Chapter Twenty: Hardship

As Shakia pulled the trigger, the electromagnetic cannon's immensely powerful projectile struck the target with a sudden force.

It was as if a shot had hit the void, revealing before everyone a massive, glass-like orb.

This was the enemy that had launched the recent assault—the indescribable clan of familiars.

At the same moment, a high-energy beam emitted from the orb’s center aimed directly at Shakia’s position, where she had been sniping. The beam demolished the hill upon which she stood.

Witnessing such a bizarre spectacle, many soldiers froze in place.

But the commanders had no time to hesitate. As the creature took form, its signal registered on the radar.

The military’s weapons were now operational!

“Open fire!” Shion led the command.

Following the prearranged battle plan, cruise missiles were launched from the warships, while armed helicopters, armored vehicles, and fighter jets deployed within the combat zone encircled the creature, unleashing a saturation attack.

Once the monster materialized, the military unleashed all their firepower upon it.

The bombardment lasted ten minutes, during which the creature neither resisted nor evaded.

Under the relentless assault, the gigantic glass sphere gradually cracked, oozing a black, tar-like liquid.

As it fractured and leaked, the massive orb shattered into several pieces, crashing to the ground with tremendous dust clouds and thunderous noise.

Thus, this strange enemy fell amidst the concentrated artillery fire of the army group.

The earlier shot exchanged with Traum was not to be underestimated.

Had it reached New Spring Autumn City, that blast might have struck directly into the subterranean Svarg base.

“Is it over?” Shion and the military officials remained cautious, unwilling to relax immediately, mindful of the lessons from the previous sea battle.

The troops needed to observe the site for a while longer.

But now, a critical task awaited: rescuing Shakia.

Two days had passed since the interception battle.

In the mountainous battlefield, a portion of the troops remained, guarding the monster’s remains while cleaning the site and collecting samples.

“...”

Shakia opened her eyes to a blurred white light.

“...?”

Blinking, she tried to focus better.

Above her was a fluorescent lamp.

She realized she was lying in a large, somewhat incongruous hospital room without any windows.

“Ugh...”

Attempting to turn her head caused sharp pain in her neck.

This was troubling.

She only remembered forcing a shot against that invisible creature to seize the chance.

After a flash of white light, everything went blank.

Now she was in a hospital bed, attached to an IV drip.

This meant the battle had been won.

Shakia felt a twinge of fear—what if she was paralyzed?

In hindsight, she wished she hadn’t been so reckless; abandoning her sniper position and retreating might have spared her injury.

But then again, the outcome might not have been as favorable.

Carefully moving her limbs and neck, enduring the pain, she confirmed she was neither paralyzed nor fractured.

Still, sprains and bruises were inevitable.

Well, she would just remain here for now.

At least she hadn’t sustained serious internal injuries, which was a relief.

Relaxing her body, Shakia lay still in bed.

She began to understand how Li Jiayi must have felt then.

The sensation of being bound to a bed, utterly immobile, was chilling upon reflection.

Moreover, she was alone in this spacious hospital room.

She wished someone were there to peel an apple for her.

She wondered if there were any nurses nearby and resolved to call for them.

“...”

But all she could manage was a faint, muffled moan.

Ha, she couldn’t even speak properly.

How pitiful.

Footsteps echoed outside the door.

It seemed a nurse on duty was coming.

The door creaked open.

A medical worker in white entered to change her IV drip.

Shakia struggled to lift her head and blink at the nurse. The neck pain limited her to slight movements.

That had to suffice.

“Ah!”

The nurse noticed Shakia’s gaze and gasped.

“Wait, I want to ask you something...”

Shakia intended to say this, but her throat betrayed her.

She watched the nurse hurriedly leave the room, likely to report her awakening.

The door remained ajar, and the footsteps gradually faded.

Sighing inwardly, fatigue swept over her again, and Shakia drifted back into a drowsy sleep.

In New Spring Autumn City, people returned to their daily lives—but this time, things were different.

“I didn’t expect you all to still be here.”

Accompanied by the sound of a wheelchair, a girl spoke.

“You too. That’s what I wanted to ask.”

It was Long Sheng, pushing Li Jiayi along the school corridor.

“Tch, with my good brother here, I’m not going anywhere.”

Bruce, Long Sheng’s close friend, followed behind.

“It’s been a while since we saw Qin Yun. Has she left too?” Li Jiayi’s expression was thoughtful.

The three looked down the hallway.

Once bustling, the school now felt cold and desolate. After two catastrophic attacks on the city, citizens were gripped by fear. Military forces had occupied the city, adding tension to everyday life.

Student numbers had at least halved, and only a handful of shops remained open on the commercial streets.

The second attack had reportedly been thwarted by the military in the suburbs. Although no direct invasion occurred, the creature’s beam still damaged many buildings. Fortunately, residents had evacuated in time, and there were no casualties.

Ordinary citizens could not endure living in constant fear.

“That’s only natural...” Li Jiayi sighed. “Even an earthquake would cause many to leave a city, let alone two attacks by unknown monsters.”

“Yeah, so many students transferred to other cities this semester. Classes merged across grades, and some teachers left too,” Bruce said, rubbing his temples.

“Life comes first.”

“Eh, if Qin Yun left, that’s probably for the best.” Long Sheng’s expression, initially downcast, brightened as if he understood something.

“As long as she’s safe.”

Li Jiayi completed his thought.

“Hmph, my family has business here. I’m not about to run away so easily,” Bruce said through gritted teeth. Though defiant, his confidence seemed shaky.

“I get it, I get it,” Long Sheng smiled wryly. He knew Bruce’s family owned a construction company with a strong presence in the city.

“As for my family... I don’t know. It depends on what my parents decide.” Long Sheng pushed Li Jiayi into the nearly empty classroom. It was almost class time, yet few students remained. The teacher sat absentmindedly at the podium, fiddling with a phone.

“Tch, the school might as well shut down. What’s the point of classes like this?”

A few students whispered, but Li Jiayi and the others could hear.

It made sense—under these circumstances, fleeing would be the rational choice.

“Hmm... maybe one day we won’t see each other anymore. If things get worse, you guys should leave the city soon.”

Bruce understood deeply. Though sentimental, in life-or-death situations, he wished for his friends to survive first.

Not just these three, but the entire city was beginning to feel the erosion of normalcy.

For now, there were still places to escape to—but what about the future?