"After that great battle, this cursed place always attracts people foolish enough to come here to explore and scavenge," Herbert said with a hint of derision, as though mocking their foolishness.
"Many have died, and their equipment is scattered everywhere. Old York picks up whatever he can, repairs it, and saves it for those who may need it later."
"No one knows how he survived in this hellhole, especially since the military supply drops are infrequent and often delayed," he paused, looking at the old man, who was still focused on his repairs.
"He survives on scavenged goods and the occasional supplies left by passing teams."
Raine's expression grew serious as he looked closely at the old man.
The man was wearing faded, old military clothes, and his face was covered in deep wrinkles and scars. He was carefully repairing a broken boot. His movements were slow but precise, carrying an odd focus.
A military supply veteran responsible for repairs?
Raine thought.
"People are willing to leave him supplies, not out of pity, but because... he guards this place!" Herbert said solemnly.
"Every person who has made it out of this hell owes him a debt!"
Raine remained silent, feeling a deep respect.
This was no simple supply point; this was a place where a lone guardian had left a glimmer of hope and comfort in a land of death. In this cruel world, where life and death were constantly uncertain, this old man had a steadfast resolve that bordered on faith!
...
Soon, harsh whistle blasts echoed once again.
Black Falcon's figure appeared in the distance.
"Fourth squad, assemble!"
"Second squad, assemble... First squad..."
The soldiers quickly rose, organizing their equipment and lining up.
Aaron and Roderick stood side by side on a slightly elevated mound, their eyes scanning the more than 3,000 vanguard soldiers who had regrouped.
In most of their eyes, the fire of rescuing their comrades was burning brightly!
"Map," Aaron said in a low voice.
A staff officer unfurled a marching map, which marked the path ahead and known danger zones.
Roderick's thick finger pointed directly at a dashed line that almost cut through Sighing Hill.
"This old path is the shortest. Taking the safer detours will add at least ten hours," he said.
"They can't afford to wait!"
Lieutenant Lia immediately stepped forward.
"Captain, Vice-Captain Aaron, this old path cuts right through the heart of the polluted zone!"
"Intel shows that the creatures left in there have undergone unpredictable mutations. They're highly aggressive and extremely volatile."
"Plus, visibility is low, and the terrain is broken. Moving a large force through here will be difficult and highly susceptible to ambushes."
Aaron furrowed his brow as he stared at the map, where a prominent black skull symbol marked the dangerous area.
He looked up at the jagged stone hills ahead, remaining silent.
"I know the risks!"
Roderick scratched his fiery red hair in frustration.
"Damn it, of course, I know! But the frontline warriors are desperately in need of time!"
"I agree with Captain Roderick's idea!"
"What!?"
Lia looked at Aaron in disbelief.
The usually calm and wise man couldn't possibly fail to see how risky this path was!
But Aaron simply spoke in a flat tone.
"If we go around slowly, the Bloodhowl Highlands could have already turned into a slaughterhouse by the time we get there!"
"…"
Orders were quickly given.
The 3,000-strong army was split into tactical units based on squads and teams.
The heavy supply trains were abandoned, leaving only weapons, a small amount of medicine, and rations.
The fourth squad, where Raine was, remained directly under Black Falcon's command, with over 300 soldiers in total.
Herbert led his 34-man team.
"Alright, you lucky bastards!"
Herbert scanned the group, including Raine.
"Check your gear, and stay close to me!"
The formal march began.
Like a series of slender daggers, the group pierced into Sighing Hill's core.
Once they entered the core area, the environment immediately changed.
The air became thick, almost tangible, with every breath carrying a faintly sweet and sickly odor.
The sky was completely veiled by mist, and anything beyond fifty paces was blurred.
The ground was rugged, filled with deep, bottomless cracks, rocky pillars, and massive skeletal remains.
The wind howled through the cracks in the rocks and bones, producing a low, mournful wail, as if spirits were sighing in the air.
Sighing Hill, indeed!
Herbert's team advanced slowly, every step cautious and alert.
Raine's team was positioned in the middle and rear of the squad.
Each person gripped their weapons, every nerve at its highest tension.
The eerie sighing sounds filled the air, interfering with their hearing and sense of direction.
Half an hour into the march, a flash of orange-red fire lit up the sky ahead.
Herbert's expression stiffened.
It was a warning signal from the scouts ahead.
"Stop!"
Herbert raised his fist.
The team immediately froze, taking cover behind nearby rocks and skeletal remains.
The area around them fell into eerie silence.
Suddenly, dark figures charged from the left!
The sound of flying rocks echoed!
A group of shadowy figures rushed straight toward them!
They looked like oversized lizards, their skin covered in flesh tumors and green slime.
Their jagged teeth dripped with corrosive saliva.
What was even more bizarre was that as they moved, their limbs twisted in unnatural ways!
"Mutated Rock Lizards!"
"Scatter! Free attack!"
Herbert bellowed.
He drew a heavy double-edged battle axe from his back.
The battle erupted instantly!
These mutated rock lizards had been corrupted and mutated by pollution, each one roughly between Trainee and Formal-level in strength.
But their crazed aggression and fearless attitude made them far more dangerous than regular alien races!
Moreover, they had some resistance to physical attacks, and their movements were hard to predict.
Herbert cleaved one in half with a single swing of his axe, spilling dark green-black innards all over the ground.
But he was also struck from the side by another rock lizard, stumbling back two steps.
The other team members were also locked in combat.
Even a few Formal-level warriors faced similarly matched opponents.
Kyle's fiery sword swept through, forcing back two lizards.
Without hesitation, Raine charged in, swinging his Ironstrike sword directly at one lizard's neck!
Thwack!
The massive head flew off.
Without a second thought, Raine swung again, striking the forehead of another rock lizard.
It cleaved through its skull, splitting it open!
But despite this, the mutated rock lizard continued to struggle.
It wasn't until Raine delivered another fatal blow that the creature finally stopped moving.
[Kill Mutated Rock Lizard, bloodstone +220]
"It's almost over!"
Raine's eyes gleamed as he charged back into the fray!
An old soldier with a spear pierced the eye socket of one rock lizard with precision.
A female crossbowman, covered by her comrades, fired several quick shots.
But the number of attacking mutated beasts exceeded their expectations!
There was even a hidden cave beneath the rubble slope, from which more mutated rock lizards continuously poured out!
Among them, one particularly large lizard, almost the size of a calf, emerged.
Its back was lined with grotesque bone spurs, and its presence clearly reached Elite level!
"Elite mutated variant!"
Herbert's face changed.
The Elite rock lizard sensed his Elite-level aura and immediately charged toward him with glowing red eyes!
Its speed was far greater than that of the regular rock lizards!
Herbert was Elite 3, while this mutated rock lizard leader's strength was likely above Elite 5!
Combined with its crazed ferocity and invulnerability to pain, it was a terrifying force!
"Captain, be careful!"
A team member shouted.
Herbert gritted his teeth.
The double-edged battle axe glowed with a dull yellow Nex aura as he met the charge!
Clang!
The axe blade collided violently with the bone-spiked head of the rock lizard leader!
Herbert's palms cracked, and the overwhelming force sent him stumbling back. His chest heaved, and his blood surged!
But the rock lizard leader merely shook its head and let out a raspy growl, charging again, claws aimed directly for Herbert's chest!