Marines With Two Lives!

"Damn it, you untouchables! You're asking for death! Kill them now!" the fat-headed Celestial Dragon shouted angrily.

"Yes, sir!"

The dozen or so guards surrounding him raised their spears and charged at the group of Marines.

"And you—get moving!" the Celestial Dragon barked as he jumped off the backs of the slaves, kicking them harshly and ordering them to move.

The slaves, their eyes blank from years of brutal oppression, exchanged glances. They had long dreamed of one day rising against their tormentors. However, the years of fear had left deep scars. Despite their desire to fight, they were too deeply conditioned to obey the Celestial Dragons' commands without question.

Several slaves, despite their internal struggle, were forced to charge at the Marines.

Before they had been enslaved, these men had been infamous pirates, their strength formidable. Even now, their combat skills were not to be underestimated.

Meanwhile, the guards, rushing forward to fight, clashed with the Marines. But with the buffs granted to the Marines, several of the guards were swiftly cut down. The rest, anxious and overwhelmed, were soon overwhelmed as well. Their defeat was inevitable.

"This is our chance, brothers!" one of the pirate slaves shouted, excitement in his voice. "Killing Marines means a reward! Heaven will surely favor us!"

"Yeah, we could finally be free of these collars!" another added.

The few pirate slaves, desperate for a chance at redemption, threw themselves into the fray, hoping to earn favor.

An older Celestial Dragon smirked at the spectacle. "Fools," he sneered. "They're slaves for life. Nothing will change that."

As he spoke, he pressed a button in his hand.

Boom!

The explosive collars on the necks of two slaves detonated, sending mushroom clouds into the air. The blast instantly consumed the slaves and a Marine standing nearby.

"Impossible!"

The remaining slaves froze in terror, their faces paling. They instinctively looked back at their masters, only to see that the Celestial Dragons were holding buttons, ready to trigger the bombs.

"No—!" one slave screamed, but it was too late. Several more mushroom clouds erupted, engulfing both slaves and Marines alike in flames.

A Marine who should have been dead suddenly felt his body reassemble, the severed parts of him mending as the Perseverance buff activated. He blinked, dazed, and found himself miraculously alive, though gravely wounded.

His hatred for the Celestial Dragons burned bright in his eyes. Without the Perseverance buff, he would have been gone for good, just like his fallen comrades.

"These Celestial Dragons are despicable!" one Marine growled. "We have to kill them! If we don't, this will all be in vain."

"Agreed," another Marine said, his voice tight with pain. "Even if we're seriously wounded, we must take down these bastards before we leave."

The Rear Admiral, watching the exchange, barked an order. "Once the Perseverance buff activates, retreat immediately! That's the Marshal's command, and it is not up for discussion!"

"Sir, we can hold on!" a Marine pleaded. "Let us at least watch these Celestial Dragons die! Please!"

The Rear Admiral's face turned cold. "I said, retreat! The Marine Corps exists because we follow the orders of Marshal Finn without question. Do not make me remind you again. Use the Hearthstone and return to base. Now!"

He had been part of several high-level Marine strategy meetings and knew the importance of unwavering discipline. The entire force had been primed for this mission, and it was crucial they followed orders to the letter.

Grudgingly, the injured Marines nodded.

"Brothers," one said, his voice full of frustration, "we'll kill these Celestial Dragons next time. For now, we have no choice but to retreat."

With a final, regretful glance at the battlefield, they activated their Hearthstones and disappeared in unison.

"Damned cowards!" a Celestial Dragon spat, watching the Marines escape. "They didn't even die like men!"

The Celestial Dragons were incensed, their rage boiling over at the sight of the Marines fleeing.

"What are you standing around for? Get moving!" one of the Celestial Dragons shouted to the remaining slaves.

The slaves, still haunted by the explosions and the deaths of their fellow captives, were paralyzed with fear. No matter what they did, it seemed they would die either way.

Then, one slave's eyes hardened with determination. His face flushed red with anger. "To hell with this!" he muttered, turning toward his Celestial Dragon master. "You want to die? Fine, I'll make sure we go together!"

With that, he rushed at his former master, wrapping his arms around the Celestial Dragon in a death grip. "Blow us both up! Blow us up together!"

The Celestial Dragon, who had lived above others for so long, was unprepared for the sudden defiance. His eyes went wide with panic as the slave's grip tightened. "Let go of me! Are you mad?!" he screamed.

"I'm already dead, so why should I let you live?" the slave snarled, clutching the Celestial Dragon's neck like an iron clamp.

The Celestial Dragon fumbled for the button in his hand, but in his panic, he couldn't press it in time. The slave's grip tightened, and with a final scream, the Celestial Dragon was dragged into the embrace of death.

The other slaves, seeing their comrade's bold action, suddenly found their courage. If they were going to die, they would die fighting. They rushed forward, determined to take the Celestial Dragons down with them.

"Together, now!" they cried in unison, charging toward the Celestial Dragons.

The battle for their freedom had only just begun.