Chapter 485: Pursuit
Though the Burrowing Worm’s primary role was to dig tunnels for Swarm forces, its combat capabilities were formidable. With its massive size, even a casual swipe was beyond what most beings could endure.
The trapped Daqi quickly realized this, albeit too late. While the worm had cleared the tunnel briefly, it now appeared even more menacing, ready to obliterate anything that dared to cross its path.
Time dragged on, and from the distance came the sound of sharp scraping against metal walls. The Daqi knew this could only mean one thing. Raiders were moving along the tunnel walls, their sharp appendages scraping against the metal as they closed in.
The oppressive silence of the Swarm’s approach was suddenly broken by sharp, shrill screeches, signaling the moment they had caught the scent of prey. The piercing cries reverberated through the tunnel, assaulting the Daqi’s eardrums and amplifying their terror.
Panic overtook the trapped Daqi. Their vehicles carried minimal weaponry, and none among them were trained combat personnel. With the Burrowing Worm blocking their escape ahead and the Swarm closing in from behind, it felt as though their annihilation was only a matter of time.
Desperation spurred a few Daqi to action. Suppressing their fear, they decided to risk everything. They had noticed earlier that the Burrowing Worm’s attacks involved a significant delay after each strike. Perhaps, if timed perfectly, they could exploit this gap to make a break for it.
Engines roared to life as a war vehicle sped forward, heading straight for the tunnel ahead. Thirty meters behind, another vehicle followed, maintaining a short but steady distance.
As expected, the motion caught the worm’s attention. Like a coiled spring, its massive body shot forward, smashing the first vehicle into debris. It then began retracting its body, seemingly resetting for another strike.
“Now! While it’s retracting, we’ll rush through!” The first vehicle had been an empty decoy, set to automatic drive. The second vehicle, however, carried five or six Daqi, all shouting and urging the driver to accelerate.