Chapter 190

Ambush

That night.

The snow was falling heavier and heavier. Amidst the blizzard and darkness, the lights in the Darkmoon clan camp flickered weakly, as if they would be extinguished at any moment.

In such blizzard and darkness, the elves and werewolves no longer ventured outside. Only skeletons were stationed as guards outside the camp.

Having finished a day of hard labor, the skeletons also carried out sentry duties. Tirelessly, they followed orders and continued moving, until...

Swish, swish, swish!

Crack!

Several arrows flew in, and a few skeletons standing outside the breach in the camp wall were shot down. Then, several thieves in white robes dashed forward, the heavy snow serving as their best cover.

After easily taking care of the guard skeletons, they occupied the still unfinished breach in the wall. Judging by their practiced movements, it was clear this wasn't their first time doing something like this.

Once everything was done, they signaled to those behind them.

"No problem. You can come over."

Through the blizzard, morlock could barely make out the thieves' gestures, but once he did, he led a group of warriors clad in white battle armor as they quickly charged forward, easily reaching the newly repaired section of the wall.

Looking through the breach, morlock gazed into the camp. The first thing that caught his eye was the towering elf king tree. Although he'd been informed of it by scouts ahead of time, seeing it in person still surprised him a little.

His eyes moved downward, and he saw rows of brand-new wooden houses. Warm lights glowed inside, and by his calculation, it was dinnertime.

"Hmph, what a bunch of fools. Just because of a blizzard, they don't bother mounting a guard. Those skeletons can't protect you."

Morlock muttered to himself. At the same time, a team captain led his group quietly up to the wall and asked,

"Captain, everything's ready. What's the plan?"

"In a moment, we charge straight in. Ignore the skeletons for now. First, secure the aliens inside the houses. As long as we control them, they won't dare act rashly."

"Same old plan, huh? Well, it hasn't failed us yet."

The team captain grinned. Morlock also revealed a sinister smile.

"Everyone, get ready."

At those words, the group simultaneously drew their weapons.

"Attack!"

At the command, they rushed into the camp through the breach in the wall. There was no sound of slaughter, and even their hurried steps were drowned out by the howling wind.

Sensing an attack, the skeletons surrounded them, wielding sharp blades and spears, but the intruders paid them no mind, charging into the wooden houses.

"Don't move! All of you—"

The team captain led the charge into a wooden house, but only a flickering lamp was inside, and no one else.

"No one's here?"

He was perplexed and immediately exited the wooden house, spotting others with similar confusion. One by one, they emerged from different houses, apparently finding no one in them either.

"Crack, crack, crack!"

The skeletons snapped their jaws as they charged, nearly a hundred strong. The sight was intimidating, even if these skeletons were weak individually—their numbers still posed a threat.

The mercenaries engaged the skeletons. With their rich combat experience, they split into small squads. Facing the encirclement of the skeletons, they showed no fear.

But at this moment, what they should be thinking about wasn't how to deal with the skeletons, but why all the aliens had vanished without a trace.

"Truly no one?"

Morlock confirmed as he fought alongside the others. They answered while fending off the skeletons:

"No."

"This house is empty too."

"Same here."

But amid the replies, one was different.

"This place... no—ah! Help, help—"

The voice was abruptly cut off. Morlock's eyes widened, and he stared intently. He saw several skeletons rush out of a house, having ambushed and slain an unlucky mercenary.

"This is bad, it's a trap!"

No sooner had he spoken than the skeletons surrounded them.

"Prepare to fight! Don't worry, these guys can't hurt us,"

Morlock said, and, just as he expected, the mercenaries—divided into squads—cooperated skillfully. Facing the encroaching skeletons, they killed them together; without any BUFF, the ordinary skeletons stood no chance.

"The enemy was prepared?" the team captain speculated. Morlock snorted coldly.

"Hmph, so what if they were ready? They can't escape this camp. We'll finish off these skeletons and flush them out."

With Morlock's order, everyone regrouped to fight the skeletons.

One skeleton after another fell, but several members of the White Blade Mercenary Group were also wounded.

"Argh!"

A careless mercenary was slashed in the abdomen by a skeleton. As more skeletons surrounded him on the ground, his companion quickly finished off the skeletons and pulled him to safety.

"Bah, trash," the wounded mercenary spat, stomping the corpse of a skeleton. The soul fire in its eye sockets had been extinguished—it was only to vent his anger.

"If you're hurt, get inside," his companion said, supporting him toward the center of the group. Just one clash had left more than ten mercenaries badly injured. Although no one had died, the losses were significant.

Fortunately, the skeletons were all wiped out. The cost was still acceptable.

But before they could catch their breath, a volley of arrows flew in, targeting the still able mercenaries.

Thud, thud, thud!

The sudden assault injured several at once.

"Argh!"

"There are archers! Find cover!"

They shouted as they ducked behind the houses one by one.

Looking toward the direction the arrows had come from, they saw several elves standing atop the watchtower by the main gate. With the mercenaries hiding, the elves could not target them and had to cease fire.

Seeing the elves appear, rage erupted in the ambushed team captain's heart.

"They dare attack us? With me—let's capture—"

"Don't act rashly."

Morlock stopped the impulsive team captain. Confirming that the arrows couldn't reach them, he shouted at the elves,

"Your skeletons have all been destroyed by me. I know you have only a few dozen warriors left, but I have nearly a hundred men. If you know what's good for you, surrender immediately!"

Morlock threatened, at the same time signaling to the archer squad. The archers quietly crept up to the houses, bows fully drawn.

Just then, the elves responded:

"Human, how dare you invade the Queen's territory! I advise you to put down your weapons and surrender at once."

"Hah, what crap Queen? At most, she'll fetch me a few more gold coins. The same goes for all of you. Once you're in chains, you won't be talking to me like this."

Morlock was deliberately angering them and drawing their attention—and it worked.

"Greedy human, you will pay for your actions."

"Pay? The price is me getting piles of gold coins, while you become lowly slaves."

"You—"

"Loose!"

His words bought the archers their chance. The archer squad sprang out, unleashing a hail of arrows at the watchtower.

The barrage briefly suppressed the enemy archers. Morlock waved his arm.

"Charge! Capture them! Their numbers are running low!"

With a loud cry, everyone rushed out. 100 vs 20—they held an overwhelming advantage. However...

Crack, crack, crack!

At the sight of a sea of skeletons, everyone was dumbfounded.

Where did these skeletons come from?

No one answered their question, but meanwhile, Serea kept receiving notifications.

System: Converted corpse into skeleton. Consumed 0.5 Death Crystal.

System: Converted corpse into skeleton. Consumed 0.5 Death Crystal.

System: ...

A string of prompts came in, and a mischievous smile appeared on Serea's face.

Outnumber me? Right at my doorstep? You can't possibly beat me!

(To be continued...)