"Attack!!"
The battle raged on in the vast yard outside the Calumet town church, an all-encompassing maelstrom of chaos and conflict. In the midst of this tumultuous scene, Lieutenant Marsh, who typically guided his troops from the rear, finally revealed his true mettle. Gripping a substantial piece of thick metal shield, the company leader charged headlong toward the enemy lines, determined to shield his comrades from the relentless barrage of enemy fire. His primary objective: the menacing tank that loomed menacingly, poised to unleash destruction upon his troops.
With unwavering resolve, the lieutenant called upon his [warrior spirit] that invigorated his fighting prowess. He hurled the heavy shield toward the group of soldiers standing guard in front of the tank. In a surprising twist, he used the shield as a makeshift platform, vaulting himself onto the tank's formidable chassis. There, atop the armored behemoth, he retrieved a massive hammer, his grip steady despite the few bullets that found their mark on his body.
Unleashing his inner strength, Marsh swung the colossal hammer with unparalleled expertise, calling upon his [Blunt weapon (expert)] active skill.
[Heavy Smash]
[Increase Blunt weapon Damage 50%]
[Skill duration: 30 seconds] [Cooldown: 10 minutes]
With his D+ level of strength, Marsh targeted the tank's hatch, intent on forcefully breaching its defenses. However, as he poised for a powerful blow, he heard an ominous clunking sound emanating from within the tank's depths, signaling the imminent discharge of a deadly shot. In a split-second decision, the lieutenant shifted his focus, redirecting the full force of his mighty swing toward the tank's gun barrel instead.
CLANKK!!!
As the tank's gun barrel buckled and bent under the force of Marsh's heroic assault, the lieutenant leaped away from the armored menace just moments before its cannon erupted in a fiery explosion.
KABOOOMM!!
Alan, who had been observing this astounding display of valor, couldn't help but be awestruck. Despite not being a veteran player, Lieutenant Marsh's audacity, or perhaps recklessness, was at a level that commanded respect. It was now clear to Alan why there were rumors surrounding Marsh's valiant demise in his previous game.
The explosion had spared Marsh's life, but he found himself surrounded by Nazi soldiers, poised to strike him down. In the nick of time, Alan's team and the remainder of his troops arrived at the frontline, intervening to save the brave lieutenant's life. Alan extended a helping hand to Marsh, pulling him up amidst the chaotic fray.
"You are crazy, Marsh!" Alan exclaimed admiration tinged with disbelief evident in his voice.
Marsh, his spirit undaunted, managed a chuckle before responding, "Let's finish them all!!"
With D company and their militia allies now fully engaged, the battlefield transformed into an all-out melee. Friend and foe alike were embroiled in a swirling maelstrom of combat as they fought against the Nazi soldiers.
In the midst of this intense confrontation, Alan issued a crucial directive to his troops. He urged them to remain in close proximity to one another, keeping a vigilant eye on their comrades to ensure that none suffered a critical drop in their health points. Safety was of paramount importance in this fierce clash.
Finally, as the clock struck 0600, the usual daily notifications flashed across each player's screen. However, this time, the message was anything but typical.
[12 hours left to stop Nazi Invasion]
[Updating current players: 3,818]
[Updating Nazi soldier: 12,315]
With twelve hours remaining on the clock, the game introduced a real-time numerical representation, transforming the life-and-death struggle into a semblance of a sports scorecard. This unique twist however lifted the players' spirits, offering a visual confirmation that the count of Nazi soldiers was diminishing faster than that of the players. It became evident that the coordinated operation across the town's four different sectors was bearing fruit, fueling optimism among the players.
[06:32]
Finally, after intense and relentless fighting, Alan and D company succeeded in driving the enemy back, forcing them into a chaotic retreat across the river. In a remarkably swift two and a half hours, D Company secured control of the town's outer perimeter, prompting cheers of excitement among the victorious troops.
Lieutenant Marsh wisely granted his 600-plus men a well-deserved rest to tend to their injuries and partake in their daily rations, ensuring they remained nourished and avoiding any Hunger status debuffs.
As Marsh reported to the main force, Captain Carter, it was confirmed that they were the first company to complete their assigned task. Lieutenant Marsh sought permission to press forward with the attack, to which the captain responded with a cautious recommendation: "I suggest you hold your company and coordinate your advance on the inner sector together with the rest of the army for safety. However, I leave the final decision to you."
In the face of this suggestion, the fearless Lieutenant seemed torn, uncertain about the next course of action. Alan, however, had no hesitation. He firmly declared,
"No, we should attack now!!"
Alan swiftly spread out a map, outlining a bold and strategic plan to Lieutenant Marsh and the other militia leaders. This was no ordinary tactical proposal; it was a decisive assault aimed at the heart of the Nazi forces. Observing their hesitation, Alan addressed their concerns head-on, saying, "This is the Wolverines' plan. You are welcome to join us or await the advance of the main army."
While the militia leaders remained uncertain about Alan's ambitious scheme, he paid little heed to their reservations. His focus was firmly fixed on the fearless lieutenant as he posed a direct question: "This is the plan, Marsh. Are you in or not?"
With unwavering determination, Lieutenant Marsh promptly confirmed his commitment, responding with a resounding, "Yes, I am in!"
In the wake of his decision, Marsh quickly assembled his 200 soldiers and the two militia groups that chose to join forces with the Wolverine's unit. This formidable coalition totaled 400 players, united by their shared resolve to execute Alan's audacious plan. As for the remaining three militia groups, they opted to remain behind, diligently safeguarding the conquered territory, prepared to welcome the impending advance of the main forces.
