Chapter 196: The Strength of the Sixth Squad

Liam fired at an invader attempting to approach from the right flank.

The bullet struck its shoulder, disrupting its attack just enough for Lydia to intercept it with one of her hardened tentacles.

The blow sent the creature stumbling backward. Lydia extended another appendage and wrapped it around its waist before slamming it into the ground.

"Liam, behind you!"

Liam immediately ducked.

A weapon swept over his head. Before his attacker could retrieve it, Lydia struck it with an acid-coated tentacle, forcing it to retreat.

Liam pivoted on his heels and fired twice.

The invader fell.

"Thanks, sweetheart."

"You’re welcome. But stop getting distracted!"

Lydia moved back in front of him, this time keeping two tentacles extended to either side. Two more dragged along the ground, ready to intercept anyone who tried to approach.

Liam smiled as he assessed the enemies’ positions.

His wife was right. He couldn’t just shoot at whatever appeared in front of him. In this battle, even a second of distraction could cost them dearly.

The invaders were beginning to adapt to their movements.

Two creatures advanced together while a third moved to the side to circle around them.

Liam raised his weapon.

"Let’s change our strategy."

◇◆◇

"Jordan, I need you to draw their attention! Ray, get ready!"

Jordan advanced without hesitation.

The massive hunter took a sword strike to the abdomen. His body withstood the blow as he used his ability to harden his fat and absorb some of the impact’s force.

Then he grabbed the invader by the arm.

"Got you!"

Ray appeared beside him and touched a fragment of concrete.

The stone’s density decreased until Jordan could lift it with ease. The tank hurled it toward Ray, who altered its density again just before Chuck intervened.

"My turn!"

Chuck threw a knife at the fragment.

His ability altered the projectile’s trajectory, causing it to strike the stone and propel it directly toward the invaders.

Ray increased the object’s density again as it traveled.

The impact shook the two creatures advancing together, knocking them down before they could reach Liam and Lydia.

"Nice throw!" Chuck shouted.

"Focus on the ones still standing!" Ray replied.

Lena took advantage of the opening and moved forward. Her blackened sword burst into flames as she swung it at one of the fallen enemies, making it difficult for the creature to get back up.

At the same time, Nora’s shadow creatures slipped between the legs of the remaining standing invaders.

Small, dark figures climbed their armor and bit into their joints, hindering their movements.

"Now, Liam," Nora said calmly.

Liam fired at the immobilized enemies, aiming for the areas where their armor appeared most vulnerable.

Lydia extended her tentacles and struck down any who tried to escape the shadows.

Within seconds, the group had cleared that section of the street.

However, more invaders were already approaching from the opposite end.

◇◆◇

"Chloe, help me keep up the pace!" Zayn called.

The speedster shot toward a group of enemies, struck one in the face, and changed direction to dodge another’s counterattack.

His speed allowed him to slip through narrow spaces and attack from unexpected angles, but the battle was beginning to demand too much of him.

Chloe established a connection by touching her teammate.

Energy began flowing between them, helping Zayn maintain his movements while she carefully managed her own reserves.

Zayn slid beneath a weapon and darted past an invader, drawing its attention.

"Over here!"

The creature chased after him.

But Zayn suddenly came to a stop, pivoted on his heels, and let the enemy continue forward.

Lydia seized the opportunity.

A hardened tentacle struck the invader from the side, sending it crashing to the ground.

"One down!" she exclaimed.

Zayn breathed heavily as he returned to the group.

"I need to practice my braking more."

"You’ve been saying that ever since I met you," Liam replied.

"Boss, this isn’t the time to criticize my training!"

Chuck burst out laughing, though he continued throwing knives at the approaching enemies.

For a moment, the squad regained some of its usual camaraderie.

But the reprieve didn’t last long.

A group of invaders appeared behind a row of abandoned vehicles. They were larger than the previous ones and wore dark plates over their torsos and arms.

One of them raised its weapon.

Liam sensed that something was wrong.

"Lydia, get back!"

◇◆◇

The blow landed with devastating force.

Lydia crossed two hardened tentacles in front of her body just as the enemy’s weapon struck them.

The force of the collision sent her flying several meters backward.

Liam tried to catch her, but both of them ended up sliding across the asphalt.

"Lydia!"

"I’m fine!"

She quickly got back to her feet. Her tentacles extended again, although the impact had left marks on their hardened surfaces.

Liam raised his weapon and fired at the attacker.

The bullets ricocheted off its armor.

The invader continued advancing.

"Great," Liam muttered.

Jordan positioned himself in front of the group while Ray searched for something he could use as a projectile.

Emily and Carol, who had been holding back a little, moved closer to support their teammates.

Carol held the gemstone Liam had given her earlier. Her arm began to transform, taking on a crystalline surface.

Emily placed a hand on her shoulder.

Electricity coursed through Carol’s arm, concentrating in the gemstone.

"I’m not going to waste this opportunity!" Carol declared.

She lunged at the invader and delivered a blow to its side.

The electrical energy exploded upon contact with the armor, sending sparks flying.

The creature staggered. It didn’t fall, but its advance came to a halt.

"Now!" Liam shouted.

Lydia extended several tentacles around the enemy’s legs. Two hardened to hold it in place, while the others became coated in acid and began corroding the joints of its armor.

Jordan charged at it and slammed a fist into its chest.

The invader finally stumbled backward, losing its balance.

Ray hurled a fragment of concrete whose density he’d increased considerably.

The projectile struck the creature’s head.

It dropped to its knees.

Liam aimed directly at the opening Lydia had created in its armor and fired.

The invader collapsed.

Emily slowly released the breath she’d been holding.

"I hope the next ones are easier."

"I hope there aren’t any more," Carol replied.

From somewhere nearby, Chuck shouted:

"Well, stop wishing for impossible things and keep fighting!"