The last leader of the world starts with an elite infantry squad!

Chapter 1355 Hot Potato

"Reporting to the brigade commander! Based on the preliminary data reported by each battalion and company!" His voice, muffled and urgent, came through the mask.

"As of now, along the entire western wall, the total number of personnel killed or seriously wounded and rendered incapacitated has conservatively exceeded two hundred! The 3rd and 5th Infantry Battalions, which directly faced the first wave of attack and the climb, suffered the greatest losses, with some forward platoons losing more than half their personnel!"

"In terms of artillery fire, the Xu Jin barrage was very effective, temporarily curbing the enemy's close-range assault and clearing the main threat area 150 to 300 meters outside the wall."

"However... due to the close impact, the shock wave and flying fragments caused varying degrees of shock injuries, ruptured eardrums, or shrapnel injuries to seventeen of our city wall defenders. Two crenellations were slightly loosened, and a heavy machine gun temporarily malfunctioned due to the vibration and is currently under repair."

"Ammunition consumption is alarming! The consumption of all types of ammunition has reached nearly 30% of the pre-war reserves! Especially heavy machine gun and anti-aircraft artillery ammunition! Hand grenades, rocket launchers, and mortar shells are also being consumed in large quantities! Some companies have reported a shortage of anti-armor and assault ammunition!"

"Currently, the morale of the various units... is still manageable, but fatigue and tension are spreading. The brief boost from the shelling is fading."

The major paused, his voice lower, trembling almost imperceptibly:

"Furthermore... according to reports from forward observation posts, after the fungal beast horde was shelled, reinforcements continued to arrive about 500 meters behind it, and... there were signs of more large units gathering, the specific models and threats of which are unknown."

"The spore cloud stagnation phenomenon has also been confirmed, with the observatory reporting an abnormal increase in the frequency of 'creeping' and 'luminescence' within the cloud."

...

As the staff reported, each piece of data was like a cold needle, trying to pierce through the thick protective gear and pierce Zhao Jie's heart.

Casualties, attrition, unknown threats... all signs indicate that this defensive battle is rapidly sliding into the abyss of a war of attrition.

They are the ones with limited resources and no way out.

Zhao Jie paused slightly as he climbed the last step of the city wall, his gas mask turning as he surveyed the scene before him.

The air was thick with the strange smell of gunpowder, mixed with blood, burnt odor, and a sweet, fishy smell, which could be faintly detected even through the high-efficiency filter.

Figures rushed across the wall, medics shouted as they carried the wounded, engineers repaired damaged fortifications, and soldiers leaned against the crenellations, seizing every second to check their weapons or simply panting heavily. Every face was covered by the same gas mask, and only their eyes and movements revealed exhaustion, smoke and dust, and the numbness of surviving a catastrophe.

In the distance, the hellish scene outside the wall, ravaged by artillery fire, was clearly visible under the searchlights; the wreckage was still burning, and fluorescent slime was slowly flowing.

Further away, the stagnant, churning dark purple clouds resembled a malignant tumor hanging overhead, constantly multiplying and radiating a silent yet immense sense of oppression.

Zhao Jie took a deep breath, and the filter canister emitted a clear hissing sound as it began to intake air.

He walked to a relatively intact section of the battlements, raised his binoculars with his heavily gloved hands, adjusted the focus, and looked beyond the city wall, at the death zone that had been briefly cleared but would inevitably be filled again, and at the endless, restless glowing light deeper inside.

Behind the mask, the last trace of youthful naiveté and hesitation on the young brigade commander's face completely vanished, leaving only an icy calm and a resolute determination.

His breathing, steady and deep, came through the mask, contrasting sharply with the chaos around him.

"Order!"

He spoke, his voice, filtered through the mask's filter, carrying a distinctive, dull metallic quality, clearly reaching the ears of the staff officer behind him:

"First, the casualty figures and ammunition consumption should be immediately compiled and reported to the military sub-district and then forwarded to the theater command, with the highest priority! Emphasize that we urgently need air resupply and any possible long-range fire support!"

"Second, notify the logistics and garrison troops in the city to spare no effort and organize manpower to transport all available ammunition, especially heavy weapon ammunition, to the front line! Carry it by hand and push it by cart! I want to see ammunition continuously delivered to the city walls!"

"Third, all battalions and companies, readjust your deployment, reduce the number of overly prominent firing positions, strengthen flank cover and reserve forces. Tell all soldiers that the most difficult phase is yet to come; conserve ammunition, improve firing accuracy, and only by staying alive can you continue fighting!"

"Fourth, notify the air defense units and all air observation posts to keep a close watch on that 'cloud' in the sky! Report any unusual activity, even the slightest bit, immediately!"

"in addition……"

At this point, Zhao Jie put down his binoculars, turned his mask to the operations staff officer beside him, who was covered in gunpowder smoke, also masked, and had a determined look in his eyes, and slowly said:

“Tell the brothers, I, Zhao Jie, am right here, on the wall, with them.”

"Four hours...we must hold on!"

He didn't say anything more to boost morale, but his deep, clear, and firm voice, coming through the mask, and the image of the brigade commander himself on the front lines, standing with them on the most dangerous wall, were more powerful than any slogan.

The staff officer stood at attention, raised his hand in salute, and his hazmat suit rustled as he replied, "Yes, sir!"

Zhao Jie nodded, his mask moving almost imperceptibly, perhaps from the slightest nod.

"Oh, and get Gu Yun, the political instructor of the reconnaissance battalion, here right now!"

Thinking of Gu Chengyun, Zhao Jie's complex emotions intensified. He had initially thought that proximity would give him an advantage, but now it seemed like a hot potato...

It's difficult...