"Ha, although this is quite normal, we still need to be careful, otherwise it could cause some trouble if those Black Rat see us!" Shadow Wolf warned.
Without refutation, the Coiling Mountain Beast slowly nodded.
"Alright, let's hurry up and catch up!" Shadow Wolf said, turning around and following the group heading towards the mine.
The Coiling Mountain Beast paused for a moment upon seeing the scene before it, then followed.
Around them, one after another, Calamity Beast followed the procession.
"Yawn..."
"Speaking of which, about yesterday's..."
I wonder if I'll be able to finish today's task?
"Damn it, it's all those damn black people's fault..."
"Keep your voice down, what if those guys hear you..."
The noise continued to rise from within the queue.
If you listen carefully, you can even hear what sounds like a Calamity Beast speaking ill of the Black Rat.
The Coiling Mountain Beast glanced to the side, then withdrew its gaze and continued walking forward in silence.
Soon, they reached the familiar foot of the mountain.
Then came the routine speech given by the person in charge of the Black Rat.
Then, go inside.
Then.
"Clang, clang..."
The sounds of mining echoed from inside the mine shaft.
At some point, the Coiling Mountain Beast stopped and then gestured to the Shadow Wolf beside it.
Shadow Wolf turned his head and glanced at it, then nodded.
Then the Coiling Mountain Beast walked straight to the side.
Along the way, many of the Calamity Beast glanced at it, then continued with their work without paying any attention.
The Coiling Mountain Beast ignored them and continued its descent.
Gradually, the number of Calamity Beast in the surrounding area decreased, and the sounds of mining also gradually faded away.
The Coiling Mountain Beast suddenly stopped just before it reached the bottom of the mine.
Beside him, a long figure, seemingly already there, was watching him.
"Team leader?"
A voice that seemed familiar, yet hesitant, rang out.
Shen Heng looked at the hesitant Gray Stone Snake in front of him, compared it with his memories, and nodded, "Hmm."
Then, silence fell over the cave.
"Uh, what was this captain's original ability again?"
"... I don't remember!"
Should we ask?
"..."
There was no response.
The Gray Stone Snake lay quietly coiled in place.
Although, based on her memory, the other person should be someone she knew very well and trusted completely, ultimately... she doesn't remember them much now.
There really are two?!... Shen Heng thought, trying his best to suppress the urge to look over.
Although I have this scene in my memory, actually hearing it is a different story.
Memories of the other person surfaced in my mind.
Her name seems to be Qin Yu, and her ability is to help people hide?
Shen Heng thought to himself.
Memories flow through my mind as well.
Outside, humans, adaptation, riots, temples...
Fragments flashed by one by one.
It is very short, discontinuous, and even contains memories from a different dimension.
But at least, it helped him confirm his identity.
Humans!
A human who wants to get out of here!
Just as he was thinking this, Shen Heng paused and looked towards the end of the mine tunnel.
Seemingly noticing his movement, the Gray Stone Snake beside him also looked over.
Then, after a while, another figure stepped into the same mine tunnel.
The figure paused, seemingly upon seeing the two of them.
Then, their gazes swept over them.
Soon, seemingly by comparing their identities with memories in their minds, they were confirmed.
The figure finally breathed a sigh of relief and walked in.
Both parties nodded.
Then.
The newcomer seemed about to speak, but seeing the two silent Calamity Beast, he also fell silent.
A little while later, another figure appeared.
The figure walked hesitantly, its steps also pausing when it saw the three figures inside the mine tunnel.
Then, it excitedly ran over.
His gaze shifted and settled on the Coiling Mountain Beast.
"Lord Shen Heng?!"
"... Um."
Shen Heng paused for a moment before responding, then looked at the other two figures and said,
"Everyone's here. Let's start by having each of you introduce yourself and share any information you remember, so we can confirm."
Without objection, the three figures nodded.
Then, their gazes turned to the Coiling Mountain Beast.
"Should I speak first?"... Shen Heng looked at those three pairs of eyes, paused, and finally spoke first.
" Shen Heng's ability is... to hear sounds from extremely far away."
"Then, as I recall, we were originally in some kind of spatial cluster, with many humans and many Calamity Beast. We seemed to be searching for something beyond that."
"After that, I forgot what happened, I only know that we turned into Calamity Beast, and then..."
A moment later, the sound faded.
Shen Heng looked to the side, at the Gray Stone Snake that had arrived first.
Seeing the captain's gaze sweep over them, the Gray Stone Snake paused for a moment, then spoke up as well.
" Qin Yu's ability is to conceal her presence, making her difficult for other creatures to detect."
"Then, regarding intelligence, I don't remember anything further back, but I do remember what happened when we came in. It seems that we were..."
A soft voice rose from the side.
The Rock-Backed Beast blinked.
Humans... what are they again? And why can't I remember anything before I came in? And then, names... what was my name again?
Damn it, could I have forgotten even my own name?!
Somewhat anxious, it turned its head to look at the three figures.
As their gazes shifted, they met the eyes of the human who had introduced himself first—the one who had caused the disaster.
The Rock-Backed Beast feigned composure and averted its gaze.
Soon, the other human finished introducing himself.
Then, following the order in which they entered, they looked at it.
The Rock-Backed Beast swallowed hard, its brain quickly choosing between a random guess and honesty.
"Um... I've forgotten a bit about my identity, but I remember most of what happened after I came in."
For example, I...
After a pause, the Rock-Backed Beast widened its eyes slightly and said...
"By the way, I seem to have been assigned to contact other Calamity Beast, but now, there are only two of those other Calamity Beast left."
"One is Black Jade Lion, and the other is Steel-Mane Bear; both are at the Third Tier."
"If there's anything I need them for later, I can continue to contact them."
"Then, let me add something about what happened after I came in..."
Shen Heng listened with a slight nod.
Forgetting his original identity, this guy seems to be facing even bigger problems than they are.
After all, if you can't even clarify your original identity, it's easy for you to go astray later on.
With that thought in mind, the Rock-Backed Beast finished its story.
Shen Heng turned his gaze to the last one to enter, Shadow Wolf.
The Shadow Wolf lowered its head, raised its paw, and scratched itself.
"Uh, my name is Stone, and I don't think I'm human..."
After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.
Both the Gray Stone Snake and the Rock-Backed Beast stared at the figure in astonishment.
Shen Heng was also somewhat stunned as he stared at the Shadow Wolf.
What, there's another Calamity Beast?