Planet Lucent's Frontline (3)

*Krang!*

Unable to compete against the bone spikes in durability, Li-Xin's sword was broken into two when it was finally unable to take any more of the stress test. But the broken sword hardly disturbed Li-Xin and his concentration.

Instead, another sword came out of nowhere as he used that opportunity to decapitate the pair of tentacles from this alien lifeform. Blue and yellowish blood soon pouring out from this monster as it was writhing in pain.

But Li-Xin was far from over. Afraid that something unexpected might happen while the alien lifeform is struggling, he beheaded the opponent before firing a few shots on that head. If the lifeform could still remain alive, they would have to consider leaving this planet by then.

And on top of that, this opponent was just a light-green marker target.

"Sixty minutes!" the leading individual who killed the alien lifeform first yelled to keep everyone's spirit at the top. As one of the few experienced soldiers who's been coming to this planet over three times, he has a rough idea of what they had to expect.

It was easy to come down to the planet's surface but difficult while going back up to space.

Their biggest challenge was not about staying alive until then, but if they managed to get on their ride back on time. The soldiers were given a priority seat on their way down here, but not when going back.

They would be counted lucky if they managed to grab one of the twenty seats available on the dropship here to pick them up. And to make it worst, those who failed to get a ride back on time would have to wait for their next pick up two hours later.

The camcorder on their helmet would also go offline after their service hour. This means any killing, disposal, or whatever the soldier did won't be counted into their total contribution.

Such a rule was harsh, but it is a requirement and the soldier's own responsibility to secure his way back home. Furthermore, since the decease rate for those failing to return from their mission, they're considered Killed-In-Action until they report themselves in the Human-Resources Department.

"Incoming!" one of the soldiers yelled.

*BOOM!*

A two meters wide crater was left on the ground after the explosion. Although it happened far from where Li-Xin is positioned, the blast's aftermath still affected him slightly. Focusing on the dust that reduces their visibility over that direction, a pack of alien lifeforms quickly made their entrance.

The bone spikes were fired repeatedly at the landing zone using their advantages in large numbers.

This surprise attack from the alien lifeform took down a few of them by surprise. With only 11 people left out of 20, the 22nd team might be gone before the dropship arrived to pick what's left of them.

Having no other choice except to increase their firepower and keep defending this position, Li-Xin grabbed another rifle nearby and fitted the magazine in.

"Come here!" holding both rifles at where the alien lifeform is making its entrance, Li Xin tried his best to keep the gun steady while firing at them. The recoil from holding two guns was so significant that his hands went numb from barely emptying half of the magazine.

Li-Xin's arms are already gone due to the numbness from trying to handle two rifles at once. Although all he needs is a minute or two to allow his touch to return, time was the most precious commodity here on the battlefield.

One of the Luminescents successfully went past their coverage as it fought just like the Li-Xin's previous opponent. Relying on the bone spike protruding out of the tentacle's tip, the Luminescent was fighting like a blade expert and tearing the flesh apart from two of the frontmost soldiers.

*WAH!*

One of them fell from a direct attack that went across his neck. And the second guy had his right chest impaled by the bone spike just a second later. He was still alive, but it won't be long before the murderous air on this planet invades his body and destroys it from the inside.

"Shit! Shit!" Li-Xin cursed. With the fall of the two guys in front, he will be the next target for sure. Worst of all, he would still need at least a minute to slowly regain control over his arms. It was much better than before but still barely strong enough to hold onto a weapon.

He would be no different from a sitting duck if the Luminescent made its way to him.

'Quickly! Come back to me!' Li-Xin kept shaking his hand to hasten the recovery process. But his panicky attempt ended up making himself more of a target to go for. Unknown if the Luminescent could smell fear, it seems to be coming in Li-Xin's direction for no reason.

"I'm fucked!" Li-Xin cursed. To think that the alien lifeform would come straight at him like it knew he had no option to resist the alien.

With only his leg capable of moving freely, Li-Xin tried to struggle against his death. Swinging his leg at a smaller box on the ground, Li-Xin kicked the toolbox towards the alien lifeform before he tried to escape.

His attempt was futile as the alien lifeform cut apart the toolbox like a block of tofu. It was going to chase the running target but was quickly disturbed by a few gunshots.

(WHEEE!!!)

The Luminescent made a whistling noise after its prey tried to escape. The whistling sound was there for a moment before chasing the target.

"It's back!" but the previous advantages were gone by now. Feeling that the sense of touch finally came back, Li-Xin grabbed one of the stationary rifles on top of a nearby supply box. His efficiency in getting the rifle ready was top-notch as he replaced the magazine in a blink of an eye.

"Eat my bullets, you piece of shit!" Li-Xin pulled the trigger while pointing his gun at the Luminescent's head. A few random swings from its tentacle deflected the first few shots, but the gunshot soon tore apart its defenses.

The blue and yellowish liquid followed the bullet out from the back of this alien lifeform's head as the first bullet punch through its vital area.

But Li-Xin was not satisfied.

"Again!" he fired few more shots at the alien until its head is no longer discernable.