Seeing the demon cocoons suddenly appearing behind them, every member of the Hayes squad revealed expressions of terror.
At this moment, the cocoons were writhing frantically.
The black and red patterns on their disgusting, twisted, slimy shells seemed like the filthiest corruption, constantly assaulting the squad members' sight.
As their wriggling accelerated, everyone felt as if their hearts were being clenched from afar.
This heavy fear made them all feel suffocated.
Too many!
The number of demon cocoons was simply overwhelming!
"Captain… what should we…"
"Do?"
Several soldiers stammered toward the captain.
"Prepare to fire! Use firepower to suppress them and break through before they fully hatch!"
"Stay calm, everyone. We can survive this."
The captain's words offered a glimmer of hope to the reconnaissance squad.
But that so-called hope was nothing more than a lie.
As the squad's captain, he had a clear understanding of the situation.
He knew perfectly well that this team could not escape the encirclement of these bizarre creatures!
The number of demon cocoons had reached a tipping point!
The squad's only purpose now was to relay information about these creatures and the area back to headquarters before dying!
This was the real reason the captain lied; he knew his subordinates would die, and he knew he himself would die.
However, after hearing 092's screams, the captain understood one thing.
Rather than be killed in despair by these utterly twisted monsters, or be toyed with by creatures who delighted in suffering…
"It's better to die fighting to the end!"
The blue-purple eyes of the squad captain blazed with magical energy.
"Fire!"
Boom!
A vast area of small demon cocoons instantly turned to bloody slurry under the impact of chemical weapons.
At the same time, the countless remaining demon cocoons across the hills began hatching rapidly!
---
"The Blackstone Squad's world intelligence has been uploaded…"
"Commander, the analysis report for the southeastern jungle environment is complete!"
An electronic report appeared in the Hayes commander's vision amid the hum of alchemical equipment.
The report detailed the jungle's environment and lifeforms, with images, videos, and numerous highlighted potential marching routes.
Before the commander finished reviewing it, a second report arrived.
"Commander, the Broken Blade Squad's world intelligence has been uploaded… report for the southwest direction is ready for review."
Then the third, fourth reports followed…
The commander sat there, reviewing the flood of data from the world like a tide.
As the intelligence accumulated, fragments of a "war map" gradually formed in his mind.
Though these reports seemed trivial, they were crucial for the Hayes clan's advance!
This war-driven, rat-like species was naturally adept at analyzing data and intelligence to make decisions most advantageous for conquering the world.
However, today, fate played a small trick.
The Hayes clan was about to face a war beyond their expectations, a conflict that would leave an indelible mark!
---
"Northwest direction, Rust Squad's world intelligence…"
A Hayes soldier operated an alchemical machine receiving reconnaissance data when he suddenly froze at a line of crimson text.
Crimson text usually meant only one thing:
The squad had been wiped out!
And their alchemical equipment was destroyed!
But it also implied something else:
The fallen reconnaissance squad had most likely encountered resistance from this world!
He immediately presented the information to the Hayes commander with top priority.
"Commander, a reconnaissance squad was attacked and wiped out!"
"I understand."
The commander coldly nodded, expressionless, opening the transmitted data.
War always demanded sacrifice.
If he couldn't accept even minor losses, he could not hold his position.
Yet, unexpectedly, upon seeing the report from Rust Squad, the commander's face changed dramatically.
"Rat-a-tat! Ahhh, it's… it's devouring me alive! Rat-a-tat! Help me, captain! Boom! Please… spare me… ugh… Boom!"
Through the video, the commander witnessed horrors no one could ever imagine, even in nightmares, from the first-person perspective of the fallen squad members.
The footage showed squad members being dissected alive by swarming small demons.
It revealed the creatures' thirst for blood and their inherently evil nature!
They were born depraved, showing no respect for life!
In fact…
They were pure embodiments of evil, delighting in witnessing misery firsthand!
Evil, twisted, grotesque, depraved…
Words could not capture the perverse nature of the small demons!
Even a war-hardened Hayes commander, from a dark race, could not believe a creature could be this cruel!
He could not comprehend why such twisted, evil beings were born in such a beautiful world.
It was like mold growing on a delicious cake.
A mix of pity and extreme disgust.
---
The commander fell silent.
A few minutes later, he stood and began issuing attack orders.
"All units, prioritize the northwest direction!"
"In that direction lies the most dangerous enemy of this world, a group of terrifying foes that feed on disasters!"
"Transmit my orders…"
The commander took a deep breath.
"First, clear the path with death bombs, attacking the black land!"
"Then, deploy all heavy armored units and infantry to annihilate all local life, leaving none alive!"
"We will make the monsters of this ignorant world feel the terrifying power of science and magic combined!"
"We will make these evil, ugly monsters, and their world, know…"
The commander's eyes glimmered with anger.
"…the fear of being suppressed and humiliated by us!"
"They, and the world behind them, will kneel before the Hayes clan, begging for mercy!"
"Attack… begin!"
Soon, the small demons still devouring the squad's remains faced the Hayes clan's retaliation.
Countless chemical bombs rained down, turning the black land into a wasteland filled with chemical pollution.
At the same time, the Hayes clan inadvertently awakened a terrifying presence.
A pair of indifferent eyes gazed upon them from the depths of the Endless Abyss.