Chapter 543: Men Versus Gus
****(POV)
In a charred area, hundreds of allied soldiers are resting.
This land once was vibrant and full of life. This exact spot used to be part of the surrounding green and lush Meadow. The current area smells of death, but it is better than the greenery that is death itself.
Even as we are resting, the atmosphere is extremely tense. That much is a given. From time to time, a scream of agony can be heard as some soldier gets bitten by a deadly Gu. These creatures are plaguing this land.
To progress, our soldiers have no choice but to burn it all. The problem is that the demonic insects have good instincts. They hide from the destruction by burying in the earth. Then, they emerge as they feel the footstep above them.
At first, we tried progressing quickly, but it only led to tons of casualties. Now, we are taking our time. Many have spells that can do short work of it all, but so what? Are we going to tire ourselves even before meeting the Gu sect? No way!
That's why we are resting and soon we will work again. The more time passes and the worse the morale of the army becomes. That much is natural because there are many factions in our midst.
I am the one that needs to unify all of them. Usually, I would never work with such shady individuals. I would be the first one to try and kill as many of them as possible.
The Sons of Steel? They can't take a stance on what matters and like to fight too much.
White Lotus? They are technically our allies, but they are too full of themselves. They are horrible allies to have.
The Muddy ones? They are simply strange both in their thinking and action.
The Enslavement Company? They are plain evil and deserve to be smitten, but they serve as good meat shields on this occasion.
Purity Sect? They are surprisingly the only ones that are not causing trouble.
Usually, none of these would listen to anyone. In fact, they were prepared to kill each other before. But the power I hold and our common hatred have led to me temporarily become their leader.
We are slowly but surely advancing. At this rate, we should be able to reach the Gu sect in a few weeks. Crazy how a journey that usually takes a few days for our enemies is so troublesome for us.
Of course, I tried to steal a few Gu repellants from villages. It turns out that they are designed to stop working as soon as they are moved.
For once, I even tried diplomacy. I sent messengers with an ultimatum for our enemies. If they sacrifice the one that killed my son, then everything will be fine. Usually, I wouldn't even think of negotiating, but now is an exception.
The only reason there isn't infighting yet is because of me. Every time one succumbs to a Gu there is an endless debate about who's to blame.
The mages want the vanguard to go in front. The vanguard doesn't want to open the path with their lives. It's horrible.
Even now, they have to remain a far distance from one another in order to avoid conflict. I'm almost tempted to go ahead alone. I'm sure I can do that, but there is one thing that worries me. The Gu sect has Gu ancestors.
They are especially effective against single targets. I wouldn't be able to cast any strong spell without leaving myself completely open. I need people to protect me as I chant.
I can't help but ask a question I've asked a few times already.
"Any news about the messengers?"
"They are all dead, but we believe they have gotten our message. But so far, we have had no reply."
This is the worst. Ah, I can only be patient. As they say, revenge is a dish served cold. Just as I think that, come many alarms and screams.
"We're under attack!"
"We're all going to die!!"
"Oh no! What the Hell is that?!"
"Quick, grab your weapons and shields!"
On the horizon appears what looks like a small cloud. The problem is it's entirely made of Gus! This is insane! I begin shouting directives:
"Sons of Steel in front! Muddy ones, I want earth nets to block most Gus! White Lotus, blast all of this! Enslavement Company sacrifices to create a bloody regeneration aura for allies. Purity sect, you guys are on the anti-poison fog duty!"
As much as they hate following orders, they all comply. At this very moment, they realize that their very lives depend on this. There is no time for bickering at all.
That is how begins a fight that can only be described as ruthless and savage. There is no politics involved. It is but a fight for survival.
The humans versus the Gus. Our desire to live and our hatred for the Gus are burning brightly, giving us strength.
Our allies fall like flies. The enemies are literal flies, and many are dying. Screams echo around the battlefield.
I begin sending as many solar rays as I can. Every time, I picture the Gus as the huge face of my son's murderer.
We keep going and going, fighting as if we have unlimited stamina. We know that a single mistake will kill everyone.
After a long time, we finally manage to intimidate the Gus away. They leave, going back into hiding in some grass.
What the Hell happened?! This looks like a coordinated attack at first glance but then doesn't with more analysis. They should have capitalized on that opportunity otherwise.
We were sitting ducks while fighting the Gus. I gesture some guy from the Purity Sect to come over.
"Yes?"
"Listen, you can generate a small aura that will make it so the generals Gus will ignore you for a few seconds, right? I want you to go scout in that direction. There seems to be something fishy going on."
We all await in a somber atmosphere. Half our troops are gone. At this rate, we'll have to cancel this assault. There is no way I'll accept that!
We wait for a long while until the scout comes back, highly excited. He doesn't look anything like a man despairing.
"T-there is a tunnel! It seems to lead straight into the enemy's land!"
Haha. This is amazing! This seems like a miracle! Whichever god made this happen...Thank you so much!