CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 196- EXCHANGE

And Glain, who had just received Julian’s report, ordered everyone to eliminate the remaining monsters. He then turned to the officer beside him and asked, "How many are injured?"

The man replied grimly, "We’ve lost several squads, and many more are wounded."

Glain exhaled through his nose, his tone firm. "Prioritize their recovery. Those who can still move, secure the corpses of the four beasts."

Before his words could fully settle, the intercom crackled alive. Sebas’s voice came through, tense and strained. "Sir, there’s another problem, Miss Lucy has turned against us."

Glain, who had anticipated this moment, talk to Sebas with a calm, calculating gaze. "Kill her, Can you handle it?"

There was a short silence on the line, followed by Sebas’s steady reply, "We’ll try our best."

But before Glain could issue another order, another voice cut in over the intercom, his time laced with panic. "City lord! The corpses, the monsters’ bodies, they’re moving again! They’re merging into something else!"

Shouts and chaos echoed faintly through the transmission. Glain’s eyes widened, disbelief flashing for a second before his composure returned. "Impossible..." he muttered, stepping forward. Then his voice rose, sharp and commanding. "Leo... Maybe his insects are swarming the corpses, reanimating them!"

All around him, the camp erupted into chaos once more. What they thought were fallen monsters were now stirring, fusing into grotesque new forms, chimera born from death itself.

Then Glain asked, his tone sharp but strained, "Is there any division still capable of fighting?"

One of the officers responded quickly, "Only Mr. Luke is still in condition to fight. The others are still recovering from their injuries."

Before he could reply, Rogan, who had been silently observing the battlefield through his hunter’s vision spoke up, his voice grim. "If we don’t act now, that thing will keep absorbing the corpses and grow even stronger."

Dori, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "Then we should at least hold it back until the others recover. Buying time is the best we can do for now."

Noah tightening his grip on his weapon. "That’s easier said than done. Getting close to that thing is suicide, it’s radiating unstable energy everywhere."

Veronica tossed her hair to the side with an irritated sigh, "Then why don’t we just call that brat Reimon? With his Gate skill, he could teleport that monster straight into some godforsaken wasteland."

But before anyone could respond with relief, a soldier nearby interrupted, his voice heavy with bad news. "That won’t work. Mr. Reimon’s mana is completely drained, he’s suffering from exhaustion. He won’t be able to use Gate for a while."

A tense silence followed. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the newly formed chimera roared, its voice a grotesque blend of beastly cries that shook the air. The commanders exchanged grim looks, realizing that for now, there would be no easy escape.

Then Veronica let out an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms. "This never ends... One problem gets solved, and another pops up right after."

Glain rubbed his temple, frustration showing in his voice as he activated his intercom. "Sebas, can you still hold your ground without Kevin?"

Static crackled before Sebas’s strained voice came through. "That’ll be difficult. That thing turned into something monstrous, she’s far stronger than before."

Glain exhaled sharply and turned to Veronica. "How about it? Do you want a second round against Lucy?"

Veronica smirked, "With pleasure. But how exactly do you plan to get us there in time?"

Glain’s eyes shifted toward a man standing beside him, a support-type ability user. "You heard her. Prepare your skill."

The man nodded firmly. "Understood, City lord. With my ability [Shift Exchange] can swap the position of people or objects within my energy range."

They quickly understood what Glain was planning.

Glain spoke into his intercom again. "Sebas, prepare Kevin. I’ll have him switched out immediately."

Before he could continue, Veronica raised a hand and said confidently, "Hold on. I’m bringing Aya with me. She’ll be useful in the fight."

Aya blinked, startled. "Huh? M-me?"

Glain gave a brief nod. "Approved. Kevin and Cindy will switch places with Veronica and Aya."

Down in the chaos of battle, Kevin, still slashing at the monstrous Lucy, gritted his teeth when he heard the command through his earpiece. "What? I’m not done questioning this damn traitor yet!"

And beside him, Cindy froze mid-step. "Huh!? Me? I’m not going to the frontlines! No way!"

But the glowing pattern of Shift Exchange was already forming beneath their feet, time for hesitation had run out.

The man channeling his power stepped forward, a glowing sigil already forming beneath his boots. "City lord, I’m ready to activate Shift Exchange on your command."

But before he could proceed, Veronica raised a hand. "Wait. Just a second."

She tapped her earpiece, her tone softening. "Julian? Can you hear me?"

A faint buzz answered before Julian’s voice came through, calm but faintly distorted by static. "Yeah. I can hear you. I’m fine."

Veronica frowned, her brow furrowing. "You call this fine? You’ve been completely silent while we’re dealing with chaos down here! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Julian chuckled quietly through the comm. "You don’t need to worry. I trust all of you."

That only made her pout in irritation. "You and your smooth words... Fine, I’ll let it go this time." She sighed, her tone softening again. "But listen, make sure you crush that damn insect for me, okay?"

Julian’s voice grew sharper, determined. "I will. Count on it."

Veronica smiled, the edge of pride in her voice. "Good. Love you, darling."

A few feet away, Rogan groaned loudly. "For god’s sake, we’re on the clock here! Maybe save the flirting after the apocalypse?"

Veronica shot him a glare over her shoulder. "Oh, shut up, brat. Go sharpen your bullet or something."

Rogan muttered something under his breath, visibly annoyed, but before he could retort, the support-user clapped his hands together, the sigil beneath them flaring bright gold.

"[Shift Exchange—Activate]!"