QT: Against My Will-Chapter 566 - 8.83 - Evacuation - Monster Heist
Boots pounded against the floor, and the once orderly space transformed into a whirlwind of activity as soldiers donned armor and checked their weapons.
In the heart of the barracks, soldiers gathered in a vast command center, a sprawling space adorned with screens that illuminated the large hall in an eerie blue glow.
The air buzzed with tension, their eyes glued to the myriad screens that depicted scenes of chaos and disaster unfolding across the country. Calamities like earthquakes and towering trees sprouting out of nowhere were captured in real-time.
At the forefront of the room stood the commander. Beside him were nine individuals, each donning the insignia of the renowned 7th Operation Force—a symbol of their expertise and experience.
The commander’s voice cut through the tension, commanding attention. "We’re facing an unprecedented crisis, but we are soldiers. We are trained to protect and serve, no matter the odds. Our people are counting on us."
The soldiers from the 7th Operation Force exchanged knowing glances.
One of them stepped forward. "We need to divide our forces strategically, focusing on the most critical areas. We’ll assign teams to locations based on severity and urgency."
A man with a shock of white hair added, "I’ll lead three teams to the chemical plant on the east side. The risk of a major explosion is high, and we can’t afford to let that happen."
Another man chimed in, "I’ll take ten teams to the city center. Reports suggest structural collapses and civilians in danger."
The dialogue continued, the urgency of their mission resonating in every word. In the face of disaster, they stood as a united force, ready to confront the challenges that awaited and protect the people they had sworn to serve.
Shina’s gaze flickered over the screens depicting scenes of disaster, each one more urgent than the last. Her fellow soldiers awaited her choice, their eyes reflecting a mixture of expectation and trust.
"I’ll lead five teams to the dam on the southern side and to its nearby cities," she announced, "The structural integrity might be compromised, and if it collapses, the floodwaters will wreak havoc on nearby towns."
Shina reached for a electric marker and pinned her own name on the screen map. She then added fifty names of the chosen soldiers—of which seven were her vice leaders, twenty-two people belonged to her vice leaders, and the rest of the twenty people consisted of Leon, Orion, and some lower-ranking soldiers from the military.
As distinguished members of the 7th Special Operation Force, they had an uncanny ability that set them apart from others—the power to remember the names, faces, and ability of all 20,000 soldiers stationed at the southern barracks.
With her teams at her side, Shina stepped through the portal, ready to face the challenges ahead with the same unyielding spirit that had earned her a place among the most elite soldiers.
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Shina’s team stepped out of the portal onto a landscape marred by looming trees. As dark as obsidian, their roots encroached on everything, including the dam.
Shina’s eyes darted quickly between the dam and the city. "Laura, Juliet, Liam, and Orion, take a team and repair the dam. We need it holding. The rest with me. We’ll evacuate the nearby towns."
Laura nodded, "Got it."
Juliet began organizing supplies.
Liam’s fire gleamed in the pale sunlight. "I’ll handle the tree horde to buy you time."
Laura, Juliet, and their team moved to fortify the dam while Shina, and the rest headed into nearby towns.
As soon as they reached their destinations, the panicked shouts of civilians filled the air. Eyes widened in disbelief, and some couldn’t help but shed tears at the sight before them.
Cracks continued to mar the ground, stretching far and wide, weaving a web of destruction throughout the once-familiar streets and buildings.
The magnitude of the damage was staggering. Roads were split open, exposing the earth beneath.
Amidst the shambles, towering trees stood as a haunting reminder of the forces at play. They reached towards the heavens, their immense size and twisted branches casting a shadow over the broken towns. The trees seemed to defy gravity, their roots digging deep into the cracked ground.
"Evacuate! Head to the portal!" Shina held a megaphone, her voice cutting through the air, "Stay calm! Follow our lead!"
Aria jumped into the air to avoid a deep pit that appeared under her. The ground beneath them continued to crack and tremble, adding to the chaotic scene unfolding around them, "Do you think they’ve marked us with those claw marks?"
To answer her questions, dark clouds gathered ominously overhead. A gentle drizzle soon transformed into a torrential downpour, drenching the battlefield and turning the once solid ground into a slippery terrain. The deafening crack of thunder reverberated through the air.
Bing Shi soared through the streets. As she glided through the air, a shimmering barrier emanated from her, enveloping the combatants and citizens alike.
Henry looked over the panicked civilians and shouted, "Everyone, remember your training! Follow the evacuation routes!"
A civilian, paralyzed with fear, mumbled, "Training... right."
Henry turned on his megaphone. "Stay calm and recall your drills! Head to the nearest safety portal. Quickly! Form groups of ten. Rely on your basic training, help one another!"
Within the protective confines of her barrier, Bing Shi exerted control over their senses, instilling a sense of order and heightened efficiency, "Remember the formations we learned! Stick together and move!" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
She directed their steps, their reactions, and their interactions, seamlessly orchestrating a choreography of unified effort.
Leon’s forehead creased with concentration as he channeled his earth powers to mend the cracked and damaged ground for the citizens to evacuate. With a deep breath, he focused his energy and extended his hands toward the shattered terrain, his palms emitting a faint glow.
With each attempt to patch the broken terrain, Ru Quan could feel the resistance of the fractured earth. It fought against his powers, as if unwilling to be mended.
He gritted his teeth, his breathing grew heavier with each failed attempt. And then, against all odds, a subtle shift occurred. The earth responded hesitantly. The cracks began to close, albeit slowly, as the ground reluctantly accepted his efforts.
Leon stepped back, his gaze fixed on the ground that bore the marks of his arduous struggle. Though the mended terrain still bore scars, it looked more stable.
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"Listen up, everyone," Bing Shi’s voice echoed through the crowd of people, commanding attention. "For now, the high hills are the safest place to be. We’re going down there to assess the situation, gather information, and ensure that it’s safe for all of you."
Nods of understanding and agreement rippled through the crowd. Trusting in their leadership, the people began to settle down.
"This looks far worse than what happened in St. Moon Academy," Henry and Douglas ventured back, their senses sharp. With caution and vigilance, they navigated the remnants of the town, assessing the extent of the damage and gathering vital information about the evolving situation.
"It’s happening in some other cities too," Henry showed Bing Shi some news reports and live videos depicting the widespread devastation unfolding in other cities.
· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·
A few moments ago...
Back at the dam, Laura and Juliet worked in tandem. The thud of hammers and the buzz of saws filled the air.
"We need more time!" Laura yelled as another tree root pierced the dam’s side. Her chainsaw roared to life as she battled a particularly massive tree.
’How much more?’ Alain summoned plants to secrete a thick, adhesive-like substance. This glue, made of specialized plant resins and sap, swiftly covered the cracks in the dam.
Bing Shi channeled her energy as she spoke to the rest of her team through the communicator, "We’re almost clear!"
Juliet was always the calm, composed figure in their group, but today was testing her limits.
The dam was not just a piece of architecture, it was a behemoth holding back the force of nature, and trying to use magic to keep it intact was like trying to bind a raging storm with a string.
Sweat trickled down her forehead, her hands trembling slightly. She used her ability to manipulate air pressure to provide temporary structural support to the dam.
By creating a high-pressure barrier against the water side of the dam and a low-pressure zone on the opposite side, she effectively used the air to ’push’ and ’pull’ the dam simultaneously. This gave the structure some much-needed relief from the relentless force of the water.
Furthermore, this ability allowed her to get a direct sense of where the most vulnerable parts of the dam were, enabling her to send signals to Alain.
Thanks to her new intangibility, Juliet wasn’t harmed by falling debris, rushing water, or other immediate threats, allowing her to fully focus on keeping the dam intact.
With a focused gaze, Orion traced luminous sigils in the air. These glowing symbols seemed to momentarily freeze the water in place.
