Chapter 1077: Chapter 598: Retreat and Return
Boudica and Alhazred had conflicting opinions, and now the three teams indeed faced the issue of whether to advance or retreat.
"The scholar’s instincts have never missed; there must be something very dangerous ahead, but we came here to explore the Beast Lair, so leaving just like this might not be fitting.
It’s best to find a way to determine what’s happening and bring back valuable information."
Balistan also expressed his opinion.
"You all stay here prepared to support, as I have strong survival capabilities wearing armor and shield. I will scout ahead, and even if there’s trouble, I can save myself. If the situation seems wrong, I’ll retreat."
Undoubtedly, Balistan intended to take the risk himself, and considering the need to gather intelligence while avoiding danger, this was the most sensible choice.
His defense was the strongest, and he indeed had confidence in surviving an attack.
But it seemed they overlooked someone.
"I’ll go." Laura spoke up, "I’m a professional at scouting, and you can’t run fast nor see clearly."
Laura hadn’t spoken much along the way, but when she did, it was rather sharp, though she wasn’t critiquing Balistan’s one eye. It was true that wearing heavy armor limited his speed, and normal people didn’t have great dim vision either.
Laura’s Eagle Eye was different, allowing her to see far and better in dim conditions.
Moreover, with her light build, agile movements, and quick reactions, she was undoubtedly the best candidate.
More importantly, she was practical. As soon as she finished speaking, she moved directly, wrapping herself in a black robe, vanishing from the glow of the fire like she had disappeared.
"I..." Boudica felt an itch to go up too, but as soon as she started speaking, the other two interrupted her.
"It was agreed on before coming, to follow the team’s decisions." Balistan reminded her.
Everyone in Hamlet knew Boudica was tough and respected no one except the Lord.
Who dared to team up with her without making clear agreements first?
"You going up would just lead to a fight, so no need for scouting?" Alhazred said sarcastically, showing the scholar’s cunning.
Boudica could only hold her axe spear and stand bored to the side.
Meanwhile, Alhazred started setting up something, arranging ritual materials.
A long time passed with no movement, and Boudica couldn’t help but start pacing back and forth.
At this moment, a piercing scream came from the darkness at the end of the tunnel.
Soon after, before they could react further, the ground began to shake strangely, as if the tunnel was collapsing in a dramatic manner.
The subsequent tremors were accompanied by thunderous pig squeals, seemingly carrying some eerie power, invoking unexplainable unease and growing pressure.
It felt as if an Ancient Behemoth had been awakened in a stunning manner.
The noise startled the group awake; none knew what had happened up there, but with such dramatic commotion, none could guarantee Laura’s return.
Thus, they faced the decision to run or wait?
"Boudica, protect the scholar and leave first." Balistan immediately decided, there was no need for the two to stay.
"What about you?"
"Don’t waste time. I’m not planning to die, but someone needs to keep the agreement." Balistan remained fearless; death was never his end.
"I’m not protecting anything! I’m fighting through!"
But as they argued, curses echoed from the dark tunnel.
"Run quickly!"
As the voice sounded, Laura emerged, her cloak billowed like a hawk spreading its wings.
Only her fleeing appearance seemed pursued by something, breaking the predator image.
"What happened up front?"
"What are you all dawdling for? Leave quickly!" Laura’s breath was disordered, and her face was uncontrolled panic, only urging the others without explaining what happened.
Seeing Laura return, Balistan and the others relaxed slightly, but before they could speak, a sound pierced the air from the darkness.
Catching Laura mid-speech, her breath broken in the tricky moment, something indistinct seemed ready to strike.
She was never alone in battle.
"Watch out!"
Balistan’s resolute figure shielded Laura, raising his shield in a protective pose.
The projectile collided with the shield, emitting a metallic clash, delivering powerful force, but without shifting Balistan a step.
The incident happened almost instantly, and even Laura barely reacted. Yet in crucial moments, experienced soldiers were always reliable.
Only then did everyone notice the rusty, filthy iron short spear lodged in the shield.
It appeared crafted from some scavenged scrap metal, crude enough to be the Pigman’s handiwork.
Surprisingly, such a ramshackle object even pierced the shield surface; the embedded power was staggering.
Fortunately, Balistan’s shield was specially made; otherwise, a regular iron and wood shield would have been penetrated.
Moreover, it was odd since they hadn’t encountered any Pigman with such prowess before.
Yet Laura seemed terror-stricken, turning back to quickly fire two arrows into the dark while still urging everyone nonstop.
