LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 229.2
Chapter 229.2. The Outbreak Of War
The operators and strategists screamed in terror as they witnessed the scene. The enemies infiltrated the command vehicle and pointed automatic rifles at them. Seeing the soldiers about to pull the trigger without hesitation, Colonel Marume drew the sword at his waist.
[Crystal Powder]
“Die.”
Marume activated his skill [Crystal] just as the enemy pulled the trigger.
The automatic rifles of the enemy soldiers spat fire, the dry sound of gunfire echoing, turning the command vehicle into a hellish landscape of screams and bullets. Everyone should have turned into corpses…
“Huh?”
However, the deadly bullets fired from the automatic rifles collided with glittering powder in the air and were deflected, causing the enemy soldiers to shout in surprise.
“It’s useless. My [Crystal Powder] floating in the air is the ultimate barrier, reflecting bullets and dissipating magic.”
The [Crystal Powder] skill derived from Colonel Marume’s [Crystal] scattered crystal powder in a confined space. Each grain of the magically imbued crystal powder had tremendous hardness, forming a barrier that deflected both physical and magical attacks.
“Attack! Are they traitors? Assassins?”
The subordinates hastily raised their guns, but just then, a volleyball-sized eyeball emerged from the space, surrounded by tentacles like sea anemones, and aimed them at the soldiers.
The tentacles, springing forth like coiled springs, sharpened their tips like spears and easily pierced through the soldiers’ bodies. Ignoring the fallen soldiers who groaned, the tentacles shot towards the other soldiers.
Though the tentacles were slightly slowed by the crystal powder, they still managed to pierce the other soldiers. An operator familiar with demons screamed in fear as they watched their comrades fall.
“[Gazer]! A demon! And those others are Doppelgangers!”
The figures of the attacking soldiers distorted, transforming into purple, clay-like humanoids.
“I see, this was their trump card. Attacking the command vehicle—truly a devilish tactic.”
Marume assumed a mid-level stance with his sword, using another technique to protect his subordinates.
[Crystal Needle]
As soon as Marume used this technique, the floating crystal powder gathered and formed crystal spikes aimed at the enemies. The sparkling crystal spikes would normally pierce through the enemies, easily taking their lives, but…
They only slightly penetrated the purple skin, not enough to be lethal. Recognizing the enemy as a formidable demon, Marume grimaced and moved closer to the Gazer.
The Gazer extended countless tentacles, attacking Marume like a barrage of spears. However, Marume remained unfazed and swung his sword.
[Coiling Strike]
Marume visualized the tentacles as a single spear, striking them all at once and slipping into the Gazer’s range. The Gazer’s eye gleamed as it attempted to use magic, but…
“Too slow.”
[Crystal Blade]
Gripping the crystal-covered sword with both hands, Marume stepped forward with great force. The friction from his step heated his shoe, producing smoke as he unleashed a full-force strike. The blow vertically bisected the Gazer, ending the demon’s life in an instant.
“Damn you!”
Infuriated by the Gazer’s defeat, the Doppelgangers extended their claws and rushed at Marume. With claws as sharp and long as knives, the Doppelgangers attacked, but Marume sliced upward with his sword, cutting off their tips.
“Kiieee!”
Letting out a cry like a monstrous bird, Marume slashed diagonally across the first Doppelganger. Seeing the next Doppelganger thrust its claws at him, Marume retreated with sliding steps. As the Doppelganger’s claws missed and its body overextended, Marume seized the opportunity, leaped into its range again, and split it in two with a downward slash.
The last remaining Doppelganger had transformed into a giant, nearly touching the ceiling. With green skin and a body as fat as a pig, it bared its jagged teeth and glared menacingly.
“A troll? In this confined space, I can’t use fire. And the power of a blow from that massive body would be enough to kill anyone inside this vehicle.”
If the Doppelganger possessed the same skill as the creature it had transformed into, it would likely have a powerful [Regeneration] ability. This regeneration could only be halted with fire, and the sheer force of the troll’s blow would be impossible to dodge in the tight space, making it deadly.
Yet, Marume remained unfazed, his eyes gleaming with a cold smile. Glancing at the captain he always worked with, he saw that the magic was already cast.
[Enchant Flame]
“It’s helpful to have a subordinate who understands me without words.”
“Grrraaaa…”
Marume’s sword was enveloped in flames. Seeing this, the troll-turned-Doppelganger roared and swung its massive arm.
“Chestoo!”
[Goban Slash]
In response, Marume used the last of his mana to unleash his ultimate strike. The blade extended, slicing through the troll’s arm as it approached and easily bisecting its massive torso like a butcher’s knife cutting through meat.
As the green blood flowed, the defeated Doppelganger reverted to its original form. Marume wiped his sword and sheathed it with a click.
“Hmm… I didn’t think I’d have to enter the front lines… Was that a misjudgment?”
Murmuring to himself with one eyebrow raised, Marume acknowledged that there was no escaping combat.
Just then, a subordinate timidly spoke up from behind him.
“Impressive, Colonel Marume. …It would have been perfect if you hadn’t slashed through the command vehicle.”
Due to the [Goban Slash], the wall of the command vehicle slid down and crumbled with a clatter. The sky became visible, leaving the operators and strategists stunned with their mouths agape.
“I had no time to be careful. Treat the wounded and continue the operation.”
With an awkward cough, Colonel Marume issued his orders.