Chapter 639 First Encounter
The next day at 5 a.m., everyone followed the previous arrangements, splitting into four groups and quickly disappearing into the canyon, leaving only a few dozen people behind to guard the camp.
James led over a hundred people from the National Security Agency on a rapid march, targeting the strongest western hall. Scouts had already been sent ahead, and information was constantly being relayed back. Sidney quickly processed the information and continuously adjusted the marching route.
This seamless cooperation made James very satisfied. Although some scouts were injured, the main force remained very safe and had not encountered any enemies so far.
The troops bypassed the eastern sub-hall and then the southern sub-hall, taking a full three hours of rapid marching to finally reach their destination. Meanwhile, messages from the other three sides confirmed that they had also reached their designated locations.
While the troops were resting, James, Sidney, and Bronte sat on an ancient tree on a mountainside, gazing into the distance. In the direction James was looking, there was a solitary steep peak. The mountain wasn't very high, about 1,000 feet, and faintly visible buildings could be seen on its summit.
According to Bronte, that peak was the headquarters of the temple. Although the mountain looked ordinary, even the most advanced radar couldn't scan its situation. James squinted at the peak for a long time before closing his eyes.
Previously, he had wondered why the peak looked somewhat ethereal. After careful observation, James realized that the entire mountain was shrouded in a massive magical array. Those with low power couldn't see the true form of the peak at all.
"What a huge investment!"
James marveled inwardly. Although the magical array was tricky, James believed that with enough power, it could be shattered.
Hearing James's exclamation, Sidney and Bronte asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Is there something unusual?"
James just shook his head and said to Sidney, "Prepare to attack once the rest is over."
James furrowed his brow as he spoke. This time, everything had gone way too smoothly, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. But they'd come too far to back out now. Even if they were walking into a massive trap, James had no choice but to keep going. If they couldn't take down the Godslayer Organization, at least they had to get Arianwen out. As for her memory—he'd figure that out later.
The main force rested in place for a full hour, and by noon, everyone was munching on the snacks they'd packed. James stepped up front and said, "This operation's under the NSA, so we've gotta set the standard. We're hitting from the west—first in, first under fire. Be ready for casualties. But if you get hurt or go down, the Smith family's got your back. Your families will be taken care of—no one gets left behind!"
"Good, good! Well said, instructor!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and then James waved his arm, "Move out!"
Over a hundred people instantly divided into dozens of small teams and rushed into the dense forest in an orderly manner. James, Sidney, and Bronte followed closely behind.
The Godslayer Organization's four outposts were scattered around that lone peak. The landscape here was strange—nothing but flat, dense forests stretching out around the solitary mountain. The four outposts were tucked away in those woods, hidden so well you'd walk right past them if you didn't know where to look.
"Team One has found traces of human activity!"
"Team Two has found traces of activity!"
Messages kept coming back, but no battles had occurred, and no one had been encountered.
James couldn't help but ask Bronte, "In what form do the sub-halls exist?"
Bronte shrugged and said, "There's only one door. Once you enter, you're inside the sub-hall. You can't see anything from the outside."
James frowned slightly at this. That door must be unusual, and perhaps the sub-hall wasn't as simple as it seemed.
"Have the troops stop!"
As soon as James finished speaking, gunfire and screams erupted in the dense forest. Sidney said in surprise, "Team Fourr's already in it. The enemy's dug in, and both sides are taking hits."
James paused, then barked, "Tell everyone to stay low. These guys are assassins—we can't play it straight. Let's move, it's go time!"
With that, James bolted forward. After covering some ground, he suddenly pivoted and slammed a punch into the dirt where he'd just been.
With a loud bang, the ground caved in, and a muffled groan was heard. James reached into the fallen leaves and pulled out a corpse.
Sidney, who had followed closely, was shocked and said, "These people are well hidden!"
James just smirked. With his knack for sensing everything within 100 feet, these so-called assassins didn't stand a chance.
"You go find the main force. I need to act alone!"
Without waiting for Sidney's response, James disappeared.
In the thick of the woods, a guy decked out in camo was holed up in a tree, practically invisible against the leaves and bark. Every now and then, he'd peek around the trunk, waiting for his target to stroll by.
"See something interesting?" A chilling voice cut through the air, and the guy froze, sweat dripping down his back. Before he could even turn, a hand clamped around his neck.
"Make a sound, and you're dead." The icy tone killed any thought of calling for backup. The assassin was shook—he hadn't heard a damn thing. The way this guy had just materialized behind him like some kind of ghost was truly frightening.
"Wh-what do you want?" the assassin finally stammered, still shaking.
James smirked. "How many of you are in these woods? Where's your hideout?"
"We've got about seventy or eighty guys here, but only two are gold-tier—the rest are silver! As for the hideout, I can take you there, but I can't just spill it!"
James, who'd nabbed the guy, cracked a grin. With a quick twist, he snapped the assassin's neck, propped the body against a tree, and vanished into the shadows.
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