Taai ran.
Every step sent pain through his battered body.
Bandages wrapped tightly around his shoulders.
Blood had already seeped through the cloth around his ribs.
His breathing came heavier than usual.
Each inhale burned.
Each exhale reminded him of the bullets and blades that had found their mark earlier.
Still—
He never slowed.
The western district was engulfed in smoke.
Buildings burned.
Collapsed stalls littered the streets.
The scent of blood mixed with charred wood.
Everywhere he looked—
People were fighting.
Guards.
Mercenaries.
Blacksmiths swinging hammers.
Shopkeepers wielding spears they had never intended to use.
Even elderly veterans had picked up weapons once more.
Muscle City was bleeding.
But it was still standing.
Taai vaulted over a collapsed wagon.
A demon lunged.
Without breaking stride—
He drove his fist through its skull.
CRACK.
The corpse rolled across the street.
Another monster charged.
Taai's enlarged forearm intercepted it.
One swing.
The beast flew through a burning storefront.
He continued running.
"...Status!"
A passing officer immediately saluted while sprinting.
"Western line stabilized!"
"Casualties high!"
"North Gate requesting reinforcements!"
Taai nodded.
"Keep moving!"
The officer disappeared into the smoke.
Taai pressed forward.
The closer he came—
The stranger the battlefield felt.
The pressure...
Was changing.
Moments ago—
The western front had been on the verge of collapse.
Now—
The monsters weren't advancing.