(Heartfelt thanks to 'Q Yongjiang Yiku Q', 'Youyouzi's Lament', and 'Bewitching Pot' for their tips!)
"Pfft, pfft, pfft—!"
Perhaps Tiena had sensed the same ominous premonition as everyone else. Several sniper rounds immediately tore through the sky, blowing apart the terrorists gathered around the combination lock and sending them to hell.
"Go! Keep going! All of you, get up there!"
The terrorist leader shouted in a voice that no longer sounded rational, sending the terrorists forward one after another. They rushed desperately toward the large iron crate, operating the combination lock in an attempt to open it.
After such successive sacrifices, the final number was finally pressed.
"Click—!"
With that sound, the joints of the massive iron crate suddenly separated. As though it were falling apart, its sections collapsed outward in all directions.
"Wha...?!"
Upon seeing everything inside the iron crate, Kisara, Saint Tenzi, and Natsuyo all sucked in a sharp breath.
"Boom—!"
A thick, powerful leg stepped out of the iron crate and slammed heavily onto the ground, producing a thunderous crash and kicking up a cloud of dust.
A gigantic creature slowly stepped out from within, revealing its full form to everyone present.
At the sight of that enormous creature, every guard of the Sanctuary Residence Guard widened their eyes, all color draining from their faces.
Kisara, Saint Tenzi, and Natsuyo likewise stared at the gigantic figure in shock.
In short, it was a Gastrea.
But it was no ordinary Gastrea.
At the very least, ordinary Gastrea were nowhere near that massive.
It stood more than ten meters tall.
Its neck alone accounted for three-quarters of its height.
Its head had the typical shape of a reptile.
Its body resembled that of an elephant.
Though not as long as its neck, its tail was still far longer than