Chapter 61 - 60: Iron Will
"Second squad, fall back to defensive line seven!"
Damian’s voice cut through the chaos as his Iron-fang unit fought desperately against the massive stone golems advancing on the middle district. His red hair whipped in the wind created by the creatures’ thunderous steps. Dust and debris filled the air like choking fog.
The crystalline golem towering before them stood ten feet tall, its translucent body carved from pure magical stone. Ancient runes pulsed along its limbs with power that made the air shimmer. Each footfall cracked the street’s foundation stones and sent tremors through nearby buildings.
Damian calculated tactical positions while his squad scrambled for cover. Their heavy armor - Iron-fang’s pride - proved insufficient against A-rank magical attacks. The enchanted steel that deflected normal weapons crumpled like paper under concentrated magical force.
"Commander, the eastern approach is compromised!" Sergeant Willis shouted from behind an overturned transport. Blood streamed from a gash across his forehead where falling debris had caught him. "Third squad requests immediate support!"
The tactical situation was deteriorating faster than Damian could compensate. His twelve-man unit was designed for coordinated assault operations, not defensive stands against creatures that outweighed them by tons. But civilian evacuation routes ran directly through this intersection.
Falling back meant abandoning hundreds of people to certain death.
Damian’s enhancement magic flowed through his blade as he targeted the golem’s obvious weak point - the joint where its massive leg connected to its torso. Silver energy crackled along his sword’s edge, amplifying cutting power beyond normal limits.
He sprinted forward in a burst of magically enhanced speed. His boots found purchase on broken concrete as he leaped toward the creature’s lower leg. The blade struck crystalline armor with explosive force.
Sparks flew in brilliant cascades. The golem’s leg armor cracked but didn’t shatter. Damian landed hard, rolling to avoid the creature’s retaliatory stomp. The street cratered where his body had been seconds before.
"Direct assault ineffective!" he shouted to his squad. "Switch to harassment tactics. Keep it distracted while civilians clear the area!"