Doomsday Pillars

When they returned to the village, Theo and the rest of the group cheered in celebration for their victory against the thousands of insurgents. The result of the battle was anything but ordinary. After all, they were able to kill more than 200 enemies, while injuring hundreds and making the rest flee from the battlefield, thus effectively breaking the encirclement. 

However, the most important fact was that none of them were seriously injured after the battle. Some of them suffered some minor wounds from the bullet's impact, that were already suppressed by the tier 2 protective vests.

Theo noticed Daisy looked distracted 

"What's on your mind, Daisy?" Theo asked, as he sat next to her.

"Uh?! Brother Theo?" Daisy asked, startled by the sudden question. Silent for a moment, she then opened her mouth, "I'm only worried about our current situation, brother. It's true we already passed the first hurdle, but there will still be more enemies coming our way. So, how could I not be worried?" Daisy said, while flashing a bitter smile.

Upon hearing that, Theo patted her shoulder and said, "Cheer up, Daisy. We can only do our best. I know we'll make it out alive."

Sighing deeply, Daisy replied, "Brother. It's just... There are so many of them and we're being surrounded from all sides. If not for your decision to take the initiative, I really don't know what would have happened to us. Al-"

"..."

Theo noticed Daisy suddenly stopped her words and turned quiet.

"Daisy? What happened?"

Turning her head, Daisy said with a grave tone. "Someone just destroyed the spirit bird I sent to follow the escapees."

Theo's expression turned serious when he heard that. "It seems their main troops are here."

Theo immediately got up and looked into the distance. There, he could clearly see the groups of insurgents, who were already escaping, running back to the village, as if something was chasing them. Theo felt like he could vaguely see another group behind those escaping insurgents.

On the other hand, Daisy immediately casted her [Detect Lifeform] spell to sense the number of approaching enemies. She didn't opt for the [Summon - Spirit Bird] spell, because it would take a while before she could cast it again.

Daisy's face turned pale when she sensed the enemy's number. "There are around 5,000 of them approaching us within a kilometer radius, Brother Theo." Her body was trembling when she sensed how strong their enemies were. "There are almost 500 Sky realm fighters among them, … and more are coming! This is bad, extremely bad. 

With such a large number of Sky realm fighters, it looked like they wouldn't be able to use the same strategy again. Theo wondered if it was time for them to run away. They couldn't allow themselves to be captured otherwise they would put Alex in an unfavorable situation against the Heavenly Gate people.

Alas, before Theo could decide anything, the thousands of insurgents on the hill 300 meters behind them, who were oblivious to the destroyed headquarters, suddenly moved into a position 200 meters from the village. It appeared they didn't care about their current position being exposed without the protection from the hill.

Thanks to the closer range, their shots which previously looked like random shots, became more accurate and started hitting the location where Theo and the others were. Deafening sounds of gunshots echoed across the village, as the insurgents crazily shot their rifles.

Clank!

A stray bullet hit Daisy, or rather her protective vest.

[Protective Vest - Tier 2 Artifact]

[Energy Shield 179/200]

Even though it was only a single bullet, the situation was going to turn even more dangerous, if they didn't do anything.

The others who were resting got out from the houses when they heard the gunshots. Rama immediately approached Theo and asked, "What should we do now, Theo?"

Rubbing his chin, Theo thought a moment before saying, "Let's give Ardeth a bit more time. It's been almost 2 hours since he went to the pillar. If what I calculated is correct, he should be on the way back now. We would have a better plan when he returns with the information about the reinforcements."

Before long, the hundreds of insurgents marched to the 100 meter distance and started firing again. In order to avoid the bullets, they were forced to take complete cover behind the houses.

Tratatatataa! Tratatatataa!

Heavy rain of bullets rained down on Theo and the others. Facing the endless bullets, they could only continue to take cover.

"Where the hell do they get so many bullets?! Are they bringing their whole warehouse here?"

When the houses looked like they were about to collapse by the sheer amount of bullets hitting them, a figure shot fast like the wind towards Theo and the others. The fighters readied their stances when they saw the blurry figure approaching them, but they dropped their guard after they realized the figure was Ardeth.

"Ardeth! You are finally back!" Theo happily said. He then looked behind Ardeth and asked, "Where's the reinforcement? What's the situation?"

"Theo, We are all in grave danger!!!"

Together with Ardeth's words, a peculiar sound appeared, a sound that sounded like something streaking across the sky caused them all to worry.

*swish* *swish* *swish*

KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM!

A huge explosion appeared in the village and shocked them, and before they could recover, it was followed by another explosion.

"Artillery!!! Everyone gathered here!" Theo shouted loudly.

It seemed the Heavenly Gate people were intending to level the entire village before advancing to attack.

KABOOM! KABOOM!

Even though the explosions didn't hit them directly, yet, the impact and debris flying towards them contained force and depleted the energy of their protective vests. If this continued, sooner or later they would lose the durability of their vests. It was even worse to the Yemeni soldiers, who didn't wear them.

Hearing Theo's shout, all 35 people quickly came out of their hiding place and carefully approached the house where Theo was and entered it. Some of them were nearly blown up by the artillery on their way. Fortunately, Daisy managed to cast her [Shield Barrier] spell on those who were unfortunate enough to get hit by the artillery. She also casted the shield onto the Yemeni soldiers and those who had their vest's energy depleted.

Inside the house, Theo looked very busy operating an item. And then, the familiar sound was heard again. But this time, it was getting closer to their location.

"Isn't it a bad thing to be in the same place together when artillery rains down on us?" Melissa asked. "If an artillery shell falls on this place, it will be a disaster for all of us"

Right when the squeaky sounds were almost on the house where they were gathered, Theo suddenly exclaimed.

"It's done!"

KABOOM!

When the smoke dissipated and the house couldn't be seen anymore, a bluish dome was seen protecting Theo and the others. The dome was a barrier similar to Daisy's [Halo] spell, but wider and stronger. This was a tier 2 artifact Alex gave Theo before they sepatared, the one Alex had used before.

[Defensive Formation- Tier 2 Artifact]

[Energy Shield 951/1000]

Seeing the artifact could easily handle the artillery shells and had succeeded in protecting them, Theo heaved a sigh of relief.

"Alright, It seems this artifact should hold at least a dozen direct artillery blasts." Turning his head to Ardeth, Theo asked, "So, how did it go?"

"It's bad. I'm sorry, friends."

Theo was silent for a moment before he asked again, "How bad?"

"The Heavenly Gate apparently uses us as the excuse to attack the Yemen government. They are saying the President of Yemen is involved in harboring infidels. Thus, they are also in trouble right now. "

"That's full of b-" Theo stopped himself from swearing and tried to calm down. "So, we can't even return to Aden City and our ships are stuck there in the Aden harbour…"

"What options are left for us?"

"I already contacted Israel and Egypt, but the fastest reinforcement they can provide is within 24 hours. I also contacted the Bali Headquarters, but of course, it will take even more time for them to come."

Hearing that, Theo crossed his head and fell into deep thought. "Now, what should we do..."

Suddenly, the group heard a loud sound coming from somewhere. Theo and the others immediately turned their eyes to the source, looking through the rubble of the house. There, they could see at least half a dozen vehicles made of steel on the hill. The tank battalion has arrived.

Seeing the tank's cannons pointing towards the village, or rather the bluish dome, Theo smiled wryly, "Well, the situation just turned from bad to worst."

The first tank immediately fired its cannon. The shell rapidly flew through the air and hit the barrier protecting them.

BOOM!

When the shell hit the barrier, it was flickering while the ground shook by the impact of the explosion.

[Defensive Formation- Tier 2 Artifact]

[Energy Shield 792/1000]

The tank shell had more than twice the strength of the artillery. In this condition, their barrier would be destroyed in just four to five hits.

Realizing their dangerous predicament, Theo awkwardly smiled and asked, "Does anyone have any bright ideas?"

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Written and Directed by Avans, Published by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,