Chapter 157: Chapter 157- Battle Start
Kevin stepped back into the room, his footsteps heavier than usual. Forcing a smile, he clapped his hands together and said, "Why’s everyone so quiet? Come on, let’s keep drinking."
But no one answered. The air was thick, awkward. They could all see it, the redness in Kevin’s eyes, the way his smile trembled at the edges. He tried to keep up his usual cheerful front, but it was too transparent.
Julian finally broke the silence. "It’s okay to cry, you know."
Kevin froze for a second, then forced a laugh. "What do you mean?" he asked, still wearing that fragile grin.
Julian’s gaze stayed steady. "I mean you don’t have to hide how you feel. Pretending otherwise is just lying to yourself."
Leighton nodded softly and added, "Julian’s right. And... we owe you an apology. We overheard your conversation with Her. But because of that, we also know you shouldn’t carry this weight alone. Let us share it. We can help."
Rogan leaned back in his chair and said bluntly, "Kevin, don’t waste your tears on a woman who doesn’t value you."
The words hit Kevin harder than he expected, and his throat tightened as though he might break down again. Forcing a shaky smile, he muttered, "Then I guess tonight... you’ll all just have to drink with me until morning."
Rea lifted his cup with a grin. "Don’t worry, I’ll keep you company. Drink as much as you want, I’ll match you."
Luke sighed, glancing at Kevin. "Senior, have you forgotten already? If you overdo it, you’ll be impossible to wake up tomorrow."
Rogan only smirked and shrugged. "Let him be."
Rea chuckled and lifted his drink again. "Don’t worry, my body’s already adapted to alcohol. I’ll be fine."
Rogan replied flatly, "If you end up passed out in the street tomorrow, don’t blame us."
They all laughed lightly, the heaviness from earlier easing little by little. Kevin opened up more as the night went on, letting his guard down, and the others encouraged him, offering their support in their own ways. That night ended with camaraderie, their voices and laughter softening the sting of Kevin’s heartbreak.
The next day, however, there was no sign of Nia. No message, no appearance. Even as Kevin and his group searched throughout the city, aided by the City Lord’s men, she was nowhere to be found. Out of desperation, Kevin even questioned Leo, the man he suspected she had joined, but Leo only shrugged and claimed ignorance.
All Kevin could do was cling to hope, that Nia was safe somewhere, that she would one day return. He promised himself that once their business in Meltdown was settled, he would search for her no matter what.
Two days slipped by.
And then, on the appointed day, the Sky Whale loomed closer than ever, its massive shadow stretching across the horizon as it drew near to the city of Meltdown.
Everyone was already in their assigned positions. In the heart of Meltdown stood the colossal weapon designed to shatter the Sky Whale’s shield, its structure towering proudly above the city, gleaming with the collective effort of countless hands. It waited, silent and menacing, ready to fire.
At the front gate, soldiers and adventurers lined the fortress walls, their eyes fixed on the incoming tide. The ground shook faintly as an unending horde of zombified beasts surged forward like a living wave, led by the Sky Whale itself, swimming ominously through the heavens above. Its shadow blanketed the city, and for a moment, even the most hardened warriors felt small beneath its presence.
The four divisions, bolstered by independent groups, had been divided into seven strike teams. Each had their targets, each had their role.
The first group, Leighton, Zoe, and Vivi were tasked with holding back the rampaging Lion Zombie, its roars echoing across the battlefield like thunder.
The second group, Clarissa, Sefi, and Reimon would face the terrifying Eagle Zombie swooping down from the skies, its wings beating like storms.
The third group, Luke, Don, and Celestia were sent to counter the endless Centipede Zombie, its massive body cutting across the land like a writhing fortress.
The fourth group, Fey, Emma, and Lea stood against the monstrous Turtle Zombie, its armored shell like an unbreakable mountain.
Emma’s eyes gleamed with excitement, her lips curling into a smile as she looked upon the enemy. "They’re huge... magnificent! I can’t wait to burn them all to ash."
Beside her, Vivi spun her dagger with a grin, voice sharp with anticipation. "Don’t worry, I’ll slice them into neat little pieces for you."
Reimon let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as he adjusted the strap of his weapon. "Why am I even on the frontlines? This isn’t my place..."
Leighton turned to him, his tone calm but firm. "Your skill will be invaluable, Reimon. Just focus on supporting us. The rest, we’ll handle together."
Reimon grimaced, lowering his gaze. "I can’t promise much... I don’t exactly trust my aim. So, don’t expect miracles."
Clarissa stepped closer, her voice soft and reassuring. "It’s alright. We’ll protect you with everything we’ve got."
Meanwhile, the fifth group had been stationed near the colossal anti-shield weapon in the center of the city, Belle, Cindy, Rea, Kevin, and Lucy. Their mission was crucial: defend the weapon from the swarm of insect-like creatures, the dragonflies, which the Sky Whale was expected to unleash in a targeted strike.
Kevin sat within the weapon’s cockpit, hands resting on the control handles as he stared silently out into the distance. Sebas worked at his side, fine-tuning the mechanisms, his fingers moving swiftly across the array of levers and glowing circuits.
Kevin’s role was clear, charge the weapon with his Light ability, pouring his energy into it until it could shatter the Sky Whale’s shield.
Belle, stacking and checking the ammunition beside the control deck, glanced at Kevin and noticed his faraway expression. "Hey, are you alright?" she asked gently.
Kevin blinked, pulling himself back to the present. He turned to her, forcing a faint smile. "Hmm? I’m fine... just thinking."
Belle gave a small, knowing shake of her head. "Don’t overthink it. Nia’s probably off somewhere, relaxing like she always does."
Kevin’s lips curved into a bittersweet smile. "Yeah... you’re probably right. Just like her."
"That’s why," Belle continued, her tone firmer now, "you need to focus. You’re the core of this operation. If you waver, the whole city falls with you."
Kevin exhaled and straightened his posture, nodding. "You’re right. Thanks, Belle. I’ll give it everything."
At that moment, Sebas, having finished adjusting the last series of glowing runes, turned toward him. "The weapon is ready, Mr. Kevin. All systems aligned. Stay on standby and keep channeling your Light."
Kevin placed his hands back on the handles, his expression hardening with resolve. "Alright then... let’s bring that monster down."
Belle, satisfied after seeing Kevin return to his usual focused self, resumed loading the ammunition. Her hands moved automatically, but her eyes flicked toward Lucy, who stood motionless near the edge of the platform, her gaze sharp and unreadable as if she were observing rather than participating. Belle’s suspicion deepened, recalling Sebas’s earlier warning.
’Keep an eye on her. If she makes a wrong move, Don’t hesitate to pull the trigger.’
Rea, meanwhile, leaned against the railing, his eyes widening at the massive silhouette of the Sky Whale above. Its shadow stretched across the battlefield, dwarfing even the largest monsters below. "Woah... it’s even bigger than I imagined," He breathed, exhaling in relief. "I’m honestly glad I wasn’t assigned to the frontlines."
Cindy, standing beside him with arms crossed, rolled her eyes. "Of course you’d say that. You’re way too coward for the vanguard anyway."
Rea puffed out his cheeks in mock annoyance, shrugging. "Better a coward alive than a brave corpse."
Lucy’s voice cut through their banter, cool and dripping with disdain. "Cowards."
Cindy’s head snapped toward her, her expression twisting with irritation. "What did you just say? Go on, say that again!"
Lucy, however, didn’t even glance at her. She stood perfectly still, her silence sharper than words, her lips pressed into a thin line as if Cindy weren’t worth acknowledging.
Cindy’s fists clenched, her temper flaring. "You—!" She took a step forward, but Rea quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "Hey hey, easy,"
The tension was thick enough to cut, but Belle’s chuckle broke through it, light but edged with irony. She shook her head, stacking another set of rounds. "Looks like our group’s the noisiest of them all."
Kevin glanced back at them briefly from the cockpit, his eyes lingering on Lucy for a second longer before turning forward again, jaw tightening.
And back at the frontlines, in the sixth group stood Glain, Veronica, Beatrix, Rogan, Aya, Dori, and Noah. They were the core support unit. The City Lord himself, Glain channeled his druidic skills, weaving barriers of living energy and mending wounds whenever the situation allowed.
Veronica remained behind the frontline, her focus entirely on enchanting the fighters. Every spell she cast bolstered their strength but weighed heavily on her own body. She sighed softly, a touch of longing in her voice. "If only I could fight those monsters directly..."
Aya, standing beside her with her and said. "Don’t worry. I’ll do the shooting for both of us."
"That’s not the same," Veronica muttered, lips pursed in mild frustration.
Meanwhile, the final unit, the one that carried the heaviest burden, was Group Zero. Their mission was to distract the Sky Whale itself and, once its shield finally shattered, deliver the killing blow. The group consisted of Joe, Rafael, Leo, and Julian.