Chapter 789: Absurd Creatures, An Unforeseen Threat to New Infanta Settlement (1/2)

Day 197 - 3:31 PM - Southern Outskirts, New Infanta Settlement, Infanta, Province of Quezon

It was a creature that was at least four meters tall, about twenty-two meters long, and about two and a half meters wide. This four-legged thing sure was a gigantic monster.

However, its appearance did not make much sense. As the scouts reported, it did not have a head or a neck, making it hard to identify. Furthermore, its cucumber-shaped body looked like a cluster of pulsating flesh, extending more than a hundred flesh-like tentacles all over it. It had four legs that seemed to belong to a bovine animal, considering its gigantic more than half-meter tall hooves and the proportion of its fatty legs.

But even with the appearance of its legs, it would be hard to determine whether it was a cow or any other bovine animal. Not like it mattered anymore.

The monster shambled continuously towards the direction of the settlement. Its way of walking was rather wobbly as if it was struggling to maintain balance. But no matter how it walked, whether it was slow or fast, it would be a threat to the New Infanta Settlement in no time.

”General!”

The leader of the scouting squad saluted as he met General Faustino.

”How is it?” General Faustino asked. ”Any new reports about that monster?”

The duty of the scouting squad was not limited to just searching for any possible danger and informing the settlement. While one of the squad members served as a messenger, the others would continue to observe the threat and, if plausible, do some tests.

The most important test was to try and deviate the threat away from the settlement's direction.

”Sorry, General, but there's very little we could gather.”

The scout squad leader, Lieutenant Domingues, replied to the general's question,

Following the reply, Lieutenant Domingues gave his report.

The creature did not seem to be an [Infected], or possibly, it was some sort of a deviant mutation. The scout squad determined it by trying to use themselves as bait to lure the creature towards another direction. It was a dangerous endeavor, but it would be worth it if they could lead the creature away or buy a little bit more time.

However, it failed and ignored the small group of soldiers, continuing on its way towards the settlement.

The lieutenant reported their other observations, like how seemingly unstable the creature walked. In fact, it stumbled several times on its way.

Using the observations of the scouting squad, the general formulated the plans. Even if the time they had was too short, they needed to create a plan to coordinate the movements of the soldiers and everyone participating in this defensive operation.

They could tackle the situation as is. However, it was not only manpower that the military was lacking but also weapons and ammunition. Their machinery to produce bullets was long destroyed along with their remaining materials. What they have currently was limited,

They had to make use of every single bullet as efficiently as possible.

After formulating the plan, General Faustino immediately relayed it to his soldiers.

From their current position, they retreated back as much as they could while leaving a safe distance from the newly built walls of the settlement. However, they did not withdraw without leaving a few gifts for their unwanted incoming guest.

Everyone hid behind trees and bushes, weapons held tightly in their hands, waiting for the time to strike.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

The thumping sounds came closer and closer. The creature continued its shambling strides towards the settlement's direction. Wiggling its undeterminable number of disgusting tentacles all over its body.

And then...

BOOM! BOOM!

The sounds of several chained explosions echoed into everyone's ears.

Normally, the sound of explosions would make anyone perplexed. But this time, the soldiers were delighted to hear such loud booming sounds enter their ears.

Those sounds meant only one thing. The creature stepped on the gifts they left on its way.

What gifts? Landmines, of course.

Landmines were reliable traps against enemies. However, depending on the situation, it could also serve as a double-edged sword.

These explosive traps could be used to surround the settlement. But since the settlement was still recovering and had yet to establish a proper border, these landmines were still unusable as they could harm civilians and workers.

Furthermore, while making a minefield was a good method of defense, there was no guarantee on who would step on the landmine. It could be a gigantic [Infected], or it may be wasted on a shambling [Eater]. That was why it was better to keep the landmines for certain determined situations.

This was one of those situations.

Using the landmine on the creature in front of them was a good strategy. In the first place, it was already moving unstably. If the soldiers could take off or, at least, damage the monster's legs, it would be easier to deal with this thing.

THUD! SQUISH!

As the general intended, the gigantic creature fell to the ground with a loud sound. And as if telling everyone of how sticky and fleshy its body was... the disgusting sound of meat being squished also entered their ears.

The creature fell, but the soldiers did not move from their position. They were waiting for Major Bautista's signal.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

Because of the explosion, dust and smoke covered the area around the creature. However, everyone could hear the thumping sounds of its struggles. Who knows what was going on. Maybe, it was still trying to stand up, or it could be violently squirming its body to move.

”Stand by.”

Major Bautista's voice echoed into the few radios they still had working. Those that had the radios relayed the instructions to the other soldiers.

It was a waiting game for now. There was no way that they would just storm an enemy shrouded in the veil of dust and smoke.

But before the dust and smoke dissipated, everyone noticed that the thumping sounds suddenly came to a stop.

Did the creature die? Maybe it stopped struggling?

Before everyone could make more speculations, however...

They were subjected to a sight they did not expect.

SPLAT!

The sound of a loud splatter entered their ears. It was as if a large mound of flesh suddenly exploded.