous eyes.

"It looks like it's about to rain soon..."

Lucas murmured, looking up at the overcast sky.

"I'm not sure how this weather will factor into the battle."

"It doesn't seem like it'll work in our favor. Well, what can we do? Whether it rains or snows, our job remains the same."

To kill the monsters and protect the people.

That was the purpose, the raison d'etre of this monster front line.

Facing the wind mixed with humidity and hostility, I raised my voice.

"Listen up, everyone!"

All the soldiers on the city walls looked my way.

"I won't mince words."

I chuckled.

"We kill them all, have a full meal in the evening, and sleep with our feet stretched out."

Hoorah!

The soldiers cheered, raising their arms. I lifted my hand high.

"All troops, prepare to fire!"

The monsters were almost upon us.

I waited until they fully entered the firing range, then I shouted.

"Fire!"

Lucas and the soldiers of the Twilight Brigade echoed my command.

"Open fire! Deploy the fire net!"

"Shoot!"

"Shoot!"

The next moment, all the cannon mouths lined up in a row spat fire.

Boom! Baaang!

Thud...!

The cannons belched fire, and the ballistas launched their bolts.

Towards the horde of gargoyles flying in a horizontal line in the sky, a rain of shells and arrows poured.

A moment of silence followed.

Kaboom!

Simultaneous explosion.

The precisely aimed cannon and ballista shots were accurate, beautifully hitting the monster bastards flying through the air.

Fireworks and explosions filled the sky like a pyrotechnic display.

For a moment, everyone on the city walls watched with expectation.

Hoping, just maybe, this single volley would sweep the monsters away.

However.

"...!"

As the smoke cleared, such hope vanished like a mirage.

The gargoyles were unscathed.

Despite being hit by hundreds of shells and thousands of arrows, they were completely unhurt.

Maintaining their formation, they were still flying towards the city walls. These sturdy bastards were infuriating.

One of the artillerymen shouted at me.

"The attack didn't work!"

"It doesn't matter!"

I yelled back.

"Don't worry about whether it works or not! You just focus on keeping up the fire! Fire! Keep firing!"

Although the intact state of the enemy was disconcerting, the soldiers quickly regained their composure.

When a clear, immediate goal is given, soldiers do not lose control.

Fire. Just fire.

"Focus on maintaining the fire net! Fire!"

Boom! Baaang!

Thud...!

The cannons and ballistas fired their ammunition ceaselessly.

Thudududududum!

As they entered range, the automatic turrets also started pouring out their azure magic bullets.

The storm of gunpowder and metal never ceased, and finally.

Creak...

Creak?!

The advance of the gargoyle bastards, stopped.

As if they had no resistance, the ones who had been flying in a straight line one after the other came to a halt.

They couldn't advance any further as the fierce fire net unfolded.

This is what we had aimed for.

Whether the damage had any effect or not didn't matter.

Purely with mass, with physical force, we push them back...!

Crack!

That's when it happened.

From the frontlines, a gargoyle that had been bravely facing a volley of hundreds of shots suddenly started to crack.

Boom! Sputter...!

Unable to endure the barrage, it shattered.

Without realizing, I clenched my fist and cheered.

"That's right!"

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High physical defense didn't mean invincibility. The damage was reduced, sure, but it still accumulated.

A few gargoyles that had been relentlessly hit by the fiery barrage couldn't bear it any longer and shattered, falling from the sky.

Color returned to the soldiers' faces.

It wasn't meaningless.

This attack was, without a doubt, effective.

"They're retreating! Keep spraying the barrage! Maintain the bullet curtain!"

"Yes!"

As shells and arrows continued to pour, the gargoyles that had been battered eventually gave up their attack.

And then, they naturally adjusted their course to the relatively thin barrage in the middle of the wall.

We had intentionally left a gap for them.

Kruk!

Kururuk-!

The gargoyle squad that had been approaching horizontally from the left and right changed their formation to a column.

And then, they started rushing toward the center of the wall.

"That's right, you dumb bastards!"

When they started to fall into our trap, I couldn't help but burst into triumphant laughter.

"Lilly!"

"I know!"

Lilly stretched her hand towards the alchemists.

"Activate the Whirlwind Projector!"

"Activating!"

"Artifact activation-!"

The artifact activated with the alchemists' back support.

Kwaaaa-!

A fierce wind magic swept in.

R-grade Whirlwind Projector.

It didn't have a great effect. It merely fired wind magic straight forward.

But that was more than enough.

To snatch away the low-grade wind magic on the gargoyle's wings, that was enough - more than enough!

Kruk?!

Kururuk...!

The sudden gust of wind snatched the wind magic from the gargoyle's wings.

The gargoyles, having lost their lift, flailed in mid-air- and then began to fall.

Kwak! Kugung! Kuwakwang!

Like thrown stones, they were driven into the ground below.

Most of them crashed onto the ground in front of the wall, but a few of them flew into the outer wall of the fortress.

Kwajik! Kugung...!

The ones impaled on the wall were shattered from the head down.

The heavy impact also damaged the wall. The iron plate added to the outer wall was bent, and fragments of the wall flew off.

It didn't matter.

The wall was originally built to keep out monsters, wasn't it? It's nothing to worry about if it gets damaged while repelling them!

When the lead gargoyles fell without a break, the entire gargoyle legion's movement halted.

If they spread their wings, they would be beaten by the barrage. If they tried to pierce through one point in front, they would fall.

'So, how will you react?'

I licked my drying lips.

'If you're monsters, your reaction patterns should already be set, shouldn't they?'

Take the shortest route to kill the closest human.

The monstrous creatures were always like that, and this time was no different.

Screech-!

The piercing sound of the gargoyles' cry echoed in unison, and with a swift move, they spread their wings wide.

And then, they charged.

Choosing to breach the middle of the fortress wall, they all rushed through the air towards us.

Before losing momentum from the wind magic, they initiated a ground assault with the thrusting force of bullets.

Facing this barrage descending like a hailstorm, I roared.

“This is the decisive moment! We can't afford to be pushed back!”

I reached out to Lilly.

“Lilly! How much time is left for the Whirlwind Projector to last?”

“The first artifact has about 20 seconds left!”

“Not a second can be wasted! The second artifact must be activated right after the first one ends!”

“Understood!”

With an anxious face, Lilly, who was checking the time, swiftly commanded the alchemists.

"Whirlwind Projector, the second! Activate!"

"Activating!"

"Activate-!"

Boom!

The second Whirlwind Projector lit up.

At the same time, although the first artifact ceased operation, it blew out residual wind, which combined with the wind of the second artifact to create a larger gust.

Blocked by this fiercely blowing wall of wind, the gargoyles couldn't get near the fortress walls and were helplessly falling.

Bam! Crash!

The satisfying sound of these monstrous creatures breaking apart rang out.

However- there were a few who penetrated through this hellish wind, managing to reach the fortress walls.

Gruong-!

A massive gargoyle clung onto the end of the fortress wall.

With its strong arms gripping the edge, it slowly hoisted its bulky body over the fortress wall.

Screech-!

An ominous roar flowed from the monster's mouth.

And the next moment.

Bang!

Thunk-!

Lucas's kick landed on the monster's chin and Evangeline's shield slammed against its forehead.

Cruu...?!

Leaving a frustrated scream, the monster fell straight down below the fortress wall.

Boom!

A terrifying crashing sound came from below.

Before I could even cheer for our success, more gargoyles clung onto the fortress wall in quick succession.

Thud! Gruong! Thud-!

In front of these monsters climbing onto the fortress wall one by one, the SSR-grade knight duo loosened their necks and shoulders.

"You take the right. Miss."

"I could block all the way to the left as well, you know. Mister."

Lucas unsheathed his longsword, and Evangeline readied her cavalry spear and shield.

The gargoyles charged with vicious weapons in their grasp.

Facing these monsters, my two knights, each holding their weapons, charged forward.