Chapter 378: Ambush
Charles led the crew to navigate through the rugged mountain path through a dense forest in pursuit of the Pope.
Though the Pope's speed couldn't match that of Ronker, his flight speed still surpassed that of ordinary people. If not for the mice's keen sense of smell, Charles would have lost track of the Pope long ago.
After a vigorous chase that lasted an hour, Charles finally caught up with the Pope on a small hilltop.
"What did you run?! Didn't you agree to follow my lead? If we can't cooperate, we should just split up and do our own explorations!" Charles vented his frustration at the Pope and his group of followers.
However, the Pope provided no response. With a grim expression, his full attention was at the foot of the hill.
Charles followed his gaze and spotted several houses nestled among the trees beneath. Dim light could be seen flickered from the windows of some.
"What happened? Did the figure from earlier run into one of those houses?" Charles asked.
"No I couldn't catch him. My attacks didn't work on him. There's something amiss with this island."
The Pope's answer weighed down heavily on everyone present. They knew the Pope's true strength; he was comparable with Ronker. If even the Pope had failed to deal damage, just what kind of entity were they up against?
Weister swallowed hard, seeking reassurance as he leaned on his companion for support.
Feeling the tension in the air, Charles then followed up with another question, "Was it a human or something else?"
"I don't know. It could be human, or maybe not. But if all inhabitants on this island possess strength comparable to mine, approaching them directly would be tantamount to suicide."
Charles retraced the events that had unfolded from the moment they came ashore. Based on the current circumstances, it seemed that the shadow figure earlier displayed no hostile intention. Perhaps there could be a chance of a peaceful interaction.
His previous encounter with the friendly Ropelings had shown him that not all moving entities on uncharted islands were necessarily hostile.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Charles asked the Pope, "What do you plan to do next?"
A hint of surprise crossed the Pope's countenance, and he slightly bowed toward Charles to reaffirm the latter's command.
"Haven't we come to an agreement on this previously? You are the overall commander. It's your call on our next step. I'll execute any order you give unconditionally," the Pope answered.
Charles's lips twitched slightly as he suppressed the vulgarities that were threatening to spill from his mouth.
He drew the revolver on Dipp's waist and fired three shots toward the sky. The crisp gunshots reverberated through the forest, yet there was no response from either the woods or the buildings below.
It was impossible that the other party hadn't heard such loud gunfire. If they chose to remain silent, it meant that whoever was there had chosen not to engage with them.
Charles tossed the revolver back to his boatswain. "Let's move. If they won't reveal themselves, we'll take the initiative."
With pulsating anxiety, the group of over twenty slowly made their way toward the buildings.
In a place like this, everyone, including the Pope, was on high alert. Bizarre entities could exist on uncharted islands, and those demanded more than brute strength to be dealt with.
When they arrived amongst the structures, the sense of unease in them intensified. There was something amiss about the houses.
Some of them were brightly lit as though there were people living within. However, the adjacent villa next to those houses was so deteriorated and neglected that its original form was unrecognizable.
Charles was convinced they had entered the Foundation's territory. The minimalist architectural style, coupled with the sighting of brand-new modern cars, affirmed his belief that such a place was beyond the capabilities of the Subterranean Sea's human inhabitants.
Naturally, Charles had no intention of stepping into these suspicious buildings just like that. He needed scouts.
Squatting down, he addressed the mice surrounding him. "Search every room. If you find anything unusual, send a warning."
Squeak! Squeaaaak!
The mice chorused in unison, and then they swiftly dispersed into the surrounding buildings.
The first group of mice returned swiftly and shook their little heads at Charles to report no abnormalities.
As the search continued, Charles and his companions continued waiting in an unsettling silence.
Surveying the colorful bubble barrier encircling them and observing its continuation overhead, Charles felt a growing sense of unease. He turned to his crew and instructed, "Headcount."
The Narwhale's crew swiftly removed their shoulder straps and meticulously checked the names on it to ensure that the headcount matched perfectly.
Perplexed by the action, the Pope asked, "What's this for?"
"To ensure that we're all accounted for with no extra or missing," Charles explained.
"Ah, your extensive exploration experience shows, Charles. Truly a seasoned captain."
Charles ignored the Pope's compliment and quickly verified the headcount with his crew before reattaching his shoulder strap.
"Given the importance of the surface exit to the Divine Light Order, I believe that those followers behind you are exceptionally skilled, aren't they?"
Charles turned his gaze onto the bald men standing behind the Pope. He needed to know their strengths and special abilities to utilize them in a suitable manner.
The Pope's face glowed with pride as he let out a chuckle. "Indeed, they might not be the mightiest among the Order, but they are definitely seasoned explorers of ten islands. For example, Laise is"
The mice's distress squeaks interrupted the Pope from elaborating further.
"Let's move!" Charles urged as he led the group toward the source of the alarm.
The frantic squeaks from the mice echoed in the air. They sounded as though they were in pursuit of a target. Suddenly, their squeaks veered away from the buildings and into the dense forest.
Charles raised his left hand and launched his grappling hook onto a tall tree trunk. He then swung himself through the forest like Tarzan.
Leading the charge, he was rapidly closing the distance between himself and the mice ahead. But just then, a black mist suddenly emerged from under a tree and enveloped him.
Despite being plunged into darkness, Charles remained calm. Utilizing his prosthetic, he propelled himself toward the canopy.
His crew and the Pope were not far behind and would catch up in just a couple of seconds.
Or so Charles thought
Unfortunately, his adversary seemed to have anticipated his move.
Clang!
The chain of Charles' grappling hook was severed in a precise strike, thwarting his maneuver.
Without any leverage in mid-air, Charles plummeted toward the ground. Before he could react, a semi-circular, elastic material descended and enveloped him from above in a snug embrace.
Bzzzzzt!
Charles drew his innate power, and electric arcs danced across his body, shooting outward in an attempt to break free. However, his lightning attack had proved futile against the insulating material that enshrouded him completely.
Just as Charles strained to maneuver his tentacles to break free from the encasement, a sharp, acrid scent of burning filled the air. The material trapping him started to dissolve into a thick, semi-liquid form that coated him like hot, molten asphalt.
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