The monsters infesting the East were divided into alphabetical ranks, ranging from the relatively common D-rank threats to the devastating S-rank horrors that could wipe out entire battalions if left unchecked. This classification system had become the backbone of every raid strategy, helping hunters and warriors prepare for the escalating dangers that lay ahead.
The army had finally reached the middle East region. Most of the forces traveled in massive aircrafts powered by synthetic inner flux, their engines humming with an otherworldly energy that cut through the scarred skies. Complementing them were large land-dwelling vehicles heavily armored transports designed to traverse the ruined terrain where flying was too risky. The convoy stretched across the broken landscape like a steel serpent, determined and relentless.
At first, the lower-ranked monsters posed little challenge. D-rank and C-rank creatures swarmed in great numbers but were no match for the mechanical power of the heavy vehicles. Turrets and flux-infused cannons made short work of them, turning waves of lesser beasts into smoldering remains that littered the ground behind the advancing army.
But the situation soon grew more dangerous.
A group of crimson scorpions appeared on the horizon, B-rank monster species known for their deadly venom and armored exoskeletons. Their claws gleamed under the dim light, and their tails swayed with lethal promise. The vehicles' weapon systems opened fire immediately. Modern technology fused with flux energy unleashed devastating barrages that obliterated many of the creatures in brilliant explosions of light and force.
Yet some of the crimson scorpions survived the initial assault, their tougher variants pressing forward with unnatural resilience. Among them was a particularly massive specimen the B-rank Crimson Scorpion General, its body larger and more heavily armored than the others, eyes glowing with primal intelligence.
Alexander Vane did not hesitate. He jumped from the lead aircraft, diving straight toward the towering general. The wind whipped around him as he fell, his golden fur cloak billowing like a banner of defiance. He landed heavily on the creature's head with a thunderous impact, causing the massive scorpion to screech in rage. The fight erupted instantly.
The Crimson Scorpion General bucked violently, trying to throw Alexander off. Its powerful tail whipped around with blinding speed, the stinger aimed to impale him. Alexander rolled aside at the last moment, the stinger cracking the ground where he had stood.
He countered with a powerful strike to the joint of one of the monster's massive claws, his enhanced strength sending cracks through the armored shell. The scorpion roared and retaliated, its claws slashing in wide arcs that forced Alexander to dodge and weave continuously.
The battle was intense. Alexander's movements were precise and powerful, but the B-rank general was no ordinary foe. It used its size and speed to its advantage, slamming its body into nearby structures and forcing Alexander to stay mobile. Venom sprayed from its tail in concentrated bursts, forcing him to avoid the toxic clouds that melted stone on contact.
At one point, a glancing blow from a claw sent Alexander tumbling across the rubble. Pain flared through his side, but he pushed it down, rising with renewed determination.
He closed the distance again, leaping onto the scorpion's back and driving his fists repeatedly into the gaps in its armor. The creature thrashed wildly, rolling to crush him, but Alexander held on, delivering blow after blow. Sweat stung his eyes. His muscles burned. The fight demanded everything he had moderate to hard difficulty that tested the limits of his training over the past four years.
Finally, with a roar of effort, Alexander landed a decisive strike on the base of the scorpion's head, channeling his full strength. The general's body shuddered violently before collapsing in a heap, its life extinguished. Alexander stood atop the fallen beast, breathing heavily, his clothes torn and stained but his spirit unbroken.
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Some time later, the initial monster wave was finally finished. The army landed their aircraft and land-dwelling vehicles, establishing a temporary camp in the cleared area. It was here, amidst the secured zone, that Alexander Vane began uncovering the technologies that would one day help save the eastern lands and make them habitable again.
He retrieved a large cylinder from the vehicle he had been traveling in. As soon as it was placed on the ground in the center of the conquered city, the device activated. It started to increase its size mechanically, segments unfolding and extending upward with precise, engineered movements. The cylinder transformed into a towering structure that reached high into the sky.
Soon, the tower revealed its true purpose. It connected seamlessly with identical towers already positioned at the headquarters of the East Horizon guild in the western plains. Energy flowed between them, and a magical shield made of synthetic flux expanded outward, covering the entire area in a shimmering dome.
"How's that happen?" the hunters and warriors murmured among themselves, staring in awe at the protective barrier.
Kuroda Haruki turned toward Alexander, seeking answers. Even as his wife, she had not known about this development.
"Ohh, so I signed a tonne of papers for this thing," Vanya said with an annoyed and tired expression, rubbing her temples.
"Thanks to Miss Luna Ren, we are now able to test the demonstration of this new technology. And this field test is a great success," Alexander announced, his voice carrying clearly across the gathered forces.
The magic shield was full of flux, a modified type of synthetic flux specifically designed to repel monster flux. As a result, monsters would not come near this magical barrier. Even within a 100-kilometer radius, they would instinctively avoid the protected zone.
As the army moved further into the middle East region, they continued conquering cities. Some survivors were found not in millions, but in the thousands. Each rescued group brought a mix of relief and heartbreak, stories of endurance in the face of unimaginable horrors.
___
In the first week alone, the army managed to conquer three big cities in the middle East. It was a strong and encouraging start to what promised to be a long and difficult campaign.
The road ahead remained perilous, but with new technology, hardened warriors, and unyielding determination, the East Horizon guild pressed forward, one secured city at a time.