Chapter 390: Freya’s retreat
The hive mind, ever-adaptive and relentless, quickly adjusted its battle strategy. The aerial drones, initially held back in reserve for a more strategic deployment, were now sent to the forefront. Such maneuver allowed the Leviathans to intensify their pressure on the Xaos Forces and the Turkin soldiers significantly.
While the regular ground drones possessed only moderate strength, comparable to Level 5 life forms, the aerial drones were far more formidable. These airborne units could match Champion-level demons in battle power, and under the hive mind’s guidance, their effect on the battlefield was amplified significantly.
Freya clenched her teeth as she swung her mace and shield with renewed urgency, her movements almost a blur. She was forced to accelerate her attacks, constantly fending off the relentless onslaught from dozens of aerial drones targeting her from every direction. Though a single drone posed no real threat to her, the sheer number of them on the frontlines made it difficult for her to focus on the Leviathan warriors.
A sharp pain shot through her leg as the viking princess sidestepped a strike from an insect-humanoid warrior. She looked down to see one of the aerial drones’ pincers had pierced her skin. With a swift, forceful blow from her shield, she shattered the drone into pieces. But the wound, though small, sent a chilling reminder of her own limits.
Exhaustion had begun to take its toll on the viking princess, and the slightest lapse in focus had opened her up to attack. That was extremely bad news for the Xaos Forces. If she, a power warrior with a Level 16 body and a Guardian Tier Life Level, was starting to slip, she knew the rest of the Shadowstrike Legion must be even worse, maybe nearing their breaking point.
The viking princess’s sharp eyes looked around, and as she spected, fatigue spread across the ranks. Even these elite soldiers, hardened through endless clashes with demonic hordes, were human, and prolonged combat against the relentless Leviathans was pushing them to their limits. Flaws began to emerge, minor errors and missteps, as their bodies strained to keep up with the demands of battle.
At that point, a golden glow illuminated the communication gems embedded in the gauntlets of every Shadowstrike Legion soldier. It was Overlord’s signal, and they all knew what it meant.
In an instant, the soldiers from the Shadowstrike Legion shifted their formation, no longer pressing forward but instead retreating in a controlled, organized manner. They tightened their ranks, moving back in unison, not giving the Leviathans any openings to exploit.
Freya’s eyes remained sharp as she moved alongside her comrades, her mace smashing through drones while her shield deflected incoming attacks. She carefully coordinated her retreat, trusting in Overlord’s guidance. The Leviathans intensified their assault, hoping to incite panic and disrupt the human formation. One crack in their unity was all the hive mind needed to transform an orderly retreat into chaos. Yet, the Shadowstrike Legion held firm. These were soldiers trained to remain calm under even the worst circumstances.