Chapter 190
He remained unperturbed, simply looking down at the five Inner Guards. He ignored their pleas for mercy and their demands.
Being under the massive, sky-blocking rocks put immense psychological pressure on the Inner Guards.
One of the Inner Guards gritted his teeth and actually broke free from the Black Mist, fleeing south without regard for his image.
Seeing that the mysterious man didn't react, the other four hesitated for a moment before turning and running away. They knew they couldn't win a fight anyway, so they figured they might as well run as far as they could.
Shi Lei noticed the Inner Guards' movements but did not stop them. Even if the attack range was reduced to within one kilometer, it wasn't something one could simply run away from.
He made his move after the fireball had left the area covered by the Planet Befall.
The massive Planet Befall lost control and plummeted rapidly under its own gravity. At the center of its impact point lay the Inner Guards had escaped two or three hundred meters away.
"Oh no! Assemble immediately!"
Knowing there was no escape, the five Inner Guards quickly gathered together. They roared frantically, releasing large amounts of Black Mist from their Combat Suit, attempting a desperate last stand.
"Aaaaaaah!"
The falling Planet Befall was like a palm strike from the sky. No matter how thick the Black Mist around the Inner Guards was, it couldn't withstand such a simple blow.
"Aaaaaaah!"
When the one-square-kilometer Planet Befall touched the Black Mist that repeatedly overlapped the five Inner Guards, it effortlessly crushed their proud 'absolute defense'.
"Bang!!!"
The deafening roar of the falling Planet Befall could be heard several kilometers away. Only then did Shi Lei begin to exert his strength, controlling the Planet Befall to continue pressing downwards. The soil, less solid than rock, began to sink inch by inch, and the density of the soil and gravel underground became increasingly compacted due to gravity.
Planet Befall fall to earth, all beings are equal.
Shi Lei estimated that the area below had become a giant abyss, but he had no intention of withdrawing Planet Befall. He would leave it here and let the bodies of the Inner Guards be sealed there forever.
All the Rhodes Island and guerrilla members who had escaped the attack range stared blankly at the towering mountain that had suddenly appeared before them.
Silence.
A long silence followed.
No birds were seen flying in the sky, only the blazing sun shining down.
Some breathed a sigh of relief as if they had survived a disaster, while others collapsed to the ground, their legs giving way. Some wondered if they were dreaming, while others lost control of their bladder without realizing it.
Five Inner Guards, wiped out in one move?
Talulah pale, feeling as if her worldview was being repeatedly struck and churned by the thick, heavy stick of reality.
How could this be?
How could a human possibly do that?
Unless... he is a god who exists in legends and stories, and lived on this land much earlier.
"Guerrillas, listen to my command!"
A resounding shout shattered the silence. Broca his rusty halberd, gave orders to the Shield Guard and the various squads:
"Bring all Infected members of the Rhodes Island under control and await the judgment of that person. Any resistance will result in a maximum of two warnings. A third offense will result in certain death!"
Seeing such a horrifying scene, Patriot became even more certain of Shi Lei's identity as someone from Outside the Starry Sky. Therefore, they should be even more vigilant in maintaining secrecy.
Having received favors, the guerrillas naturally wouldn't divulge any secrets. However, the complex composition of the Rhodes Island made it difficult to gain Broca's trust.
Seeing the guerrillas, who were once allies, suddenly turn against them, the Rhodes Island members were stunned:
"Stop! What are you trying to do?"
"We're the victims! Why are you controlling us? Boss, say something!"
Talulah, her expression complicated, looked away from the boulder. She then realized that the masked man had let her through at the valley outpost, and replied somewhat dejectedly:
"Listen to my orders, none of you should resist."
Although the infected were resentful, they still complied. The main reason was that they had no right to choose. The guerrillas were better equipped, and even if they wanted to run away, they might not be able to win.
Moreover, the masked person avenged their deceased infected compatriots and should not harm them.
Shi Lei controlled the descent of the Rock House, which was several thousand meters in the air, and flew together in the direction where the fireball had left.
Before long, he reunited with the others.
After landing, the door to the Rock House appeared. FrostNova was the first to rush out and saw not only Shi Lei, but also her father and many familiar guerrilla members.
"Hey? What are you doing here?"
We met again not long after noon, it was like a lonely farewell.
Patriot walked over, halberd in hand, his heavy armor making a clattering sound.
"Take them away first! I'll discuss the next steps with the adults."
Seeing the guerrillas brandishing weapons at the Infected members of the Rhodes Island, Shi Lei asked in confusion:
What's going on here?
"Grown ups."
Broca no longer dares to call the Divine Doctor, much less address the powerful beings from Outside the Starry Sky:
"These Rhodes Island members just witnessed you eliminating five Inner Guards. If not..."
Be careful they don't leak information; it could have adverse effects on you. In my humble opinion, we should ally with the Rhodes Island from now on. As allies, we should keep a close watch on them to prevent today's events from being leaked.
Inner Guards aren't like cabbages on the street. With five of them suddenly gone, Ursus will definitely send someone to investigate.
As long as the Patriot keep a close eye on the infected members of the Rhodes Island and prevent them from contacting the military, theoretically, this matter can be kept secret for a long time.
"Okay, then I'll trouble you."
"It's no trouble for you, sir. It's our duty. It's our honor to be able to help you with your worries."
"Haha, you're too kind. Now that the camp's location has been exposed, you should pack your things and retreat quickly. I'll follow you the whole time to make sure no Ursus troops are pursuing us. We'll leave in a week."
Broca nodded and said respectfully:
"My lord, those five Inner Guards should be the main fighting force in this operation. The rest are just ordinary soldiers, nothing to worry about. If you are in a hurry to go back, you can leave this place to us."
Shi Lei, of course, knew that these five Inner Guards were the main force in the encirclement and suppression operation, and responded:
"I never take chances. If I say I'll leave in a week, I mean it. I'll make sure there are no pursuers by then before I leave."
Patriot gave up and ordered the guerrillas to move quickly. En route, they would gather any scattered Rhodes Island members and head together to a new stronghold.
October 1st, 8:32 pm
Ursus, Schuratzburg City.
Alexander, who was enjoying the taste of the Gaul woman, was suddenly interrupted by a series of urgent knocks on the door.
This completely killed his interest, and he asked coldly:
"Tsk, who is it?"
"It's me! Open the door quickly, something terrible has happened!"
Hearing Maxim's anxious voice, Alexander dared not delay. With mixed feelings, he abandoned his sprint and told the Gaul girl to put on her clothes and get out.
Seeing the woman hurriedly leave the room, Maxim did not rush in. He cautiously watched her figure disappear into the distance before closing the door.
"I just received news that the Inner Guards has been killed in action."
"What?!"
Alexander scratched his ear, guessing that this was probably it. That Inner Guards was too confident in his abilities and set off before them.
Now look what happened, we messed up.
"The worst part is not that one Inner Guards was killed, but that five Inner Guards! According to reports from several Reconnaissance Squad, after entering the Lake Vega area, the Inner Guards gradually rejoined the other four Inner Guards. They first captured the infected's Temporary Camp, and then were crushed to death by a mountain summoned by a mysterious person."
"Pfft, five Inner Guards? Crushed to death by the mountain?"
Alexander was amused and jokingly said:
"Lieutenant, don't you want to listen to what you're saying? Do you even believe what you're saying?"
Maxim smiled apologetically, looking utterly helpless.
"Whether I believe it or not is not important; what matters is whether those above believe it. If they don't believe it, nothing I say will make a difference."
"Tsk."
Alexander was in a bad mood, and he rubbed his slightly messy curly hair with both hands:
"Damn it, then tell me how to report this? Just say that the Inner Guards ignored the warnings, insisted on setting off alone, and unfortunately sacrificed his life? If the higher-ups blame us, they'll just pin the blame on us."
Maxim felt the time was right, and immediately changed his previous demeanor, offering his suggestion:
"Actually, I have a way to avoid punishment, but I need your cooperation, Captain."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
"No matter how we report, we will be implicated because of the death of the Inner Guards. The best way is to insist that he did not come to Schuratzburg City. When the next batch of reinforcements arrives, we will report that we did not wait for the Inner Guards and request instructions from our superiors. I cannot do this alone and must rely on your help."
Maxim's words were perfectly timed, successfully binding Alexander to his side.
While avoiding the problem, he could also cling to the young captain's coattails. They could then share both glory and hardship, and he could even benefit from the captain's promotions.
Alexander pondered for a moment, but couldn't think of a better solution. He patted Maxim on the shoulder, like a leader showing concern for a subordinate.
"That's a good idea, let's do it that way."
"It's mainly thanks to the captain's excellent instruction that I was able to come up with this idea. I'm truly humbled for disturbing your enjoyment tonight, and I'll arrange for a young lady to serve you immediately."
"Hey, you're pretty sensible."
254. Differences Between Humans and Gods (4K)
After using the Planet Befall to 'seal' the five Inner Guards, Shi Lei and the others followed the main force northward.
Many Rhodes Island members along the way saw that their leader Talulah, was still alive and voluntarily ran over to rejoin the group.
They were the infected who fled immediately after learning of the Inner Guards' attack on the camp. Others fled quickly only after realizing they were outmatched.
These infected individuals lack a firm stance and have little sense of belonging to the Rhodes Island.
Even so, Talulah still had to bring them back; she couldn't just abandon them.
Most of the infected people ran and walked for several kilometers after leaving the camp. Especially when they saw the huge rocks floating in mid-air, they were too frightened to look back and ran aimlessly like flies.
Patriot, not wanting to trouble Shi Lei any further, took the initiative to order the guerrillas to conduct a separate interrogation.
Infected individuals returning to the team.
Only after confirming everything was correct were they allowed to return to the Rhodes Island. Although these infected individuals had their doubts, they were too embarrassed to ask what was going on.
The infected who knew the truth about that battle would occasionally steal glances at Shi Lei in the group. They harbored complex emotions towards this mysterious masked man.
People are always filled with awe for the unknown.
In their eyes, Shi Lei was a god high above them, someone to be admired from afar but not to be approached.
Even when not being pursued by regular troops, life still needs to be lived well. Considering the terrible, frigid weather in Ursus, Shi Lei proactively asked Patriot for a hand-drawn map.
After discussions and communication, he settled on a flat area near a water source, but unsuitable for setting up camp. He then had Broca the team to that location to regroup.
Shi Lei, meanwhile, quietly left the team with a map and flew at low altitude to the designated location ahead of time.
You have to understand that the weather in Ursus is terrible, with extreme temperature differences between day and night. Without enough warm clothes and a campfire for protection, you'll get sick if you're sleeping in a tent and it snows heavily.
He wanted to do more with his own abilities.
Shi Lei arrived at a flat area covered with pine trees, flew around it once, and was quite satisfied with the environment. After landing, he used the power of Rock Element to begin constructing a Stone Fortress that could accommodate two thousand people.
For the sake of concealment, Shi Lei did not use more sturdy rock pillars. Instead, he used readily available materials, mass-producing them by touching stones on the Snowfield and then making detailed adjustments.
By piling up stones and using pine trees for cover, they created a Stone Fortress strong enough to withstand the bitter cold. If they proceeded to a more distant stronghold as originally planned, it was estimated that the infected population would suffer significant losses before next spring.
Only after construction was completed did he fly back. He circled to the flank of the group and blended in as if nothing had happened.