Chapter 56: Ethan's Crisis

Chapter 56: Ethan's Crisis

On the city wall, inside a makeshift command post, Welma crossed her legs as she watched the monitors.

The screens displayed the movements of the monsters within Bluewater City.

Her secretary approached, holding a tablet:

"Director, based on the spiritual imaging, there are three groups of monsters converging on Central Avenue. Each group has a B-rank leader."

Welma frowned:

"I recall that the transport creature dropped off four B-ranks. Why are there only three? Where is the other B-rank?"

An exposed Tibetan mastiff in the yard wasn't frightening; the real threat was the viper hiding under the bed.

The secretary smiled as he continued:

"That's the second matter I need to report."

"Captain Ethan led the military squad and killed that B-rank along with its subordinates. He saved an entire residential area!"

Welma's face darkened as she slammed the table, her voice filled with rage:

"Did I not order all B-rank officers to guard the Security Bureau? How dare Ethan mobilize the officers behind my back?!"

The high-ranking officers were the backbone of the Security Bureau. How dare Ethan risk the bureau's safety for a group of useless civilians?

If something happened to the Security Bureau, not only would she gain no merit, but she would also be blamed by her superiors.

The secretary waved his hand:

"You misunderstand, Director. Captain Ethan didn't mobilize any high-ranking officers. He took the risk himself and led the regular officers to take down that B-rank monster. He's seriously injured."

Welma's eyes widened.

Ethan didn't use the high-ranking officers? He led regular officers to defeat a B-rank monster? How did he manage that?

Welma's eyes narrowed dangerously as she thought to herself:

"So, Ethan is truly capable. My brother might never get to be the captain at this rate."

Welma sat back in her chair, furrowing her brow.

After a moment, a cold smile appeared on her lips:

"David, commend and reward Captain Ethan for his bravery. Then order him to proceed to Central Avenue and block the monsters."

"Tell him to hold them off; I'll send high-ranking officers to support him shortly."

"Understood," David replied before sending the orders to Ethan.

A few minutes later, David reported:

"Most of the officers have been scattered across various streets to deal with the monsters. Captain Ethan doesn't have many officers by his side; they likely won't last long. Should I send support now?"

Welma glanced at him.

"Are you kidding? The high-ranking officers are needed to guard the Security Bureau. I only want to use the monsters to kill Ethan!" she thought to herself.

She replied indifferently:

"I have my own plans. You can go about your business."

Ethan's clothes were torn, one arm twisted and throbbing with excruciating pain at the slightest movement.

He forced his swollen eyes open, glancing at his fellow officers.

They were not in great shape either, covered in blood and various wounds.

Ethan let out a hearty laugh:

"How are we feeling, brothers? Does it feel good?"

The officers, full of grit, looked at Ethan with admiration.

This young captain had led them to take down a B-rank monster!

They laughed wildly:

"It feels great!"

"I gouged out that demon bear's eye earlier! Hahaha!"

"A hundred of us took down hundreds of monsters! I'll be bragging about this to my girlfriend for life!"

Ethan smirked:

"Listen up, brothers! There are thousands of monsters on Central Avenue."

"Three B-ranks and fifty-eight C-ranks! All we need to do is hold them off. The high-ranking officers will be here soon!"

"After this fight, I'll treat you all to a team-building event—on the house!"

The officers showed no fear.

Their previous victory had filled them with confidence.

Their eyes glowed with excitement.

"Team-building, huh? Can I bring my girlfriend?"

"Be realistic! Give us bonuses instead. I need money to finish my house renovations."

"How about giving us time off? I had an epiphany during the last battle. I want to pull an all-nighter tomorrow; I think I can level up big time."

Ethan Blake looked at the security officers with relief. Waving his single arm, he declared boldly,

"After this team-building activity, I'll pay out bonuses to all of you! Then, you get seven days of paid leave!"

After speaking, he was the first to board the security vehicle.

The officers cheered and quickly followed.

There was a shortcut from here to Central Avenue, which they could reach before the monsters gathered.

Central Avenue.

The officers had already occupied the optimal combat positions and set up their formations.

Under Ethan Blake's command, the crossroads of Central Avenue had become a heavily fortified zone, easily capable of holding off the monsters for half an hour.

The monsters appeared—a dense, black mass filling several streets.

Hissing, crawling, twisted, venomous, greedy.

These strange words were the most fitting description of these monsters.

"Captain Ethan, how were these things created?"

"They look so bizarre. What do you think their parents were like?"

"Cockroach rats? If cockroaches and rats can make it work, then my girlfriend and I surely can too."

Ethan pursed his lips, then suddenly roared,

"Concentrate fire!"

Among the hundreds of officers, more than thirty were elemental awakeners.

With their elemental abilities combined with the others' firearms, the intersection was instantly engulfed in a torrent of firepower.

Wails, screams, and the sound of shattering rang out at the crossroads, preventing the three groups of monsters from converging.

Ethan commanded calmly,

"Team B, move to Point C immediately! Team A, provide covering fire!"

Guerrilla warfare had been the foundation of the nation's founding, and its principles had been carved out through the bloodshed of their forebears. Ethan wielded these principles to perfection!

Ten minutes passed, yet thousands of monsters still hadn't managed to merge.

"Hold on, brothers! The Grand Officer will be here soon!"

Sweat formed at Ethan's temples, unsure if it was from the pain in his arm or tension.

Amid the sea of monsters, three humanoid creatures stood still, in stark contrast to the surrounding frenzied beasts.

One was three meters tall, resembling a venomous entity with a vertical eye occupying its entire face.

The second had a female figure, its body covered in scales and oozing a sticky substance.

The last was a five-meter-tall headless giant with a huge mouth lined with sharp teeth on its stomach and arms covered in eyes.

These creatures, with their spiteful and intelligent gazes, scanned the high-rise buildings.

"Roar!"

The one-eyed monster pointed angrily toward Ethan's defenses.

The headless giant bellowed and leaped from the ground, crashing into Point C with a thunderous force.

"Ahhh!!!"

Amid the screams, Point C fell silent.

Ethan could clearly see the massive mouth on the giant's stomach chewing.

The mouth opened, showing rows of sharp teeth smeared with remnants of flesh, while its disgusting tongue licked the blood on its stomach.

Ethan cursed under his breath and glanced at his watch.

Almost half an hour had passed. Where was the Grand Officer that Welma promised?!

By now, he had pieced together some things.

Furious, he punched the ground, his eyes scanning the surroundings of Central Avenue.

His gaze locked onto a private gas company.

He spoke quickly into the intercom,

"Brothers! The situation has changed; retreat!

Retreat to the Security Bureau! I'll cover you!"

Before the officers could react, Ethan had already transformed into a bull, crashing through the glass as he charged toward the gas company.

"Captain!"

"Is the Grand Officer held up by the monsters?"

"No worries, Captain! We can hold out until the Grand Officer arrives!"

"Leaving like this is so damn humiliating!"

The officers' voices echoed through the intercom on Ethan's waist.

Ethan's eyes turned cold, filled with a resolve to face death.

If these officers died here, it would be the true tragedy of the Security Bureau!

In a security vehicle far from Central Avenue, Lin Xiaoqian's eyes brimmed with tears.

She started the vehicle and sped toward the eastern district.

She remembered her master's words: If he died in battle, go to Base Cafe immediately.

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