บท 35: Clearing Operation Part 7
With their teams assembled, the soldiers steeled themselves for the unknown challenges ahead. They entered the mine in single file, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. The air grew colder and more oppressive as they descended deeper into the tunnel.
Alpha 1's team took the lead, moving cautiously through the narrow passage. The walls were rough and jagged, evidence of the crude mining techniques used by the kobolds. The occasional sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnel.
"How did the kobolds even make an entrance to the mine in the first place? Do they have some sort of intellectual capacity for this kind of work?" a soldier asked, his voice hushed in the confined space.
Alpha 1 glanced back. "Good question. It's possible they had help or learned from watching humans. They're not typically known for their intelligence, but survival can drive creatures to adapt."
"Guys, focus, stop talking," Alpha 2 reminded them sharply.
The soldiers nodded and fell silent, concentrating on their surroundings. The tunnel continued to wind and twist, occasionally splitting off into smaller passages. They marked their path with chalks to ensure they could find their way back.
After what felt like hours of cautious progress, they came upon a large cavern. The ceiling arched high above, supported by rough-hewn pillars. In the center of the cavern was a makeshift camp, complete with a fire pit and crude sleeping quarters.
"Looks like we've found their main living area," Alpha 1 observed.
"But where are they?" Alpha 2 said, looking around the place.
As they continued to explore, one of the soldiers found a series of tunnels branching off from the main cavern. "Sir, there are more passages here. Should we check them out?"
Alpha 1 nodded. "We need to make sure the area is clear. Split into pairs and check each tunnel. Report back if you find anything."
The soldiers paired up and moved into the tunnels. Alpha 1 and Alpha 2 took the largest passage.
After a few minutes, Alpha 1 raised his hand, signaling for Alpha 2 to stop. "Do you hear that?" he whispered.
Alpha 2 strained to listen. "Sounds like... chanting?"
They moved forward cautiously, the sound growing louder with each step. As they rounded a bend in the tunnel, they saw a faint light ahead. They crept closer, weapons at the ready.
The tunnel opened into another cavern, smaller than the first but filled with a strange, flickering light. In the center of the cavern, they saw a massive, red-skinned monster. Its bulging muscles were covered with crude armor made from mismatched pieces of metal. Sharp spikes jutted out from its shoulder guards, and it wielded a large, jagged axe in one hand. The creature's face was twisted in a permanent scowl, its small, beady eyes gleaming with malice. It stood in the center of the cavern, surrounded by a circle of kobolds chanting in their guttural language.
"Holy... what is that thing?" Alpha 2 whispered.
"It must be their boss," Alpha 1 said.
"And there are plenty of them in there," Alpha 2 pointed out. There are ten of them. "We should report it back to our boss."
"Actual, this is Alpha 2. We have sighted a large red-skinned monster, possibly a leader or boss figure, surrounded by kobolds. Requesting instructions on how to proceed. Over."
There was a brief pause before Vincent's voice crackled over the radio. "Alpha 2, you are the one in the site. I can't not assess the monster's strength from here and the only way for us to find out is if we fire on them. If they survive, they are tough and if they get one-shotted, then exterminate everything in sight."
"Okay…Actual, we are going to try our luck and fire a shot at their leader's head," Alpha 2 said.
"Good luck, Alpha 2. And remember, if they don't fall after shooting them in the head, retreat and bring some big guns along with you," Vincent finished.
Alpha 2 signaled his team to take positions, aiming their weapons at the red-skinned monster. The kobolds were still chanting, oblivious to the soldiers' presence. Alpha 1 took a deep breath, steadying his aim, and then squeezed the trigger.
The shot rang out, echoing through the cavern. The bullet hit the monster square in the forehead, and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze. The kobolds stopped chanting, their eyes widening in shock.
The monster staggered back, letting out a guttural roar. It clutched its head, but the bullet had barely pierced its thick skin. It was still very much alive and now extremely angry.
"Alpha 2 to Actual, the shot barely affected it. This thing is tough. We're retreating!" Alpha 2 shouted into the radio.
"Understood, Alpha 2. Fall back and regroup," Vincent replied.
"Move! Fall back!" Alpha 2 ordered.
The soldiers began to retreat, firing sporadically to cover their escape. The kobolds, now aware of the intruders, screeched and charged at them. The red-skinned monster lumbered forward, its eyes burning with rage.
Alpha 1 and Alpha 2 led their teams back through the tunnels, marking their path as they went. The sound of the monster's roars and the kobolds' screams echoed behind them, growing fainter as they put distance between themselves and the enemy.
Finally, they reached the main cavern where the rest of their teams were waiting.
"Report!" Alpha 3 demanded.
"There is a monster heading this way, kobolds and a different kind of monster is there," Alpha 1 reported.
"Okay do we retreat? Or do we fight them here?"
"I don't know but boss said that if our weapons were ineffective against it, we should retreat and bring a big gun. But I only shot it once on the forehead, maybe a full burst from our M4 carbine would do the trick."
"I think we should hold our ground and try the full burst," Alpha 1 suggested. "We've got better positioning here in the main cavern. If that doesn't work, we retreat."
Alpha 3 nodded. "Agreed. Let's set up a defensive line and be ready to unload everything we have."
The soldiers quickly took up positions around the entrance to the main cavern, their rifles aimed at the tunnel where the monsters would emerge. They could hear the guttural roars and the scurrying footsteps of the kobolds growing louder.
"Here they come!" Alpha 2 shouted.
Seconds later, the red-skinned monster burst into the cavern, followed by a horde of kobolds. The soldiers didn't hesitate.
"Fire!" Alpha 1 commanded.
The cavern erupted with the deafening sound of gunfire. The soldiers unleashed full bursts from their M4 carbines, targeting the red-skinned monster and the kobolds. Bullets ripped through the air, striking the monster and its minions.
The kobolds fell quickly under the relentless hail of bullets, but the monster kept coming. It roared in fury, its thick hide absorbing much of the gunfire. Sparks flew as bullets ricocheted off its crude armor.
"Focus fire on the monster!" Alpha 3 yelled.
The soldiers concentrated their fire on the red-skinned behemoth. The monster staggered under the onslaught, its roars of rage turning into cries of pain. Blood began to seep from the wounds, but it still pressed forward, driven by sheer rage.
"We're not doing enough damage!" Alpha 4 shouted over the din.
"Keep firing!" Alpha 1 urged. "We need to bring it down!"
The monster raised its jagged ax and charged at the soldiers. Just as it seemed it would reach their defensive line, it collapsed.
"They are killable!" Alpha 1 cheered.
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