Published: February 13, 2025
"These past few days have been exhausting."
As soon as a Hall People's warrior entered the tent, he ripped off his armor and threw it on the ground, collapsing onto the military cot with a thud, while pressing on his aching head.
In recent days, the Hall People had taken the initiative to launch attacks, continuously clearing the monsters from the surrounding peaks. Although they had a large number of people, the terrain of Black Book Summit was unique. Each hunting operation required nearly tens of thousands of participants, from the main attackers to supporting roles to scouts, and so on. Each person had gone through several large-scale hunts during this period, resulting in significant casualties. However, for most, the hardest part was the sheer exhaustion.
There was physical fatigue, as well as mental fatigue.
"I don't know what the higher-ups are planning. There's still plenty of time before the hunting ends, so why the rush? The previous strategy was actually quite good; we could just wait here for those flying life forms to come attack us. We could counterattack using our numbers and various defensive weapons, which was both easy and safe."
Another soldier, sitting nearby and cleaning his weapon, casually responded.
"I always feel like the higher-ups have some big plan in mind, but I just don't know what it is."
The Hall People were a super clan, and the treatment of their warriors was quite good. A spacious tent housed four people. The third person speaking was one of the three currently present in the tent, while the fourth was absent.
"I heard..." The warrior who had just returned and lay on the cot suddenly flipped over, his eyes burning with gossip. "It seems our prince has encountered some trouble."
Seeing the other two look somewhat dazed and skeptical, he quickly lowered his voice, "Haven't you noticed that His Highness Zimu hasn't appeared for several days? Why did we suddenly change our strategy during the days of his disappearance? Also..."
He seemed to have his own sources of information and leaned closer to his companions, saying, "Not only has His Highness Zimu disappeared, but those who followed him are also nowhere to be found! In a place so temporarily isolated from the world, what other explanation could there be besides an incident?"
He licked his lips, seemingly excited at the thought of the seismic reaction this news would cause, and continued, "Have you noticed that quite a few people have disappeared from the camp? At least several thousand, all skilled in reconnaissance, and several top masters have also vanished. If you say nothing has happened, who would believe it?"
Hearing this, the other two thought for a moment and realized it did seem strange.
"Pu Du Zha, Pu Du Zha!"
Just as the three were about to continue their discussion, shouts came from outside the camp. The well-informed soldier immediately jumped up and responded loudly.
It was his captain calling for him.
"Come with me, Kunz wants to see you."
Pu Du Zha nearly knelt down in shock.
Upon exiting the tent and seeing his captain, he stammered, "Kunz... wants, wants to see me?"
He was just an ordinary warrior, and Kunz was one of the most powerful individuals among the Hall People, a figure vastly different from him.
"Just go when you're told, why ask so many questions?" The captain scolded, leading him to the central area of the camp, where Kunz's tent was located.
Once inside the tent, Pu Du Zha felt a slight sense of relief. He saw several others of similar status as himself, so it should not be trouble caused by his big mouth.
"Confirm for me if these locations are places we've passed by during the hunts in the past few days."
Kunz waved his hand, and immediately someone handed over a map to them. Pu Du Zha and the others quickly lowered their heads to examine it, each finding their hunting positions and marching routes.
After everyone confirmed, Kunz finally spoke, "Did any of you notice anything unusual on the paths we traveled?"
This question left everyone puzzled.