Chapter 105: Thermobaric Rockets!

Chapter 105: Thermobaric Rocket!

When the distance closed to within two kilometers, the counter‑sniper radar showed the howl’s decibel level exceeding 120—equivalent to the roar of a large airliner taking off, or to a grown‑up shouting at the top of his lungs right beside your ear.

Such noise already makes people extremely uncomfortable; though it hasn’t reached the point of triggering a physiological reaction, prolonged exposure will inevitably damage hearing.

——

This is also why Chen Jian ordered everyone to withdraw, leaving only Shen Yue behind.

This kid was originally the squad’s machine‑gunner; his eardrums were practically calloused by the gunfire, giving him a natural tolerance for noise.

Even so, he displayed obvious irritation.

It wasn’t that his character lacked fortitude; in fact, this irritation was an unstoppable, irresistible force, rooted in a primal instinct buried deep in human marrow.

“Two kilometers out we’re already at 120 dB, and there’s still forest blocking the sound.”

“If we close to within one kilometer, the decibel level will inevitably rise above 170.”

“Damn, this thing is ridiculous.”

“I feel like it can generate shock waves just by being near—if we get close, we’ll be blown apart by the blast.”

Shen Yue adjusted his headset while complaining, and Chen Jian likewise furrowed his brow, took several deep breaths to steady himself, then spoke:

“It’s possible.”

“Its vocal organ has been weaponized; judging by its size, the maximum decibel level at close range could reach about 210.”

“210 dB is still within the range of human hearing.”

“If mixed with the ultrasonic clicks of a sperm whale, the decibel level could push past 230.”

“Killing without a trace… I’ve been here so long and this is the first time I’ve felt a monster truly terrifying.”

“Me too.”

Shen Yue nodded instantly:

“Damn it, the few monsters we’ve run into before were killed too fast, and we never encountered any attack we couldn’t comprehend.”

“Even the mother beast in Chuansha City was just a bit odd‑looking with a strange anatomy.”

“I thought all the monsters here were pushovers—turns out I was completely wrong.”

“Now that monsters wielding sonic weapons exist, will we run into ones that can spray plasma next?”

“Sonic is bad enough; plasma would be overkill. Surely it’s not some giant eel?”

Chen Jian’s gaze shifted to his smart goggles, and he immediately noticed He Shuo and the others had climbed back onto Huangshi Island.

At the same time, the interval between the monster’s howls grew shorter.

“Keep moving forward!”

“Seize the chance to advance—if it’s tired from eating and wants to sleep, we’ll have scored a windfall.”

“Log the route; if anything changes, we must retreat full‑tilt, because once its howl hits us, we’re completely screwed.”

“Understood.”

Shen Yue rubbed his sweaty palms and gripped the handle of his automatic grenade launcher.

“If it comes to that, we’ll just have to go toe‑to‑toe with it.”

“Even if we can’t blow it up, I refuse to believe it isn’t afraid of explosions.”

“Within two kilometers our automatic grenade launcher can reach it—when the time comes…”

“Don’t dream about it.”

Chen Jian cut Shen Yue off:

“In jungle terrain the power of explosive weapons is too limited; even if we could get close, at best we’d only deter or drive it off—killing it outright is basically impossible.”

“Don’t talk.”

“Put on your headset, open your mouth wide, and keep moving forward!”

Meanwhile, having just returned to Huangshi City, Lei Jia summoned everyone without pause.

He first adjusted the position of the 022 heavy machine gun, leveling its barrel toward the monster’s area, then directed the city’s residents to haul out every usable round of ammunition.

While he worked, Huang Yu stood beside him asking for details.

Lei Jia hid nothing, briefly describing the monster’s traits and what the reconnaissance had uncovered.

The news spread quickly; he had expected some panic among the townsfolk.

In fact, although there was some panic, the outcome was far better than he had anticipated.

Everyone did their part; those without combat ability remained stationed in the activity hall, while the others hurried to assist Lei Jia in deploying all manner of combat equipment.

All rocket launchers were brought out; the mortar with only two rounds left was set up, and the 301 heavy machine gun remained under Li Shi’s control, ready to suppress the monster’s movements and create opportunities for the 14.5 mm heavy machine gun.

After the weapons were in place, he organized everyone to clear obstacles behind and to the flanks of the cover, aiming to minimize reverberation and reduce sonic damage.

This was the limit of what his existing gear could achieve; if he wanted to boost combat power further,

he would have to bring in the weapons of the Mechanical God Sect as well.

“Push out those two 5‑kilogram smoothbore cannons and gather all the thermobaric grenades!”

Lei Jia issued the order.

“Are you planning to load cluster thermobaric rounds?”

He Shuo asked, slightly hesitant.

“Will it even work at that range?”

“It might not, but a dying horse is still a horse.”

Lei Jia frowned and replied,

“From the gun position to the opposite shore it’s 1.3 km; flight time is about five seconds plus a bit—roughly the length of the grenade’s fuse.”

“If we can detonate it near the monster, the thermobaric blast will still suppress it strongly.” “Its vocal organ is so powerful it must require a huge amount of air.”

“If we can consume the surrounding air, forcing it into a brief suffocation, we’ll have a chance to close in and attack.”

“Isn’t that gambling with our lives?”

He Shuo exclaimed in disbelief.

“We have no choice; even if it’s a gamble, we must take it.”

“We have no alternative unless we can get new…”

He hadn’t finished speaking when Huang Yu, who had just rushed back, suddenly said:

“Commander, someone’s coming across the lake!”

“It’s the people from the Ring Trade Guild!”

“That fast?!”

Lei Jia was startled and continued to ask:

What are they here for?

I’m not sure, but they brought a lot of stuff; should we let them come aboard?

Let them come up! Bring the stuff up!

Understood!

Lei Jie gave a decisive order; Huang Yu turned and left, immediately dispatching a small boat to the opposite shore to bring the Ring merchants onto the island.

Half an hour later, several Ring merchants laden with considerable equipment landed on Huangshi Island, and then, under Huang Yu’s guidance, came before Lei Jie.

Qin Yuan, who had undergone a rather “brutal” interrogation, stood at the rear; though his eyes held a hint of fear, he seemed to harbor no resentment.

It was unclear whether he truly felt none or simply dared not.

The leading man stepped forward and spoke bluntly:

“We’ve brought things you might need.”

“The trade can continue; consider this shipment an advance payment.”

“We know Huangshi City is facing a crisis.”

“Although for you, this crisis may not be as dire as the siege by the Machine God Sect and the Holy Blood Hall.”

“But since we are to cooperate, the Ring Mercantile Association is also willing to extend a helping hand to our future allies.”

“Take a look at what we’ve brought.”

“This is precious friendship from the Ring; I hope you won’t refuse it.”

When the man finished speaking, Lei Jie nodded and then gave the order:

“Open the crates.”

“Understood.”

Huang Yu led the men forward to pry open the wooden crates the Ring merchants had brought; Lei Jie stepped forward to look and was momentarily stunned.

“Is this what you brought??”

Hearing his words, He Shuo also stepped forward.

His expression instantly turned grim.

Because inside the huge crate were four missiles stamped with “TY-110”.

Empty missiles.

Although they appear to be in decent condition judging by their appearance,

what use could this thing possibly have??

Do we have fighter jets or radar??

“Do you think you’re being funny?”

He Shuo drew a deep breath and asked in a low voice.

The visitor froze for a moment.

He clearly hadn’t expected to receive such an answer.

He probably thought that upon seeing the missiles, Lei Jie and his crew would be overjoyed and exhilarated.

“The leader said you’d definitely have use for this, and you would use it.”

The visitor’s face was a mix of confusion and astonishment; Lei Jie didn’t bother with him and immediately ordered Huang Yu to pry open another crate.

With a soft crack as the wood split, Lei Jie’s eyes finally lit up.

“PF-26!”

“This must be a fuel‑air explosive!”

“Damn, ask and ye shall receive! He Shuo, check the rangefinder!”

“The rangefinder’s max range is 1500 meters—that’s enough!”

Having received the answer, Lei Jie let out a long sigh of relief.

Then he keyed the radio and called out to Chen Jian:

“Captain, we’ve scored a batch of fuel‑air explosives—twelve rounds!”

“Lure the monster over; I want to organize a test firing!”

(End of chapter)