<h4>Chapter 253 Defeating the Last Minion</h4>


    As the battle progressed, the Valkyries maintained a safe distance, constantly circling the airspace around Gryphalos. They relied heavily on their advanced targeting systems and the agility of their F-35s to evade the creature''s attacks. Gryphalos, with its enormous wings and ability tounch feathered spikes, proved to be a relentless opponent. But the Valkyries had a n.


    "Valkyrie Leader to all Valkyries. Stay mobile, and don''t let it lock onto you," the Valkyrie Leader instructed over the radio. The pilots acknowledged their voices firm despite the intensity of the situation.


    The Valkyries employed hit-and-run tactics, taking advantage of the F-35''s advanced stealth capabilities and high-speed maneuverability. Each pilot carefully timed their attacks,unching AGM-158 JASSMs (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles) from a distance to avoid the creature''s sonic screech and spike assaults.


    Meanwhile, in themand center, Richard and his team monitored the battle closely. The screens disyed real-time data, including the trajectory of the missiles and the F-35s'' positions. Richard focused on the health bar of the Gryphalos.


    "It''s decreasing, it''s at 40 percent. Continue the press the attack," Richard instructed.


    The Valkyries, upon receiving Richard''s directive, intensified their offensive. The battle strategy was clear: maintain a tactical distance while unleashing a barrage of missiles. This approach allowed them to exploit the F-35''s superior technology and firepower without falling victim to Gryphalos''s deadly sonic attacks.


    The squadron leader, coordinating the attack, issued targetedmands to each pilot. "Valkyries, align for another missile volley. Target its vital points - wings and head. Fire on my mark!"


    As Gryphalos attempted to retaliate, its movements became sluggish, a clear sign that the sustained attacks were taking a toll. The creature''s once intimidating presence was now diminished, its energy visibly drained. Despite its weakened state, Gryphalos managed tounch a few more of its deadly feathered spikes, but the Valkyries, alert and nimble, expertly dodged the iing projectiles.


    "Missiles locked and ready," confirmed Valkyrie Two.


    "On my mark... three, two, one, fire!" the squadron leadermanded.


    A flurry of missiles, their trails lighting up the sky, soared toward Gryphalos. The precision-guided JASSMs found their target, causing a series of powerful explosions upon impact. Gryphalos let out a pained roar as it struggled to maintain altitude, its body riddled with the impacts of the high-explosive warheads.


    Back at themand center, Richard watched the health bar of Gryphalos rapidly decrease. "It''s working, the attacks are effective. It''s down to 20 percent. Stay on it, Valkyries!"


    Encouraged by their sess, the Valkyries prepared for a final assault. The air around Gryphalos was filled with the roar of jet engines and the whistle of missiles. The creature, now severely weakened, could barely defend itself against the onught.


    "Valkyrie Three to Leader, preparing for the final strike," reported Valkyrie Three, lining up his jet for the decisive blow.


    "Confirmed, Valkyrie Three. All units, prepare for the final salvo," the leader ordered.


    As the Valkyries unleashed their final missile barrage, Gryphalos attempted onest desperate counterattack. However, its efforts were futile against the coordinated might of the Valkyrie squadron. The missiles hit their mark with deadly uracy, engulfing Gryphalos in a massive explosion.


    Suddenly–Richard''s notification popped up.


    [Congrattions! You have defeated Gryphalos.]


    [You have received 85,000,000 gold coins and 500,000 experience points.]


    Richard flickered his gaze back at the main screen and watched as the Gryphalos''s body fell down to the ocean, causing a massive ssh that sent waves rippling across the surface.


    In themand center, a collective sigh of relief washed over the room as the tension eased. The staff, visibly exhausted yet satisfied, exchanged looks of aplishment. Richard, with a small nod of approval, turned to address his team.


    "Good work, everyone," Richard pped his hand. "I hope that''s thest of them. Wait a minute, just to be sure. Valkyrie, is there another bogey getting detected on your radar?"


    The Valkyrie leader nced at the radar disy in the F-35''s cockpit, scanning thoroughly for any signs of additional threats. "Eagle, this is Valkyrie Leader. The radar is clear. No additional bogeys detected in our vicinity."


    Richard nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, but let''s not take any chances. Valkyries, I want you to perform a thorough radar sweep of the area of operation. Ensure we''re not missing anything. We can''t afford to be caught off guard."


    "Understood, Eagle. Commencing radar sweep now," the Valkyrie Leader acknowledged.


    The Valkyries began a methodical sweep of the surrounding airspace. Their F-35s, equipped with state-of-the-art radar and sensor systems, were capable of detecting even the most stealthy of threats. The pilots adjusted their flight patterns to cover as much area as possible, their eyes glued to the radar screens.


    As they executed the sweep, Richard and his team continued to monitor the situation from themand center. The staff watched the radar feeds andmunicated with the Valkyries, ensuringprehensive coverage of the search area.


    After several minutes of careful scanning, the Valkyrie Leader reported back. "Eagle, the radar sweep isplete. The area is clear of any potential threats. It seems Gryphalos was the only one."


    Richard sighed in relief but remained cautious. "Good work, Valkyries. Return to base for debriefing. We''ll analyze the data from this encounter and prepare for any future surprises Lin Feng might have in store."


    The Valkyries, relieved but still on high alert, turned their jets back towards base.


    "This is a heck of a day," Richard exhaled.


    ***


    Meanwhile in Japan.


    "They have defeated my summons that easily?" Lin Feng clicked his tongue. "The ckwatch sure is getting stronger by the day."


    "Direct confrontation by you, master, would probably be enough to erase them from existence," Su Xue proposed.


    "I will but not today. We barely have any information of their whereabouts. We have thrashed their bases but it turns out, it was an outpost," Lin Feng said.


    "But we can''t deny their progress, master. More and more of our zombie poption are being erased from existence. We know that the leader of the ckwatch is the same as you, so he is getting a lot of experience points and gold from a single nuclear strike."


    Lin Feng sighed. "Very well. A direct confrontation is what you wanted huh? Well, I''ll give it to them."


    "You are going to end ckwatch?"


    "That''lleter, first I need to get to the Philippines myself and gather information. I will not be sending my women this time."