278 Scouting (1/2)

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According to the intel of the slave, the supposed spot for their new hideout was at least a kilometer away from the Red Zone.

The direction of the hideout was at the south of the Kingdom, where the wild growth of trees the likes are more evident. It would make sense that they will build a hideout in this direction since all the vegetation would naturally cover them on top of their concealing methods.

The slave also informed that they were already at the location and even provided Raven with some landmarks so that they won't miss them. That being said, ever since they stepped inside the Yellow Zone, they were already marked by the Skynet Array, meaning that the Kingdom is already aware of their arrival, hence they sent Raven and the team to meet them.

As the team went on with their journey towards the marked location, they didn't encounter any scouts aside from the previous one's who are now trapped in Paul's illusion.

Once they were a kilometer away from where the Black Curtain Guild's camp, Raven signaled them to dismount and decided to go on foot from here.

'Be alert and stealthy, we should observe them first.' Raven sent through sound transmission.

The team gave him an affirmative signal and followed his lead as they slowly inched their way towards the camp. They went through bushes and jumped on tree branches, making sure to create as little noise as possible. Those who have ocular techniques were already using them and warning others when they're about to step on twigs that might alert some people.

Raven already sent a message to the Elites, telling them to remain on standby once they entered the one kilometer proximity of the enemy camp.

Still in hiding, the team eventually approached the 500 meter mark away from the camp. From this point onwards, Raven told them to be even more careful. He told them to spread their sense wildly yet also conceal it with the surrounding air to not get caught.

Raven could already seen some activities from this far. He could see some campfires, tents, and some people who were resting in front of the bonfires. Beyond this, he could faintly see some people who were moving about inside the camp, they should be the people who were tasked to create the frame for the hideout. All of a sudden, the team heard a voice that made them froze on the spot.

”Who goes there? Come out at this instant!!”

'Shit!' Mark, Paul and Ellen cursed inwardly as they heard that. Even Luna and Anne's expression became somber as they thought that their plan was doomed to fail.

There was an individual standing not too far away from their location. The team already spotted this guy before but decided to ignore him since they were confident that they are still hidden. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case.

”I know where you are! Do you really want me to come to you before you come out!?” The guy shouted once again.

Mark, Paul and Ellen, who were close to this where this guy is, were about to come out of hiding and apprehend him when they suddenly heard Raven's voice echoed in their head.

'Stay still and don't move!' His voice was loud, making the team froze on their tracks once again. 'He's bluffing. He can't see us. Observe carefully.'

The team calmed down after hearing him. They did what he said and observed the guy and found out that he really was bluffing.

First of all, this guy wasn't alone and his voice was loud. If he really sensed the team hiding, then how come his teammates aren't responding to him? This was the first clue. The second is that this guy wasn't looing at their hiding spots at all. He stared right in front of him while gripping his sword tightly and placing a ferocious expression. If he could really sense them, then he should've called out their hiding spots by now.

And the final clue that made them so sure that he was bluffing, is when they heard him sigh and say: ”Dang it. This isn't working at all, now the others thinks that I'm abnormal.”

Hearing this words pissed the team off, except for Raven of course.

'Hot damn.' Paul exclaimed through sound transmission. 'Got me all nervous and shit! What a trick dude, holy shit!'

'I don't know if I should be pissed that I fell for that or be impressed that it worked on me.' Mark said.

'Thank god, someone was actually paying attention. Else the plan would've been foiled.” Anne commented.

'Avi! Let me slice this guy in half! I am pissed!' Ellen exclaimed through voice transmission as well.

Luna just heaved a sigh of relief and thanked the heavens that they weren't actually caught.