Chereads / Re:Villain / Chapter 20 - Journalists Amidst Chaos

Chapter 20 - Journalists Amidst Chaos

Zeref scrutinized his surroundings carefully, his gaze settling on the smoldering debris and the ruins stretching as far as the eye could see.

An oppressive silence reigned, only broken by distant cries of people disoriented and frightened by the events that had just occurred.

A strange sigh escaped his lips, as if he were both astonished and remorseful at the chaos surrounding him.

"Damn it, Corwin," he muttered to himself. "You went a bit too far."

He then shook his head slowly, reconsidering his thoughts.

An event of such magnitude, an invasion of monsters so destructive, couldn't have hit the five great nations so intensely.

"It's not that Corwin went too far, but this country is rather weak."

In a gesture that seemed almost calculated, he struck a theatrical pose, arms outstretched, scanning the horizon with a determined gaze.

"Nevertheless, where carnage and sorrow abound, hope and renewal will abound," he declared in a calm but confident voice.

And without hesitation, in a smooth and graceful motion, he threw himself into the void, disregarding the laws of gravity. His body quickly sank into the air, traversing the debris and the scene of urban destruction like a fiery meteor.

The wind roared in his ears as Zeref descended swiftly, launching towards the ground with a daring that demonstrated his self-assurance.

His body seemed to blend with the elements, his silhouette becoming almost blurry amidst the speed and turmoil.

Zeref couldn't help but smile.

"So cool!"

Jumping from the top of a skyscraper in free fall amidst a world in chaos.

Every man's fantasy.

Meanwhile

Twilight spread over the city, but the darkness was far from comforting in this place.

The air was heavy with cries, destruction, and despair, while the distant horizon glowed with flickering flames.

A grotesque army of humanoid monsters roamed the streets, spreading chaos and death in their wake.

Terrified inhabitants fled, desperately seeking shelter.

At the heart of this chaos, at the city's entrance, stood an imposing operations base.

Law enforcement had gathered here, attempting to fight off the imminent invasion.

Police officers in combat gear stood guard, ready to face the enemy.

Bright red ambulances rushed to rescue victims, while the media made their way through the crowd, eager to know every detail of the critical situation and to inform the population in real-time.

The journalists were like busy bees around a swarming hive.

They crowded in front of the operations base, microphones in hand, cameras ready to capture every striking moment of this monstrous invasion.

They were vehicles of information.

Under the blinding lights of the spotlights, journalists asked questions aloud, sometimes interrupting paramedics and police officers trying to do their jobs in the surrounding chaos.

Ambulances raced by, sirens blaring, while law enforcement struggled to maintain some semblance of calm.

The media, on the other hand, only sought to fuel the noise and confusion, pushing authorities to share every detail, every number, every grain of truth.

A bold reporter, camera in hand and a predatory smile on his lips, approached a weary paramedic who had just placed an injured person in an emergency vehicle.

The reporter stepped forward, mingling with the cries and sirens, and threw his question at the exhausted face of the paramedic: "How many victims have you treated today? Have you ever seen such a scene of carnage?"

His voice was piercing, imposing above the surrounding turmoil.

The paramedic looked up, a mixture of weariness and determination evident on his exhausted face.

He replied hoarsely, "We've treated dozens of injured so far. The magnitude of this disaster surpasses anything we've ever seen. But we won't give up. We'll do everything in our power to save every life that can still be saved."

The reporter nodded, capturing every word with his camcorder.

He turned his gaze to a police officer, who was desperately trying to manage the incessant flow of media questions.

Approaching briskly, the reporter shouted above the din, "What's the current strategy to defeat these monsters? How can we hope to survive this invasion?"

His voice was fiery, shouting like a war cry.

The officer, his face impassive despite the urgency of the situation, replied stoically, "We've mobilized all available forces. We're launching coordinated assaults from different points in the city, hoping to weaken them and push them back. It's a tough battle, but we won't lose."

The reporter nodded, feeling the urgency of the moment engulfing his being.

Another bold journalist, microphone in hand, approached a senior officer, his determined face resisting the surrounding fear.

Cameras sprung to life, capturing the urgent scene from every possible angle.

"Do you have any idea of the number of enemies we're facing?" inquired the journalist, his gaze locked with that of the officer.

The questioned officer, an imposing figure, eyes filled with determination, took a deep breath before solemnly replying, "We estimate there are around two thousand humanoid monsters, their numbers already reduced by over three quarters. We don't yet have information on their origin."

Explosions echoed nearby, while police sirens pierced the air.

The tension was palpable, but the officer remained unperturbed, his eyes fixed on his interlocutor.

He continued, "We've managed to contain their advance thanks to the intervention of warden teams, but this is a tough battle. We need the support of all citizens, their cooperation, and vigilance."

The journalist nodded, letting his words resonate in the towers of his memory.

It was time for him to share vital information with the population, to bring them a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

The night was going to be long.

Humanoid monsters roamed the streets, spreading terror among the population.

But amidst this horror, some journalists boldly traversed the city, determined to provide the best insight into the situation, no matter the dangers that awaited them.

A fearless reporter made his way through the smoking rubble, breath short and heart pounding.

He was surrounded by his team members, seasoned professionals who shared his thirst for truth.

The deafening noise of explosions and cries surrounded them, but they kept moving forward, their eyes fixed on the horror unfolding before them.

As they approached a group of monsters, their journalistic instinct took over.

They knew this was a scene the world needed to see. The journalist, undeterred, stepped closer, capturing every moment with his lens, ready to risk his own life for the most striking images.

But the journalist's recklessness put him in danger.

The monsters, sensing his presence, suddenly turned towards him, their eyes filled with rage and their sharp fangs ready to devour him.

The journalist instinctively stepped back, stumbling over the debris littering the ground.

A monster lunged at him with terrifying ferocity, its fangs threatening to strike his vulnerable flesh.

But before disaster could strike, gunshots rang out in the ruined streets.

Police officers emerged from nowhere, weapons in hand.

They threw themselves at the monsters with fierce determination.

They pushed them back, exchanging blows in a chaotic ballet of violence and bravery.

The officers, breathless but victorious, turned to the journalist and his team.

The patrol leader approached with firm steps, his eyes shining with anger mixed with relief.

"What the hell are you doing here?! It's dangerous to stay here. We must ask you to leave immediately," said the patrol leader, his tone authoritative.

However, surprise painted the faces of the officers when they saw the journalist's demeanor.

Completely ignoring the attack he had just escaped thanks to their intervention, he approached them, a smile on his lips.

"Tell me everything," he demanded with determination, his camera pointed at the patrol leader. "What's the situation here? What are you doing to stop these monsters?"

The officers exchanged incredulous looks, torn between the desire to dismiss the journalist and their obligation to be accountable to the population they served.

They sighed resignedly before briefly answering the reporter's pressing questions.

"Let us do our job, sir," declared the patrol leader, his voice tinged with annoyance. "We're doing everything we can to protect the population and eliminate these creatures. You should leave the area for your own safety."

The journalist's gaze became more intense, his voice filled with defiance as he addressed the leader.

"I understand your concern for my safety and that of my team, but the public needs to know. It's our duty to report the truth. Tell me about the measures you've taken, the strategies you're implementing."

The patrol leader sighed, realizing that the journalist wouldn't be easily intimidated.

Despite himself, he felt the need to share some sensitive information.

"Our priority is to maintain the safety of the population. We've deployed armed units to neutralize these creatures. We're also coordinating with other government agencies to develop a long-term strategy."

The journalist nodded, diligently seizing every word.

"Thank you for your cooperation," he said, bowing to his team and him in front of the officers. "Keep up the good work."

The officers, despite themselves, were touched by the journalist's determination and professionalism.

They returned to their battle, knowing that their duty was to ensure the city's security, but also recognizing that the journalist had a vital role to play in spreading the truth.