chapter 1
BOOM//
The explosion reverberated through my body, leaving me weak and trembling. But I refused to yield to the overwhelming chaos that engulfed the battlefield. The sight of soldiers being devoured by monstrous creatures ignited a primal surge of fear and adrenaline within me. Yet, I mustered every ounce of determination, driven by a singular purpose—to find my teacher amidst this nightmarish scene.
Running through the debris-strewn battleground, my heart pounded in my chest as I caught a glimpse of her. Her long crimson hair, once vibrant, now stained with blood. Her body bore the scars of countless wounds—a torn arm, broken feet, and a face marred by burns. My heart nearly shattered at the sight of the strongest person I had ever known reduced to such a state. The imminent explosion of her soul weapon added to the urgency that coursed through my veins.
"Teacher! Teacher!" I called out, my voice echoing through the cacophony of death and destruction. Ignoring the fallen monsters and lifeless soldiers in my path, I stumbled, my steps unsteady. A bone-chilling roar shook the very earth, emanating from a thing that emerged from behind a towering skyscraper—a grotesque, humanoid monstrosity. The sight struck terror into the hearts of even the bravest soldiers, some succumbing to their own bodily instincts, releasing their bodily functions in fear. Tears welled in my eyes, my hands trembling uncontrollably.
SHIVER//
The monster unleashed a devastating surge of energy, a radioactive force capable of obliterating everything in its way. Yet, there stood my teacher, unfazed, a confident smile gracing her face. She channeled the last of her weapon's soul energy , mustering a formidable attack.
"Ha ha ha! You think this is the end? We're not even halfway done!" she declared, her voice filled with unwavering resolve, defying the encroaching darkness.
Before I could call out to her, I was abruptly pulled away, my gaze torn from the scene unfolding before me. General Caesar, his grip firm and hardened, dragged me towards an awaiting armored car. Desperate to remain at my teacher's side, I pleaded with him through tears, my hands covering my anguished face.
"We can't leave her, General! Please, I beg you," I implored, my voice choked with desperation and sorrow.
SMACK//
Cesar's stern expression softened momentarily, burdened by the weight of our predicament. "No! kid!? Eleanor is buying us time to escape," he responded, his words heavy with a mixture of guilt and anguish.
The armored car accelerated, its engine roaring with urgency, as we sped away from the battlefield. Despite my protests and the ache in my heart, I was powerless to resist. The thought of leaving my teacher behind tore at my soul, but I knew deep down that her sacrifice would grant us a chance to survive. Through tear-blurred eyes, I watched as the distance between us and the battlefield grew, until all that remained was a blur of devastation and the haunting echoes of my teacher's final battle cry. "EVANDOR!"
WOOSH// BAAM//
A blinding flash of light engulfed the area, searing into my consciousness. Seconds stretched into eternity as the deafening explosion erupted, consuming everything in its path. I struggled to understand the chaos and devastation that surrounded us. Before I could utter another word, the overwhelming weight of exhaustion I fell unconscious enveloping me in darkness.
****
(1st POV)
CAIN
RING//
The sound of the phone shattered the silence, snapping me back to reality. I blinked, adjusting to my surroundings. I found myself seated in the backseat of the armored car, my gaze fixed on the radio as I got lost in nostalgic thoughts. With a sense of urgency, I reached for the phone and answered the call. A girl's voice came through, not overly loud but filled with impatience.
"Cain!" she exclaimed. "I've been trying to reach you for the past 30 minutes! Why haven't you answered? Please tell me you can hear me!"
I let out a weary sigh and replied, "This is General Cain. Loud and clear, Diana. No need to get so worked up."
Diana cleared her throat, her tone becoming more composed. "Alright, listen carefully. The destination you're heading to is approximately 5 kilometers west from your current location."
Seeking more information, I interjected with a question. "Do you have any details for me?"
BEEP//
Diana proceeded to provide me with crucial information. "Last week, the nearby refugee settlement was mercilessly attacked by a horde of D-class monsters. Our soldiers managed to contain the stampede, but during the subsequent area scan, they stumbled upon unnaturally high radiation levels. This suggests the presence of a potentially dangerous A or even A+ class monster."
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. An A-class monster in such a place? It seemed highly unusual. Typically, creatures of that caliber gravitated towards more populated regions like kingdoms or larger countries. Pushing aside my thoughts, I responded to Diana. "I understand. We'll proceed to the location immediately to investigate."
"Stay vigilant, Cain," Diana warned. "I'll keep you updated if anything significant occurs."
it's unnatural for monster to gather in the small rural area.
****
(3rd POV)
BANG//
The loud explosion shattered the air, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. Soldiers panicked, seeking cover and struggling to maintain their composure. The relentless monsters continued their onslaught, tearing through the ranks with ruthless efficiency.
"Hold the line!" a soldier shouted, fear evident in his voice. They swung their weapons, fighting desperately against the grotesque creatures. Swearing and shouts filled the air as soldiers unleashed a barrage of attacks, the chaos consuming them.
In the midst of the mayhem, an officer's voice cut through the noise. "Hold the line! A general is on the way! We just need to survive!" The soldiers rallied, finding renewed determination to fight. Each life became precious in the face of impending doom.
Amidst their desperate efforts, rockets were launched and a hail of bullets and lasers rained down upon the monsters. Yet, the thick hides of the B-class creatures proved resilient, shrugging off most attacks. Frustration grew as the soldiers' actions seemed in vain.
"Shoot it down! Shoot it down now!" voices cried out, the soldiers pouring their remaining strength into the relentless assault. However, their firepower only managed to take down a few B-class monsters. The overwhelming numbers of the creatures remained unyielding.
Despite the soldiers' valiant efforts, one monstrous creature broke through their defenses, charging towards the officer with unrivaled ferocity. Fear gripped the officer as he faced the impending doom before him. His voice trembled, "Shit."
The monster lunged, jaws wide open, ready to devour its prey. But in a twist of fate, before it could sink its teeth into the officer's flesh, the monster detonated in a violent explosion.
"Huh?" The officer's bewildered voice was drowned out by the chaos of the battlefield. Smoke and debris filled the air, obscuring their view. Confusion spread among the soldiers as they struggled to comprehend the unexpected turn of events.
****
(1st POV)
CAIN
"General, we're close. It appears there's a battle ahead," a soldier from my division informed me over the radio. "Prepare your weapons and gear." i said The soldiers around me began equipping their soul weapons, gearing up for the imminent fight.
FLICK//
I nudged Lilia, who was lying beside me. "Lilia, get up. Didn't I tell you not to stay awake until midnight?" Her eyes fluttered open, revealing a striking crimson red color. Her long, crimson red hair was entwined in my arm. She groaned and stretched, letting out a tired yawn. She was clad in a full tech suit armor, ready for the mission ahead.
(REFERENCE NOTE: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/301389400073828361/ the right one but much petite and slimmer)
"I didn't ask to be assigned to this mission. You're the one who put me here," she grumbled.
teasingly flicking her forehead, I replied, "This is all part of your training. You need real-world experience."
"Today was supposed to be my game day! Angel May Cry 5 was just released, and I planned to buy it and play it all night," she complained.
"That's not more important than saving lives and maintaining peace. Besides, Resident not Evil 3 was better than the entire franchise of that game," I retorted teasingly.
She didn't respond and simply crossed her arms, gazing out of the window in silent protest. Just then, a soldier's voice crackled through the radio, capturing my immediate attention. I swiftly picked up the receiver.
"General, the monster is charging at full speed towards the refugee base. It appears the weapons stationed there are ineffective," the soldier reported urgently.
"I understand. Stand by for my orders," I replied, my voice filled with determination. The message had reached me loud and clear. The situation demanded swift action.
In response to my command, the six armored cars behind us simultaneously honked, a synchronized signal that conveyed their understanding of the situation and readiness to act.
"Here," I handed Lilia her weapon—a massive cannon with two modes. It had a large muzzle and a small scope, powered by both technology and soul crystal. She didn't even look at it; her gaze remained fixed on the window. It seemed she was still upset about my earlier teasing.
"I'll buy you the game after this, I promise," I reassured her, hoping to mend the situation. A bright smile slowly crept onto her face, and she giggled, almost mockingly. She reached out and took hold of the weapon, standing up in her seat. I held onto her legs to ensure she wouldn't lose balance.
She proceeded to open the car's sunroof, positioning herself halfway outside. With her big rifle aimed at the monsters, she clicked a button on her gun, preparing to unleash its power. "Burst fire," she declared. Pulling the trigger, a barrage of laser-like bullets rained down on the monsters, causing them to explode on impact. Confusion swept through the soldiers on the battlefield, unsure of what had just occurred.
"Hehehe," she smirked, giving me an okay sign before returning to her seat beside me. "Good job. Your aiming has improved, but you still have more to learn, "I complimented her. "By the way, I was only joking about buying you that game after this," with a mocking smirk, returning her okay sign.
"You!!" Her face flushed red, anger burning in her eyes as she glared at me.
****
(3rd POV)
SOLDIERS
As the seven armored cars arrived at the base, they were greeted with resounding cheers from both the refugees and the stationed soldiers. Cain, Lilia, and the soldiers of the 1st Division stepped out of the car, drawing the attention of the crowd.
"Look, that's General Cain in the flesh," someone exclaimed in awe.
"He's so young, yet he exudes such strength," another remarked, puzzled by the tech mask he wore. "Does he have asthma?"
(REFERENCE NOTE: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/1015561784702357018/ this is like his mask)
"I thought his hair was black, but it's actually a dark purple," a curious onlooker pondered.
Following Cain, Lilia emerged from the car, wearing a large summer hat to shield herself from the scorching sun. Her crimson hair and deep red eyes captivated those who laid eyes upon her.
"That's Lilia Estrella," someone whispered excitedly. "I heard she rarely goes out on missions."
"She looks so much like her mother," another observer added with a hint of nostalgia. "It makes me want to cry."
The presence of both Cain and Lilia ignited a wave of excitement and thrill among the soldiers. Their fame in the kingdom made their appearance here feel like a blessing, fueling hope and determination in the hearts of those present.
****
(1st POV)
CAIN
We entered a small, dilapidated building, where the absence of a proper floor left nothing but muddy ground beneath our feet. The walls bore the scars of bullet holes, while peering upwards revealed the skeletal structure of the second floor. We found our seats in a meeting area, the atmosphere heavy with tension.
"Report," I commanded, my voice demanding yet maintaining a professional tone. A nervous soldier rushed forward, saluting as he delivered his message. "Good news or bad news, general?" he asked anxiously, awaiting my response.
"Bad news," I replied firmly,
He began reading from the paper he held, coughing slightly to clear his throat. "Seventy-six soldiers and nineteen civilians are wounded," he stated, his voice tinged with sorrow. "One hundred twenty-two soldiers and forty-six civilians have lost their lives. There are no missing individuals. Additionally, our food supplies will only last for another week."
I nodded in acknowledgment, absorbing the gravity of the situation. "And the good news?" I inquired, hoping for a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.
He hesitated for a moment before answering, "We managed to kill approximately five hundred monsters, collecting all of their soul crystals. And, most importantly, you are here, General."
A mixture of relief and determination welled up within me. Though the losses were devastating, the fact that we had made progress and that my presence provided a source of strength for the soldiers offered a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair.
"How long have you been fighting these hordes of monsters?" I asked, glancing at the report in my hands.
"Uh, for four days, General," the soldier nervously replied. Lilia, standing beside me, couldn't hold back her frustration. "Four days? Why did you only ask for help now?" she questioned, pointing her finger at the soldier.
"Miss, three days ago, we requested reinforcements from the capital. Two days ago, General Hamas arrived with his 7th Division battalion," the soldier explained, trying to justify the delay.
Upon hearing the name "General Hamas," both Lilia and I, along with the soldiers behind me, grimaced. "General Hamas as reinforcement? Hahaha!" I burst into laughter, joined by the rest of the 1st Division. Hamas was known for his questionable tactics and lack of dedication to the cause. It seemed unlikely that he would be of much help he is someone who uses his family name to get his position.
Curious, I pressed for more information. "Where is he now? With that number of troops, you should have easily dealt with the monster stampede."
The soldier responded, "General Hamas left yesterday for an unknown reason, but few of his soldiers stayed here." Another soldier chimed in, adding, "They didn't lend a hand. Instead, they feasted and assaulted some of the civilians."
Adding to the confusion, another soldier spoke up, "Then this morning, we received news of your arrival, General. General Hamas apparently recommended you as his replacement."
Lilia and I exchanged puzzled looks. It seemed that Hamas had his own hidden agenda in recommending me. That cunning bastard must be plotting against me once again.
(Author's note: Basically Hamas, Cain, and Lilia have a long history with each other. It won't be tackled in this early chapter, but I promise you that we will have a long flashback for Cain and the others so that you will understand the story more.)
****
(1st POV)
LILIA
Frustrated by my phone game's score of zero, I sat in the tent, grumbling about the lack of internet. "This is so boring," I muttered to myself. Suddenly, I noticed the commotion outside. The soldiers from the 7th Division were on their knees, being scolded by General Cain.
"I can't hear you!" Cain's voice boomed, demanding a louder response from the soldiers. One soldier, his body covered in red marks, was clearly in pain, probably from hot water. Before Cain could finish his sentence, the soldier angrily protested, "You weren't even born when we became soldiers! Only General Hamas has the right to order or punish us."
"Quiet! Don't interrupt General Cain when he's speaking," another soldier at Cain's side scolded, landing a punch on the complaining soldier who was still kneeling.
"why are you here? Tell me the real reason, "Cain asked them with a cold look. "We were just assigned here by General Hamas. He told us to stay here, do as we pleased, and wait for your arrival so we could return to the capital."
Cain's cold voice sent shivers down my spine as he responded, "you don't know? Just following orders? Wilbert, bring them inside and confine them for now." Wilbert saluted in acknowledgment, saying, "Understood, General"