Chapter 179: Banjing City
Not long after, the battle ended. All the alien creatures attacking Changdu City were killed without a trace. The alliance soldiers, still mourning their fallen comrades, began extracting the enemy corpses, venting their anger on the lifeless bodies.
Laras observed her surroundings, feeling a sense of relief as she saw that all the Star Beasts were dead. The officers gathered around her once again, their faces reflecting a mixture of exhaustion and determination.
"Miss Laras, everything is secure," reported a male officer, his tone filled with respect, though the fatigue in his voice was unmistakable. After all, they were only Tier-2 with limited real combat experience.
Laras nodded, fully aware of their condition. In an instant, she retrieved an item from her storage ring, gazing at it briefly before tossing it into the air.
With a blinding flash of light, the item expanded into a magnificent flying ship, gleaming under the fading sunlight. The ship was about ten meters long, with an aerodynamic design and a sturdy body adorned with shining brass ornaments.
Mounted securely on the ship\'s sides were several cannons, ready to defend them from any impending attacks. The clinking of metal as the ship ascended added to the tension still lingering in the hearts of the officers.
"Everyone aboard, our next destination is Banjing City," Laras commanded, her voice firm yet calming, as if encouraging her team to face the next challenge head-on.
With renewed energy, the ten officers leaped onto the flying ship, feeling the surge of power flowing through it.
Laras immediately issued the order to activate the ship. Soon, the vessel soared swiftly into the sky, leaving the Chinese alliance soldiers at the battle site gazing in awe.
"Thank you, Miss Laras, you saved us all!"
"Thank you, Miss! Crush those aliens!"
Voices of support, curses, and pleas filled the air. The soldiers were all traumatized by the sudden attack, pouring their rage into every word they uttered.
Meanwhile, Laras and her team were en route, unaware that a terrible battle was raging in Banjing City.
Banjing City, once the pride of the Chinese Alliance with its major developments, was now reduced to ruins. The towering buildings had collapsed, leaving only shattered debris strewn across the streets.
Black smoke billowed from various parts of the city, obscuring the already dimming sunlight. The sounds of defensive cannon fire, the destructive blasts from the Chinese alliance soldiers, and the roars of the alien Star Beasts filled the air, creating an atmosphere of dread that gripped the souls of the survivors.
Terrified residents scrambled through the wreckage in search of shelter. Some clung tightly to their families, while others tried to help the injured along the way.
"Where is the government?! Why hasn\'t anyone come to help us?" shouted an old man, his hands trembling as he supported an injured child. His face was filled with panic, reflecting the chaos around him. see ,em,pyr for more
"God, save us!" cried a woman who collapsed in front of a ruined convenience store, desperately seeking refuge among the unsafe rubble.
Amid the panic, a few soldiers from the Chinese alliance struggled to maintain the city\'s last line of defense. They wore high-tech battle armor, but it couldn\'t hide the fatigue and despair creeping into their hearts.
"Hold the west side! Don\'t let those damn Star Beasts push any further!" yelled one commander, trying to issue orders in a strong voice despite his own body being covered in wounds.
"Commander, we\'re running out of healing potions and ammo! How much longer can we hold out?" a young soldier responded breathlessly, fear evident in his eyes as he watched the alien forces closing in.
"They\'ll come... The Alliance will send reinforcements!" another soldier shouted, though his voice lacked conviction.
In one corner of Banjing City, there remained a fairly advanced area despite the destruction. All the buildings were in ruins, yet this spot used to be a bustling hub on ordinary days.
And indeed, behind the collapsed structures stood a building that still held firm, though its walls were marred with cracks and sections of its roof had caved in. The building bore a large logo in the shape of a star encircled by a silver ring, representing the grandeur of the establishment.
Yes, this was the main branch of Laras\' family business in Banjing City, within the Chinese Alliance. Although the building was no longer in perfect condition, it had become one of the last safe havens for many citizens and company workers.
"Quick, get inside! This building is the only place left that\'s safe!" shouted a man in a neat suit, one of Laras\' company managers, at a group of citizens seeking shelter. His face was drenched with sweat and dust, yet he continued to give directions.
"But... they said those monsters are heading this way. How can it be safe here?" asked a young mother, clutching her crying child tightly to her chest. Her eyes were filled with fear, but she had no choice but to trust the man in front of her.
"I don\'t know. But it\'s better here than out there! Trust me, help will come to save us," the man reassured her, though his voice couldn\'t fully mask his own fear.
In situations like this, ordinary people had little to do but seek refuge to survive. Without hesitation, the woman rushed toward the building.
As the main headquarters of Laras\' family business, the structure surpassed all other buildings in terms of strength and security. Aside from the previous staff, a few soldiers were now stationed outside, standing guard.
Various weapons were already in their hands—some wielding longbows, great swords, golden staffs, and other strange armaments. As the company\'s internal guards, their duty was to protect the building, disregarding anything else like aiding the Chinese alliance citizens in need.