Deep-Dweller Murlocs
The transport vehicle sped along the road toward the eastern coast. The closer they got to Linhai Town, the more alarming the sights along the way became.
The road, which should have been smooth and clean, had begun to crack and buckle, as though something heavy had repeatedly smashed into it.
In the fields and woods beside the road, they occasionally saw scorched patches, broken trees, and... monster corpses.
Most were bizarre-looking fish monsters. They had humanoid torsos covered in slimy scales, and their heads looked more like enlarged, distorted fish heads,
with enormous mouths full of sharp teeth and webbing between their fingers and toes.
Some had been hacked into pieces by swords and blades, some had been burned black by spells, and others had been pinned to tree trunks or the ground.
A strange odor began to fill the air, a mixture of sea brine, burnt matter, and a faint scent of blood.
"Deep-Dweller Murlocs. They're low-level monsters commonly found in the Misty Sea, usually between Lv.2 and Lv.5."
Rex looked out the window, his voice low. "Looks like quite a few have wandered out. The Guard Hall and the teams that arrived earlier have already fought them."
The mood in the vehicle grew heavier. Alina silently wiped her bowstring, Karl's fingers tightened slightly as he rested with his eyes closed, and Xiaoguang clutched the holy emblem at his chest, murmuring a prayer.
Su Ran silently studied the wounds on the fish monsters' corpses and the traces of battle around them, his mind racing to analyze their methods of attack: claws, bites, and possibly water-element spells?
And their defensive traits: scales and the possible weaknesses of aquatic creatures. [Knowledge Insight Lv.3] ran passively, gathering every scrap of information that might be useful.
About an hour later, the transport vehicle stopped at a makeshift checkpoint.
From here, they could see rudimentary fortifications, busy medical personnel, and professionals wearing the uniforms of various guilds or the Guard Hall's armor.
"We're here. The forward outpost." Rex was the first to jump out. "Everyone, follow me. We'll report in and get our specific assignment first!"
The group quickly disembarked. Led by Rex, they passed through the somewhat chaotic camp and arrived at a tent bearing a sign that read "Iron Cross Guild temporary command post."
A young man dressed in a guild clerk's uniform received them. After quickly checking the squad's information, he handed them a simple map and mission briefing, his expression grave.
"The situation is worse than expected."
The clerk spoke rapidly. "Linhai Town... has been completely overrun.
"About three days ago, a Fishman horde far larger than expected broke through the outer defenses under the leadership of several high-level monsters and swallowed the town whole.
"The Guard Hall garrison and local awakened suffered heavy losses. Most of the survivors withdrew to several temporary shelters in the rear."
On the map, the marker that had represented Linhai Town had been crossed out with a glaring red X.
In the area around the town, several blue arrows marked known areas of Fishman activity, while red skulls marked suspected high-level monster locations.
"Your mission isn't to enter the town's core area. The monsters occupying it aren't ones you can handle."
The clerk pointed to a stretch of hills near the coastline, about two kilometers from the destroyed town. "Here, a Guard Hall squad is locked in battle with a Lv.10 fish monster Tidecaller and some of its guards.
"They need support, but our main force is tied down by other high-level monsters for now."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the five members of Rex's squad. "Your mission area is here."
His finger moved to a stretch of tidal flats and rocky ground on the flank of the hills. "According to our scouts, there are about a dozen Lv.3 to Lv.5 Deep-Dweller Murlocs, visibly stained with human blood,
"wandering and scavenging in that area. They may be looking for isolated survivors or clearing the battlefield.
"Your squad's objective is to wipe them out, relieve the pressure on the main battlefield's flank, and ensure this area doesn't become a new gathering point for monsters.
"Be warned, they may be especially bloodthirsty and frenzied. Proceed with caution."
A Lv.10 Tidecaller was fighting a fierce battle with a Guard Hall squad not far away...
And they had to face a dozen or so murlocs stained with human blood, possibly in a frenzy.
The mission was difficult, but still within the capabilities of a standard five-person squad—provided they worked seamlessly together.
Rex studied the map carefully and confirmed a few details with the clerk, such as possible retreat routes, allied positions, and communication frequencies.
Then he put the map away and nodded to his teammates. "The mission is clear. Check your equipment. We leave for the target area in five minutes."
Everyone quickly made their final preparations for battle. Su Ran checked his staff, potions, and scrolls, making sure everything was in place.
Five minutes later, the squad left the relatively safe outpost camp and followed a trodden path,
moving swiftly and stealthily toward the rocky tidal flats, where the scents of sea brine and blood hung in the air.
The closer they got to the target area, the stronger the smell of blood became.
Now and then, they could see scattered scraps of human clothing or traces of blood in the mud and gaps between the rocks.
Rex signaled, and the squad slowed down and went into stealth.
Like an agile lynx, Alina silently climbed onto a higher rock. Narrowing her eyes, she raised her longbow and surveyed the area ahead through its sight.
A moment later, she slid down, made several complicated hand signals to Rex, and reported in a low voice, "Targets confirmed.
"Twelve Deep-Dweller Murlocs, scattered among the rocks and shallow pools over an area about two hundred meters across. Two are larger than the others, suspected Lv.5 elites.
"Most have fresh blood on them. They seem to be... rummaging for something."
Rex's gaze turned cold. He signaled for them to prepare to engage, spread out and surround the enemy, and focus fire on the elites first.
Su Ran tightened his grip on the [Mithril Staff], the mithril at its head glowing faintly.
He took a deep breath and suppressed his nerves at taking part in such a brutal extermination mission for the first time. His gaze grew sharp and focused.
The enemy was just ahead.
Rex's orders reached everyone clearly through a low-power directional transmission on the squad channel, avoiding alerting the monsters. "Xiaoguang, prepare [Glimmer Shield], the basic defensive divine spell. Prioritize me and the front line.
"Alina, Karl, lock onto the big one on the left, the suspected Lv.5 elite.
"Su Ran, on my command, get ready to use your headband for crowd control. Target the four ordinary murlocs gathered on the right and interrupt any combined attacks or spells they might use. Everyone else, attack at will and take out the greatest threats first. Move!"
Before he had finished speaking, Rex had already charged out like a bellowing bull!
His heavy tower shield led the way, sending loose stones flying in every direction!
His charge immediately drew the attention of most of the murlocs. A dozen or so pairs of vicious fish eyes turned toward him as they let out harsh, rasping cries.
"Hsskaa...!"