Half a year later.
Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!
As the piercing alarm sounded, Anvil Base sprang to life once more.
The people in the base had grown used to this rhythm. They quickly set down their work, grabbed their weapons, and rushed to their posts.
Teachers led the children into protective shelters in orderly lines, while the elderly stayed behind to handle medical care and logistics.
Those who could fight took positions atop the base walls and opened fire on the approaching enemies with artillery and energy guns Benjamin had modified.
As their leader, Jack guarded the vital corridor on the east side of the base.
The corridor was the only route between the outer perimeter and the core. It was the throat of the entire base.
He gripped his short blade. Dark stains from the last battle still marked his armor.
After so long spent growing stronger, his senses had reached a new level. Even without deliberately extending his mental power, he could easily catch the faintest movement anywhere in the corridor.
Suddenly, Jack's gaze snapped in one direction.
He could see nothing there, but his senses told him clearly that an Insect-kin was trying to slip in under cover of invisibility. His blade flashed out and severed its head. Green fluid splashed across the wall, and the invisible Insect-kin came into view. It was not particularly large, with fine fuzz covering its jointed limbs. It could mimic the colors of its surroundings and absorb sound, making it almost impossible to detect under normal circumstances.
Another presence lunged in from the side. Jack twisted out of its path and slashed backward. His blade pierced the second infiltrator's chest. Its six limbs twitched a few times, then fell still.
Sensing more presences at the corridor entrance, Jack drew a deep breath