"This is the Extraordinary Association of Plymouth. We are now broadcasting an emergency evacuation notice to all units and regions. Citizens, immediately proceed to the nearest shelter for evacuation. Repeat, all citizens, immediately proceed to the nearest shelter for evacuation…"
The loud broadcast echoed in the sky above Plymouth, accompanied by piercing air raid sirens.
Hearing the evacuation notice, the already frightened citizens panicked even more.
"What's going on? What happened?"
"There must be a space-time rift nearby."
"Hurry! Get to the shelter!"
"My child is still at home—I have to pick them up!"
"Honey, what should we do?"
"The road is blocked! Abandon the car, don't take anything, just get to the shelter first!"
Fear spread like wildfire. Some people broke down in tears, while others, keeping a level head, grabbed their families and ran toward safety.
Car horns blared, voices shouted, children cried, and curses filled the chaotic streets as people scrambled to escape.
Extraordinary Association Headquarters
At the Extraordinary Association building, President Melody Song had already sent an emergency conscription message to all extraordinaries in Plymouth.
Ben's phone buzzed as he received the same message.
The content detailed the disaster level and response plan: official reinforcements would arrive in half an hour. Until then, extraordinaries were required to hold the line against the invading monsters.
Participation in the defense was voluntary. However, in these situations, most extraordinaries answered the call.
If the monsters broke through the defense and invaded the city, it would be disastrous for everyone.
Additionally, those who fought would receive significant rewards. Those who refused wouldn't face legal consequences but would be expelled from the association, effectively ruining their reputations and limiting their future opportunities.
At this moment, many extraordinaries in the building had already taken up weapons and prepared for battle—including President Melody Song.
As the leader, she enjoyed great privileges, but in times of crisis, she had to set an example. Besides, Melody Song had a deep hatred for monsters—they had taken her wife's life in a past disaster.
She walked over to Ben, looking solemn.
"Ben, under normal circumstances, we wouldn't issue a conscription order to you since you just joined the association," she said sincerely. "But the situation is dire. Plymouth needs all the high-end combat power it can get. On behalf of the association, I hope you will fight alongside us. We just need to hold on for half an hour until reinforcements arrive."
Ben stood up immediately and responded with conviction, "President Melody, regardless of whether I'm a member of the association or not, I am duty-bound to help!"
This was his hometown.
His parents, his family—everyone he loved—lived here.
Melody Song's eyes flashed with admiration.
"Good! Time is of the essence, so I won't waste words. Ben, do you need any weapons? You can take whatever you want from the armory."
"No need," Ben said firmly. "My fists are my weapons."
It wasn't arrogance. He had never trained with weapons, and all his techniques relied on his fists. If he took up a weapon now, it would only slow him down.
Hearing this, Melody Song nodded and led him to the courtyard behind the association building.
A large transport plane, capable of carrying up to a hundred people, was ready for departure.
The plane was already packed with extraordinaries—some young, some old, even a couple of elders in their sixties or seventies.
Everyone's eyes burned with determination.
Seeing them, Ben felt a surge of emotion.
Even in this world, people still had a sense of chivalry.
Unlike Earth, where society had grown indifferent and self-centered…
Of course, Ben understood it wasn't the people's fault.
Back in America, communities used to help each other in times of crisis. But greedy individuals, driven by profit, allowed corruption and selfishness to spread. Over time, society lost its spirit of unity.
Ben was glad to be here.
"President!" someone called out as Melody Song stepped onto the plane.
She nodded in acknowledgment before giving the command: "Take off!"
The transport plane lifted off, racing toward the space-time rift.
Ben had never flown in one of these before, and he was surprised at its speed.
Within two minutes, they were outside the city.
From the air, Ben saw the rift—a massive tear in the sky stretching two kilometers wide.
Countless giant monsters poured out of the rift, surging toward Plymouth like a tidal wave.
Each monster was grotesque, exuding an overwhelming sense of dread.
If even one made it into the city, it would cause devastation.
But now, tens of thousands were charging at once, their combined momentum shaking the air.
Inside the cabin, everyone watched in grim silence.
If these creatures weren't stopped, Plymouth would be reduced to ruins within twenty minutes.
This was going to be a brutal battle.
The transport plane began its descent.
Below, a military force had already established a defensive perimeter.
This army, stationed near Plymouth for emergencies, numbered only about three thousand.
Against a monster horde of this size, they were hopelessly outnumbered.
In addition to military personnel, numerous vehicles and small transport planes were parked nearby, while more raced toward the battlefield from the city—bringing additional extraordinaries.
As Melody Song stepped out of the transport plane, three middle-aged men approached.
One, wearing a military uniform, was clearly the commander. The other two were fifth-order extraordinaries—the highest-ranking combatants in Plymouth.
The situation was urgent, so there was no time for pleasantries.
"Melody, we've been waiting for you," said a muscular man on the left. "Come, let's get to the strategy table."
Melody Song grabbed Ben's arm.
"Ben, you come too."
Ben nodded and followed.
The group gathered around a simple battlefield model.
"Melody, since you're the association president, you should decide our strategy," the muscular man said.
Melody shook her head and turned to the military commander.
"Commander Trump, you lead the battle," she said.
Commander Trump nodded.
"We'll use conventional tactics," he explained. "When the monsters reach the warning line, we hit them with long-range firepower to break their charge. Then the extraordinaries engage. Our forces will provide covering fire to eliminate stragglers. If powerful monsters appear, the strongest among us will take them down."
Trump was also a fifth-order powerhouse.
The others agreed with his plan.
The muscular man then noticed Ben.
"Melody, is this young man your apprentice?" he asked.
Melody introduced him.
"This is Ben. He just joined the association today. Don't underestimate him—his strength already matches a fifth-order fighter."
The fifth-order extraordinaries looked at Ben in surprise.
A young man reaching such a level was rare.
His future was limitless.
Trump smiled.
"Ben, you look barely in your twenties. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared."
Before Ben could respond, a deep, earth-shaking roar echoed across the battlefield.
The men grabbed their binoculars.
A monstrous behemoth was charging toward them.
Trump's face darkened.
"Judging by its size and speed… at least a fifth-order monster!"
The problem was, a fifth-order monster was far more powerful than a human of the same rank.
It would take at least seven or eight fifth-order extraordinaries to suppress it.
If it turned out to be an especially dangerous one, only a sixth-order powerhouse could bring it down.
Melody and the others exchanged grim looks.
"No matter what, we must hold the line for half an hour," Melody said firmly.
The others nodded.
The monster horde sensed human presence and rushed forward with insane aggression.
Moments later, the monstrous tide became visible to the naked eye.
Trump shouted: "Open fire!!"
The battlefield erupted in explosions.
Heavy artillery pounded the monster army, filling the air with fire and smoke.
Despite the firepower, the larger monsters barely flinched.
Seeing this, Ben smirked.
With his current abilities, even without using Armament Haki, his Steel Body alone could withstand these artillery blasts.
It wasn't that the weapons were weak.
His body was simply too strong.
!
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