The next morning, they resumed their journey, fully aware that they still had a long way to go. The previous day, they had barely covered 100 kilometers, leaving another 400 kilometers ahead—an estimated two days of travel at their current pace. They knew that as they ventured deeper, encounters with ferocious beasts would become increasingly frequent.
As they moved through the dense fog, with water droplets falling from the large leaves above, the humidity clung to them, soaking their clothes and making the journey uncomfortable. The dampness was annoying, slowing their progress and dampening their spirits.
It wasn't until the Sun began to rise, its rays cutting through the mist and warming the forest, that they found a brief moment of peace. The sunlight brought a sense of relief, allowing them to dry off slightly and regain some energy.
Bang! Bang!
BOOM!
Suddenly, the sharp sounds of gunshots and explosions echoed through the forest.
"Woah, that is intense! Where's that coming from?" Yang exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.
"It's coming from the north, meaning our front," Silver replied, his ears attuned to the direction despite the echoes bouncing off the trees.
He glanced at Lucia. "Do you want to check it out?"
Lucia nodded decisively. "Yeah, but let's be cautious. We don't want to get caught in their chaos, especially if it draws powerful beasts from the depths of the Primal Zone. We would find a way around them to cross them as we have to north as well."
"Alright, let's see who these assholes are," Alisha said with a grin, clearly eager for action.
Summer followed closely behind, keeping his senses sharp. He knew they could encounter Rogue Evolvers or criminals ahead. This area was notorious for attracting those who looted, plundered, and killed with impunity. Although the government made efforts to control these elements, they always found new ways to infiltrate the zone, like persistent cockroaches.
In some ways, these human threats were even more dangerous than the beasts in the outer areas. The criminals didn't dare venture too deep, where normal firearms and weapons became useless, but in this part of the forest, they were a real menace.
When they arrived at the site, they were greeted by the sight of a large group of men wielding flashy firearms, their faces twisted into menacing grins. The group, composed mostly of middle-aged men, was confronting a massive Winged Snake that loomed ominously in front of a cave. At the front of the group stood a young man who appeared to be in charge, his demeanor confident and commanding.
Summer's group crouched silently in the bushes a few hundred meters away, observing the scene with growing tension.
"They're mercenaries," Lucia whispered, her eyes narrowing.
"Yeah, but not just any mercenary group. They're from the Scarlet Lion organization. You can tell by their uniforms," Silver added, his extraordinary vision picking up details the others couldn't see.
Yang and the others exchanged surprised glances.
"Scarlet Lion? That's unusual!" Yang muttered in disbelief. "I've heard they charge a fortune for their services. Who could have hired them?"
Silver sneered. "Probably some rich kid, using Daddy's money to get what he wants."
"Heh, forget about the kid. Look at that glowing egg in the cave. That's what they're really after," Alisha said, practically salivating at the sight. "That egg could boost someone's evolution essence by a huge margin."
Lucia noticed the hunger in Alisha's eyes and chuckled. "Thinking about stealing it, Alisha?"
Alisha grinned wickedly. "Why not? I'm not scared of these guys. What do you say, Captain? Should we take it?"
Lucia furrowed her brows, considering the idea. "You're getting ahead of yourself, Alisha. Don't forget our main mission. If it were just us, maybe we could risk it, but we can't afford to get sidetracked."
Alisha sighed but nodded in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in Lucia's words.
"Let's move," Lucia ordered. The group quietly began to leave, taking a side route to avoid the confrontation.
"STOP!"
Just as they took a few steps forward, Summer's group found themselves suddenly surrounded by several men in red uniforms, their faces stern and unyielding.
"Oops, Lucia, it seems they have an advanced radar detection device with them," Silver muttered, his eyes darting around to assess the situation.
Lucia frowned, a hint of frustration in her voice. "That was a mistake on my part. I didn't expect them to have such sophisticated equipment that works even in this chaotic zone. They must be backed by some formidable organization."
Alisha, ever the confident one, grinned. "No worries, Captain. Sometimes things don't go as planned. But if they try anything funny, we'll show them what we're made of."
Yang chuckled lightly. "You're too confident, Alisha. What if they have a Surpasser among them?"
"Relax, everyone," Lucia said calmly, though her grip on her rapier tightened, her muscles tensing as she prepared for any sudden moves. "I'll talk to them. There's no need to panic."
She stepped forward, her posture exuding authority and grace. "Hey, We mean no harm guys," Lucia called out to the men surrounding them. "We're just passing through this place. Let's not make this any more complicated than it needs to be."
The men in red uniforms remained silent for a moment, their eyes scanning the group, assessing whether they were a threat or not. Then, One of them quickly silently pressed a button at his communicator.
"Why are you here? This place is reserved by the Akaris group," the leader of the small squad asked sternly, his voice hardened by years of battle. The scars on his face spoke volumes of his experience—he was no ordinary soldier.
Alisha snickered, her confidence unshaken. "Since when does this place belong to you? We didn't receive any notice from the government," she retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Yang chuckled as well, though his body was coiled like a spring, ready to launch into battle if needed. "Yeah, we must've missed the memo," he added, his eyes scanning the men around them.
The leader of the group furrowed his brows, realizing the situation might be more complicated than he initially thought. Alisha and the others weren't just random travelers—they were Evolvers, and from the look of them, they were likely more powerful than his own squad. He was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to escalate the situation or back down.
Just then, the young man leading the mercenaries earlier emerged from behind the group, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the newcomers. "What's going on here, boys? Why the sudden alarm?" he demanded, his scrutinising gaze shifting from one member of Summer's group to the next.