After taking a brief moment to catch their breath, the battered squad pressed onward into the thickening gloom of the forest, fatigue evident in their weary movements.
They had barely advanced a few steps when a cacophony of shrill, mocking howls echoed through the dense mana-laden canopy above.
Shadows flickered and shifted swiftly, rustling branches and foliage as creatures raced through the treetops, rapidly encircling their position. The screeches grew louder, more coordinated, revealing something far worse than simple animal aggression: intelligence.
"Above! Incoming!" Lieutenant Rong Hai shouted urgently from within Red Hunter, scanning frantically with his sensors.
Without further warning, dozens of agile figures burst from the trees, plummeting downward at incredible speeds.
The squad scattered instantly, raising defenses as the creatures landed violently around them.
