Bab 114: March of the Giants
Jin and the team darted across the mountain ranges, leaping from one rocky outcrop to the next with precision. The cold air rushed past them as the golden hues of the evening sun bathed the landscape. The atmosphere was tense but silent, save for the sound of their boots hitting the stones.
At a natural plateau, Mengi called out, "We need a break. Everyone, let's rest."
Without hesitation, the team agreed, each finding a place to sit beside a large, jagged boulder. Mengi reached into his bag, pulled out a sack of food, and tossed a meatball toward Jin, who caught it with ease. He grinned before tossing another one toward Madagascar, who enthusiastically grabbed it mid-air.
Seiji, however, sat a few steps away, his face hardened with rage. His eyes stared into the horizon, his mind locked in battle with his emotions.
"Seiji, eat something," Mengi offered gently, holding out a piece of food.
Seiji shook his head. "No, thank you." His voice was calm, but the seething anger was evident.
Jin glanced at him and muttered, "Seiji's calm is scarier than a storm."
The free world's gates loomed tall and strong, but the sound of thunderous footsteps drew closer. Each step caused tremors that shook the land, leaving deep footprints in the earth.
The Neph Giants approached in synchronized formation, their towering forms casting massive shadows over the plains. The rookies stationed along the gate began to visibly tremble. Sweat trickled down their faces, and their hands tightened around their weapons.
"I… I've never seen anything like this," whispered one rookie, his voice shaking.
Another stammered, "Those… those aren't normal giants. What are we even supposed to do? My sword won't even scratch them."
"Shut it, both of you!" barked a third rookie, though his own fear was clear. "If we run, we're dead anyway. Might as well die fighting!"
Standing before the rookies and officers, Shenlog, the General Supreme Commander, held his ground. His dragon hovered above him, its scales glinting in the sunlight. Jingwei sat atop her massive toad, observing the ranks with an intense gaze.
Shenlog raised his voice, a booming tone that cut through the chaos of fear. "Listen up, all of you! Those overgrown fatheads might look invincible, but I promise you—they're not. You've trained for this. We've trained for this. This is what we were born to do!"
He pointed toward the marching giants. "They may be tall, they may be strong, but they're slow. They're stupid. And you? You're smarter, faster, better! Today, the free world depends on us. Your kids, your families, your friends—they're counting on us to hold the line."
The rookies exchanged glances, fear gradually replaced by determination.
"And if you even think of chickening out," Shenlog added with a smirk, "I'll fry you myself and feed you to my dragon!"
The rookies broke into nervous laughter, and Shenlog shouted, "NOW GO OUT THERE AND SHOW THOSE GIANTS WHO RUNS THIS WORLD!"
A collective roar erupted from the troops as they charged forward with newfound courage. Shenlog leapt into the air, his dragon letting out a deafening roar as it soared alongside him. Jingwei's toad leaped high, its shadow sprawling across the battlefield.
Among the commanders, Cade and Zach activated their Vampire Modes, their eyes glowing crimson, and their bodies blurred with unnatural speed. The shimmer in the air signaled their immense power.
Cade zigzagged between the giants' legs, his blade slashing at their feet. The strikes hit hard but failed to penetrate the dense skin. A giant stomped its foot down, creating a devastating shockwave that sent Cade flying backward. He flipped mid-air, landing gracefully.
"These bastards are tougher than I thought," Cade muttered, grinning through clenched teeth.
Zach, meanwhile, had raced up the leg of a giant, his sword coated in a crimson sheen. With a sudden movement, he slashed through the giant's eye, eliciting a deafening roar of pain.
"SWORD ART: VAMPIRIC SLASH!" Zach shouted, his voice echoing through the battlefield.
The giant staggered, clutching its face, giving Zach just enough time to leap down its back. He slid down, slashing at the giant's Achilles tendons. The giant collapsed with a thunderous crash, its massive body hitting the ground.
Standing atop the fallen giant, Zach's vampire teeth gleamed as he plunged them into its chest. His body began to pulse with power as he absorbed the creature's essence.
Cade smirked from the distance. "Typical Zach. That's the SOULFEAST TECHNIQUE," he muttered. "The more powerful the opponent, the greater the reward."
With renewed strength, Zach's body blurred as he dashed toward the next giant. Cade followed suit, ready for the fight ahead.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone