At the region's border, Hanif saw a very dense forest and trees covering the land. What is interesting about the ecosystem in this place is the tranquil and soundless conditions. Even the sound of the expedition soldiers' footsteps echoed around this forest.
Only 9 people will leave outside. Although there are more than 20 soldiers following behind, their job is only to assist.
Only 9 people went because this expedition had to be carried out quickly and secretly.
"Ready?" Hanif saw Miftah carrying a black flag.
Miftah just nodded and smiled. "Of course."
Hanif took out a map and reminded him of what had been agreed upon. "Okay. In less than 7 days we must finish exploring the resources at the first point, after that we will head straight towards Blood Grape. If possible, then we can take some ripe fruits but our main goal there is to see and gather information about the movements of the Rosewood Clan. After that, we will retreat and return to this area. "
The soldiers seemed to understand and began to carry Hanif and Miftah on their shoulders. The bags and shovels they had were carried by other soldiers. This was the only way they could arrive on time and move quickly.
The expedition group set off and ran at full speed through the forest. Although the forest in this place was so dense, the expedition group moved without any obstacles. They followed the map drawn by Felyn.
"By the way, why did Felyn hand over such important information to us so easily? Besides, she seemed so obedient without ever refusing the orders given." On the way, Miftah asked Hanif.
"Ah, that… I'm not sure either. Although I don't know exactly what kind of contract they received, Alam has confirmed that it was a humane contract. But I have another opinion besides because Felyn is bound by the contract."
"Oh, what is that?" Hearing that, Miftah became interested.
"I've read various reports that Felyn wrote. And when I read the report, I found an interesting fact. Felyn seems to have lived among humans once. From the arrangement of sentences that she has, she didn't even hesitate to write a lot of things about humans who are the pioneers of magic in this world."
"Moreover, even when she met us, her reaction was mediocre. And she seemed to know Ash Thirteen judging from the way Felyn avoided Ash."
Hearing that, Miftah nodded. He didn't really know about this because he himself was not interested in how the differences between races. Of course, he also knew the strange attitude that Felyn showed when she was around Humans. And the fact that she wasn't surprised when she saw a human calling her, as Hanif said, Felyn might have lived together with Humans.
Well, who knows what the elves' attitude was like when they first met humans, but what Felyn showed, she acted too casually.
"Is it possible that she plans to betray the elf race?" this time, it was Hanif who asked.
"I don't think so. No matter what, she probably wouldn't go that far. The proof is, that she drew the line by not telling us about the number of Rosewood clans and how much power they have. Even if there is a war, Felyn will probably side with the Elf race."
It might not be to the point of betraying us, but enough to act passively and not kill the Elf races that might attack. When that happens, Felyn will most likely not join the battle.
Therefore, none of the three of them relied on Felyn for this expedition.
After that, the two continued to talk for some time and finally stopped when the expeditionary force stopped.
"What happened?"
One of the faceless soldiers pointed at the map. "There is something blocking it. Its shape looks like a wolf but the jaw that the wolf has is too big."
Hanif and Miftah looked at a wolf that seemed lost. Their attention immediately went to the white jaw that seemed to be an extension of its body. Its shape was similar to a jawbone with sharp fangs.
The information that Felyn had given appeared in their minds.
"Bone Hound. It seems to have separated from its pack. If it is like this, then there is most likely a pack of Bone Hound monsters in the desolate plains."
"If so, we can finish them off easily." Miftah ordered the soldiers to attack and gave a signal.
The 3 faceless soldiers nodded and took out the tied spears carried beside their shovels. It was an alternative weapon they used to kill some aggressive animals in the Batavia area to save on bullets.
In addition to being easy to make, these wooden spears could also be made in large quantities. Each soldier carried a bundle containing 5 spears. The three of them threw the spears with all their might and hit the Bone Hound's neck.
Without wasting much time, they immediately moved quickly ignoring the Bone Hound's carcass. There was no point in fighting the monster and there was no point in collecting its corpse.
On the way, Hanif and Miftah had to stop several times to see the scenery more clearly. The silent forest was so untouched and very dense. Although the faceless soldiers had no problem moving in this kind of terrain, they could not ignore Hanif and Miftah who were with them.
The convoy stopped and one of the soldiers looked in the direction they had to go. From the top of the tallest tree around, a faceless soldier came down and whispered something into Miftah's ear.
"Is that true?"
The soldier nodded and said nothing further.
"We have a problem. There is something blocking our way there." Miftah took out a map and used a pen to draw a line close to the first crosshair. He also added details and drew the shape of the cave.
"Around here, there are many corpses of monsters similar to Bone Hounds. In addition, there are many corpses of other monsters around the cave entrance." With a soft sigh, Miftah told what he had heard. "There is most likely a monster that is more terrifying than the Bone Hounds we found on the way here."
Miftah looked at Hanif who was listening while gesturing to come closer. His gaze was fixed on the other Bone Hounds they found on the way to the first resource location. Not only one corpse, but there were also more than 3 that they brought.
"If there are more terrifying creatures in this forest, then it makes sense that we always meet Bone Hounds that are not in the pack." Hanif touched the wolf's stomach and could feel the ribs behind it.
They were hungry. And it was not just one, but all the Bone Hounds they met were also hungry.
Miftah who saw it agreed with Hanif's words.
"Now, what are we going to do, Miftah?"
"If we can't find out what monsters are in the mine, then we need to forget about this resource point and go straight to the second resource point. We mark this place as a dangerous place and go straight to the second place."
That was the plan that the three of them discussed when there was no other choice. There was no need to waste time and immediately move to the second point. That was if they met a monster that interfered with the expedition.
"If you decide to ignore this resource point, I don't mind."
Hanif just agreed but Miftah had not made a final decision. After thinking for a while, Miftah said. "We do that after checking what's inside this resource point. If there are monsters that we can't handle, then we can forget about this resource point."
Hanif nodded and did not comment. They immediately walked towards the mine while being alert to their surroundings.
When they were near the cave, the soldiers stopped and took something out of the backpacks they were carrying. A thick black stick with a short fuse.
Explosives. Similar to dynamite although slightly different from the usual shape. They put the dynamite on their waists and walked closer slowly. Dried blood had covered the rocks in this place and countless bodies were scattered.
Steps….steps… and suddenly, the soldiers' steps stopped. One of the soldiers raised his hand and signaled to the medical troops behind.
The medical soldiers nodded and immediately retreated while carrying Hanif and Miftah in their hands.
"Position!"
Instantly, all the soldiers raised their rifles and aimed them at the mouth of the cave. Although there was nothing in front, the faceless soldiers seemed to be able to see something that wasn't there.
"Shoot!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three loud shots echoed around this place heading into the cave. The smell of gunpowder filled the air and white smoke came out of the M1903 rifle barrel.
Inside the cave, blood floated in the air before falling to the ground. The shape of an insect fell to the ground. The insect's body slowly emerged and was no longer visible as before.
Another soldier shouted. "Confirmed the morphological form of the Monster we are fighting is insect-shaped. Execute protocol 13 to eradicate insect-type Lifeforms."