Chapter 146: Infiltration (2)
After gathering information from the dwarf spirits, Kim Ki-Rok and his party immediately returned to the Gate entrance. They first sent Kim Ji-Hee and her five escorts back, then gathered behind the cabin.
"The dwarves are being held captive northwest of the Gate entrance. According to the information we received from the dwarf spirit Hectare, it should take us thirty to forty minutes to get there," Kim Ki-Rok said.
"Huh? Didn't Hectare say it would take an hour?" asked Jang Baek-San, checking the map.
"You have to consider the height difference. The difference in leg length... no, species difference? No, stride? Yes, stride."
"Ah, I see."
Jang Baek-San was quickly convinced. Hectare, who had materialized from the spirits, stood no taller than 150 centimeters [1]. Given his short stature, the Hunters had to adjust their calculations to match their own pace over the same distance.
"Our objective is to avoid the Black Wizards and the guards, infiltrate the mine where the dwarves are imprisoned, and rescue them. That's why we'll be using the secret passage Hectare told us about."
The Hunters nodded their heads. When Kim Ki-Rok mentioned that they would attack the Black Wizards and reclaim the mine after rescuing the dwarves, Hectare had provided very useful information.
"We've made a secret passage in the hope of at least saving our children in the worst-case scenario, waiting for our kin who would come save us someday. Of course, the tunnels won't lead outside, but they connect one mine to another, which will be of great help in rescuing our people."
It had been an endless wait. However, not wanting to give up hope, the dwarves had prepared a secret passage to at least save their young. They had planned to sneak them out when they were inevitably moved once their mines ran dry.
Whether it was due to the influence of the Spiritualist Kim Ji-Hee or their relationship with High Elf Serena, Hectare did not hesitate to reveal this secret passage.
"It's quite simple. To summarize, we will use the secret passage to travel about thirty to forty minutes, rescue the imprisoned dwarves, then deal with the Black Wizards and skeletons to reclaim the mine."
"And then we hold out until the rescue team arrives?" asked Baek Min-Hyuk, Guildmaster of the Golden Lion Guild.
"That's right."
"What's the ETA?"
"According to the information confirmed with help from the guild members waiting outside, they'll be here in two hours. But that estimate only accounts for travel time."
"So it might take longer than two hours."
"Yes. Fortunately, it seems they've devised a solid plan. The army of the Southwestern Border City will launch a feint attack to draw the enemy's attention, and the rescue team will use that opportunity to break through the thinned defense line. But that's only if everything goes smoothly... As always, we have to be ready for anything."
"It would be too much to hope for no variables," Kang Ho of the Shine Guild muttered quietly.
"Exactly. We may initially avoid detection thanks to our well-prepared plan, but the probability of being discovered increases exponentially the deeper we go into enemy territory. And if we are caught inside their land, there's a high chance we'll face powerful enemies."
"What happens if we get caught early on?"
"Worst case, the entire operation could collapse."
The Hunters gulped.
"But there's little risk of being discovered in the early stages of the operation."
"Why is that?"
"We've prepared thoroughly. The Continental Alliance has always been on the defensive, but now they're finally launching an attack. The Black Kingdom must be caught off guard and will hesitate, thinking we've laid some sort of trap."
Kang Ho nodded. "I see. The Black Kingdom doesn't know that a rescue team has been formed. Even if they suspect it, they have no idea where the team is headed."
The mission was to infiltrate the Black Kingdom and rescue their injured allies. While there was some risk of early detection, it was minimal since every member of the rescue team was highly skilled.
"Of course, it's a different story if we rescue the dwarves first and then attack the Black Wizards and the Undead. They'll think: 'A rebellion in the dwarf village just as the Alliance launches an assault? Is something going on?'" Kim Ki-Rok stopped explaining, rolled up his map, placed it into his subspace pocket, and looked at the Hunters. "So, we'll wait here until we receive word that the Continental Alliance has launched their attack and that the rescue team has begun moving."
"Hmm! Wouldn't it be better to use the secret passage to move near the mine where the dwarves are imprisoned and wait there?" asked Ji Seok-Hyun of the Phoenix Guild.
"That's not a bad idea either. But the moment we rescue the dwarves and begin reclaiming the village, the Black Kingdom will detect the disturbance. This would accelerate the arrival of their reinforcements and extend the time we'd need to reclaim and defend the territory."
"So, in simple terms, the later we execute the dwarf rescue operation, the better?"
"Correct. After all, our objective isn't just to rescue the dwarves and reclaim the village, but also to get them to safety."
***
The lurking monsters turned their heads, while those that had been slumbering opened their eyes at the sound of the Continental Alliance's Southwestern Border City gates creaking open. The Black Wizards appeared on the plains between the border city and the forest using teleportation magic.
The Beastfolk, responsible for defending the Southwestern Border City, rarely opened the gates due to their limited numbers. So when this unusual event occurred, the Black Wizards who had been commanding monsters from the rear came forward to investigate.
An elderly Black Wizard slightly furrowed his brow. "Hmm?"
Not only were the gates open, but hundreds of Beastfolk warriors could be seen emerging from the city. Tigers, monkeys, wolves, lions, and snake Beastfolk marched out, gradually increasing their pace until they were sprinting toward the Black Wizards.
The elderly wizard hastily raised his staff and shouted, "Intercept them!"
One after another, the other Black Wizards began channeling their mana. The magic of the Demon Realm spread outward, seeping into the monsters that had been hesitating.
Grooowl.
The unwavering monsters surged forward, radiating killing intent. When the Beastfolk warriors came within striking range, the monsters charged, filled with murderous rage.
A Lionfolk warrior at the front released his mana and shouted, "Kill them!"
The Chimera they were fighting had the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a snake. It let out a deafening roar as it rushed forward, following the orders of the Black Wizards.
"Kill them all!" roared the Lionfolk warrior.
***
Serena, who had exited the city through a secret passage created by the Beastfolk warriors for raids and reconnaissance, glanced back. The Lionfolk Champion's body was enveloped in Aura as he faced off against the S-Class monster, the Chimera. The other Beastfolk warriors fought alongside him, attacking the monsters with all their strength as if they had forgotten their original role as bait meant only to hold the monsters' attention.
Richard, a Paladin of the Temple Alliance, brushed himself off as he came to stand beside Serena. "It seems they had a bone to pick," he said.
She nodded in agreement and asked, "Do you think it's the same in the other border cities?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if it were," Richard replied with a bitter smile.
It would have been strange if only the Southwestern Border City had attacked. The Continental Alliance had, in fact, contacted all border cities and ordered simultaneous assaults.
Richard continued, "The power gap between us and the enemy has been so wide, we've mostly focused on defense until now."
It wasn't that they had never attacked, but the Continental Alliance only launched offensives when their special forces infiltrated enemy lines and obtained intelligence allowing for a counterattack, or when specific preparations had been completed. The problem was that attacks only happened under those rare conditions.
As the two conversed, shouts echoed all around them. The Beastfolk were fighting as if their sole purpose was to annihilate their enemies.
"Kill them!"
"Leave none alive!"
"Don't let the Black Wizards escape!"
The Chimera let out a fierce cry and lashed its tail, while the Lionfolk Champion responded with a roar and a powerful punch. The two were locked in a ferocious battle.
Feeling the surge of mana from even that distance, Richard's expression grew uneasy. "Um, Serena?"
"Yes?"
"Um... They will retreat, right?"
Serena slowly turned to look back at the battlefield.
"Dieeee!"
"Drop deeeead!"
"Get the Black Wizards! Hold them so they can't cast spells!"
The intense fury of the Beastfolk warriors could be felt even from a distance. The morale of the roaring, screeching monsters began to falter and gradually back down under the pressure of their rage.
Serena was momentarily lost in thought before turning to Richard. "There shouldn't be a problem. Foxfolk Shaman Ponnel is also assisting Lionfolk Champion Laon in battle."
If Laon was a blade, then Ponnel was a shield. With the strategist Shaman Ponnel present, the Beastfolk would know when to retreat if the tide of battle turned against them.
***
A Hunter came sprinting toward them after passing through the Gate and reported, "Each border city has commenced its attack."
"They must have launched attacks on all fronts, figuring that if only the Southwestern Border City acted, the Black Kingdom would grow suspicious," Kim Ki-Rok said.
"Uh, yes?"
"And the rescue team infiltrated the border with ease?"
"Uh, yes."
"The Continental Alliance army, frustrated after doing nothing but fending off the Black Kingdom's attacks from behind their walls, must have thrown themselves into their role as decoys with unexpected intensity, fighting the Black Wizards and monsters with more passion than anyone anticipated."
"Are you a soothsayer or something?"
"Of course not," Kim Ki-Rok replied with a grin. "Got it. You've done a great job. We'll immediately rescue the imprisoned dwarves using the secret passage and then launch our attack. The third unit is to wait around the Gate after entering. Once we've rescued the dwarves, we'll send a signal. When you receive it, deploy all the waiting Hunters for the assault."
They had at least an hour.
The Hunter, realizing that war against the Black Wizards and the Undead would begin within the hour, responded with a stern expression. "Understood."
Kim Ki-Rok turned to the Hunters of the first entry unit. "Then, let's move right away."
1. This is about 4 feet and 9 inches. ☜