The situation was far worse than expected. This wasn't a colony of two hundred.
This was a nest of thousands.
A field team of eight had no right surviving such numbers—but none of them backed down. They shifted into an anti-horde formation, spacing themselves to cover multiple directions and create a human blockade.
Their task was simple: don't let anything pass.
As expected, the tankers were the first to charge.
However, there was an especially strong tanker charging straight toward Rex. Unlike the others, a dark, murky red aura seeped from its scales, distorting the air around it.
As soon as their weapons met, Rex's eyes widened in disbelief. A jolt ran down his arms, numbing his grip.
The difference in power was overwhelming.
"How are they this strong?!" he shouted, teeth clenched.
"Be careful!" Vellian warned sharply, still locked in combat with three tankers on his own. "I think they're using some kind of substance!"
