Protagonist? Antagonist? I Reject Both

Thousands of miles separated the frontline from the city, necessitating several hours of journey.

Soon, they arrived at the destined spot, and even from afar, Leon could notice the brutality of huge walls.

The massive walls, fortified with advanced materials, rose high into the sky, shimmering in the daylight. Laser cannons and many huge missile launchers lined these walls, ready to defend.

Gunpowder smoke permeated the air upon Leon’s descent, accompanied by a potent scent of burning.

He understood the grim purpose of burning fallen comrades’ bodies prevented aliens from absorbing their blood energy and boosting their strength.

Frowning, Leon confirmed his expectations about the situation.

Entering Irina took Gwen to prepare her well for battle as this was the first time Gwen had engaged in a brutal fight and Irina was very much worried about her.

Leon could notice restlessness and agony, hidden behind her calm face. She was someone who, if possible, wanted to trap her children in a cruel world, rather than send them outside.

All these insecure feelings seemed to stem from missing his elder sister Stacy. It had been years since they saw each other.

Leon sometimes sneaked in and saw Irina holding the pictures of him, Gwen, and Stacy while asleep and sobbing softly. Sometimes, she mutters her name.

Alas, there was nothing they could do unless the trapped space opened up and not many knew the exact date.

While Gwen went out with Irina, Leon walked around the walls.

Officers coordinated operations from a central command post, where maps displayed real- time data of troop movements and enemy positions. Around them, soldiers maintained vigilance and prepared for the imminent battle on the outer frontlines

He had a badge that gave him authority akin to commander, even if he hadn’t no one would dare to condemn him.

The reason?

Even before he arrived, every soldier was shown a photo of him marked as God Class calamity. They were ordered to do what they were doing but no matter what you don’t dare mess or threaten this guy.

Cause if you will...

Don’t think that laws and higher authority would save your ass. They meant that we can’t save our own ass so what about you.

Standing on the wall, Evan one side faced the dreary strike desert-like outside and then turned to the inside.

Seeing the scene he couldn’t help but scream.

"Just what the hell is this?

Sector 11.....

A vast expanse of wall covers a military city behind. Though developed and furnished with technology, the city seemed to be brought down to rags. Since they entered from another side, Leon was mesmerized by the huge standing walls but towards the battlefront side.

The exterior walls, once gleaming with technology, now stood marred and patched with makeshift repairs

Inside, the contrast was stark.

Neon lights flickered sporadically, casting eerie shadows that danced across the maze-like alleys between buildings.

The air was thick with the acrid stench of burning metal and the faint, metallic tang of dried blood that hadn’t been cleaned.

It was like a reminder of constant skirmishes fought just beyond the city’s borders. Despite the advanced technology, many buildings were dilapidated, and the road surfaces were corroded or cracked, revealing glimpses of the rugged, cybernetic infrastructure beneath. In the heart of Sector 11 lay the nerve center, bustling marketplace where mercenaries, branded by their affiliation with the notorious Blood Net, traded in goods both legal and illicit.

It surprised Leon that Blood Net’s hands reached till here. This was fucking amazing. Automated drones buzzed overhead that seemed to be keeping an eye on everything, which was expected since they laid mercenary to this place still...

After taking a look all around and touring the place, Leon on getting back couldn’t help but ask again.

"Why is this so dilapidated and ragged?"

"That’s because they don’t have time to take care of this."

"Huh!" Leon turned her eyes to a familiar figure that walked out from the stairs.

"What the hell are you doing here Elena?"

"I am here on business," Elena answered ruefully.

Question marks appeared on Leon’s face.

Seeing this, Elena shook her head and answered calmly, "I own a weapon-making firm so I came to supply them. That is also the reason I was in sector 9."

"I see.."

"So, what do you mean earlier?"

Elena raised her brows staring at Leon.

"Did you seriously not know? If not, then why didn’t you research this place before coming

Here."

Leon shrugged his shoulders with a grumble, "I don’t have that much time. Moreover, looking at things with my own eyes and hearing this from people here is better than reading from fabricated books."

"As expected of you," Elena sighed and explained.

"There is no rainfall here and war has always been frequent. Every other day, a monster horde would come out to attack followed by Black Demons occasionally. They would harass every day and to make matters worse, earthquakes are frequent events here that add casualties now

And then."

"So, the people here don’t have enough time to take care of maintenance and just make adjustments and repairs."

Elena’s answer made Leon understand the severity of the situation.

With such gravity, only strong cultivators can work here and you won’t find many of them taking odd jobs so all these might be done by their own hands.

As Leon fell into deep thought, a loud beeping sound echoed.

The warning bell echoed through the wrenching streets of Sector 11.

Soon, Leon spotted a blackish mass coming from afar from the distant land.

As dark, ominous clouds rolled overhead, they disgorged writhing, slimy monsters of grotesque shapes and sizes, accompanied by the ominous silhouettes of beastly deformed

Black Demons.

The city erupted into frantic activity, as an automated defense system acted first.

Explosions rocked the ground around them as missiles streaked into the sky, followed by the thunderous percussion of heavy artillery firing from distant emplacements.

"What are those things?" Leon shouted amidst the battle while his voice was filled with

Curiosity.

Elena’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the horizon, her expression became grim. "Those are Skitterbeasts," she explained, her voice barely audible above the cacophony. "They’re mutated creatures, a result of the Black Demons’ corruption. They’re attracted to organic things and flesh, anything they can consume."

Leon swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the grotesque forms wriggling through the smoke and debris. "And those black monsters?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of disbelief. "Mercenaries call them Hellhounds ’cause once they are bound to your body..," Elena replied, her voice tightening with resolve.

As if in response to her words, a massive explosion rocked the skyline, sending shockwaves through the air. The ground trembled beneath their feet as another wave of missiles streaked overhead, their fiery trails painting brief arcs against the darkening sky.

BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!

Sector 11’s defenses unleashed a torrent of artillery and missiles upon the advancing horde.

Peeling layers of metal, the payload rose and taking a dip struck down at the centre of hordes.

Explosions rocked the skyline, scattering Skitterbeasts and Black Demons alike. Buildings trembled as missiles struck their targets, sending debris and flames into the air.

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