Chapter 82

In just two days, nearly 300 warriors of the Fourth Battalion had cleared a forest path on the north side of a narrow corridor five kilometers west of Mount Moyun.

The Second Squad arrived at the eastern end of the forest path and saw a group of heavily armored infantry warriors, drenched in sweat, swinging their logging axes to cut down birch and maple trees, which were 20 to 30 meters tall, at the base.

In this area, the forest was sparsely populated with oak, chestnut, and yellow pine trees, which were not as hard as the hardwoods. The work of clearing the forest path proceeded smoothly, with each warrior of the Fourth Battalion responsible for a ten-meter section. This high-intensity logging task required the warriors to work at least twelve hours a day to ensure they completed their assigned tasks.

Under the high pressure from Baron Sidney, the Fourth Battalion managed to clear a forest path seven kilometers long in just two days.

Seeing the Second Squad emerge from the forest, covered in leaves for camouflage, the heavily armored infantry warriors who were logging looked at them with envy.

One warrior stopped swinging his logging axe and greeted Suldak familiarly:

"Hey, Suldak, how's it going at Mount Moyun?"

Suldak, walking at the front, looked down and, upon seeing someone greet him, signaled for the squad to continue moving along the forest path. He stopped and said to the warrior:

"We found a patrol of demons at the foot of Mount Moyun. Have you seen Baron Sidney, Kregi?"

Kregi, the warrior, pointed forward along the forest path and said:

"Baron Sidney seems to be over there..."

Hobong, following behind Suldak, saw Kregi's lazy demeanor and understood that he was a seasoned soldier in the infantry.

Suldak didn't want to chat much and, before leaving, said to Kregi, "Even when cutting trees, you need to be careful. Demons might appear at any time. I'll go report the situation to Baron Sidney..."

Before he could finish speaking, Suldak started to walk away.

Unexpectedly, Kregi grabbed him.

"Wait, Suldak, as a fellow townsman, when you see Baron Sidney, could you ask if they need more people for the patrol missions..."

Kregi smiled and said to Suldak.

Suldak responded with a faint smile.

Seeing that Suldak didn't immediately agree, Kregi took a few quick steps, grabbed Suldak's arm, and complained:

"I really envy your squad getting assigned external missions. Look at us, our hands are full of blisters, and we have to cut trees from morning till night. Even the loggers in the forest haven't experienced such hard days."

Suldak stopped and, with a serious expression, said to Kregi:

"Kregi, do you really want to take on an external duty?"

Kregi, with a flattering smile, raised one hand and said:

"Absolutely, I can swear to the Statue of Liberty..."

Big-bearded Kager, a believer in the Earth Goddess, passing by, heard Kregi and stopped, looking puzzled:

"Kregi, don't you always believe in the Earth Goddess?"

Kregi's face fell, and he looked embarrassed, unable to speak.

Suldak glanced at Kregi without showing any emotion and then said, "I'll mention this to Baron Sidney. And there's a good opportunity now. The 17th Squad, which was on duty in the neighboring area, was just wiped out by a demon patrol. That area now needs a squad, and I think Baron Sidney will agree."

Upon hearing that they had encountered demons in the forest, Kregi's face turned very pale.

He stepped forward, intending to talk more with Suldak, but at this moment, Suldak had already taken large strides and moved forward.

"Hey, hey! Suldak, please wait, I think we can talk more..."

...

Upon hearing Suldak's report, Baron Sidney quickly gathered the five company commanders and held a simple meeting on the newly cleared forest path.

Suldak did not have the chance to listen to this impromptu meeting. After the Second Squad resupplied, they once again entered the dense forest.

Following Baron Sidney's orders, they had to hold their position in the forest at the foot of Mount Moyun for two more days. The Fourth Battalion, at their current logging speed, would need at least two more days to cross the mountain and meet up with the Second Battalion.

Returning to the monitoring area at the foot of Mount Moyun, they left a large number of chaotic, giant footprints in the forest but found no demons.

Suldak led the Second Squad back to the battlefield and discovered that, apart from the bloodstains on the ground, the bodies of the fallen warriors had completely disappeared.

The Second Squad returned to the temporary camp, which was in a crevice under a large rock. After a day and night of hard work, everyone was exhausted. Red Socks and a new recruit were on watch, while the other warriors rested in the tents.

Suldak, lying on a hyena skin mat, couldn't sleep and woke up Hobong, sitting up and crossing his legs. He said to Hobong, "Dak, do you think we have the ability to kill demons now?"

Hobong was initially a bit confused but became more alert upon hearing the word "demons."

Suldak turned and brought in a leather bag hanging outside the tent. He opened it, and inside were four sacrificial-grade magical beast heads. The weather was a bit warm, and these heads had only been treated with a simple preservative, so they emitted a faint odor of decay.

"Can you use these sacrifices to grant us stronger abilities?"

Hobong nodded.

"I want to try hunting a lone demon from the patrol..."

Hobong stared at Suldak, realizing he wasn't joking.

"Do you think this idea is feasible?"

Suldak asked in a low voice.

Hobong nodded and then picked up two magical beast heads, pulling Suldak out of the tent and immediately setting up the ritual array required for the 'Sacrifice Ceremony.'

"Hey, Dak, shouldn't the sacrifice ceremony be held before the battle?"

Hobong thought, how could there be time for that!

He waved his hand at Suldak, indicating that it wasn't necessary.

After setting up the ritual array, Hobong stood in the center and silently recited the prayer. A shadow of a demon god appeared before Hobong. This time, Hobong offered two magical beast heads as sacrifices to the demon god. As the sacrifices turned into points of starlight in the flames, a force surged into Hobong's body.

Hobong silently recited:

'God's Blessed Body'

'Blessing Shield'

Two golden beams of light descended from the sky, enveloping Suldak, who was somewhat bewildered. Golden runes appeared on Suldak's body, and a faint six-pointed star array rose beneath his feet...

After granting Suldak two buffs, the sacred power that surged into Hobong's hands did not completely dissipate.

So, Hobong tried to apply it to his own chest, and a golden beam of light enveloped his entire body. Instantly, Hobong felt the power of 'God's Blessed Body' again.

Suldak seemed to feel that power. He stretched his arms and asked Hobong excitedly, "How long will this effect last? The effect of the True Eye doesn't last long."

He drew his Roman sword from his waist and swung it forcefully, the power filling his body, making the sword swing with a sharp whistling sound.

Seeing Hobong extend three fingers, Suldak said eagerly:

"You mean the magical effect from the ritual can last three hours? Should we quickly find a lone demon?"

Hobong shook his head and re-extended three fingers.

Suldak, half-jokingly, asked, "Did I guess wrong? If it's not three hours, could it be three days?"

Before Suldak could finish speaking, Hobong nodded at him...

Suldak looked at Hobong in a daze, swallowing the rest of his words.

...

Note:

'God's Blessed Body' increases all physical attributes, providing strong recovery and endurance. Additionally, it slightly boosts strength and agility.

'Blessing Shield' enhances the shield with magical power, absorbing impact and increasing blocking effectiveness.