Chapter 14 — The Siege of Sena
The monster drew closer, its breath like a raging storm. Its shadow swallowed the sunlight, as if the sky itself trembled in fear.
Jake glanced back, his sharp eyes reflecting destruction.
"Keep running! Don't leave anyone behind!!"
Screams, dust, and the thunder of colossal footsteps merged into one. The world seemed to tremble to the rhythm of death.
Without realizing it, their final steps carried the entire squad across a transparent blue energy line glowing along the ground.
Then—
BOOOOM!!
The giant monster slammed into an invisible energy wall. A blinding explosion of blue light erupted, shaking the air violently. The creature roared in fury, its grotesque face pressing against the unseen barrier.
"Damn… that was close," Jake hissed, breathing heavily as sweat dripped down his temples.
Everyone stood frozen, staring at the giant as it pounded the protective wall with chest-shaking roars.
Ryu and Evelyn exchanged relieved glances, while Leon slumped his shoulders, exhaling deeply.
"Haa… thank goodness," he muttered.
But Ryu's eyes sharpened as he stared at the monster in disbelief.
"How can they evolve to that size…" he thought, as if rejecting logic itself.
Before he could think further, the earth trembled again.
From behind the giant monster's legs, thousands of two-meter-tall creatures began emerging—a tide of darkness swallowing the horizon.
The soldiers gaped. Their faces drained of color.
"Move! We have to get out of here!" Jake shouted. "That wall won't last long if it keeps pounding it!"
Panic spread. Breaths grew ragged.
"I… I don't want to die at the hands of that thing!"
Jake raised his hand high. A blue aura ignited around his body. In an instant, thirty-eight energy horses materialized from swirling light.
"Mount up! Now!" Jake commanded.
The soldiers scrambled onto the glowing steeds. Within seconds, they sped away—leaving the roaring monster behind.
But not far—
CRAAASH!!
The blue barrier shattered like glass. The giant monster charged again, its roar like thunder. Thousands of smaller monsters followed behind—and some turned sharply, racing toward Sena City.
Jake glanced back, his face paling.
"Damn it… they're attacking Sena too," he muttered sharply.
"Commander! What do we do?!" a soldier cried in panic.
Jake clenched his teeth. "Don't lose hope! We can still save everyone!"
Blue energy flared in his hands again.
With incredible speed, he erected layered energy walls along the path behind them—one after another—blocking the horde from immediate pursuit.
"Hurry!" he shouted while manipulating the energy. "I'll hold them off as long as I can!"
From afar, the blue lights formed glowing fences like a magnificent labyrinth in the mist. Each barrier exploded upon impact, buying them precious seconds.
"So it's true…" Jake muttered between heavy breaths. "Among us… there's an enemy beneath the blanket."
Ryu glanced back, hearing the murmur, but had no time to ask.
They raced through the forest, leaves scattering from their speed. After several minutes, the monsters' roars began to fade. The soldiers' breathing remained heavy, but relief slowly crept into their faces.
Until—
An ancient structure loomed through the mist. Its walls were cracked yet majestic—like a forgotten castle abandoned by time.
"That's… our headquarters?" Evelyn asked in awe.
"Yes," Jake replied shortly. "We've arrived."
They dismounted as the energy horses dissolved into particles of light. Jake quickly ordered the soldiers to line up before the old castle.
"Any casualties?" he asked calmly, though the weight in his voice was unmistakable.
They exchanged glances. "None, Commander!" they answered in unison.
Jake nodded slowly. "Good."
Footsteps approached.
Five figures emerged from the mist—their attire heavier, their presence oppressive.
Jake faced them. "Allow me to introduce the five elite Monster Hunters I personally selected—warriors with high combat experience and strength."
Silence fell.
Then Jake frowned. "Where is Captain Akira?"
One of the elites chuckled lightly. "Relax, Commander. Akira's on his way."
Before the sentence finished—
Five monster heads fell from the sky, rolling across the ground before them.
The soldiers gasped in shock.
From the mist stepped a slender man—around 158 centimeters tall, handsome almost like a woman, yet his eyes were cold and firm.
"My apologies, Commander," he said flatly. "Some annoying creatures delayed me."
All eyes widened.
"Crazy… he killed five monsters alone?" a soldier whispered.
"I want to be that strong…" Ryu muttered in admiration.
Elias, Kael, and Leon stared in disbelief.
"So this is what it feels like to see a living legend," Elias whispered.
"That's why he's a captain," Kael added quietly.
"HEY, SHORTY! You're late again?!" shouted a blonde-haired woman, grabbing Akira's ear.
"Ow, Mira! Let go!" Akira protested.
Mira snorted. "Being late in front of the Commander is a disciplinary offense!"
"Enough, don't fight," Jake said, hiding a faint smile.
"What? Commander, you're letting him off like that?!" Mira glared. "He should be punished!"
The soldiers could only stare—stunned that anyone dared to scold Commander Jake.
Jake sighed. "Very well, if that's what you want."
Minutes later, Akira—along with the new Monster Hunter recruits—was holding a broom, sweeping the castle courtyard.
"See? Much nicer like this," Mira said with a satisfied laugh.
"Told you Akira's not as cool as me," Zen teased while leaning against a tree.
Akira snorted, sweeping lazily. "Tch… whatever."
His eyes stopped when he saw Ryu and Evelyn joking nearby.
"What are you two doing?!" he barked, walking closer. "Get back to work! If you keep fooling around, I'll throw you to the monsters!"
"Yes, Captain Akira!" Ryu, Evelyn, and Leon answered in unison.
Akira clicked his tongue. "Way too synchronized… just like Mira and the others," he muttered.
---
Inside the castle, Jake stood by a window with Sora, one of the elites.
"Sora," Jake said firmly. "Tell me what you wanted to report."
Sora bowed slightly. "Commander… on our way here, I saw a mysterious woman."
Jake's eyes sharpened. Velista immediately came to mind.
"And?"
"She was watching us… smiling," Sora explained.
"Did you see her face clearly?" Jake asked deeply.
"No, Commander. But her smile… it's unforgettable. She was incredibly beautiful." Sora looked down, cheeks faintly flushed. Damn… even more beautiful than me… she thought bitterly.
Jake murmured, "Very beautiful, huh…" He gazed out the window. "If you see her again, pursue her. Capture her."
"Yes, Commander."
Jake looked toward the cloudy sky.
Ken, Isabela… I hope you're safe in Sena City.
---
Meanwhile — At the Gates of Sena
Ken and Isabela stood atop the walls, staring into the thick mist outside. The massive silhouettes of monsters pounded against the weakening energy barrier.
"Damn it! They're here!" Isabela drew her sword.
"Prepare the troops! Everyone ready for war!!" Ken shouted.
"Yes!" Isabela leapt down, running among the Indosvara soldiers as alarms rang throughout the city.
Screams and marching footsteps echoed. Five thousand soldiers formed ranks, bows raised, shields lowered.
Ken stepped to the front line.
"Remember!" his voice thundered. "We stand here not just to live—but to protect our land! To protect our children and descendants! If we must die, then we die with honor!"
"For Indosvara! For humanity!" Isabela cried, raising her sword high.
Thousands roared in response.
"Defensive formation! Archers to the rear! Cavalry to the flanks! Front line—shields! Center—swords!" Ken commanded rapidly. "When the monsters are halted, rain arrows on their vital points! Show no mercy! Do not retreat a single step!!"
Lightning split the sky.
The final energy wall began to crack.
Then—
CRAAASH!!
The blue barrier shattered.
The roar of thousands of monsters shook the earth.
A black wave surged forward like a storm of flesh and fangs.
"ATTACK!!" Ken roared.
Thousands of soldiers charged at once. Metal clashed. The ground trembled.
Humanity and monsters collided.
Light, blood, and screams merged into a single symphony of war.
To be continued…