As soon as they felt how threatening Kale was, the two hidden experts seed to have done sothing, as the flas from more than fifty people suddenly grew stronger!
The heat they emitted had also intensified, and if the Scavengers really threw these torches around the town, they would have no choice but to abandon the place. It was sothing they desperately wanted to avoid.
This ti, Kale felt it too. Although he could easily kill these Scavengers, he might not have the strength to protect their shelter. Furthermore, Nia's barrier wasn't effective against fire…
"Tsk…"
Kale, who was about to charge, was suddenly stopped by a hand.
It was part of their plan.
Nia placed a hand on Kale's arm, signaling him to stand down. She then turned her gaze back to the Scavenger leader.
"We'll give you a portion of our supplies," she said firmly. "But only enough to send you on your way. If you try to take more, we'll fight to the death, and you'll regret ever stepping foot here."
The leader's smirk widened. "Fair enough. Let's see what you've got."
Nia and Vernon worked quickly, retrieving a portion of their supplies while Kale kept a watchful eye on the Scavengers. In any case, Shane had provided them with plenty of food, and they had also looted a significant amount after facing several waves of Zombies yesterday and this morning.
They handed over three crates of food—mostly canned goods and dried at—as well as a bundle of spare clothes they had scavenged from the town. They had plenty of these supplies since Shane and Lysandra always bought all the food available in their system store.
"They still look too pitiful," Nia thought to herself as she added so clothes. There were female Scavengers among the group, and she noticed they weren't in good condition either.
As soon as they brought out the supplies, the Scavengers eagerly took them just outside the town… Of course, this was done while the Automated Turret closely monitored them.
The Scavenger Leader heaved a sigh of relief, pleased that they had successfully scamd another group.
As the leader inspected the goods, he gave a low chuckle. "Looks like you're smarter than you look. A fair deal for everyone."
Kale scowled, stepping closer to the barrier. "Don't push your luck. This was more than generous, considering the way you approached us."
The leader raised his hands mockingly, a sly grin on his face. "Relax, big guy. We're done here. You're probably protecting sothing or soone inside, right?"
Then, as the other Scavengers began to retreat, the leader paused for a mont before speaking again. This ti, his expression was serious for the first ti.
"Since you're kind enough to help us… I'll give you a piece of advice," he said.
"If you value your lives, you'll leave this place. We passed a horde of Giant Zombies heading this way, and trust —you don't want to be here when they arrive."
Nia's eyes widened. "How far away are they?"
"Half a day, maybe less," the leader replied. "You've got ti, but not much. Consider this a warning—and a thank-you for the supplies." With that, he motioned for his group to follow, and the Scavengers disappeared into the horizon.
As the Scavengers vanished, Nia turned to Kale, her face pale but her gaze filled with determination.
"Giant Zombies… They must be a lot more dangerous, but we will protect this place."
Kale slamd the butt of his axe into the ground. "Of course! We're not leaving. Shane and Lysandra trusted us to hold this place, and that's exactly what we're going to do."
Vernon's voice ca through the communicator. "We'd better get to work. If those giants are coming, we'll need every defense Shane left us."
Nia nodded. "Then let's prepare. If this town falls, it'll only be over our dead bodies."
Twelve hours had passed…
During this ti, the three had been preparing for the arrival of the Giant Zombies. It would have been great if the Scavenger Leader was just ssing with them, but even if they did co, they were ready.
Nia, Kale, and Vernon calmly finished their als and waited for any signs of the Zombies approaching.
Sure enough, after waiting for so ti, they heard rumbling sounds in the distance. They realized it could be the heavy footsteps of the Giant Zombies.
Then, from the horizon, six Giant Zombies ca into view, their towering forms putting imnse pressure on the group. But they had no choice—they had to face this.
Thud… Thud… Thud…
As they got closer, each step sent a low rumble through the ground… Then, with the breeze from the south, the three couldn't help but frown as the stench of rotten flesh reached them.
Vernon, still on the rooftop, gripped his rifle tightly. His eyes scanned the approaching monstrosities as he tried to gather more information about them.
"Here they co," he said into the communicator. "Get ready."
Nia and Kale stood near the edge of the barrier, their weapons drawn as they waited for the Zombies to get closer.
Clink… Clink… Clink…
Then, the Automated Turret began pointing its barrels toward the approaching Zombies. Currently, it was strategically placed at the town's center…
Beep! Beep!
Its targeting systems locked onto the closest Giant Zombie… As soon as the targets approached within 300 ters, the turret fired rapidly…
Its energy bullets struck the first Giant Zombie's putrid flesh.
However, they weren't strong enough to penetrate its body, only damaging its skin and flesh… Its bones seed undamaged.
Nonetheless, the Turret didn't stop firing.
"They're too tough… Maybe it's an Armored Giant?" Nia frowned at the thought.
Thankfully, even if it was slow, the attacks were still effective!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
It didn't take long before the Energy Bullets were switched to Incendiary Bombs.
The creature roared, swinging its massive arms in an attempt to shield itself. But the turret wasn't stopping just yet.
It soon concentrated its fire on the Zombie's head!
The barrage of Energy Bullets and bombs finally overwheld the zombie's form, and it collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Boom!
The second Giant Zombie was already closer, undeterred by the fate of its companion. The turret shifted its aim, pouring Energy Bullets into the advancing behemoth. This ti, the zombie managed to close so distance before a lucky burst of fire severed its spine, sending it toppling to the ground, almost hitting their Barrier.
"Two down," Vernon called out, his voice tense. "But the turret's overheated—it won't hold for the rest!"
If they continued using the turret without caring for its current condition, it might help them bring down another Giant Zombie. However, the Turret might explode or get destroyed in the process. There was no way they would allow that to happen.
The remaining four Giant Zombies continued moving forward, their massive forms now dangerously close to the barrier.
Kale clenched his fists around his axe as the aura of a gladiator emanated from his black-and-gold armor.
"Ti to earn our keep!" he roared, charging toward the barrier's edge just as the Guardian Node shimred and allowed him to pass.
Titanbreaker Skill was also activated at the sa ti!
"Verdant Bloom!" Nia shouted, slamming her staff into the ground. Thick vines erupted from the earth, lashing at one of the Giant Zombies' legs and slowing its advance. She followed up with Thorned Barrier, erecting a wall of spiked vines to buy them precious seconds.
Kale took advantage of the delay, leaping onto the immobilized zombie's leg!
His axe glowed with Aura as he activated his Abyssal Strike ability, swinging with all his might and severing the creature's Achilles tendon.
Bam!
The zombie howled in pain—or maybe anger—as it fell to one knee.
Vernon, from his elevated position, activated Eagle's Mark, lining up a perfect shot.
Bang!
He fired a high-caliber round that struck the zombie's exposed neck, splattering decayed tissue in all directions.
The Giant Zombie crumbled, but Kale was already moving toward the next target. "Nia, on my six!" he shouted.
Nia followed, casting Nature's Respite on Kale to bolster his stamina as he swung his axe once again, severing another zombie's arm.
Thud!
The creature retaliated, swiping at Kale with its remaining limb. It was so fast even with its large body and Kale could only use Armored Dash to dodge!
Aack!
He narrowly dodged, but the force of the blow sent a gust of wind past him.
Despite their best efforts, the team was tiring. Vernon had used up most of his specialized rounds, leaving him with standard bullets that barely slowed the zombies. Nia's spells were becoming less effective as her Spirit reserves dwindled, and Kale's armor bore deep dents and scratches from repeated attacks.
Then, one of the remaining Giant Zombies managed to break through the Thorned Barrier, swinging a massive hand at Kale. The impact sent him flying into a crumbling wall, where he slumped. Thankfully, even if he was dazed, he was still alive!
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