《Transported Into Another World With My Tank》


 Prologue: The Red Musket

    Somewhere in Eastern Europe¡­


    The sky bled grey into the fog-choked streets, only the skeletal of buildings in brinks of collapse and shattered windows, blurring the war-torn city into a spectral smudge. Four M1A3 Abrams behemoths rumbled through the desolation, led by a lone red demon - the Red Musket. Its full crimson gun barrel, turret, and hull, painted black, green, and red, dazzled and slashed with black stripes, stood out like a defiant fist against the monochrome landscape.


    Gunfire echoes in the background, but tank threads churn loudly into yet an eerie ghost town, making the sound of a steel monster marching to its prey.


    Captain Gritz "Tiger" Wittmann is a man carved from the fires of war, his weathered face etched with the scars of countless battles. His eyes, a steely blue beneath a thicket of grizzled brows, hold the unwavering gaze of a predator, ever scanning the horizon with his 50 cal. Machine gun for the next threat.


    Even amidst the deafening chaos of the battlefield, his presence commands respect, a silent authority radiating from his broad shoulders and the calloused hands that grip the controls of the Red Musket.


    His nickname, "Tiger," is no mere moniker. It reflects the ferocity he fights, the cunning he employs to outmanoeuvre his enemies, and the unwavering loyalty he inspires in his crew. When Tiger roars an order, it cracks like a whip across the battlefield, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation. And yet, beneath the outward gruffness, there resides a flicker of compassion, a deep-seated sense of responsibility for the lives entrusted to him. He is a leader who leads from the front, a shield against the storm, and a man who would gladly give his own life to those he swore to protect.


    "Eyes peeled, boys," Tiger''s gruff voice crackled over the radio, laced with the thrill of unleashing these beasts. We don''t have the infantry accompanying us today, so stay vigilant. These beauties were bought with sweat and steel, not to be scrapped in some alley. Four months of blood and mud to earn them¡ªdon''t waste it!"


    "Roger that." Radio back by following tanks.


    Forward beneath Captain Gritz, Sergeant Reznov, also known as "Archer," the marksman of Red Musket, pushed his glasses up his nose like your typical genius. His young face, usually lit by a mischievous grin, was now a mask of steely focus as he peered through the advanced thermal scope.


    "Yeah, this shit is old, but it''s just too good and expensive to be destroyed." Archer''s proficiency as a gunner is legendary. He possessed an innate ability to transform a tank into a precision weapon, capable of striking targets from extraordinary distances with pinpoint accuracy. Even without thermal imagery or computer assistance, Archer''s shots were remarkably precise. Archer also scans the surroundings using his newly highly advanced thermal viewer scope. "But man, this bad boy is a big deal? Compared to our last T72 and T90, this thing is monstrous in size, but¡­¡± He moved his body to sense any remaining space for him. "Urgghh¡­ we''re like sardines in here!"


    A man with a deep voice chuckled, "Haha, Hell, I am still surprised that I actually fit in." That is Private Arlando "Armstrong" Sherman, the gun loader. He was located on the left side of Archer, and the main gun was between them. You may mistake him as a typical thug because of his heavily muscular physique, which is covered with various tattoos. He was once a thug or gangster, but when the war broke out, he changed himself for the better and became a soft, kind-hearted man. He has tanned skin and bald hair. Sporting a sleeveless tanker uniform to make room for his massive arms.


    With his body, he''s truly fitting as a gun loader. M1 Abrams are manual loading machines, and he is the new member of the Red Musket since their former tanks are automatic loading and require only 3 crew.


    The lead tank, Red Musket, abruptly halted amidst their advance. Captain Tiger grabbed his radio, issuing a crisp command, "All tanks, halt." The following tanks responded instantly, grinding to a standstill.


    Tiger addressed his driver through the intercom, "Do you also sense that, Scarface?" Tiger suspected Scarface had already picked up on the anomaly, prompting him to stop the tank even before the order was given.


    "Yeah..." came the reply from Scarface, the M1 Abrams driver. Scarface, whose real name is Ivan, shares Tiger''s uncanny sixth sense. He was called "Scarface" because of the noticeable scar on his face that runs from his eyes to his cheeks. Fortunately, his right eye, where his scar is, is still functional.


    "All right, you know the plan," Tiger stated.


    "Roger that," Scarface acknowledged.


    Tiger turned his attention to Archer, the tank''s gunner. "Archer, you got visuals on ''em?"


    "They''re on my sight now," Archer confirmed. "Those runts think they can ambush us on those buildings."


    "Well, let''s give ''em hell!" Armstrong declared.


    Cpt Tiger radioed the other tanks, "To all tanks, proceed to location Foxtrot. Our man urgently needs your help. Take the street echo instead and rush forward. The enemy has already set up ambushes for us in street whiskey. Still, proceed with caution; they might set up ambushes in other areas. Report any sightings of enemy armour and engage if necessary, but our priority is to save our pinned-down soldier."


    "Tell that to you, Red Musket," the Other tank commander jokingly said. "We''ll be just fine, Hornet," Cpt Tiger reassured.


    "If you say so, Red Musket, we''ll be on our way now. Take care. Hornet over and out." The three other tanks headed to Foxtrot, east of the city.


    Through his thermal monitor, Tiger vividly sees figures of humans highlighted with light green, indicating their thermals. He observes that they are restless and seemingly preparing to attack. They were hiding on the second floor of an apartment, and then he saw one of the enemies grab something from the ground, put it on his shoulder, and carry it. It must be some kind of anti-tank rocket or missile.


    "Load HEAT and fire on my command." Tiger''s firm command


    Armstrong slid the ammunition rack blast door open and grabbed a round of M830A1 High Explosive Anti Tank. M830A1 is a behemoth of a bullet, standing about as tall as a small child at 3.6 feet (1.1 meters) long. Imagine a thick soda can, 4.7 inches (120 millimeters) wide, stretched to that height. Its olive green body packs a powerful high-explosive punch designed to crack open heavily armoured tanks. The round weighs 25kg, but it''s only a feather for Armstrong. He loaded the gun and shouted, "Up," to indicate the gun''s readiness to unleash its rage of explosion.


    "Scarface, 1/3 ahead," Tiger commanded, his voice steady amidst the tension.


    "Roger," Ivan responded, his grip tightening on the throttle. A twist of his wrist sent a surge of power through the M1 Abrams'' formidable engine. The tank lurched forward, its treads grinding against the rubble-strewn city square.


    Ivan surveyed the battlefield through the viewports, his eyes scanning the fog-shrouded landscape for any movement. The enemy lay hidden, their presence a palpable weight in the eerie silence that hung over the square. Yet, Ivan remained unfazed, his senses honed from years of hunting in the dense forests of his homeland.


    Inside the tank, the crew braced themselves for the impending clash. Tiger manned the 50.cal M2 Browning machine gun. Archer, the gunner, poised over the fire control, waited for the signal to unleash the tank''s devastating arsenal. Armstrong, the loader, stood ready, his muscles primed for the rapid reloading of high-explosive rounds.


    Tension reached a fever pitch as the Red Musket inched closer to the enemy''s concealed positions. The silence was a suffocating blanket, punctuated only by the rumbling of the tank''s engine and the crew''s measured breaths. Tiger inhaled deeply, steadying his inhale; his eyes narrowed, and his senses heightened.


    Finally, Cpt Tiger shouts, "Fire!"


    "On the way!"


    The command unleashed a thunderous roar as the Red Musket''s 120mm smoothbore cannon unleashed its devastating firepower. A high-explosive round hurtled through the air, slamming into the enemy''s makeshift fortification with a deafening blast. Inside the tank, gun recoil pushed back so hard that it could fatally injure a crew if it was in the line of its recoil.


    The impact was instantaneous, a violent eruption of shrapnel and debris that sent mangled bodies flying through the crimson-stained air. Tiger emerged from the tank''s turret, his 50 cal machine gun spitting a relentless barrage into the chaos below. "Squirt at them, Archer!"


    "Yes, sir!!" Archer joined Tiger by firing the 7.62 coaxial machine gun.


    Suddenly, the tank lurched backwards, its treads churning the ground as it narrowly avoided an incoming RPG. A trail of smoke marked the projectile''s path, revealing the enemy''s position. "Canister round on the same target!!" Tiger shouted. Archer''s eyes glued to the thermal imaging display, the enemy''s heat signature glowing bright against the cool backdrop. "Target Identified!"


    Since the HEAT round had obliterated the enemy''s cover, Tiger decided to use the Canister round or the M1028. Just imagine a shotgun shell but for the tank. That round contains thousands of tungsten balls and is spread into a fan-shaped area. It''s highly effective against infantry.


    "Canister Up!" ¡ª Armstrong


    "Fire!" ¡ª Tiger


    "On the way!" Archer shouts; the 120 mm gun roars again and hits the target building. The enemy soldiers'' screams of agony can be heard as they are obliterated by the spread of balls. Tiger continues suppressing the enemy fire, but the enemy is still far from defeated.


    The enemy unleashed a hail of gunfire upon the Red Musket, bullets ricocheting off its armoured hull. Recognizing the imminent danger, the Tiger quickly retreated into the tank''s interior, his voice barking orders through the intercom. "Let''s get the hell out of here before they overrun us!"


    Red musket surged forward with relentless momentum. Inside the driver''s hatch, Ivan, the tank''s heart and soul, was a symphony of controlled movement, manoeuvring the massive machine. As enemy fire rained down upon them, Ivan''s senses extended beyond the confines of his position. It was as if he and the Red Musket had merged into a single entity, a fusion of man and machine that granted him an instinctive awareness of his surroundings. With an almost preternatural ability, Ivan could anticipate the trajectory of incoming projectiles, his hands guiding the tank in a ballet of evasion.


    "Hey, Scarface, take it easy, man," Archer quipped, his voice laced with playful humor. "Don''t want us to have another broken track, do we?"


    Armstrong, ever eager for action, said, "If that happens, we''ll just have to fight them head-on! It''s been four months since I joined the Tankers, and my fists are itching for real action. I wanna beat punks harder than our 120!"


    Their commander, Tiger, joined the banter, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm, "That''s right, son, I bet you''d love to try that in front of a T90."


    Laughter rippled through the crew, a warm and comforting sound amidst the din of battle. Though separated from his comrades by the tank''s layout, Ivan felt the joy radiating from their voices. A smile tugged at his lips as he expertly maneuvered the tank, their shared laughter echoing in his heart.


    For Ivan, this camaraderie was more than just a distraction from the perils of war; it was a new hope, a reason to move forward. After losing his family in the early stages of the war, his loved ones and the peaceful farm life he had were just burned down by the unstoppable marches of war.


    "Continue to location: FoxtrotFoxtrot. We don''t wanna miss any battle." With that, Cpt Tiger grabbed the radio. "This is the Red Musket; what''s your situation there? Over."


    "This is Warpig! We''re only a kilometer from Foxtrot but taking heavy enemy fire!" The voice, laced with adrenaline, painted a vivid picture of the intense battle raging ahead. "They''re flanking us and our boys at FoxtrotFoxtrot! We need immediate assistance!"


    "How many enemies are you facing right now? Cpt Ask.


    "IT''S AN ARMORED DIVISION!" ¡ª Warpig


    The crew of Red Musket gazed at each other. "4 to 100," Cpt Tiger Pondered. "Bonus round, isn''t it?" Archer said, "What do you think, Armstrong?" Cpt Tiger asked him. Armstrong punched his fist. "I don''t know how dangerous it''d be; let''s just punch through their armor!" Then, the rest of the crew waits for Scarface''s response.


    Ivan closed his eyes inside the driver compartment and heard the crew say, "You probably want to use your seatbelt now."


    With that, the crew resolved their resolution, "That''s what I want to hear!" Then the commander used the radio again, "Tell me their location."


    "Eastern edge of the city park, coordinates 40.747535, -73.984105. There''s a column of T70''s and T90''s there." ¡ª Warpig.


    "Copy that, Warpig. Retreat for a while! Don''t you dare lose any of our tanks! We only have a few of ''em! ETA 3 minutes. Hold out for a while."


    "Copy that, Red Musket." ¡ª Warpig


    Ivan''s hands firmly gripped the controls, twisting the throttle, unleashing the raw power of the 70-ton steel behemoth. The Red Musket surged forward, its tracks chewing through the war-torn streets, its impressive speed of 69 kph defying the limitations of its imposing size.


    "We''ll deal with those enemy infantry later," Captain Tiger declared," Right now, we''ve got a party to crash."


    Mirroring the enemy''s flanking maneuver, the Red Musket veered off the city''s main road, heading northeast from the city square. Their destination: the city park, an open field perfect for shooting.


    The distance between the Red Musket and their comrades, the Warpig, is approximately 5 kilometers. At their current speed, they could reach the park in roughly four minutes, but the terrain was far from ideal. Rubble from collapsed buildings littered the path, threatening to impede their progress.


    However, the Red Musket crew was prepared for such obstacles. They deployed a reconnaissance drone, its aerial view clearly showing the terrain ahead. With Ivan''s impeccable tank-driving skills, they navigated the treacherous landscape precisely.


    They''re only 3 km from the destination, but they''ve already spotted the target. It''s confirmed¡ªa column of T72s and T80s tanks heading to the Foxtrot and Warpig locations.


    "Time to start hunting." Cpt proclaimed. "Contact 3000 meters ahead 13 T80''s lined up. Load sabot and aim at the lead tank."


    Archer aimed the main gun. "Identified!"


    Armstrong opened the ammunition rack and grabbed the APFSDS round or Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot. It is a special ammunition that uses a sabot or an arrow like tungsten metal or even depleted uranium, capable of penetrating thick armor at high velocity with deadly precision.


    "Up!" Armstrong shouted after loading the round, "Fire."


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    "On the way!" Archer pulled the trigger.


    The 120mm gun roared again, and the sabot round hit the lead tank, penetrating its armor like butter. Then, the thunderous bang could be heard.


    "Sabot at the second tank!!" ¡ª Tiger.


    The column tank quickly scattered to face the imminent danger.


    "Now aim at that tank¡ª" the Red Musket charges at full speed while firing at the enemy. Within a minute, the Red Musket transforms the enemy column into a burning graveyard of steel. Six T72 tanks lay in ruins. The remaining enemy tanks halt their advance by the sudden onslaught and scramble to regroup. Panic-stricken, they attempt to retreat while firing erratically at the Red Musket, their shots falling wide of the mark.


    M1A3 of the Redmusket charged forward while firing; when they reached their destinations, all of the 13 tanks were nothing but a piece of scrap now. But there are still more of them.


    "This is the Red Musket; we have finally arrived at the destination just two clicks from your position; how''s our man in there? Over." ¡ª Tiger


    "Red Musket, This is Warpig! We are now defending the Hotel Suez. We''re buying time for our men to retreat. Over."


    "How many armor?" Cpt Tiger inquired.


    "There''s at least 20 of them attacking us right now!" Through the radio, they can hear the sounds of gunshots and bullets whistling around.


    "Engage the enemy and draw their attention. We''ll flank them and attack from the side." ¡ª Tiger.


    "Solid copy, Red Musket. Engaging Targets!" ¡ª Warpig


    Hotel Suez stands isolated amidst a vast open field, its strategic importance drawing the enemy''s attention. Three M1A3 tanks, positioned around the hotel, form a defensive perimeter, their crews determined to protect the stronghold.


    From the north, the enemy forces surge forward like Banzai charge, their numbers and firepower posing a significant threat to Hotel Suez''s defenders. Red Musket, recognizing the vulnerability of the enemy''s left flank, devises a bold plan to strike from an unexpected angle and charge them. The element of surprise is their greatest weapon, and the timing of their attack is crucial.


    Black Powder Squadron started their attack. Three Abrams tanks fired at the charging enemy, and now the Red Musket finally started the attacking party. The attacking enemy consisted of some T72S and some APCs. Red Musket fired APFSDS rounds at its overpen, two aligned BMPs, destroying both of them. Cpt Tiger was on top of the turret firing its 50 Cal, and Archer was also firing the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun at the infantry.


    Amidst the chaos of the battlefield, the Black Powder Squadron stands triumphant, having decimated the enemy''s armored forces. Armstrong joins the fray with only enemy infantry remaining, expertly wielding his M249 Saw machine gun. At the same time, Scarface manoeuvres the tank to provide optimal firing positions for his comrades.


    After twenty intense minutes, the enemy retreated. A temporary ceasefire descended, and the Black Powder Squadron, recognizing their numerical disadvantage, decided to withdraw. However, as Hornet retreats, disaster strikes ¨C a landmine immobilizes the tank.


    "Arghhh! We step on shit!" The Hornet''s Captain bellowed. However, the timing turned treacherous when Tiger spotted something flying in the air. It''s a white tube-like object with wings or fins on it. It looks like a cruise missile but is slow because it only uses a propeller. And that object is currently nose-diving toward Hornet''s M1 Abrams tank. It''s a loitering munition, also known as a kamikaze drone. It uses a heat signature to find its target and can penetrate the top part of a tank because that''s the least protected part of any tank.


    "Hornet! Bail out! Bail out! Drone incoming!" then Cpt Tiger, recognizing the imminent threat, swiftly takes up his position at the 50 caliber gun. Archer questions his Captain''s intentions with a mix of humour and concern. "Hey! You''re going to shoot it with that thing? Can you hit it?" Cpt Tiger is unfazed, but then he orders Archer. "It''s probably impossible for me, but I guess you can. Take this gun now, soldier!"


    Tiger quickly climbed up to the tank''s turret to let Archer use the machine gun, and as Tiger did that, Archer also swiftly manned the gun.


    Armstrong, not to be outdone, joins the challenge, manning his gun and proposing a competition to see who can shoot down the drone first. Archer accepts, and the two engage in a race against time, their red tracer rounds streaking through the air. On the other hand, Hornet''s crew finally made it out of the tank.


    Amidst the flurry of gunfire, one bullet strikes the drone''s wing, sending it into an uncontrollable spiral. The drone crashes to the ground, exploding in a fiery burst. Archer is caught up in the excitement, and Tiger inquires about the victor, but Armstrong simply shrugs off. "It''s clear that this brat beat me."


    Tiger quickly ran toward Hornet to assess the situation.


    "Thank you, Tiger. We owe you that one." Hornet''s Captain gave thanks.


    "How bad have you been hit?"


    "Two of our road wheels on the left are completely shattered, the track is already loose, and one of our suspension fluids is leaking."


    "How much time do you need for repair?"


    "The best we can do is 3 hours".


    "Captain, they are coming." A deadpan and neutral voice came into Tiger''s radio. It was from Scarface. It clearly indicated that they must leave now.


    Captain Tiger pondered; he knew they must retreat now, but he couldn''t abandon the tank. Not only do they lose a precious war machine, but it may also inflict morale damage since the tank has a reputation, and this would be the first operation they fielded. Their sponsors expect good results from them. He desperately seeks a solution to the seemingly impossible task of recovering the abandoned Abrams tank. Then suddenly, a peculiar smile spread across his face, drawing curious glances from his crew.


    "Oh hell no, that damn smile¡­ I don''t like where this is going," Archer groaned, sensing the Captain''s brewing audacity.


    "Make it 30 minutes."


    "What?"


    "I said we need to get moving in 30 minutes. I don''t care if you use a car wheel or a goddamn tow truck that can carry 70 tons of war machine. Best if you just repair it; as long as we can get the hell out here with your tank, I don''t care what you do. Just 30 minutes, and we''re out."


    "That''s¡­impossible-"


    "It''s your job to do my command. Now, give me some of your rounds." Tiger ran back to his tank.


    The Hornet captain can''t retort anymore, and Tiger calls for Armstrong. Armstrong, ever the thrill-seeker, couldn''t contain his eagerness. "So, we''re really gonna go for it, huh, arrogant as ever. I love it!"


    Scarface, the voice of reason, sighed in resignation, already anticipating the wild scheme that was about to unfold.


    Captain Tiger, feigning innocence, exclaimed, "Wait! You don''t know what I''m thinking, right?"


    "You know that we know," Archer retorted with another sigh. "Just give the order to the Black Powder Squadron and ask the infantry how many can still fight. You don''t just want to reclaim that Abrams; you want to reclaim the whole city, don''t you?"


    "You''re goddamn right, son. Now give me a map".


    Half an hour later...


    "T90 at 4 o''clock, we''re in its line of fire! Scarface, quick evasive maneuver!"


    With hands gripping the steering controls, Ivan reacted with lightning speed, wrenching the tank into a hard left turn, its treads churning up the earth beneath. The T90''s 125mm gun roared, its menacing projectile slicing through the air like a harbinger of doom. Inside the Red Musket, a deafening hiss echoed as the enemy''s sabot round narrowly missed the turret.


    "Gunner, sabot, tank! Traverse left", Cpt Tiger instructed,


    "Identified!" Archer announced, his eyes glued to the fire control, a predator locking onto its prey.


    "Steady" ¡ª Tiger


    Armstrong, the tank''s loader, moved with practiced efficiency, his muscles rippling as he grabbed an APFSDS round from the ammunition rack. With a swift, practised motion, he inserted the round into the breach of the 120mm smoothbore cannon. "Sabot up!" he declared, signalling the gun''s readiness.


    "Fire!" Cpt Tiger''s command echoed through the tank, a prelude to the thunderous roar of the Abrams'' main gun.


    The sabot round, a spear of destruction, streaked through the air, its trajectory a deadly promise. It slammed into the T90''s heavily armored turret with pinpoint accuracy. The enemy tank fell silent, its offensive capabilities reduced to a smouldering ruin.


    "Tank struck!" The Tiger''s voice held a hint of grim satisfaction, a testament to its lethal precision.


    Relief, however, was a fleeting luxury on the battlefield. "T80 at 1 o''clock, distance 800 meters! It''s on the other side of that building. Load a sabot round again, and let''s see if we can shoot through the building," Cpt Tiger''s voice cut through the momentary respite.


    "On!" Archer''s response was immediate.


    Armstrong ejected the used shell in a whirlwind of efficiency and inserted a fresh round into the cannon. "Up!" he announced.


    The Red Musket''s turret swivelled, its aim unwavering. It targeted the T80 through the skeletal remains of the building that stood as a flimsy barricade.


    "Fire!" Cpt Tiger''s command unleashed pent-up energy.


    The sabot round tore through the air, its path undeterred by the shattered windows of the intervening building. It slammed into the T80''s hull with a resounding crack, piercing the armour and wreaking havoc.


    Suddenly, Captain Tiger clicked his tongue. "Two enemies are approaching on both sides: 72 at 2 o''clock, 90 meters, and 90 at 8 o''clock, 50 meters. They''re looking at us."


    Archer let out a predatory grin. "Those bastards keep on coming, huh? I guess we need to do that."


    "Never thought that we were gonna do it again too soon." Armstrong opened the ammunition rack, grabbed another Sabot round, and carried it. Then he giggled nervously, "Well, bring it on!"


    "Scarface, we''re gonna do Duoblitz. Target at 8 o''clock, turret at 1 o''clock." Tiger ordered Ivan, followed by an immediate response from Ivan: "Roger!"


    Developed by Red Musket after acquiring the M1 Abrams tanks, DuoBlitz is a tactic demanding exceedingly precise coordination among the crew. It comes into play when confronted with two enemy tanks approaching simultaneously, necessitating their elimination in rapid succession.


    The gunner locks onto the first target, ensuring a precise shot. Concurrently, the commander focuses on the second tank, ready to engage immediately after the gunner''s attack. To facilitate this swift targeting, the driver skillfully rotates the tank itself. However, the M1 Abrams turret can do full rotation within 9 seconds; this manoeuvre could reduce it. On the battlefield, every second matters. While the tank boasts a sophisticated gun stabilization system, the gun still remains on target even if the tank is rotating.


    Red Musket deactivates it in favour of the unmatched precision of manual aiming. The loader must reload the gun within a critical two-second window, ensuring the seamless execution of the DuoBlitz maneuver.


    Tiger informed Ivan where the target and the turret training position were so he could calculate precisely how much turn the tank needed.


    Immediate tension arose inside the tank. Archer''s eyes were glued to the first target; his hands were already sweaty while holding the gun trigger, and his foot couldn''t stop fidgeting and tapping the floor. Armstrong was also already sweating, and it was visible on his face. He was tense while waiting and preparing for a quick reload.


    Tiger remained fixated on his commander''s screen while Ivan prepared for a swift turn. Red Musket was exposed in the open field, vulnerable to enemy detection through thermal imaging. Finally, the awaited order came, "Fire!" Tiger barked in a calm, calculated voice.


    Archer responded with a steady pull of the trigger. The battlefield echoed with the loud thump of the tank''s cannon, followed by a flurry of activity from Tiger, Armstrong, and Scarface. Without waiting for confirmation of the first shot''s impact, they seamlessly transitioned to the next target. They just put trust in Archer''s skill and a calculated gamble on his success. In a fraction of a second, Ivan initiated the tank''s rotation, followed closely by the turret''s swift movement. Armstrong, unfazed by the frantic pace, maintained his balance while reloading the tank with lightning speed. As soon as Tiger saw the second target, he fired without hesitation. Another deafening boom reverberated across the battlefield, followed by the satisfying silence of two simultaneous explosions. Both were a hit.


    Armstrong''s eyes glued at the tablet from their reconnaissance aerial drone confirmed the hit. "Target neutralized," he declared, but there is still was no celebration inside the tank.


    "All right, cease fire! Cease fire!" Tiger said


    The ruined city is filled with burning metal, perfect for a blacksmith''s workshop. And for the Red Musket, they know that that number will just pile up. "Cpt Tiger gravely announced, "Column of seven T80 tanks at 11 o''clock, a distance of 1000 meters."


    "C''mon, give us a break, will ya!" Archer rant.


    Ivan glanced at the tank''s fuel gauge, which was already low. Even though he didn''t announce it, he knew that the crew knew they were already low, not only on fuel but also on ammunition.


    Armstrong slammed the ammunition door seal. "Damn it!" Within 30 minutes of intense non-stop fighting, Red Musket had depleted its 50 rounds.


    "That''s it, boys. We''re done here. Let''s go back and hope that the Hornet''s already operational.


    Let''s retreat for now," Cpt Tiger comfortably and calmly said.


    Ivan rotates the tank and heads south, where they can meet up with the rest of the Black Powder squadron and the 16th infantry division. After rotating the tank, Ivan twists the throttle downward, and the tank is in full-speed retreat.


    Just as they were rolling, Cpt suddenly stood up to his hatch and furiously looked up in the sky. He saw something out of grey sky silhouetting a figure that looks like a dot. Another kamikaze drone was heading toward them, and it was not only one; it was three drones locked and pursuing them because of the heat signature coming from the tank engine''s full throttle.


    Cpt Tiger clicked his tongue, "Archer, drone incoming, switch up with me!"


    Tiger decides that because he knows how precise Archer''s marksmanship is, just as he had demonstrated before. He even joked with Archer before calling him phalanx, not a spartan formation phalanx but the CIWS one or the Close-In Weapon System Phalanx. It''s a machine that uses a Gatling gun to intercept incoming threats like missiles by shooting at them and detonating them before they even hit what it is defending.


    "Fucking hell! Those suicidal drones again, huh?" To his left side, Archer grabs his sniper rifle.


    "Hey, you sure will use that thing against that drone?" Armstrong mockingly asked.


    "Why not? I can hit and shoot it down with one bullet."


    "Heh! This brat is cocky as ever. Well then, this time, I won''t lose!"


    Armstrong also arose from his hatch and dismounted the SAW machine gun so he could aim it freely.


    Tiger and Archer finally switched positions, and the Captain now controls the gunner position. He is using a thermal sight to look for the enemy, and Sgt Scarface is just driving the tank. Both of them placed their faith in Archer and Armstrong.


    Both Sgt Archer and Pvt Armstrong aimed their guns at the first upcoming drone. The first drone is at 500 meters. From that distance, the drone is still like a small dot in the sky. But because of their excellent marksmanship, they could somehow hit the wings and avert it from its trajectory. However, the second drone is already at 200 meters and rapidly descending to Red Musket. At that moment, Armstrong finally turned the switch of his machine gun into fully automatic. The recoil of the M240 is strong, but


    Armstrong''s name lives up to his physique, and he controls the fully automatic machine gun just fine. Like his arm acts like a recoil debuffer. At only 100 meters, Armstrong was able to hit the kamikaze drone, and both Cpt Tiger and Pvt Strong Armstrong ducked to avoid the blast. There is a loud bang, and


    Armstrong is able to detonate the explosive charge of the drone. But there is still one more drone, and they don''t have time or distance to shoot it down. It''s probably the end of them, but Ivan and Archer wouldn''t let that happen, and the other crew knew it, so they closed the hatch and braced themselves.


    There''s a 5-floor building in front of them. Tiger aims the main cannon in front of them, and using the last HEAT round that he loaded while Archer and Armstrong shoot down the drones, he pulls the trigger. With a deafening roar, the High Explosive Anti Tank round tore through the concrete, creating a gaping entrance. With nerves of steel, Ivan slammed on the brakes to the left, sending the tank into a 180-degree drift, expertly avoiding damage to the gun. Then the tank slammed into that blasted wall.


    They''re already inside the building, and they have the cover now. The kamikaze drone, still locked on Red Musket, hit the rooftop of the concrete building. It can''t penetrate the thickness of 5 layers of concrete, so it just explodes upon impact.


    Cpt Tiger released a whistle: "Good job, boys. Let''s move out now." The tank started to move again. There was no time to stop, or they would become sitting ducks. They were aware that enemy tanks were already chasing them. But to their surprise, a single T90 was already aiming at them.


    "T90 ahead!" Tiger informed Ivan, but Ivan was already prepared as expected, so he traversed the tank at lightning speed and again saved their precious tank from being hit.


    After that, Ivan moved forward: "Hey! Don''t you ever think about ramming an enemy tank again!" Tiger reminded Ivan, his voice having a mixture of genuine humour.


    Ivan chuckled. "I won''t."


    "H-hey!" Archer genuinely, with fear, exclaimed. But Ivan rushed the T90 in front of it at full throttle and quickly turned it hard left. They almost scratched each other, but Ivan''s driving was so precise. Then, the M1 Abrams accelerated while swaying to avoid incoming gunfire from that enemy tank.


    A heart-pounding chase unfolded through the desolate city streets, a ballet of steel and fury as the T-90 pursued the Red Musket. The two armored behemoths thundered through the ruins, their tracks churning dust and debris, their engines roaring like enraged beasts.


    The Red Musket, with depleted ammunition, relied on its maneuverability to evade the T-90''s relentless pursuit. Scarface, the driver, expertly weaved the Abrams through the rubble-strewn streets.


    The T-90, its gun-belching fire, kept up the pressure, its shells whistling past the Red Musket, each near miss a reminder of their precarious situation. Captain Tiger, ever resourceful, devised a plan to buy them time.


    "Scarface, activate our smoke generator. Armstrong, use our grenade launchers to disorient them. Archer, keep hitting em with coax aimed at their sights. We''ll make them blind."


    "Yes, sir!" Crew responded in unison


    Tank started belching white smoke from behind, and the coaxial machine gun spitting its lead to the enemy.


    "At my signal, launch smoke grenades," he ordered.


    Reaching beneath his seat, Tiger fumbled for something in the cramped confines of the Abrams'' interior. Armstrong, puzzled, watched as Tiger finally extracted a bulky object.


    An olive-green tube stretching over a meter long, with a smaller box-like device attached to the side, its screen displaying targeting information. It was a Javelin missile launcher,


    Armstrong''s eyes widened in disbelief. "How in the hell did you fit that in here?"


    Archer, equally astonished, could only stare. "Goddamn it, Captain Boss! How did you hide that?"


    Tiger chuckled, "Always make a pocket for your rocket. You never know when you''ll need one."


    Ivan, the driver, shook his head at Tiger''s antics but couldn''t help but wonder what else their Captain had stashed away. Feeling around his position, he discovered an RPG tucked beside him. It was a simple metal tube, slightly curved with wooden grips, its conical warhead menacingly pointed - a weapon of raw, close-quarters power.


    On his other side, Ivan found a Stinger missile. Its sleek, cylindrical body was painted a dull grey, and its infrared seeker head gave it a distinctly modern, almost futuristic appearance.


    The missile''s compact size belied its deadly purpose, capable of bringing down even the most agile of aircraft.


    "Unbelievable¡­" Ivan thought, a mix of amusement and awe washing over him.


    Captain Tiger opened his hatch, "Archer, at the count of 5, deploy our smokes, and Scarface, after I fired the javelin missile, hit the true top speed of our Red Musket.


    "Roger that!" both of them affirmed in unison. The Captain set up the javelin missile. He decided not to use the usual mode, which is the top attack mode; instead, he switched to the direct fire mode. He prepared himself for the attack, and then he started the countdown.


    "5, 4, 3, 2¡­1. Deploy the smoke!" With that, Archer launched the smoke grenades, which were located in front of the turret. Although the enemy can still see them through smoke by the use of thermal imaging, it will still somehow reduce their visibility, then, Tiger, seizing this opportunity, rose from his position, the Javelin missile launcher braced against his shoulder. It''s in direct fire mode, and it works like an RPG where the attack is in an almost straight line.


    With a sharp hiss, the missile streaked forth, a fiery messenger of destruction. It arced through the smoke, a deadly comet illuminating the haze with an eerie glow. The T-90, its crew momentarily disoriented, never stood a chance.


    The missile slammed into the T-90''s hull with a thunderous roar, the impact sending a shockwave through the desolate cityscape. The enemy tank erupted in a blinding fireball, and a violent sun birthed amidst the ruins.


    The Red Musket''s crew watched in stunned silence as the T-90''s turret, ripped from its body by the force of the explosion, soared skyward. The three enemy soldiers inside had ceased to exist, their lives extinguished in a violent instant.


    There was no celebration, no triumphant cheers. The Red Musket''s crew, their faces grim, their eyes haunted, could only stare at the twisted metal silhouette against the grey sky. They knew that in this unforgiving war, their fate could mirror that of their vanquished foes. Does someone really deserve to go out that way? What would their mother say if they found out their child is nothing but dust? Red Musket knows there is no turning back now; they won''t regret it but will never forget it.


    The crackle of the radio shattered the eerie silence that had settled over the Red Musket.


    "Red Musket, Red Musket, this is Hornet. Over."


    Captain Tiger grabbed the receiver, his voice crisp and professional. "This is Red Musket, Hornet, come in. Over."


    "Red Musket, we''ve completed repairs and are ready to counterattack. By the way, that was quite a fireworks display you put on."


    "Copy that, Hornet. However, we''re retreating for now. Escort the 16th and watch out for enemy armor and mines. Over."


    A brief silence followed, broken by another voice on the radio. "Red Musket, this is Warpig. 5th Russian Mechanized Infantry and Combined British and German Armor Division are en route to retrieve the 16th Infantry Division. Orders from higher up are to reclaim this city. Its railway is in a strategic location. They''ve also brought Leopard and Challenger squadrons. Over."


    "Copy that, Warpig. However, we''re low on fuel and ammunition. We''re retreating for resupply. Over." ¡ª Tiger


    "Red Musket. This is the 5th Mechanized Infantry. Please retreat to Location Alpha; one of our BTRs will escort you if you encounter some runts. Now leave this to us, comrades!"


    "Red Musket, This is also the Combined Armor Div. Great job at holding there, but I hope you lads left us some armoured targets."


    The Red Musket meets up with the Black Powder Squadron. Together with Hornet, they will retreat for needed resupply and repair. The Warpig and Crimson Jungle will temporarily be in direct order of 5th Mechanized infantry.


    "We''re going home for a while¡­ boys. We fight for another day."

 Chapter 1: Last Push

    Dawn crept into the Black Powder squadron barracks, casting a pale, ashen light upon the sleeping soldiers. Ivan Abrams stirred from his uneasy slumber, his eyes opening to a world painted in shades of gray, a reflection of the winter that was fast approaching.


    As he lay there, the weight of a 2 years'' worth of war settled upon his heart. Though years had passed since the first shots were fired, for Ivan, the horrors of that time remained as vivid as if they had happened yesterday. The deafening air raid sirens, the earth-shaking explosions, the cries of the wounded and dying, these sounds echoed ceaselessly in his mind, a haunting symphony of destruction. But it was the cries that tore at his soul the most. Those desperate calls for help, the anguished screams that bore his name.


    ¡­His family¡­


    The memory of them, of their serene lives shattered by the sudden inferno of war, flashed before him like a grotesque slideshow, a never-ending nightmare from which he could never truly awaken. Vibrant colors of life had been replaced by a monochrome of despair, a world where the only hues were the gray of smoke-filled skies, the crimson of spilled blood, and the haunting emptiness of loss.


    Ivan gets up from his bed and wears his shirt and inside his locker, he sees a faded, edges worn, and slightly frayed photo of his family.


    In the sepia-toned image, he saw himself, younger and carefree, his lips curved into a genuine, unburdened smile. His clothes, bear the earthy imprint of days spent tending to the family farm. Beside him stood his parents, their faces mirroring his own expression, their eyes exuding a love that transcended time and circumstance. At the forefront, his two beloved younger sisters, Lilia and Rosaria, beamed with an infectious joy that illuminated the scene like twin beacons. And the background of it was their barn and tractors that Ivan used to drive.


    He placed his hands on the picture "Mom, Dad, Lilia, Rosaria. Wait for me, I will go there soon, I will come back home, so please, wait for me¡­I''m going to find that place."


    Ivan finally moves out to their room and heads to the kitchen. Red Musket barracks is more like a house rather than typical military living quarters. They have access to baths, living areas, and kitchens of their own.


    Archer is lying on the couch, playing on his portable console. Armstrong on the other hand, despite his brute muscular physique, is just cooking breakfast while wearing an apron.


    "Good morning." Ivan greeted them with his emotionless voice. Sgt Reznov, Archer greeted him back with a good morning but turned back immediately into his game with frustration. "Damn it! Bad drop again. This RNG is bullshit!."


    Pvt Arlando Sherman also greeted him, "Morning, have you slept well?" Ivan didn''t answer but Armstrong noticed the dark circles around Ivan''s eye. Armstrong didn''t press for any answer and just served him with a newly cooked pancake.


    "Here, eatwell." The aroma of the pancake wafted through the air, its buttery scent tantalizing Ivan''s senses. Despite them being at war, it''s not that bad to have a simple luxury for a while.


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    However, Ivan looks at Armstrong suspiciously. "You didn''t use protein powder instead of flour with this, did you?"


    Armstrong averted his gaze, whistling innocently. "As expected." Ivan stood up to get other food but Armstrong stopped him by pushing him down back to his chair. "I''m just kidding, I''m kidding. It''s a normal flour, so don''t worry. Just eat up, kay?"


    Ivan, not even entirely convinced, just sat and took a bite, his eyes widening in surprise. The pancake was fluffy and delicious, the butter adding a rich creaminess. Within a matter of seconds, Ivan didn''t notice that he had already cleaned the plate.


    Armstrong is prepared and puts a newly hot smoky pancake on his plate and adds butter on top of it. "Here ya go."


    "T-thank you."


    "Heh, Fill yourself up. I can cook more for you." Armstrong says while flexing his muscles.


    "By the way, where''s the captain?" When I woke up he was already not here." Sgt Reznov asks, "Boss left early and went to the hangar, it seems like he got a new idea for modification in our tank." Pvt Arlando replied.


    Ivan rolled his eyes. "Again? What the hell did you put again to our tank?"


    Armstrong grins, "Heh, you''ll see."


    "You''re just going to make our tank heavier than it is, which means it will be much harder to maneuver."


    "Well, you''ve been with him for almost two years now," Sergeant Reznov said sarcastically. "Haven''t you gotten used to him yet? My brother used to tell me all about him, about how he ridiculously upgraded any tank he commanded."


    "As the driver, I just don''t want to make things difficult for myself," Ivan grumbled.


    "Now, now," Private Arlando spoke up. "But yer be fine, aren''t cha? You used to drive T72s, T84s, and T90s, which are much lighter than M1 Abrams tanks. But from what I heard recently, it seems that you''ve already become proficient at driving a 70-ton tank and making it run like a sports car."


    "I hope that''s still the case next time."


    Both Archer and Armstrong chuckled.


    "Oh by the way, Boss told me that after breakfast, we''ll go to the hangar, there''s something he needs to talk about or more like it''s a pre-mission briefing." Armstrong said.


    The atmosphere became serious. After washing the dishes, the red musket crew goes to the hangar to meet their captain.


    It''s already been almost a month since their last operation in the frontline. They''ve been put on standby because of logistical issues so they can''t operate. During that time, Captain Gritz Wittmann or Tiger with Armstrong''s help used that time to upgrade the Red Musket tank


    Along the way, there''s a column of different tanks on their base. There''s German made Leopard 1 and 2, British Challenger 2, French Leclerc, South Korean K2 Black Panther, China''s Type99, Israeli Merkava, Japanese Type 90 and lastly The Russian-made T-90.


    All of those fire powers of other countries combined and united just to defeat an unstoppable enemy. The raw power of the United Force.


    They''ve also seen some destroyed tanks being scrapped but there''s a line of destroyed tanks that nobody''s touching and all of those tanks have a paint of distinctly red turret and on the side have a mark of 2 1700''s musket rifle that is in ''x'' position.


    Those were the destroyed tanks of the Red Musket. Some were just damaged that they couldn''t repair and some were just heavily damaged so that the tanks were unrecognizable. There''s a total of 10 destroyed tanks and It''s just a miracle that Tiger and Scarface survived all of those. However, while walking, they stumbled upon one of the "destroyed tank"


    Amongst the other war machines, this one held significance. It''s a T90, by the first look it seems not damaged at all because the hull of it is still intact except there''s a large deformation and scratch In Front of it, the tracks and wheels are still good, but if they look at it''s a turret, there''s a hand spread size hole on it. The tank turret was penetrated.


    Hypothetically, it can be restored back to action by just patching it up and repairing some damaged parts knowing in war, any operational tank can significantly help the frontline, but they wouldn''t. Simply because they respect the life that perished inside of it. The one of the original crew of Red Musket, Bowman. Brother of Sgt Reznov.


    Even the higher-ups just agreed to it just not to because, before that tragic event, the Red Musket will be trained to use the Abrams. But even thinking about it, it''s probably respectable if they keep the tank operational, and if you ask Bowman himself, he will choose to reactivate that tank even after his death. That will be the plan of the crew of Red Musket after this war or if it''s already necessary.


    Ivan always clenches his fist whenever he sees that tank. There''s still regret lingering on him and always asks and blames himself why he didn''t notice that muddy swamp. If he just avoids it he probably evades that incoming round from the enemy thus saving Bowman. He wants to blame himself but Archer notices it and as the brother of Bowman, he doesn''t want to blame Ivan for that. He''s already aware that Ivan did everything he could to save his brother. It''s just that the war is shit.


    Archer patted the back of Ivan, "Let''s go, captain is waiting for us." Ivan nodded and they proceeded to the tank hangar.

 Last Push Part 2

    Red Musket had its own tank hangar, or "garage," as they called it. It was a typical hangar with a steel structure and a large door. Inside, the crew saw their newly modified M1A3 Abrams tank sitting in the center of the garage. Their captain stood next to the tank, holding a clipboard and carefully inspecting it.


    "Sir!" The crew gave their captain a sharp military salute, but Tiger just waved them off with a casual hand gesture.


    "You don''t have to do that, boys; we''re all soldiers here. No formality needed." Tiger said


    The crew chuckled, "We know. We just gave it, and it''s kinda a kind of." Archer teased.


    Armstrong put his hand on his waist and glanced at the tank. "So Boss, what did you have another idea to pimp our tank?"


    Tiger smiled. "I''ll explain it later," he said. "I need you to follow me to the war room. We have a brief plan.


    The crew''s expressions turned serious. The time they are waiting for will come.


    "Yes, sir," they said in unison.


    Tiger led the crew out of the hangar and down the corridor to the war room. He glanced at each of them as they walked and nodded in satisfaction.


    The last push against the enemy is coming," he said. "And we''re going to lead the way."


    Tiger, Scarface, Archer, and Armstrong went to the war room, where they saw high-ranking generals of the United Forces waiting for them.


    The Red Musket stood tall and proud, giving a military salute. The other personnel in the room, members of the Black Powder Squadron and generals from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, returned the salute, a testament to the Red Musket''s fame and respect within the military.


    "Gentlemen," the general spoke, his voice commanding attention. "Two years ago, this war began. I am proud to say that we have held our line against overwhelming odds. With our former armed forces, the enemy would have taken us within days. But thanks to our brave men and their sacrifices, we have somehow defended our land. We have fought hard, day by day, to resist their attacks. And I proudly say that, anytime soon, the battlefield will ravage their homeland!"


    The general paused, his eyes sweeping the room. "But now, we are not alone! The world is supporting us. We have made it this far because of them. Without them, we would fight the enemy with cooking pans and shovels. But the world is watching. We must give them results in return for their support. Yet, I must also admit that our counterattack has not gone as planned.


    The enemy has entrenched themselves on our own land. We have lost tanks and personnel to their mines. And they control the sky. How can we fight them? Two years is a short time, but it has felt like an eternity for us. We do not know how much longer we can hold out. Winter is coming, and our counteroffensive may be put on hold. But Tomorrow, we will launch an operation that may determine our future. A fight that will be written in history. We will attack the enemy head-on. It may seem a foolish plan, but we cannot afford to fail."


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    The general turned to Tiger, his eyes steady and determined. "Tiger, you and your Red Musket are the key to this operation. We are counting on you."


    "To Black Powder squadron, the success of this operation will lie in your hands," the general declared, his voice echoing with authority. "Thanks to the discovery of the esteemed Commander of The Black Squadron, Tiger, we found a hidden underground passage. We don''t know how a tunnel so large, four meters wide and six meters tall, came to be. We theorized it was a train network, but that''s not the case. There are no tracks. But we found some strange paintings that seem to be from the medieval era. It''s just a shame we''ll use it in war. We don''t have time to glorify past relics. Right now, we are in the present and will use it to secure our future."


    The general pointed to the displayed projected map, its intricate lines and symbols revealing the enemy''s positions and our defenses.


    The Archer, Armstrong, and Scarface crew gazed at Tiger in surprise. They knew there was a secret tunnel, but they didn''t expect Tiger to discover it.


    The general continued, "The plan would be for The Red Musket and the Black Powder squadron to advance using your tank. We''ve already cleared the path, so you don''t face blockades. But truthfully, I can''t guarantee you''re not falling into a trap. We don''t have time to clear anything for your way since our enemy will not give us that luxury of time. You know they are already preparing for one last all-out push to us. We must strike them first before they ever do."


    Briefing about the plan came to an end after an hour.


    The plan was audacious, bordering on reckless. The Elite tank squadron, led by the Red Musket, would spearhead the attack, plunging deep behind enemy lines. Their objective was to strike the heart of the enemy''s command structure, disrupting their communication networks and crippling their ability to coordinate their defenses. The element of surprise was crucial; the sight of enemy tanks rolling through their territory would sow chaos and confusion among the enemy ranks.


    To support the Red Musket''s daring advance, a massive coalition force, comprising 90% of their available resources, would launch a coordinated attack from all fronts ¨C land, sea, and air. The goal was to overwhelm the enemy with a multi-pronged assault. At the same time, the Red Musket disrupted their command and control.


    The responsibility for disrupting the enemy''s chain of command rested heavily on the shoulders of the Black Powder squadron. Their mission was to neutralize the enemy''s air defense batteries, clearing the skies for the coalition''s air force to rain down destruction upon enemy positions.


    If the Red Musket''s mission behind enemy lines proved successful, the coalition would unleash paratroopers to seize control of the enemy capital. However, the high command acknowledged that the operation was fraught with risks. The possibility of the tunnel being a trap, the annihilation of the Elite tank squadron, and the overwhelming odds the coalition forces faced were all serious concerns.


    Tiger, the leader of the Red Musket, bore immense responsibility. His decision to proceed with the plan would have profound consequences, potentially affecting the outcome of the entire war. He was acutely aware of the risks involved, but he also recognized the potential rewards. If the plan succeeded, it could turn the tide of the war in their favor.


    The plan may have seemed audacious, even reckless, but the high command''s trust in Tiger and his crew was unwavering. They believed in their abilities, courage, and willingness to sacrifice for a more significant cause. The coalition''s fate rested on their shoulders, and they were prepared to bear that burden.


    However, Black Powder is already aware of this plan because the one who orchestrated this ridiculous plan is the only Tiger himself. That''s why the Red Musket tank and the whole squadron received an upgrade for this operation. Talking about the upgrade, Tiger spent 3 weeks modifying their tank for this particular operation.


    After the briefing, the crew returned to the hangar to view the modifications to their tank. Tiger proudly explained the changes.

 M1A3 SepV4 TUSK RM

    After the briefing, the crew returned to the hangar to view the modifications to their tank. Tiger proudly explained the changes.


    The first modification is the engine. M1 Abrams'' former engine, AGT-1500 gas turbine engine, while capable of producing 1,500 horsepower, had a fuel consumption rate of approximately 21.45 liters per kilometer. This limited the tank''s range to around 420 kilometers on its 1,909-liter fuel tank.


    To address this issue, the M1A3 Abrams SEPv3 variant introduced the prototype IST-01 engine, a powerplant boasting significant improvements in fuel efficiency and power output. The IST-01 is still a jet engine, similar to the AGT-1500, but it is designed to be three times more efficient. This translates to a remarkable fuel consumption rate of just 5 liters per kilometer, a four-fold reduction compared to the previous engine.


    Regarding horsepower, the IST-01 delivers an impressive 3,000 horsepower, double that of the AGT-1500. This substantial increase in power allows the tank to reach a top speed of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour on flat terrain and 50 kilometers per hour cross-country.


    Another notable advantage of the IST-01 is its compact size, which enables the tank to carry over 2,500 liters of fuel, further extending its range. With these improvements, the M1A3 Abrams SEPv3 variant can travel significantly farther than its predecessors, enhancing its operational capabilities and reducing logistical burdens. It can also use various fuels, such as diesel or jet fuel, but it''s much better if you combine both of them.


    Second, the armament. Tiger replaced the 7.62mm coaxial gun with a 20mm Oerlikon autocannon. He modified it to make it smaller, but there is now a half-meter-long barrel alongside their main cannon, and somehow, he fit it inside their already cramped turret. He did that to save their main cannon ammunition for some light armored vehicle. 20mm can take them down.


    Not only that, but he also puts an M2 50 caliber machine gun on top of the barrel of a 120mm smoothbore for additional firepower to destroy vehicles. Archer likes that modification because he can use various guns but is ridiculed by the fact that Tiger really did that just to save ammunition.


    On top of the turret, Tiger wanted to change his commander''s gun to a GAU-19 Gatling gun; imagine the 50 calibers but a Gatling gun. Unfortunately, that gun was not delivered to them. Because of that, he thinks he can put a minigun instead. It''s also a Gatling gun that uses 7.62 ammunition. He wanted a higher rate of fire as his weapon for anti-aircraft, but having a gun capable of firing 6000 rounds per minute is just too much. Also, the firepower is reduced because of the smaller caliber. Thus, he decided to use the M3 machine gun, which has a higher rate of fire than the M2 but with the same firepower. Having a 1200 rate of fire is better than 600 rpm by M2.


    They also installed a portable electronic warfare device with the help of some engineers and programmers. Confusing its GPS could be used against UAVs or unmanned aerial vehicles.


    The M1 Abrams tank has two ammunition racks, each with a blowout panel. The blowout panels are designed to vent any explosions from the ammunition compartment out of the tank, protecting the crew from injury or death. However, if the two ammunition racks are merged, there would only be one blowout panel for the entire ammunition compartment. This would increase the risk of an ammunition cook-off, as the blowout panel may not vent the explosion effectively.


    As I mentioned earlier, with upgraded engines, their M1 Abrams can now effectively tow cargo trailers that contain more ammunition, tools, extra fuels, spare parts, and many more necessary things you need in combat.


    The last modification concerns the tank''s endurance. The tank will participate in a possibly long mission, during which any repair stop or resupplying will be impossible. So Tiger, with the help of engineers and some American companies that make the M1 Abrams, slowly modified the tank to make it more reliable by reducing some complex parts that needed extensive maintenance to retain its performance.


    "Now I''m proudly introducing you to the newest version of the M1 Abrams. The M1A3 SEPv4 TUSK RM!¡±


    The crew was at a loss for words. On the one hand, they were amused by Tiger''s ability to pull off such daring modifications. On the other hand, they were dismayed by the additional risks he was introducing to the tank. A single hit could turn their tank into a steel coffin, incinerating them in an instant. Yet, despite the risks, they couldn''t bring themselves to anger at Tiger. After all, they all wanted the war to end, except for Ivan.


    ¡°M1A3 SEPv4 TUSK RM huh¡­¡± Archer examines the tank. "You''ve literally crafted a new variant for this tank. And¡­let me guess, the ''RM'' means on the last is Red Musket?"


    Tiger boasted the answer: "It is obvious. This tank is modified only for us, and also because of my inputs, they have now an experimental tank that can improve theirs."


    "Can you be humble for a while?" Archer rolled his eyes. "Never." Tiger immediately answered.


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    "But seriously, why does it somehow become bigger?" Armstrong also examined the tank, then knocked at it, and the sound was still solid metal. "And also take note, it''s ugly-looking now because of the tank threads around it, and you comically add a lot of weaponry to it."


    "Let''s just focus on the performance, okay," Tiger replied


    Scarface''s brow furrowed in worry, and He wiped his sweaty palms on his forehead. He couldn''t help but feel a sense of trepidation as he looked at the Red Musket, now heavily armored and armed. The additional weight would undoubtedly impact the tank''s maneuverability, and Scarface was concerned about his ability to control it effectively.


    "How many additional tons has this tank gained?" he asked Tiger, his voice tinged with fear. "I bet you''ve added at least another five. How am I supposed to maneuver this thing? And what if I...?"


    Scarface''s voice trailed off, his throat suddenly dry. The memory of their previous tank stuck in the mud and unable to move was still fresh in his mind. It was that incident that had claimed the life of Bowman, Archer''s brother and one of the original members of the crew.


    Tiger sensed Scarface''s unease and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I''ll guide you, Scarface," he said firmly. "I''ll be your eyes. Just follow me, and I''ll never let us get stuck in the mud again. I promise you."


    Scarface looked into Tiger''s steely eyes and saw the unwavering determination that he had come to admire. He knew that Tiger would keep his word.


    Archer, who had been watching Tiger and Scarface''s exchange, spoke up. "Everything will be fine, Scarface," he said reassuringly. As long as we work together, we can overcome any challenge. Even if we''re immobilized or stuck, as long as we can still fight back, I''ll make sure that I hit them before they fire at us. We can even turn this tank into a fixed artillery or fortification position if we have to."


    Armstrong nodded in agreement, his fist clenched tightly. "That''s right!" he exclaimed. "Even if I have to lift this tank out of the mud myself, I''ll do it so we can rush our enemies again."


    Tiger put his hands on Scarface''s shoulders and looked him in the eye. "I will guide this tank with all my might, Scarface," he said. "That''s why..."


    Archer, Armstrong, and Tiger smiled at Scarface, their eyes filled with trust and camaraderie.


    "That''s why we''re relying on you to drive us forward," they said in unison. "To the future."


    To the future?...


    Ivan suddenly remembered his crewmates'' stories, dreams, hopes, and sources of strength.


    Armstrong, who once was a lost man who only knew fighting on the streets, found the love of his life that changed him for the better, but because of war, her fiance, who was a police woman-crippled while trying to free him in prison.


    Archer, after losing his Dad and Brother during the war, only wants to go home to be with his lonely mother.


    Tiger, he was a retired tank commander, but when the war started, his wife was also killed by the bombardment. He vows to avenge his wife, so


    Ivan knows their story. They''re all the same. Tiger, Archer, and Armstrong are fighting ferociously because of their loved ones. They''ve been fighting this war tirelessly, not because they hate what''s in front of them but because they love those behind them¡ªsomething Ivan can''t have.


    While their battles were fueled by the love for those they held dear, Ivan''s fight was rooted in a thirst for vengeance, a consuming desire for retribution that had become his sole driving force. He lacked the comforting vision of a future filled with cherished memories and the warmth of familial bonds.


    Ivan couldn''t help but feel a pang of empathy as he listened to their yearning for peace, their longing to reclaim the lives they once knew, and the dreams they held dear. He understood their desperation to end the war, to silence the guns that had shattered their lives and left them yearning for a semblance of normalcy.


    Yet, amidst their shared pursuit of peace, Ivan couldn''t shake off the haunting question that echoed within him: what would happen to him when the guns fell silent and the dust settled? Would he find solace in the peace they so desperately sought, or would he remain adrift, a solitary figure haunted by the ghosts of his past?


    As his comrades urged him to join their quest for a brighter future, Ivan grappled with the realization that he had no place in the world they envisioned. His heart, scarred by loss and hardened by revenge, could not embrace the simple joys they so desperately sought.


    Ivan''s heart ached with a deep longing, a yearning to experience the warmth of camaraderie and the solace of belonging. He craved a place where he could lay down his arms and find solace in the company of others, a place where his scarred soul could find healing and his battered spirit could find renewal.


    In a moment of profound self-reflection, Ivan acknowledged that his participation in the war extended beyond his thirst for vengeance. He fought for his crewmates, the shared camaraderie forged in the crucible of battle, and the fleeting moments of kinship that offered a semblance of family.


    Yet, the void within him remained, a gaping wound that refused to heal. He longed for a sense of belonging, a place he could finally call home, where the ghosts of his past could no longer haunt him.


    "I need to find that place," Ivan said to himself.


    Ivan''s eyes welled up with tears as he thought about his crewmates'' dreams and hopes for the future, which they had shared so openly with him.


    Quickly wiping away the tears that threatened to fall, Ivan turned back to his crewmate. "You''re right," he said, "I''m going to take you to that future you''re talking about."


    A flicker of surprise crossed his crewmate''s face, but it was quickly replaced by a smile of gratitude. Ivan''s words ignited a spark of hope within them, a belief that their dreams were not just distant wishes but achievable goals.


    Ivan turned his head again, facing his crewmates. "It''s going to be a rough ride, so you better use your seatbelts."

 Before the final Storm

    Ivan turned his head again, facing his crewmates. "It''s going to be a rough ride, so you better use your seatbelts," he said.


    "Seriously, dude, why do you always say that?" Archer chuckled, pointing out the apparent lack of seatbelts in their tank.


    "Hey, Tiger," Armstrong said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about you install some seat belts for us?"


    Tiger smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "What if I already did?"


    "What the" Armstrong and Archer exclaimed in unison, their eyes widening in disbelief.


    "Of course not," Tiger replied with a deadpan expression. "If we got hit and those seatbelts stuck us, we''d be cooked inside the tank before we could even escape."


    "But after seeing all the modifications you''ve made, it seems like you''ve turned our tank into a glorified powder keg," Archer retorted, his voice laced with humor and exasperation.


    "Yeah, that''s right," Armstrong agreed, affirming. He rapped on one of the supposedly ARAT ERA boxes, eliciting a clunking sound of machine gun ammunition. "You''ve literally surrounded us with ammo."


    "And also, how did this ridiculous modification get approved in the first place?" Archer added, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.


    Despite the barrage of criticism from his crew, Tiger remained unfazed, simply shrugging and grinning from ear to ear. "But admit it, fellas," he said, his voice radiating pride. "Our tank looks badass now!"


    Armstrong sighed, shaking his head in amusement. "Honestly, I''m all for badass things, but this tank has crossed the line into abomination territory. It''s literally an iron monstrosity covered in explosives. And just look at the top of the turret ¨C what the heck are those? An antenna and four machine guns, for starters."


    Finally overwhelmed by the harsh criticism, Tiger conceded defeat. "Alright, let''s just focus on its performance, okay?" he said, surrendering his hands.


    Ivan joined the chorus of complaints. "And I bet you''ve also crammed some portable missiles into our already cramped tank," he said, his voice laced with disbelief. "How did you even manage to get permission to carry such valuable weapons for our infantry?"


    "I mean, it could be a secret tool we can use for later, you know?" Tiger answered


    Ivan sighed. "All right, let''s hope this is enough for Tomorrow''s battle.


    The Red Musket crew glanced at their tank once again.


    Archer, his usually cocky demeanor replaced by a somber seriousness, gazed at the tank, his eyes tracing the contours of the armored behemoth. "I''ll admit," he said, his voice laced with a hint of doubt, "I still have my reservations about our chances Tomorrow. But I''ll do my damnedest to hit our mark and finish this war once and for all."


    Armstrong raised his clenched fist, his eyes burning with determination. "There''s no denying the odds stacked against us," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "But we''ve faced insurmountable challenges and always risen to the occasion. This time is no different. We''ll punch through their defenses and end this senseless war."


    Ivan nodded in agreement, his usual stoicism masking a deep well of emotion. "As I said before," he said, his voice steady and unwavering, "I''ll do everything in my power to drive us to victory, to drive us towards¡­your future."


    Tiger, his heart overflowing with gratitude for his loyal crew, looked at them with eyes filled with pride. "Gentlemen," he began, "I''ve never been prouder to call you my crew. For two years, we''ve fought side by side through trials and tribulations, victories and defeats. Together, we''ve become not just a tank crew but a symbol of courage, intelligence, and resilience. Even when we''ve fallen, we''ve risen again, stronger and more determined than before."


    He paused, letting his words sink in, before continuing, "Tomorrow, we face our final battle, our last stand, our final push towards a better future. And though I may not be the perfect captain, I will exhaust every ounce of my strength, every fiber of my being, to ensure our victory."


    With a final surge of emotion, Tiger rose to his full height, his hands raised in a crisp military salute. "It has been an honor to fight alongside you, my brothers-in-arms."


    The crew returned the salute.


    "We will roll out at 0700 hours sharp," Tiger declared, "Make sure you get enough rest. That is all. Dismissed!"


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Yes, sir!" the crew responded in unison.


    Thus, the crew spent their remaining hours before the final push.


    Archer made his way to the nearby town. He carried with him a bottle of Bowman''s favorite brandy, a comforting reminder of the brother he had lost to the ravages of war. Despite the ongoing conflict and his soldierly duties, Archer was granted permission to purchase because of the Red Musket''s reputation.


    With the bottle cradled in his arms, Archer ventured to the wreckage of their former tank, the


    T-90. The sight of the turret, torn open by enemy fire, and the deformed frontal hull, caused by Ivan''s desperate ramming maneuver, stirred a storm of emotions within him.


    Archer poured out the brandy on the tank. He spoke to Bowman. He vowed to honor his brother''s memory by surviving the war, returning home to care for their mother, and supporting Bowman''s wife and children.


    Though he couldn''t be certain if Bowman could hear him, Archer felt an undeniable connection to his brother. This bond transcended the boundaries of life and death. In his heart, he knew that brothers were always connected, no matter the distance or the circumstances.


    Armstrong spent his day exercising, focusing on strengthening his arm. Afterward, he went to the kitchen and prepared a barbecue for the evening. While marinating the meat, he wrote a heartfelt letter to his fiance, expressing his love, longing, and excitement for their upcoming wedding.


    Tiger remained confined to the hangar, his mind consumed by the battle plan''s intricacies and the battlefield''s complex topography. The impending clash of arms weighed heavily on his shoulders, demanding undivided attention. He meticulously studied the maps, scrutinizing every detail, every potential obstacle, every possible enemy position.


    Yet, amidst the relentless pursuit of victory, Tiger sought solace in the cherished letters from his beloved daughter. He reread them with a tender touch, each word a lifeline connecting him to a world of innocence and love far removed from the harsh realities of war.


    The warmth of her words infused his heart with a renewed sense of purpose. He envisioned her bright smile, infectious laughter, and dreams for the future. Her innocent scribbles and heartfelt expressions reminded him of the world he fought to protect. In this world, his daughter could grow up in peace, free from the fear of war''s devastating grip.


    Ivan found himself immersed in the intricate details of the battlefield, his eyes tracing the contours of the maps with unwavering focus. Like Tiger, he meticulously studied the terrain, scrutinizing every hill, river, and potential obstacle in their path. His mind was a whirlwind of calculations and strategies, each mental maneuver aimed at ensuring the Red Musket''s swift and effective movement.


    His previous mistake, the costly error that had nearly cost them their lives, served as a stark reminder of the battlefield''s unforgiving nature. Ivan was determined to ensure that such a lapse would never happen again. He meticulously scanned the maps, identifying potential mudflats, swamps, and treacherous fields that could hinder the tank''s progress.


    When the night settled down, the crew had a simple and small barbeque party, which they also shared with the other squad. You can compare that night to the calm before the storm. They knew that Tomorrow would change history; this might be their last night, their last smile and laughter, and the last time they could eat together. But it wasn''t that bad at all.


    *********


    As the first wisps of dawn crept into the darkened room, casting long, eerie shadows that danced across the walls, Ivan stirred from his restless slumber. His eyes fluttered open, the darkness still clinging tenaciously to the world outside, broken only by the faintest sliver of light that struggled to pierce through the heavy drapes. He glanced at the clock, its luminous hands pointing to the unforgiving hour of 5:00 AM.


    Ivan decided to rise from his slumber, sleep eluding him throughout the night. His eyes remained shut, but rest had evaded him. Ever since the war had begun, sleep had become a fleeting visitor. This tantalizing mirage remained just beyond his grasp.


    Whether from the sheer exhaustion of battle or the relentless torment of nightmares, sleep had abandoned him, leaving him adrift in a sea of restless thoughts and haunting memories. The voices of his loved ones, their cries of pain and anguish, echoed incessantly in his mind, transforming his slumber into a tormented battlefield.


    The briefing concluded, Tiger''s words echoing in Ivan''s mind: "This operation is no ordinary engagement. We must be prepared for anything." The impending mission was far from a routine tank-on-tank battle. It was a plunge into the unknown, where adaptability and resourcefulness would be their greatest assets.


    Ivan was equipped with his FN SCAR rifle, Glock sidearm, a few grenades, and some smoke grenades. He knew his gear was designed for open-combat scenarios, not the confined space of a tank. However, Tiger''s directive was clear: be fully prepared for any eventuality.


    Despite the potential discomfort of wearing full gear inside the tank, Ivan understood the importance of being prepared for the worst-case scenario. If their tank were immobilized and they had to continue on foot, his infantry training and equipment would be crucial for their survival.


    He loaded his FN Scar rifle and double-checked his sidearm, ensuring it was secure in its holster. The grenades nestled within his vest. Finally, when he finished putting all his gear, his reflection stared back at him from the mirror affixed to his locker. The image that greeted him starkly contrasted with the youthful, carefree spirit he carried within. Despite being a mere 20 years old, his face bore the marks of a life already weathered by war and hardship.


    Deep-set shadows, like the lingering traces of sleepless nights, ringed his eyes, their once vibrant hue dimmed by the horrors he had witnessed. A jagged scar, a brutal souvenir from that bomb, etched its way from his eye to his cheek. And in his eyes, once filled with the sparkle of youthful optimism, there was now a haunting emptiness, a reflection of the soul that had seen too much too soon. Ivan''s physical visage was a testament to the toll the war had taken.


    Alongside the mirror is a picture of his family. He always noticed the difference between the present and the past. If he can only just go back¡­


    Ivan removed the picture attached to his locker and securely placed it inside his combat vest. "I will be home soon, so please wait for me. I will go to that place." He finally left his barracks.

 Before the final Storm part 2

    Ivan removed the picture attached to his locker and securely placed it inside his combat vest. "I will be home soon, so please wait for me. I will go to that place." He finally left his barracks.


    Outside, he saw bustling activity. Soldiers scurried about, and some stood in orderly lines, awaiting their turn to board the transport vehicles.


    Meanwhile, a dedicated crew in the hangar worked tirelessly, inspecting and refueling tanks, their movements swift and efficient.


    After all, this was likely to be their final battle, a decisive clash that would determine the fate of many. Upon reaching the hangar, Ivan was met with a disorienting sight: their tank, the Red Musket, was nowhere to be seen. A quick inquiry with a nearby crewman revealed that the Red Musket had already taken its position at the forefront of the task force, awaiting their arrival.


    Ivan set off towards the hill where he knew the Red Musket would be. As he ascended the incline, the first rays of dawn began to pierce the darkness, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the landscape. And there, silhouetted against the rising sun, stood the mighty Red Musket, its imposing form dominating the horizon.


    On top of the tank, a lone figure stood tall and erect, his silhouette unmistakably that of their Captain. The Captain''s figure was bathed in the golden light of the rising sun. The wind whipped at his coat, causing it to billow around him, adding to his imposing presence.


    Ivan was taken aback by that sight but continued walking toward their tank.


    Tiger noticed Ivan, "Oh hey, you''re early." His voice sounds manly, like a father.


    "Is that so?" Ivan replied, his voice neutral but his demeanor respectful. He clambered up the front of the tank and stowed his small rucksack inside the driver''s compartment before facing Tiger again. "Armstrong and Archer are already awake; they''ll be here soon."


    "I see," Tiger acknowledged, settling onto the tank''s turret with a piece of colorful paper clutched in his hand. His gaze drifted towards the horizon, where the first rays of dawn were painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Ivan followed his commander''s gaze, and both of them were in quiet contemplation of the sunrise.


    Tiger''s voice broke the silence, his tone laced with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with his usual calm demeanor. "Did you know tomorrow is my daughter''s fifth birthday?" he asked. "She wrote me a letter," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "telling me that she already misses me and hoping that I could visit her tomorrow."


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Ivan turned to face Tiger, his heart aching for his commander, who was torn between his duty as a soldier and his longing for his daughter. Tiger''s expression was a delicate balance of amusement and sadness, reflecting his bittersweet emotions about his daughter''s growth and his absence from her life. At that moment, Ivan saw a different side of Tiger. This side was not the hardened commander he had come to know but a loving father yearning for the warmth of his family.


    Tiger held up the colorful paper, revealing an adorable girl smiling beside a meter stick. "She''s adorable as ever, but she''s growing up fast. And also, I can see that she''s already an intelligent child who can write me a letter. She got everything from her mom." Tiger laughs light-heartedly.


    Tiger''s voice trembled as he spoke, his words carrying a weight of emotion that threatened to crush him. "I miss her¡­" he whispered, his gaze fixed on the fading horizon, longing for his daughter etched in every line of his face.


    Ivan turned his gaze back to the sunset, his heart echoing Tiger''s silent sorrow. He understood the torment that Tiger was battling, the fear that gnawed at his soul, the uncertainty that clouded his resolve.


    "Then you know what we should do today," Ivan said, his voice firm but laced with empathy.


    Tiger nodded, his eyes mirroring the anguish that consumed him. "You''re right, son¡­" Tiger paused and continued, but his voice was a grim facade. "But if anything happens to me or something goes wrong, make sure to escape and tell to my daughter-"


    "Cut the crap!" Ivan''s voice cracked like a thunderclap, shattering the tense silence,


    "I won''t do that. Do you think I can easily handle seeing your daughter crying? Do you think I bear to tell her that her papa is already gone?! Don''t you dare to feed me with that deathbed bullshit! If you die, we all die. That''s it."


    Ivan paused for a moment to return his gaze to the sunrise. He continued, but his voice was a bit softer this time."And also, I already promised to take you there, to the place you want, to where you can get that future you''re longing for. I will take you there, all of you. No one will be left behind. Let me make my promise come true. Let me drive you there. And after that, be with your daughter and celebrate her birthday tomorrow. Don''t you dare to feed me with that deathbed bullshit!"


    "Ivan¡­" Captain Tiger said slowly


    "Let me take you there," Ivan rasped, his gaze intensifying like a dying ember, flickering on the brink of extinguishment. It burned with desperate hope, yearning for fuel, for direction, but its flames danced erratically, searching for an unknown destination.


    Seeing the instability of fire, Tiger asked one question that had puzzled Ivan all this time: "What would you do after this war?"

 Were Always At Your Back

    I need to find that place.


    ¡°All this time¡­ you¡¯re only looking for a place to die?¡±


    ¡°Uncertainty of the future might be distorted, but you will get in there.¡±


    ¡°Find a place to live.¡±


    ¡°Gunner ready.¡± ¡°Sabot Index.¡± Armstrong and Archer announced, informing their readiness.


    ¡°Alright." Captain Gritz Wittmann, known as "Tiger," nodded in satisfaction, then stood atop the tank. "All tanks on my command, and all the brave men who will fight alongside us today." He stood tall, surveying the line of tanks behind him and the infantrymen around. Gritz addressed them with a firm, warm, and resolutely solid tone. "I have only a few words for all of you before we go in. Today, we all know someone''s mother is going to lose her light. A father will lose his strength. And... somebody''s child... will lose both. That''s for sure today. But we, soldiers, embody all of that. We are their light, strength, and hope. We are all somebody''s son, daughter, and parents. Are we letting our left-behinds go through that? No!"


    His speech intensified.


    ¡°Even if it''s inevitable, don''t let it through your hearts! Today might be the day that we end all of this! Today is the day that we march into this hell. Today is a gift that we live in. And now, we are all heading toward our future where nobody will cry anymore because of this senseless war. All courageous men and women here, let''s head toward that future. We, the Red Musket, will lead the way. Follow us."


    Tiger returned to his tank hatch, only the upper part of his body visible as he put on his helmet. "May victory be with humanity."


    All tanks radioback in unison with a solid ¡°Roger!¡± Tiger switched to his crew intercom. ¡°Now, Sergeant Ivan Abrams, the first step forward is up to you now.¡± Aside from the M1A2 Abrams turbine engine high pitch sound, silence looms inside the Red Musket. ¡°But this is my final order to you, full speed ahead.¡± Even at the urgency of war, the crew patiently waited for Ivan¡¯s response.


    In his driver¡¯s compartment, separated from the rest of the crew. Ivan Abrams ¡°Scarface¡± lying down, eyes closed, as he vividly sees once again the faces of his comrades before he lies down there. The hope in their eyes was placed on him. Ivan couldn¡¯t just wonder, Why would they entrust their future to someone like him? He can¡¯t still understand the words behind that, ¡°He would be the one who will drive everyone to a better tomorrow.¡± Ivan already felt powerless but at the same time, somehow, within him, he is still happy. He smiled slightly, ¡°Me as a tank commander? He must be joking.¡±


    With that, Ivan finally opened up his eyes, gripped the throttle. ¡°Yes sir.¡± After replying to Tiger¡¯s command, he twisted down the throttle, and the mighty jet engine of M1 Abrams came into life. People cheering them as they depart at the base and that¡¯s where they started their crusade.


    Line of various tanks like the newest T-90M, Leopard II, Challenger, Merkava, and the M1 Abrams filled the road and leading them was the Red Musket. That ¡°secret tunnel¡± is only located a few kilometers from the base, but they still kept the vigilance for enemy drones or infantry that might spot and compromise this secret mission.


    Abrams tanks filled the narrow passage, with Red Musket leading the charge. Though the "secret tunnel" was near their base, vigilance remained high, guarding against drones or infantry who might expose their mission.


    After 30 tense minutes, they reached the entrance. Disguised as a forested mountain, it gaped open like a cavern, its existence a mystery. Locals were unaware, and its sudden appearance, conveniently leading to enemy territory, fueled suspicion.


    The tanks followed a small recon team''s lead. Despite no signs of a trap, the passage felt mystical, almost a lost civilization''s work. Tiger''s command echoed: "All tanks and PCs, move ahead."


    Ivan steered Red Musket carefully down the incline. Though seemingly natural - rocks, stalactites, even bats - the passage felt unnatural. The 20-meter-high, curved ceiling,and was crafted from limestone and marble, adorned with unknown human figures in ancient garb. The rough terrain smoothed, replaced by a flat, paved floor. It''s also 5 meters in width, more than enough to fit M1 Abrams tank


    "What in the lost history is this, captain?" Archer''s voice crackled through the intercom, his scope scanning the surroundings. ¡°There¡¯s no time for us to identify what these are or what era it is. More importantly is our present, and we¡¯ll use this for our future.¡± Tiger said.The crew, usually silent, observed in awe this "mythical place." Bizarre architecture met their eyes, illuminated by the sculptures'' faint blue glow.


    An unsettling tension crept in. Archer tapped his foot nervously, Armstrong''s grip tightened, and Scarface, ever vigilant, scanned the path with sweaty palms. Though the reason remained unclear, unease gnawed at them. The deeper they ventured, the stranger it felt. From outside, Red Musket''s hull pulsed with an eerie blue light.


    Finally, after an hour of palpable  journey into that breath taking mysterious path, light from the horizon can be seen . The earth rumbled with a metallic symphony as their tanks surged towards the surface. Scattered across the fields, farmers stood transfixed, weathered hands dropping their tools.  This wasn''t terror that gripped their faces, but a flicker of something far more complex. A glimmer of hope, perhaps, tinged with the bittersweet tang of liberation. These people, once their enemy''s subjects, were no longer foes. In their eyes, they weren''t invaders, but instruments of their long-awaited freedom. The war, for them, was finally drawing its ragged breath.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Redmusket to all tanks, maintain line ahead formation and engage your designated targets. Afterward, form up into an arrowhead with me."


    "Blackpowder to HQ, requesting a sitrep on the current front," Tiger radioed in.


    ¡°HQ to Black Powder. All fronts have initiated their attacks, and significant enemy reinforcements have been dispatched. Anticipate minimal resistance en route to their capital¡ª¡± The HQ transmission abruptly cut off.


    ¡°Blackpowder to HQ, do you copy? Are you still there?¡±


    Only crackling static filled the airwaves. ¡°Something''s gone wrong. But I''ve got the intel I needed,¡± Tiger thought to himself. But there was no time to dwell on it; they were nearing their target. The entrance to the capital came into view¡ªtowering skyscrapers and buildings, with the fortified "palace" of the enemy leader standing out.


    As the tanks rushed toward the city entrance, they puzzled over the thick fog reducing visibility and the eerie silence, punctuated only by distant explosions. They couldn''t spot any friendly forces in the surroundings. Suddenly, as they emerged from what seemed like a wooded area, the fog cleared, revealing the enemy lying in wait at the city gates¡ªtanks and artillery positioned for an ambush. Seeing this, Tiger immediately ordered a retreat.


    ¡°Damn it, it¡¯s an ambush, fall back!¡± Tiger shouted, but it seemed too late. Trucks rushed in from all sides, each equipped with large barrels in front¡ªsuicide trucks. "We''ve been compromised! How did I not notice this?!" Ivan gritted.


    All tanks in the squadron began an immediate retreat. However, the RedMusket tank, at a crucial moment, became stuck in the bog, unable to move.


    "Scarface, what''s going on?! Why can''t we move?" Tiger asked Ivan urgently.


    "I don''t know! It''s like we''re bogged down!! Damn it, I can''t reverse!" Ivan replied, frustration evident in his voice.


    "Hey, hey, hey, are you serious right now?! You''re just kidding, aren''t you?" Archer nervously interjected.


    "We''re stuck, damn it! What are we gonna do, Captain?" Armstrong added, addressing Tiger.


    Tiger remained silent, while Scarface, in the driver''s compartment, frantically tried everything to free them from the bog¡ªtwisting controls, adjusting engine power¡ªbut to no avail. There was no traction. "Damn it, damn it, damn it, why won''t you move?!" Scarface started to panic.


    "Captain, what should I do?!" Scarface asked Tiger in a panic. Seconds passed with no response. "Captain? Captain! Captain?! Answer me, Tiger!" Still no response.


    Scarface''s hands trembled as a cold shiver ran down his spine. Then his heart sank as he saw through his viewing ports a fast-approaching suicide military truck heading straight for their tank. Scarface immediately called out to Archer, their gunner. "ARCHER, TANK AT 12 O''CLOCK. SHOOT IT NOW!!!" His voice betrayed his panic, far from his usual calm and calculated demeanor. "ARCHER, SHOOT IT NOW! ARCHER?!" Still, no response.


    At that moment, seconds felt like an eternity. Ivan could hardly breathe, as this scenario was all too familiar. Because of his failure, he was about to lose another dearly comrade, friend, and family member.


    "No...no...no! Armstrong... Archer...Tiger, somebody...please shoot it. I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry." Scarface''s voice trembled with fear as he received no answer. He felt like he had failed his crewmates. He knew they all had dreams and loved ones waiting for them. His voice cried out for forgiveness, begging to be forgiven.


    The truck was about to collide with the tank, getting closer by the second. Scarface continued to try to free the tank from being stuck. "Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me," Ivan cried, but before the suicide truck could crash into their tank, he finally heard a response from his crew.


    Time seemed to stand still.


    "Let go for now, Ivan," Armstrong''s deep voice, though heavy, remained calm.


    "Hahaha, that''s right, we might damage our tracks again," Archer''s voice was unusually light, seemingly oblivious to the imminent danger.


    "What are you two talking about?! SHOOT IT NOW! WE CAN PROBABLY WITHSTAND THE EXPLOSION!" Ivan retorted.


    "..."


    "..."


    "HEY! WHY AREN''T YOU ANSWERING AGAIN! THE ENEMY IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US, SHOOT IT, PLEASE." Ivan''s cries grew louder.


    "Everything will be okay...Ivan," the voice was soothing, like a father calming his child. It was Tiger''s voice.


    "What do you mean everything will be okay?! We''re all going to die! That can''t happen! Many are waiting for you...please don''t die... I promised you... that I''ll take you all there." Ivan''s voice trembled with despair.


    "Forgive me, if it weren''t for me, you wouldn''t be stuck here, unable to fulfill your promise¡ª"


    "What are you saying, little kid?" - Armstrong


    "We''re still holding onto your promise, noob." - Archer.


    "But...it''s already over..." Ivan shut his eyes. He couldn''t bear to see his failure. Then,


    "A promise is a promise, son. I know you''ll take us there. You will. We believe in you."


    "CAN''T YOU UNDERSTAND?! WE''RE STUCK HERE, IN A GODDAMN BOG! CAN''T MOVE OUT, AND I CAN''T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO FULFILL MY PROMISE!" Ivan broke down even more. "I...cannot."


    "Kiddo, we are always behind you." Armstrong said.


    "You don''t have to carry everything alone, okay? Next time, we''ll pave a smoother road for you." Archer added.


    "I can''t understand any of you at all..." Ivan


    "SGT Ivan Abrams! Have you forgotten my final order?" Tiger''s voice was firm, full of authority like a captain''s, then it softened, becoming as calm as a serene sea, firm as a mountain, and bright as blue skies. "It will be alright, no matter what happens or wherever we end up, don''t forget my final order. Now, open your eyes."


    Tears overflowed from Ivan''s eyes, but he slowly opened them. And he saw the truck only meters away from him, then¡ª


    "Full speed ahead! Now!" the crew said in unison.


    At that moment, time seemed to resume, the truck was inches away, "NO!!!" Ivan shouted, and the truck finally hit the tank. Everything became as bright as the sun, then everything was swallowed by nothingness.

 Chapter 2: Into Another World

    "Ivan?...Ivan?"


    A man''s voice called out my name. It was deep yet gentle, as if waking me up. The voice was oddly familiar, one I hadn''t heard in years.


    I felt like I was in some sort of vehicle, moving and swaying. I also sensed the fresh breeze, carrying the scent of flowers or perhaps sweet fragrance of ripened grains, carried on gentle breezes.


    "Hmm?" I responded, slowly opening my eyes to be greeted by the peaceful sunlight. "Where am I?" I asked quietly.


    "Oh, you''re awake, son," I glanced at the man beside me. He appeared to be in his forties, wearing a cap and sporting a beard, dressed in a red checkered long-sleeved shirt. Then, my eyes widened. There was no mistaking it. It¡¯s my Papa. I looked around, the landscape seemed familiar, and I calmed myself. I don¡¯t know why but for some reason I felt mixed feelings of sadness, loneliness, and regrets. At the same time relief and happiness washes over me. "Oh right, I''m at the farm."


    "Are you okay, Ivan?" papa asked. "Ah, I''m fine," I replied.


    "How was the ride on our new tracked tractor?" he asked. Now that he mentioned it, we were indeed riding on a tractor, with my papa at the wheel. I remembered, they bought me a new tractor as a gift for my 18th birthday.


    "This is actually great!"


    Papa chuckled. "Hahaha, glad you like it. I thought you''d ask for a fancy four-wheeled car like your peers. Are you sure this is all you want?"


    "Ofcourse, papa. . I prefer using this kind of vehicle that I can use for what I want to do, and what I want to do is to work on this farm that has sustained me. This farm and you are my life and strength. I couldn''t ask for anything more. Plus, this new tractor... It looks like a tank."


    Papa patted me on the back. "You have no idea how proud I am of you, son. Alright, I''ll head back home now. Your mother asked me to do something. Can I count on you to finish plowing the field? Can you handle driving this new tractor? We''ll only be using this tracked one for now."


    "You can leave it to me; I feel like I''m already an expert in using tracked vehicles."


    Papa stopped the tractor and got off. "Alright, son, after you''re done here, make sure to head straight home. We have a small celebration planned for your birthday."


    I smiled wholeheartedly. "Sure thing, papa, thank you." He then hopped into our pickup truck and drove home.


    Alright time to take the wheel and finish plowing the field. I¡¯m excited for that little celebration hehe.


    But as I was about to drive the tractor, I felt puzzled because my hands instinctively positioned themselves as if I were driving a motorbike. I didn''t understand why, but I found it odd for a moment that the steering wheel was circular. I shook my head, "What the hell am I thinking? The driving wheel is obviously circular."


    I shrugged off my strange and silly thoughts. ¡°Alright, time to take the wheel and finish plowing the field. I''m excited for that little celebration hehe.¡±


    Minutes passed, and I was almost done with the work. I removed the plowing disc from the tractor and started driving it home.


    But before I left, I took a look at the newly plowed field. Seeing the landscape warmed my heart. It felt as if our field symbolized a new beginning, a prosperous life, a new hope for a bountiful harvest. This is my only happiness, and I wouldn''t wish for anything else but this peaceful life.


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    I drove along the countryside road, admiring the farms of wheat, vegetables, and flowers. The air was so full of life, and everything was so vibrant. Adding to that was the azure skies, so peaceful. Ah~ this kind of life is beautiful... but why is it that... I don''t know, it''s been like this since earlier, but it seems like all this time I''ve been feeling a sense of unease. Like...


    As I was pondering, I saw an incoming car, speeding fast, followed by other trucks carrying lots of things. They all seemed to be driving fast and even encroaching on my lane. They were also blasting their car horns just to get ahead. One of the vehicles was our neighbor''s RV.


    I honked the horn and waved frantically, halting their advance. "Where are you going, Ivan? You need to get out of here!" my neighbor shouted urgently.


    "What?! What''s going on?!" I exclaimed, heart pounding in my chest.


    "We''re under attack! The neighboring country is invading! You need to leave before it''s too late."


    Dread gripped me as his words sank in. Though tensions had simmered between our nations, I never imagined they would escalate to this extent.


    "Have you seen my parents and the twins? Are they safe?" I implored, desperation creeping into my voice.


    "I don''t know, but they said they''d wait for you before leaving," he replied, his expression grim.


    My stomach churned with fear and uncertainty.


    With a heavy heart, I set off down the road, each passing moment fraught with apprehension. As the distant rumble of explosions echoed in the distance, I stepped on the gas real hard but this 8rx tractor could only run on 42 kph.


    "DAMN IT! Even our 70-ton tank can run faster than this! I¡­need¡­to¡­full¡­speed¡­ahead¡­ Wait... how did I know that..." A moment of confusion swept over me, my mind grasping at fragments of memories from an unknown lifetime ago.


    "Aaaaah what am I thinking again?!" I shook my head, banishing the intrusive thoughts as best as I could.


    On the horizon, plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, signaling the onset of bombardment. Our house lay perilously close to the source of destruction. "Please, papa, mama, Lilia, and Rosaria, please... be safe, I''m coming home." My fervent prayer hung in the air, a desperate plea for the safety of my loved ones amidst the turmoil.


    Suddenly, a fighter jet streaked past me at breakneck speed. Its roar reverberated through the air, leaving me momentarily disoriented. Uncertainty gnawed at my gut as I questioned whether the aircraft belonged to our forces or the enemy''s. With no time to spare, I pressed onward, my eyes fixed on the familiar silhouette of our house.


    As I drew closer, relief flooded my senses. Our home stood unscathed amidst the chaos


    I''m almost there, nearing the safety of our home, then suddenly, a high-pitched whine pierces the air. The sound grows louder and louder, and as I glance outside, my heart plummets to the depths of despair. The fighter jet I spotted earlier is hurtling towards me!


    Instinct kicks in with lightning speed as I veer the tractor sharply, desperately evading the onslaught of machine gun fire. The air crackles with tension as the fighter jet unleashes its deadly payload, a storm of bullets raining down upon me. With a surge of adrenaline, I push the tractor to its limits, narrowly dodging the lethal barrage.


    But in my haste, I overcompensate, and the tractor lurches violently, flipping over with a deafening crash.


    ¡°Aaarrrggghhh!!!¡±  My head throbs from the impact, but there''s no time to dwell on the pain. I get out from the wreckage of our tractor and made a run for our house.


    Blood trickles down my brow but I gotta run. Adrenaline is already kicked in. ¡°I need to go home.¡±


    Just a few more steps, and I can already see the door of our house. I''m getting closer when it suddenly swings open, and in that moment, it''s as if I''ve forgotten all the pain I''ve endured. Despite the deafening explosions echoing around us, my focus narrows to the sight of my family: Papa, Mama, and my twin sisters. They''re about to leave the house, their figures outlined against the backdrop of chaos and destruction.


    Thank goodness they''re safe, I think to myself. The air is thick with the acrid scent of smoke, the ground trembling beneath my feet with each explosion. Despite the chaos, the sight of my family fills me with overwhelming joy.


    But why do they look so... distraught? Have I done something wrong? Their eyes are fixed above, wide with fear, as if they''re witnessing something beyond comprehension. Mama stumbles backwards, her hands reaching out instinctively for support, while Papa holds the twins close, his jaw clenched tightly in a grimace of determination. The twins cry inconsolably, their tiny voices lost amidst the cacophony of war.


    "I''m home, Papa, Mama!" I shout, but their responses are lost to me, drowned out by the deafening roar of destruction surrounding us. "Huh? I can''t hear you!" I plead, desperation creeping into my voice as I strain to make out their words.


    As my vision blurs from the blood streaming down my face, I notice a speck in the sky, growing larger by the second. I don''t know what it is, but my parents'' gestures seem to indicate that they''re pushing me away, urging me to flee from the impending danger. Why? I''m almost there, just a few steps more, and I''ll be home... Why?


    Once again, I look up to the sky... and something falls from above. It''s a bomb.


    I reached out my hand for them. No, no... Mama, Papa, Lili, Rosie! Run! But in the blink of an eye, everything is consumed by a blinding light, the world erupting into chaos and destruction.


    No!


    "NOOOOOO!!!" Ivan''s voice echoed through the darkness, his hands still outstretched in desperation. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the sweat that drenched his brow. His breath came in ragged gasps, as if he were drowning in the suffocating weight of despair.

 First Encounter

    "NOOOOOO!!!" Ivan''s voice echoed through the darkness, his hands still outstretched in desperation. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the sweat that drenched his brow. His breath came in ragged gasps, as if he were drowning in the suffocating weight of despair.


    "Papa... mama... I''m almost home," Ivan sobbed, his voice choked with emotion. He glanced down at his outstretched hand, still reaching out for his family, and he struck himself in frustration. After a few moments, he managed to regain some composure, though his surroundings remained shrouded in darkness.


    As he attempted to rise to his feet, Ivan found himself struggling against an unseen force, his movements sluggish and disjointed. It was then that he realized he was still strapped into the seat belt of the tank. With a jolt of realization, he remembered where he was: inside the tank.


    In that moment, the events of earlier came rushing back to him with startling clarity. The suicide military truck bearing down on them, the explosion that followed... Ivan''s heart quickened at the memory, his mind racing with the urgency of the situation. He reached for his headset, his fingers fumbling with the controls as he desperately tried to establish contact with his crew.


    "Captain! Captain! Respond!" Ivan called out, his voice tinged with urgency. "Archer? Armstrong? Is anyone there? Are you all okay?" But there was no response, only a deafening silence that seemed to mock his efforts. A sharp pain seared through his head, causing him to grit his teeth in frustration. "Arrrghhh! Damn it!"


    With determination fueling his actions, Ivan reached for his rifle, his fingers closing around its familiar grip. With a swift motion, he opened the hatch and climbed out of the tank, emerging into the darkness. But as he ascended from the tank, he was bewildered to find that night had fallen, and when he surveyed his surroundings, he realized he didn''t recognize the place at all.


    In the dim glow of the moonlight, he saw nothing but trees stretching out around him, indicating that he was deep within the forest. But there¡¯s a dirt road also leading to the unknown. The silence enveloped him like a heavy blanket, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. However, he pushed aside his disorientation, his priority being to locate his crew.


    "Captain! Captain!" Ivan called out, rapping the hatch with the butt of his rifle. There was no response. With a sense of urgency gnawing at him, he made the decision to open the hatch himself. "Captain¡ª"


    There¡¯s no one inside the tank. Tiger, Armstrong, and Archer were nowhere to be found. He scanned his surroundings, searching for any signs or footprints that might indicate their departure, but there was nothing to suggest that they had left the tank.


    Ivan wanted to shout or call them out because they might be still nearby but he just suddenly realized that he was still probably behind enemy¡¯s lines. With that, Ivan swiftly gets inside the tank.


    Using his flashlight, he searched for any bloodstain or any damage inside but thankfully, the inside is still clean and intact.


    However mysteries still pile up with his crew''s disappearance.


    Ivan activated the auxiliary power unit of the tank, flooding the compartment with much-needed electricity. Fingers trembling, he reached for the radio box beside him and keyed the mic.


    "Blackpowder, Blackpowder, this is Red Musket, do you hear me?" Ivan''s voice echoed through the static-filled air, but there was no response, only a haunting silence. Undeterred, he repeated his call, desperation creeping into his tone. "To any unit in the area, this is Red Musket of Black Powder squadron, do you copy me?"


    As Ivan attempted to establish contact through the radio, he decided to check his GPS to determine his current location. However, his brow furrowed in frustration as he noticed the distortion on the monitor. The screen was glitchy, rendering the GPS function unusable.


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    Despite his repeated attempts to reach out over the radio, all Ivan could hear was the crackling of static. Impatience gnawed at him as he switched between channels, hoping for a response that never came.


    "HQ, HQ, I am Sgt Ivan Abrams from Romeo Echo Delta Mike, of Bravo Papa squadron. We''ve been ambushed before we attacked the target. I repeat, We''ve been ambushed! We failed to attack the tangos and I don''t know where I am right now. Our GPS is not working, and Captain Grittz Wittman and other crew are missing. If someone hears this, please respond immediately!"


    Silence greeted his plea, amplifying the overwhelming noise of the radio static within the confines of the tank.


    Frustration boiled over as Ivan pounded on the malfunctioning radio in a futile attempt to coax it into working properly. "God damn it!"


    Turning to his smartphone, Ivan disregarded the protocol that prohibited personal communication devices. Ignoring the potential consequences, he dialed the numbers, but his hopes were dashed as he found himself met with no signal, likely due to his current location in a foreign land.


    Feeling utterly helpless, Ivan slumped back in his seat, staring hopelessly at his phone. "Why didn''t they tell me they were leaving? Why did they leave me here all alone?" Ivan''s voice trembled with emotion as tears welled in his eyes. Then, his gaze fell upon a photo taped to the captain''s screen monitor.


    The image depicted his crew in a pose reminiscent of movie posters: Armstrong showcasing his muscular physique, Archer adjusting his glasses with a scholarly air, and Captain Tiger standing tall and resolute in the center. Ivan himself stood in the corner, looking somewhat out of place and emotionless. Behind them was their newly mighty M1 Abrams tank.


    Ivan hit himself on the cheeks with his palm and wiped away his tears. "Why am I sitting here crying like a child, when I should be finding a solution to reach my crew? Am I truly a soldier? My comrades wouldn''t be pleased to see me acting like this."


    He glanced over the working parts of each crew member''s station and noticed that their guns were missing. A glimmer of hope sparked within him as he considered the possibility that his friends had evacuated safely. However, uncertainty still lingered, as he couldn''t shake the question of why he hadn''t been included in their escape plan. Nevertheless, what mattered most to him now was the possibility that they were still alive.


    Suddenly, an idea flashed into Ivan''s mind. Perhaps the reason he couldn''t establish contact with anyone via radio was due to a lack of signal. He remembered that they had a working satellite phone stowed away in the trailer. All he needed to do was set up the antenna in a high place, like a radio dish. "Alright, it''s worth a shot!" Ivan encouraged himself.


    Recalling that Tiger had stored the equipment in the trailer, Ivan decided to retrieve it. As he opened the hatch, he glanced up at the sky and heard the loud flapping of wings as a flock of birds hurriedly flew southward. "Is it normal for this many birds to be flying at this hour in this country?" he wondered to himself.


    Jumping down from the tank, Ivan briefly inspected the tank exterior. Despite the past battle, the tank appeared to be in perfect condition, as if it had just rolled off the factory floor. Ivan found this puzzling but pushed the thought aside for later. His priority now was setting up the satellite phone and contacting headquarters.


    With the weight of the mission''s success resting heavily on their shoulders, Ivan knew they couldn''t afford to fail. He was not only responsible for his crew but also for the fate of their country. Despite that, Ivan wanted to reach out for HQ first.


    When he¡¯s about to go on the trailer, Ivan suddenly hears a rustle behind him. With lightning speed, Ivan took aim with his rifle in that direction. But there¡¯s nothing. Only the night breeze swaying the trees and the sounds of insects. Ivan continues.


    As Ivan cautiously approached the trailer, his senses remained heightened, every rustle of the grass and every movement of the trees sending a jolt of adrenaline through his veins. With each step, he scanned his surroundings, his eyes darting from one shadow to the next, searching for any sign of movement.


    Suddenly, he heard another rustle, this time closer and faster than before. He spun around, his rifle raised, ready to confront whatever lurked in the darkness. His pulse quickened as he observed the plants swaying unnaturally, a clear sign of someone¡ªor something¡ªhiding among them.


    "Who''s there?!" Ivan called out, his voice echoing through the night. Silence greeted him in return, adding to the eerie atmosphere that surrounded him. Determined to ascertain the identity of his unseen visitor, Ivan decided to use the countersign. Countersign is used to identify if someone is your ally. It works when you say a certain word then they must reply with a password.


    "Groundhogs," Ivan uttered, his voice firm yet tinged with a hint of urgency. He must hear a response password ¡°Shovel tunnel¡± because that''s the designated reply for that. He waited, his senses on high alert, but no reply came. The tension in the air thickened as Ivan slowly advanced towards the source of the movements. His grip tightening on his rifle. ¡°I know you¡¯re in there so show up! I won¡¯t shoot you.¡±


    Then, as if on cue, a thick cloud drifted across the moon, plunging the surroundings into darkness. Ivan''s heart raced as he sensed movement all around him, the sound of footsteps growing louder with each passing moment. He knew he was surrounded, and dread crept into his mind as he braced himself for whatever lay ahead.


    With the moonlight slowly reilluminating the area, Ivan finally caught sight of his adversaries. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he beheld the unexpected sight before him. "What the hell...?" he breathed, his mind struggling to comprehend the surreal scene unfolding before him.


    Standing across from him, bathed in the pale moonlight, was a grotesque creature. It was no taller than a man, but its hunched posture and thick, muscular legs made it appear surprisingly menacing. Its skin was a sickly green, covered in warts and boils. A cruel smile stretched across its wide, toothy maw, revealing needle-like fangs. In its bony hands, the creature clutched a wickedly curved dagger, a long, barbed spear, and a crude but menacing shortbow. An ornate quiver, filled with mismatched arrows, hung over its bony shoulder. Only then, with every horrifying detail solidifying in his mind. He thought that these creatures could only be seen as fictions in movies or anime.

 Goblin Slayer

    Standing across from him, bathed in the pale moonlight, was a grotesque creature. It was no taller than a man, but its hunched posture and thick, muscular legs made it appear surprisingly menacing. Its skin was a sickly green, covered in warts and boils. A cruel smile stretched across its wide, toothy maw, revealing needle-like fangs. In its bony hands, the creature clutched a wickedly curved dagger, a long, barbed spear, and a crude but menacing shortbow. An ornate quiver, filled with mismatched arrows, hung over its bony shoulder. Only then, with every horrifying detail solidifying in his mind. He thought that these creatures could only be seen as fictions in movies or anime.


    But the horrifying truth dawned on Ivan - it was a goblin. ¡°This is bullshit! What is this thing doing here?!¡±


    Ivan glanced at them, ¡°Who are you? Are you pulling some kind of pranks on me?!¡± Ivan shouted at them but those creatures kept moving toward him, ¡°ONE MORE STEP AND I¡¯LL SHOOT!¡± Ivan held his rifle tightly and shook it to indicate that he was definitely going to shoot.


    The goblins stopped, the one in front with a hideously wide grin that stretched from ear to ear, revealing jagged teeth dripping with saliva. Goblin reached behind its back, the movement slow and deliberate. Ivan''s eyes widened in terror. Ivan quickly took a step to gain distance from that goblin. But the goblin remains unfazed.


    Then, Ivan¡¯s eyes widened in terror, his breath catching in his throat and his body froze cold. As the goblin reveals that it has severed a human''s arm. Blood is still leaking from that arm indicating it''s just freshly cut. A primal scream tore from Ivan''s throat. "He-hey- what- put it down!"  But the goblin ignored him, sinking its yellowed fangs into the flesh and tearing with a sickening crunch.


    Ivan eyes gaze lost in nightmare as that creature eating it so intensely. ¡°STOP IT! PUT IT DOWN NOW!¡± His voice started breaking in fear. Then¡­ the goblin, with only hand and some bone dangling on it, threw the human arm in front of Ivan and it landed in front of his foot. Ivan still couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing right now.


    Then the goblin, showing its dagger and its mouth with still red blood on it, started speaking in a voice that rasped like sandpaper on flesh. "Hu-man. Del..icious.." The words were broken, but the meaning was horrifyingly clear.


    With that, Ivan¡¯s tension reached its peak. ¡°YOU FUCKER!!!¡±


    ¡°RAARRGHHH!¡± The goblins'' cries cut through the forest¡¯s natural serenity, setting the stage for their assault. As one leaped at him, Ivan¡¯s response was immediate and fluid¡ªa powerful roundhouse kick sent the creature tumbling back to the earth. He was surrounded, a relentless tide of green skin and bared teeth, their grotesque features twisted in malice.


    Behind him, a spear-wielding goblin charged. Ivan dodged to the left with a swift sidestep, his hands shoving the creature away with such force that it staggered backwards, off-balance and momentarily confused. Ivan raised his SCAR rifle, his hesitation visible in the brief stillness that hung in the air. As the goblins converged on him, he discharged the weapon just as a blade whistled dangerously close to his skin.


    The rifle roared, shattering the quiet of the forest as a bullet found its mark, and a goblin was flung backwards, its comrades recoiling at the sound. Yet, their hesitation lasted for a moment before they resumed their attack with increased ferocity.


    Another goblin lunged from the front, dagger poised to strike midair. Trapped and unable to sidestep, Ivan rolled forward directly towards the threat. The goblin, thrown off by his movement, landed awkwardly. Ivan, now crouched, spun around and fired¡ªa clean, fatal shot.


    A goblin with an axe crept up behind him, ready to cleave him in two. With a swift, low spin sweep kick, Ivan knocked the creature off its feet, then executed it with a close-range shot to the head.


    As he caught his breath, Ivan sensed an impending strike. In a heartbeat, he flung himself backward, his back hitting the ground as goblins swooped towards where he had just stood. Lying prone, he swung his rifle toward his former position and flipped the selector switch to full automatic. Holding down the trigger, Ivan unleashed a furious barrage, shredding the air with bullets that mowed down the attacking goblins.


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    From his right, a goblin rapidly thrusts its spear towards the ground where he lay. Rolling sideways, Ivan collided with another goblin, its face still contorted in a malice grin. Rage surged within him at the sight, and as the creature raised its weapon to strike, Ivan grasped its leg, hoisting it aloft and hurling it toward its comrade. The thrown goblin impaled by its ally with a sickening crunch.


    Then suddenly a fierce goblin, powered by a strange, mystical aura that Ivan couldn''t quite understand, hurled its spear with the speed of lightning. Ivan''s rapid reflexes saved him, though the spear grazed his body armor, its force enough to shatter trees in its path, splintering wood and scattering debris in a stark display of raw power.


    The mix of fear, shock, and disbelief churned inside Ivan as he redirected his gaze back to his attacker. To his horror, the goblin had closed the distance between them, its fist cocked back, ready to deliver a crushing blow. With quick thinking, Ivan parried the punch with his rifle, sending the goblin reeling backwards.


    Ivan''s heart hammered against his ribcage, his breath coming in sharp gasps. He knew he had narrowly escaped a potentially fatal blow. But the goblin wasn''t finished yet. Seizing a club from another goblin, it charged at Ivan with abnormal speed, slashing upward in a vicious arc. Ivan managed to block the strike with his rifle, but the force knocked the weapon from his hands, sending it clattering away.


    Stunned, Ivan stared down the goblin, which now glowed with a menacing azure aura, its eyes bulging with a crimson ferocity that spoke of unchecked rage. The creature''s body had swollen with muscle, and Ivan couldn''t help but fixate on its grotesque, grinning face¡ªa smile that seemed utterly out of place amid the violence.


    "Why do these creatures always smile? I''ve slain many of their kind, yet still it grins. Does it not care for its fallen comrades, or is it merely driven by a blind lust for blood? I don''t understand..." Ivan muttered to himself, his fury building. "But that''s what I despise most, that damn smile... I''M GONNA ERASE THAT SMILE OF YOURS AND TURN IT INTO AGONY!" he roared.


    With his rifle out of reach, Ivan unsheathed his military knife. Though it would have been wiser to draw his sidearm, his anger dictated a more personal, painful retribution. As the goblin swung its club horizontally, Ivan dodged to the side and countered with a series of rapid slashes to the creature''s exposed abdomen.


    The goblin howled in agony, raising its club for another strike. But Ivan was quicker, sliding behind the creature and slashing it again. As the goblin spun around to retaliate, Ivan ducked and swept at its legs, severing its right leg with a precise cut.


    Despite its severe injuries, the goblin tried to attack again, but Ivan was ready. As it lunged forward, Ivan''s knife was positioned to cut upward, severing the goblin''s arm in a spray of greenish blood that caught the moonlight.


    Now crippled and disarmed, the goblin still possessed a chilling resolve to fight, its grim smile unwavering. "You''re still smiling like that after what I did to you?" Ivan said coldly, disgusted and bewildered by the creature''s tenacity.


    Just as Ivan was about to deliver the final blow, another goblin leaped at him from behind. Instinctively, Ivan spun around to face the new threat, but the injured goblin saw its chance to attack. Not missing a beat, Ivan caught the leaping goblin and turned, forcing the ferocious creature to bite its own ally instead.


    As Ivan stared down the quivering goblin, his voice dripped with venom. "What does it taste like, eating your own disgusting kind, huh?" His words were a cruel sneer, and his gaze bore into the goblin with malevolent intensity.


    The other goblins, driven by a primal urge for vengeance, lunged toward him in a frenzied attack. Without diverting his attention from the subdued leader, Ivan drew his Glock 18. His hand steady, he fired at the advancing horde, relying on instinct and training rather than sight. Each shot found its mark, punctuating the night with sharp reports as goblin bodies thudded to the ground.


    The leader goblin, its mouth finally free from the flesh of its comrade, no longer bore its unnerving grin. Instead, its teeth were gritted in pain and fear, its eyes wide and trembling with a newfound expression of terror.


    "So, you can show something other than that revolting grin," Ivan noted coldly, pressing the blade of his knife against the creature''s throat. The moonlight glinted off the silvery blade and reflected in the goblin''s yellowish teeth. "As expected, your smile really is unbearable."


    With a swift motion, Ivan ended the goblin''s misery, slashing across its mouth. The sound of the leader''s demise caused the remaining goblins to howl in anguish, their cries echoing through the forest as a call for revenge. But Ivan''s eyes darkened further.


    He climbed atop the tank and took position behind the mounted M3 50.cal machine gun. Cocking the gun with a decisive snap, he aimed at the circle of goblins that still surrounded him. The goblins froze, unsure of Ivan''s next move, until his thumbs pressed down on the trigger.


    Hell was unleashed in a torrent of bullets. The forest is illuminated by red tracers and bright muzzle flash.  Heavy rounds, each 12.7mm in diameter, tore through the goblins'' bodies with ruthless efficiency. Arms, legs, and entrails were thrown into the air in a gruesome ballet of destruction as Ivan swept the machine gun across the horde, nearly completing a full 360-degree turn.


    The goblins experienced a terror like no other, a nightmare brought to life by the relentless fury of human vengeance. Some tried to flee, but they were quickly cut down, their attempts to escape futile against the sweeping fire. Greenish blood painted the forest floor.


    As the gunfire ceased and silence reclaimed the night, Ivan''s shoulders slumped, the adrenaline that had fueled his relentless assault ebbing away. The machine gun barrel smoked from the rapid firing, adding a sulfurous tinge to the already putrid smell of goblin blood that filled the air.


    Exhausted and breathless, Ivan dropped to his knees. Using his trembling hands, he wiped the cold sweat from his brow. He suddenly recalled his first actual close-quarter combat when enemy infantry broke through their trenches¡ªthe visceral feeling of killing someone eye to eye, using his own hands.

 Villagers

    Exhausted and breathless, Ivan dropped to his knees. Using his trembling hands, he wiped the cold sweat from his brow. He suddenly recalled his first actual close-quarter combat when enemy infantry broke through their trenches¡ªthe visceral feeling of killing someone eye to eye, using his own hands.


    After a few moments, Ivan finally scanned his surroundings with his pistol and flashlight. The forest around him lay eerily quiet, the moon casting long shadows over a battlefield stained with dark, greenish blood.


    He spotted his rifle on the ground and decided to pick it up. He climbed down from the tank and walked cautiously, his senses heightened, though he detected no immediate threat.


    Picking up his discarded rifle, he inspected it for damage¡ªonly a scratch was found. He cocked the gun and inspected it further. Fortunately, the gun appeared still functional. He then glanced at the corpses of the goblins. As he expected, these creatures did not seem to belong to this world. But were the goblins truly from another world, or was it Ivan himself? The more he pondered, the more questions arose.


    The abnormal goblin''s eyes appeared gouged out, and its mouth was slashed multiple times. "What in the world are these creatures capable of?" He looked at the location where the abnormal goblin had thrown his spear, noticing the tremendous force that had created a path through the trees, chopping them down as if they were mere twigs.


    Ivan estimated that he had managed to kill 60 goblins. While inspecting the surroundings, he smelled something different¡ªaside from the putrid smell of the corpses, there was something familiar.


    Suddenly, a dark, thin object fell onto his hand; it still carried a small fire that quickly extinguished upon touching him. Ivan was shocked. "There must be a forest fire!"


    He quickly dashed back and climbed up to the tank. From the horizon, he saw billowing smoke rising into the sky, but there was more that surprised Ivan. It seemed like a bird was flying in the sky, spewing fire. He couldn''t identify it clearly because he could only see its silhouette, but he was sure it was breathing fire.


    Then suddenly, he heard cries and shouts of people. Ivan immediately realized the danger and decided to act rather than continue pondering his location. He grabbed his rucksack and began gearing up. He replenished his ammunition and grabbed a couple of grenades. After reloading, he attached a bayonet on it then with his helmet, he put on PVS 14, a single eye night vision.


    Ivan knew he needed to assess the situation, so after gearing up with the necessary combat equipment, he prepared to head towards the fire. But he hesitated, unsure whether to leave the tank unguarded.


    Before leaving, he started the tank and parked it where the goblin''s spear had created a path through the broken trees. Using the debris, he quickly covered the entire tank. Though the tank was still somewhat obvious, it was better concealed under the cover of night. After securing the tank, he started running along the dirt road leading to the fire.


    As Ivan approached closer, the heat wave emanating from the fire intensified, and he could hear the sounds of frantic footsteps as people ran for safety.


    Through his night vision goggles, he saw a group of people sprinting away from the flames, some clutching children. "HEY! Over here!" Ivan shouted, switching on his rifle flashlight to draw their attention. As he sprinted towards them, the moonlight revealed a chilling scene: some of the fleeing villagers were collapsing to the ground, and his heart raced when he spotted the silhouette of a familiar creature. A man had fallen, and just as he struggled to stand, a goblin with an axe poised to strike was upon him. The man raised his hands, and Ivan could hear his desperate cry. ¡°HELP ME!¡±


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    Even from a kilometer away, Ivan crouched and aimed his rifle, grateful for the 4x scope he had attached. Though not as adept a sharpshooter as his comrade Archer Reznov, Ivan is still a remarkable marksman. He steadied his breathing and squeezed the trigger.


    "BANG!" The goblin attacker fell, struck down by Ivan''s precise shot. "Hurry! Here!" Ivan flashed his lights rapidly, beckoning the survivors towards him.


    Switching on his night vision goggles, Ivan provided cover fire for the fleeing villagers, careful to avoid hitting any civilians. Soon, the remaining survivors had reached his position.


    There¡¯s 20 civilians, their clothes a mix of withered tunics covered in ashes and dirt, looking like they had stepped out of another era. Ivan eyed their attire curiously but focused on getting information.


    ¡°Where are you from and what happened?¡± he asked the young man, whose nervous gaze darted around the battlefield. Despite his lean frame and messy light brown hair, the ill-fitting helmet atop his head couldn''t hide his anxiety as he stammered a reply.


    "We are under attack by demons! They surrounded our village. Our defenses weren''t strong enough, and¡ª" Before the man could finish, a massive creature flew overhead, its enormous wings blowing gusts of air at them.


    "T-That thing! The demons have allied with the wyverns and converted them!" The man''s words struck Ivan as fantastical. "Demons? Wyverns? Sounds like something out of a fantasy," Ivan thought, yet the sincerity in the man''s voice and the evidence before his eyes were hard to dismiss.


    "Where are you heading now?" Ivan asked.


    "We''re running towards Manilia, our neighboring village. It has better walls than ours," the man explained, though his expression darkened. "But seeing that the goblins attacked us from behind, they''ve probably fallen too."


    Ivan processed the information. He couldn¡¯t recall any village named "Manilia" from his mission briefing or his study of the local geography. "Where is this village?"


    "This path will lead us there."


    "Do you have any escorts? Or any military or police personnel responding?" Ivan probed.


    The villager seemed confused by the terms "police" and "military," but he understood what Ivan meant. "Adventurers helped us evacuate, but¡ª" he paused, his voice trembling, "There was a huge monster that smashed our defenses, and those adventurers faced it head-on... I... I don''t know if they''re still alive."


    Ivan furrowed his brow. "Everything this guy is saying sounds like it came from the fictional shows or anime that Reznov always watches. Do I have to believe everything I''m hearing or seeing right now?" His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a loud crashing noise, the sound of trees being destroyed, and the ground trembling slightly.


    The villagers dropped to their knees, their panic palpable in the air. Then the man grasped Ivan''s arm urgently, his eyes pleading. "You''re also a mage, right?! I saw you wield that staff¡ªan unusual or should I say mythical item¡ªthat releases short bursts of fire with the sound of thunder, capable of inflicting damage at a distance! Please help them! Many villagers are still behind, and I know you are powerful. Please, help them!"


    Ivan was puzzled. "But what about you?" he asked.


    "Don''t worry about us! We can still run," the man said as he unsheathed his sword. His hands were still shaking. ¡°I¡­I  will try to protect us from those goblins, even if I have to sacrifice myself. We will run, so please go ahead, and we will try to ask for reinforcements from Manilia!"


    Ivan looked into the man¡¯s eyes and saw his resolve. From his holster, Ivan pulled out his Glock 18 pistol and attached a flashlight to it. He took the man¡¯s hand and placed the pistol in it.


    "You must have some idea how to use this."


    But the man stared at the mysterious item in front of him and shook his head. "N-no, I don''t know what this is, and I¡¯m not a mage."


    Ivan clicked his tongue, then took the villager''s hand, guiding it to hold the pistol. "Point this at any goblin or creature that tries to kill you," Ivan instructed, placing the villager¡¯s finger on the trigger and helping him aim. "Hold the gun tightly, and when it¡¯s already aimed at your attacker, pull the trigger like this."


    "BANG!" The loud noise made the villagers look even more terrified, but Ivan reassured them it was alright. The man¡¯s hands shook violently, prompting Ivan to emphasize, "MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT EVER POINT THIS GUN AT ANY FRIENDLIES AND KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER UNLESS YOU ARE AIMING TO DEFEND YOURSELF AND READY TO FIRE."


    "Did you get it?!" Ivan asked intensely.


    Though still frightened, the man swallowed hard and nodded.


    "Alright, start running towards that village! Now!"


    Before the villagers resumed their flight, the man turned back to Ivan. "Thank you for saving me earlier, and please be safe, mister. Let''s meet again in that village so I can return this magical crossbow to you."


    ¡°Crossbow?¡± Ivan nodded, sharing a moment of mutual resolve. "Same to you, be safe and protect the villagers at all costs."


    ¡°Y-yes, I won''t be a coward anymore.¡±


    With that, they both dashed off in opposite directions, each set on their own crucial mission.

 Adventurers

    With that, they both dashed off in opposite directions, each set on their own crucial mission.


    As Ivan ran, he tried to establish a connection through his radio. "HQ, HQ, this is Sgt Ivan Abrams of Red Musket¡ª" He hesitated for a moment. Still, he decided it was crucial to report the truth.


    "I was attacked by some creatures that looked like¡­ goblins, and I killed many of them."


    Ivan continued his report. "Currently, from the north, I see an area that is burning, and there appears to be a dragon spewing fire. Along the way, I encountered fleeing civilians heading towards a village called ''Manilia.'' I never heard of that village, but please send troops there!"


    "I repeat to HQ¡ª" Ivan''s report was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a distant gunshot. He gritted his teeth at the noise and quickened his pace. "Please be safe," he prayed silently.


    As Ivan sprinted closer, the scene of destruction unfolded with devastating clarity. The flickering light from the flames illuminated the night, casting an eerie glow that revealed the charred remnants of houses and a wooden wall, all engulfed in roaring fire. The structures were reduced to mere silhouettes against the raging inferno, their forms distorted by the heat and smoke that rose in thick, suffocating columns into the blackened sky.


    He finally saw the burning gate entrance. His heart felt a little relieved when he saw another group of civilians fleeing. Ivan immediately got in position, then waved his hands while flashing his lights, "Over here!"


    As Ivan approached the burning entrance of the village gate, his heart lightened slightly when he saw a group of civilians fleeing the chaos. Quickly positioning himself where he could be most visible, he waved his hands vigorously while flashing his lights to draw their attention. "Over here!" he called out, his voice urgent but steady, cutting through the noise of the crackling flames and chaotic commotion.


    First, Ivan secured the location by surveying the surroundings with a trained eye. Though he detected no immediate threats, a knot of apprehension tightened in his stomach. The air is tense, charged with an undercurrent of impending danger.


    As the group of villagers neared, panting and dishevelled, Ivan quickly assessed them. "Is everyone here? Are there any more survivors?" he asked, scanning their faces for signs of hope or further despair.


    A haggard woman, her eyes wide and frantic, pushed her way to the front. Tears streamed down her soot-streaked cheeks, her voice trembling as she cried, "The twins! Have you seen them? They were playing by the square when the attack started!"


    A ripple of worry spread through the other villagers. A burly man stepped forward, his own fear momentarily forgotten. "We should search the houses first, then¡ª"


    Ivan''s hand shot up, silencing him. "Tell me, where did you last see them?"


    A young boy, no older than ten, peeked out from behind a woman''s leg. "They were headed towards the graveyard, sir, just before the attack started."


    Ivan''s gaze snapped towards the boy. "The graveyard? At this hour?"


    The boy nodded, a small sniffle escaping his nose. A villager pointed a shaking finger towards the east. "Just past the central well, sir. By the old oak tree."


    Ivan''s jaw clenched. "Alright, listen to me carefully. You''re heading south, towards Manilia, right? There''s a group of survivors there already. You need to join them, understand? Everyone here. Now." He swept his gaze over the hesitant crowd. "The twins are my priority. Are there any others still trapped?"


    A collective shake of heads met his question. "Just the adventurers, sir," a woman mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. "But we don''t know if¡­"


    "Understood." Ivan cut her off. "Now get moving! I''ll find those kids!"


    Without hesitation, Ivan bolted towards the burning village, his resolve steeling him against the heat and danger. "Anyone in there! Come out! I will save you!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the crumbling walls.


    The village is an inferno, with embers swirling like fiery snowflakes and debris from collapsing homes crashing around him. Amidst this chaos, Ivan''s ears caught the faint cries of children. He sprinted towards the sound, dodging flaming timbers and leaping over debris. As he drew closer, the cries became clearer¡ªterrified yet resilient.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    "I''m coming! Keep calling out to me!" Ivan shouted, hoping his voice would provide some comfort to the frightened children.


    But as Ivan turned a corner, he bumped into something. Ivan regained his balance, squinting through the smoke to make out the silhouette of the creature he had bumped into. It was a squat humanoid figure roughly his own height, with distinctly pointy ears jutting out from its head. Ivan''s heart pounded as he realized this was no ordinary human.


    Chills ran down Ivan''s spine as the creature turned to face him. Its face was grotesquely pig-like, with large, jagged teeth stained with fresh blood. In its hands, it gripped a massive axe, its blade gleaming ominously even in the dim light of the fire. This creature was different from the goblins Ivan had encountered earlier; there was a deeper, more menacing hunger in its eyes. Its an Orc


    Ivan let out a sigh, not of resignation to defeat but of disbelief at the surreal nightmare unfolding around him. "Hah~ I must really be losing my mind," he muttered under his breath. This acknowledgment wasn''t a surrender to that creature, but a brief concession to the absurdity of his situation.


    The creature snorted aggressively, a sound that was part grunt, part growl, as it brandished its axe in a threatening display. Ivan watched its movements carefully, every sense heightened, knowing that his response in the next few seconds would be crucial.


    The creature then unleashed a ferocious swing, its axe cleaving through the air with such force that when it struck the ground, it seemed as though the earth itself split apart. Dirt and debris erupted from the impact site, scattering in all directions. But this time, Ivan didn''t hesitate; he seized the moment to retaliate. He quickly aimed and fired a three-round burst directly at the creature''s head. The bullets connected with lethal precision, and the orc collapsed, its head gruesomely mutilated from the impact.


    Ivan glanced briefly at the fallen orc, its head mutilated, confirming the kill, then hurried onward in his quest to find the missing twins.


    As he approached the central well, which the villagers had mentioned, Ivan finally caught sight of the twins. A young girl was desperately trying to help her twin sister to her feet. The girl appeared injured, struggling to stand even with his sister''s support.


    "Leave here, Alisa! It''s too dangerous; leave me and go quickly!" the girl implored, her voice weak but urgent.


    "I can''t! I was the one who insisted we visit Mom and Dad this late; it''s my fault you''re hurt. So come on, Reona! We can make it out of here together!" Alisa replied, her voice trembling with determination and fear.


    "I''ll just slow you down!" Reona protested weakly.


    Just as Ivan processed this scene of desperation, a new threat emerged from the shadows. Dark figures began to materialize around them¡ªorc warriors, their brownish skins almost camouflaging with the night, eyes glowing with a malevolent red as they tightened their circle around the helpless children.


    "Leave here, Alisa! It''s too dangerous, leave me and go quickly!" Reona''s plea was desperate, her voice echoing the terror of their situation.


    "I can''t! We promised Mom and Dad that we''d always stick together," Alisa responded, her determination faltering as the encroaching orcs raised their weapons, ready to strike.


    Ivan''s heart pounded in his chest as he realized the imminent danger. The distance was too great, and the orcs were too close. "Shit! I won''t make it in time!"


    Suddenly, amidst the tension and fear, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the chaos. "Get down!" it commanded. Alisa instinctively pulled her sister close and ducked, shielding both of them with her body. Just then, from the left, a powerful wave of energy surged through the air, resembling a horizontal slash of lightning. It soared just above the twins'' heads. It struck the advancing orc, which seemed to be electrocuted or stunned, its body freezing midair as it was about to deliver a deadly blow.


    "Now, sis!" the same voice called out again.


    "I got it!" an energetic yet serious, youthful feminine voice responded. In an instant, as if conjured from thin air, sharp ice or crystal spikes materialized, pointing directly at the orcs. With rapid succession, these icy projectiles launched like a barrage from a machine gun, impaling the orcs in their heads and bodies. The orcs howled in pain, and the front line collapsed under the assault.


    However, the threat was far from over. More orcs emerged, these ones even larger, standing between 8 and 9 feet tall, with bulky bodies. The axes they wielded were larger than the children themselves.


    Undeterred, the massive orcs prepared to attack again. The twins, overwhelmed by fear, clung to each other, crying.


    As the orcs swung their axes simultaneously, a figure moved with astonishing speed into the fray. A man, large and imposing, wielding a massive shield that looked like it was cut from an iron door, intercepted the blow. His long dark hair flowed behind him, and his knight''s armour, though rusted and battered with dents and a scorched black cape tattered and torn, held firm against the attack. The clash of metal was deafening, sparks flying as the shield met the axes. Remarkably, despite the orcs'' greater size, they were the ones who recoiled from the impact.


    When the orcs'' axes were thrown backwards by the force of their own thwarted attack, the knight seized the opportunity. He drew his enormous sword, which was also worn and seemingly dull yet still formidable. The massive blade, wider than a man''s hand and nicked along its edge, gleamed faintly despite its lack of polish. With lightning-fast movements that belied the sword''s cumbersome appearance, he slashed at the exposed abdomens of the stunned orcs.


    As the knight''s sword sliced through the orcs with devastating efficiency, a series of spinning magical circles adorned with pentagrams appeared around the battlefield. "Heaven of ice and fire, combine and be sharp, hit them!" a voice commanded, and from each circle burst forth crystals enveloped in flames, bombarding the orcs with a barrage that culminated in explosive impacts. Like dominoes, the orcs fell one after another, the ground trembling slightly under the weight of their collapsing bodies. The air was filled with the scent of scorched earth and burnt flesh.


    Just as the dust began to settle, another orc attempted a stealthy approach towards the knight from behind.


    However, its movement was halted by a new figure¡ªa woman wielding a long wooden staff. Dressed in a greyish blouse with a brown knit short shawl, black corset and brownish pants, her short dark hair was tied into short, low twin tails. At her hip hung a satchel, perhaps filled with magical artefacts or potions. "Not on my watch!" she declared, pointing her staff at the sneaky orc. From the tip of her staff, a light blue magical circle appeared, launching a crystal charged with electricity that pierced right through the orc, causing it to convulse as if electrocuted before falling lifeless.


    "Thanks, sister," the knight expressed his gratitude, and the siblings positioned themselves back to back, ready to face any more threats together.


    Ivan watched, utterly astounded by the unfolding events. Even amidst the chaos, he felt a moment of disbelief, stunned into silence. If not for the warmth of the fire nearby and the palpable heat emanating from his own adrenaline-fueled body, he might have thought he was dreaming or had somehow stumbled into a movie set.


    Magic? Knights? Monsters? Everything sounded like it was ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel, but this is Ivan''s reality now. As he stood there, taking in the scene, a mix of awe and confusion filled him.

 Twins -CHAPTER 2 END-

    Magic? Knights? Monsters? Everything sounded like it was ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel, but this is Ivan''s reality now. As he stood there, taking in the scene, a mix of awe and confusion filled him.


    As Ivan bewildered on a scene he just saw, an orc is already behind him, about to strike him with axe, Spinning with reflexive speed, he dodged an orc¡¯s axe and retaliated swiftly, using the bayonet of his rifle to sever the creature''s arm. He then unleashed a hail of bullets in their direction,


    The brother and sister¡ªthe knight and the mage¡ªwere momentarily startled by the thunderous sound of Ivan''s gunfire, akin to lightning strikes or erupting volcanoes. "W-what is that?!" The girl exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and fear.


    "Someone is coming!" The man quickly alerted his sister, his eyes scanning the direction of the gunfire.


    Having dispatched the immediate threat, Ivan decided to move towards the pair. He dashed across the battlefield, his presence drawing curious glances from the medieval siblings. They eyed his attire with visible bewilderment; Ivan''s modern camouflage gear, a dazzle of greens and browns mimicking mottled earth and foliage, seemed out of place against their archaic garb, looking to them like high-class fabric made from leaves.


    As Ivan approached, he quickly assessed the medieval pair. Their attire clearly suggested they were from a bygone era.


    Meanwhile, the twins, now momentarily safe, looked up at their new saviors with a mix of joy and lingering fear. Unsure of what to make of the situation, their eyes widened as they took in the scene.


    They exchanged glances, their alien appearance creating a sense of mutual curiosity. The knight, seeking to break the tension, knelt down to speak with the twins in a comforting, knightly manner.


    . "How are you both? Are you hurt?" he asked gently.


    "My sister, Reona, was slashed by an axe on her leg," the young girl replied, her voice shaking. The knight quickly examined the injury and saw a deep cut on the girl''s thigh, still bleeding profusely.


    Ivan also turned his attention to the children, and seeing the severity of the injury, his adrenaline surged. He quickly reached into his pouch on his back for his Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK).


    "Sister!" the knight called to the mage. She knelt down too and rummaged through her leather satchel.


    Both Ivan and the mage held bottles with liquids inside. Ivan''s is a small, clear plastic bottle, while the mage holds a glass bottle filled with a bright green substance.


    "What is that?" Ivan asked, his face showing disapproval. The mage, confused, replied, "Don¡¯t you know? It''s a herb potion, but it can be applied externally. It should help immediately."


    Ivan shook his head. "No, I don¡¯t trust whatever that herb is to put a suspicious liquid on a child. It''s better to use this."


    The mage''s brow furrowed in irritation, though she tried not to show it. "Mister, this is a widely used potion, and I am even the one who made this, it''s enough to alleviate pain until we can get her to a healer.¡± She explained calmly then, ¡°Where are you from that you don''t know about such a simple thing? In fact, your thing looks more suspicious. Is it just water?" Mage sarcastically asked.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "This is Sterile Saline Solution; it''s scientifically proven to prevent infection. In this era, we don¡¯t rely on makeshift herbal remedies because scientifically validated methods are more effective. What secluded village are you from that you still use outdated and unguaranteed methods?"


    "Sterile Saline Solution? Basically you¡¯re putting saltwater on her wounds?¡± Mage said sarcastically.


    ¡°Wait¡­do you know the saline solution?¡± Ivan is taken aback and asked.


    ¡°Of course, it''s just a mixture of sodium chloride and water. So I know it''s no better than my potion,¡± The mage confidently answered.


    Before their argument could continue, "A...a...lisa, arrghh!" the wounded girl groaned, tears and sweat falling as she grew paler. "Reona! Reona, please hold on. Please save her," the girl pleaded. Seeing this, Ivan and the mage hurried to prepare the treatment.


    The mage uncorked her potion to pour it on the wound, "Hey!" Ivan was about to stop her when the knight, with an intimidating aura, intervened, "Sire, please."


    Ivan clenched his teeth, "Damn it." The mage poured the potion, and Reona''s face gradually lightened, but the bleeding continued. Ivan then applied a tourniquet and wrapped gauze dressing tightly around the wound.


    Reona''s condition slightly improved, but she was still far from safe and required deeper medical attention immediately.


    "Sire," the knight began, his voice laced with courtesy, "we offer our humblest apologies, for your garb and accoutrements are most peculiar. Might you be a mage from a distant land?"


    Before Ivan could respond, the female mage, her face tilted and eyeing Ivan''s rifle with curiosity, asked, "Hey, that thing earlier, did it make the sound like an exploding volcano and the light like lightning?"


    ¡°Are they really that clueless?¡±, Ivan thought to himself. "I am Sergeant Ivan Abrams of the Redmusket of the special armored squadron BlackPowder of the United Nations Army Offense Force. Do you know where I am right now?"


    The siblings exchanged glances. "Sire, Ivan, we apologize, but we do not understand what you''ve said. United Nations Army Offense Force? We have never heard of it," the knight replied respectfully.


    "Red Musket... you say?" The mage squinted her eyes as if trying to recall something, then she put her finger on her chin and pondered.


    Ivan noticed this and his heart beat faster, sensing she might know something. "Hey, do you know something about¡ª"


    Before Ivan could finish his question, they heard sounds like heavy footsteps, and the structures around them seemed to be collapsing.


    At this, all three instinctively surrounded the twins. The knight readied his shield to block any attacks. The mage gripped her wooden staff, the tip of which had a glowing blue gem. Ivan pointed his gun, ready to defend.


    They all looked around, preparing for the upcoming threat. "Sire," the knight implored, his voice firm yet respectful, "though the land you hail from remains a mystery to us, I implore you to take these young ones to a place of safety. We, humble adventurers that we are, shall face this peril."


    Ivan furrowed his brows. "What are you talking about? I''m a military personnel, and you civilians must evacuate now!"


    "We are adventurers, Mister, and it''s our job to protect people too. Even though we''re only C-rank, there''s no slacking on our part," said the female mage.


    "Then all of us must evacuate now!" Ivan responded. The knight looked at his sister. "Sister..."


    The female mage gritted her teeth, her grip tightening on her staff. "We can''t still go for now; there are still comrades of ours here, and we need to find them."She said with solid resolve.


    But when she continued speaking, "So, Mister, just l..e..a..ve it¡ª" Her voice softly faded and seemed to be interrupted.


    When the knight and Ivan noticed this and looked in her direction, they both froze at what they¡¯ve seen.


    "It...it can''t be...how?" The knight''s voice mixed fear and confusion.


    Ivan''s eyes widened, his lips paled, and a chill ran down his spine as he saw the giant monster. They could hardly believe what they saw.


    A mountainous nightmare erupted from the darkness of the ravaged plains. Towering nine meters high, it loomed over the charred landscape like a grotesque, obsidian idol. Its surface, as black as a void, reflected the desolate sky, amplifying the despair. Each thunderous step shook the already fractured earth, sending tremors through their bodies.


    An unholy abomination, a grotesque mockery of a pangolin, had been twisted into existence. Its once elegant form was now a grotesque armor of obsidian, each plate a jagged, unnatural shard. The scales, once sleek and protective, were now menacing weapons, capable of cleaving through flesh and steel. With each grinding shift, the plates produced a cacophony of otherworldly sounds, a discordant symphony of destruction. Beneath this terrifying exoskeleton, a sickly, pulsating light emanated, casting an eerie glow upon the cracked earth.


    But it was the mage''s reaction that truly chilled them to the bone. Her eyes, wide with a terror that seemed to pierce her soul, darted between the creature and the pulsating blue patches on its body. Her normally steady hand, now trembling violently, clutched her staff as if it were her last lifeline. A single, choked whisper escaped her pale lips, a word heavy with dread.


    "No... it can''t be... a Chthonic Cerus... not here..." Her voice trailed off, a vacant look replacing the terror in her eyes. A single tear traced a path down her dust-streaked cheek, her fear replaced by a chilling numbness.

 CHAPTER 3 "Tanks First Action."

    In the small town of Bataen


    A man in his twenties with wavy light brown hair, sits slumped in a chair, deep in sleep. He¡¯s clad in a leather tunic armor, his head resting on a sword planted firmly in the ground. Loud snores reverberate through the quiet evening, while drooling like a broken tap.


    An old man approaches, his hair long and white, his beard thick and unruly. He gazes at the sleeping man with a mix of irritation and disappointment, his eyes narrowing as the soft moonlight highlights the deep lines of frustration etched into his face.


    With a swift kick, the old man knocks the sword from under the sleeping man¡¯s head, sending it clattering to the ground with a resounding thud.


    "What''s the matter with you?!" the young man shouts, jolted awake.


    "What do you think you''re doing?" the old man asks coldly, his voice cutting through the night like a knife.


    "I''m sleeping, for fuck''s sake!" the young man retorts, his voice thick with grogginess and annoyance.


    "Why are you even sleeping when you''re supposed to guard our village?"


    Recognizing the voice, the young man¡¯s eyes widened, then he lowered his gaze to the ground. "Guard it from what?"


    He looked around, taking in the serene scene. Villagers exchanged night greetings happily, children played in the twilight, and two young girls walked hand in hand, clutching flowers. Adventurers roamed the village, their presence adding to the sense of safety.


    Surrounded by larger villages capable of conducting night patrols, they faced no threat of bandit attacks, and the demon frontlines were a distant concern. To him, everything seemed just fine and peaceful.


    Noticing this, the old man spoke again, this time more firmly. "Son," he emphasized. ¡°Peace can be deceiving¡­ It lulls us into a dream that feels safe, driving us forward with a false sense of security. But remember, it can also turn into a nightmare that we can never wake from. So stand up and take your sword. Stay awake."


    Hearing this, the young man said nothing and picked up his sword. The old man placed a hand on his shoulder. "Now get back to your post and keep watch for us."


    The patrolman looked up, meeting the old man''s gaze. They shared a moment of silent understanding, their emerald eyes reflecting the same resolve. "Stay awake, so you don''t succumb to the nightmare."


    The young man rolled his eyes. "Arrghh, I got it," he sighed.


    "Just make sure of it, Jusis," the old man said before walking away.


    Afterwards, Jusis yawned, muttering to himself, "I really don¡¯t understand. How can I stay awake when I¡¯m this sleepy?" He then glanced over at a group of adventurers gathered by the central water well of the village. They were equipped with various weapons¡ªbows, spears, swords, staffs, and maces¡ªand were engaged in animated conversation.


    A woman with a bow slung on her back clasps hands with a girl holding a staff. "Good luck on your magic test! We''re all rooting for you to ace it!"


    A man with a spear leans in. "Yeah, make us all proud and become the first to rank up!"


    The girl, a fledgling mage beams. "Thanks, guys! I won''t let you down."


    Their priest, a thoughtful man, speaks up. "I''d offer a prayer for success, but honestly, with your talent, I don''t think the goddess needs to hold your hand, do you?"


    The mage just smiles. "Hey, even a divine nudge wouldn''t hurt, right?"


    "True enough," the priest concedes. "The goddess will surely be watching over you."


    "Well then, we shall take our leave," said the largest of them, bearing a great sword and shield.


    "We have obtained new information about a dungeon. We shall venture there after your exams," the spearman added.


    "We wish for your safe return and success," the priest said.


    "You can do it!" the woman with the bow lastly added.


    "Sure! Wait for us!" the mage replied happily.


    "Let''s go, sister," said the man with the sword to the mage.


    "Mhm!" The mage nodded, and both of them waved goodbye to their party members.


    The siblings, the swordsman and the mage, walked past Jusis.


    "Are you sure you have everything you need?" the swordsman asked his sister.


    "Yes! I''ve checked everything many times, and we''re ready to go."


    "Very well... Now let''s go."


    "Mhm!"


    The siblings finally left the village, and Jusis watched them go. "How nice it must be to adventure freely..." Jusis said enviously, with a touch of sadness.


    He let out a sigh. "I should go back to my old, boring, repetitive patrol now."


    With that, Jusis continued his patrol. He walked through the heart of the village, where modest thatched-roof cottages lined the cobblestone streets. The walls of these homes were made of timber and wattle, exuding a rustic charm under the soft glow of lantern light. Each house had a small garden out front, brimming with blooming flowers and herbs that added a touch of color to the night.


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    The village is tranquil, the only sounds being the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets. Villagers greeted each other warmly as they passed, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of torches and lanterns. You can¡¯t feel the cold night in that village. Everything is bright and warm.


    Finally, Jusis reached the watchtower, a sturdy wooden structure standing tall against the night sky. It offered a vantage point over the entire village and its surroundings. Climbing the steps, Jusis took his post, his eyes scanning the horizon. The peaceful scene below, bathed in the gentle glow of moonlight, was a stark contrast to the battles and chaos he had seen in the past.


    From his elevated position, he could see the entire village at rest, a picture of serenity and harmony. Yet, the old man''s words lingered in his mind. "Stay¡­ awake," he reminded himself, gripping his sword tightly. "Peace¡­can be deceiving."


    As Jusis watched over the village, a sudden howl of cold night wind swept through, extinguishing his torch in an instant. He let out a resigned sigh. "Ha~ great..." He grabbed the torch, now darkened by the wind''s force. "If only I were a mage or capable of mana manipulation, I could easily light this up again." Reaching into his pockets, he was relieved to find his flint iron.


    He prepared the torch and took out the flint iron. He struck the flint against the iron, producing sparks that danced in the night air but failed to catch. When striking flint and iron to create fire, one typically holds a piece of char cloth or tinder close to the spark-producing edge of the flint. By striking the iron against the flint at a sharp angle, sparks fly off, and if done correctly, land on the char cloth or tinder, which begins to smolder. From there, the smoldering material can be carefully blown into a flame and used to light the torch.


    Jusis repetitively struck the flint. "This is a pain in the ass. The only thing I can wish for in my entire life is to have some artifact or something that can produce fire with a snap of my fingers."


    After several tries, the torch remained unlit. Jusis finally gave up and decided to descend the watchtower to get a fire or an enclosed lantern from the village below.


    As he began to descend the wooden ladder, everything suddenly brightened. He saw his shadow cast starkly in front of him. "Huh?" he muttered in confusion. Then, a deafening noise, like an explosion or a lightning strike, pierced the air, and the ground shook violently. The tremor threw Jusis off balance, and he fell, tumbling painfully to the ground below.


    The world around him seemed to blur as he landed with a thud. The peaceful village transformed in an instant. The houses, once serene and bathed in gentle moonlight, now appeared ghostly in the sudden brightness. The cobblestone streets rattled, and the flowers in the gardens swayed violently. The lanterns hanging from doorways flickered wildly, casting eerie shadows that danced in the chaos.


    Villagers, who had been enjoying the tranquil night, now screamed in panic, children clinging to their parents as they ran for safety. The adventurers by the well immediately grabbed their weapons, their faces set in grim determination as they scanned for the source of the disturbance.


    Jusis, groaning in pain, struggled to his feet. His eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the chaos. The old man''s warning echoed in his mind. "Stay awake."


    Once he was on his feet, he grabbed a panicking villager by the arm. "What happened?! What was that explosion?!" His voice was full of urgency.


    The man''s eyes were wide with terror, and he struggled to speak. "T-the demons! We-we-WE''RE BEING ATTACKED!!"


    The villager''s response sent chills down Jusis''s spine, and his heart immediately sank. "Impossible..." As he uttered those words, a loud, screeching noise reverberated from the sky.


    Jusis''s eyes widened in horror as he saw a dark, winged figure silhouetted against the moonlit sky. The creature, with bat-like wings and glowing eyes, circled above the village. Suddenly, it unleashed a torrent of green fire, setting the rooftops and thatched cottages ablaze in an instant. The eerie green flames licked at the wooden structures, turning them into infernos.


    Screams filled the air as villagers fled in every direction. The peaceful village was now a scene of utter chaos. The once serene night was shattered by the roar of flames and the agonizing cries of those caught in the fire. The smell of burning wood and flesh permeated the air, mixing with the acrid stench of the demon''s breath.


    "It... it can''t be... we''re too far... how did they attack here?" Jusis stammered, his voice trembling. His mind raced, unable to comprehend how the demons had reached their remote village.


    The sky above was filled with more winged horrors, their screeches piercing the night. Shadows flitted across the ground as they swooped down, attacking anything that moved. The green fire they spewed seemed to have a life of its own, spreading rapidly and consuming everything in its path.


    Jusis stood frozen, unable to believe the scene unfolding before him. He didn''t know what to do anymore and could only watch in horror as the village burned, the flames reflecting in his emerald eyes.


    Then suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. It was old but firm and resolute. "Everyone, head to the south exit gate! We''re evacuating now! All combatants, grab your weapons and protect the villagers!"


    Jusis turned towards the voice and saw the old man from earlier, now clad in metal armor and carrying a long sword. Their eyes met.


    The old man saw Jusis, his eyes wide and filled with tears. Without hesitation, he ran to him and hugged him tightly. "Jusis, you''re safe! Thank the heavens." The once cold demeanor of the old man was now warm as he embraced Jusis.


    Then he pulled back, gripping Jusis by the arms and shaking him. "Son, wake up! You must escape this village with the other survivors now! There''s nothing we can do¡ªthe demons have already breached our defenses."


    "B-but..." Jusis stammered.


    "No buts! You have to go now!"


    "How about you?"


    "I''ll stay here and try to buy you enough time. While there''s still time, start your escape to Manilia. It''s the only chance we have."


    "N-no... I can''t do that! I can''t leave you alone here and this village!" Jusis pleaded. Then they heard a loud, monstrous howl approaching them.


    "Son... listen to me. This is my duty as the chief of this village and..." The old man''s voice softened. "And this is my responsibility as your father and my promise to your mother."


    "Go and join the first group. Defend them as well, but stay safe..."


    Jusis was about to plead more, but the old man interrupted him again.


    "I love you, son... you''re free now to explore this world."


    The old man turned and started heading towards the source of the explosion, where the attack had begun. "And remember, son... stay awake," he said before running off.


    "Father!!!" Jusis cried, but his father had already disappeared from sight, heading straight into the heart of the inferno.


    The old man arrived at the area where the attack had started and saw a monstrous creature. It looked like a massive pangolin, but it emitted an eerie purple glow. Surrounding it were enormous orcs wielding large axes.


    Then suddenly a sudden flash of memory came to him. "Ah, I remember now. The last time he called me ''father'' was the night before you destroyed our happy family," the old man said. He remembered that night, he was about to continue his night patrol, when he saw his wife and son sleeping peacefully together.


    Closing his eyes and unsheathing his sword. "I should have stayed awake that time.¡±


    Then, the adventurers from earlier arrived at the scene, their faces filled with horror. "H-how did they get here?" the woman with the bow said, her voice trembling.


    "C-Cerus!" the spearman stammered, his spear shaking uncontrollably in his hands, yet he didn¡¯t move back an inch. "What can we do against that?"


    Their priest clasped his hands and began to pray. "Goddess, we entrust our souls to you. May you welcome us into your kingdom... and protect the two siblings. Keep them safe in these dire times."


    The old man, now fully awake, looked at the monstrous creature and its orcish guards with determination. "Now that I am awake, it''s time for my revenge... no, this isn''t revenge. This time, I will protect my son from you!" the village chief shouted as he charged forward, his sword gleaming in the night.

 Coward Guard

    Meanwhile, Jusis started running to escape, tears streaming down his face. "I''m sorry, father..." He looked back and saw only hellfire and destruction. He kept running and running until he finally reached the group of fleeing villagers.


    "Where''s the Chief?" a villager asked Jusis.


    Jusis could only cry again. "I''m sorry..."


    The villagers were downcast, but one of them tapped Jusis on the shoulder. "Let''s go and ask for reinforcements."


    Jusis nodded, and they began their desperate flight. Through the dark forest night, illuminated only by the occasional flicker of torches and the pale glow of the moon, they ran as fast as they could, hearts pounding with panic and fear.


    The villagers looked haggard and terrified, their faces pale and streaked with dirt and tears. Mothers clutched their children tightly, trying to soothe their cries. Elderly villagers, with years of wisdom etched into their faces, struggled to keep pace, leaning heavily on walking sticks. Young men and women, some armed with makeshift weapons, kept a vigilant watch, their eyes darting to every shadow, every rustle in the trees.


    The air was thick with the sounds of hurried footsteps, labored breathing, and the occasional sob. The forest seemed to close in around them, the trees whispering ominously in the wind. The flickering torchlight cast eerie, dancing shadows, making the fleeing villagers appear as ghostly apparitions in the night.


    As they ran, the villagers noticed a humanlike figure ahead. With only the faint moonlight, they could barely make out its shape. Hope surged through them, thinking it might be reinforcements from Manilia. Spurred on by this hope, they quickened their pace, waving frantically.


    But what awaited them was not help, but a nightmare¡ªa monster lurking with bloodlust. As they drew closer, the light from their torches revealed the creature''s identity.


    The creature was not as tall as a human. It was green with long, pointed ears. Its fangs protruded, drool dripping from its mouth as it wore a creepy, malevolent smile.


    Seeing it, the villagers stopped dead in their tracks, petrified. But the horror didn''t end there¡ªthey realized they were fully surrounded by these creatures.


    "AAAAAA!!! Goblins!!" a villager cried out in terror.


    In an instant, the goblins leaped forward, and chaos erupted. The villagers in the front were immediately overrun. It happened so quickly that the villagers could only stand in horror as the nightmare unfolded.


    A goblin cleaved one villager''s head in half, blood and brains splattering. Another struck a villager in the abdomen, its claws tearing through flesh and spilling intestines and organs onto the ground. The villager''s scream was abruptly cut off as a goblin sank its teeth into his throat, ripping out chunks of flesh and sinew.


    . They came from all directions, attacking every villager. It is pure, bloody chaos. No one is safe. The elderly and children screamed in agony, their cries mingling with the sinister cackles of the goblins.


    One goblin grabbed an elderly woman, its claws digging into her flesh as it dragged her to the ground. Her frail body was no match for the creature''s savage strength. It tore into her, ripping chunks of flesh and muscle from her bones, its maw dripping with blood.


    A child, no more than five years old, was yanked from his mother''s grasp by a particularly vicious goblin. The mother screamed, reaching out for her child, but it was too late. The goblin bit down on the child''s arm, snapping bone and tearing flesh. The child''s screams echoed in the night, mingling with the cries of the dying and the roar of the flames.


    In the midst of the chaos, a young man tried to fight back, wielding a makeshift club. He swung it wildly, managing to knock one goblin aside, but another leaped onto his back, clawing and biting. He fell to the ground, the goblins swarming over him, tearing him apart piece by piece.


    A woman, cradling her infant, tried to shield her baby from the onslaught. A goblin lunged at her, its claws raking across her face. She fell to the ground, her grip on her child loosening as she was overwhelmed by the savage creature. The infant wailed, its cries soon silenced as the goblins descended upon it.


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    Jusis stood there, shaking, paralyzed with fear as he watched the massacre. He was frozen, unable to move or fight. One of the villagers, being devoured alive, managed to shout, "Everyone! Run! Run for Manilia!"


    Jusis saw the unbearable pain in the man''s eyes but still couldn''t bring himself to fight. He held his sword but couldn''t move. The man looked at Jusis and, with his dying breath, urged, "JUST... ru... n..."


    The surviving villagers tried to flee the chaos, but the screams and sounds of tearing flesh echoed in Jusis''s mind. He stumbled, his legs barely able to carry him as he joined the desperate flight towards Manilia


    But suddenly, a goblin pounced on Jusis''s back, pinning him to the ground.


    Thud! His body slammed into the dirt. He flipped over, his eyes widening in terror as he stared up at the creature. He was paralyzed, unable to move.


    "Is¡­ is this my end?" he thought, his mind racing. The cries of the villagers filled his ears. "I was supposed to protect them¡­ I was entrusted to protect them... and yet here I am, lower than pathetic, unable to do anything, unable to fight or even move."


    "I''m such a failure. My father entrusted me to protect them! He fought for them, but why can''t I do the same? I''m so scared. I''m the worst." Jusis''s trembling hands reached for his sword, but it lay just out of reach. He dropped his hand, despair washing over him. "There''s nothing I can do now. I don''t deserve to live after this. My father would never forgive me. I should''ve done something."


    Through the moonlight, he saw the silhouette of the goblin, its sinister smile and bloodlust illuminated in the pale glow. Jusis felt tears streaming down his face. "I''m sorry, Father. I''m scared¡­ somebody¡­"


    In his last moment, before the goblin struck him with its club, Jusis cried out in desperation, "HELP ME!!!"


    Then, at that moment, a sudden, deafening sound pierced through the already chaotic forest, cutting through the screams and cries. It was like thunder, but sharper and more intense, a cracking roar that echoed off the trees and reverberated through the air.


    In an instant, the goblin pinning Jusis froze mid-movement. Greenish blood oozed from its forehead, and it collapsed beside him.


    Jusis couldn''t believe what had happened. For a moment, he had seen a bright flash, now gone as quickly as it appeared. He turned to look in the direction it came from and, in the dim light, saw a figure kneeling on the horizon.


    The figure produced another flash of light, then another, in rapid succession. Jusis didn''t know if it was some kind of illumination magic, but it was enough to gain the attention of the other surviving villagers. He couldn''t tell if the figure was friend or foe, human or another devil creature.


    His worries were immediately eased when he heard a shout. "HERE! HURRY!" It was the voice of a man. Jusis summoned his strength and stood up. "Everyone! Let''s run!" As he shouted, another loud bang echoed through the forest, and another goblin pinning a villager fell to the ground.


    "It must be a mage from another village!" Jusis thought. The villagers, despite their fear, started to run toward the man, desperate for safety. Jusis was also scared, but every time he heard that whizzing sound, another goblin fell.


    One by one, shot after shot, the goblins were eliminated. The villagers reached their savior, many collapsing near the man out of exhaustion and adrenaline. Jusis, panting heavily, found himself at the front, on his knees.


    Jusis raised his head to see their rescuer, a man who seemed to be in his twenties. The man had a scar running across one eye, his expression stern and perplexed. To Jusis, the man''s attire was beyond strange¡ªunlike anything he had ever seen. His clothing was dark and fitted, made of a material that seemed both sturdy and flexible. The outfit was a greenish color, blending seamlessly with the shadows of the forest. There were no visible pieces of armor except for its helmet with something attached to it. Nothing resembling the attire of mages or warriors he knew. The man carried various pouches and strange items attached to his belt, and across his chest hung a device


    The man spoke with concise urgency. "Where are you from and what happened?" he asked.


    Jusis, though his voice was shaky, managed to explain their dire situation and pleaded for help for the remaining survivors in their town. The mysterious man listened intently, then handed Jusis an out-of-this-world item.


    Jusis examined the strange object, unlike any weapon he had ever seen. It was made of a material he couldn''t identify, dark and cold to the touch. It had a sleek, angular design that had a perfect grip on his hand. It has a rectangular top and his finger can pull a trigger, just like a crossbow.


    The man demonstrated how to use it, showing Jusis how to aim and pull the trigger. The weapon was terrifyingly powerful, capable of unleashing a force akin to thunder magic. It worked like a crossbow but without visible bowstrings or arrows. Even more astonishing, it didn''t need to be reloaded after each shot.


    "Use this to protect the villagers," the man instructed.


    Jusis nodded, the weight of the responsibility settling on his shoulders. He had failed to protect his people once, but now, with this mystical weapon, he had another chance. As the man departed towards the village Jusis stood, gripping the Glock 18 tightly. Before they departed, he promised to that man that he would return his ''magical crossbow'' to him on Manilia.


    Would he finally be able to protect the villagers with this unknown, powerful weapon?

 Pistol and Sword

    Finally, both of them dashed for their own mission. Undeniably, Jusis is still scared and he knows that guilt will eat him either way later. But to his heart, there¡¯s only one voice, ¡°stay awake.¡±


    Besides the gun, the mysterious man handed Jusis another strange item¡ªa cylindrical object with a button and a glass end. The man called it a flashlight, explaining it could provide illumination without consuming mana. Jusis pressed the button and was amazed as a powerful beam of light cut through the darkness, far surpassing their torches.


    With this newfound light, they quickly but safely resumed their run, Jusis heightening his awareness. After a few minutes, they encountered a small group of goblins, wounded and fleeing the battlefield. Jusis could see the goblins'' mutilated arms and the guts they clutched in their hands, a sight that halted the villagers in their tracks. The goblins noticed the light and turned toward them.


    Jusis sweating cold but aimed the pistol with shaky hands and pulled the trigger. A loud bang echoed through the forest, the bright muzzle flash illuminating their surroundings. His heart raced, and the recoil almost threw him off balance. The unexpected power of the shot startled him, making him momentarily lose his grip .


    His first shot missed, enraging the injured goblins who then rushed at them. Panic surged through the villagers and Jusis alike. But he knew this was his chance to redeem himself and protect the remaining survivors.


    Jusis gripped the pistol tightly with both hands, trying to steady his aim. He took a deep breath and pulled the trigger again. Bang! The recoil was still jarring, but this time he managed to keep his aim steady. One goblin fell, hit in the chest. Another bright flash and a loud bang echoed as he fired again, another goblin dropping to the ground.


    Despite the success, fear still gripped Jusis. His heart pounded, his hands trembling, but he steeled his resolve. He aimed carefully and fired once more. The bullet hit its mark, and the goblin''s body crumpled. Two more goblins remained, closing in fast. Jusis braced himself, fired, and hit one in the chest, sending it crashing to the ground.


    The last goblin was only a few meters away, its grotesque face twisted in rage. Jusis''s heart pounded harder, his face a mix of determination and anger. He gritted his teeth and shouted, "I''m awake!" Instead of firing the pistol, he unsheathed his sword and, with a powerful upward slash, split the goblin in half.


    Night fell silent again, with Jusis panting heavily. He couldn¡¯t feel his legs, and his hands were trembling, yet he still stood his ground. This was his first kill. Breathing rapidly through his nostrils, he eventually took a deep breath.


    "What a powerful weapon..." a villager said, flabbergasted at what they had witnessed. To the medieval villagers, the gun was unlike anything they had ever seen. It wasn¡¯t magic, yet it had brought down the goblins with a thunderous roar, leaving them both awed and frightened by its power.


    Jusis examined the goblin, confirming that it had already been injured in a previous battle. But who had fought these creatures before? Did they come from Manilia? Jusis thought they might be fleeing survivors. If that were the case, then Manilia might still be holding its ground. But there were no signs of slashes or arrow wounds on these goblins. Instead, their bodies had strange holes. He looked at the gun in his hand.


    "Could he have fought these goblins too?" Jusis remembered the mysterious man from earlier. "He must be powerful." Then, on the ground, he saw a small cylindrical goldish metal object. "What is this?" He wondered, having never seen anything like it before. He recalled seeing something similar ejecting from the mystical item he used. He picked up a shell casing and pocketed it.


    Jusis searched for more threats, scanning the surroundings with the flashlight. But thankfully, everything seemed quiet for now. With that, they continued their escape.


    They moved quickly but cautiously, everyone on high alert. Finally, they reached a part of the forest where there was a large open area, and all the villagers were shocked by what they saw.


    In a circular clearing, they found the corpses of many goblins scattered everywhere. The bodies were mutilated, evidence of an intense battle, yet there were no human bodies or blood. Only goblins, riddled with holes and mutilated.


    Jusis quickly examined the corpses. "What in the world happened here?"


    As they walked through the clearing, Jusis spotted more of the small cylindrical goldish metal objects on the ground. Suddenly, he recalled the earlier events when he fired the gun. Every time he pulled the trigger, he noticed something ejected from the artifact. He compared the shell casing he had picked up to the ones on the ground.


    They were similar, but much larger and thicker. "Could he have an even more powerful weapon than this?" he pondered.


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    As they continued walking, they heard loud and numerous footsteps approaching. Everyone immediately became alert. Jusis raised the pistol and flashlight, looking for whatever was coming. However, their fear and alertness quickly turned to relief when they saw torches.


    Finally, the approaching figures were revealed. They were mounted on horses, clad in iron armor, armed with swords and bows. They were the patrolmen of Manilia.


    "Thank goodness! They¡¯ve come for us!" Villagers cheered in relief. Jusis also breathed freely for the first time.


    The warriors on horseback briefly examined the area before inquiring of Jusis. "Are you from Bataen? What happened to your village?"


    Jusis, clenching his fist, replied, "Yes, we are. Our village... it fell. We stood no chance and were retreating to your town."


    The patrol captain responded, "Figures... So Bataen has already fallen. I''m sorry we couldn''t arrive sooner; we were under attack as well."


    "Still, thank you for coming."


    "Are all the survivors here?" the captain asked.


    Jusis''s eyes darkened. "There are still survivors left..." He remembered his father and the adventurers who had stayed behind.


    "I see..." The captain also scanned the surroundings and then asked one of his patrolmen, "Did any party go to Manilia before us?"


    "To my knowledge, we are the first."


    "Then who killed these goblins?" the patrol leader pondered. "According to our reconnaissance, a hundred goblins passed through our defenses. Yet it looks like more than half of them are dead. Who did this?"


    Jusis replied, "When we arrived, this is what we found..." He paused for a moment before asking the captain, "Did you send a mage here, or did anyone from Manilia head towards Bataen?"


    The leader thought for a moment. "No one that I can think of."


    "Most importantly," the leader said, looking at his men, "Party 1 will advance, and Party 2 will escort the survivors. After that, immediately come back for us as backup."


    "Yes, sir!" they responded.


    As the patrolmen were preparing, they saw another group approaching from the direction of Bataen.


    Another group of villagers came into view, looking more haggard and scared, struggling to catch their breath as they ran.


    A woman from the first group immediately ran to a man in the second group, embracing him. They were husband and wife. "I''m glad you made it! Thank goodness," the woman cried in relief, but the man quickly stopped her.


    "I''m happy to see you too, but we all need to leave. Now!" His voice was filled with urgency and fear.


    "We''re from Manilia, and you''re safe for now," the leader assured the new survivors, but the man spoke tensely. "No! Even the people of Manilia need to evacuate!!"


    The newly arrived villagers were terrified as they said, "We were attacked by Cerus."


    At that moment, everyone felt pure terror, their faces reflecting their fear.


    "Cerus?! How is that possible?!" The leader couldn''t believe what he was hearing. "We don''t know, but... the chief and some adventurers engaged them in combat... But they surely can''t hold them off, and Cerus is heading this way."


    The captain gritted his teeth. "Party 1 and I will retreat at full speed to Manilia and start the evacuation. The leader of Party 2 will escort the villagers. But make it quick so you can join the caravan."


    Everyone was about to move, but Jusis desperately pleaded. "B-but my father! The Chief?!"


    The captain''s eyes darkened. "I''m afraid there''s nothing we can do now."


    "No..." Jusis sank to his knees, feeling hopelessness consume him. But then he remembered the man from earlier. He approached one of the new survivors and asked, "Before you got here, did you come across a mysterious man wearing strange clothing?"


    The villager woman replied, "Yes, and he did help us."


    "Where is he now?"


    "He went back to the village to search for the twin children. We tried to stop him, but he insisted. Only God knows what will happen to him there."


    "Alright, thank you." Jusis stood there for a moment, then spoke up again to the captain. "Thank you for rescuing us. Please take our villagers and include them in your escape."


    The captain replied, "That''s what we intend to do."


    Jusis glanced at the pistol and gripped it tightly. "I will stay here," he said solemnly.


    "What? Are you out of your mind?! There''s nothing you can do. You''re just heading to your death."


    "I know that, but I... already failed to fulfill my duty. As the son of the Chief, this is the last thing I can do for my people."


    "Don''t be foolish. You must stay alive."


    Jusis didn''t reply. They looked at each other, and the captain saw the unwavering resolve in Jusis''s eyes.


    "I see. If that''s what you want, then." The captain turned his back on Jusis. "However, your death will be in vain against Cerus; you know that. We''re leaving now. If you change your mind, I hope there''s still something left in Manilia for you to find."


    With that, everyone departed, leaving Jusis behind. "I know I can''t do much, as always, but I need to return this item to that man. Even if it costs me my life... Lastly," he looked towards the path leading to Bataen, "I will stay awake and watch everything before my death. I will not sleep for now."


    Suddenly, he heard a loud howl in the distance. "Please, be safe, Father and that man... I will wait here," he said, standing tall while holding a sword and the pistol under the moonlight.

 The Plan

    Meanwhile, in the epicenter of the inferno that is now the village of Bataen, three combatants faced an apocalyptic menace alone.


    "No... it can''t be... a Chthonic Cerus... not here..." a woman stammered, her voice quaking with fear. Her eyes bulged wide, and she collapsed to her knees.


    The knight, who had earlier appeared steadfast and unyielding, now visibly trembled, though he stood his ground.


    "Hey! Two of you, keep it together!" shouted a soldier, trying to snap the stunned mage and knight back to reality. But he, too, was petrified. The creature before him defied all comprehension, a nightmare he had only ever seen in movies. He could hardly believe that this abomination was real and breathing.


    Ivan, the soldier, spoke again to the two. "You have some sort of magic, right? Why don''t you try using it?!"


    "T-there''s nothing we can do. Cerus are immune to normal magic, and as a C-rank adventurer mage, I can''t do anything. It takes hu A-rank mages just to defeat a single Cerus," the woman mage explained, her voice trembling. Tears streamed down her face, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she clutched her staff. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but her legs felt rooted to the spot.


    Ivan turned his gaze back to Cerus. It resembled a colossal pangolin, but its eyes emitted an eerie purple-blue light. Its claws were razor-sharp, and its spine bristled with crystalline, purple spikes that glowed menacingly in the dark. Each movement of the beast seemed to ripple with raw, destructive power.


    "Then... what should we do about this thing..." Ivan stuttered.


    "Sire, we know we cannot vanquish this monster, yet I implore thee, with utmost humility and earnest plea, convey these two younglings to safety. We shall do all within our power to buy thee sufficient time to escape," said the knight, his voice laden with the weight of formality and desperation.


    "And what of you two?" Ivan inquired, his voice wavering.


    "I shall protect my sister at all costs. I assure thee, she will survive, no matter what," the knight responded


    "Negative!," Ivan answered bluntly.


    "Civilians'' safety is our top priority, so if anyone''s staying behind, it''s me," Ivan declared, aiming his rifle at the monster''s head.


    The woman, summoning all her strength, forced herself to stand once more. "I already said this earlier, Mister. We are adventurers," she stated, raising her wooden staff. The azure crystal at its tip glowed brighter. Her voice still trembled, but it was firm with resolve. "And it''s also our duty to protect the townspeople."


    "Sister..." The knight smashed his large iron shield into the ground and struck his sword against it. "She''s right, sire, and in addition to that, our comrades are still here. We are sure they fought with everything they''ve got.". Both his shield and sword began to glow with a radiant yellow light, casting an ethereal glow in the chaos.


    Ivan gave a small nod. He knit his brows, the crosshair of his gun scope locked onto the monster''s head, his finger poised on the trigger. He glanced at the twin children, who were still terrified. "Cover your ears for a while," he said, giving them a reassuring smile.


    Then he returned his gaze to the monster. "Open fire," he said with calm authority.


    The three of them launched their assault simultaneously, each utilizing their ranged attacks. The mage summoned multiple magic circles before her, from which a barrage of crystal projectiles erupted, each impact followed by a small explosion.


    The knight swung his sword, unleashing horizontal shockwaves of energy that sliced through the air.


    Ivan, meanwhile, unleashed a torrent of bullets from his automatic rifle, the muzzle flash illuminating the night. As the onslaught continued, he decided to lob a fragmentation grenade into the fray.


    Explosions and gunfire filled the air. The twin sisters clung to each other, covering their ears against the cacophony.


    Finally, the dust began to settle. Ivan ejected the empty magazine from his rifle and replaced it with a fresh one. Leila, the mage, lowered her staff momentarily to catch her breath, while Leonard, the knight, raised his shield defensively.


    The three of them observed the aftermath, though they had expected it. Despite their combined efforts, the Cerus monster still stood, unyielding.


    "Tsk!" Ivan clicked his tongue. "What a tough bastard, but¡ª"


    The Cerus screeched, an ear-piercing sound that forced them all to cover their ears. Through the dust, they saw its eerie glowing eyes and its spine, now brightly illuminated with crystalline spikes.


    Leo''s eyes widened as he shouted, "EVERYONE! LET''S GET OUT OF HERE!"


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    Without hesitation, Leo carefully scooped up Reona, the injured child, while Leila grabbed Alisa''s hand. Together, they retreated at full speed. Just in time, they escaped as the monster unleashed a devastating beam that obliterated the central well where they had stood moments before.


    "What was that?!" Ivan panicked. "For a moment, I saw a light! We were just seconds away from being obliterated!"


    As they dashed through the burning streets of Bataen,  they could hear loud, fast thuds. "It''s running towards us!" Leo shouted.


    "We can run all the way to Manilia," Ivan said, glancing over his shoulder. "But it seems that beast is just as fast."


    "It will surely catch up with us before we reach the town," the mage said, her voice trembling with fear. "That monster can detect human mana and seeks it out. It will head to Manilia as well."


    "Then what should we do..." Ivan pondered urgently.


    The knight spoke, his tone laden with formality and respect. "Sire, I shall remain here. I am confident I can delay them and provide you with sufficient time to reach safety."


    "No!" Lei''s voice rang out, high and angry. "All this time we''ve been together, and you are the only family I have left. Do you think I will allow you to face them alone and leave me behind? If you stay, then I shall stay as well!"


    "But it is our only way, sister. Please, I have vowed to protect you at all costs,"


    "Enough, both of you," Ivan interjected, halting the siblings'' argument. As they ran, he recalled the damage they had inflicted on the monster. Briefly, he had noticed cracks in the obsidian-like scales of the Cerus, glowing with light and seeping a bright blue liquid. If it bleeds, then it can be killed.


    "Do you have something like a cannon or artillery?" Ivan quickly asked, but the siblings'' furrowed brows. The mage held her chin and pondered. ¡°Actually¡­we do have something like that, but still no progress in the capital¡­¡±


    That came as a surprise for Ivan.  But he realised or thought that this might be the era of gunpowder invention. ¡°That cannon, have you already used that against that monster?¡±


    Both the knight and mage looked at each other.  The mage replied ¡°Yeah, 10 years ago someone¡­already used that kind of weapon¡­¡± The mage turns her eyes again to her brother, then the knight lets out a slow nod. ¡°It did kill a Cerus.¡± Knight answered.


    Ivan gritted his teeth and smiled. ¡°Then, that¡¯s all I need to know.¡±


    With that realization, Ivan decided to conduct a quick test. The monstrous army of orcs and the Cerus were still behind them. While running, he grabbed a frag grenade from his vest, pulling the pin with his thumb.


    "As long as I hold this grenade, it won''t explode. After I throw it, we must all run faster for a moment. You two," he looked at the adventurers, "I want you to observe the damage."


    The siblings nodded. Ivan turned and hurled the grenade towards the horde of monsters, counting down in his head. Three, two, one¡ª"Fire in the hole, run!"


    BOOM!


    The grenade landed directly beneath the pangolin-like monster. "Now look!" Ivan urged. The three combatants glanced back, shocked by the effect. The monster stopped, and parts of its thick armored skin had been blown away.


    "Unbelievable..." Leila exclaimed. "What kind of magic is that?!"


    "It''s a grenade, and it''s not magic," Ivan replied.


    "Sire, dost thou possess more of these ''grenades''?" Leonard inquired.


    "I still have a few, but they won''t be enough to kill that beast," Ivan thought. They needed stronger firepower to defeat it. One solution came to his mind.


    "I have a plan. Whether we escape to Manilia or not, the monster will reach the town and cause more deaths," Ivan said seriously.


    "Then... are you saying we need to defeat Cerus here and now?" Leila asked.


    "Forgive me, Sire, I know not the extent of thy strength or the mysteries of thy weaponry, but can we truly vanquish the beast now?" Leonard added, his tone deeply respectful.


    "Yes, I have a much more powerful weapon that might kill it. But I need you both to trust me on this," Ivan said,


    They finally reached the southern exit of the town.


    "What''s your plan?" the mage asked.


    The siblings waited for Ivan''s response. After a few moments, he spoke again.


    "I know I said earlier that no one would be left behind, but..." He paused. "Now, I need you both to stay here and buy me enough time to prepare that weapon."


    "I''ll take the twins with me. I can get them somewhere safer," Ivan continued. "But..." He emphasized. "I want you both to prioritize your safety. Retreat while slowing them down."


    "Sire, where is this weapon you speak of?" the knight asked.


    "Along this pathway, a few kilometers away. Just slow down their advance. You''ll know I''m ready when you see a bright red light in the sky," Ivan explained, referring to flares.


    "When you see that, it means the weapon is ready, and you can retreat at full speed towards the light," Ivan explained further.


    He handed a grenade to each of the siblings. "To use this, pull the pin and throw it at the enemy. After it lands, count to five, and it will explode."


    "Forgive me if it seems I''m making you bait for the monster, but trust me," Ivan looked into their eyes. "Trust me, we can defeat it. Can I count on you to handle this task?"


    The brother and sister looked at each other, then nodded slowly. They returned their gaze to Ivan. Leila swallowed hard and said, "Alright, we''ll do it, Mister."


    To be honest, Ivan hadn¡¯t expected the siblings to agree so readily.


    The knight then approached and handed Reona, the injured child, to Ivan. "Please, take care of these children," he said, his tone formal and respectful.


    Ivan carefully received the child. "Yeah, I''ll protect them." Then he gazed once more at the siblings. "Forgive me."


    "As long as there''s a chance to defeat that monster, we''re ready to do whatever it takes," Leila said, her voice resolute.


    "Be careful as well, Sire," Leonard added.


    Ivan nodded firmly. "The same goes for you. Prioritize your safety. I''ll do everything I can to prepare the weapon quickly." With that, Ivan quickly formed a military salute, though the adventurers were unfamiliar with the gesture.

 Slowing Down The Monster

    "I''ll see you in that open area!" Ivan dashed off, heading toward his tank.


    "Yeah, we''ve got this!"


    The siblings watched Ivan as he ran away, determination etched on their faces.


    "Hey brother, have you noticed his weapons?" Leila asked.


    Leonard glanced at the grenade in his hand. "Yeah... it''s almost identical to the one he used."


    "And it¡¯s also smell like gunpowder¡­Don''t you think it''s-"


    Their conversation was abruptly cut short as the Cerus made its way to the southern exit, smashing through the gate and walls. Its eyes glowed with agitation, and its spiky spine crackled with violet electricity. The creature''s enormous form seemed even more menacing as it emerged from the wreckage, its obsidian scales glinting in the dim light, and its spines sparked ominously, sending arcs of violet lightning into the air.


    "We can ask him about that later. For now, we need to slow this thing down," Leonard said, resolute.


    "Agreed!" With that, the brother and sister began their mission.


    Leila started by summoning a small blue magic circle above the monster. She chanted, "Cryonimous Fractara!" A barrage of crystal-like shards rained down from the circle, each shard glistening with an icy hue. The shards exploded on impact, creating small but potent blasts. However, the monster seemed hardly affected.


    Leonard dashed to the monster''s leg and slashed with his greatsword at lightning speed. Yet, it was as if he struck an impenetrable wall, the shock of the impact recoiling through him.


    He quickly retreated as the monster retaliated with its razor-sharp claws. The Cerus sent a horizontal shockwave with its slash, which Leonard barely blocked with his giant shield.


    Standing back next to his sister, Leonard spoke, "Sister, hast thou any notion of how we might hinder this beast?"


    "We''ll see. For now, we must engage it from a distance. Direct combat is too dangerous," Leila replied.


    "But, sister, fear not for me. It is my duty to protect thee at all costs," Leonard said, his voice unwavering in its knightly resolve.


    Leila sighed in resignation. "Brother, should harm befall thee, as a mage, I would struggle to defend us both. Remember, thou art our shield." She said, mocking his brother''s way of speaking.


    "Then what shall we do?" Leonard asked.


    "Offense is futile. We must focus on disorienting it from afar," Leila decided.


    The Cerus growled, stretching backward before lunging forward, its claws ready to strike like a charging bull.


    "Here it comes!" Leonard shouted, bracing for the attack.


    Leila summoned multiple magic circles on the ground. As the monster passed over them, sharp crystal spikes shot upward, some angled to pierce the Cerus. She chanted, "Glacius Spiculum!"


    The crystals, however, shattered against the beast''s tough hide, barely slowing it down. Leila summoned another barrier of pointed crystals ahead of the Cerus, which crashed into them, slightly hindered.


    Leonard raised his greatsword, now glowing with yellow thunder. He smashed it into the ground, creating a fissure that sent a shockwave towards the monster.


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    Leila cast another spell, this time creating a hovering magic circle above the Cerus. It unleashed a rapid barrage of pointed crystals, following the monster''s movements. Meanwhile, Leonard slashed horizontally, sending out more shockwaves.


    "Brother! Let¡¯s keep this up!. It seems the Cerus is slowing down!" Leila called out.


    "Yet it is as if we prod a savage beast with mere twigs," Leonard replied, his concern evident.


    Both siblings took cautious steps backward, maintaining their attacks. The relentless onslaught of orc warriors behind the Cerus added to their peril.


    Leila''s thoughts raced. "To think the Demon Lord could ally with a Cerus is terrifying. And to see it reach this place is beyond belief..." Sweat dripped from her forehead, her hands trembling as memories of past trauma resurfaced.


    "Sister!" Leonard''s voice snapped her back to the present. The Cerus halted, its spiky spine glowing brighter, emitting an intense violet light.


    Both siblings'' faces tightened with fear, their teeth gritted in anticipation of the monster''s powerful ranged attack.


    "LET''S RUN!" Leila shouted. They knew this gesture meant Cerus was preparing a devastating attack.


    The spiked spines of the monster began to levitate, aiming directly at the siblings. They resembled spears made of crystalline material, crackling with electricity.


    "Watch out!" Leonard shouted. The spikes propelled towards them at astonishing speed. With mere seconds to react, Leonard pushed Leila ahead, using his hands to forcefully propel her forward. He positioned his shield towards the projectiles, anchoring himself by driving his rusted greatsword into the ground. He chanted an incantation, infusing his shield with thunder magic to strengthen it. "Fulmina Praesidium!"


    The impact was deafening. The projectile hit Leonard''s shield with such force that the surrounding trees shook violently from the shockwave. Leonard did his best to stand his ground, but the power of the blast threw him several feet, crashing him to the ground.


    "Brother!!!" Leila screamed in panic. She dashed to his side, her heart racing. "Brother!! Are-are you alright?!"


    Terror gripped her as she saw her brother wounded, sharp shards from the crystal embedded all over his body. She tried to lift him, but he was too heavy. Desperation and tears clouded her vision. "No...no...."


    Fear swarmed Leila, a familiar horror she had experienced ten years ago flashed before her eyes. The same scenario¡ªholding her wounded brother while the same monster that had destroyed their home and family loomed before her. The malevolent azure eyes of the Cerus brought back every painful memory 10 years ago.


    "W-why? Why must this happen again... I thought I was stronger..." Leila sobbed, feeling hopelessness consume her .However, 10 years ago,  a saviour from the unknown saved them. A monster that was made out of metal, with a long tube on it that spit a blinding flash of fire. And a person on top of it. Through Leila¡¯s eyes, the fire is still vivid and the shock, she can still feel it.


    But this time, will their savior come again? That monster with someone on top of it, will he come for them once again? ¡°Please¡­¡± Tears flowed from gray Leila¡¯s stormy eyes. ¡°Blast that monster again for us¡­¡± The mage desperate pleads.


    "Lei...la," Leonard groaned, his head twitching as he slowly turned to face her.


    "Leo-!" Leila cried, her voice trembling.


    "Cover your ears," Leonard commanded, his voice gravelly.


    Leila''s eyes widened in confusion but she quickly complied. An explosion erupted beneath the monster.


    BOOM! Dirt flew everywhere. Leonard had managed to pull the pin on a grenade and throw it at the monster before being thrown by the impact.


    The monster was momentarily immobilized. All the crystalline shards piercing Leonard shattered simultaneously. He raised his sword, using it as support to stand once more. Forcing himself upright, he lifted his sword and shield again.


    "I''m going to be a knight... I promised I would be strong enough to protect you. I promised him. And as your knight, I will stand. So, sister, let''s go. He is waiting for us, and we will show him," Leonard said, determination burning in his eyes.


    "Brother..." Leila whispered, and smiled. ¡°Mhm!¡±


    Both of them started dashing away while continuing their mission to slow the beast down. They threw every attack they could muster while dodging the monster¡¯s retaliations. Leila kept summoning multiple spells to disorient the monster. Leonard protected his sister by intercepting the ranged attacks of the Cerus with his shield.


    "We''re believing in him..." Leila said to herself, remembering the peculiar man they had met earlier. Her magical attacks intensified, increasing in quantity, though still barely affecting the monster. "We need to stay alive so we can ask him..."


    "I''m gonna be a knight, and my sister will stay alive. Just a bit more!" Leonard encouraged himself. The siblings did their best to slow the monster down.

 Run

    Meanwhile, Ivan, carrying the twins, sprinted down the dirt path. His boots thudded against the ground as he ran. From a distance, he heard numerous explosions, indicating that the siblings were currently engaged in combat with the Cerus. "I need to hurry up."


    Ivan quickened his pace. Alisa, trying to keep up, stumbled and fell to the ground.


    "Hey! Are you okay?!" Ivan asked, his voice filled with concern and a hint of panic.


    "Ugh..." The little girl slumped to the ground, lifting her dirt-covered face. Then she began to cry. "I''m sorry."


    "No, no, it''s okay. Can you stand up?" Ivan knelt down, still holding Reona, and extended his hand to Alisa.


    "It...it hurts," Alisa grunted.


    "Come on, try to stand." With Ivan''s support, Alisa struggled but eventually managed to stand. Ivan checked her injuries: a bleeding knee and scratches on her arms and elbows.


    Ivan''s heart sank a little, but he knew he had to do something if he wanted to save them. While kneeling, he turned his back to Alisa. "Come on, climb up on me."


    Alisa hesitated. "B-but I will slow you down..."


    "No, you won''t slow me down. It''s alright. So come, climb on and hold tight. I''m going to save you both," Ivan said, his voice soft and comforting.


    Despite her hesitation, Alisa decided to climb onto Ivan''s back. "I''m really sorry... I''ve become a burden. You¡¯re already carrying my sister, and now you have to carry me too..." Alisa cried.


    Ivan gave a slight smile. "Not at all. It''s alright, okay? I used to carry two little girls before while running across a huge field... So it¡¯s no big deal at all, okay? Just hang on to me tightly. I''m going to run now."


    "T-thank you. Big bro," Alisa said, and even Reona, despite her pain, managed a light smile and whispered, "Thank you, big bro."


    Hearing this, Ivan¡¯s eyes widened, and they suddenly became wet. He never thought he would hear those words again... Finally, even in the midst of chaos and war, Ivan gave a wholehearted smile to the twins.


    "Leave it to big bro! You two will be alright, so hang on tight. Here we go!" With that, Ivan dashed at full speed.


    With determination burning in his chest, Ivan ran as fast as he could. His legs pounded the ground with relentless speed, each stride long and powerful. The sound of clashing weapons and explosions behind him only fueled his urgency, spurring him on faster.


    Although Ivan¡¯s physical strength and endurance were not on par with Armstrong¡¯s, his body is still strong and capable. His muscles strained and his breath came in rapid gasps, but he refused to slow down. He had to make it to the tank with enough time to save the twins and the adventurers.


    Over the minutes, exhaustion began to set in from carrying two children. His arms burned, and his legs felt like lead. He gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder. The rage of determination surged through him, keeping him moving forward. His breath came in rapid, shallow gasps, but he refused to let the twins see his fatigue.


    His mind raced with memories of his past, the faces of those he had lost and the promises he had made. This was his chance to make things right, to be the hero he always wanted to be.


    "Come on, Ivan. Push harder. Don¡¯t let them down." His legs pumped faster, his heart pounding in his chest. Sweat poured down his face, mixing with the dirt and tears. The open area where the tank awaited came into view, still a distance away but within reach.


    "Argh!" Ivan¡¯s determination reached its peak as he pushed himself even harder, his muscles screaming in protest. "Just a little bit more! I can do this! I''m gonna save them all!" he gritted to himself, his voice a mix of desperation and resolve.


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    The landscape seemed to stretch and elongate with each step, but Ivan kept his eyes fixed on his goal. The sound of his heartbeat echoed in his ears, drowning out the chaos behind him. Each breath felt like fire, but he didn¡¯t care.


    The open area grew closer. Ivan¡¯s legs felt like they might give out, but he pushed through the pain.


    Finally, with one last burst of energy, Ivan reached the open area. His legs nearly buckled, but he managed to stay upright. "We made it," he panted, relief washing over him. "We¡¯re going to be okay."


    Finally, with one last burst of energy, Ivan reached the open area. His legs nearly buckled, but he managed to stay upright. The corpses of dead goblins still littered the ground, and he advised, "Don''t look around, kids. You two will be alright now."


    Unexpectedly, a man shouted from the open area, waving at him, "Mister!"


    The man approached Ivan, relief evident in his expression. "Mister! I''m glad you''re alright!"


    Ivan recognized the man with light brown hair, wearing a leather tunic and soiled boots, and holding a handgun. "You... you''re that man from earlier. How are the other villagers? Where are they?" Ivan inquired.


    "Patrolmen from Manilia came and took them to safety. And, have you seen the chief?!"


    "I''m sorry, but I haven''t seen any other survivors besides these two children."


    Jusis heart sank. "I-I see..." He knew there was no hope left for his father. But he set aside the grief and, he spoke to Ivan, "Most importantly, we need to go now! You might have encountered it already, but there is a Cerus that attacked our town and is probably heading to Manilia."


    Jusis continued, "Manilia is now preparing to evacuate. Even Manilia doesn''t have the means to fight a Cerus. We have to go before we miss the caravan." A sudden boom sounded nearby, startling Jusis. "Come on, we need to go now, Mister!"


    Despite Jusis''s desperate plea, Ivan looked at him and spoke firmly, "I want you to take these kids with you to Manilia. Both of them are injured and can''t run, so carry them, please."


    "I-I can take them both with me, but what about you, Mister?"


    "There are two adventurers slowing down the advance of the monster right now, and I promised them that we would kill that monster."


    Jusis was shocked by Ivan''s statement. "Mister, that''s impossible! Cerus is way too powerful, and the three of you alone wouldn''t be enough to kill or even scratch it! So we need to go now!" Jusis pleaded, but Ivan remained unwavering.


    "But it still can be killed." Ivan handed Reona to Jusis. "She''s heavily injured and needs immediate help." Then he knelt down to lower Alisa.


    Hearing the conversation, Alisa cried and tried to convince Ivan to flee with them as well. "Big bro... you''re not coming with us? What about you? Don''t tell me you''re staying behind... please... big bro."


    Ivan just smiled. "Don''t cry, kid. You and your sister will be alright. Just follow this man and don''t get lost."


    Ivan patted Alisa. "Big bro will fight that monster, and I will be alright. If anything happens... just be with your sister and be strong. Promise that for me, and I will be back for you both."


    "But..." Alisa cried more.


    "Now, now," Ivan patted Alisa more. This sensation reminded him of his past when he used to do this with his twin little sister. It soothed Ivan''s already tense heart.


    Ivan looked at the man. "I''m Ivan, Ivan Abrams. You?"


    "I''m Jusis Bayonet. I''m the son of the chief."


    "Jusis, I''m sorry if I haven''t found your father... but let''s hope that he is in a better place right now."


    "Now, Jusis, protect these children for me."


    "But-" Jusis handed the pistol to Ivan, who refused it.


    "Take that with you. You might need it to protect yourselves and the kids," Ivan said.


    Jusis was about to speak more but was interrupted. "I will be alright. I have a much more powerful weapon than that."


    Hearing that statement gave some relief to Jusis. He already knew that Ivan possessed other powerful weapons, but would it be enough to defeat a Cerus? Jusis is uncertain but wants to trust Ivan. "I will return this magic crossbow to you in Manilia. Make sure you come back for it because I''m not good at keeping things."


    Ivan sighed. "I will come back for that then, and also, that thing called pistol."


    "I-I see. So this is a pistol then..." Both of them glanced at each other. "I will take care of these kids to Manilia."


    Ivan nodded. "Very well, I''m counting on you." Then Ivan looked at Alisa again and gently pushed her to Jusis. "Be strong for me and be safe... now go."


    Alisa clenched her fist and tried to suppress her cries. "I will wait for you in Manilia, big bro, so please be safe."


    Ivan just smiled, then he looked again at Jusis.


    "We''ll see you there, Mister Ivan."


    Ivan nodded.


    "Let''s go." Jusis and the kids finally left.

 CHAPTER 3 TANKS FIRST ACTION -END-

    Ivan quickly ran toward where he had parked the tank. He hastily removed some tree branches and debris he used to cover it and, with his special key, slid open the driver''s hatch.


    Despite the darkness, his familiarity with the tank allowed him to find the necessary switches to power it up. The gauges lit up as the engine started to heat. The M1 Abrams'' jet engine whirred, sounding like a jet airplane. Ivan glanced at the digital RPM gauge, waiting for it to reach the appropriate level. As he waited, he couldn''t help but sweat and fidget. "Come on, come on!" he muttered, his fingers tapping the controls rapidly.


    Finally, after what felt like excruciating minutes, the tank was ready to roll. Ivan set the gear into drive mode and pushed down the throttle on the T-Bar. The formidable engine roared to life, causing the debris covering the tank to fall away, revealing the metal monster in the moonlight.


    The tank''s treads churned the ground as it moved forward. With headlights on and his head poking out of the hatch, Ivan carefully positioned the tank to face the dirt path where he would confront the monster. The tank crushed the super goblin Ivan had encountered earlier. Now facing the path, Ivan searched the driver''s compartment for the flare gun.


    Finding the orange, gun-like device with a large tube, he broke the breach and saw it was already loaded with a flare shell. Ivan quickly climbed out of the tank, aimed the flare upward, and fired. The flare shot up, illuminating the area with a bright reddish-orange light. He then hurried back inside the turret to control the gun.


    Inside, he realized he was almost immediately clueless. Ivan had only been trained as a driver and was separated from his crew during operations, so he didn''t know how to control the gun. "Damn it! What should I do now?!" he exclaimed, trying to recall moments when he saw his comrades operating the tank.


    He remembered the basic procedure: the captain or gunner identifies the target, the captain specifies the type of ammunition, and the loader fetches the specified round and loads it into the main gun''s breech. It was simple enough, but he needed to figure out how to properly turn on the necessary controls like the digital firing control or follow the correct procedures. "Ah! Here goes nothing!" He decided to figure it out himself, with no time to read any manual.


    First, he needed to load the gun. Remembering Armstrong''s loading procedure, he noticed a lever that opened the breach. He did the same, and the breach opened, revealing it was empty. Ivan needed to grab the necessary ammo. He looked at the blast-proof sliding door of the ammunition compartment, which could be opened by pressing a button or hitting a lever below with his knee.


    Ivan opted for the latter and saw two types of ammunition marked with letters: "H" for HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) rounds and "S" for Sabot (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot, or APFSDS) rounds. He carefully considered which type to use. Both were powerful enough to destroy a tank, but based on his experience, the monster had a tough hide that even his 7.62mm ammo couldn''t penetrate, though the blast from his small grenade had cracked its skin.


    He decided to use the Sabot round, believing that hitting the monster''s head would be fatal, as it must have a brain. After deciding, he grabbed the heavy round and carefully inserted it into the barrel, then pushed the lever beside the gun to raise the breach and lock it.


    Now that the gun was loaded, it was time to aim. Ivan went to the gunner''s station and sat down. He peered into the binocular-like sight but saw only darkness. He quickly realized the thermal switch was off. He turned it on, and the surroundings turned green. Adjusting the brightness and contrast, he used the steering-like control to aim the gun, pointing the reticle where he anticipated the monster would be.


    "Good, good, now let''s wait for that bastard. I hope the two of them are on their way right now," Ivan muttered, his eyes fixed on the horizon.


    Meanwhile, Leonard and Leila were giving everything they had to slow down the Cerus.


    "Rarrgghh!!!" Leonard roared as he smashed the ground with his sword, sending fissures through the earth. Leila cast multiple spells¡ªfire, water, ice, wind, thunder¡ªbut nothing seemed to work.


    "Leila, watch out!" Leonard screamed as the Cerus, moving at lightning speed, closed the distance to her. Leila, with her agility, dodged by doing a split, then quickly backflipped to avoid a claw swipe from below.


    The Cerus hurled another crystal projectile. Leonard readied himself. "Stone wall!" he cast, his shield glowing yellow. The projectile struck his shield, but he parried it aside with a forceful shove.


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    Now standing side by side, Leonard asked, "Sister, how are you?"


    "This never ends... I''m about to deplete my mana soon. How about you?"


    "Same as you."


    Panting, they glanced at the monster. "But we can''t give up now," Leila declared, standing up.


    "Yeah, just a little more."


    "If it comes to this, I need to use some of my experiments." Leila rummaged through her leather rucksack, pulling out a metallic case. Inside were two glass vials, one filled with a dark brown liquid labeled "Napalm" and the other with white powder labeled "White Phosphorous."


    "Time to conduct some tests." She threw the napalm, which splattered across the monster, then threw the white phosphorus. The reaction was a blinding explosion, much more powerful than a grenade.


    The monster halted, stunned. "It works!" Leila exclaimed.


    But Leonard''s expression was grim. "It did work, but I think we''ve just made it angrier."


    The Cerus''s skin began to melt, its eyes turning a fiery red. "Oh no..." they both muttered, chills running down their spines. The monster released an ear-piercing growl.


    At that moment, a bright red light emerged from the sky. "Let''s run for it!" Leonard shouted. The siblings sprinted towards the light.


    The enraged Cerus, now a storm of fire and lightning, chased them with terrifying speed. Each of its steps shook the ground as it closed in.


    "Chase the light," was all they could think as they ran with every ounce of strength they had left. From the horizon, they saw a bright white light. Whether it was magic or something else, they didn''t know, but it was their only hope.


    Ivan, peering through the scope, saw two human heat signatures outlined in green running toward him, followed by a massive, glowing creature. "That''s them!"


    Quickly, he adjusted his aim and targeted the giant creature. "Take this, you bastard," he muttered and pulled the trigger.


    Click.


    "..."


    "???"


    "!!!"


    The gun did not fire. "What the hell?!"


    Click. Click. Click.


    Ivan repeatedly pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. His heart sank. "No, no, no, no! Not now! Work, goddammit!" He frantically tried every trigger but to no avail.


    "Shit, shit, shit," panic consumed him as the Cerus and the siblings drew closer. "WHAT SHOULD I DO, WHAT SHOULD I DO?!"


    Desperately scanning the controls, Ivan noticed the gun was on safety mode. The only way to fire it was with authorization from the tank captain. Realizing this, he quickly switched to the captain''s seat, searching for the gun authorization control. Finally, he found it and switched it to fire mode.


    He saw the gun indicator light up, signaling it was ready to fire. "Alright, alright. Damn it, if I could control the tank by myself without changing positions, it would be easier!" he grumbled.


    Ivan rushed back to the gunner''s seat and peered through the sights.


    Leonard and Leila ran as fast as they could toward the light, the light that would save them from this nightmare. The Cerus was inches from them, its fiery breath hot on their heels. They ran desperately until, finally, they reached the light. Both jumped and slammed onto the ground beside the tank.


    Ivan, shocked at how close the Cerus had gotten, wasted no time. The monster was at point-blank range. "Now you can die!" he shouted and pulled the trigger.


    The tank''s gun roared to life with an earth-shattering boom. The Sabot round, a deadly tungsten projectile, shot out with incredible force. The recoil jolted the tank as the projectile hurtled toward the Cerus.


    Outside, Leila sat on the ground beside the tank, her body aching and exhausted. Her eyes, reflecting the chaos and destruction around her, locked onto the scene unfolding before her. The silhouette of the tank under the moonlight stood like a guardian, its massive form casting long, ominous shadows across the ground. For a moment, everything seemed to slow down.


    Her heart skipped a beat as she watched the tank, an iron behemoth, unleash its deadly payload. The muzzle flash lit up the night, the bright flare illuminating the battlefield. The Cerus, caught in the path of the Sabot round, seemed to move in slow motion. Leila''s gray eyes widened, capturing every detail.


    The monstrous creature, with its hide of molten rock and lightning, was no match for the sheer power of the tank. As the projectile made contact, the Cerus''s head exploded in a shower of bluish blood and sparks, the violent eruption resembling a fusion of a volcano and a thunderstorm. Time seemed to stop for Leila.


    In that split second, her mind was transported to a distant memory, a time when she had witnessed such overwhelming power before. It was a feeling she couldn''t quite place, a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu that sent shivers down her spine. The raw, unbridled force of the tank''s attack stirred something deep within her.


    Her gray eyes, usually calm and composed, were now filled with awe and wonder. The sight of the Cerus''s demise, the splattering of its blood, the brilliant sparks¡ªit all felt surreal, like a dream.


    Leila''s heart, amidst the chaos and destruction, felt an inexplicable warmth. This power, this overwhelming force¡ªit was something she had seen before, something she had felt. It was a memory from her past, a moment etched into her soul.


    As the realization dawned on her. A tear escaped from the corner of her eye, tracing a path down her dirt-streaked cheek .She whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the dying echoes of the explosion,


    "Ti...ger."

 CHAPTER 4: Surrounded

    ¡°This¡­when did I feel it first? This beast of steel, spewing forth torrents of fire and thunder. Its blinding flashes seared my eyes like molten iron, and its deafening roar shook the very foundation of my world. Lastly, the monster within the monster itself. A ferocious warrior came from unknown land, clad in cold courage, and strength¡­ yet so gentle and warm¡­ ah¡­I remember now..¡±


    ¡°I remembered now.¡±


    ¡°A decade ago, our tranquil existence shattered like glass. I was once a carefree child, oblivious to the horrors that lurked in the shadows. But then, like a tempest unleashed, a monstrous creature, more vile than any demon, descended upon us. Its fiery breath, a noxious blend of azure and malevolent purple, consumed my parents, leaving our once-bright home a smoldering ruin.¡±


    ¡°My younger brother, a fragile soul, clung to me, his voice trembling. ''Don''t cry, sis,'' he whispered, his own wounds still raw. ''I''ll protect you.'' I want to believe in him, but what can we do right now?¡±


    ¡°As the monster, its eyes glowing with malice, loomed over us, I felt a surge of despair. Our fate seemed sealed. But then, a deafening roar echoed through the chaos. A colossal, metallic beast emerged from the smoke, its presence shaking the very ground beneath us. It struck the Cerus with a force that sent it reeling,¡±


    ¡°Cerus in front of me, then suddenly-¡±


    ¡°Right now, there¡¯s no difference from before.¡±


    BOOM!


    Ivan pulled the trigger of the main gun for the second time and finally, it unleashed its loud, deadly, and precise round that looked like a bolt of crossbow but made out of dense metal. The end of the barrel released a bright light in an instant and the powerful gun recoil rocks the 70 tons tank itself a bit.


    And as for the receiving end, from the point blank range, the sabot round penetrated on the thick scale of that pangolin like monster. Its thick and supposedly invulnerable obsidian armor was penetrated as if it''s just like a mere glass and the round passed through its whole body like butter.


    The gigantic Cerus suddenly froze like a statue after the moment the metal monster in front of it spits fire.


    ¡°You down now, bastard.¡± Ivan muttered, a cold satisfaction lacing his voice. Then finally, the once mighty and fearsome Cerus dropped dead on the ground. The ground yet shakes again from the impact, sending dust everywhere.


    The Cerus head falls in front of the adventurer and they see the punctured head leaking its bluish blood. They can¡¯t believe that they will see the monster causing devastation everywhere to be like this.


    Hearing the loud bang followed by the fall of Cerus. The orcs behind it stop on their tracks, still figuring out what had just happened. For the first time, the siblings get a new facial expression from the ¡®demons¡¯ they thought they would not see. And it¡¯s the terror from its widened eyes and mouth opened. They were looking at each other not knowing what to do after their most powerful ally was defeated instantly.


    ¡°Now, now, as for you runts, YOU CAN TAKE THIS!¡± with another trigger from his hands, he quickly pulled it and controlled another 50. Caliber machine gun on top of the main gun barrel.


    Hell let loose on the forest again like a storm. The ¡®Ma Deuce¡¯ sent a rapid barrage of its thick as thumb and long as hand bullets.


    The creatures, believing these bullets were mere arrows, tried to deflect them with their thick arms and shield themselves with their huge axe. But the sheer power of the .50 caliber machine gun was unstoppable. Flesh ripped, bones shattered, and screams echoed through the forest, a symphony of agony. The orcs, once a formidable force, were now mere fodder for the Red Musket''s wrath.


    The effects are no different from the damage Goblin took earlier.


    Ivan swept the machine gun across the narrow pathway, a scythe of death mowing down the remaining orcs.


    The adventurer can only cover their ears as the loud gun noises reverberate the whole forest.


    But Ivan¡¯s attack never ends there. He noticed that there¡¯s third trigger from the 2 hand gun controller. He glanced on his left side and saw a half a meter rectangular machinery and there''s a drum magazine attached to it. It must be the 20mm gun they modified as a coax machine gun, replacing the former 7.62mm rifle caliber gun.


    Eye still focused on the gun sights, Ivan slid his middle finger on the third gun trigger and aimed it at the now fleeing Orcs. Ivan furrowed his brow then pulled the gun control.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The 20mm Oerlikon cannon roared to life as it released its high explosive round and found its mark hitting a single Orc then it exploded turning the Creature into mist of greenish splash as its body disintegrated in a violent instant.


    Seeing the effects of the guns, Ivan let out a hidden grin and held both triggers tightly. The machinegun and the auto cannon both unleashed their devastation upon those creatures. The Orcs desperately tried to flee but can¡¯t outrun the wrath of the lead. ¡°Haha! Get some!¡±


    The adventurer watched in awe as they were seeing the huge demon shattered by this unstoppable force. They see the bright red tracers flying in the air and burning the Orcs, also the explosions of 20mm.


    ¡°Hey¡­sister. This¡­¡± Leo spoke to his sister.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ there¡¯s no mistaking it, this really must be a panze-¡±


    But suddenly, despite loud gunshots, both of them turned their heads behind as they heard a rustle of grass and branches. They were alerted immediately and ready to defend themselves but it did not last long when they felt that whatever creature surrounding them right now is falling back.


    Ivan¡¯s carnage continues as he squeezes both triggers, until, finally, after a minute of pure chaos, his guns run out of ammo. He peered at his thermal sights looking for any signatures of remaining orcs but all he can see now is a pile of dead corpses lying on the ground.


    Seeing this, Ivan let go the gun control and his adrenaline was fading out. With his cold and trembling hands, he combs his hair upwards following by letting out big breaths. It¡¯s been really a while since the last time he felt this way. This the same feeling the first time he deployed on the frontline and stained himself with blood.


    It took himself a second before he regained his composure. ¡°Wait, the adventurers!¡± Ivan quickly grabbed his rifle and opened up the hatch then climbed out of it. Opening it, he was greeted by the bold and sharp smell of gunpowder. The gun barrel of the 50 cal machine gun is glowing red hot showing how intense that fight is.


    Ivan scanned the area quickly, his eyes settling on the two adventurers sitting by the side of the tank. Without hesitation, he jumped out and rushed toward them.


    ¡°Are you two okay?!¡±


    Leo and Leila exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging their exhaustion. Slowly, they rose to their feet.


    Leila brushed the dust off her pants with a calm grace before replying, ¡°Yes, we¡¯re alright, thanks to you.¡±


    Ivan exhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders easing. But then, his gaze shifted to Leo, taking in the state of his armor¡ªbattered, dented, and riddled with holes. Half of his visor is already destroyed showing his manly face already etched of numerous wrinkles and scars.


    Seeing Ivan''s concerned expression, Leo offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s just a scratch.¡±


    Ivan raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s more than just a scratch¡­¡±


    Leo chuckled, his voice steady despite the weariness. ¡°I¡¯ve survived worse.¡±


    Ivan was skeptical but decided not to press further. ¡°If you say so.¡±


    Leila let out a weary sigh, her frustration evident. ¡°He¡¯s always like this¡­ throwing himself into danger and getting hurt along the way. I¡¯ve scolded him countless times, but it seems his skull has grown too thick for my words to penetrate.¡±


    Leonard, with a gentle smile. ¡°But, dearest sister, it is through your grace, despite not being a healer, that you have found ways to hasten my recovery. Your care is unmatched, and it strengthens my resolve.¡±


    Leonard then turned his gaze to the shattered head of the Cerus monster. His eyes, filled with awe, observed the weapon that had so easily felled the beast. ¡°Sire, I must confess, the weapon you wield is most wondrous. It dispatched this creature with such ease as though it were naught but a mere pest. Say, what manner of sorcery is this?¡±


    Ivan was about to respond when Leila interrupted, her voice steady and certain. ¡°It¡¯s not magic. Am I correct?¡±


    Ivan nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    Leila approached the tank, placing her hand on its cold, metallic surface. She closed her eyes, feeling the sturdy, unyielding nature of the machine beneath her fingers. ¡°So, it truly is a Panzer¡­ a real one.¡±


    Ivan, puzzled, furrowed his brows. ¡°Panzer? How do you even know that?¡± His confusion was genuine. How could these people, clearly from a medieval era, know about a Panzer when they seemed unaware of the assault rifle and grenade he had used earlier?


    Leila offered him a mysterious smile. ¡°There is much we wish to ask you, but¡­¡± She glanced in the direction of Bataen, her expression growing serious. ¡°We must return there first.¡±


    Leonard¡¯s voice carried a note of concern. ¡°Sister¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous to go back now,¡± Ivan interjected, his voice firm. ¡°You¡¯re both exhausted, and we don¡¯t know how many of these creatures might be out there.¡± He glanced at the lifeless Cerus. ¡°There could be more of these monsters lurking around. It would be wiser to retreat to Manilia for now.¡±


    Leila¡¯s eyes softened, but her resolve remained. ¡°But we have comrades still out there¡­ I can¡¯t just abandon them. They might still be alive.¡±


    Leonard stepped closer to his sister, his voice gentle yet unwavering. ¡°Wherever you go, sister, I will be by your side.¡±


    Ivan hesitated, he fully understood the weight of her words. He too was haunted by the unknown fate of his own comrades. What if they had encountered a monster like this Cerus? Would they have been able to defend themselves? Where are they right now? Ivan clenched his fists, the uncertainty gnawing at him.


    Regaining his composure, Ivan spoke with authority and acted by the book.. ¡°Still, we can¡¯t launch a counterattack without knowing the enemy¡¯s location or their numbers. Let me do some reconnaissance first.¡±


    Leila stepped forward, raising her wooden staff as she assumed a posture of focus and intent. ¡°Then allow me to handle it. I¡¯ll use a mana detection spell. I can sense anything within a 10-kilometer radius.¡±


    But as she prepared to cast the spell, her face darkened with regret. ¡°I should have used this before Leo and I left. If I had, we could have known about the approaching danger¡­ perhaps we could have avoided this¡­¡±


    Her thoughts were interrupted as Leonard placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his silent support giving her strength.


    With renewed focus, Leila lifted her staff high. The blue crystal at its tip glowed brightly as she began her incantation. ¡°Mana Detection.¡± A horizontal ring of green light radiated outward, spreading like a radar across the forest. The air grew still as the spell took effect.


    Ivan, unfamiliar with the workings of magic, asked cautiously, ¡°Did you detect them?¡±


    Silence filled the forest, thick and unnerving.


    ¡°Sister?¡± Leonard¡¯s voice broke the silence, his concern evident. But Leila remained silent, her eyes wide with horror. Suddenly, her staff slipped from her grasp, crashing to the ground with a dull thud¡ªthe only sound in the oppressive quiet. As if the weight of the world had fallen on her shoulders, Leila collapsed to her knees.


    Both Leonard and Ivan rushed to her side, kneeling in front of her. Leila¡¯s face was a mask of terror, her eyes wide and unblinking, her skin pale as if the very life had been drained from her. She stared ahead, trembling, as if she had just glimpsed the face of death itself.


    ¡°What is it? How many of them are there?!¡± Ivan urgently asked, his voice laced with panic.


    Leila slowly turned her dilated eyes to him, her voice quivering as she replied, ¡°Ce-Cerus¡­ there¡¯s too many of them.¡±

 Retreat to Manilia

    Leila slowly turned her dilated eyes to him, her voice quivering as she replied, ¡°Ce-Cerus¡­ there¡¯s too many of them.¡±


    Those words sent an icy chill down Ivan¡¯s spine. Seeing the sheer terror on Leila''s face, he realized just how dire the situation was. If just one Cerus had nearly overwhelmed them, the thought of facing many more was almost unimaginable. Without hesitation, Ivan sprang to his feet.


    His brow furrowed in determination. ¡°Both of you, hurry! Get on the tank, we¡¯re leaving now!¡±


    Leonard understood the urgency and nodded. ¡°Sister, we have to move!¡± But Leila, drained of strength and still in shock, could barely stand. Without wasting another second, Leonard decided to carry her.


    Ivan was already on top of the tank, extending his hand down to Leonard to help lift Leila up.


    Leonard carefully handed his sister to Ivan.


    Ivan took Leila into his arms, surprised by how light and frail she felt. As he lifted her, he noticed how cold her hands were, like ice. He gently placed her on top of the tank.


    Their eyes met, and Ivan could see the fear still etched deeply in Leila¡¯s expression. Trying to reassure her, he said softly, ¡°You two are going to be alright, I promise.¡±


    Through her teary, blurred vision, Leila saw the unwavering determination in Ivan¡¯s eyes. She gave a small, shaky nod.


    Leonard climbed onto the tank, joining his sister. ¡°Thank you, sir. But what are we going to do now?¡±


    Ivan, his voice firm and focused, replied, ¡°Your job now is to hold on tight. We¡¯re heading to Manilia at full speed. I need you to be my lookout¡ªlet me know if anything starts following us.¡±


    ¡°I can do that,¡± Leonard affirmed.


    ¡°Good. Hold on to your sister as well¡ªwe¡¯re moving out now.¡±


    Ivan quickly moved to the driver¡¯s hatch, engaging the tank¡¯s drive mode with a swift, practiced motion. He spun the tank around, pointing it toward the path to Manilia. ¡°Hold on tight!¡± he yelled over the deafening roar of the jet engine as he twisted the throttle. The tank surged forward, its engine roaring through the forest as they began their high-speed escape.


    The headlights cut through the darkness, revealing the rugged terrain ahead. Ivan gripped the controls tightly, maneuvering carefully to avoid any obstacles that could slow them down. His eyes flicked to the trailer attached to the tank, making sure it stayed secure¡ªit was carrying valuable weapons and supplies that they couldn¡¯t afford to lose.


    ¡°How far to Manilia?!¡± Ivan shouted, straining to be heard over the high-pitched whine of the engine.


    ¡°About 5 kilometers!¡± Leonard called back, his voice just as loud.


    ¡°Not too far, then. Thank God. How¡¯s your sister holding up?!¡±


    Leonard glanced at Leila, who took a deep breath before answering for herself. ¡°I¡¯m alright now¡­ I¡¯m sorry for earlier, I lost control for a moment.¡±


    ¡°As long as you¡¯re okay now,¡± Ivan replied, though concern still tinged his voice. He hesitated before asking the question that had been nagging at him. ¡°How many did you detect?¡±


    Leila¡¯s voice wavered slightly as she answered, ¡°Ten¡­ no, twenty of them. And they¡¯re accompanied by an army of demons, less than a hundred.¡±


    Ivan¡¯s mind reeled. ¡°How can you be sure of the numbers?¡± he asked, still grappling with the reality of magic.


    ¡°Their mana is overwhelming,¡± Leila explained, shouting to be heard over the engine. ¡°Even basic mana detection can pick them up. Right now, I¡¯m sensing an unimaginable amount, but I can distinguish them individually. That¡¯s the count.¡±


    Ivan¡¯s grip tightened on the controls. ¡°So you¡¯re saying there are twenty of those things heading our way?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Leonard corrected. ¡°There are variants of Cerus. The one you killed earlier was a Chthonic Cerus.¡±


    Ivan¡¯s heart sank as a headache started to throb behind his eyes. More variants? What next, a Godzilla-sized monster? ¡°What are the similarities among those variants then?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re all powerful,¡± Leila said simply.


    Ivan clicked his tongue in frustration. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I didn¡¯t want to hear. Have you pinpointed their positions? Are they all in Bataen?¡±


    A heavy silence fell over the group, broken only by the grinding of the tank¡¯s tracks against the dirt. Ivan¡¯s pulse quickened as he noticed the sudden lack of response.


    Finally, Leila spoke, her voice barely audible over the engine¡¯s roar. ¡°No¡­ they¡¯re everywhere.¡±


    At the same time, Jusis and the children finally reached the outskirts of Manilia, the first thing that caught their eyes was the massive wall, standing ten meters tall, bathed in the flickering glow of countless torches and oil lamps. Guardsmen scurried along the top, their silhouettes stark against the night sky as they hurried to reinforce the defenses. Mangonels were being readied, harpoons lined the walls, and a palpable tension hung in the air. ¡°This is odd¡±, Jusis thought, his stomach knotting with unease.


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    Clutching the twins close, Jusis sprinted toward the gate, only to be met with a scene of utter chaos. The village was in disarray¡ªpeople frantically prepared carriages, hastily packing whatever they could grab. But amidst the frenzy, some villagers had collapsed to the ground, their faces pale with terror as they whispered desperate prayers. Children¡¯s cries filled the air, their small voices trembling with fear.


    Jusis felt a flicker of relief that they hadn¡¯t been left behind, but the atmosphere was thick with dread. Something was terribly wrong. They pushed forward into the village, struggling to move through the throng of panicked people. Bodies jostled them from all sides, like waves in a stormy sea. ¡°Stay close, hold on to me,¡± Jusis urged the twins, trying to keep his voice steady. ¡°We¡¯re going to be alright.¡±


    ¡°Everyone! Stay calm! Only take what you need! Don¡¯t overload yourselves! Squad One, get those mangonels set up on the northern wall! All able men, arm yourselves with whatever you can find!¡±


    Amid the chaos, Jusis spotted a familiar figure¡ªa towering man, cloaked and armed with a massive sword at his side. It was the Captain of the Manilia patrol, the same one Jusis had met earlier, now barking orders with a commanding presence.


    Sensing the urgency, Jusis made his way over. ¡°Excuse me,¡± he called out, his voice slightly hoarse.


    The Captain turned, his face hardening before recognition flickered in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re the one from earlier,¡± he said, his tone softened slightly.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me.¡±


    The Captain¡¯s eyes narrowed with concern. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, but more importantly¡­¡± Jusis stepped aside, revealing the twins. The Captain¡¯s expression shifted to one of shock. ¡°Another survivor!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re both injured¡ªthey need help immediately!¡± Jusis urged.


    The Captain didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°You there!¡± he barked at a nearby warrior. The man hurried over, his face serious. ¡°Take these children to the chapel. They need treatment now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± the patrolman responded, offering his arms to carry Reona, who is still barely conscious.


    Jusis crouched down to Alisa¡¯s level, his voice gentle but firm. ¡°Can you walk, Alisa?¡±


    Alisa nodded weakly. ¡°Yes¡­thank you.¡±


    Jusis could see the fear and exhaustion in her eyes. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. ¡°Everything¡¯s going to be okay. Stay with your sister. The man who helped us earlier, he¡¯s strong¡ªhe¡¯s out there fighting for all of us. You¡¯re safe here. I¡¯ll come find you soon, alright?¡±


    Alisa nodded again, more assured this time. ¡°Good girl,¡± Jusis said softly, then looked up at the patrolman. ¡°Please, take care of them.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured,¡± the patrolman replied with a firm nod before leading the twins away.


    The Captain placed a weathered hand on Jusis'' shoulder, his grip strong but heavy with the weight of years in battle. "It''s a relief you made it here and brought a survivor. You''re a lifesaver," he said, his voice a deep rumble tinged with fatigue.


    Jusis shook his head, dismissing the praise. "I didn¡¯t save them. I just got them here. But¡­ what¡¯s going on? Why isn¡¯t anyone evacuating?"


    The Captain¡¯s face grew grim, the lines around his eyes deepening with the burden of the truth. "We can''t flee. Cerus have been sighted on the roads. Our scouts encountered them... only one made it back."


    Jusis felt the ground drop from under him as the reality set in¡ªthey were trapped. "So, we¡¯re stuck here?"


    The Captain nodded slowly, his expression dark. "For now. But the Empire¡¯s Iron Cavalry is on the way. Our orders are to hold out until they arrive."


    Relief and dread warred within Jusis. Reinforcements were coming, but from the Empire¡ªa power whose help was never without a price.


    Bataen and Manilia were precariously positioned as border towns between the Empire and the Republic¡ªtwo great powers locked in a tense, uneasy truce after years of conflict. Ten years ago, they had agreed to a ceasefire, leaving these towns in a state of limbo, caught between two nations vying for control. The Empire¡¯s Iron Cavalry was the only force capable of standing against the Cerus, but their aid came with strings attached. Both towns knew that once the Empire¡¯s forces arrived, they wouldn¡¯t just be fighting the Cerus¡ªthey would be asserting their dominance over the region once again.


    Jusis understood the gravity of this. The Empire¡¯s arrival would mean survival, but it could also spell the end of Manilia¡¯s fragile autonomy. And for them, Civilians, the worst is yet to come. He could see the same realization in the Captain¡¯s eyes, the knowledge that their salvation could come at a steep price.


    And they had to survive until then, an almost impossible task. "How long can we hold them off?" Jusis asked, his voice tight.


    "We¡¯re nothing but a meat shield right now. But even so, we¡¯ll take down as many of them as we can. We can at least thin out the demon army."


    "And the Cerus? They¡¯ll crush us like insects."


    The Captain¡¯s eyes hardened, a flicker of defiance in them. "They¡¯re not invincible. I¡¯ve seen them fall before. We can fight back, and we will."


    Jusis was reminded of Ivan¡¯s words, his quiet confidence in the face of the monstrous threat. "How did you find those kids?" the Captain asked, snapping Jusis back to the present. "You said someone saved them. Where is he?"


    "He stayed behind," Jusis replied, hesitating. "He said he¡¯d fight the Cerus with some adventurers. By now¡­ they might already be facing them. I¡¯m not sure if they made it."


    The Captain¡¯s brow furrowed in concern. "Why would they stay? It¡¯s suicide."


    "I don¡¯t know¡­ but I believe they can fight."


    "How can you be sure?"


    Jusis thought of Ivan¡¯s strange attire and even stranger weapons. "He¡¯s different. His weapons¡­ I¡¯ve never seen anything like them. He took down an entire goblin horde on his own we saw earlier"


    The Captain''s skepticism is evident, but there was a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. "Alone? That¡¯s hard to believe. But if that¡¯s really the case, it¡¯s still not enough to defeat a Cerus.¡±


    Jusis pulled out the Glock-18, holding it out for the Captain to see. "He called this a ¡®pistol.¡¯"


    The Captain¡¯s eyes widened in shock, recognition flashing in them. "I-impossible¡­ where did he get this?"


    Jusis was taken aback by the Captain¡¯s reaction. "You know what this is?"


    The Captain¡¯s hands tightened on Jusis¡¯ shoulders, his voice urgent. "THE MAN WHO GAVE YOU THAT, WHERE IS HE?!"


    Jusis, startled by the Captain''s sudden intensity, stammered, "H-he¡¯s still out there, fighting the Cerus. He said he has powerful weapons capable of killing them."


    The Captain¡¯s weary face softened, a rare smile breaking through the hardened lines. His yellow eyes, surrounded by dark circles, brightened with a spark of hope. "Then there¡¯s still a chance for us. We might just survive this.


    ¡°So what ¡®he¡¯ said is true. Finally¡­ I can finally return there¡­¡± Captain¡¯s voice is low as if he is talking to someone far away.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Jusis is still puzzled.


    The Captain only gave Jusis a mysterious smile.


    Jusis saw the solid determined eyes from the Veteran he¡¯s talking to right now. ¡°The Second Great Counter Attack will start tonight!¡±

 Promised

    Jusis saw the solid determined eyes from the Veteran he¡¯s talking to right now. ¡°The Second Great Counter Attack will start tonight!¡±


    Scarface and the adventurers clung to the tank as it rumbled forward, its heavy treads crushing the earth beneath them. Ivan kept his eyes sharp, scanning the terrain ahead, alert for any sign of an ambush. The adventurers perched on the tank''s turret mirrored his vigilance, their eyes darting to the shadows that flanked them.


    As they broke through the treeline, the dense forest gave way to a vast, open plain. The darkness stretched endlessly before them, but in the distance, Ivan caught sight of a faint, yellowish-red glow. It flickered on the horizon, perched atop a distant structure.


    "Is that Manilia?" Ivan asked,


    "Yes, that''s it," Leonard confirmed, his voice carrying a hint of relief.


    As they drew closer, the town¡¯s wall came into view¡ªtaller, sturdier, and more fortified than Bataen.


    "Alright, get ready. We''re leaving the tank soon," Ivan instructed, his hands steady on the controls as he maneuvered the tank toward the town.


    Leonard turned to his sister, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright now, Sister?"


    "I''m fine," Leila replied, her voice stronger now, though her eyes still carried the shadow of their earlier encounter.


    As they neared the outskirts of Manilia, Ivan spotted a barn just off the path. It was old, weathered, and half-hidden in the moonlight. He brought the tank to a slow halt. "Can you two check the barn? See if it¡¯s empty. If it is, open the doors."


    The siblings nodded and dismounted from the tank. They approached the barn cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the thick grass. The moonlight filtered through the cracks in the barn¡¯s wooden planks, casting long, eerie shadows. Inside, they found only hay bales, the space deserted and silent as the grave.


    "It¡¯s empty!" Leonard called back, his voice echoing in the still night.


    Ivan nodded, satisfied, and carefully steered the tank into the barn. The massive wooden doors creaked open by the adventurers, and the tank rolled in, fitting snugly within the barn''s confines.


    Ivan nodded in satisfaction as the massive wooden doors creaked open, allowing the tank to roll into the barn. The adventurers closed the doors behind them, the tank fitting snugly inside. After securing the tank and replenishing his ammunition, Ivan exited the barn, closing the doors quietly. He gave a nod to the adventurers. "Let''s go."


    The three of them moved through the night, the moonlight casting a cold, silvery glow on the rural landscape. The air was crisp, and the quiet of the countryside made their footsteps seem louder in the stillness. As they approached, the silhouette of Manilia''s town walls grew clearer. The 30-foot-tall structure was lined with figures, guardsmen moving about, readying the defenses. Below, townspeople were hard at work, digging and placing stakes in the ground. Ivan felt a flicker of relief knowing that Manilia hadn''t fallen yet.


    "Sir! Survivors approaching! Three of them!" a guard¡¯s voice rang out from a tower near the wall, deep and urgent.


    The Captain and Jusis exchanged a glance, both sets of eyes widening with recognition. "That must be them!" Jusis exclaimed, and without a second thought, they dashed toward the gate to meet the newcomers.


    As Ivan and the adventurers neared the townspeople working on the defenses, a deep, raspy voice called out, "You there!"


    They turned to see two figures sprinting toward them from the gate. As they got closer, Ivan recognized Jusis, and a wave of relief washed over him, mirrored in Jusis'' own expression.


    "You made it safely. Where are the children?" Ivan asked, his voice tight with concern.


    "They¡¯re being treated by a healer at the chapel... but more importantly, I¡¯m just glad you made it here!" Jusis replied, his eyes glistening with gratitude, his face softened by the weight of their shared ordeal.


    Ivan¡¯s gaze shifted to the man beside Jusis. The Captain looked to be in his sixties, his face etched with deep wrinkles. A thin, graying beard clung to his strong jawline. Despite the years that had weathered his features, his physique was still imposing¡ªbroad shoulders straining against the iron breastplate he wore. He stood tall, nearly 6''5", with muscles that had not yet withered with age. A sword hung at his waist, the hilt worn from use, yet the blade undoubtedly still sharp.


    The Captain¡¯s eyes met Ivan¡¯s, and he took in the young man before him, assessing him from helmet to boots. For a moment, his expression was unreadable, but then his eyes opened wider, his mouth slightly agape as if on the verge of a smile. The lines of his aged face seemed to soften, a rare brightness sparking in his gaze, contrasting with the harshness of his weathered features.


    ¡°W-what¡¯s with him?¡± Ivan muttered, slightly startled by the Captain¡¯s intense gaze.


    Leila stepped forward and greeted the old man, her voice respectful. ¡°Glad to see you safe, Captain. Macthur.¡±


    Ivan turned to her, puzzled. ¡°You know him?¡±


    Leila nodded. ¡°Yes, this is Captain Macthur. He acts as the Chief of Manilia and commands its defenses. He¡¯s also a former Major General of the Great Counter Attack.¡±


    Macthur shook his head with a gruff laugh, his deep voice echoing in the cold night air. ¡°Being a Major General is a thing of the past... But I never expected the two of you, Leila and Leonard, to be the adventurers who stayed behind in Bataen to face the Cerus. Still, I''m relieved to see you both here safely.¡±


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    The knight beside Jusis spoke up, his voice rich and formal, as if addressing royalty. ¡°Well, we owe our safe arrival to this fine gentleman here,¡± he said, gesturing toward Ivan.


    Captain Macthur¡¯s sharp eyes narrowed as he focused back on Ivan, and for the first time, their gazes truly met. Ivan, feeling the weight of the man¡¯s scrutiny, straightened his posture. Then, with a slight nod, he introduced himself.


    ¡°I¡¯m Sergeant Ivan Abrams of the Black Powder tank squadron, United Offense Force. As for the Cerus... we managed to take down one.¡±


    Both Jusis and Captain Macthur reacted immediately. Jusis'' face lit up with disbelief, his eyes widening as his fists clenched upward. "You actually did it! You¡¯re truly a strange, powerful man!"


    Captain Macthur, though visibly impressed, quickly tempered his enthusiasm. His face shifted to one of deep seriousness. Then he glanced his eyes towards the adventurer. Without even saying any words, both of the adventurers nod slowly proving that what Ivan just said is true.


    ¡°I see¡­does he¡­have you already told him?¡± Captain slowly asked. Same as the former, the siblings replied is only a gesture, slowly shaking their heads left and right.


    Ivan, standing nearby, watched the exchange, his brows furrowed in confusion. What weren¡¯t they telling him? Before he could voice his thoughts,  then suddenly, the Captain¡¯s posture transformed. His legs snapped together, chest thrust out, arms rigid at his sides. His right arm shot upward, hand straight and flat as he raised it to his forehead in a crisp, formal salute.


    Ivan blinked in surprise, taken aback by the sudden shift.


    Macthur¡¯s voice, deep and commanding, filled the air. ¡°I am Captain Macthur, former General of the Great Counter Attack, now Chief Captain of Manilia. I know it¡¯s sudden, but I¡¯m formally requesting your assistance. Lend us your strength, your knowledge, and¡ªmost of all¡ªthat powerful weapon of yours to help defend this town.¡±


    ¡°What?...¡± Ivan stuttred. Then Leila and Leonard moved besides Captain, they placed their right hand to chest then lowered their heads.


    Then Captain Macthur, Leila, and Leonard simultaneously spoke. ¡°Ivan Abrams of RedMusket, please¡­ drive us towards the future!¡±


    Ivan¡¯s breath hitched, his mind scrambling to process what had just been asked of him. ¡°Wha¡ª?¡± he stuttered, eyes darting between the Captain and the adventurers.


    Ivan¡¯s chest tightened at the words, but it wasn¡¯t until Leila raised her head, her gray eyes locking onto his, that the air left his lungs entirely. There was something in her gaze¡ªfierce yet pleading, resolute but vulnerable¡ªthat caused his heart to race.


    ¡°Help us reach Tiger,¡± she said softly, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. ¡°He¡¯s waiting for you.¡±


    Beside him, Jusis was just as confused, his eyes darting between Leila and Ivan. ¡°What are you all talking about?¡± he demanded, voicing the burning question that echoed in Ivan¡¯s mind.


    Leila''s revelation hit Ivan like a hammer. His body tensed, heart pounding. ¡°W-where is he?!¡± he growled, his voice trembling with urgency. His fists clenched so tight that his knuckles whitened. "Tell me now! I have to go to him!" His breath quickened as if each word could barely escape the storm of emotions raging inside him.


    But the siblings, Leila and Leonard, only exchanged darkened glances with Captain Macthur. A shadow seemed to pass over their faces, their eyes somber, grim.


    "I''m afraid it''s impossible," Captain Macthur said firmly, his voice unyielding but tinged with sorrow. His gaze didn¡¯t waver from Ivan¡¯s, but something darker lurked behind those battle-hardened eyes. "He¡¯s in a place far beyond our reach."


    Ivan¡¯s world spun at those words. ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± he roared. ¡°Tell me where he is, and I¡¯ll go to him now!¡± His words were almost desperate, his body straining as if ready to launch into action.


    The silence that followed was deafening, thick with unspoken truths.


    Finally, Leonard stepped forward, his face etched with sorrow and wisdom, his voice low, regal, and weighted with years of history. ¡°Ten winters have passed, sire Ivan, since last we laid eyes upon Tiger,¡± he said, his words heavy, like they carried the weight of centuries. ¡°A full decade has slipped by since his departure.¡±


    Ivan¡¯s heart slammed in his chest. ¡°What?! What are you talking about?! I was with him mere hours ago!¡± His voice cracked, disbelief clawing at his throat. His mind reeled¡ªhow could this be possible?


    Captain Macthur stepped in, his eyes hard as steel, ¡°He speaks the truth, Sgt. Ivan.¡±


    ¡°How in the hell do you expect me to believe that?!¡±


    Leila¡¯s voice cut through the confusion. ¡°The last time we saw Tiger, he gave us a message,¡± she said softly, her gaze locking onto Ivan¡¯s, her eyes reflecting the weight of her words. ¡°He told us¡­ that we should wait for someone. Someone who would come to lead us back to him. If he failed¡­ then this person would carry a weapon like his. A weapon bearing the name ¡®Abrams.¡¯ He will drive us towards our future,  That was his final message.¡±


    Ivan stood frozen, the world seeming to tilt around him. His lips parted, but the words felt stuck in his throat. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s impossible¡­¡±


    Before Ivan could process any further, a voice from the watchtower cut through the thick atmosphere. ¡°Captain!!!¡± the man shouted, his voice strained with urgency. ¡°Demon attack force detected by the 3rd scout party! Distance, 20 kilometers north!!¡±


    Everyone turned toward the direction the scout pointed. Ivan¡¯s eyes widened as he saw bright lights stretching across the horizon, cutting through the darkness like deadly beacons. It was a flare¡ªmuch like the one he had used earlier. But it didn¡¯t stop there. One after another, red lights flared up from various locations, each one a harbinger of incoming danger.


    Captain Macthur¡¯s voice broke the tense silence, but now it carried a weight Ivan hadn¡¯t fully grasped before. ¡°Sgt. Ivan Abrams,¡± he said gravely, stepping forward. ¡°I know what we¡¯ve told you sounds impossible. And we will tell you everything¡ªeverything you wish to know about Tiger.¡± He paused, eyes narrowing as they bore into Ivan¡¯s. ¡°But for now, I beg of you... help us defend this town. Help us with that weapon of yours¡ªthe Red Musket.¡±


    In a single unified motion, Captain Macthur, Leila, and Leonard all lowered their heads, bowing before Ivan. "Please," they said in unison, voices full of solemn reverence. "Help us."


    Ivan¡¯s mind whirled in chaos. Tiger is alive¡ªbut 10 years? No, it couldn¡¯t be. His thoughts tangled, disoriented by the absurdity of it all. This land, its twisted time, its creatures¡ªnone of it made sense. Every part of him screamed to run, to find his crew, to get answers. But the weight of their pleas, the memory of the earlier battle, and the deadly light flickering on the horizon¡­ they all dragged him back to reality.


    He is a soldier, first and foremost. And right now, this town needs him.


    Ivan took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as his heart continued to race. His fist clenched tighter until his knuckles turned white, determination replacing the panic that had threatened to consume him.


    ¡°Fine," Ivan said, his voice low and gravelly, like the storm just before it breaks. "But after this¡­ you¡¯ll tell me everything."


    Macthur¡¯s posture relaxed just slightly, a trace of relief flickering in his sharp, battle-hardened eyes. ¡°We will,¡± he said with quiet intensity. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the town hall. There, we can strategize and discuss our defenses.¡±

 Worst Case Scenario

    Macthur¡¯s posture relaxed just slightly, a trace of relief flickering in his sharp, battle-hardened eyes. ¡°We will,¡± he said with quiet intensity. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the town hall. There, we can strategize and discuss our defenses.¡±


    The group moved as one, all nodding in agreement except for Jusis, whose face twisted in confusion, his eyes darting between Ivan and the others, still baffled by the revelations. Just as they were about to depart, a voice echoed across the courtyard, cutting through the mounting tension like a blade through the air.


    ¡°Captain!¡± someone shouted urgently from behind.


    They all turned, their eyes landing on a knight, his armor glinting in the dim light as he ran toward them. His breastplate bore deep scratches and his breathing was labored, but the man didn¡¯t hesitate. Reaching them, he slammed to a halt and instantly snapped into a formal salute, standing as rigid as stone before Captain Macthur.


    ¡°Sir!¡± The knight¡¯s voice was strained, breathless from his run. ¡°We¡¯ve received a reply from the Republic. They¡¯ve agreed to send reinforcements to help with the defense. As for the Empire, they¡¯re already engaged in combat with the Cerus. On my way back, I spotted enemy forces marching toward us¡ªand, sir¡­ we engaged them. It was a miracle that I made it back alive.¡±


    The knight¡¯s words came fast and hard, each sentence more grim than the last. He barely waited for breath as he continued. ¡°Sir, I won¡¯t lie¡ªI''m relieved that both the Republic and the Empire are coming, but do you think we can hold out until their forces arrive?¡± His eyes shifted from the adventurers to Ivan, finally resting on the soldier''s foreign attire.


    ¡°Sir¡­ may I ask?¡± He hesitated for a moment, then gestured toward Ivan. ¡°Who is this man?¡±


    Captain Macthur¡¯s expression softened slightly, and a smile tugged at his lips as he placed a hand on the knight¡¯s armored shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m glad you asked. This is Sgt. Ivan Abrams of the Red Musket. He¡¯s here to assist us.¡±


    The knight¡¯s jaw dropped slightly, his eyes widening with a mixture of awe and disbelief. He quickly corrected himself, standing taller and executing a sharp military salute. ¡°I-I¡¯m Vice Captain Suther!¡± he stammered, his voice full of respect. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you, sir. We¡¯ve been waiting for you. If you need personnel, I¡¯ll gladly place myself at your command!¡±


    Ivan, still absorbing everything, nodded slowly, unsure how to respond to the formality. Captain Macthur patted Suther¡¯s shoulder once again.


    ¡°Now, now,¡± Macthur said with a chuckle, ¡°you¡¯re still my Vice Captain.¡±


    ¡°A-ah, yes, of course!¡± Suther stammered, his face flushing slightly. ¡°Forgive me, sir.¡±


    Turning more serious, Captain Macthur asked, ¡°You mentioned the Republic¡¯s support. Are they coordinating with the Empire as well?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Suther handed Macthur a rolled-up map. ¡°Here¡¯s the battle plan. It details where their forces will attack and where our fallback lines should be.¡±


    Macthur unrolled the map and scanned it quickly, his brow furrowing as he absorbed the new information. ¡°Good work, Suther. This will significantly improve our chances of survival.¡± He glanced up, his eyes darkening. ¡°But you mentioned enemy forces and an encounter with a Cerus?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Suther¡¯s voice grew quieter, his face tightening with grief. ¡°We lost thirty brave men. The Cerus pursued us relentlessly¡­¡±


    A heavy silence followed his words, the weight of the losses sinking into the air around them.


    ¡°We¡¯ll mourn for them later,¡± Macthur said firmly, his voice tinged with sorrow yet resolute. ¡°Their sacrifice won¡¯t be in vain. They showed incredible courage. For now, I need you to ensure our defenses are impenetrable. Clear a path around the walls¡ªa four-meter wide track, nothing obstructing the line of sight. Make sure we have optimal firing positions.¡±


    Suther blinked, taken aback by the command, then his eyes widened in realization. ¡°You mean¡­ Sgt. Abrams has that weapon?¡±


    Macthur¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Yes, he does. Now, move. We don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Suther snapped a final salute, turned on his heel, and hurried off to carry out his orders.


    As Suther departed, Captain Macthur looked back at Ivan, his eyes filled with a mix of urgency and expectation. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said, motioning for Ivan and the adventurers to follow him toward the town hall.


    As Captain Macthur led Ivan and the adventurers towards the town hall, the weight of the coming battle hung heavy in the air. The urgency in their footsteps was mirrored by the frantic activity around them. Soldiers and civilians alike were working in unison, despite the clear tension that ran through the streets. Ivan observed how, even in such chaos, the evacuation of civilians was done with a strange orderliness¡ªpeople guided into underground shelters with calm efficiency.


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    Captain Macthur¡¯s voice broke through the noise, explaining, ¡°For now, the civilians will evacuate underground. Though we were far from the frontline, we already had a plan: if Cerus becomes a direct threat our protocol is to flee the city entirely and cross into the neighboring country. But we''re preparing for the worst.¡±


    Ivan glanced at the civilians, their faces pale with fear, yet still moving with purpose. "And this is the worst-case scenario, encirclement." he said quietly, his voice tinged with grim realization.


    ¡°Unfortunately, yes,¡± Macthur replied.


    As they neared the massive stone structure that loomed ahead¡ªthe command center¡ªIvan couldn¡¯t help but notice its medieval fortress-like design. The building was formidable, standing five stories tall, with stone walls and a bell at the top, its many torches casting eerie shadows.


    The personnel outside greeted Captain Macthur with sharp salutes. Inside, Ivan saw what resembled a typical war room: a large table in the center of the room, maps and markers scattered across its surface. Officers in battle armor were deep in discussion, pointing out positions on the map as they planned the city''s defense.


    When Macthur entered, the officers immediately stood at attention and saluted. "Sir!"


    "As you were," Macthur said, dismissing the formality quickly.


    One of the younger officers, barely older than a recruit, approached Macthur, adjusting his glasses nervously. He wore chainmail and carried a short sword at his waist. "Sir, we¡¯ve received signals from the recon team, and¡ª"


    "They are approaching fast from various directions," Macthur cut him off, his tone firm but not unkind. "Have you plotted their course?"


    "Y-yes, sir. Please, take a look."


    Ivan moved closer, his eyes drawn to the bright light that illuminated the intricate map laid out on the table. It depicted the City of Manilia in remarkable detail¡ªa circular city encircled by a towering stone wall, ten meters high. Red arrows marked enemy movements, converging on the city from multiple directions, while green lines showed the defensive frontlines.


    Among the military symbols¡ªtiny chess-like pieces¡ªwere ones that represented the different units stationed for the defense: swordsmen, archers, and... mages.


    As Ivan looked at the military map, he realized that it was going to be a large-scale perimeter defense operation.


    The young officer spoke, "Sir, so far this is what we''ve come up with. We''ve strategically positioned our combat personnel, and we''re preparing the escape route with the help of the Republic in case things get worse. But..." The young officer hesitated.


    ¡°Speak up, son. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Captain Macthur urged, his tone steady and encouraging. The young officer glanced around the room, then returned his gaze to Macthur.


    ¡°Sir, we can manage to fend off goblins, orcs, and even demons. But when a Cerus arrives, it will annihilate our defenses in an instant. We lack the countermeasures needed to combat such a threat.¡±


    Captain Macthur nodded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. ¡°Excellent work on mapping their courses of action and establishing our defense parameters. But gentlemen!¡± His voice surged with intensity, causing the officers to straighten up. ¡°This is our opportunity to finally face them head-on.¡±


    Confusion flickered across the officers'' faces. ¡°B-But Captain¡­¡± the young officer stammered, but Captain Macthur¡¯s gaze was locked on Ivan. ¡°We have a weapon now.¡±


    Almost half an hour had passed since they finalized the defense strategy, and the officers swiftly departed to their respective posts to oversee preparations.


    ¡°I leave the next steps to you, Sgt. Ivan Abrams,¡± Captain Macthur said, saluting him.


    Ivan nodded in return, saluting back. ¡°We¡¯ll check in when we¡¯re ready. The preparations won¡¯t take long,¡± Leila assured Ivan.


    ¡°Farewell for now, Sir Ivan,¡± Leonard added, and both hurried off to finalize their plans for the defense operation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check on the children too and be back,¡± Jusis said, his tone earnest. ¡°Please send my regards and let them know I¡¯m alright.¡±


    ¡°Consider it done, Mister Ivan,¡± Jusis replied before departing.


    Ivan watched as Leila, Leonard, and Jusis hurried away, then turned his gaze ahead. His eyes hardened, determination etched on his face as he clenched his teeth. ¡°I better go as well.¡±


    He sprinted through the stone pathways of Manila, his destination clear: the barn where he¡¯d parked the tank earlier. He wasn¡¯t alone; a small squad of reconnaissance soldiers accompanied him to monitor the perimeter while he prepared their weapon of hope.


    Minutes passed as he navigated the streets of Manila, finally reaching the barn. ¡°Is this where you¡¯ve been hiding it?¡± one of the combatants asked, peering inside.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Ivan replied curtly.


    ¡°I see. We¡¯ll keep watch over the perimeter for a while,¡± the soldier said, offering a quick salute before moving out.


    Ivan swung open the barn door, and the moonlight bathed the mighty tank in a silvery glow. Without a moment''s hesitation, he climbed aboard, urgency propelling him into action.


    His first task is to replenish the ammunition for the machine guns and ready the tank for the impending battle. He grabbed the depleted .50 caliber ammo canister resting on the barrel, then reached to the side of the turret where a metal basket held fresh ammo.


    He removed a new canister and carefully inserted it into the .50 caliber slot. Once in place, he pulled the ammunition belt, feeding it into the firing mechanism. With a firm pull of the charging handle, the gun was primed and ready to unleash devastation.


    Stepping outside the tank, Ivan examined the contents of the trailer hitched to it. Just as he suspected, it was filled with military equipment: self-propelled rockets, fuel canisters, communication radios, and various electronics. He knew that keeping this attached could hinder movement, so he decided to detach it.


    Climbing back inside the tank, he checked the ammunition for the main gun. As he opened the sliding blast door, he noted that only one round was missing from their stockpile. He quickly loaded another drum magazine of high-explosive rounds into the 20mm Oerlikon cannon.


    Lastly, he turned his attention to his personal rifle, retrieving fresh magazines and stuffing his vest with ammunition and fragmentation grenades.


    "Will this be enough?" Ivan muttered, sitting alone in the captain¡¯s seat, surrounded by the faint metallic echoes of the tank''s interior. He shook his head, frustration weighing heavily on his mind. "I still can''t believe I agreed to this plan... It''s reckless, impossible, and risky. But I really have no choice."


    The memories of the earlier meeting in the strategy room replayed in his head,

 The Piece Of Hope

    "Will this be enough?" Ivan muttered, sitting alone in the captain¡¯s seat, surrounded by the faint metallic echoes of the tank''s interior. He shook his head, frustration weighing heavily on his mind. "I still can''t believe I agreed to this plan... It''s reckless, impossible, and risky. But I really have no choice."


    The memories of the earlier meeting in the strategy room replayed in his head,


    In the strategy room, Captain Macthur stood over the large, roughly drawn map of Manilia spread out on the table. The whole town is covered by circular walls spanning a 10km radius. His officers had meticulously placed military symbols across it¡ªtiny chess-like pieces, each one representing various enemy forces. The red diamond shapes were scattered outside the town, indicating the incoming demon army: small daggers for goblins, axes for orcs, and the largest diamond bore a horrifying image of an open maw, fanged and vicious¡ªthe symbol of the Cerus.


    Macthur traced the lines of attack with his finger, noting the widening red marks that stretched like wounds across the map. The thicker the lines, the denser the enemy forces in that direction. His brow furrowed at the concentrated red from the northeast and northwest, and another surge from the south¡ªBataen¡¯s forces.


    "Sir, for now, these are the locations of the demon army," the young officer reported, pointing to several points on the map, each representing enemy movement. His finger stopped at the northeast corner.


    Here, a green rectangular piece marked with a tiger symbol was placed, far from the others. "This is the Empire¡¯s army," the officer explained. "They¡¯ve already engaged a Cerus in combat."


    Captain Macthur¡¯s eyes flickered with interest. "They must have their iron cavalry with them. That¡¯s the only reason they''d dare fight a Cerus head-on."


    The officers continued adjusting the pieces on the map, redrawing lines, discussing tactics, and refining their defense and counterattack plans.


    "Sir, that¡¯s it," the young officer said after a lengthy pause. His voice wavered slightly. "We¡¯ve prepared an escape route to the southeast, should the Cerus break through our defenses. But there¡¯s a complication¡­ there have been sightings of Cerus near Bataen." He tapped the map again, pointing toward the southern edge. ¡°We can¡¯t guarantee how many will survive the evacuation. The Republic¡­¡± His finger trailed eastward, tracing a green line leading to the rendezvous point. ¡°Twenty kilometers to safety.¡±


    "The Republic has assured us they¡¯ll defend our eastern flank," he added.


    Silence filled the room, thick with unspoken fears. The officers exchanged uneasy glances, knowing full well what that meant.


    ¡°There¡¯s one more thing,¡± Captain Macthur said gravely, breaking the silence as he turned his gaze to Jusis, who stood at the far end of the room, still looking shell-shocked. "You mentioned encountering a wyvern earlier. Did it seem corrupted?"


    Jusis nodded, his throat dry. ¡°Y-yes, sir. Normally, wyverns don¡¯t attack us unprovoked, but this one¡­¡± He paused, recalling the terror in vivid flashes. "Its eyes¡ªthey were different. Wild and unnatural. And the fire it breathed wasn¡¯t the usual red-orange¡­ It was green. Sickly green flames."


    The tension in the room deepened. Corrupted wyverns were rare, but their presence could tip the scale of battle drastically.


    Captain Macthur¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I can¡¯t believe demons are able to corrupt them.¡± Then one of his officers pulled out the diamond symbol for wyvern and placed it on the map. ¡°If the wyvern shows up as well and starts attacking us, our mages and bowmen will be forced to deal with them.¡±Then using a stick he pointed out the ground troops. ¡°Our forces will lose support against the demon army and lose our fighting chance against Cerus.¡±


    Jusis¡¯ mind swirled with the memory of the beast¡ªits predatory eyes gleaming with unnatural hunger, and the putrid flames that spewed from its maw. The image haunted him, filling the room with an ominous, silent dread.


    ¡°If that wyvern attacks¡­¡± the Captain began, pointing with a slender wooden rod, tracing the positions of their archers and mages. ¡°We¡¯ll be forced to divert our ranged units, leaving our ground forces exposed. We¡¯ll lose vital support against the demon army. And without that support¡­ we won¡¯t stand a chance against Cerus.¡±


    Another heavy silence weighed upon the room. Finally, one of the older officers¡ªhis face lined with wrinkles and a great white beard cascading down his chest¡ªspoke up. ¡°Macthur, I understand we have no choice but to hold our ground as long as we can. But I can¡¯t help but notice something¡­ You seem to believe we stand a fighting chance against Cerus. What is it you¡¯re not telling us?¡±


    Macthur closed his eyes for a moment, straightening his posture, standing tall. The room remained still, tension simmering beneath the surface. Suddenly, a wooden door creaked open, the sound cutting through the silence like a sharp blade. The officers turned, eyes falling on the figure that entered¡ªa knight, tall and confident, with long, flowing blonde hair. Though young, no older than his twenties, the presence he carried was unmistakable.


    That is Vice Captain Suther.


    Suther¡¯s heavy boots echoed in the chamber as he walked swiftly to Captain Macthur¡¯s side. With a crisp salute, he spoke. ¡°Sir! The defensive fortifications are proceeding as planned. I¡¯ve ensured that the pathways around the city walls are prepared.¡± He then produced a small wooden box, handling it with great care. ¡°I believe now is the time, Captain. It¡¯s the perfect moment to finally use this.¡±


    Macthur¡¯s eyes opened, glinting with an unspoken understanding. He reached out, accepting the box, brushing a layer of dust from its surface. ¡°It¡¯s been a decade since this was last needed,¡± he said softly, more to himself than anyone else. ¡°Even at the end, he believed this could turn the tide. And now, here we are¡­ ready to fight back again.¡±


    The officers exchanged puzzled glances, none of them sure what the box contained¡ªexcept for one.


    Leila, the adventurer, gasped quietly. ¡°Is that¡­?¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Captain Macthur said nothing as he carefully lifted the lid of the box. His fingers reached in and pulled out a small object, the significance of which sent a ripple through the room. His eyes gleamed with determination as he raised the object high, revealing it to the stunned assembly.


    A gasp swept through the ranks. All eyes were on the ''piece'' that Macthur held.


    The officers¡¯ faces were frozen in shock, their jaws slightly slack. The old officer was the first to break the silence, his voice low with disbelief. ¡°Impossible¡­¡±


    Macthur¡¯s voice rang out with conviction. ¡°This, gentlemen, this is what we¡¯ve been waiting for. Our hope, our salvation, and the weapon that will allow us to reclaim what we lost. And the one to wield this power¡­¡±


    He turned to face Ivan, who had been standing quietly to his left the entire time.. Macthur extended the tank symbol toward him, his hand steady, his eyes filled with confidence.


    ¡°¡­ is none other than Sergeant Ivan Abrams, of the RedMusket. Comrade of our commander, Tiger.¡±


    A murmur rippled through the officers as Ivan¡¯s name was spoken. The young officer standing closest to Ivan stammered, his eyes widening in realization. ¡°A-Abrams?¡± His voice faltered.


    Then, as if on instinct, every officer in the room snapped to attention. Legs together, backs straight, hands raised to their foreheads in a sharp salute. In perfect unison, they bellowed, ¡°We have awaited your arrival, Sergeant Ivan Abrams!¡±


    Ivan¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, his breath catching in his throat as the room filled with the sound of salutes and honor. His heart pounded, his mind spinning. He could barely comprehend what was happening. And then, finally, his eyes fell to the piece in Macthur¡¯s hand¡ªthe small wooden tank cutout, glowing under the room¡¯s dim light.


    ¡°This piece is yours.¡±


    Ivan¡¯s disbelief deepened as the wooden tank cutout settled into his trembling hands. The weight of the room¡¯s silence pressed on him, every officer waiting for him to accept the mantle they were offering. But instead of rising to the occasion, his expression darkened.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do much,¡± Ivan said quietly, his voice low and filled with regret. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    His fingers traced the smooth edges of the wooden piece, his mind wandering back to a vision of his fallen comrades, their faces etched in the shadows of his memory. They had always been there, beside him, making every decision, every battle possible. He swallowed hard. ¡°I can¡¯t do this alone,¡± he admitted. ¡°I¡¯m nothing without my comrades. I can operate this weapon, yes... but without them, I¡¯m just a man with a machine. I can move it, but I can¡¯t fight. I¡¯d only be running away. That¡¯s all I can do now.¡±


    Captain Macthur, standing resolute before him, gave a slight nod. ¡°But you managed to take one down earlier,¡± he countered, his voice calm yet unyielding.


    Ivan¡¯s face twisted in shame as he looked down at the floor. ¡°That was because I was stationary. I had to use innocent people as bait to lure that creature into my line of sight. That¡¯s the only reason I succeeded,¡± he said bitterly, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°And now that I¡¯ve seen what those creatures can do¡­ I know I won¡¯t stand a chance. I can¡¯t fire and move at the same time. If I stay still, I¡¯ll be destroyed before I can even fire a second shot.¡±


    The officers exchanged glances, the gravity of his words weighing down on them. Ivan lifted his gaze and met Captain Macthur¡¯s steely eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t do it alone.¡±


    The air in the room felt thick, heavy with doubt. But Captain Macthur didn¡¯t waver. His voice remained steady, unshaken. ¡°I know that, Sergeant. You¡¯re not alone anymore. You have new comrades now.¡± His eyes drifted to the adventurers standing nearby¡ªLeila, Leonard, and Jusis¡ªwho were watching the exchange unfold, and then back to Ivan. ¡°They¡¯ll fight alongside you and help you to use your weapon.¡±


    Ivan shook his head slowly, his voice flat. ¡°You¡¯re asking for the impossible. These aren¡¯t trained soldiers¡ªthese are civilians, adventurers. You think they can just walk in and operate advanced military tech like it¡¯s nothing? We spent months learning how to use that tank. And you expect them to¡ª¡±


    "Sir! Demon forces spotted to the south, approaching fast! Six kilometers out, reported by the 4th recon team. They¡¯re marching from Bataen!" the man from the second floor shouted, his tone urgent.


    Captain Macthur¡¯s expression tightened as he swiftly drew a line on the map to the south, using a ruler to estimate the time before the enemy reached them. ¡°One hour until they hit our defensive line,¡± he murmured, his voice grave.


    The young officer, visibly shaken, raised a trembling hand. ¡°C-Captain, should we redeploy some of our forces from the north to the south?¡±


    Ivan¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked at the map. He already knew what that meant: relocating their forces would leave the north and east flanks, where evacuation plans were in place, dangerously exposed. Any movement of combatants would weaken critical positions, but the south, where the demons were set to strike first, needed immediate reinforcement.


    ¡°Tsk,¡± Ivan clicked his tongue, frustration bubbling within him. His tank was stationed in the south¡ªthe only viable weapon to hold off an assault that size. But even with the tank, Ivan questioned his next move. What should I do? Run? Fight? Could I really abandon these people? He wasn¡¯t sure how much of this reality he even believed, but one thing was clear: their lives were on the line, and he couldn¡¯t afford indecision. Not now.


    His gaze drifted toward the adventurers beside him. Though clearly unsettled, their resolve was palpable. Leila¡¯s hands trembled as she clutched her wooden staff, her knuckles white, but she stood tall and defiant. Leonard, the knightly figure, knelt down on one knee, right hand pressed to his chest, his head lowered in a gesture of deep respect.


    Leonard spoke in a dignified tone, his words full of honor: ¡°Sire, we art not soldiers of thy world, nor doth we possess knowledge of the weapons thou wieldest. Yet, I pledge mine loyalty. As I hath protected mine sister, so too shall I defend thee with mine very life.¡±


    Leila, still trembling, took a breath and followed. ¡°This world of ours, just like yours, is filled with mysteries. But if there¡¯s one thing I¡¯m certain of, it¡¯s that we will do whatever it takes to help you, even if we have to learn how to use this weapon.¡±


    Even Jusis, still confused and overwhelmed, stepped forward. ¡°Y-yes, exactly! We may not understand everything, but we¡¯ll do anything we can to save¡­ this town. So please, let us help you!¡±


    Ivan felt a wave of conflicting emotions. The weight of their resolve bore down on him, but the risks¡­ They weren¡¯t trained. The idea of putting medieval-era adventurers in control of a modern tank was absurd. But as he looked at their determined faces, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe didn¡¯t have a choice.


    Then, in a flash, he recalled an unofficial protocol that Tiger, his former commander, had once shared with him¡ªa desperate plan for emergencies. If one crew member was taken out of combat, they had to be replaced immediately, no matter who it was. Ivan remembered Tiger saying it wasn¡¯t in the official military guidelines, but it had proven its worth when they recruited Armstrong, a regular infantryman, on the spot.


    Ivan glanced back at the adventurers, their stance unwavering. Would Tiger scold me for this? I would definitely get court martial after this.he thought bitterly.


    With a slow breath, he finally opened his eyes and placed the wooden cutout on the southern part of the map, signaling his decision. Captain Macthur¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, and a glimmer of hope returned to the other officers.


    "Alright," Ivan said at last, his voice firm. "I¡¯ll defend the south, and you¡¯ll support me."

 CHAPTER 4 -END-

    "Alright," Ivan said at last, his voice firm. "I¡¯ll defend the south, and you¡¯ll support me."


    And that''s what brings Ivan here right now on his tank, setting it up. Ivan checked any system inside the tank, whether the weapon system or communication system. Along the way he is also carefully exploring the tank''s commander screen and also the gunnery. He needs to study it because it''s the only way he could use it, however, driving is also important.


    Static hissed from the comms as he attempted to contact HQ, only to slump back in the seat, defeated once more. Ten years¡ªhe muttered, the words hanging in the stillness. How had a decade slipped away? Just this morning, he was with his comrades, and now¡­ now he is alone.


    The memory of Captain Macthur¡¯s words echoed in his head.


    Ivan had asked Macthur about his missing commander, Tiger. ¡°You said it¡¯s been ten years since anyone saw him¡­ That last battle, on that island, Tiger ordered everyone to retreat, said the fight was lost. But he stayed behind and left this box for me.¡±


    Macthur had glanced at the wooden box before speaking. ¡°Tiger told me that someone bearing the name Abrams would come. He said you would ¡®drive us there.¡¯¡±


    That phrase haunted Ivan¡¯s thoughts¡ª¡®drive us there.¡¯ What did it mean? His mind reeled with questions, but he¡¯d only mustered one: ¡°Is he still alive?¡±


    Macthur had turned his back, his cape swaying slightly as he spoke without facing Ivan. ¡°More than anyone, it¡¯s you, Sergeant, who will know whether your captain¡ªour commander¡ªis still alive.¡±


    His words lingered. ¡°Survive this fight, and tomorrow will reveal everything you need to know.¡±


    Sitting in the tank, Ivan stared at an old photograph taped to the interior, a picture of his crew¡ªincluding Tiger, the toughest man Ivan had ever known. ¡°I¡¯ll take you there, Tiger. I¡¯ll bring you back.¡± He whispered the promise to himself, clenching his fists in determination.


    But as his resolve strengthened, his stomach betrayed him with a loud grumble. Hungry and weary, he noticed a picnic basket in the loader¡¯s station. Armstrong must¡¯ve left it, he thought, grabbing it and opening the lid. Inside was a neatly wrapped sandwich, thick and packed with layers of roasted meat, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and slices of cheese that practically oozed from between the toasted bread. The sandwich was a masterpiece, practically screaming with Armstrong¡¯s famous touch in the kitchen.


    Ivan took a bite of the sandwich, and the flavors burst on his tongue¡ªthe meat was tender and savory, while the fresh vegetables added a crisp, refreshing contrast. Armstrong''s cooking skills came rushing back to him. "Damn, Armstrong, you could¡¯ve made a killing as a chef,¡± he muttered, smiling as he chewed.


    After finishing the sandwich, he glanced at his watch. To his surprise, the time in this world mirrored Earth¡¯s. "Looks like they¡¯ll be here any moment."


    He climbed out of the tank''s turret and moved to the driver¡¯s hatch. After completing the starting procedure, the engine roared to life. Twisting the throttle, he maneuvered the tank out of the barn and pointed it toward Bataen.


    Checking his watch again, 3:05 AM. "We¡¯ve only got a few minutes to get ready." The wind blew across the field, cold and quiet. Yet there was something unsettling in the air.


    At last, his team arrived. Leonard was the first to speak. "My lord, we''re here."


    For the first time, Jusis laid eyes on the M1 Abrams. "This is incredible... Is this what you used to kill Cerus? The size of this thing makes it look like it¡¯s a perfect match for that beast."


    Leila chimed in, "It¡¯s like a fortress that can move."


    Not wasting any time, Ivan directed them to climb up the tank. "Jusis, right?"


    "Yes."


    ¡°How are the kids?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re sleeping, worn out from the day.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now, get inside carefully. I¡¯ll show you where to sit.¡±


    Jusis gingerly climbed into the tank, following Ivan down through the loader''s hatch on the left side. Ivan gestured toward the front. "Take that seat there, make yourself comfortable."


    Jusis, being of a slim build, fit without much issue. Sitting at the gunner''s station, he couldn¡¯t help but look around, wide-eyed at the metal walls, complex controls, and the strange glass tubes displaying numbers. "Whoa¡­"


    Ivan interrupted his awe. ¡°Did you get a chance to use the pistol I lent you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but¡­ it''s too powerful for me. I can''t believe how much force that small thing packs in just one shot.¡±


    Jusis handed the pistol back, careful not to point the barrel at Ivan, as he''d been instructed. Ivan checked the chamber, satisfied that everything looked fine, then popped the magazine out to check the rounds. Jusis had fired five shots. Ivan then inserted a fresh, fully-loaded magazine into the pistol.


    ¡°Here.¡± He handed the weapon back.


    ¡°Aren''t you taking it back?¡± Jusis asked, confused.


    ¡°The fight isn¡¯t over yet. Keep it on you.¡±


    Jusis took the pistol and tucked it securely into his belt. "So, what do you need me to do?"


    "Look through that,¡± Ivan pointed to the gunner¡¯s sight. ¡°It¡¯s a scope.¡±


    Jusis leaned in. ¡°I can see outside.¡±


    "Good. Do you see the cross in the middle?"


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°When you have the target lined up with those crosshairs, say ''On.''¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°¡®On?¡¯ That¡¯s it?¡±


    "No, after you say ''On,'' wait for me to give the signal¡ª''Fire.'' When I give the order, you¡¯ll pull the trigger. Here, grab this.¡± Ivan pointed to the gun control, a white handle with a red trigger.


    Jusis placed both hands on the control. ¡°So, all I need to do is pull this trigger?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but there are three triggers. Each one controls a different weapon, much more powerful than that pistol you¡¯re carrying.¡±


    The weight of responsibility hit Jusis, the realization that a simple pull of the trigger could unleash destruction like nothing he¡¯d ever known.


    ¡°But remember, always wait for my instructions. I¡¯ll tell you which gun and what kind of ammunition to use, and when to fire. Every second matters, so stay sharp.¡±


    Jusis furrowed his brow, determination settling on his face. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best, sir.¡±


    After teaching Jusis, Ivan climbed back up to the tank and turned to Leonard. ¡°You¡¯re Leonard, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord,¡± Leonard replied, gripping his massive sword and shield.


    Ivan glanced at Leonard¡¯s weaponry. ¡°Leave your sword and shield outside for now. We can strap them to the side turret.¡± He pointed to the basket on the side where they stored ammo, and Leonard secured his weapons there before following Ivan¡¯s instructions to enter through the loader¡¯s hatch. Leonard was as big as Armstrong, so Ivan expected him to have some difficulty squeezing into the tight space.


    Once Leonard was inside, Ivan followed through the captain¡¯s hatch. ¡°What you need to do is simple. See this here? It¡¯s called the gun breach.¡± Ivan pointed to the large mechanism. ¡°Now, this lever here¡ªslam it down to open the breach.¡±


    Leonard did as instructed, and the gun breach opened. Ivan continued, ¡°Behind you, there¡¯s a button. Press it, and the ammunition rack will open.¡±


    Leonard pressed the button, and the storage rack opened immediately. ¡°As you can see, these are our rounds. Each one has a letter: ¡®S¡¯ for Sabot rounds, ¡®H¡¯ for HEAT, and ¡®C¡¯ for Canister rounds. Now, grab a HEAT round and load it into the breach.¡±


    Leonard effortlessly lifted the 25kg shell with one hand and carefully inserted it into the gun breach. Ivan was impressed. ¡°After inserting it, shouts ¡®Up!¡¯. Now, lift the lever back up to lock the round in. The gun¡¯s ready to fire. But once you¡¯ve loaded the ammo, grab onto something and brace yourself.¡±


    Ivan pointed to where the recoil of the cannon would hit. ¡°When the cannon fires, stay clear of this area, both you and Jusis. The force could seriously injure you if you¡¯re too close.¡±


    ¡°Understood, my lord,¡± Leonard replied.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Jusis added.


    With the instructions clear, Ivan turned his attention to the last member of his crew¡ªLeila. He climbed out once more to meet her.


    ¡°How are you? Are you sure you¡¯re ready for this?¡± Ivan asked, remembering how terrified Leila had been earlier.


    Her stormy gray eyes met his, filled with resolve despite the fear. ¡°I¡¯m scared, yes. But everyone is risking their lives, and I can¡¯t leave my brother alone in this. I promised Tiger I¡¯d be strong enough to support his comrades. This is my chance to fulfill that promise. I know you see us as technologically backward, but we won¡¯t be a burden to you. You have my word.¡±


    In the moonlight, Ivan noticed Leila¡¯s face, despite the dirt smudged across it, was smooth and pale, her lips a striking red. Her eyes, though shaky with fear, still held a fierce determination, like lightning in the storm.


    ¡°Alright, Leila,¡± Ivan said, nodding. ¡°You said you can detect them, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I can.¡±


    ¡°And you can cast multiple spells that launch projectiles?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡±


    ¡°Good. Here¡¯s what I need you to do: keep me informed of Cerus¡¯ position using clock directions, especially the closest and most urgent targets. You¡¯ll also act as my lookout for any signal lights and relay them to me. And, I need you to use your magic to protect the tank from smaller threats. Keep them away.¡±


    Leila straightened up. ¡°I can handle that, Mister Ivan.¡±


    Ivan nodded approvingly and stepped aside to let her climb inside. ¡°This will be your station. That was Tiger¡¯s seat.¡±


    Leila¡¯s eyes widened as she looked at the seat. ¡°So, this is where Tiger fought...¡±


    She lowered herself into the seat carefully and looked around at the strange controls, her eyes settling on the commander¡¯s monitor, which displayed the outside of the tank. ¡°Mister, this screen shows the outside¡­ Can I use it to monitor our surroundings?¡±


    ¡°You could, but not just yet. I¡¯ll figure that out later. For now, rely on your mana detection.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Leila stood up, half of her body emerging from the turret. ¡°So all I really need to do is keep watch and provide cover?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. But if things get too dangerous, you can close the hatch. Be careful, though¡ªit¡¯s heavy. The same goes for you, Leonard.¡±


    Both Leila and Leonard looked at their respective hatch doors and nodded.


    ¡°Your magic is limited right" he asked Leila, keeping his tone steady.


    "Yes, but don¡¯t worry. I can keep casting simple spells for an hour straight," Leila responded, though her voice hinted at the strain such a task might put on her.


    Ivan nodded. ¡°Good to know. But if you can¡¯t use your magic, you can fall back on this.¡± He knelt beside her, taking her hand and placing it on the handle of the .50-caliber machine gun. He cocked it, the sharp sound breaking through the cold air. ¡°Just use both thumbs to press down on the trigger to fire.¡±


    Leila''s fingers hovered over the gun¡¯s trigger, testing its weight. ¡°Like this?¡± she asked, trying to get a feel for the mechanism as she moved it around. Ivan found himself momentarily struck by how odd it was to see someone like her handling such a powerful weapon.


    She then turned to Ivan, her brows furrowed. "Mister, you said you¡¯d give us orders and I¡¯d relay the information I pick up... but I¡¯m wondering¡ªcan we even hear each other over the noise? I¡¯ve seen what these weapons can do, and I¡¯ve heard how deafening they are. How will we communicate in the heat of battle?"


    Ivan gestured to the side of the tank. ¡°See those? The two round things connected together? Put them over your ears, and bring the small stick-like part close to your mouth.¡± One by one, they all found the intercom headsets and adjusted them into place.


    ¡°What does this do?¡± Jusis asked, adjusting the headset over his ears.


    Leonard¡¯s eyes widened, glancing at Jusis in shock. ¡°I thought you were right next to me, whispering,¡± Leonard said, surprised at how clearly he could hear Jusis.


    Jusis blinked in confusion before realizing what had just happened. ¡°Wait, I heard you clearly too, but you¡¯re on the other side!¡±


    Leila let out a soft chuckle, her usually stoic face breaking into a small smile. ¡°Pardon us for acting like children, but this¡­ this is incredible. Communication won¡¯t be an issue anymore.¡±


    Even Ivan allowed himself a slight grin at the sight of their wonder. It was moments like these that made him realize how foreign this technology must seem to them. To these people, it was as if they were witnessing magic. But the smile didn¡¯t last long.


    ¡°Mister Ivan¡­¡± Leila¡¯s voice cut through the moment softly.


    ¡°I know. Ready yourselves,¡± Ivan ordered, his voice firm again. ¡°Remember everything I taught you and execute it perfectly.¡±


    On the horizon, a series of glowing red lights flickered into view. They were unmistakable¡ªthe enemy was approaching. Ivan descended into his hatch, his heart beating steadily as the air grew colder. He reached for his helmet, fastening it tightly before placing the intercom over his ears.


    With one final glance outside, Ivan saw more of the ominous red lights in the distance, scattered across multiple locations. His gaze sharpened, filled with steely resolve. This moment would decide everything. If he didn¡¯t survive this, he would never know what happened to his comrades. And more than that, he couldn''t afford to let the people he¡¯d just come to know die. This was a battle he could not lose.


    Securing his microphone, he spoke clearly and with determination. ¡°May the victory be with humanity.¡±


    Leonard, Leila, and Jusis, upon hearing Ivan¡¯s declaration, felt the weight of the moment settle upon them. Their expressions hardened with resolve. Just like Ivan, they knew they couldn¡¯t afford to fail. Everything¡ªevery last hope¡ªwas riding on this.


    The tank¡¯s engine roared to life as Ivan moved it forward, facing the unknown enemy head-on.


    CHAPTER 4 -END-

 CHAPTER 5: DEFENDING MANILIA

    Tiger... it¡¯s been ten long years since we last fought together. Ten years since I stood beside you, as we waged a war that the world had already deemed lost. They called it a fool''s crusade, a hopeless dream. But you¡ªyou never wavered. Even when the weight of defeat crushed us, you stood tall, unbroken, daring to change the world with every step you took.


    When we failed to reclaim what was ours, the world laughed at us. They celebrated our downfall, smug in their certainty that they''d been right all along. Yet, even in defeat, your actions¡ªyour courage¡ªsowed the seeds of change. You defied the odds, Tiger, and because of you, a flicker of hope still remains in this desolate world. You left me with something greater than victory: you left me with belief.


    I never doubted you. Not for a second. Even when the world turned its back on us, I held onto your promise. You said we would return one day, side by side. And now¡­ your promised one has arrived.


    The boy you spoke of¡­ he''s here. The one who bears your eyes. The one who, like you, is scarred¡ªnot just by battle, but by something far deeper. He¡¯s uncertain, lost, but I can see it¡ªthe same fire that once burned in you, Tiger. It rages within him, untamed, ready to devour anything that stands in its path.


    You were right. The one who would lead us to you is here. I swear it to you, Tiger¡ªI will help him. I will guide him. And I will bring him to you... or perhaps, as you foretold, it will be him who leads us all back to you.


    I stood tall in front of the young man, Sergeant Ivan Abrams. ¡°I leave the next steps to you, Sergeant,¡± I said, forming a salute. The boy in front of me, dressed in familiar camouflage military gear, reminded me so much of Tiger from that first encounter. His uniform was typical¡ªearth-toned patterns for combat, though worn from battle. But what stood out was the scar across his face. Tiger once told me it wasn¡¯t just a physical mark, but a deeper, unseen wound.


    Sergeant Ivan saluted back, and I turned to Leo and Leila, the siblings Tiger had saved long ago. They had grown strong, capable. I couldn¡¯t help but smile as I approached them. ¡°I¡¯m really glad you two are safe,¡± I said, filled with relief. After Tiger¡¯s disappearance, I took them under my wing, just as I had promised him. Thanks to you, Tiger, they¡¯re strong now.


    Leila nodded in agreement. ¡°Mister Ivan saved us earlier. I don¡¯t know what would¡¯ve happened without him,¡± she said.


    I turned to her brother, Leo. His armor was in tatters, his visor cracked. Yet he stood tall, unfazed by the damage.


    ¡°Have you treated your wounds? Are you sure you can still fight?¡± I asked.


    With his usual resolve, Leo just smiled. ¡°Yes, Captain. The coming battle will not be a problem. I can take more.¡±


    His sister rolled her eyes. ¡°Better not push it.¡±


    I chuckled at their banter. ¡°You two haven¡¯t changed much. But listen, support Sergeant Ivan and make sure you prioritize your own safety. You¡¯ve grown strong, but I want both of you to survive this.¡±


    Leo bowed slightly. ¡°Worry not, Captain. I will protect my sister at all costs.¡±


    I nodded, content. ¡°Oh, by the way, you mentioned you were supposed to come here for a reason, right?¡±


    Leila reached into her brother¡¯s pack and pulled out an arm long and thick cylindrical object. ¡°I was supposed to take the upcoming mage exam¡­ but the timing couldn¡¯t have been more perfect,¡± she said, handing it to me. My eyes widened, recognizing the item immediately. I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°Well, your timing is certainly impeccable,¡± I replied.


    Leila shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not much, but I¡¯ll improve it after seeing Mister Ivan¡¯s weapons. Expect an upgrade soon.¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    I nodded in satisfaction. ¡°This will do more than enough. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re off now, Captain,¡± Leo said with a salute.


    ¡°Stay safe,¡± I reminded them.


    ¡°Same to you, Captain. Leave it to us,¡± Leila added before the two left.


    As I watched them walk away, I realized how far those once fragile children had come. Now they were strong combatants, ready to face the dangers ahead.


    Jusis passed by me next. I stopped him with a soft call. ¡°Jusis, I¡¯m truly sorry about your father and your village.¡±


    He paused, his voice distant. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Captain. The demons are to blame.¡± But I could see the sorrow and hopelessness in his eyes. Still, there was something else¡ªa burning determination. ¡°Tonight, I will fight. I won¡¯t be a coward. I¡¯ll prove myself to Ivan.¡±


    The boy had to bury his grief for the fight. I prayed that revenge wouldn¡¯t consume him entirely. ¡°Take care, young man,¡± I said softly.


    Jusis nodded. ¡°I will stay awake, Captain.¡± There was something cryptic in his words, but his resolve is clear. He is willing to fight, and that¡¯s what mattered.


    With that, they all left the strategy room. I turned back to face my officers.


    ¡°Gentlemen,¡± I began, my voice steady. ¡°Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for staying with me through all of this. For trusting in our commander¡¯s promise. Thank you for helping me keep this ground independent. This is our sacred land, and as Commander Tiger ordered, we are to hold it until this very moment."


    I paused, letting the words settle in. Each of my officers returned my gaze, their faces painted with fear but also a fierce, undying resolve. There was no turning back now.


    I placed the large cylindrical item Leila had given me on the table, its metal gleaming under the lights. ¡°We finally have our chance. One shot. AND WE WILL NOT MISS IT! To the Future! WE ARE RETURNING THERE!¡±


    The proclamation stirred a wave of energy in the room. My subordinates, visibly pumped with renewed purpose, straightened their postures and gave me a sharp salute.


    ¡°SIR, YES SIR!¡±


    I extended my right hand outward. ¡°Now, call our blacksmith! It¡¯s time to unleash our own Devil¡¯s Wagon!¡±


    Immediately, my officers sprang into action, preparing themselves and their gear for the coming battle. A storm of coordinated chaos filled the room as they moved with fierce urgency.


    As they worked, I looked out the window towards the south, where the horizon began to glow with ominous red lights piercing the darkness. They were here. Our enemy is finally approaching.


    I clenched my fist against my chest, feeling the weight of every life under my command. ¡°Survive this, Sergeant,¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°Prove that you¡¯re worthy of the path set before you.¡±


    At the same time, on the southern defensive line of Manilia, Ivan¡¯s M1 Abrams tank loomed under the pale light of the moon, a steel colossus crouched in the cold night like a predator awaiting its prey. Its turbine engine let out a haunting, high-frequency whine that cut through the silence, a mechanical growl that seemed to promise destruction to anything that dared cross its path.


    Inside the belly of this metallic monster, a crew of determined souls prepared to face a seemingly unstoppable tide of approaching enemies. Courage masked their fear, desperation tempered their resolve, and now these few brave individuals had become the very heart that powered this war machine. None among them fully understood how to tame this beast, but they embraced the challenge with a fierce, unyielding determination.


    At the helm was a scarred soldier, a man whose past was etched into his face and whose future seemed shrouded in darkness. He couldn¡¯t yet see the path forward, but he knew what had to be done in the present. "All of you," Ivan¡¯s voice echoed through the intercom, commanding but steady, "don¡¯t touch anything other than what I instructed. And when I say ¡®brace,¡¯ hold on tight and keep clear of the recoil zone. Do you understand?¡±


    Jusis, seated at the gunner¡¯s position, swallowed hard. His hands gripped the controls, slick with sweat despite the cold. The mere act of pulling the trigger felt momentous; this weapon in his hands was leagues beyond the handgun he¡¯d fired before. Now, with the weight of this power, he could feel his heart pounding, a potent blend of fear and exhilaration filling his chest. The sheer scale of the weapon¡¯s destructive capability is overwhelming, yet he felt an addictive rush from wielding such power.


    Leonard, positioned to load the main gun, cast a glance to his sister, seated slightly above him. Her face was resolute, eyes blazing with unshakable intensity. Her expression alone is enough to steel his own resolve. ¡°Yes, my lord,¡± he affirmed.


    ¡°Leila, sitrep.¡± Ivan called the mage,


    Hearing that, Leila tilted her head and replied, ¡°What?¡±


    Ivan sighed inside the driver¡¯s compartment. ¡°What I mean by ¡®sitrep¡¯ is Situation Report.¡±


    ¡°Ah~ I got it. Well then,¡± The mage gazes at the horizon and counts the red. Each red light represents a squad that have a sight of enemy forces.

 First Wave

    ¡°Leila, sitrep.¡± Ivan called the mage,


    Hearing that, Leila tilted her head and replied, ¡°What?¡±


    Ivan sighed inside the driver¡¯s compartment. ¡°What I mean by ¡®sitrep¡¯ is Situation Report.¡±


    ¡°Ah~ I got it. Well then,¡± The mage gazes at the horizon and counts the red. Each red light represents a squad that have a sight of enemy forces.


    Earlier in the strategy room, the numbers had been grim. Their total defensive force is only around 1000 personnel. Of that, 400 had already been deployed to the north sector, leaving just 200 each for the east, west, and south sectors. The north had been prioritized after intelligence indicated the largest wave of enemy forces¡ªapproximately 1,000 goblins and orcs forces would strike there. To make matters worse, mana detection conducted by their mages had revealed the presence of at least eight Cerus among the enemy ranks.


    A force of 1,000 demons supported by eight Cerus was more than capable of annihilating an entire brigade of 3,000 soldiers, let alone the 300 defenders stationed in the north. Fortunately, reinforcements from the Empire were poised to intercept the demon army with a flanking attack. However, their forces couldn¡¯t depend entirely on imperial intervention¡ªthey had to hold their ground.


    Meanwhile, recon reports from the west indicated a demon army of approximately 400 attempting to flank their position. The east sector was also under threat from several hundred demons. The south, however, remained a mystery¡ªtheir intelligence there is incomplete, but they estimated that it might face similar numbers to the east.


    The real issue is the Cerus. Eight in the north, five in the south, two in the east, and five in the west¡ªa total of 20 Cerus. Even one of these creatures was enough to tip the scales in any battle. Depending on their type, the worst-case scenario could see both the Empire and the Republic incapable of holding their lines.


    In the south sector, where Ivan and his team were stationed, the situation had deteriorated rapidly. Forces were already deployed to their respective sectors, making redeployment for reinforcements difficult. The plan relied on the Red Musket for an immediate response while waiting for squads from the east and west to flank and assist.


    For now, the south¡¯s defensive force is spread thin. With limited intelligence on enemy movements, the units were scattered into squads and parties, mixing swordsmen, spearmen, and shield bearers. Mages and ranged attackers had taken positions along the walls, while a few were embedded within squads to provide field support.


    Leila focused on counting the red lights dotting the horizon. ¡°Five squads have already detected enemy forces¡­¡± She paused and squinted. A moment later, the once-steady lights began blinking. Her expression darkened. ¡°They¡¯re engaged,¡± she muttered. The blinking red lights meant those squads were already in combat.


    Outside the tank, several squads could be seen rushing toward the first defensive line. As they passed the tank, their movements faltered briefly, awed by the sheer size and imposing presence of the steel giant. One of the platoon leaders stopped, saluted Leila¡ªher upper body still visible from the tank turret ¡°We¡¯re moving to hold the first line. We¡¯re grateful you¡¯re here. The Cerus are yours to handle. May the goddess bless you!¡±


    Leila gave a curt nod. ¡°And may she be with us,¡± she replied firmly.


    ¡°All squads, on me!¡± the platoon leader roared before leading his troops into the fray. Above the walls, magic circles materialized, glowing with radiant energy before streaks of light arced through the air like artillery fire, striking the distant treeline.


    Inside the tank, Ivan¡¯s voice broke through the tense atmosphere. ¡°Cerus?¡±


    Leila gulped, her hands gripping the rim of the turret. ¡°Any moment now,¡± she replied.


    The air inside the tank is thick with tension. Heartbeats pounded like war drums as the crew braced themselves for what was to come. Sensing the nervous energy, Ivan spoke into the comms, his voice calm but commanding. ¡°Stay focused. Keep your composure. We cannot afford mistakes¡ªnot one. If we slip, we¡¯re done. Remember that.¡± He paused, his scarred face hardening, eyes narrowing like steel blades. ¡°They¡¯re here.¡±


    A flare shot into the night sky, illuminating the battlefield in grim hues of blue. In the distance, the treeline began to shake violently, the movement signaling the approach of something far worse than goblins or orcs.


    ¡°Cerus detected!¡± Leila announced sharply. ¡°Ten o¡¯clock position, distance three kilometers!¡±


    ¡°HQ orders?¡± Ivan asked.


    Leila turned to check the rear, where a green flare streaked upward from the HQ. She exhaled and reported, ¡°It¡¯s green. We¡¯re good to engage.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Ivan said. ¡°Light up our signal. We¡¯re going in.¡±


    With a nod, Leila raised her wooden staff, whispering an incantation. The runes etched on its surface glowed as a blue-and-red flare shot into the sky, its light cutting through the darkness like a beacon. It''s a sign now of ¡°Red Musket Attack¡± light


    This system of light signals had proven invaluable in the ongoing battle, especially during nighttime operations. However, Ivan raised concerns about potential miscommunication and the risk of the enemy deciphering the signals. Still, it was explained that the combatants had become proficient with the system after its trial during the first wave of the attack earlier. Also, the use of this new blue-and-red signal had been briefed to the squads just after the Red Musket''s sudden arrival, ensuring no confusion.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± Ivan twisted the throttle, and the tank roared to life. The sudden surge of movement threw the crew off balance momentarily, but they quickly steadied themselves.


    Jusis, gripping his station, muttered, ¡°I still can¡¯t believe we¡¯re moving without horses pulling us¡­¡±


    Leonard, ever the composed observer, added in a deep, almost archaic tone, ¡°This beast is forged of iron.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Meanwhile, Leila sat with a detailed map of Manilia spread across her lap, marking their position and the detected location of the Cerus.


    At the frontline, The orcs and goblins marched forward, their guttural roars filling the air like an ominous drumbeat. The ground beneath the soldiers trembled with each step of the enemy horde, but the shield wall stood firm. Clad in gleaming metal armor, the defenders braced themselves, their spears and swords aimed at the encroaching tide of grotesque, snarling faces.


    The first wave hit like a thunderclap. A group of goblins, smaller but unnervingly agile, darted forward, shrieking as they lunged. The front line reacted in unison. Shields locked together with a metallic clang, forming an unyielding barrier. A goblin hurled itself at the shield wall, only to be met with the unforgiving point of a spear. Its body crumpled to the ground, twitching before falling still.


    "Hold the line!" barked the commander, his voice cutting through the chaos. The soldiers pressed their shields tighter, grunting under the strain as the orcs arrived next. Larger and more powerful, the orcs wielded crude but massive axes, hammering against the shields with brutal force. One soldier staggered, but his comrade quickly stepped in to support him, driving his spear upward into an orc¡¯s exposed throat. The creature gurgled, black blood spraying as it toppled backward.


    Above the fray, mages on the walls unleashed volleys of magic. Bolts of fire and arcs of lightning streaked across the battlefield, slamming into the rear ranks of the advancing enemy. Goblins shrieked as flames consumed them, while orcs roared in rage as lightning seared their flesh.


    A gap appeared in the shield wall as one shield man fell to a goblin¡¯s dagger, the small creature leaping through the breach with wild glee. Before it could reach the next rank, a swordsman stepped forward, slashing cleanly through the goblin¡¯s midsection. "Close the gap!" the commander roared, and the line shifted, shields clanging as they reformed.


    The orcs, sensing weakness, pushed harder. One swung its axe in a wide arc, smashing through a shield and sending its wielder sprawling. The orc raised its weapon for a killing blow, but a spearman drove his weapon into its side before it could strike. The orc roared in pain, its blood soaking the ground, before collapsing.


    "Second line, advance!" the commander ordered. A fresh wave of combatants surged forward, spears bristling as they replaced the front line. The injured were pulled back, and the relentless grind of the battle continued. Overhead, archers fired a steady stream of arrows, thinning the goblin ranks as they tried to flank the defenders.


    ¡°Push forward! Do not falter!¡± bellowed the commander, his voice barely audible over the chaos. The shield wall advanced, their boots squelching in the mire of blood and entrails. Swords hacked and slashed, severing limbs and splitting skulls. The ground was littered with grotesque remains: goblins with their guts spilled open, twitching and gurgling; orcs clutching at their throats as dark ichor bubbled from fatal wounds.


    A swordsman stumbled, his footing lost in the chaos, as a goblin sprang from the darkness, its wiry claws raking deep into his calf. He screamed in agony, his sword trembling in his grip as he stabbed frantically at the creature. The goblin hissed, undeterred, its jagged teeth sinking into his leg. The sickening sound of flesh tearing filled the air as it ripped a chunk of muscle away, blood cascading in thick streams. The swordsman¡¯s cries turned to choking gasps, his strength waning with each passing second.


    Another swordsman dashed to his aid, his blade plunging into the goblin¡¯s spine with brutal force. The sickening crack of bone echoed as the creature¡¯s body spasmed and split apart, its shriek abruptly silenced. The injured man tried to rise, his blood-soaked leg trembling beneath him, but collapsed to the ground. His pale face contorted in pain as his lifeblood spilled onto the trampled earth, mingling with the corpses of friend and foe alike.


    ¡°Healer! I need a healer!¡± his comrade shouted, his voice raw with desperation.


    ¡°All injured personnel, fall back now! Cover the healers!¡± barked the platoon commander, his voice cutting through the bedlam.


    The wounded were dragged from the front lines, their groans and screams haunting those still standing. The commander¡¯s gaze swept over the carnage¡ªtwenty of his men already lost to this unholy assault, and the wave of enemies still pressing on. Blood pooled at his feet, thick as sludge, and the coppery tang mixed with the acrid smoke of burnt wood and flesh hung heavy in the air. But retreat was not an option. Not yet.


    ¡°Hold the line!¡± he roared, his voice sharp enough to cut through the terror. He turned toward the treeline, and his breath caught. There, amidst the twisted shadows, malevolent crimson eyes began to glow. One by one, they appeared, flickering like cursed lanterns. His spine stiffened as an icy dread clawed at him.


    ¡°Damn this cursed bastard,¡± he muttered under his breath, knowing full well the second wave was about to descend. They must not break through.


    ¡°Combat mage!¡± he snapped. ¡°Target that treeline. Call for a barrage¡ªnow!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Commander!¡± A mage stepped forward, sweat dripping down his temple. He raised his staff, a faint crimson light gathering at its tip. The spell shot forward in a searing streak of red, its energy carving through the air before striking the treeline. The impact burst upward, creating a vertical beam like a laser.


    On the walls, the Mage Captain raised his staff, his commanding voice booming. ¡°All mages, prepare your spells. Aim for the marker. Use your strongest incantations!¡±


    ¡°Charge mana!¡± The air above the wall shimmered with the formation of dozens of magic circles, glowing in hues of fiery red, electric blue, and stormy violet. The energy within each circle pulsed and hummed, growing brighter and spinning faster with each second.


    ¡°Hold¡­¡± the Captain ordered,


    ¡°Release!¡±


    A deafening roar erupted as the spells launched skyward in a dazzling storm of light. Fireballs streaked like comets, arcs of lightning crackled violently, and shards of ice gleamed as they hurtled toward the treeline. The explosion that followed was cataclysmic, obliterating trees and sending a plume of debris rocketing into the night sky.


    Cheers erupted from the footmen, their morale bolstered by the spectacle of devastation. But their celebration is only short-lived.


    As the dust began to settle, more crimson eyes appeared, glowing brighter, more numerous than before. And then, breaking through the forest¡¯s edge, a single blue light emerged, flickering like an ominous star. The earth trembled with each step, the sound of trees snapping growing louder, closer.


    ¡°Brace yourselves!¡± a soldier shouted, his voice tinged with panic.


    The ground quaked violently as a massive claw emerged from the shadows, its obsidian surface gleaming in the moonlight. The beast¡¯s form followed¡ªa colossal, lizard-like monstrosity covered in scales that shimmered like cursed gemstones. Its breath hissed through bared fangs, each one dripping with a corrosive blue liquid that sizzled upon contact with the ground.


    The Cerus stepped into the clearing, its malevolent azure eyes surveying the battlefield. A hush fell over the defenders, their hearts sinking in unison as primal terror gripped them.


    The commander struggled to speak, his voice catching in his throat as the Cerus fixed its gaze on him. Its movements were swift, its massive tail whipping through the air with the force of a hurricane. It struck the defensive line, the impact shattering shields and hurling soldiers like ragdolls. Bones snapped and screams filled the air as lightning coursed through the beast¡¯s tail, electrocuting those caught in its path.


    The commander found himself thrown to the ground, the breath knocked from his lungs. As he struggled to rise, he looked up¡ªand froze. The Cerus towered above him, its fangs bared, its claws gouging the earth. Steam hissed from its maw, the stench of death thick in the air. Its glowing eyes bore into him, radiating a malice so profound it rendered him speechless.

 Weapon From Another World

    The commander found himself thrown to the ground, the breath knocked from his lungs. As he struggled to rise, he looked up¡ªand froze. The Cerus towered above him, its fangs bared, its claws gouging the earth. Steam hissed from its maw, the stench of death thick in the air. Its glowing eyes bore into him, radiating a malice so profound it rendered him speechless.


    To make matters worse, goblin and orcs already encircling them.


    He knew it was over. His mind screamed for him to retreat, to call for reinforcements, but his body refused to obey. The Cerus leaned closer, its hot, fetid breath washing over him. His vision blurred, his world narrowing to the monster before him. ¡°Have I already fulfilled my duty? Commander Tiger?¡± he asked himself.


    The commander¡¯s lips trembled, but no words came. Only silence remained as the Cerus prepared to strike.


    Inside the steel confines of the tank, Ivan¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a whip. ¡°Jusis! Do you have visual on it?¡±


    Ivan¡¯s heart pounded as he scanned the feed from the tank¡¯s external cameras, the Cerus now filling the center screen. Even through the grainy night vision, the creature looked colossal, grotesque, and impossibly alien. Its shimmering aura made the surrounding goblins seem insignificant.


    Jusis stared through his scope, his blood running cold. The sight sent a primal chill to his core. His mouth went dry as he watched the Cerus exhale, its maw hissing with steam like a furnace of pure hatred. The air around it seemed to warp under its sheer presence. His mind screamed at him to flee, to abandon this mission and save himself. Yet his hands stayed on the controls, gripping them so tightly his knuckles whitened.


    While his eyes on the sight, he gripped the gun control tightly, and reminded himself, ¡°Just like earlier, just one pull and it¡¯ll be gone.¡±


    ¡°I got it on my sight!¡± He replied to Ivan as the main gun crosshair lined up to the target. His eyes glued on the Cerus.


    ¡°Leo, check the gun if it''s locked!¡± Hearing it, he instantly checks the gun breech and as Ivan instructed earlier, it''s already locked and loaded. ¡°Locked as it is, My lord.¡± He replied.


    Lastly, Ivan called for Leila. ¡°Leila, observe the damage after we fire, check if its still alive.¡± Compared earlier, the first time he saw such a hellish monster again, somehow, right now she is much more calm, probably because of the fact that this weapon, this monster she¡¯s in right now is capable of defeating such a powerful foe. A foe they ought to be invincible.


    Leila only respond with a simple serious ¡°Okay¡±


    Scarface glanced at his screen again, they were a hundred meters away from Cerus. ¡°Jusis, the gun?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still On the target¡±


    ¡°Everyone, stay out of the recoil area! Hold tight!¡± Ivan said


    Leo, straightened up his body to make himself a little thinner so he could avoid the Ivan said ¡®recoil¡¯ Jusis finger is poised on the trigger and eyes on the target. Leila clutches her chest. And finally¡­


    The most awaited order came from Ivan. ¡°FIRE!¡± He orders.


    Jusis gritted his teeth and just like what he  did on the pistol, his finger pulled the trigger of the gun¡­


    From the end of the breech, where the APFSDS round is inserted, a firing pin hits the primer of the round which ignites the propellant. The high chambered pressure build up and then, the projectile, sabot propelled through the smoothbore barrel. With a loud explosion, the Sabot streaks through the air in a velocity of 1740m/s or 5 times the speed of sound. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Then as it left the muzzle, the sabot petaled up and spread, leaving the tungsten arrow on the target at the target at supersonic speed.


    The Cerus was already ready to stomp the petrified commander but suddenly, The commander heard a ¡®thung!¡± a sharp sound passed by and the Lizard-like monster paused midair, suddenly he heard a loud bang followed it.


    Inside the tank, the crew felt the beastly power of their weapon. The 70-ton metal giant rocked violently with the force of the shot, its suspension groaning as if it, too, were alive and caught in the chaos. The sheer power of the gun¡¯s recoil reverberated through the hull, shaking the crew like leaves in a storm. Inside, the deafening BOOM of the shot erupted, momentarily muting all sound and leaving their ears ringing with a high-pitched whine that seemed to crawl into their skulls.


    ¡°Arrgh! What the hell just happened?!¡± Jusis shouted, his voice strained as he clutched at his seat for stability. His chest heaved, his pulse hammering in his throat. All he remembered was pulling the trigger, and then the gun recoiled with the force of a lightning strike. The air inside the cabin turned thick with the smell of burnt metal and propellant, a suffocating reminder of the weapon¡¯s raw might.


    Leonard sat frozen, his face pale. ¡°That...that¡¯s beyond powerful¡­¡± he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His words were laced with awe and fear, his trembling hands gripping his seat as if it was the only anchor in a storm.


    Leila, meanwhile, blinked through the ringing in her ears. Despite the chaos, her mind fixated on one thought: amazement. ¡°It doesn¡¯t use mana at all¡­¡± she murmured in disbelief, her fingers trembling as she brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.


    Ivan remained steady, his stoic demeanor unshaken. His eyes were locked onto the monitor, watching as the round streaked toward its mark. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face as he saw the Cerus stagger, its enormous frame collapsing to the ground in a plume of dirt and debris. But even as relief threatened to creep in, his instincts screamed otherwise. ¡°Leila!¡± he barked, his voice sharp. ¡°Check the damage!¡±


    Snapping out of her thoughts, Leila quickly cast a short-range mana detection spell. Her hands glowed faintly, her focus absolute. Then, with a gasp, she declared, ¡°I don¡¯t detect any life essence!¡± Her voice was filled with an almost childlike glee as the impossible turned possible before her eyes.


    Jusis immediately leaned back into his scope, his heartbeat pounding like a war drum. His breath hitched as he confirmed what she said¡ªthe Cerus lay still, its massive, monstrous form lifeless on the ground. A cold shiver ran down his spine. ¡°With just a single pull¡­¡± he muttered, his eyes fixed on the fallen beast. His gaze drifted to his trembling index finger, the very one that had unleashed this unearthly power. ¡°I wielded something no human should. Did I really¡­ kill that thing?¡±


    Leonard, seated to his side, glanced at his sister for reassurance. If not for Leila¡¯s unwavering confirmation, he might not have believed it himself. Yet, despite his awe, an overwhelming wave of relief washed over him. For the second time, the metal monster they operated had proven itself capable of slaying horrors that once seemed invincible.


    The platoon leader, still slumped on the blood-soaked dirt, stared in frozen disbelief as the Cerus collapsed with a thunderous crash. His body refused to move, paralyzed by exhaustion and fear. His wide eyes slowly shifted to the new, unknown monster looming under the moonlight. Its metallic hull gleamed like silver armor, and its two bright white lamps pierced through the darkness like unblinking eyes. Trails of white smoke coiled from its barrel, as if exhaling the ghost of the shot it had just fired.


    It was exactly as Commander Macthur described¡ªa weapon of unimaginable power, a creation from another world, capable of killing the invincible. A weak smile broke across the leader¡¯s cracked lips.


    Though his legs trembled and his strength seemed gone, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to his feet, leaning heavily on his bloodied sword. His knees wobbled, but he stood tall and proud. Turning toward the tank, he raised his sword in salute, its blade catching the moonlight. ¡°There¡¯s hope for us now,¡± he whispered.


    He summoned what little mana remained in him, channeling it into the blade. A beacon of blue and white light burst forth from the sword, arcing into the night sky like a flare. It was the signal for all forces to see: The Cerus has fallen.


    But the battle was far from over. From the shadows behind him, a creeping goblin lunged, its jagged blade aimed for the platoon leader¡¯s exposed back. His battle-honed instincts roared to life. He spun on his heel, swinging his sword in a wide arc. The blade hummed as it cleaved through the air, slashing through the group of goblins with a burst of mana-infused energy. The goblins crumpled to the ground, lifeless.


    Adrenaline surged through him, his morale reignited. He turned back toward the battlefield, his eyes narrowing as more malevolent crimson orbs lit up in the dark¡ªa new wave of demons advancing. Then, to the southwest, another sinister azure light pierced the heavens. His heart sank. Another Cerus had appeared.

 Hit it

    Adrenaline surged through him, his morale reignited. He turned back toward the battlefield, his eyes narrowing as more malevolent crimson orbs lit up in the dark¡ªa new wave of demons advancing. Then, to the southwest, another sinister azure light pierced the heavens. His heart sank. Another Cerus had appeared.


    Inside the tank, Leila¡¯s voice crackled over the intercom. ¡°M-Mister Ivan! New Cerus sighting at southeast, 600 meters!¡±


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Ivan replied, his tone steady but tense. His eyes darted to his monitor, briefly scanning the fallen Cerus. The APFSDS round had punched clean through the beast¡¯s massive frame. Too much penetration, he thought grimly. A HEAT round or even the 20mm cannon might have sufficed.


    Leonard, ever eager yet unused to the tank¡¯s mechanics, turned to Ivan. ¡°My lord,¡± he began in deep, formal tones, ¡°shall I prepare another bolt for thy weapon? This¡­this contraption of divine fury?¡±


    ¡°Just clear the spent casing for now,¡± Ivan instructed, his voice clipped and efficient. ¡°Pull the lever down, and it¡¯ll eject.¡±


    Leonard did as instructed, flinching slightly as the heavy spent casing clattered to the floor with a metallic thud. ¡°Aye, my lord. The casing is removed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you which ammunition to load next,¡± Ivan added.


    ¡°Yes, my lord,¡± Leonard replied.


    ¡°Do exactly what you did earlier,¡± Ivan reminded them. ¡° Hold on tight¡ªwe¡¯re moving in.¡±


    Scarface gripped the controls, twisting them hard to the right. The tank¡¯s left track roared to life, grinding against the dirt as it pivoted with crushing force. The ground trembled under its weight, sending clouds of dust into the air as it turned toward the new target.


    The platoon commander stood rooted in place, watching as the tank rotated its turret with mechanical precision, its barrel now aligned toward the fresh wave of threats in the distance. Moments later, its treads roared to life, and the monstrous machine surged forward like an unstoppable juggernaut. The earth trembled beneath its weight, dust rising in its wake as it charged toward its new prey.


    The commander felt a renewed fire igniting in his chest. He inhaled deeply, his lungs filling with the acrid air of the battlefield, then let out a thunderous shout. His voice, sharp and commanding, cut through the chaotic noise.


    ¡°Everyone! Regroup on me at the second line!¡± His words were firm, an anchor in the storm of battle. ¡°You¡¯ve seen it¡ªour weapon took down a Cerus! We have hope! Leave the big ones to them¡ª¡±


    His words were interrupted as an orc lunged at him, its guttural roar echoing. The commander didn¡¯t flinch. With practiced precision, he thrust his sword forward, the blade piercing the creature¡¯s chest. Blood sprayed as the orc collapsed at his feet, its body twitching in its final moments.


    He yanked the blade free, the steel gleaming with crimson, and raised it high. ¡°And us? We¡¯ll deal with the small fries!¡±


    A collective roar erupted from the remaining defenders, their morale reignited like a firestorm.


    The RedMusket roared forward at full speed, its massive turbine engine emitting a high-pitched whine that reverberated across the battlefield. Ivan expertly maneuvered the tank, weaving through the chaotic terrain, narrowly avoiding friendly forces scrambling to evade the juggernaut. Inside, Leila scribbled a quick note in her logbook: "Lacertil Cerus killed." With one Cerus down, the five in the sector had been reduced to four. Still, urgency loomed heavy as she glanced skyward, spotting another azure signal blinking¡ªa squad was already locked in combat with a Cerus.


    Ivan pushed the engine harder, his knuckles white as he gripped the controls. The second Cerus came into view¡ªa massive, glowing lizard-like behemoth exuding an ominous blue aura. It stood poised to strike a terrified squad frozen in its shadow.


    Through the intercom, Ivan¡¯s voice was steady but urgent. ¡°Jusis, ready your finger on the second trigger. When I say fire, hold it for three seconds.¡±


    Jusis tensed, his middle finger hovering over the 20mm autocannon¡¯s secondary trigger. ¡°Ready, sir.¡±


    ¡°Leonard, load HEAT rounds¡ªlook for the one marked with the ¡®H,¡¯¡± Ivan commanded.


    Leonard nodded, carefully opening the ammunition rack. Spotting the designated round, he hoisted it with both hands, the weight straining his arms, and slid it into the gun breach with a metallic clunk. Securing the breach, he pulled the lever and called out, ¡°Up!¡±


    The tank barreled forward, its trajectory aligning with the Cerus¡¯s erratic movements. Ivan took over manual aiming, anticipating the creature¡¯s next lunge. Despite the chaos, his hands remained steady, his focus razor-sharp.


    ¡°Jusis, sight on the target?¡± Ivan barked.


    Jusis peered through the scope, his breathing shallow. The reticle aligned with the Cerus, its monstrous form nearly filling his field of vision. ¡°Target identified!¡±


    ¡°Fire second gun! Three-round burst!¡± Ivan ordered.


    The 20mm autocannon erupted, its staccato roar splitting the air. Three shells tore through the darkness, but only one found its mark, exploding against the Cerus¡¯s face in a burst of fire and shrapnel. A thick spray of glowing blue ichor gushed from the wound, pooling beneath the monster.


    ¡°That did some damage,¡± Ivan muttered, his voice grim, ¡°but it¡¯s not enough.¡±


    The Cerus reared back, its growl deep and guttural, the sound reverberating through the tank¡¯s hull. Its glowing eyes locked onto the source of its pain. With an enraged roar, the beast charged, each thunderous step shaking the ground as it bore down on the RedMusket.


    The rapid thud of the Cerus¡¯s footsteps echoed inside the tank. Jusis felt his chest tighten, his heart pounding as if it would explode. His grip on the controls faltered for a split second, panic threatening to overwhelm him.


    ¡°Stay focused, Jusis!¡± Ivan snapped, his voice cutting through the young gunner¡¯s fear. ¡°Ready the main gun!¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Leonard and Leila braced themselves, gripping the tank¡¯s interior handles as the monster drew closer. Jusis¡¯s eyes locked on the charging Cerus, its glowing maw wide open as if to swallow the tank whole.


    ¡°Fire main gun!¡± Ivan commanded.


    Jusis gritted his teeth, steadied his trembling hands, and yanked the trigger. The tank unleashed its fury, the high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round screaming through the air before slamming into the Cerus¡¯s head.


    The resulting explosion is cataclysmic. The Cerus¡¯s skull disintegrated into a gruesome spray of azure ichor and chunks of flesh, the shockwave rattling the tank¡¯s crew even inside their armored cocoon. The massive creature collapsed, its lifeless body thudding heavily to the ground.


    Inside the tank, silence reigned for a moment, broken only by the crackling of distant fires and the crew¡¯s labored breathing. Ivan glanced at the mangled remains through his monitor, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°Target down,¡± he confirmed, his tone devoid of triumph. ¡°Three more to go. Leila, any Cerus nearby?¡±


    Leila raised her wooden staff, her fingers trembling as she focused her mana. She murmured an incantation under her breath, and a soft glow emanated from her staff¡¯s crystal tip. ¡°Two Cerus at our eight o¡¯clock, 800 meters,¡± she finally reported, her tone steadier now. Glancing skyward, she added, ¡°No squad engaged yet.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Ivan twisted the tank¡¯s driving controls, redirecting its course toward the new targets.


    The combat personnel who had just witnessed Cerus obliterated stood frozen in awe. Their disbelief lingered, but the war offered no room for celebration. The ground shook again as waves of enemy goblins surged forward, their shrieks cutting through the chaos.


    ¡°Leila, can you cover the tank?¡± Ivan asked, noting the goblins that threatened to intercept their path.


    ¡°Leave it to me!¡± Leila replied confidently, her hands gripping the staff tightly.


    ¡°Sister, is there any way I can support you right now?¡± Leonard asked from his post.


    ¡°Not at the moment,¡± she said without breaking focus. ¡°For now, keep reloading Ivan¡¯s weapon.¡±


    Leila climbed halfway out of the turret hatch, exposing her upper body to the battlefield. She raised her staff high, its crystal tip gleaming brilliantly. With a commanding voice, she chanted,


    ¡°Crystallis Spherum Ignis!¡±


    The air above the tank shimmered as multiple magical circles materialized, glowing a radiant blue. From each circle, a barrage of crystalline shards erupted, streaking toward the charging goblins. The crystals struck with unerring precision, piercing their ranks and stopping their advance cold. Goblins fell like ragdolls, their bodies crumpling into heaps on the blood-soaked battlefield.


    The defenders on the South Sector walls continued their desperate fight, casting spells and hurling arrows into the surging enemy forces. Slowly but steadily, they began to retreat, rallying around.


    Finally, the RedMusket reached its third target¡ªa Lacertil Cerus, its monstrous form already locked in battle with two beleaguered squads. Soldiers stood their ground with swords raised and shields braced, their faces pale but determined.


    ¡°Just like earlier, Jusis. Fire a three-round burst with the second gun. Leonard, load HEAT,¡± Ivan ordered, his voice calm yet firm.


    As the loader and gunner scrambled to prepare, Leila suddenly shrieked, her voice cracking with panic. ¡°GET OUT OF THERE!¡±


    Her shout crackled through the intercom, jolting Ivan to look at the monitor. His blood ran cold. The Cerus¡¯s scales had begun to glow with an eerie, electric blue light¡ªfar brighter than before. Its jaws yawned open, pulsing with energy, and rows of luminescent spikes erupted along its spine, running all the way to its tail.


    A devastating attack is imminent.


    The squads below realized it too late. The Defenders turned to flee, abandoning their formation in a frantic rush. Ivan¡¯s eyes narrowed as he wrestled to line up the tank. At this distance¡ª500 meters¡ªit was far from ideal. He muttered under his breath, If only Reznov were here.


    Amid the chaos, one soldier stumbled. He hit the ground hard, his shield clattering beside him. Time slowed. The Cerus¡¯s spiked tail began to whip into motion, glowing brighter with lethal intent.


    ¡°Can I fire?!¡± Jusis¡¯s voice cracked through the intercom, his breath ragged as he watched the soldier struggling. His hands trembled over the controls.


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Ivan tried to command, but before he could finish, Jusis squeezed the trigger.


    A deafening BOOM filled the inside of tank as the main gun fired, rocking the tank violently backward. Leonard and Leila were thrown off balance, and even Ivan staggered as the recoil jolted through their armored shell.


    The shot missed.


    The Cerus, undeterred, surged forward with terrifying speed¡ªfaster than a creature its size had any right to move. The downed soldier barely had time to scream before the beast¡¯s massive claws came crashing down, pulverizing him into the dirt.


    ¡°NOOOO!¡± Leila¡¯s anguished scream rang out, her hands reaching out as though she could somehow pull him to safety.


    The Cerus spun like a living storm. Its tail, a blur of jagged spikes, sliced through the two squads as they ran. A searing blue light trailed its movement, mingling with arcs of red as flesh and bone were obliterated. Bodies crumpled, limbs severed, and the ground ran slick with blood and azure mist.


    Inside the tank, the crew sat frozen, their horror reflected in the pale glow of their monitors.


    ¡°God damn it! I told you to wait!¡± Ivan¡¯s voice thundered through the cabin, his anger boiling over. Jusis felt his heart plummet, the weight of his missed shot and the slaughtered squads pressing down on him like a leaden anchor.


    But there is no time for blame. The Cerus had paused, its glowing eyes locking onto the charging metal beast¡ªa predator now sizing up its challenger.


    Leila stared blankly at the remains of the squads, her hands trembling on her staff. ¡°Sister!¡± Leonard¡¯s voice cut through the haze, snapping her back to the moment.


    Ivan slammed the throttle forward, sending the 70-ton tank barreling toward the monstrous creature at 60 km/h. ¡°Jusis!¡± he barked.


    Jusis hesitated, his shame and shock paralyzing him. ¡°Y-yes,¡± he stammered.


    ¡°When the crosshairs line up again, hold the second trigger and don¡¯t let go until I say so. DO YOU COPY?!¡± Ivan¡¯s voice burned with authority.


    ¡°I-I understood,¡± Jusis replied, his voice trembling but resolute.


    Ivan¡¯s tone dropped to a chilling calm. ¡°Let¡¯s give that son of a bitch what it deserves.¡±


    Gripping the controls, Ivan twisted the tank¡¯s direction to the left, lining up the crosshairs manually with the Cerus. The turret stayed locked at 12 o¡¯clock¡ªhis precise steering is their only aim.


    ¡°Hit it!¡±


    Jusis pulled the second trigger. The 20mm autocannon roared to life, spitting high-explosive rounds at a blistering 120 rounds per minute. The battlefield quaked as bursts of explosions peppered the Cerus¡¯s scaled hide.


    The monster bellowed in agony, each shot cracking its thick, iridescent scales like glass struck by hammers. Shards of blue-tinged plating flew off, and its azure blood gushed out in erratic splashes, like water bursting through cracks in a dam.


    ¡°Aaaaaaargh!¡± Jusis screamed, his fury spilling over as he held the trigger.


    The Cerus staggered under the relentless barrage. Its movements slowed, its once-menacing posture crumbling as it was reduced to a wounded, flailing mass. The closer the tank came, the clearer its fate became.


    And then, the 70-ton war machine met its prey.


    The ground shook as the RedMusket thundered over the Cerus. The tank¡¯s steel treads ground the beast into a gory pulp, azure ichor splattering in every direction, painting the dirt with its shimmering gore. The creature¡¯s limbs twitched one final time beneath the crushing weight of the M1 Abrams.


    Ivan didn¡¯t stop.


    He yanked the controls into reverse, the tank grinding back over the Cerus¡¯s broken body with a sickening squelch. The monstrous predator that once towered over soldiers, that crushed them with ease, was now nothing but a pulverized mess beneath the merciless advance of steel and fire.


    ¡°Target neutralized,¡±


    The inside fell silent.


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