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– Crunch!

Monsters were essentially life forms capable of handling magic. This meant they could tear through the Colossal Mech’s Magic Barrier and strike the main body.

Most members of the Punitive Force had learned this fact at the Academy, but knowing it in theory and experiencing it in battle were two different things.

Some members, overly confident in the durability of the Magic Barrier, tried to tough it out and block the monsters’ attacks, only to suffer major setbacks.

The external armor of the Colossal Mechs was tough, but it was impossible to completely withstand the attacks of magic-enhanced monsters without any damage.

The external armor was torn like paper, and several mechs suffered severe damage, with some even losing arms.

Fortunately, none of the Colossal Mechs sustained damage to their legs or knee joints, which were directly related to mobility. In this urgent situation, with monsters swarming from all sides, a loss of mobility would be extremely dangerous.

Gilbert was cutting down monsters rushing from all directions with his Iron Sword, doing everything he could to take down even one more monster.

A quick glance around revealed Brynhild, a specialist in combat, assisting the squad members and steadily reducing the number of monsters.

That side seems manageable.

The squad led by Commander Gilbert, aside from Brynhild, included Hans, Ilene, Lily, and Camilla, all performing brilliantly.

With Angelina, who had a wide field of vision, deploying them at the right moments and supporting squad members in danger, the damage rate of the Colossal Mechs was significantly lower compared to other squads.

If Gilbert joined in, they could perfectly block the monsters, but he chose not to.

The sudden monster ambush had left more than half of the Punitive Force in disarray. Cadets assigned as commanders were trying to control the situation, but they were inexperienced in real combat.

As a result, the formation was slowly distorting, and the number of damaged Colossal Mechs was gradually increasing.

With monsters still pouring out, if even one squad’s defense line broke, the entire Punitive Force would be in danger.

So, what Gilbert needed to do here was to reduce their burden.

[Gil. I’ll mark the number of monsters on the minimap.]

CT-777, who had access to Gilbert’s system, marked the remaining number of monsters on the minimap. With the minimap displaying the surrounding environment and the number of monsters, a clear target emerged.

However, the number was not normal.

“CT. It seems like the number of monsters is increasing, right?”

[Correct. The number of monsters is increasing from this point.]

Damn it.

Gilbert muttered a curse and pulled the control stick. He needed to take down as many monsters as possible while the Mana Battery still had some charge.

When the number of monsters was first displayed on the minimap, it seemed manageable. Despite the chaos, the 1st Squad was maintaining a solid formation, and that stability was gradually spreading to other squads.

But upon closer inspection, the number of monsters counted on the minimap was increasing over time. It wasn’t exploding by dozens, but it was increasing by tens.

This isn’t good.

As he sliced through a medium-sized monster, Gilbert thought to himself.

Fortunately, no large monsters had appeared yet, so they were maintaining some balance. But if a large monster appeared, the hard-earned balance would surely break.

No, if a large monster appears, the balance will definitely break. Large monsters were notoriously difficult to handle even with Colossal Mechs.

Gilbert tried to shake off his uneasy thoughts, swinging his sword and unleashing Magic Armor.

[Gil. A large monster seems to be approaching.]

“Looks like bad luck is sticking around.”

He couldn’t help but mutter. Gilbert bit his lip as the large monster finally appeared and opened a private magic channel to Seraphina.

[What’s going on?]

“A large monster has appeared.”

[The situation is getting worse.]

Seraphina’s expression also darkened. Dealing with a large monster required at least three elite Colossal Mech Knights to handle it safely.

In this Punitive Force, there were only three Colossal Mech Knights with that level of skill, including her.

But considering the need to maintain the frontline against medium-sized monsters, they couldn’t be spared.

In essence, there were no Colossal Mechs available to deal with the large monster.

Seraphina gripped the control stick and widened her eyes.

[Commander Gilbert, I have an order.]

“Give your command.”

Gilbert looked into her eyes and guessed the order she was about to give.

She hesitated a few times, but there was no time to waste.

[Block the approach of the large monster.]

It was practically a death sentence.

Facing a large monster alone was the most dangerous thing Gilbert had ever done, more so than fighting dozens of Colossal Mechs or taking on an old model Colossal Mech bare-handed.

But in this situation, Seraphina had no other option. It was heartbreaking to send him to his death, but with the appearance of a large monster, retreat was inevitable.

Requesting reinforcements was crucial, and someone needed to buy time.

“Understood.”

Gilbert assessed the situation and readily accepted the order. While the order might seem unreasonable from his perspective, it was a bold and justified decision considering the overall situation.

– Thud! Thud!

The sound of the earth shaking began to be heard in the distance.

Trees snapped, and the flying monsters perched on them were startled and flew into the sky.

[What… what is that…?]

[What’s that…?]

The sound of trees breaking grew closer, and soon the large monster approaching the Punitive Force revealed itself.

– Kwaaaah!

[Ugh!]

[Kuh!]

The ferocious roar directed at the sky was filled with magic. It carried a sinister aura that shook the listener’s soul, inducing psychological fear and confusion.

Fear.

A wide-area status effect technique used by high-ranking monsters.

[Get a hold of yourselves!]

Seraphina shouted at the Punitive Force members who were in disarray and confused.

The medium-sized monsters were still attacking.

Losing focus in such a situation was akin to giving up one’s life.

Some cadets regained their composure at her shout, but most were still in a daze.

This was beyond their will. The monster’s Fear technique maximized the fear and induced mental confusion in non-magical life forms. Unless one reached a certain level, resisting it was not easy.

Gilbert judged that he couldn’t afford to waste any more time here.

“CT. Set the target.”

[Starting target setting.]

“Target: Large monster elimination.”

[Confirmed. Target: Large monster elimination. Starting support.]

As soon as CT-777 spoke, Gilbert grabbed his Iron Sword and charged toward the large monster.

It would be a tough fight, but as always, Gilbert’s eyes showed no hesitation.

***

[Ian! Get a hold of yourself!]

“Ugh!”

Ian barely managed to regain his composure at Fressia’s shout.

He already knew from Fressia’s warning that a large monster was approaching, but he couldn’t prevent being affected by the Fear it unleashed.

Although Ian’s skills had been growing explosively lately, he wasn’t yet at a level where he could shake off the Fear of a large monster.

Thanks to Fressia’s prior preparation, he was able to quickly escape the Fear’s influence, but his condition didn’t return to normal.

The Fear, imbued with such dense magic, was difficult for Ian’s current level to withstand.

Still, with his mind somewhat back, Ian quickly assessed the situation.

Other cadets affected by the Fear were scattered around.

As the commander of a squad, Ian quickly drew his Iron Sword and helped the squad members in danger.

“Why did the monsters suddenly appear?!”

[Calm down. The appearance of monsters was unexpected, but you mustn’t lose your cool.]

“I know. But the situation… Ugh! It’s not good!”

He sliced through the torso of a Hound Dog with sharp teeth and roughly pulled the control stick.

Even though he could handle large monsters without much difficulty, medium-sized monsters were tricky to deal with.

Thanks to Fressia’s intensive training, he could handle them without major issues, but as their numbers increased, his anxiety grew.

“By the way, what happened to that large monster earlier?”

[…That lunatic went to deal with it.]

“What? Is that something one person can handle?”

[It’s better to see it than to hear about it.]

Fressia displayed what she was observing on a screen. It showed Gilbert’s Colossal Mech facing off against a massive large monster.

“An… Ogre?”

It resembled an Ogre, but its size was at least three times that of a normal Ogre. Its skin, reddened by magic, made it a variant that exuded intimidation just by its appearance.

It uprooted a large tree and used it as a club, the tree darkened as if infused with magic.

– Thud!

The attack narrowly missed, smashing the ground and destroying the surroundings. It seemed impossible for even a Colossal Mech’s Iron Sword to withstand such an attack.

“Is he really okay alone?”

Ian slammed another monster’s neck into the ground with the Colossal Mech’s left arm and fired a Fire Lance at its head.

Confirming that it was turned to mush, he threw the monster at another charging monster.

[I don’t know. I think that lunatic can buy some time, but…]

“Damn it! That means he can’t handle it alone either!”

Ian shouted irritably.

He didn’t like the current situation.

Some couldn’t even regain their composure from the Fear, while others were relentlessly charging at the monster Ogre without backing down. The disparity filled Ian with a sense of inadequacy and defeat.

[Ian, don’t think weird thoughts. You’re still not fully recovered from the Fear, and your sync rate with the Colossal Mech isn’t good. You know that, right?]

“So, I should just watch Gilbert show off? I can’t do that!”

[Ian! No!]

Fressia shouted to stop Ian, but his Colossal Mech had already leaped forward.

[Ian, stay at your command post!]

It was the moment Gilbert’s concern about Ian’s weakness came to light.

Blinded by ambition and jealousy, Ian ignored Fressia’s pleas and Seraphina’s orders, charging toward the monster Ogre.

If Gilbert can do it, so can I!

With burning eyes, he poured all his mana into the attack.

His characteristic skill activated more fiercely than ever, aiding his control.

He was born to be the protagonist.

In an era where Colossal Mechs were mainstream, he awakened a characteristic skill related to Colossal Mech control and even obtained Fressia, a super AI.

This was something that couldn’t happen unless he was the protagonist. The world had chosen him and was urging him to move forward.

He reached right in front of the monster Ogre and gathered all the mana he could. Blue magic flowed through the Iron Sword, and he moved the sword following the ultimate technique Fressia had taught him.

If he could slice this monster Ogre in half, he could reclaim everything.

He could regain the honor and praise he deserved.

Yes, he was a hero.

A legendary warrior from myths.

He repeated this to himself as he swung his sword.

With a single strike, he would cut down the monster Ogre and seize a glorious future.

– Crack?

“What…?”

Ian’s Colossal Mech’s sword was blocked by a thick magic barrier.

Stunned by the unexpected outcome, Ian froze.

Why?

Why couldn’t I cut through it?

I poured in enough mana, didn’t I?

Questions piled up in his mind.

Fressia was shouting that it was dangerous, but Ian couldn’t hear her.

– Kwaaaah!

The monster Ogre, recognizing Ian’s attack, swung its massive magic club.

It was a light motion, as if swatting away an annoying fly.

Ian only came to his senses when the massive magic club was right in front of him.

It was too late to dodge.

His reckless mana surge had slowed his movements.

He couldn’t control his trembling hands and just stared blankly at the club.

A brief flash of his life passed before his eyes.

– Crash!

“Ugh!”

The Colossal Mech shook violently. He hit his head against the cockpit wall a few times but managed to stay conscious and assess the situation.

[You idiot! What are you doing?! Get a hold of yourself!]

“Fressia…?”

Considering the impact of the magic club, the Colossal Mech’s condition wasn’t as bad as expected.

Did I unconsciously block it?

Ian held onto that hope, but the sight before him soon filled him with despair.

“Why… are you…?”

He could only mutter in disbelief.

On the main screen, Gilbert’s Colossal Mech was being sent flying by the magic club.

 

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