The roar of war echoed over Coast City, clearly audible even in Billy Manor, located in the suburbs.
Luke stood by the window, quietly gazing into the distance.
Fires crisscrossed, connecting with the sky, accompanied by the sound waves from exploding shells and the tremors caused by collapsing buildings, as the city gradually became enveloped in an atmosphere of despair.
"I've seen a scene like this before," Luke murmured to himself, "but only in Transformers. I never thought it would one day play out in Coast City."
Thinking about the future of this city, Luke couldn't help but sigh. Disasters were frequent in the DC world, and while many cities had experienced war, Coast City was the only one that had been utterly destroyed—a unique case, never to be repeated.
Carol's brows were tightly furrowed, her hand clutching the original power ring. Several times she almost spoke, but ultimately held back.
Luke said in a low voice, "Now is not the time."
"But…"
"No 'buts'," Luke said with a firm tone. "If we act, it must be a killing blow. If we can't do that, don't be reckless. That will only expose us to danger."
Carol hesitated, "I think the two of us together should be fine?"
After days of training, her control over the power ring had become increasingly proficient. Coupled with Luke in his Ghost Armor, they had a seventy percent chance of victory working together.
"You're thinking too simply," Luke shook his head. "Hektor, who has absorbed the essence of hundreds of humans, isn't that weak. To take him down, we must seize the right moment."
"What moment?"
"When he's at his weakest, and when the army needs us most."
...The 20mm spiral-piercing rounds fired by the Vulcan M61 autocannon actually penetrated Hektor's protective layer. This sight startled the soldiers below, and the pilot's face lit up with joy as he furiously pressed the firing button.
Six barrels spun rapidly, spewing flames from their muzzles. In just a few seconds, over a thousand spiral-piercing rounds streaked across the sky.
Most of the bullets entering the vortex were twisted and deviated from their intended trajectory, but a small portion passed through, leaving a dozen bloody holes on Hektor's massive head and short body.
Seeing this through his binoculars, Carrick didn't hesitate, ordering the other helicopters to open fire and simultaneously instructing his soldiers to equip all machine guns with spiral-piercing rounds.
For a moment, gunfire thundered. The bullets from twelve Vulcan M61 autocannons transformed into a storm of steel, practically riddling Hektor like a sieve.
His body was covered in wounds of all sizes, blood oozing out and staining his clothes a deep red. Even so, he was still laughing maniacally, stretching out his arms and looking up at the sky, laughing like a madman.
His laughter, accompanied by powerful psychokinetic energy, spread in all directions, echoing clearly in every soldier's ears, making those who heard it feel a tightening in their hearts as fear involuntarily spread from the depths of their souls.
Carrick frowned deeply, completely puzzled.
His body was so battered, why didn't he die? That damned bastard, was he immortal?
Hektor's frenzy exceeded everyone's expectations, sending shivers down the spines of those present.
This wasn't a man; it was a devil!
Soon, the Vulcan M61 autocannon ran out of ammunition, forcing the pilot to switch to short-burst cannons to attack. It was then that a shocking scene unfolded.
Hektor's body began to glow. The blood and flesh that had flowed out turned into yellow particles suspended in mid-air, then, like swallows returning to their nests, they drilled back into his body. Wounds healed, blood holes vanished, and broken limbs self-repaired. In just over ten seconds, his body returned to its original state.
"Devil!"
"He's a devil!"
Citizens watching from afar cried out in terror, and the soldiers were dumbfounded. What kind of monster was this? Was he even human?
They were the fearless Fourth Mechanized Infantry Division, capable of charging to the front lines without hesitation in the face of war. But when confronted with demons and monsters that couldn't be killed by weapons, who wouldn't feel a chill?
An atmosphere of fear spread, and morale quickly plummeted.
Carrick, sensing this, roared into his walkie-talkie:
"The Fourth Mechanized Infantry Division isn't soft. Anyone who's scared,
get back! I don't need cowards."
"Open fire! Kill him!"
"Remember, we are the Fourth Mechanized Infantry Division. There are no cowards here."
His furious shouts roused the soldiers, who reloaded their weapons and attacked again.
At the same time, two F-16s flew overhead. Sidewinder missiles, trailing flames, plunged into the air vortex.
Boom!
A series of violent explosions erupted, shattering all the windows of the surrounding buildings. The shockwaves swept outwards like a gale. Carrick raised his arm to shield his eyes, and when the shockwave dissipated, he quickly looked forward.
The vortex had stopped. The fiery impact from the Sidewinder missile explosions had shattered the vortex's field and caused enormous damage to Hektor. His left hand was gone, half his body was charred black, and there was a huge gash on the right side of his head.
"Well done!"
The soldiers cheered loudly. As long as weapons could cause damage, there was no problem; they just needed to hit him more times.
Carrick immediately ordered the tanks to fire. Thirteen tanks opened fire simultaneously, their cannons thundering, and the offensive was even more intense than before.
Hektor, in the center of the vortex, stared intently at his missing left hand. The frenzy in his eyes gradually receded, and reason gained the upper hand.
"My hand!"
"Damn it, you ruined my hand!"
His body trembled slightly, and a strong killing intent erupted in his eyes. He opened his right hand, aimed it in the direction of the helicopter, and gently squeezed.
Crack!
The propeller shattered, and the helicopter twisted and contracted, turning into a crumpled iron ball. The pilot and gunner inside were instantly crushed.
Hektor casually tossed it, and the large iron ball hurtled towards the street, knocking over three tanks before crashing into a building.
Hektor raised his hand again. His psychokinetic energy transformed into an invisible impact that sent two other Tiger helicopters flying. At the same time, a psychic energy wall appeared in the sky. The F-16s, unable to dodge, directly crashed into the energy wall,
with a deafening roar.
The two fighter jets exploded, turning into countless fragments that plummeted from the sky.
The situation reversed so quickly that the soldiers, who had just been cheering, felt as if someone had choked them.
In a matter of seconds, three Tiger helicopters and two F-16s were reduced to ashes.
The big-headed monster had only raised his hand, yet he could create such terrifying destruction.
It was truly terrifying. How could such a guy be dealt with using conventional weapons?
Carrick, seeing the unfavorable turn of events, quickly ordered the remaining two helicopters to leave. But it was already too late. Under everyone's gaze, the two helicopters rapidly contracted, like crumpled paper balls, turning into two iron spheres that fell from the sky to the ground.
Time seemed to pause at that moment. Whether soldiers or citizens secretly watching, everyone held their breath, their faces filled with horror.
The aerial firepower was gone.
Only ground forces remained!
Hektor lowered his head, his dull yellow eyes sweeping over every exposed soldier. His eyes were filled with killing intent and an uncontrollable greed. He wanted to create fear, spread fear, and cast a shadow of terror over the hearts of all soldiers.
Soldiers were different from ordinary people; their will was stronger, and the fear they exuded was purer. As long as he drained these soldiers, Hektor could advance further, reaching a new realm.
At that point, he would be invincible.
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