This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 563

When a person feels threatened, they tense up.

This issue is unrelated to whether they are Awakened or not.

Just because someone is an Awakened or a Hero, do you think they won’t flinch at the sound of wasps buzzing?

The only difference between an ordinary person and an Awakened or Hero is that they have the ability to handle creatures like wasps. However, if they get stung, it hurts just as much for Awakened and Heroes alike.

In that sense, the sounds echoing now were more than enough to shrink the hearts of those who were secretly feeling confident just moments ago, thinking they had completed today’s tasks without a hitch.

Honestly, they probably couldn’t help it.

While not all Awakened are like this, considering that the average physical abilities of Awakened are much higher than those of ordinary people, even if they got stung by a wasp, as long as they receive proper treatment, they would quickly get back on their feet.

In contrast, those ‘things’ flying around spreading threatening sounds, while they might sound like wasps, are quite different because once they sting, there’s no hope for treatment.

With rumors spreading in the base, everyone had no choice but to brace themselves.

“Huh…”

I felt that things were especially flowing well today.

Was this how it was meant to end?

Regardless, since the enemies had become aware of our presence, the only option left was to brace ourselves using the debris as a wall, just as we had prepared for.

So, with the mindset to block potential attacks from above, I covered the top with a dual barrier of water and ice. From the perspective of the Another Ones trying to take one more companion in the pouring hail of attacks, perhaps it felt somewhat unfair.

Unlike typical high-level entities or Peculiar Entities, those with poor durability began to cluelessly throw themselves against the icy wall.

Their tiny bodies could barely shake the ice wall but not produce any significant effect.

“You don’t have to handle it directly! The base will take care of the enemies, so just focus on holding your ground!”

“Yes, sir!”

Sure enough, some of those here seemed to want to take the enemies down themselves to claim credit.

As I spoke, I noticed some of those in ranged support subtly lowering their hands that had been raised slightly.

Caught off guard by unexpected circumstances, they were probably trying to keep calm and stall for time while holding their ground.

The various attacks flying from the base began to pinpointly target those menacing beings that had been buzzing around, making threatening sounds.

It was no surprise that the sounds of creatures falling from the sky began to resonate everywhere.

Seeing that, I shouted, “Now! Let’s run to the base entrance!”

Honestly, I wanted to hold my ground here, but given that the base was mobilizing all the Heroes to reach out for help, it was clear that today’s situation wasn’t going to settle down easily.

That meant staying here would only increase the burden the base would have to bear over time.

So if we were going to move, now was the time.

I withdrew the power maintaining the water and ice dual wall overhead, wrapping my companions in water instead.

This way, it wouldn’t be perfect, but it could still block some degree of the enemies’ attacks.

Each one of them was a remarkable Awakened, so they could definitely avoid the slowing stings from connecting with their bodies.

As I did this, perhaps because of the shield that had formed around them, they finally began to regain some confidence.

As if they understood each other, they nodded and started to sprint toward the base entrance.

The base, providing support, quickly caught onto our intentions and contributed appropriately.

Even if it was just controlling the incoming threats or precisely shooting down attackers, for us focused on running while minimizing defenses, that alone was a relief.

After racing desperately along the container wall, we finally reached the entrance of the base, greeted by—

“Hurry up and get inside!”

“No time! Quickly!”

Those wielding large iron plates, far bigger than themselves, stood ready to fend us off.

Thanks to their makeshift wall, we could safely enter the base, but that didn’t mean nothing happened in between.

As if refusing to let us escape, those Peculiar Entities desperately fired their stingers, almost causing the two following behind to get hit.

Moreover, the iron plates they held, having come out to assist with our entrance, were noticeably dented in places, looking precariously fragile.

Thankfully, no one fell during the chaos; if even one did… it wouldn’t have ended with just a dent.

Anyway, we successfully entered the base, so it was time to find out why the Another Ones were suddenly going berserk.

“So what the heck is going on?”

Despite their seemingly simple and foolish behavior, these creatures had proven to be quite cunning, so it was unlikely they were acting without reason.

When I asked to figure this out, the response was soaked in deep concern.

“It seems… they are attempting a war of attrition.”

“A war of attrition?”

“Yes.”

“Does that mean they are waiting for the artillery shells to drop?”

“Based on our observations, that does seem to be their primary goal.”

Using the fact that the turrets were controlled by a sensor, they were intentionally flying nearby, forcing the artillery to deplete.

How could this not be considered a deliberate strategy rather than simple-minded behavior?

“What about the remaining shells? How many do we have left?”

“Fortunately, when we requested supplies before, we asked to stock as much as possible, so we still have a bit of leeway…”

However, with the phrase “for now,” it implied that this would not last.

Thinking back, it made sense.

It was evident just by looking that they were depleting shells at an incredible rate.

If this situation continues…

The supplies we called “adequate” would soon hit rock bottom.

“How about requesting support from the Association? Have we done that?”

“Yes, while requesting support, I’ve detailed the situation as thoroughly as possible.”

That meant we didn’t have to worry about running out of supplies for the time being.

The Association wouldn’t want to lose the forward base they worked hard to secure, so they would certainly use all the means at their disposal to provide support.

Of course, they couldn’t just send out Heroes carelessly, but…

It wouldn’t be hard for them to keep supplying shells to prevent them from running out.

‘But the problem is…’

Unless we eliminate the fundamental cause behind this situation, such incidents could happen again and again…

What should we do?

No, what should I do?

Honestly, I felt like rushing around and taking down each one of those creatures distracting the turrets.

The reason it was impossible was that their range estimation was simply remarkable.

If they were going to keep flitting about like that, they should at least come a little closer, just skimming the edge of the sensor’s detection range…

‘Where does it show them to be simple-minded…’

I wished I could show this sight to those self-proclaimed experts who argue that the Another Ones are merely a mindless monster of slaughter, insisting that if humanity set their minds to it, eradicating them would be easy.

If only I could stop hearing such absurd claims.

Unfortunately, the Association strictly forbids taking photos or videos of the Heogye scenery, making it frustratingly impossible.

‘That aside…’

What should we really do about them…

I thought, watching them buzz around like insects drawn to a streetlight.

I wished we had something like an electric swatter.

‘Huh? Wait a minute…’

Electric?