amaotonovel Chapter 367 [Empire] Mercenaries and Soldiers
Chapter 367 [Empire] Mercenaries and Soldiers
I don’t know if the city environment simulation system is broken tonight or what, it’s pitch black outside, and the ground and the sky are covered with clouds of fog. It seems that even the fog is black.
After getting on Nightingale's hovercraft, she quickly shared the information with me: "It's possible that a commander-level monster broke into the city tonight. As you can see, it's in chaos. The military and mercenary guild are almost fully mobilized, including retired personnel. The military is more efficient, and your Wen Ya has already been dispatched. It's just that these mercenaries are idle, and many are still staying in bed."
My heart sank as I listened to Nightingale's concise report. A commander-level beast wasn't just a street riot; it was a disaster that could affect the entire city.
Wen Ya had already gone there when the military dispatched him—would he have participated directly in the battle? With this level of mission, given Wen Ya's abilities alone, I couldn't imagine what he would have faced.
The scene outside was unsettling. The sky was dark, and a black fog enveloped the streets, as if the city were being devoured by some unfathomable force. I could feel the oppressive atmosphere in the air, as if every step was treading on cold iron and stone, cold and heavy. The hovercraft was moving at breakneck speed, but the surrounding scenery seemed strange and eerie. Even Nightingale's occasional calls for maps and information couldn't mask the unsettling atmosphere outside.
"Nightingale..." I said in a deep voice, a hint of worry in my tone, "Wen Ya...can he handle this situation?"
Nightingale didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at me, his eyes flashing with a complex emotion: "You should know that his abilities are not limited to what you see. Don't worry." His tone was light, but there was still an imperceptible vigilance in his words.
I was a little worried, but I also knew that at a time like this, Nightingale's analysis would carry weight. Wen Ya's abilities should not be underestimated, especially when it comes to special abilities and tactics. His reaction speed and combat strategy are almost as good as any top mercenary. However, I still couldn't calm the uneasiness in my heart.
"Where are we going?" I tried to sound calm, even though my heart was already in a mess.
Nightingale quickly swiped across the light computer screen, called up the latest mission map, and pointed to an area on it: "There is a temporary command post nearby, let's go there first. There is a lot of fog in this area, the vision is unclear, and the approaching monsters have begun to fight back frantically. The military forces have been temporarily dispersed, and most of the elites of the mercenary guild are cleaning up the periphery. This is our best entry point." He explained concisely and clearly without saying much nonsense. It was obvious that he intended to make the best use of existing resources and quickly participate in the battle.
I nodded. Although I still felt a little hesitant, I decided to follow him. There was no turning back, and we shouldn't even stay for too long. This disaster couldn't be handled solely by the military's current presence. The intervention of the Mercenary Guild seemed to be the only way to resolve the problem, or at least limit its impact. And as mercenaries on the front lines, we had no right to choose not to participate.
The black fog outside the car window thickened, and even the Nightingale's cockpit seemed to be filled with a pungent odor. I frowned and looked out the window. The fog slowly moved on the car window, like something alive, as if it was slowly invading every corner of the city.
"Nightingale, have all the mercenaries been dispatched?" I couldn't help but ask. He just mentioned that there were quite a few people from the Mercenary Guild around this city, but I wasn't sure if all of them could deal with monsters of this level.
I thought of the boy on the second floor of the cafeteria who had to support his younger sister.
"Almost." Nightingale's deep voice carried a calm confirmation. "But not everyone is participating in the battle. Some low-level mercenaries are assigned to the periphery to clear obstacles, and some remain at the headquarters to do logistics. You and I are part of the front line."
I nodded. Although I still felt uneasy, knowing more information at least helped me feel less lost. After all, the mission's goal had always been clear: to defeat the invading monsters and protect the city.
"What do we do next?" I asked.
"Let's gather at the command post first and receive new orders." Nightingale's eyes were sharp as he spoke. He seemed to have fully adapted to this tense atmosphere and remained on high alert. "We will act together with other elite mercenaries. The key to the success of this mission is to quickly eliminate the enemy and control various key areas. Once you get there, you will follow orders."
The hovercar sped along, my heart racing. Though a touch of nervousness was inevitable, I felt an overwhelming excitement. This was the kind of mission I'd always longed for—pushing the limits, facing the unknown, a brush with death. And tonight seemed like the time to rise to that challenge again.
"Are you ready?" Nightingale suddenly asked me, her voice a little joking, but her eyes were filled with deep seriousness.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down: "I'm ready."
The scene at the temporary command post was filled with a tense atmosphere of battle, as well as a bit of chaos and unruliness.
The army was in a neat formation, the commander's orders echoing loudly in the air. Every soldier in the team was like a precision machine, their movements in unison, their eyes firm and unambiguous. Their standardized temperament and sense of discipline involuntarily gave people a sense of awe.
However, the mercenary team was a completely different picture.
While they appeared capable, battlefield discipline was practically nonexistent. Most mercenaries stood, sat, leaned, or even lay on the ground, swinging their legs. They kept spouting off-handed slogans like, "Once I've secured this deal, my wallet will be full," or "With the money, everyone will get a promotion, eat well, and dress well." Their words were filled with wanton provocation and mockery. Even in this large-scale battle, they never forgot to put their own interests first.
A few mercenaries saw Nightingale and I arrive, glanced casually, and then continued to drink or eat their meager rations, completely oblivious to the atmosphere of the battle around them. Some even shouted loudly, "We're here to make money, not to die! A bite from this strange beast is nothing. What matters is that we can make money and live a better life when we return!"
Nightingale glanced around calmly, apparently unconcerned with the clamor around him. He silently guided me toward the station's commander. His calmness and composure seemed to suggest he was accustomed to this kind of environment.
"Don't pay attention to these guys," Nightingale said calmly. "Even though the mercenary guild's teams don't say it, they've proven their abilities through actual combat. They may appear like this on the surface, but their performance on the battlefield is definitely not bad."
I nodded, but a sense of worry welled up inside me. While this informal approach could improve team flexibility in certain situations, it also evoked a sense of irresponsible laxity, as if treating this life-or-death struggle like a drunken brawl or playing house.
"Focus!" A tall mercenary commander stepped forward and shouted in a deep voice. The sound immediately drew the attention of the surrounding mercenaries, and the clamor gradually faded away.
"I'll give you a chance to prove yourselves. This mission is no joke. We're not capturing ordinary alien beasts, but commander-level invaders. Everyone, prepare and await further instructions." He looked at the mercenaries around him with a sharp gaze. "Attention, we must coordinate our actions with the army. Any negligence will give the enemy an opportunity."
His words made me feel a little more relaxed. It seemed that although the mercenaries were a bit relaxed during normal times, they could still quickly adjust to combat mode when a mission came.
"Nightingale, is the enemy this time stronger than the ones we encountered before?" I couldn't help but ask, feeling a little uneasy.
Nightingale tilted his head, remained silent for a moment, and finally spoke slowly, "Commander-level beasts are indeed no pushovers. Their combat power far exceeds that of ordinary beasts, and they can even change the situation on the battlefield in a short period of time. If we are not careful, we may even pay a heavy price." He paused, then added in a low voice, "But don't worry, I will fight this battle alongside you."
I looked at his calm eyes and the uneasiness in my heart calmed down a little.
The commander began issuing orders, and all the mercenaries donned their gear, preparing to depart. While they continued to joke around, some even teased each other about how much they could earn, their eyes held a stark alertness and focus that couldn't be ignored.
"Mission Begin!" The commander shouted, and the entire team immediately began to move. The mercenaries quickly boarded their vehicles and moved quickly. A tense atmosphere filled the air, and the army troops began to form a circle around them.
I followed Nightingale to our hovercraft. He didn't say much, just gave me a reassuring look. "Are you ready?"
I took a deep breath and nodded. Although the mission's danger was unnerving, it was a challenge I had to face. As mercenaries, facing danger was inevitable, and every battle made me stronger.
The atmosphere became increasingly oppressive, with the roars of more and more strange beasts seemingly filling the air. The unease grew stronger and stronger.