Once Again

"Mos!"

Moss nodded in agreement, then controlled the flames to drift towards the pile of rubble!

The firelight illuminated everything along the way, clearly revealing the situation on the rubble pile!

The accumulated rubble was mixed with a large amount of soil, and it looked quite solid!

Connecting to the upper sewer was a brick floor without any cracks!

"It looks like there's no problem..."

Sun Lei looked at the large hole above and said to Moss with a smile.

Moss nodded, feeling very happy in her heart!

This was great, no need to find a way up, they could just go up directly!

Seeing Moss agree, Sun Lei immediately ran towards the pile of rubble!

Crackle...

Stepping on the rubble, Sun Lei watched a few small stones roll down from above and cautiously tested it a few times.

"Hmm, I can climb it!"

Sun Lei tested the stability of the rubble pile a few times and nodded with certainty.

He carefully examined the situation above, then mentally planned his route!

After a while, Sun Lei slowly opened his eyes.

He stretched his arms, then crouched down and began to climb upwards!

The slope of the rubble pile was quite steep, but that didn't stop Sun Lei!

His arms clung tightly to the stone wall, using the rebound force to climb upwards!

Soon, Sun Lei successfully climbed onto the stone slab!

Once here, the slope became much gentler, and he could stand up and walk.

Sun Lei stood up, gently shook his arms, let out a few relaxed breaths, tidied his equipment, and continued walking upwards.

Crunch... crunch...

Sun Lei walked through the sewer filled with rubble dust, the sound of the gravel being crushed under his feet reaching his ears with every step.

He had now successfully reached the uppermost sewer, the place where he had been during their previous battle!

In a short time, Sun Lei had already seen many traces of their previous fight.

He looked at the bodies of Goblin Cavalry and City Guard members that appeared from time to time along the way, becoming increasingly vigilant!

Sun Lei remembered this was the place they had passed through during their retreat!

This meant that if Sun Lei wanted to find the bodies of Luo Wei and Huo Lian, he was likely to encounter monsters!

Because he might encounter more monsters along the way, Sun Lei kept a close eye on his surroundings, remaining highly alert.

After a short while, Sun Lei and Moss saw a small dirt slope with a large pile of rubble.

Sun Lei quickly quickened his pace, arriving at the small dirt slope and looking up.

The cold moonlight poured down from the opening above, illuminating the dimness below.

Sun Lei looked around. Among the collapsed rubble, there were many dead Goblin Cavalry bodies.

He knew this was the place where Huo Lian had chosen to detonate!

"It seems we're getting closer..."

Sun Lei looked up at the moonlight above, speaking softly.

"Mos..."

Moss didn't answer Sun Lei, only let out an unintelligible sound, staring blankly at the starry sky and moonlight outside the opening.

Since her rebirth, this was the first time Moss had seen the sky!

The stars at night were so beautiful, she couldn't bear to look away.

"...Let's keep moving."

Sun Lei retracted his gaze, turned his head slightly, and said to Moss.

He looked at Moss, who was still gazing at the sky, and couldn't help but smile gently. He reached out his hand, intending to pat Moss's head.

Slap!

"Mos!" (Don't touch me! Pervert!)

Moss slapped Sun Lei's outstretched hand away again, looking at him with disgust.

"Hahaha... Alright, sorry..."

Sun Lei scratched his head awkwardly, then bypassed the small dirt slope and continued walking in the direction they had fled.

"Moss..."

Moss cast a reluctant glance at the moonlight overhead but didn't object to Sun Lei's decision.

After all, she still needed to help Sun Lei find his teammates!

However, Moss knew in her heart that Sun Lei's teammates were likely already dead.

Crunch... crunch...

Sun Lei continued walking, unsure of how long or how far he had gone.

He only knew he was getting closer...

Finally, Sun Lei stopped!

Before him lay two familiar corpses: Luo Wei and Huo Lian!

Sun Lei stood silently, gazing at his former seniors on the ground, his heart heavy!

After a long moment, Sun Lei quietly stepped forward and began to gather the mangled remains of the bodies.

He gently retrieved two dog tags belonging to them, carefully placing them in his embrace.

He continued to tidy their clothes. As he picked up Luo Wei's discarded chest plate, he suddenly noticed something hidden beneath it.

A photograph!

Sun Lei picked up the photo and, by the firelight, looked at the picture of a father and daughter with happy smiles. His heart ached instantly!

The girl in the photo was Luo Ya, seven years old. She wasn't Luo Wei's biological daughter.

Luo Ya's parents had died in a monster attack. Luo Wei had saved her, but only her.

Luo Wei felt immense guilt because he had the ability to save the couple but had missed the opportunity due to his hesitation and fear!

So, he adopted Luo Ya, naming her when she was still swaddled, and gave her all his love.

Luo Ya didn't know about this. Sun Lei only found out when Luo Wei got drunk one time.

Luo Wei had cried heartbrokenly then, constantly apologizing.

Sun Lei's hand holding the photo suddenly clenched, trembling uncontrollably. His heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.

He was deeply saddened, but in this era, having grown accustomed to life and death, he found he couldn't shed tears.

"Sniff..."

Sun Lei took a deep breath, placed the photo in his embrace with the other items, and continued tidying his seniors' belongings.

"There... that should do it..."

Sun Lei sat on a rock, staring blankly at Luo Wei and Huo Lian, whose bodies he had arranged by body part.

"I'm sorry... Captain Luo, Sister Huo Lian..."

Moss quietly crouched beside Sun Lei, patting his back and softly calling out.

"Mo." (Take care.)

"Thank you, Little Mo."

Sun Lei turned his head and gave Moss, who was comforting him, a strained smile as he spoke softly.

Clang... boom...

Suddenly, sounds from the distance caught Sun Lei's attention.

He quickly stopped what he was doing and listened intently.

"..."

Sun Lei closed his eyes slightly, and the sounds from afar became clearer.

"Attack... careful... Mage..."

Clang... boom...

Sounds of battle!

Sun Lei's eyes widened, and he excitedly stood up!

"It must be the City Guard! They've gathered their forces and are coming down!"

Sun Lei turned to Moss, his face filled with determination, and said:

"Little Mo, can you help me again?"

"Mo!" (Of course! I wanted to avenge these two anyway!)

Moss looked at Sun Lei and nodded gently.

These three had all shown her kindness, and Moss was not one to repay kindness with indifference!

So, she would go with Sun Lei to eliminate the monsters that had killed them!

Seeing Moss agree, Sun Lei's face broke into a smile, but it quickly turned to one of resolve!

There were no ogre corpses on the ground, meaning that explosion hadn't killed it!

The monster fighting the City Guard in the distant battle was very likely the ogre!

Moss, familiar with the routine, climbed onto Sun Lei's shoulder and summoned flames to light his way again!

"I'm leaving, Captain Luo, Sister Huo Lian..."

Sun Lei said softly but firmly to the two on the ground, then dashed off towards the direction of the battle.

"Wait for me, ogre..."