"Is there any way to solve this problem?" These two technicians were highly paid recruits from colossal corporations, with intelligence and abilities far surpassing others.
"We're working on it, compiling and adding new friend-or-foe recognition methods," one of the technicians said, formulas and data flashing across his glasses.
A tense two minutes passed, and as 'Isher' forces broke through to the fourth layer, the blue defense system suddenly shut down. Soon after, a new defense system came online, and this time the protective shield turned red.
Bullets continued to rain down, with rockets hidden among them. Once these rockets exploded, they would shake the defense system, deforming parts of it.
But this time, the situation was entirely different. White reactive liquid burst through the shield, landing on the buildings inside, washed away by the rain and diluting quickly. Meanwhile, the incoming bullets, sparks of electromagnetism, high-energy particles, and more were all stopped by the shield, unable to detonate powerfully or boost the spread of the liquids even if they made it inside.
"The battle has reached another deadlock," Tilan said softly, then looked towards the high-rise not far away where a corner of an advertising screen displayed a ticking clock.
With no effective means to penetrate the shield, the white-clad 'Isher' combatants had to resort to using specially made heavy-duty anti-magic mechanical drills, rushing into the pouring rain. Some held up shields, covering for their teammates behind, while others provided covering fire from corners, allowing their comrades to approach and then use the drills on the shield, creating twisted force fields that tore at the shield's fine textures and structures.
This method could indeed target the defense shield, but it was inefficient and needed constant maintenance.
In response, the members of Cosades fought back fiercely, some even wielding light blue Light Sabers for close combat, slaughtering the frenzied white-clad warriors. The battle over the boundary of the shield barrier intensified, but the Cosades fighters always managed to leverage the isolation of the shield for greater advantage, often leaving the 'Isher' fighters to die in frustration.
"No matter what, we must retrieve the patent tonight!" the voice commanding the fighters resonated through the tactical headsets. Without the commander needing to say it, the 'Isher' fighters knew that if they lost today, not only would the company have no tomorrow, but their own future and their families would lose a secure foothold.
Many employees' lives were already tied to the company. Most of the technologies and skills they had learned were also bound to this enterprise. If they went to another company, they would have to start from scratch.
Three Cosades members armed with Electromagnetic Rifles looked scornfully at the 'Isher' fighters who overestimated themselves. They pulled their triggers, and a hail of bullets penetrated the approaching figures, the twisted drill bits rolling into the mud and water.
As midnight approached, many onlookers felt 'Isher' was on the brink of losing the patent war.
"The main issue is that Cosades purchased such an effective defense system; no wonder they're not worried."
"If Isher loses, the Edith faction is going to be embarrassed, not to mention their internal corporate fires, but also because they are losing out to the company that defected to Saint Yingo."
"Who is that girl in the rain? I see many important figures standing behind her, and there are many expensive Hover Cars parked around."
"It's not clear in the rain."
The torrents of rain poured from the dark, cloudy sky, only illuminated at the ground by the orange street lights and alarm lights, splashing water around and then flowing along the surfaces.
In this world enveloped by heavy rain, among the ruins of distant buildings, members of Isher's firm were making their last stand. However, everyone felt a sense of despair and madness because that faint energy barrier stood in front of them like an impenetrable barrier, impossible to break through, forcing them to merely watch Cosades members inside tauntingly shooting and spraying flames.
Fire and explosions flared intermittently; the battle continued, yet compared to hours before, it somehow seemed much quieter.
Perhaps there was no longer the same sense of alarm and tension, as if everything was already decided. The young girl brushed aside a lock of hair from her ear and slowly raised her hand.
Suddenly, the heavy rain in the sky stopped, a fierce wind howled, and what was supposed to fall turned instantly into ice grains that scraped across streets and walls with a rustling sound.
The previously blurry world suddenly became clear, and the figure with black hair fluttering was now visible to all.
Her Dailan dress, her sparkling azure eyes, the slowly emerging mark between her brows, and the sharp Ice Blades spreading out below her feet, all aroused wonder. The slender figure standing amidst the icy winds possessed a heart-stopping allure, and a slight chill rose in the hearts of all present.
"That is... that's Hexia, Hexia Tilan!" Someone finally recognized the girl standing in front of the sector barrier and called out in disbelief.
This shout drew many onlookers' gazes, and just then, a green streak of light came from afar, hitting the facility's barrier, causing intense sparks. It was the light of the defense system and a Sharp blade mutual Annihilation.
Soon after, a gust of frenzied wind swept by the crowd, and one could see green figures leaping over street lamps and building tops like Phantoms, rushing towards the facility's barrier. Their extended blades struck against the shield, igniting fierce sparks that tore through the semi-transparent defense system.