Athena in Tower Defense Game! [LitRPG]

Chapter 167: Arrival at the Frontline

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Chapter 167: Arrival at the Frontline

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The town in the distance seemed like it belonged to an entirely different world. Though it shared the same expanse of land, it stood bathed in daylight’s glory, a stark contrast to the murkiness that surrounded them.

Its brilliance, magnified by the relentless barrage of cannon fire, painted an almost surreal tapestry. Yet, despite its dazzling appearance, their adversary across the way was no less than an invincible monstrosity.

Athena had long since acquainted herself with the stark realities of this world. For most of the players, however, this was their first glimpse of the world's true visage.

The concept of Black Lands (black zones), White Lands (white zones), and battlefronts (war zones, battlezones)- they were encountering these for the first time. And for the first time, they were realizing that this world was not designed with them as its protagonists.

Their eyes widened in collective astonishment as they gazed upon the town before them. It was a vision straight out of antiquity: towering walls stood resolute, imposing in their majesty, while its grand gates exuded an air of indomitable strength.

This town radiated an aura of ancient mystique. Every stone, every tile bore the wear of countless years, embodying the passage of time in a way that had been invisible to them until now.

So there were others alive in this world- living, breathing humans beyond their insular understanding. Their first reaction was shock, disbelief tinged with a profound sense of disillusionment.

As these tumultuous emotions ebbed, a flicker of joy emerged. With the barriers lifted, they were free to leave their dreary confines.

If there were survivors in that town, did it mean they could escape this nightmarish existence? Could they flee into the light, find sanctuary in other towns, and resume a normal life?

This electrifying thought swept through them, stoking a fervent hope. They imagined a life unshackled from the need to fight monstrous abominations. Stronger city-states could fend off the terrors for them, sparing their fragile shelters from constant peril.

“Good heavens… Is this real?” gasped a gaunt man with sallow skin, his eyes fixed on the scene across the expanse.

Once an unremarkable, law-abiding citizen, he had struggled since arriving in this hellish reality. Despite his best efforts, he had failed to ascend the ranks of the players, perpetually languishing among the lowest echelons.

Though his life had been fraught with hardship, he had clung stubbornly to survival. Now, as he beheld the ancient town in the distance, he felt the faint stirrings of hope- a glimmer of dawn piercing the suffocating darkness.

His second-level shelter stood no chance against the relentless onslaught. Escape was his only option.

His resolve was unwavering: flee the shelter, sever ties with the system’s cursed missions and ever-mutating crises, and grasp at any semblance of salvation. Yet, he was no fool. Watching the ongoing battle- where titanic monsters clashed against relentless cannonades- he knew now was not the time to act.

He would wait. Once the city-state defeated the creatures, he would make his move. He was prepared to sacrifice everything- his wealth, his pride- to secure asylum within its walls.

But his hopes were dashed. In the eyes of countless desperate onlookers, the city-state that represented salvation proved incapable of repelling the horrors. Under the barrage of artillery fire, the monstrous beast- sporting only two pairs of wings- remained steadfast, an immovable force.

Legions of foot soldiers poured from the city’s gates, valiantly holding the line against the smaller, innumerable creatures below.

Then, the behemoth roared- a guttural, deafening cry that reverberated across the battlefield. From its gaping maw surged a blinding ray of violet energy, streaking across the sky like a thunderbolt. The beam struck the city's formidable barrier, its surface rippling under the impact.

To everyone’s horror, the once-impervious shield began to erode, a cavernous black void spreading outward. Within moments, the mighty barrier was reduced to a tattered remnant, teetering on the brink of collapse.

With the defences breached, the monstrous colossus unleashed another searing violet beam. This time, it tore through the city’s fortifications with merciless precision, obliterating everything in its path.

As waves of creatures flooded into the city, a burst of radiant light flared from within the stronghold. But the light barely had time to surge before it was smothered by yet another purple ray.

Within half an hour, even from a great distance, the devastation was palpable. Screams and chaos engulfed the once-proud city-state.

The light was extinguished.

...

Though there had been several disruptions among her group, Athena had swiftly subdued them with her usual unyielding force.

She had, by now, gained a keen understanding of the peculiar individuals under her charge. Among them, five stood out as particularly notable.

One, of course, was Carlit- an unwilling addition to her entourage, forcibly assigned to accompany her.

The second was an aged man with snowy white hair. A formidable physician, his skills inspired awe, but his expertise in toxins marked him as a figure to watch closely.

Third was the bald man. Even without his warhammer- confiscated by Athena- his immense physical strength was undeniable. His resilience rendered him impervious to ordinary weapons, and he could, with his bare hands, carve out a crater in the earth.

Fourth was a lithe woman who concealed her face behind a curtain of hair. Her allure was tempered by an unsettling reticence. It was only through watchful vigilance that her true nature- a sorceress adept in curses- had been revealed.

Finally, there was the wiry man whom Athena had prevented from committing murder. While his physical strength was unremarkable, his agility and mastery of the blade were unparalleled. He wielded his dagger with an artistry that bordered on sorcery.

These five were far from innocent. Their hands were stained with the blood of countless lives, both wicked and virtuous.

As their journey progressed, Athena marvelled at the tangled web of power and wealth that bound them together. Kidnapping the noblewoman had proven a prudent decision.

Her beauty, coupled with the emblem of the Babron family she carried, had smoothed their path in countless ways. Officials barely glanced at their documents; in one particularly chaotic town, they had even been granted immediate access to a teleportation array.

Their travel time had been drastically reduced, and the few obstacles they encountered were swiftly ‘negotiated’ away.

...

At the teleportation array’s exit, a striking noblewoman emerged first, her face etched with fury. Two pets hovered protectively around her, their eyes gleaming with intelligence. Behind her trailed a contingent of soldiers and a ragtag group of prisoners, an odd yet compelling ensemble.

Here, however, they were nothing extraordinary. After all, this was a warzone.

The frontlines teemed with all manner of individuals- desperate fugitives, unruly outlaws, elite guards, and the strongest defence systems the world had to offer.

Baroness Babron Firol’s gaze burned with hatred as she glared at Athena. Along their journey, she had tried every trick in the book- force, threats, cajolery- but had failed to extract the antidote she so desperately sought.

Athena ignored her piercing stare, her attention drawn instead to the atmosphere of the frontline. It was always heavy with tension, but today, it felt particularly oppressive. Something was amiss.