Mutagen

<strong>Day 147 - 8:59 PM - Port Area, Catanduanes Military Settlement, Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes</strong>

The whole settlement was now in an uproar. Because of the gunshots and all the other noises, even those under medication would not be able to sleep tight. The brave Mutators and Evolvers moved out to assess the situation and help out if necessary. Of course, not only those that wanted to help but those people that only wanted to watch came to the line of defense.

"Please, do not obstruct the Military Operations! All those that do not intend to participate, please return to your dwellings! There is no show in this place but danger!"

Of course, it was the soldiers' duty to push these idiotic people away. Nonetheless, like the usual humans they were, it was hard to make them go away. Some might leave the area where the soldier blocking the path were only to move to another.

The soldiers maintaining the safety perimeter were getting annoyed by these people. Time and time, people like these would appear. Not only during attacks of evolved animals but even during confrontations against the rebels. And if they accidentally get caught by the crossfire, they would blame the military with various nonsensical allegations.

***

At the port area, General Padilla himself led the defense. So far, the casualties were minimal. Nonetheless, the situation was not too optimistic.

"Tanks! Take that giant as soon as possible!"

The General commanded on his radio with exasperation.

They were lucky that one giant had fallen in the first volley of tank cannons. Unfortunately, the other was no that easy to take down.

Due to the stony growth on the giant's skin, even their eyes were hard to hit. It was just a slit that was protected by stone covered eyelids. That was why the shot that came from the tank and went through the other giant's eyes was just too lucky. Snipers might be able to damage the eyes. Nonetheless, it would be far from being able to kill the giant just because of its sheer size.

Unfortunately, destroying the eyes was not plausible either. Yes, it would deprive the enemy of their sight. However, it would also cause it to become berserk.

It was not the first time that these soldiers fought gigantic threats. They also experienced a giant infected go berserk because of its loss of sense of sight. That event took a lot of lives.

Armored infected, especially the gigantic ones, had very few weak spots. Most of the time, the weak points were the eyes, the mouths, and in very few instances, the joints. However, once it went berserk, targeting these weak spots would become horribly difficult.

The soldiers here were trying their best not to let that happen. That was why the tanks were the only ones targeting the giant while the soldiers dealt with the other threats.

"General, the soldiers from the beach outpost, had returned. They incurred a single casualty and a few injuries, but they were still in fighting shape."

Vanessa, the General's secretary, reported.

"How is the situation in the west side?"

The General asked.

"According to the scouts, the infected had reached half the forest area. It seemed that the battle here at the port was drawing them to the settlement."

Vanessa replied.

"Damn it. Just what in the world is going on?"

The General smashed his fist on the table in front of him.

At this time, a messenger arrived.

"General, the Mutators and Evolvers that wanted to help arrived!"

Those words put a bit of relief to the General's heart. He turned to Vanessa.

"Vanessa, you lead the volunteers to the west side."

"Yes, General."

Vanessa replied resolutely before leaving.

***

Leaving the wall where the General commanded the defense, Vanessa slapped her cheeks. She might be a spy from another organization but it did not matter this time. The defense of this place comes first.

"Are we joining the fight?"

A voice was heard as Vanessa stepped near a hidden area. It was no other than the same man this afternoon that was sent to watch Mark's group.

Vanessa paused. Then, without looking at the direction the voice was coming from, she replied.

"I'm tasked with leading the volunteers at the west wall so I can't join you. Still, take the other four with you and help. Just do it within the shadows."

"Good, I've been itching for some action for a while."

The man replied before vanishing. However, before he actually left, he dropped some crucial information.

"The situation here at the settlement had already reached the rebels. If this situation is not resolved fast, it might get even worse."

Those words made Vanessa frown. The violent faction of the rebels did not care for the lives of the people. All they wanted was to drive the military off this island. In that case, the rebels might take this opportunity to attack. The chances would heighten if the battle with the infected was stretched for far too long.

With those thoughts, Vanessa hurried to fulfill her job.

***

Seconds and minutes passed. Bullets flew everywhere, explosions bloomed in the darkness, bodies piled up at the sandy beach. Nonetheless, there was no end to the number of infected in their sight.

It felt like they were fighting all the infected in the Bicol Region. A region that was supposed to have at least six million, including the tourists. Of course, the horde was still far from that number. Yet, there were too many.

The worst part of the battle was, they could not spot a single non-mutated infected among the horde.

With great efforts, they managed to kill the giant. They chipped away its armor at every 76mm shell they fired. But of course, that was not enough to end the battle.

"If we can only find that f*cking [Leader Type]."

Andrew cursed the only thing that all the soldiers here wanted to happen.

What made the situation far more difficult was the organized attacks of the infected. Without the leader, it would be easy to kill the unarmored infected as they would charge forward and move faster than the heavier armored ones. But that was not what was happening here.

Like a medieval army, the far slower [Armor Types] were leading the lines of the infected. They protected the others while the supposed to be fast-moving ones stayed behind their meatshields.

The assault rifles could barely do any damage to the armored infected in front. It was quite impossible since a lot of the infected were already at their [Level 2] and [Level 3] Mutations. The [Level 3 Armor Types] even had some resistance against explosives. At this point, only the soldiers atop the walls and the mortars they started to deploy could deal solid damage to the ranks of the infected.

***

At the west side of the settlement, the infected might be unorganized without a [Leader Type] commanding their ranks. However, it did not make things any easier.

The west side of the settlement was quite forested. It disabled the soldiers on the walls to kill at very long distances. It was not like the soldiers did not make efforts to clear this area of trees. However, they focused more on the east and north side of the settlement, where the attacks of the rebels would come from.

Fortunately, the Mutators and Evolvers did their best to hold the line below the walls. A few casualties happened because of carelessness but they were holding fine overall.

Within the shadows, a few people were also moving. Body after body, the infected died just because of a few powerful people. Unfortunately, no one could see their endeavors.

Unfortunately, the efforts of these people in the shadows were also far from enough. A few Mutators could not possibly deal with thousands of infected easily.

***

At the sky, Berrak stared below with remorse. He asked Mark for permission to help. However, although he was not denied to do so, he was told to wait.

Wait, for what? For many people to die because of him? Berrak might be abrasive, but he was not a cold-hearted person. Thinking that many people would die because he wanted to fulfill his promise made his stomach churn.

Berrak was a person who valued life, no matter what form. It was something from the teachings of his master, a requirement to be a successful Summoner. Valuing the life of his summons was one his training paid attention to. It was why despite his current state, his life being held by Mark, what made him even sadder was the sacrifice of his three summons this afternoon.

Nevertheless, the lives of people, himself included, were the most important.

From time to time, Berrak would turn to Mark. The latter was now sitting with this eyes closed. It had been like this for a few minutes already.

***

Another minute passed, the battle below was intensifying.

It became more and more worrying for the soldiers as the battle started to chip away their ammunition reserves heavily. To conserve bullets and explosives, some soldiers started to fight the infected in melee. Of course, it was not a good thing as they were more exposed to danger.

At this point, however, Mark opened his eyes.

"Found it." He murmured as he turned to Berrak. "Let everyone off the thunderbird first. You can start helping after that. Focus on the [Armor Types] if you can. It is those that are hindering the soldiers the most."

Hearing those words made Berrak eager. He immediately made the Thunderbird land not far from the northern side of the settlement.

After they landed, without further ado, Berrak rode on the Thunderbird's back and flew off to battle.

"That guy is really good-hearted, isn't he?"

Pefile said, staring at the visage of the leaving Berrak.

"That's right. Or else, even with his powers, I rather not "invite" him to join our camp."

Mark replied, emphasizing the word "invite" in a strange way.

"Nee, uncle. What about us?"

Emika tugged on Mark's clothes and asked.

"I will go with Mei'er. We will be dealing with that sneaky [Leader Type] at the port." Mark replied. "Then, you all go to the northwest forest."

"The northwest?" Emika tilted her head. "But that's far from the battle?"

"No, a battle will happen there soon, enough."

Mark shook his head.

"The rebels, isn't it Boss?"

Pearl asked.

"That's right. The rebels might take advantage of this. You all will hinder them. Emika and Pefile are the best for this job since it's a forested area there. Pearl, you will detect the incoming rebels while the others deal with things while hiding. Understand it?"

Mark said, patting the heads of his two younger daughters.

"Yes." "Un!"

Abbygale and Miracle replied with smiles. Mark then turned to the eldest daughter.

"Iola, I leave their protection to you."

"Please, don't worry."

Iola replied with resolute eyes.

"Boss, what about me?"

Edzel asked.

"Go with Pefile and learn his methods. It will be of use to you in the future."

That made Edzel confused. Nevertheless, he would follow. That command made Pefile a bit perplexed, though. He could only stare at Mark with askance. Mark did not plan to answer his eyes, though, and urged everyone to move.

In any case, Mark called Crimson, Amihan, and Chalfar to support the group.

"By the way, one last thing," Mark said before everyone departed.

"Try not to kill any humans for now."

"Why?"

Pefile asked.

"I just had a hunch. If you can, capture them. If not, just make them retreat."

Everyone was confused but decided to follow his words.

And there, the group separated into two different directions with different goals.

***

At the port area, everyone was shocked as the loud caw of a gigantic bird was heard. Because the sky was dark, no one was able to see it. It was until the bird showed itself, clad with lightning.

The people thought that it was another threat and started to panic. After all, it came from an entirely different direction from the infected.

It was until, like a judgment from God, a flash of lightning befell unto the infected.