Dusk washed the land in the bleakness of molten lead. Withered yellow grass lay limply against the ground in the wind, a few crooked old trees standing amid it against a backdrop of low gray clouds on the horizon.
The roars and screams had already faded into the distance.
Xie De led his horse along a path far from any settlement. He had changed horses three times along the way. This one had run for two full hours and was now panting constantly, even refusing to move in a fit of temper.
"Fine, let's rest here for a while."
Xie De released the horse from its restraints and walked alone to a tree to gaze into the distance. The horse did not wander far, merely milling around nearby.
455 slowly came online. "Host, are you all right?"
"No."
Hearing its host answer without the slightest hesitation, 455 decided to launch into a fuss.
"It's okay, it's okay. You've already done very well. This is only an Instance. Looking out for ourselves is the way to go..."
"Shut up."
"Okay."
Xie De kicked the tree in frustration. After riding for so long, he was already covered in dust, but he had no time to clean himself up. He kept going over yesterday's events in his mind.
Following the Bearded Man's orders, he had attacked a strategically important coastal city. The city currently belonged to the Regular Army, but another warlord also had a hand in it.
To take the city, he had needed to strike in one swift push and finish the battle before the opposing warlord could react.
It should have been an easy battle.
His mistake had been underestimating just how vicious and stupid the warlord was. He had never imagined the man would lash out in humiliation and