Ogre

Rumble, rumble…

'It's shaking again… the Realm Gate still isn't destroyed?'

Sun Lei, drowsy, was woken up by the tremor once more, sighing inwardly.

Sun Lei tried to move his body, only to feel a sharp pain. His body felt like it had fallen apart, devoid of strength.

'I still can't move… but reinforcements should be here soon…'

Sun Lei felt himself getting sleepier and sleepier, his consciousness about to slip back into slumber.

Hum…

A faint sound echoed, and an invisible wave swept over Sun Lei, briefly bringing him back to his senses.

'So warm… is this a Healing Spell?'

Sun Lei felt the pain in his body rapidly disappearing, a surge of excitement rising in his heart.

Could it be the reinforcement City Guard that arrived!

He wanted to open his eyes, but the heavy drowsiness struck him again…

"Treatment complete, Captain."

Zhao Xiaoqin withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and spoke softly to Sun Lei.

"Ah, thank you, Xiaoqin."

Sun Lei nodded at Zhao Xiaoqin, slowly moved his arm, and put his arm guard back on.

However, the arm guard was now covered in nicks and scratches of various sizes, looking unusable.

"Um, I'm sorry, Captain! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Zhao Xiaoqin looked up at Sun Lei apologetically, her face filled with guilt.

She recalled the perilous scene they had just experienced, and her body couldn't help but tremble, filled with lingering fear.

If Sun Lei hadn't reached out to block the Goblin that was feigning death and ambushing them, she would have died by now under that cleaver that was swung at her head.

"It's alright. You're new to the team, and you're a support class. As the second life of a professional, I would protect you by all means."

Sun Lei said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, completely failing to notice the fleeting disappointment on Zhao Xiaoqin's face.

He stood up and walked towards the three captains who were arguing nearby.

"If we keep pushing forward, we definitely won't be able to deal with the next wave of Monsters. The Goblins' strength and equipment are getting stronger and stronger!"

Before he even got close, Sun Lei heard Wang Xian's anxious voice.

"Look at the state of the team. Nearly half of our people are injured, and we haven't even seen a shadow of the Realm Gate!"

Wang Xian stood in front of Luo Wei and Li Wen, angrily chattering away.

The suppressed growls immediately drew the attention of the team members who were cleaning up the battlefield.

"It's only half. No one's dead, and our Priests can handle it!"

Li Wen frowned and glared at Wang Xian, saying with displeasure and mockery, "If you didn't want to come down, you should have just left when we voted, instead of clinging on."

"I bet it's because you've reached your limit for refusing missions and can't bear to part with that bit of bonus money, right?"

The most taboo thing during a mission was disagreement!

Wang Xian could have objected before the mission, refused the mission, or even turned around and left.

But he shouldn't have poured cold water on them at this time and lowered the team's morale.

Li Wen had always looked down on Wang Xian, especially those temporary City Guard members like him.

Two years ago, the incidents of Realm Gates descending had suddenly increased, and the number of City Guard personnel nationwide had become increasingly scarce.

Dragon Country had proposed several solutions at that time, one of which was to recruit temporary workers from adventurers.

Wang Xian had joined with his adventurer team at that time.

Later, he also signed a long-term contract with the City Guard, becoming a temporary captain within the City Guard.

As a temporarily hired personnel, he had the right to refuse to participate in missions.

However, if he refused too many times, his adventurer rating would decrease, his remuneration would be completely withheld, and the City Guard would no longer hire them.

"Cowardly and greedy, only caring about money, and disregarding the lives of residents. This is what adventurers are like."

The mockery in Li Wen's eyes grew stronger, his tone filled with deep disdain.

"You…"

Wang Xian's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He clenched his fists, wishing he could rush forward and punch Li Wen!

But he ultimately restrained himself and didn't make a move, letting out a cold snort with a flushed face.

Luo Wei looked at the two glaring at each other and sighed, stepping between them and calmly saying:

"Everyone, calm down. We need to find the Realm Gate. Reinforcements will arrive soon. If we don't deal with this Realm Gate quickly, the City Guard Magic Array will be in danger!"

"Reinforcements? Will we even be alive by the time they get here…"

Wang Xian wore a wry, forced smile as he muttered under his breath.

Luo Wei glanced at Wang Xian and sighed inwardly. He knew Wang Xian wasn't like Li Wen thought.

He knew Wang Xian had a mother who had been bedridden for a long time, three children under the age of ten, and a wife who had left him long ago.

The entire family's burden fell on this man, who was not yet thirty.

A job that was safe, injury-free, and paid well – where could he possibly find one so easily?

Especially in this era…

That's why Wang Xian could only be someone cautious to the point of being timid, all for the sake of his family.

Luo Wei didn't say anything, reaching out and patting Wang Xian's shoulder.

"Captain Luo, any news from the scout team? I feel the Mana in the air is getting more restless. The Realm Gate shouldn't be far."

Sun Lei approached them at that moment, glancing around as he asked.

His voice interrupted their conversation.

"Not yet. The scout team hasn't returned."

Luo Wei turned back and replied to Sun Lei, his brow furrowing.

"That's strange… By rights, even if they hadn't found anything, someone should have come back to report…"

As soon as Luo Wei finished speaking, a sound like tearing fabric came from beside him!

Riiip—

A figure silently fell from the air, crashing heavily onto the ground!

Bang!

Luo Wei's eyes darted to the newcomer, and his pupils contracted sharply!

"Huo Lian!"

"Quick, retreat!"

Huo Lian's shout drowned out Luo Wei's voice. She struggled to her feet and said urgently, "The entire scout team is dead. The Monsters that came out are very strong. We can't handle them…"

"Sister Huo Lian!"

Sun Lei grabbed Huo Lian as she stumbled towards him. It was then that he discovered with horror that both of Huo Lian's arms were broken!

"Sister Huo Lian, your arms!"

"Xiao Qin…"

Sun Lei quickly turned to call out to Zhao Xiaoqin, but Huo Lian stopped him.

"Never mind that! Hurry and get our people to retreat!"

"Huo Lian, what exactly happened?"

Luo Wei had already given the order to retreat and then asked Huo Lian, frowning.

Huo Lian's face showed fear as she recalled the scene she had just witnessed, trembling as she said, "Ogres! Goblin Cavalry! There are over a hundred of them by the Realm Gate!"

"What?!"

Luo Wei's eyes widened in shock, and he let out a cry!

The other three captains, as well as the team members who heard Huo Lian's voice, felt their breath catch in their throats!

"Could this be a large-scale Realm Gate? How could such powerful Monsters suddenly appear?!"

"Ogres… aren't those Gold Rank Monsters…"

"Goblin Cavalry, aren't those elite Goblins, all Silver Rank?"

"We only have four captains and Huo Lian who are Silver Rank. There's no way we can win!"

The surrounding team members cried out in shock. They immediately dropped everything, turned, and prepared to flee!

Just then, a sharp scream made the entire team freeze!

"It's, it's an Ogre!!!"