Clang! Clang! Clang!
In the pitch-dark mine shafts, a group of people with gaunt faces, emaciated bodies, and black crystals growing on their skin were swinging their pickaxes.
Among this group, aside from young and middle-aged men, there were also a considerable number of elderly, women, and children. Perhaps their ages differed, but here, they shared a common identity.
That is, the Infected!
In fact, whether they were infected before being captured by that Inspection Team or not, after arriving at the mine, even those who were uninfected would become Infected after staying for a while.
Every time the mine was short on manpower, they did this.
Innocent? How could the innocence of others compare to the meat in their mouths?
This was the fate the Infected deserved. Their stubborn views had always been like this, never wavering.
But today, the atmosphere in the mine shafts was slightly different.
Under the faint glow of a few candle flames, the usual numb expressions in the eyes of the Infected were gone, replaced by a glimmer of hope and worry.
They gathered together, with no one coming to drive them apart.
There were no overseers in the mine shafts. Those vampires calculated based on the total amount of ore submitted by each shaft. If the quota wasn't met, everyone in the entire shaft would go without food, so the overseers weren't afraid they wouldn't work.
As for resistance? Don't be ridiculous. How could a bunch of mud-legged peasants who couldn't even eat their fill have the strength to resist an army armed with Ursus standard-issue weapons?
So the overseers didn't like staying in the stinking mine shafts.
"Is what you said... true?"
The old man's voice trembled as he confirmed once again with the man crouching beside him. He—no, they—could no longer endure...
"The guerrilla force... will come to save us?"
"...To be precise, it's to liberate this mine. After that, we will distribute enough food to you. What happens afterward will depend on yourselves."
The man's build was noticeably larger than the others', perhaps also because he had spent less time here.
In response to the old man's question, the man fell silent for a moment before correcting his statement. No one could lightly speak of salvation; what the guerrilla force could achieve was also very limited.
"That's good... that's good..."
For those who had fallen into the abyss, they could no longer ask for more.
"It's about time. Go notify the people in the other shafts."
The man had a luminous watch wrapped around his wrist. He had Originium Arts related to concealment. Although hiding his entire body might be somewhat difficult, he could still bring in some small items.
"Remember, as soon as the signal lights up, act immediately. The strong and healthy go first, followed by the elderly, weak, women, and children. Understood?"
"Yes."
No one understood the secretly dug underground passages better than these suffering people. As the message spread through the interconnected shafts, intense emotions seemed to turn these shafts into powder kegs. Just a single spark would be enough to bury everyone above!
And the Ursus military police sleeping atop these powder kegs remained completely unaware.
——
As an Originium firework exploded in the sky, its crimson flames seemed to herald the main theme of tonight: bloodshed!
Almost simultaneously, the Infected within the mine, the Shieldguards who had lain dormant for so long, and the Casters from the guerrilla force all erupted in rebellion. This instantly threw the entire mine into chaos.
"Ad—vance!"
Under the cover of the Casters, the Shieldguards easily crushed the military police's defensive lines. The internal rebellion further overwhelmed them. Many Ursus military police were crushed by the Shieldguards' heavy formations while still asleep.
One by one, ragged miners also swung their pickaxes as they surged from underground. Their eyes burned with madness and fury—the long-suppressed emotions now rebounding completely. The target of their pickaxes was no longer the hard ore in the shafts but the fragile skulls of the Inspection Team and military police.
Fire! Crimson flames and blood ignited the sky above the mine. The sounds of battle cries and wails intertwined. On this "battlefield," no one could remain aloof!
"Damn it! Where are those garrison troops?! Get them over here for defense! What are their scouts doing?! How could they let the guerrilla force sneak up here without any warning?!"
The highest-ranking officer in the mine was disheveled and grim-faced as he roared at his assistant.
"Sir! The Fourth Corps says they're under attack by enemy main forces and can't get here anytime soon!"
The assistant's face looked worse than if he were crying.
"What?!"
——
Vernulevsky Mine temporary garrison, Fourth Garrison Corps.
At this moment, this place had not been spared either. The flames of war swept through every corner.
Clang! Boom!
The sharp spears of Ursus assault troops struck against the large shields of the Shieldguards, producing a piercing metallic clang!
War Casters projected firepower remotely through drone guidance.
The only two large Ursus flying "toilets" were also pushed out. Their quad rotors stirred up air currents as they hovered in the sky, pouring firepower frantically onto the advancing Shieldguards.
Even though caught off guard by the enemy, the Fourth Garrison Corps still displayed the excellent combat discipline of Ursus legions.
If it were an ordinary enemy, even with such a surprise attack, they would likely have been crushed by this torrential counterattack.
But they were facing a guerrilla force! And one that had just left regular army service under Patriot not long ago, with minimal losses!
The Shieldguards pressed forward under bombardment from spells and drones, each step steady and resolute. In their silent advance, terrifying pressure blanketed down upon the Fourth Garrison Corps. Only those facing them directly could understand this feeling most profoundly.
"Mon... monsters!"
A Caster gritted his teeth, frantically pushing his Arts to their limits. Spell after spell traced perfect arcs as they fell toward the Shieldguard formation.
Hum! Hum! Hum!
When the Shieldguards advanced to a certain distance, hundreds of dazzling lights lit up within their formation!
These were spell lights! The Ursus assault troops at the forefront realized in horror that those damned guerrilla shield formations also concealed War Casters!
Their hair stood on end! But there was no escape for them now. Hundreds of scorching spells completely engulfed them.
"Advance!!!"
The tall pure-blood Wendigo let out a battle roar. His halberd thrust forward, skewering three elite Imperial vanguards like candied haws on a stick before violently hurling them into the air and sweeping them apart at their waists.
Crimson blood splattered onto his standard-issue Shieldguard shield, armor, and helmet, adding another layer of ferocity to his already demonic appearance.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Bombardment continued, hindering the Shieldguards' advance. The flying "toilets," or rather, Empire's Artillery Hub Harbingers!
A red light flashed within Patriot's helmeted eye sockets as he raised his halberd high above his shoulder.
Bang!
A terrifying shockwave blasted away the surrounding soil layers. This cold weapon struck a Harbinger like an artillery shell in an instant. Its exaggerated power ignored that thick armor capable of withstanding most spells.
It exploded into a brilliant crimson firework in the sky!
Just as Patriot picked up another halberd, another Harbinger suddenly exploded.
Scorching flames illuminated the air, shimmering brightly against the night sky.
Kevin looked over from afar and met Patriot's gaze briefly before nodding. The lingering flames on his Judgement of Shamash had just faded.
Chapter Ten: Yelena
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The cold wind howled like an arctic breath carrying thick, sharp ice pillars.
Following Kevin's hand gesture, they shot toward hundreds of charging Ursus assault troops.
Thud!
Blood sprayed but was instantly frozen by extreme cold. From a distance, it looked as if countless crimson death flowers had bloomed on those ice pillars—eerie and chilling!
Kevin strolled across the battlefield. The pervasive low temperatures around him kept Shieldguards at a considerable distance. So naturally, he wouldn't receive support from comrades-in-arms.
Of course, he didn't need it either.
Ignoring the rigid corpses pierced by ice pillars around him, he strode forward. In just a blink for an Imperial vanguard soldier, that ghostly figure abruptly appeared right before him.
The Imperial vanguard instinctively thrust forward with his tactical blunt spear, but a jade-white hand easily stopped him.
In that next moment, endless chill swallowed his consciousness.
No—not just him. War Casters, Imperial vanguards—all soldiers on the entire western flank of the defensive line turned into ice sculptures within that Catastrophe-like cold wave.
A terrifying ice storm tore through all life on the western front; even clouds in the sky seemed stirred by it.
Truly—a walking Catastrophe!
Everyone who witnessed this scene couldn't help but think so.
"Wasn't our operational objective... containment?"
Lemontov, responsible for tactical arrangements, was dumbfounded. With this commotion... wasn't it more than enough to wipe out everything on the western flank?
Patriot's red eye lights also contracted sharply beneath his helmet. But he didn't say anything; instead, his movements in killing enemies became faster. His demonic figure nearly shattered enemy morale entirely.
"Lemont... objective... changes... with battle situation."
Patriot's voice snapped Lemontov out of his daze; his gaze gradually turned resolute and firm.
Ursus profanity it! Annihilation battle it is then! What's there to fear?
As operational objectives shifted subtly within Shieldguard formations...
Seeing that god-like figure dominating western battlefield inspired Shieldguards further; after fierce fighting situation became almost completely one-sided.
——
"Captain... most enemy forces have been annihilated."
Scout reported while unable to resist glancing at white-haired man standing nearby swallowing nervously
Anyone seeing those ice sculptures covering nearly half battlefield probably couldn't remain calm before this man
When Captain still served within Ursus army groups he originally thought Captain was among strongest warriors on this land never expecting existence surpassing such scale
Moving hands altering weather Catastrophe-like power concentrated within single person any language used describe scene he witnessed felt utterly hollow
"Mmm... leave... two Shieldguard squads... clean battlefield... collect supplies others... support mine"
"Yes"
Patriot silently glanced at Kevin According original plan guerrilla force should have suffered greater losses this operation
But today's results unexpectedly good looking back now fighting Kevin back then didn't seem bad either
Using ancient Yan saying perhaps this called "misfortune may prove blessing"?
"Thank... you"
"No need words this part transaction"
Facing Wendigo's thanks Kevin expression didn't change slightest speaking most indifferent tone
"One map... insufficient... payment"
Patriot didn't think single marching map worth such assistance
"Value obtained should be defined by me"
Kevin waved hand Patriot fell silent
——
"Everyone charge!"
"Beat these black bugs!"
Inspection Team members faces dark as pot bottoms these damned Infected actually rebelled collectively outside garrison personnel also simultaneously plunged into fierce battle
How could world have such coincidence?
Must be someone colluding with guerrilla force!
But now they had no time care about rebellion masterminds just using weapons stained Infected blood frantically suppress these anger-filled Infected miners
Their weapons certainly more powerful than broken pickaxes but numbers became fatal weakness
Even if Inspection Team had dozens military-grade single crossbows couldn't deter these Infected miners minds filled rage
Crossbowmen soon smashed meat paste countless pickaxes
Outside garrison forces couldn't provide reinforcements now either entire mine now chaotic mess
"You lowly peasants wouldn't it better just work yourselves death mine shafts?!"
Both sides already bloodlusted eyes red
Suddenly Inspection Team squad Amiya spotted young Amiya girl black crystals arm clearly marking her Infected status
Amiya girl seeing herself targeted didn't panic either full alert hugging pickaxe taller than herself long-term malnutrition left body frail thin seemingly blow wind could knock over
Squad Amiya grinned drawing military blade slashing toward girl
Clang!
Pickaxe blocked but only once
Physical disparity overwhelming
Just single strike girl's weapon resistance cut apart
When military blade swung again girl pupils nearly contracted pinpoints seeming see own death approaching
Squad Amiya also seemed see girl brains splattering gruesome scene bringing twisted heart sense killing pleasure!
At critical moment sudden stirring appeared Yelena heart skin Originium fragments seemingly beginning burn hot
Unconsciously she reached toward squad Amiya wisp frost like clinging maggot rapidly spreading toward him along broken pickaxe handle
"Originium Arts?!"
Squad Amiya startled just instant half palm frozen necrotic reacted swiftly throwing away military blade
"Damn it!"
As if angered girl resistance casually grabbed weapon beside comrade corpse
Originium Arts so what? Infected child how many times could she cast?
Indeed thinking not wrong just once girl already depleted stamina nearly drained dry
Facing squad Amiya another attack Yelena seemed finally reached dead end
But precisely then huge shadow enveloped Inspection Team squad Amiya
Military blade caught armored hand squad Amiya looked up surprised meeting Wendigo crimson gaze directly
Bang!
Dark halberd shaft directly broke squad Amiya waist making body twist unnaturally corpse like oil painting splattering blood wall mural
Saved! Amiya girl realized
Even though Wendigo before her aura far more ferocious than squad Amiya massive build more oppressive
Yet she felt sense security eyes those eyes wouldn't lie
Though hard see clearly through helmet she trusted intuition
Almost moment thought emerged tense spirit slightly relaxed weakness fatigue instantly flooded body occupying consciousness
Already frail collapsed ground stirring few snow dust motes
She struggled keep eyes open stand up fragile body simply wouldn't obey Wendigo slightly crouched toward her
Click—
Patriot removed own cold hard arm guard exposing arm frigid air crouched picking child up
Cold! So cold!
First sensation picking child instantly exactly this
Not due weather but because Arts made child body temperature abnormal ordinary just contact already froze hand stiff but he didn't care
Yelena looked Patriot confused gaze like exquisite fragile doll
——————
[Broken Pickaxe]
Effect: Enemy target movement speed -10%, attack speed -20
Description: A broken pickaxe metal head still carries unmelted ice representing little Amiya spirit resistance