Aruk smugly declared, as if he had modified the car himself. "That's right! This suspension alone cost Su Wei eight thousand US dollars! This isn't just a car, it's a mobile fortress! If it encountered a bear, it could be crippled just by ramming into it!"
"Shut up."
Black coldly interrupted him.
"Even a tank couldn't kill it by ramming it in this kind of terrain."
Su Wei gripped the steering wheel, his expression focused.
He could clearly feel every feedback from the wheels.
Despite the deep snow, the modified Raptor, like a steel beast born from this land, calmly tore through the snow and steadily advanced.
One hour later.
The car jolted violently and then came to a stop.
Ahead lay a sheer cliff; the road had come to an abrupt end.
Further up, the terrain becomes even steeper, primeval forest, where the snow is knee-deep, making it impassable even for off-road vehicles.
"Arrive."
Black opened the car door.
A sudden rush of cold air into the warm carriage sent a shiver through everyone.
The sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn, but the forest, located on the shady side, remained dark and gloomy.
The four hounds jumped off the vehicle one by one. Without needing a command, they quickly spread out on the snow, first relieving themselves, and then excitedly sniffing the surrounding scents.
Their breath condensed into wisps of white mist in the cold air.
Su Wei slung the heavy backpack over his shoulder, adjusted the rifle sling to the most comfortable position, and ensured that he could complete the shooting motion within half a second.
He took a deep breath of the cold air. The air was filled with the smell of pine resin and rotting leaves, and a... indescribable, metallic, fishy odor.
"Check equipment. Two minutes."
Black's voice was low, but it was unusually clear in the eerily quiet environment.
"Click."
Su Wei pulled the bolt to confirm that a bullet was loaded in the chamber, and then engaged the safety.
Aruk also abandoned his usual playful demeanor, his face turning pale as he gripped his old hunting rifle tightly, his knuckles white from the force.
His eyes scanned the dark woods around him with a hint of nervousness, as if a monster lurked behind every tree.
"Unleash the dogs."
Black waved his hand, his eyes becoming as sharp as a hawk's.
The four hunting dogs shot into the dense forest like arrows released from a bow.
Instead of running around randomly, they spread out in a fan shape with remarkable coordination, led by their alpha dog " Caesar." The distance between each dog was always kept at about twenty meters, ensuring that they did not interfere with each other while still providing mutual support.
The four of them lined up in a single file, trudging through the snow that was up to their calves, following behind the pack of dogs.
Black led the way, followed closely by Su Wei, with Old Kash and Aruk bringing up the rear.
The woods were eerily quiet.
The only sounds were the crunching of snow underfoot and the heavy breathing of everyone.
After walking for about twenty minutes, the feeling of oppression grew stronger and stronger.
Caesar, who was at the very front, suddenly stopped.
It didn't bark, but instead lowered its body instantly, the fur on its neck and back bristling like steel needles, and let out a threatening growl towards a huge snowdrift to its right front.
"Ooh o...
The sound sent chills down your spine.
The other three dogs immediately stopped moving forward and quickly moved closer to Caesar, forming a semi-encirclement.
Black abruptly raised his hand, making a "stop" gesture, the movement stiff and swift.
Everyone froze instantly.
Su Wei felt his heart leap into his chest, and instinctively reached to take the rifle off his shoulder.
Black shook his head, drew his hunting knife from his waist, and moved stealthily, like an old cat, slowly approaching.
Su Wei swallowed hard and followed, his revolver already slipping silently from its holster, his thumb resting on the hammer.
Black walked up to the snowdrift and gently brushed away the layer of loose snow covering it with the hilt of his knife.
"Splash."
The snow slid off.
A strong, pungent smell of blood instantly filled my nostrils.
"Ugh!"
Aruk, standing behind him, couldn't help but gag, his face turning deathly pale.
It was the remains of a black-tailed deer.
Or rather, half.
The deer's hindquarters have completely disappeared, and the cut is jagged.
Only the chest, connected to the head, and a few ribs remained.
The internal organs had been completely removed, and wisps of steam were still rising from them.
The broken spine, white and bony, stood erect, pointing towards the sky.
But that's not the scariest part.
On the remaining half of the sternum, three shocking scratch marks were clearly visible.
Each scratch was so deep that bone was visible, shattering the ribs.
Su Wei held up his palm and gestured.
Even with thick tactical gloves, his palms could only cover the width of two of the scratches.
If it were grabbed onto someone... that slap would probably make their head explode like a watermelon.
Su Wei felt a chill run down his spine, and a cold sensation shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.
He died recently.
Black crouched down, ran his fingers along the cut surface of the venison, rubbed them together, and sniffed it.
"The blood isn't completely frozen, and the meat is still warm. This is its breakfast."
The old hunter stood up and, following the direction the remains were facing, looked into the deeper, more secluded depths of the dense forest.
The trees there were even denser, resembling a giant black maw.
A gust of cold wind blew by, stirring up the snow on the ground and making a whooshing sound.
Black's eyes held both solemnity and a hint of fervor at meeting his destined rival.
He slowly raised his double-barreled shotgun, pointing the muzzle into the darkness.
"It's just ahead."
Black's voice sounded like it was being squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a chilling edge.
"Besides... this little bit of meat isn't even enough to fill its teeth; it's still not full."
Chapter 119 Prelude to Gunfire, Death Descends (5400 words)
The air instantly became deathly still.
No one spoke; they stared at the remains of the black-tailed deer, their breaths instinctively ceasing.
In the entire forest, only the soft rustling of the cold wind whipping up snowflakes and striking the tree trunks could be heard; there was no other sound.
Black slowly straightened up, his gloves, stained with deer blood, casually rubbed against the pristine snow, leaving several glaring red streaks.
"It's nearby."
He lowered his voice, his tone cold.
"No more than 500 meters. Everyone, be quiet."
This brief command instantly put the team into the highest level of combat readiness.
Aruk swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly as he made a soft gurgling sound.
He didn't say anything, but silently released the safety of the old shotgun, crouched down, and moved ten meters to the left.
This is to create a line of fire.
If attacked suddenly, a dense formation would be like offering food to a behemoth.
Old Kash, in perfect unison, moved to the right, carefully stepping on the footprints of those who had come before or on the exposed rocks.
Su Wei followed closely behind Black, five meters behind, his breathing deliberately controlled to be long and shallow.
The feeling of oppression intensified, as if a huge boulder was pressing on my chest.