Blood claws and silencers

The Ash squad slipped silently into the darkness to the southwest, then returned quietly to the command center in the coldest hours before dawn.

They bypassed every sentry and appeared directly beside the table lit by emergency lamps.

The light flickered, and shadows swayed.

Lynn, Davis, and Zhao Jinghong immediately gathered around.

The air smelled of gunsmoke and damp earth.

Anvil wasted no words. He spread a map drawn on waterproof cloth beside the bloodstained map.

Charcoal marks clearly indicated the key points in the abandoned logistics warehouse district.

"Boss," Anvil said, his voice low, hoarse, and weary, "we've got it mapped out! Vulture's Claw has seventeen core members and six to eight peripheral thugs, fewer than twenty-five people in total.

"They're holed up in Warehouse Three. Half its roof has collapsed, and there's a maintenance trench on the west side, with multiple entrances and exits."

His rough finger jabbed at the map. "As for firepower, mostly shotguns and old rifles. Everyone has a pistol.

"Three modified pickups. Two have steel plates welded onto them, with firing ports on top.

"The third is lightly equipped, with a quiet engine. Heavy weapons..."

He paused, his gaze focused. "There's an old M2 heavy machine gun hidden deep inside the warehouse, mounted on reinforced shelving and aimed at the main entrance and the open ground.

"There didn't seem to be much ammunition, but probably enough to keep firing for a while. They also have homemade explosives and Molotov cocktails."

"The leader is called Scar," Peregrine said, his voice even colder. "A long scar down his right cheek, from brow to chin. Tall and thin, vicious eyes. He's probably got quite a few lives on his hands.

"He always has a short guy called Probe with him, responsible for scouting and traps. Their base has a strict hierarchy. Scar calls the shots."

"Their routine," Wraith's voice came from the shadows, so quiet it was almost inaudible. "Security is tight during the day. The heavy machine gun is always manned.

"Probe moves around at night.

"After dark, most of them gather around the fire in the middle of the warehouse to drink and eat meat. Their guard is down.

"Patrols move in pairs, changing shifts every hour. Fixed routes, but they're sloppy about following them."

Lynn stared at Anvil's hand-drawn map, tapping the tabletop. They really were professionals; their reconnaissance had uncovered everything clearly.

The enemy had fewer men than he had expected, but that heavy machine gun was a major problem.

A frontal attack would draw large numbers of walking corpses with the gunfire.

Besides, Scar knew how to use terrain and firepower.

But if they dragged this out until the enemy found a weakness in the zoo or drew in a larger horde, the base would be finished.

They couldn't stay on guard against thieves forever. Dealing with this trouble early would also let them develop the base.

"We have to strike first. The sooner, the better."

Lynn's decisive voice broke the silence.

"Before we reveal our intentions, and before they find a way in, we'll pull out this thorn first."

His sharp gaze swept over the three Ash members. "Anvil! I'm putting you in charge of this mission.

"One objective: eliminate the main threat posed by Vulture's Claw. Focus on blowing up that heavy machine gun and killing or capturing Scar.

"Rules of engagement: covert, precise, lethal.

"The base will provide support, but this will mainly depend on you. Don't make too much noise.

"Any problems?"

Keeping a low profile remained the priority during the base's early development. He didn't want to draw too much attention.

Anvil's gaze was focused, without hesitation. "Understood, Boss! The objective is clear. Ash will take care of this threat."

Wraith nodded in the shadows, while Peregrine's fingers silently traced the cold barrel of his DMR.

Dealing with a small group like this wasn't much of a problem for them.

Just then, the translucent system interface silently appeared at the edge of Lynn's vision:

[Regional hostile faction threat detected...]

[Side quest triggered: Purge Vulture's Claw]

[Quest objectives: destroy/cripple Vulture's Claw's core combat strength (including destroying the M2 heavy machine gun and killing/capturing its leader, Scar).

Ensure that information about the base's location is not widely leaked during the operation.]

[Quest type: optional (recommended)]

[Time limit: 72 hours]

[Failure penalty: Survival Points -1,000, significantly increased threat level from Vulture's Claw, sharply increased risk of exposing the base's weaknesses]

[Quest rewards: Survival Points x 800, 7.62mm NATO rifle ammunition x 400 rounds, Molotov cocktails (incendiary bottles) x 20, basic night-vision monocular x 1]

A new quest!

The rewards were richer, and the penalties harsher. The base's survival was at stake.

Those four hundred rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition-for Peregrine's rifle and other guns-twenty Molotov cocktails-useful against groups of enemies and for creating chaos-and that night-vision device-a powerful tool for night combat-were all crucial.

He couldn't afford the risks of failure, especially having their "weaknesses" exposed.

Anvil grinned. "Boss! When do we move?"

Eliminating threats, seizing resources, protecting the base-that was their job.

Lynn looked at this silent spearhead. "Good! Now that the mission is confirmed, move as soon as possible. The sooner we settle this, the better.

"I'm giving you twelve hours to rest, prepare, and make a plan.

"Go to Old Joey and Wrench for whatever equipment you need. Have them prioritize getting you fully equipped.

"In twelve hours, you can move out. Then... burn the threat away!"

"Yes!"

The three answered quietly, then melted into the deeper shadows of the command center to prepare for the hunt.

Meanwhile, at the southeastern corner of the base, Old Joey was directing people to reinforce the perimeter wall with reinforced concrete and scrap vehicle frames.

Deep at the foot of that wall, a short figure-Probe-held his breath and carefully scraped away the damp, soft soil with a specialized tool.

The muscles in his face twitched as his fingertips touched a section of cold, hard metal pipe, its surface rough with rust.

An idea that could drive Scar mad took shape in his mind.

But before he could do anything, Davis flashed into view and knocked him unconscious with a single punch.

When Probe woke again, several people stood before him: Anvil, Wraith, Peregrine, Bulwark, and Det.

Stitch needed to stay at the hospital to help Min-seon, while Old Joey had borrowed Wrench to help with the base's equipment.

The five of them would carry out this mission. They had planned to capture someone for interrogation, but the enemy had delivered himself right to their door.

Before any of them could get started, Probe readily told them everything he knew, confirming the intelligence they had gathered earlier.

The night deepened.

The murderous intent to the southwest and the hidden danger in the southeastern corner slowly tightened around the zoo like an invisible noose.

The blood-red map of Vulture's Claw before Lynn seemed heavier still.