I Refused To Be Reincarnated

His eyes narrowed in concern as the old officer's voice thundered from behind.

"HOLD ON TO SOMETHING! LET THEM HAVE A TASTE OF HUMAN POWER!"

Hurriedly following the command, he crouched behind the dented alloy and grabbed a metallic section of the wall, feeling its cold surface caress his skin before...

BOOOOOOOM

A terrifying explosion deafened him. Burning and violent gales battered the metal as an ominous dust cloud reached for the blackened sky.

SHRIEK

Agonising shrieks reverberated across the battlefield, followed by loud crashing noises.

After enduring the shaking and disorientation, the original staggered to his feet, ears buzzing. Using the alloy for support, he shook his head to clear it and peered at the swarm below. Despite his blurry vision, a sense of elation washed over him.

Perhaps they would survive today.

A grin stretched his lips as he saw the fuming carcasses of giant insects strewn across the scorched land.

Before he could understand the chain of events, the old officer rose valiantly. His eyes glinted with determination, and his heart pounded with a noble purpose: to protect this city. Enjoy more content from empire

"BAHAHA. How do ten tons of buried explosive taste? Heavenly, I bet," he roared, his chuckles and mockery uplifting his men's morale. "They lost their front line, and their formation is in disarray. Seize the opportunity to rain hell on these invaders and show them that humans aren't to be trifled with!"

He then roared his next orders, urging the soldiers on the wall to launch a counterattack.

Bolstered by their commander's words, the soldiers' eyes blazed with pride and courage. At this moment, they were united in their purpose, no matter their origins or aspirations. They were one and the same: this city's last guardians.

Loud roars echoed from every section of the wall. Every commander in charge gave a similar speech after the landmines exploded. However, despite the high morale, their faces turned somber.

Despite the devastation wrought by the landmines, their trump card was gone. If the swarm pushed onward despite its losses, they would be defeated miserably before sunset.

As they pondered, desperately seeking a miraculous solution, sizzling noises reverberated through the battlefield. Confused by the sudden occurrence, they retrieved their binoculars and squinted at their enemies.

Furrowing his brow in confusion, the old officer muttered, "Why are they shivering?"

He hated incertitude. Yet, the chaotic battlefield had nothing to offer but this old opponent.

However, the original understood the problem before everyone else, recalling the swarm's details.

'There is still another type of insect!'

Yes. The ones standing on two legs. They had remained in the rear, out of sight for a mysterious reason the entire battle.

And his hunch was correct.

Silently spectating, Adam saw them dragging something terrifying, and soon, officers saw it through their binoculars, too.

"They are bringing the vortex!" Yelled the old officer, his pupils constricting and colors draining from his face.

Everyone with a penny of logic understood the consequences. With the vortex before them, the swarm would have an unlimited supply of fighters, not to mention the terrifying horrors within its depths. They could forget about holding until sunset; they would all die in the next hour now that it had been brought!

Despite the battle's hopeless development, the old officer recomposed himself in a heartbeat. His features contorting into a furious grimace, he barked his next orders.

"These fools brought their headquarters onto the battlefield! Prepare the mortars and arm the cannons. Focus fire on the vortex! Make them regret their invasion!"

"YES, SIR!"

The soldiers roared in response and began carrying heavy shells.

However, amidst the chaos, the original frowned, his expression pensive. The creatures were highly resistant to shock and fire. That much was evident. So, wouldn't the ones hiding inside the vortex be the same? Worse, they would only waste their ammunition and awaken the giant insect, making him draw a cruel yet logical conclusion.

'We lost.'

He took a deep breath, calming the storm raging in his heart.

'But I'll survive.'

The madness hiding in his eyes stirred and swirled, gaining ground by corroding his logic in a silent assault. And soon, his chuckles echoed in the middle of the chaos.

ROAR

However, before it could draw the soldiers' attention, a monstrous roar blew angry gales in their direction. Faced with their sheer pressure, some soldiers flew like leaves in the wind before crashing inside the city, while others collided with the wall, breaking their bones.

Every survivor saw it too, the towering abomination a dozen meters tall stepping out of the vortex. Each heavy step caused dust to rise and deep gouges to appear on the earth. Several harrowing eyes fixed on them, their slits peering into the humans' souls. The creature's putrid breath contaminated the wind with dense purple wisps while its jagged teeth glinted death.

Despite its dreadful appearance, it exuded a sense of unquestionable authority.

Following its appearance, the world went mute. Soldiers and creatures alike trembled in their spots as visceral fear took hold of their hearts, overpowering their brains...

Except for two individuals.

Despite his trembling old hands, the officer retrieved his radio with sheer willpower. And gave his final order.

"H.Q, activate the calamity protocol," he muttered, a silent tear rolling down his cheeks. "For humanity."

A voice cracked on the other side, returning his words. "For humanity."

Amidst the chaos, a lone figure stood out. Without a word, the other individual flung his firearms to the ground and backpack before him. He retrieved the weapons he had bought a month ago, equipping himself with as many as possible before descending the fortified wall.

Then, under the blackened sky, amidst the dust and pungent smell of blood and faced with a swarm of deadly creatures, he raced into the lion's maw, his mad laughter breaking the tense silence.

"HAHAHA. You want to eat me? Come and try fuckers!"

However, no matter how much he laughed or how he provoked the enemies, they remained rooted, too scared to move in the presence of their overlord.

He passed them by, breaking his blades on their adamantine shells before switching weapons. Unfazed by his failures, he continued his mad rush towards the terror, who locked his disgusting eyes on his figure, daring him to approach close enough and reach his domain.

And two minutes later, he faced its towering, abominable form.

Animated by a single thought -kill it to survive- he retrieved a long sword from his back. He glared at it for a second before spitting, "I'll feast on your flesh, carve your bones into weapons, and use your shell as armor. You can't kill me, can't devour me!"

His hands trembled in fury as he continued.

"Today, I'll become an alien hunter. The best there is!"

Then, he charged through the last hundred meters separating them, his eyes a swirling vortex of unbridled madness.

Simultaneously, utterly provoked by the ant, the behemoth shrieked in rage, barring its hideous fangs towards the original... and missing the fast-approaching dot in the sky.

However, as an observer, Adam's sharp gaze snapped upwards. A horrifying sight filled his vision, and a shudder wrecked his body.

"HOW DID HE SURVIVE THAT?"