Chapter 198: The Swarmers
The survivors waited in silence while listening to the faint hum of the jammer and the scraping noises above.
They didn’t want to be discovered by the noise... None of them would want that to happen.
At this time, Kai’s eyes squinted as he focused on the vibrations coming from the walls.
At first, it seemed the Swarmers were simply probing. But then, a sharper sound cut through the air...
There was a sizzling hiss, followed by the faint glow of heat.
’What?!’
He didn’t even have to use his skill to know what was happening. His instincts alone could tell him what was going on.
’They’re cutting...’
Sure enough, the Swarmers had deployed thin, heated blades from their appendages.
The insect‑like drones pressed against the barricades, slowly slicing through barbed wire, metal sheets, and wooden planks that they used to cover their windows and other entry spots like ventilation.
Just like that, sparks were everywhere as the blades carved shallow grooves into the defenses. It might take a long time, but it was definitely happening.
As soon as everyone realized that it was happening, many of the workers couldn’t help but feel worried.
Some raised their rifles, but Kai motioned for them to hold.
"Not yet," he whispered. "Wait."
The scraping grew louder. One Swarmer clung to a window frame with its blade melting through the metal bars. Another hovered near the basement hatch, carving into the steel very slowly...
Needless to say, fear rippled through the group of workers.
These freed slaves could still remember how they were exploited by the machines... They exchanged nervous glances, clutching their weapons tighter.
As time passed, even Mei’s expression hardened as she watched the drones work.
"They’re really trying to breach," Aurora muttered as she readied for a fight.
Kai, however, remained calm...
He knew the jammer couldn’t stop physical intrusion. If the Swarmers succeeded, the shelter would be exposed.
But he was trying to see their limit for now. He even ordered Atom not to act yet.
But then, just as the cuts began to deepen, the sound shifted.
The Swarmers paused...
One by one, they disengaged from the barricades!
"Hmm?" Mei was confused as she also sensed what was going on outside.
Without warning, they pulled back before rising into the air.
The heated blades retracted, and the drones hovered briefly before darting away into the sky.
The survivors blinked in confusion.
"Why did they leave?" one of the younger survivors whispered.
Mei frowned. "Maybe they have a time limit?"
Aurora nodded thoughtfully. "Right... they’re also running on battery. They must reserve enough power for their return trip. Cutting through defenses drains energy fast."
Kai nodded... This was actually what he wanted to know. He wanted to have a clear view of their operating time.
"They’re persistent, but not limitless. That’s about 15 minutes..."
The group settled slightly, though the tension remained.
They had learned something important... They were now aware of how these enemies operate!
Basically, the surveillance drones scanned from above. However, the Swarmers weren’t just doing the same. They were capable of direct intrusion. Their heated blades could slice through almost any obstruction given enough time.
Kai couldn’t help but smile as he realized this.
’If they had more power, they could have breached us already... We can’t rely on barricades alone. Their next arrival has to be dealt with.’
"Alright... We’re going to stop the next drones and swarmers..." Kai announced.
"Perfect! Should I move out now? I also want to see whether they could sense my camouflage or not." Mei replied enthusiastically.
"Yes... Make sure to be close to the secret tunnel." Kai replied.
Just like that, the plan had changed.
Minutes passed as the survivors prepared themselves.
At this time, they had already activated their Portable Disruptor!
The sound of this device was a bit quieter compared to the Portable Jammer.
"They’re coming..." Kai muttered.
Everyone went silent as they heard this.
As expected, another batch of surveillance drones swept across the sky.
Their sensors scanned the terrain with beams of red light passing through their shelters.
Again, the jammer held, and the drones passed overhead without detection.
But soon after, the familiar erratic buzzing sound returned.
The Swarmers were back!
Kai then turned to his team.
"We already know how they operate," he said firmly.
"It’s time to stop watching. This time, we will destroy them all..."
The survivors looked at him and nodded.
Aside from their Survival Clothing Set, they were all equipped with spears and guns. They were confident of winning this!
Amer nodded. "Yes... We can’t just sit here. If they keep probing, eventually they’ll find a way in. I want to raise my level too!"
Aurora smiled since this was also her aim... She needed to level up!
Soon, as the buzzing grew louder once more and confirmed that the Swarmers had arrived, they finally made their move, giving Mei a signal to attack!
***
A few moments ago, outside the shelter, Mei’s figure dissolved into the walls as her camouflage skill activated.
She crouched near the tunnel entrance, waiting...
As the drones swept overhead with their sensors, Mei remained undetected as they simply passed her! None reacted to her presence.
’Still the same tech, huh...’ Mei mused as she confirmed her guess.
It seemed that their detection technology didn’t change even after the event started.
Moments later, the Swarmers descended again...
This time, Mei received the signal and shot one of the Swarmer!
Bang!
At the same time, the main door and the basement hatch swung open, and thirty survivors poured out with their carbines equipped with suppressors!
Just like that, the courtyard erupted in muffled gunfire.
Pfft‑pfft‑pfft!
One after another, the insect‑like drones dropped from the air!
Within minutes, twenty‑nine Swarmers lay broken across the ground. But one managed to escape, as it shot into the sky!
Kai’s eyes followed it and confirmed the direction it escaped to. "That one will call for backup."
He didn’t mind it at all... Instead, he raised his rifle and warned the others. "Ready for the real battle!"
Sure enough, fifteen minutes later, the ground trembled faintly...
The Hunter Units had arrived.