25: Desperate Mining

Chapter 25: Initial Production Recovery, Guarding the Mine in Desperation

Inside the Red Alert Base command room, the atmosphere was so oppressive it made it hard to breathe.

Old Zhou wiped the grease from his face, his voice raspy: "The generator sets are barely stable, power reserves are increasing by 2% per hour, and have just reached 32%. The metal purification furnace only has this little bit of Mutated Minerals powder left; at most, it can purify two main cannon charged shells. Over at the Barracks, twenty veterans just finished their injections, and the greenhorns haven't even touched a gun yet."

Lin Zhou stared at the production bar on the system panel, which had barely moved, his brows furrowed into a knot. The so-called production recovery was nothing more than a desperate breath drawn while at death's door. He grabbed the walkie-talkie, his voice as heavy as iron: "Orders: two grizzly tanks and twenty Reinforced Soldiers are to support the mine tunnels immediately. Remember, defend only and do not attack; focus on stalling. The base cannot afford a head-on battle."

"Received!"

At the same time, outside the eastern mine tunnel.

Scarface led seven remnants, huddling behind a broken wall, everyone wounded. Wisps of purple mist drifted out from the cave entrance, and the roars from inside grew deeper and deeper, making eardrums ache. Zhao Weiguo gripped the radiation detector, his hands trembling: "The radiation levels have risen again. I'm afraid something big is hiding deep inside this mine."

Scarface gritted his teeth and touched his chipped machete: "We just need to hold out until reinforcements arrive..."

Before he could finish, a muffled, thunderous vibration suddenly came from inside the mine.

Rumble!

Debris from the cave roof crashed down, and even the broken wall shook. Immediately after, a giant claw covered in purple-black scales lunged out. Its nails were half a meter long and glinted coldly as it smashed a nearby boulder with a single strike.

A colossal creature, seven or eight meters tall, slowly emerged from the mist. It had three crimson vertical eyes, and its entire body oozed purple mist. With every breath it took, the surrounding grass withered—a Rank 5 Radiation Lord!

"Damn!" Scarface tensed instantly. "Fire! Aim for the eyes!"

Bullets pattered against the scales like an itch being scratched. Two soldiers shouldered flamethrowers, but as soon as the tongues of fire spat out, they were swatted away by the Lord's claw. A wave of purple energy swept past, and the two were sent flying instantly, spitting blood.

"It's useless! Run!" Scarface's eyes were bloodshot as he shoved Zhao Weiguo. "Run toward the base! Don't look back!"

The remnants scrambled toward the west, but the Lord didn't give chase, merely roaring toward the sky.

Roar—

As the roar subsided, radiation zombies surged out of the mine like a tide. There were thousands of them, covered in purple scales and moving with incredible speed. In an instant, they caught the two soldiers bringing up the rear. Their screams were immediately drowned out by the zombies' roars.

Scarface gritted his teeth, tears nearly falling, but he could only lead the remaining men in a frantic dash.

Just then, the roar of tanks came from the distance.

Two grizzly tanks charged over the gravel road, their main cannon muzzles glowing with a faint purple light—those were the base's only two remaining charged shells. Behind the tanks, twenty Reinforced Soldiers marched in formation, their steps steady and their gazes cold.

Lin Zhou stood on the hatch of the lead tank, gripping an alloy longsword. He looked at the Rank 5 Lord in the distance, the overwhelming swarm of zombies, and then at the few men by his side. He knew clearly: a head-on clash would be suicide.

"Scarface!" Lin Zhou's voice boomed through the loudspeaker. "Withdraw the remnants to the flank! You are not permitted to join the fight!"

"Boss! What about you?" Scarface roared back.

Lin Zhou ignored him and turned to the soldiers: "Listen to my orders! Tank main cannons aim for the Lord's eyes. Fire once and then retreat! Soldiers, split into two teams: one to cover the rear, and one to cover the tanks' withdrawal!"

"Understood!"

Just as he finished speaking, the Lord suddenly moved. It took heavy strides toward the tanks, swinging its giant claw and making the air tremble.

"Fire!"

At Lin Zhou's command, both tank main cannons roared simultaneously. The faint purple shells trailed exhaust flames as they accurately slammed into the Lord's left eye.

Bang!

A mist of purple blood exploded, and the Lord let out a shrill roar, its footsteps halting abruptly. It clutched its eye, shaking its head frantically as dark green pus splashed everywhere.

"Retreat!"

Lin Zhou shouted, and the tanks immediately turned around. The twenty soldiers split into two teams: one threw smoke grenades at the zombie swarm, while the other set up heavy machine guns to desperately block the pursuing zombies.

Smoke filled the air, and gunfire was deafening.

But the Lord's roar soon rang out again—its wound was actually healing at a speed visible to the naked eye!

"Damn it!" Lin Zhou gritted his teeth. "Machine gunners! Suppress it! Don't let it get close!"

The heavy machine guns spat fire, but the bullets hitting the Lord were still useless. The effect of the smoke grenades was fading, and the zombie swarm was about to break through the defensive line.

Just then, gunfire suddenly erupted from the flank.

It was Scarface! He had led the five remnants around to the side of the zombie swarm, using machetes and rifles together to forcibly tear an opening.

"Boss! Go! We'll cover the rear!"

Lin Zhou looked at Scarface's resolute back, his throat tightening. He clenched his fists and gritted out two words: "Retreat!"

The tanks accelerated, racing toward the base. The soldiers provided leapfrog cover, fighting while retreating. The Lord roared and pursued for a few steps but was stubbornly tied down by Scarface and his men.

Gunfire, roars, and explosions blended together outside the mine.

Lin Zhou glanced back; the purple mist in the mine was growing thicker, and the Lord's silhouette flickered in the mist like a lurking predatory beast.

He knew in his heart that they hadn't won this battle.

They had merely managed to keep their lives.

The base's production was still stretched thin. The threat from the mine was drawing closer and closer.