The soldiers poured fire efficiently from behind their sturdy fortifications. Only a few were grazed by stray bone spikes or acid.
"Attention! Armored targets at ten o'clock!" the observer called out in warning.
Several Abyss Rhinos and Abyss Bears with Source Energy levels of around 200 charged through a hail of bullets. Ordinary rifle rounds clanged against their thick armor, doing little damage.
"Armor-piercing rounds! Aim for the tracks—uh, aim for the leg joints!" The commander of a Thunder Tank quickly corrected his order, and the turret began to turn slowly.
Boom!
A 125mm armor-piercing shell precisely shattered an Abyss Rhino's foreleg, bringing it crashing to the ground. The infantry fighting vehicle working alongside it immediately raked its relatively vulnerable belly with autocannon fire, quickly shredding it.
"Nice work!" the infantry cheered.
However, the Abyss Beasts' attacks were not always the same.
Before long, Abyss Beasts capable of attacking from a distance appeared.
Dozens of Corrosive Alpacas hid behind the beast horde, their swollen throat sacs aimed at the human positions.
"Night Owl, take out those spitters!" The special operations team immediately called in the helicopters to sweep the area.
As the roar of rotors came from overhead, a Night Owl Armed Helicopter swept past like the Grim Reaper. The 23mm chain gun beneath its nose spat fire, and a storm of shells riddled the Corrosive Alpacas.
After about twenty minutes of fighting, a thick layer of ash had accumulated in front of the first defensive line. Gray Spirit Radiance Crystals carpeted the ground, but no one went out to collect them.
Following the plan, Nie Chang gave the order without hesitation:
"Squads at the forward positions in Sectors A and B, cover each other as you fall back to the second defensive line. Mortar teams, fire smoke shells!"
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