Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World-Chapter 75: Operation Iron Vow

SHREEEEEE!

My body froze at the familiar high-pitched sound of a fast object screeching through the air. I glanced in Kenza’s direction and she wore a frown too.

Operation Iron Vow has officially begun!

BOOOOM!

The first missile hit, causing the entire place to tremble. Even some soldiers struggled to remain standing. Walking as far away from the barrier, I dragged Cage along like he weighed nothing and tossed him aside like the trash he is, before shifting my attention to the trembling crimson dome.

BOOOM! BOOOM!

BOOOM! BOOOM!

A series of explosions rocked the barrier hard, but it stood strong. I could feel the tension from the soldiers behind me since no one knew what was on the other side.

Crack!

After the fifteenth explosion, a glass-cracking sound followed, and a gasp washed through the troops. I noticed Kenza’s gaze but paid little attention to it—the cracks spreading across the red dome were more important than her beautiful face.

BOOOM!

KRASH!

The crimson barrier shattered into a million pieces, raining down from the heavens and creating an amazing scenery. However, even this scenery wasn’t important. What was important was the troop of orc grunts standing several meters away with heavy rectangular metal shields, large enough to cover their hulking frames. Those shields had metal spikes protruding from the front with the faces of screaming orcs carved into them.

They lined up, blocking both traffic lanes, making it impossible to move ahead without getting past them!

"ẞhîk Æjī!"

A loud cry came from their ranks, and almost 3-meter-tall metal javelins were launched into the sky in the hundreds, shooting toward us. Everyone was taken aback—except me!

"Lee Bai... Here I come!" I hissed before charging forward and leaping high into the air.

"DOOOOORRRRRRR!!!"

Clasping my hands together and slowly parting them, white fumes poured out of my body, creating a dimensional gate in front of me. But this one was much bigger than anything I had created—it was large enough to cover both lanes. Simultaneously, a second gate opened above the orc line of defense, tearing through space and expanding rapidly like never before.

My body was suspended in mid-air, but I felt suffocated and lightheaded. Blood ran down my nose, but I made no effort to wipe it. I needed all the concentration I could muster to keep these doors open!

[Door Skill activated]

[-2 EP]

[WARNING, HOST IS STRAINING HIS MIND, THEREBY DAMAGING HIMSELF IN THE PROCESS!]

[-10 HP]

I glanced at the system notification and ignored its warning, focusing my attention on the metal javelins flying toward my gate.

Swoosh!

They flew in large numbers, simultaneously raining down on the orc frontline blocking our path!

Animal screams and cries filled the air for a few seconds before metal clashing sounds could be heard. My counterattack had caught them off guard for a moment, but they quickly adapted and raised their shields over their heads.

Bam!

I landed on one knee, breathing heavily as blood dripped onto the ground from my nose while I glanced toward the fallen orc defense line. Many had fallen, revealing the javelin throwers behind them who didn’t have shields to defend themselves!

My Paladin rifle swung loosely around me as I rose to my feet. Pulling the sling off my neck, I grabbed my rifle and let loose on the hole in their defense!

VZZT-VZZT-VZZT!

Only after shooting down a few orcs did I hear Kenza bark orders at the troops behind me.

"What are you waiting for? Open fire!"

VZZT-VZZT-VZZT! VZZT-VZZT-VZZT!

VZZT-VZZT-VZZT! VZZT-VZZT-VZZT!

Aether beams flew past me, shooting toward the orc army ahead. Their attacks flew through the gaps, shooting down one orc after another. However, the orcs were quick to regroup as their javelin throwers retreated and their second line of defense—bearing those heavy shields—stepped forward and covered the gaps.

My eyes widened in shock upon realizing aether beams couldn’t penetrate their shields. While they left scorching red marks on them, they couldn’t pierce through!

"What the hell are those shields made of?" I gasped.

Normal metal had no way of resisting aether beams. In fact, even if a man is hiding within a tank, he can easily be shot dead by an Ascendant with an aether pistol—that’s how effective these weapons were. Yet they couldn’t penetrate shields made by primitive beings like orcs?

"Lee Bai!" I gritted my teeth while clenching my fists hard.

That was the only answer to all my questions. Only a Gatekeeper had access to things that could counter something as powerful as aether energy. However, based on my knowledge, everything we gain from the system comes at the cost of experience points. There’s no way he can equip his entire orc horde with weapons like this.

Right?

My brows furrowed at the thought, leaving me confused and lost for a moment. However, I was pulled out of my reverie as the orc army began approaching at a slow but steady pace. As they moved, they created small gaps within their ranks through which their metal javelins stuck out!

"Xßíy Jøêß Æñvz!" The loud voice returned again, and it seemed to rile up the orc army.

AWWWOOO! AWWWOOO!

AWWWOOO! AWWWOOO!

[Translation: They came for our lands. Now we take their home!]

My eyes widened at the translation, leaving me momentarily shocked. We had come here hoping to invade Louisiana, not knowing they were preparing to push their way into Texas. The original plan was to use a small force of 500 American soldiers to sweep through the bridge and secure a foothold on the other side before our main forces came in.

Only then could we launch a full-scale attack on Lake Charles and take that city first.

We also didn’t use air support as we risked destroying the bridge—making it difficult to transport our tanks, heavy vehicles, and war machines. Yet, here we are, struggling to even step foot on the bridge!

Does that mean other soldiers fighting from other battlefronts and states are meeting similar resistance?

Or is this exclusive to us?

"LEE BAI... YOU ARE TOO GREEDY!" I snarled amid the chaos as my eyes turned pitch black.

Only days after taking Louisiana, he dares try to spread his wings to other states?

WHO THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS?!

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢