As Tucker shouted, the towering trees around him began to stir.
These were the trees whose life energy he had already absorbed.
Black-and-red energy rose from them, and their roots pulled free of the ground.
Swaying unsteadily, they moved in front of Tucker.
After his makeshift modifications, these giant Tree Spirits had not reached the Silver Tier in life energy, but they had attained the peak of the Bronze Tier.
"A mere Bronze-Tier fighter and a bunch of Rock-Tier grunts think they can take me down? Who... do you think you're looking down on?!"
The madness in Tucker's eyes intensified. He swept out his hand, pointing toward the Pioneer Corps.
"Attack! Tear them apart!"
Roar—
The giant Tree Spirits charged at the Pioneer Corps.
"Habal, Tucker can't create this many Bronze-Tier fighters out of thin air. He must have used some trick, and it can't last long. Hold off the Tree Spirits and give Hawk Eye and Phantom an opening. Baku, provide support."
Alpha Wolf's voice came through their earpieces.
Habal let out a shout and, without the slightest hesitation, activated his Psionic Power, [Life-Thorn Bastion].
His body grew taller, turning him into a small giant, and he charged at the giant Tree Spirits with a ring of shields around him.
Watching Habal meet the threat head-on, the other Pioneer Corps soldiers launched their own attacks.
On a rocky cliff far behind the group,
Hawk Eye lay motionless on the ground, his eye pressed to his scope. His crosshairs searched through the battling Tree Spirits for the Half-Treant hiding behind them.
"Hawk Eye, I'm in position!" Phantom's voice sounded.
"Understood!"
Hawk Eye loaded a specially made bullet into the chamber.
He pushed the bolt forward, chambering the round.
He steadied his breathing and waited for an opening.
With Habal serving