Seize the Beach - Part 1

Zuush!

Zuush!

Several arrows shot out by one of the enemy's Titanium-class rankers were flying towards Cordelia.

Coated with the ranker's martial essences as well as released from a high-quality magic bow, these arrows were extremely lethal and dangerous. Even when they're still flying, they already caused shock-waves that blown away the air and sands in the vicinity, creating a blanket of dust as they pass.

Cordelia believes that these arrows could easily penetrate her defense. Because of that, she immediately dashed forward.

At this point, she was unable to retreat or run away from combat. If she does, the men behind her will surely get hit by the arrows and due to them having not enough power to resist, they will be utterly destroyed as a result.

Rushing forward and block the arrows herself were the only methods she could think of that could protect them.

With that idea in mind, Cordelia steeled her heart while at the same time, started to clad her whole body with martial essences to strengthen her defense to the max.

As the distance between her and the arrows getting nearer, she swung her blade a couple of times, producing several waves of simple energy attacks that were immediately sent to block the arrows.

Boom!!!

Boom!!!

Boom!!!

Explosions occurred as the energy attack intercepted a few of the incoming arrows in mid-air, turning those threats into dust.

Unfortunately, some of them were still intact and continue to lock on to Cordelia. But this wasn't a problem, she already knew the outcome beforehand.

Receiving all those arrows will be definitely fatal, that's why she had only planned to destroy as much as she could before accepting the rest. Although she could not escape unharmed, at least, the damage that her body will take would be much lighter.

On the other hand, Cordelia also planned not to keep following the enemy's rhythm, she refused being forced into merely able to defend herself.

As such, without wasting time at all, she entered an attacking posture.

Zing!

Her blade bursting out a strong green-colored aura that gradually becomes bigger and denser. In addition, a vague image of a falcon bird also appeared and wrapped her entire body. Even her bearing has changed greatly and turned exceedingly sharper.

Cordelia closed her eyes and softly murmured, "Falcon Raze…"

Then, she opened her eyes and swing the blade with unmatched determination. Even though her vision was blocked by a dense blanket of dust, she still remembers the bastard's position. Besides, her Martial Sense has a lock on to him. Thus, she aimed and direct the strike toward that location.

Bang!!!

A deafening sound was booming as both the green aura and the falcon image shooting out from Cordelia's blade, accelerating in supersonic toward the enemy ranker who had shot her earlier.

This was the most powerful and the only long-range combat technique in her arsenal: Falcon Raze!

A combat technique that was so renowned throughout the Arguna Republic for being the most precious inheritance of the great Cassar clan, Cordelia's family. Her great-grandfather was the one who had found the technique's manual from within Heavenly Tower. He was a part of Gaia's first expedition into the Tower that was launched shortly after the discovery of Heaven's Gate 150 years ago, which at that time was still being a ruin.

Since then, the technique had become an heirloom that has only been given to the main members of the Cassar clan. And because Cordelia was a daughter to the clan's current patriarch, and not to mention, the most talented member of the clan in terms of cultivation, she had the right to practice the technique, in which she had managed to master within a mere three years.

Even though the technique was categorized as a sword strike, it was capable of producing an energy-based attack that can hit any targets within a radius of 200 meters, which was quite a far range for a sword technique. Truly powerful and flexible.

However, just like she had expected, shortly after deploying the technique, Cordelia was immediately hit by the remaining arrows.

A few of those managed to punctured her defense and directly struck her body.

"Guakhh!!!" Painful howls resound from her mouth, she also puked a mouthful of blood as she was sent flying for dozens of meters.

Bang!!!

Crashing into the soft ground of the beach with a loud voice, Cordelia was howling in pain once again, "Gahhk!!!"

This was undoubtedly a very bad day for her. Three arrows stabbed evenly across her upper torso with fresh blood flowing almost endlessly from the wounds. Her breathing was extremely haggard while her body was shivering as she tries to resist the pain.

'F*cking hell that's really hurt!' She cursed in her mind.

Seeing their commander has been sent flying by the enemy attack, all soldiers and marines in the surrounding area were shocked to death. They never would have imagined the famed Phoenix General can be harmed to this extent.

The same exact thing was about to be experienced by the enemy who had made her like that.

Due to the blanket of dust created by the arrows blocking his vision, the devil who carries a magic bow still doesn't know that his arrows have hit their target.

His standing posture seems to be extremely relaxed and his expression doesn't show any seriousness, he didn't even activate his Martial Sense.

Suddenly, green-colored energy with falcon image emerged from within the blanket and heading straight for his position.

Although the devil recognized it to be an enemy strike, he doesn't think much of it.

While still in a leisure posture, he prepares to welcome them.

"!!!" However, once the strike was closing in and he felt its true power, the devil's expression instantly turned very ugly.

Even if he wants to dodge it, it's already too late. It came to him like thunder, incomparably fast, and in an instant! Other than standing still and silently waiting, there's no other thing he could do.

Slash!

"Guek…!" Before he was even able to finish the scream, life has been taken out completely from the devil as his body was cut in two by the strike, cleanly and swiftly.

A peak stage Titanium-class ranker has been killed just like that due to his own complacency.

Meanwhile, the other three enemy Titanium-class rankers who were standing by nearby were stupefied and frozen. They couldn't register what has actually happened to their unfortunate colleague just now.

Looking at the horrifying mangled corpse lying on the ground, unsightly expression couldn't help but appear on each of their faces. A powerful Titanium-class ranker such as that devil wasn't supposed to be exterminated that easily, and by only a single strike nonetheless.

This was extremely shocking!

The three exchanged glances with each other and simultaneously nodded.

They initially thought the target of their mission would die quickly from fighting them. After all, all four of them were the strongest Devil Generals in existence, who have participated in hundreds of campaigns against many worlds and managed to survive. Their combat experiences were not something that a young human Titanium-class ranker, particularly a woman, can compare to.

Hence why the three have merely stood by and watch while sending one comrade to 'play' with the target.

Unfortunately, the target herself has proven them wrong by killing a Devil General using one strike only. Showing the fact that she absolutely could not be underestimated.

The native soldiers were basically ants before the three devils' eyes, but the same can't be said to their commander. As a result, the three decided to raise their guard up, starting to get really serious and being extremely vigilant.

"Let's end it quick. It was a mistake not to do that in the first place." One of the three devils spoke.

"I agree. We should just attack that woman all at once. I don't believe we can't kill her." Another devil gave his opinion.

The last devil nodded, "Alright, let's do that."

As the discussion ended, the three immediately move together towards the target's position.

The dust has started to disperse, clearing the visibility for a bit.

Cordelia was kneeling while clutching the most painful wound located on her stomach. While blood has stopped flowing, but the pain was still there.

She gritted her teeth and looked to the front.

'Eishh… Here comes the other three.' She sighed and lamented inwardly, even though she had successfully killed one high-level enemy ranker, there was no joy in her heart. Another three opponents have entered the fray, making her even more frustrated.

Creak!

Creak!

Vroom!

From behind, an APC with many marines as well as her staff approaching closer.

"General! Are you alright? How's your condition?" Asked one of the staff with a worried look.

Cordelia briefly glanced at him and replied, "I'm fine. It's just a bunch of scratch."

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. But you definitely need a medic. I mean, just look at those wounds." The staff retorted lightly, afraid to incur the general's anger.

"I said I'm fine! Instead of worrying about me, why don't you take a look at what's in our front…" Said Cordelia sternly.

Hearing that, the staff and the other men shifted their attentions.

They were instantly horrified by the sight of three huge, towering devils running at full speed towards their position. Even though they don't know precisely how strong they were, but the men could felt that each of the devils possessed a ferocious kind of power.

"What should we do, General?!" The staff asked in a panic. The other men, while keeping silent, have a ghastly expression covering their faces.

Cordelia sweep her eyes upon her men, and thought, 'Tch! Even with all of their strength combined, they could only contend against a single Gold-class ranker at most.'

Then, she took a long breath and calmed herself down before standing up.

Although she was covered in many bloody wounds, her posture remained strong. Showing her weak condition would not help her forces' morale at all. Thus, Cordelia needs to keep her confidence shone outwardly so that the men's fighting spirit continues to burn.

"Tell every nearby unit to focus their fire on those three bastards. As for the rest, leave that to me." She gave the order while clutching her blade really hard, battle intent surging up once again within her heart.

"Understood!!!" The staff, as well as, the surrounding men nodded and complied. This action was the best one they could do currently.

A moment later, every marine and soldier in the vicinity begun to firing at will using everything they have. Even tanks and other armored vehicles also followed them suit, their guns and turrets were working in full-spectrum, spitting out destructive rounds and munitions to the three devils.

Duar!!!

Boom!!!

Ratatata!!!

However, even after continuously under heavy fire, the devils seem to be unstoppable as they still advancing without slowing down at all. Every step they took feels like an earthquake happened, their huge and mighty bodies looked extremely terrifying.

To marines and soldiers, the scene made their hearts trembled endlessly. They have never seen such a sight before. All they could think of right now was, 'How can we fight against such creatures?!'

Furthermore, behind those devils, dozens of vampires in cloaks have managed to catch up. It appears they have completely broken through the line of the 6th Marine Battalion and now, advancing together with the devils.

Due to this, the situation has gotten even more worst for Cordelia and her troops.

No matter how strong and experienced she was, combating against three Devil Generals all at once will only result in her death. They will quickly overpower and defeat her effortlessly.

Fortunately, she hasn't lost any hope, she still had something in her sleeves, and they finally came at the right time…

"Commander, I apologize for coming late." Said a man with bronze skin and wore an Arguna army combat uniform that was full of gears as he strode closer to Cordelia.

Walking next to him were two other men; one was wearing black-colored light armor with intricate design and a faceless mask that hide his face, while the other one was a huge bald male who wore a white robe with an emblem of the Gaia Association hanging on his chest.

As Cordelia looked to the bronze skin man, she heaved a sigh of relief. Then, she opened her mouth with a subtle joyful expression, "It's fine, Jordan. You're not late at all."

"The rest of the second wave is still finishing the landing procedure, it won't be long though. We were really alarmed when we saw the enemy counter-attack was happening. So the three of us decided to land first in order to reinforce you." The bronze skin man, Jordan, replied. He was Cordelia's second in command, an officer with the rank of major general and the vice commander of JTF-10. His strength stood at late stage Titanium-class.

Hearing her second in command's words, Cordelia turned her attention to the other two people.

"Violet Global Security's contingent team leader, Zenith, at your service, Ma'am." The man with black armor and faceless mask introduced himself.

The Amethyst Queen had assigned him to lead her contingent that was attached to Cordelia's amphibious force. Possessing a late stage Titanium-class cultivation, which made him one of the strongest rankers amongst the amphibious force.

"Thank you." Cordelia gave simple gratitude.

After that, she turned to the last person, the bald white-robed man. And her expression was rather difficult to describe.

She remembers that this man was the one who was impolite to her during the briefing, the White Sage's second in command she believe. But considering how precarious the current situation was, any minor altercations between allies weren't really worth to be heightened further. Besides, this man was also a late stage Titanium-class ranker, he could provide great help to her.

As such, Cordelia let the matter go and simply gave a nod to the baldy.

The man himself returns the nod and then shifted his vision toward the enemy group, who have now stopped their movement while staring warily at them.

"Three peak stage Titanium-class… This would be a tough battle." Jordan spoke his opinion.

"There were four originally, I already killed one. But I manage to do it because of luck, caught him in a surprise. Those three will be different." Said Cordelia solemnly.

"Not to mention, the vampires behind them, some of them are Platinum-class. They could be threatening." Zenith calmly told.

"Luckily, there are no long-range fighters among them. We can just besiege them with our combined strength. Although won't be able to defeat them, at least we can buy more time until the rest of the second wave finished the landing." The taciturn baldy finally opened his mouth.

The other three glanced at each other, seeking approval.

And they nodded as they have decided to agree with the baldy's suggestion.

"Alright, let's do it then. The real battle starts now." Said Cordelia, readying herself once again.

The rest also perform the same, equipping their weapons respectively.

"Captain!" Cordelia yelled out and called for one of her staff.

The captain, who was busy directing the units near the APC, hastily run for the general.

"General, our firepower is useless against the three devils, but we have dealt some casualties on the hooded ones." He reported while panting heavily.

"Don't mind the devils anymore, just keep suppressing those hooded enemies instead. They're more susceptible to our bullets. I and these three gentlemen are gonna be the ones who will take care of those devils."

"Acknowledged, Ma'am." The captain complied and saluted to the four people before going back to his duty.

Afterward, Cordelia glanced at the three, "Ready?"

The three soundly nodded.

"Great. Let's go then."

Soon, the four people started rushing forward amidst the blazing gunfires of the allied troops.