Ultimately, the operational logic of this era of Magic was guided and controlled in ways humans could perceive and understand.
This led to a certain problem.
To secure their dominance, they would probably kill without restraint.
The enemy likely felt no moral burden slaughtering civilians.
"...Enemy forces at Eagle’s Beak Valley have spotted us. Requesting all nearby Investigation Legion members to converge immediately... Get clear...!"
Before the voice could finish, a deafening explosion suddenly roared through the communicator.
Yan Ruoruo frowned and instinctively held the device away from her ear.
The channel had remained open, of course, because they had been maintaining a close distance to the squad carrying out the mission.
As they headed south toward Eagle’s Beak Valley, the signal had even grown stronger.
Mere seconds later, another violent roar erupted from the walkie-talkie.
"We’re almost there."
Interestingly, Su Chen spotted thick plumes of black smoke billowing up from a hilly valley in the distance.
The map in his hand was hardly a perfect survey.
Errors in the markings were inevitable; a slight deviation on the map could mean a difference of several kilometers on the ground.
But with the explosion as a landmark, he had found the so-called Eagle’s Beak Valley.
The two of them flew closer. Looking down from the air, they saw two ochre-red rock ridges rising from the east and west, vaguely forming the shape of a sharp beak.
In the forested hills of an adjacent mountain range, another searing flash of fire suddenly erupted. The ensuing shockwave toppled a stretch of short trees. But it didn’t stop there. Superfine, combustible dust and hot ash billowed outward, triggering a secondary explosion in the air.
’A dust explosion!’
Another circular shockwave burst outward, forcing half of the hidden Investigation Legion squad out into the open.
Before the light from the flames faded, enemy figures were already upon them.
A dozen or so enemy figures charged in from both sides of the smoke and dust, and the sudden sound of gunfire filled the air.
A voice on the comms channel gave an urgent warning: "The signature secondary ignition and dust explosion... that has to be a Three-Star Ashen Warlock from Oran City. At the very least, he’s in the ’Strong’ tier for his Star Level."
Sometimes, once an unofficial standard gains enough consensus, it inevitably forces its way into official recognition.
It’s like when the vast majority of people start pronouncing a word a certain ’wrong’ way; sooner or later, the dictionary accepts it, and the ’mispronunciation’ becomes the new standard.
This system of ’Strong,’ ’Mid,’ and ’Weak’ tiers for the same professional Star Level had clearly become popular within the legions of the Combat Defense Department.
The Ashen Warlock, an advanced profession of the Two-Star Pure Fire Mage, naturally possessed its own unique traits.
"Watch out for the ash dust! Everyone, full-speed evasion! Xiaoluo, Xiaohu, cut in from the western slope immediately! The moment you get a chance, destroy the Teleportation Gate!" The captain’s commands came through the walkie-talkie, accompanied by a deafening barrage of gunfire.
This Xiaoluo and Xiaohu were clearly experts in spatial abilities like tunneling and displacement jumps.
Gazing from a distance, Su Chen even detected the light wave of a warp jump. A flicker of electrical energy ignored the enemy figures and shot directly into Eagle’s Beak Valley.
It was an incredibly dangerous move.
People from Oran City were pouring out of the Teleportation Gate nonstop, so it was bound to be heavily guarded. A move like this was extremely risky.
Then again, with their positions exposed, this understrength, seventeen-person elite investigation squad was already in grave danger. They had no choice but to take the gamble.
"Since we’re here, might as well check out the situation."
Su Chen left Yan Ruoruo behind to provide support, then charged into the lion’s den alone.
VMM!
With two quick warp jumps, his figure, wreathed in fluctuating Light and Dark Particles, crossed two kilometers in an instant. He passed invisibly through several obstacles and descended into the valley.
The scene before him was clear at a glance.
A Teleportation Gate, emitting spatial ripples, stood in the center of the valley floor, surrounded by over thirty armed personnel.
Although they weren’t wearing matching uniforms, some of their equipment, weapons, and even their exposed skin were branded with a skull insignia.
It was clearly a mark of affiliation.
It seemed as though a major gang from Oran City had claimed this Teleportation Gate—one of thirty-six—as their private property, monopolizing access.
In mid-air, several figures flew past Su Chen, completely unguarded and totally unaware of his presence.
In the distance, an assault trooper from the Investigation Legion tried to charge forward but was forced back by heavy fire. He had no choice but to retreat. He was, however, merely a decoy to draw their attention.
As another figure, bending light to move, tried to break through on the flank, they became mired in the air around them.
They had unwittingly sprung a trap.
He had been discovered.
And what’s more...
On a scorched rock in the valley, a man sitting cross-legged slowly opened his eyes. A peculiar Spiritual Fluctuation emanated from his gaze as he looked toward the figure in the air.
"An enemy is here,"
he murmured.
Su Chen, still under the dual effects of Optical Camouflage and the Invisibility Skill, had also been spotted.
In less than an instant, the Three-Star Heart Sword Warlock had already made his move. A mental shockwave, so condensed it was almost tangible, shot out from between his brows. The air rippled violently as the formless impact blasted straight toward Su Chen’s hiding spot.
However, like a tidal wave crashing against a reef, the impact disintegrated silently upon striking a Telekinesis Barrier.
Of course, this action also revealed his position.
Su Chen didn’t even frown. He raised his right hand and unleashed a Strong Thought Burst. An enemy who had just flown past him suddenly had his head cave in. His entire head and upper torso then exploded.

Comments

Loading...