Chapter 77

The mission of the Second Squad was to investigate the movements of the demons in Mount Skyreach and to find a suitable place for the main force to camp at the foot of the mountain, to avoid the infantry regiment clearing the forest path from encountering the demons.

Baron Sidney detailed the patrol areas of each squad on a simple sheepskin map.

Suldac's squad was responsible for reconnaissance and monitoring in the southwestern part of Mount Skyreach, less than five kilometers from the main force of the Fourth Regiment clearing the forest path. However, the mountainous terrain with ravines and valleys made this stretch of the mountain path extremely difficult to navigate. The Fourth Regiment wisely chose to avoid this complex area when clearing the forest path.

The Second Squad could not wander around aimlessly like a headless fly in this dangerous forest area; if they encountered demons, they would have no chance to escape.

Cinnamon branches have a spicy scent that demons detest. This was discovered by a scout in Duke Ryan's Busman Legion and is now widely used by reconnaissance soldiers. However, cinnamon branches are not easy to find.

In the forests of the Gandaur Mountains, it is rare to see large-scale cinnamon groves. This time, the warriors of the Second Squad were fortunate; when warrior Augustus passed through a forest, he unexpectedly found a cinnamon tree. As a result, almost every member of the squad covered themselves with cinnamon branches as camouflage.

He Boqiang lay in the grass on a slope, with two new recruits crouched beside him, their eyes wide open, watching the situation below the slope.

At the bottom of the slope, there was a not-so-wide exit. After reconnaissance by the squad members, they discovered that this was the only way to enter Mount Skyreach in this area. Suldac decided that the Second Squad would hide here to monitor the movements of the demons in Mount Skyreach.

Suldac divided the warriors into three groups.

Suldac, He Boqiang, and two new recruits formed the first group.

Red Socks, Big Beard, Augustus, and a fellow warrior formed the second group.

The remaining five warriors formed the third group.

The three groups formed a cross-monitoring network in this area. Although the surrounding area was densely forested, they could still communicate from the top of the slope.

A three-meter-long pine-striped fleshy-crested lizard darted through the grass at the bottom of the slope, fleeing in the opposite direction of Mount Skyreach.

The pine-striped fleshy-crested lizard is a rare low-level magical beast, most skilled in the 'Stone Skin' spell, which makes it look and feel like a rock. This lizard has strong endurance and can survive for half a month without food or water while hiding in rock crevices, appearing like a large rock stuck in the crevice.

This lizard is not aggressive but has highly toxic teeth and usually preys on small forest animals.

Unexpectedly, this lizard, which is most skilled in camouflage and hiding, also chose to leave Mount Skyreach at this time.

The lizard's skin is highly sought after by the small lords of the Green Empire, making it a rare and valuable target for many adventure groups. When it appeared in the Second Squad's line of sight, it caused a stir among the second group of warriors.

Augustus on the distant slope signaled to Suldac, requesting permission to hunt the fleshy-crested lizard.

Suldac considered it seriously and thought it was a rare opportunity. He decided to take a chance, leaving the two new recruits to keep watch on the slope. If any demons approached, they were to give a warning in advance. Suldac then pulled He Boqiang and ran down the slope.

The pine-striped fleshy-crested lizard seemed to have a premonition of danger. As soon as there was a slight movement on the slope, the lizard at the bottom of the slope quickly fled towards a pile of rocks several hundred meters away. Despite its large size, it ran with great agility, its four legs moving smoothly like a land boat, each step propelling it forward.

Suldac did not expect the lizard to be so alert. By the time He Boqiang reached the bottom of the slope, the lizard had already burrowed into the pile of rocks.

At this moment, Augustus, Red Socks, and Big Beard ran over from the other side of the hill. Seeing the lizard burrow into the pile of rocks, they all gathered around the rock pile.

Red Socks and Big Beard held alloy bows, guarding the east and west sides of the rock pile. If the pine-striped fleshy-crested lizard ran out of the rock pile, it would enter their range. Given the lizard's large size, it would be difficult to avoid being shot by the two half-skilled archers.

However, after searching the rock pile thoroughly, the most embarrassing thing happened: the lizard was nowhere to be found.

"Search..."

Suldac spat on a boulder and instructed his four subordinates.

Augustus, holding a Pagliu spear, was the first to jump onto the boulder, thrusting the spear into a rock. Sparks flew as the spear tip hit the rock, and a piece of rock broke off, but it was not the lizard. Augustus shouted, "Red Socks, it's my turn to mark it, not this one..."

Indeed, the best way to find the lizard hidden in the rock pile was to use a carpet search method, eliminating each rock one by one.

He Boqiang followed Suldac and drew his Roman sword, preparing to strike the boulder.

But Suldac stopped him, "Are you crazy? How can you use a newly forged Roman sword like this? Do you want to ruin the blade? Red Socks, get your axe out..."

"Captain, this is...!"

Red Socks stood on the rock, looking like a bitter gourd.

"What's the problem? If the blade breaks, go back to the camp and get a new one from the logistics department!"

Suldac glared.

"Yes, Captain!"

Red Socks quickly responded.

*Bang...*

*Bang bang...*

The white granite in the rock pile was not abundant. One strike of the axe on a rock was enough to determine if it was the lizard. Each cracked rock was marked with charcoal. After half an hour, nearly half of the rocks in the pile were marked.

He Boqiang, standing on two rocks with moss growing in the crevices, rubbed his sore shoulders. The wooden handle of his axe was cracked from the strong vibrations, and the blade was severely damaged. Since his promotion, He Boqiang had not fully adapted to his increased strength. Now, swinging the axe with all his might, the blade was completely worn down, making it look more like a hammer.

As he struck the axe against a nearby boulder, He Boqiang suddenly felt the boulder beneath his feet tremble. Upon closer inspection, a faint magical aura emanated from the rock, clearly indicating the presence of the pine-striped fleshy-crested lizard, with one of his feet on its head.

At this moment, the lizard's body showed no pattern, its skin blending perfectly with the surrounding rocks, even the mottled marks on its skin were identical.

Having made this discovery, He Boqiang did not immediately disturb the lizard but signaled to the others to gather around him.

Augustus, the closest to He Boqiang, rushed over with his Pagliu spear and asked, "Dac, what's going on?"

He Boqiang pointed to the unusual rock under his feet. Augustus then noticed the rock.

Augustus raised his spear with both hands and thrust it down with all his might at the rock under He Boqiang's feet. Sparks flew, and the rock cracked, revealing flesh and blood inside. However, due to Augustus's limited strength, the spear only pierced the lizard's back, not causing substantial damage.

The boulder beneath his feet suddenly flipped, causing He Boqiang to lose balance and fall backward.

The lizard's mouth, filled with venomous teeth, suddenly opened and lunged at He Boqiang's left foot.

He Boqiang felt the lizard pounce and, without hesitation, swung the axe at it. The axe struck the lizard's mouth, and the lizard bit off the axe head. The lizard's head then whipped around, breaking the axe handle, and its mouth opened again...