Chapter 83

Just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the warriors of the Second Squad, who had been sound asleep, were awakened by Suldak to start a new day of reconnaissance.

The demons on Mount Moyun seemed to be conserving their strength. After discovering the traces of the Empire's warriors at the foot of the mountain, the demons did not launch a large-scale search. Instead, they even reduced their daily patrol areas to avoid encountering the Empire's scouts.

Clearly, the demons were preparing to establish a permanent defensive stronghold in the Gandael Mountains of Handanar County to contain the Empire's forces in the forest area.

The demons that entered the Warsaw plane through the Demon Gate had a period of weakness. They were affected by the plane's laws, and their physical strength was suppressed upon entry. Additionally, the air of the Warsaw plane, which was highly toxic to the demons, completely corroded their skin. The demons needed a long adaptation period in this plane.

This was probably the main reason why the demons on Mount Moyun were unwilling to immediately engage in conflict with the Empire's forces.

After consuming two precious offerings, Suldak performed a simple sacrificial ritual and obtained the 'Divine Blessed Body' and the 'Blessed Shield.'

With his newfound powerful abilities, Suldak was ready to proactively seek out the demons in the forest.

He was particularly eager to lead the warriors of the Second Squad out of the camp to hunt lone demon warriors from the patrol teams.

Suldak did not even wait for dawn. He woke up all the sleeping warriors in the tent, had a simple breakfast, and then left the temporary camp, wearing camouflage made from cinnamon branches, to search for demon patrol teams in the area.

The battle with the demons the previous day had boosted the confidence of the Second Squad's warriors. They crossed the dew-covered grass, ignoring the wetness on their pant legs, each one full of energy. No one spoke as they moved, and the only sounds were their footsteps and the rustling of the grass.

The Second Squad first went to the site of the mountain beast's remains. As expected, the huge chest skeleton of the mountain beast, which was as large as a room, had been trampled into pieces by the demons. The sentry branches inserted into the skeleton were also destroyed, and they did not find any lone demons there.

...

Two hours later.

In a valley at the foot of Mount Moyun.

Two warriors of the Second Squad were hiding in a stagnant pond, their heads covered with a bunch of aquatic plants, looking like a group of swamp zombies submerged in the murky mud, quietly watching a patrol team of seven demons pass by the pond.

A slight noise, like a pebble falling into the stagnant pond.

A 'thud.'

The sound was not loud, but the demon at the back of the patrol heard it.

He paused, sensing something.

The demons at the front of the patrol also stopped, coldly watching the last demon. The last demon cautiously approached the pond but found nothing suspicious. The demon patrol continued on its way.

After a few steps, another strange noise was heard, and the last demon stopped again.

The demons at the front of the patrol stopped and returned to the pond, puzzled.

Suddenly, a swamp frog leaped from the other side of the pond and dived into the deep water, making a 'splash.'

The demons ignored the last demon and continued forward.

The last demon, though suspicious, paused for a moment and then quickly caught up with the patrol.

Augustus, hiding in the pond, was about to climb out when he was gently held back by the bearded man next to him.

Augustus, with a short temper, was a traditional academy-trained warrior, while the bearded Kager, before his military service, was a half-skilled ranger who had participated in a local adventure group's outdoor hunting activities.

Kager held back Augustus, preventing him from immediately climbing out of the pond. A moment later, the chaotic footsteps of the demon patrol returned, and they circled the pond but found nothing and left.

Augustus let out a light breath.

Just a moment ago, a demon was standing right in front of him. If the demon had taken one more step, it could have stepped on his face.

Kager stood up from the pond, breathing heavily, letting the mud flow off his body.

He reached out and pulled Augustus out of the pond, saying, "Let's follow them..."

...

In the branches of a lush tree, Red Socks Garcia lay on a horizontal branch, holding a bound white stork, watching the demon patrol pass under the tree.

He was so scared that he dared not even breathe.

As the demons passed under the tree, he held his breath, feeling his heart pounding like a drum.

If he could, Red Socks would have tightly clutched his heart to stop it from beating so loudly, but he couldn't control it.

Finally, when the demon patrol had all passed under the tree, he took out a metal bow and aimed at the last demon, pulling the bowstring.

A faint sense of killing intent made the demon stop and turn to look at the tree where Garcia was hiding...

Red Socks then shot a mountain pear from the tree, and the arrow disappeared instantly. The green pear fell from a height and hit the hard ground, splattering juice.

The last demon, who had been causing trouble, had already aroused the extreme dissatisfaction of the other demons in the patrol.

At this moment, a pear falling from the tree and shattering further drew mocking glances from the demons in front.

The demon patrol ignored the last demon and continued forward.

The last demon hesitated about whether to go back and check, but the tree shook violently again. He wanted to call out to his patrol mates but hesitated and held back, taking a few steps back.

At this moment, a call came from the demon patrol, and the last demon immediately responded.

He pointed to the problematic tree...

A white stork flapped its wings and flew into the blue sky, disappearing from sight.

The demons in the patrol finally lost their last bit of patience and marched forward.

The last demon hurried to catch up but noticed the tree was still shaking.

... So, he stopped, his blood-red eyes fixed on the treetop.

Red Socks lay on the horizontal branch of the tree.

At that moment, under the demon's deathly gaze, he felt a strong urge to urinate.

...

Suldak and He Boqiang, along with the remaining warriors of the Second Squad, were hiding in a mountain hollow.

There was a patch of shrubs, a perfect hiding spot, but they had to lie flat on the damp, slightly moldy ground.

Mixed with the slightly sour fragrance of blueberry bushes, Suldak even thought of the forest behind Wol Village and the beautiful girl who liked to pick blueberries, her sweet lips and clear, blue eyes like a lake...

"Little Dak, I'm always a bit worried. Do you think they can complete the mission?"

Suldak shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions, and asked He Boqiang.

He Boqiang nodded without hesitation.

Seeing He Boqiang's confidence, Suldak's烦躁 suddenly subsided. He turned to He Boqiang and asked, "You trust them so much?"

Before He Boqiang could answer, he saw a figure swinging on a vine, followed by an enraged demon...

He Boqiang pointed to the forest ahead, and Suldak, invigorated, whispered in a full voice,

"Hey, they really did it... Everyone, get ready, prepare for battle!"