446 Chapter 446: Stealth (2/2)

”I'll be counting on you…” I trailed off when I realized that Melina still had something to say, so I fell silent and allowed her to take an apprehensive step forward.

”I'm afraid the device has limited range,” she explained softly. The mercenaries had to strain their ears to listen and I prodded her to get her to speak up in a louder voice. ”It isn't enough to cover a whole team. As few people should be sent as possible to maintain its stealth effectiveness.”

That changed everything. Brown withdrew a bit, her eyes narrowing as she tried to think of a new plan. It was obvious that she was revising her team roster in her head, and considering the possibility of just her going in by herself with the kids.

However, Feng Hai put paid to that idea with a single sentence.

”It's decided then. Richard, you'll be taking Melina and Adrian in.”

”EH!?”

All the mercenaries spun about to gape at their boss. Even I was staring at him, astounded by the turn of events, and slowly raised a hand and pointed at myself without realizing it.

”Me?”

”Yes, you.” Feng Hai nodded gravely. ”I told you, didn't I? That you will be in charge of these kids. They are your responsibility. So continue looking after them.”

”Um, you do realize that I didn't receive any training in stealth or whatever, right? I don't know if I can infiltrate the enemy base without getting caught.”

”That's fine.” Feng Hai smiled for the first time. ”Those two kids snuck aboard our hovercraft without anyone noticing. And correct me if I'm wrong, but they haven't received any training in scouting or reconnaissance, correct?”

Both Adrian and Melina shook their heads silently, not daring to speak. Despite his smile, Feng Hai still resembled a terrifying wolf.

”And yet they stowed away on our dropship without anyone realizing it for…hours.” Feng Hai turned to me. ”You know them the best, so you will probably work best with them. And they trust you more than they trust the others here.”

At that, he glanced at Adrian and Melina, but neither of them denied it.

”Also, given your experience, if you do get caught, you're the one person who can escape along with everyone else.”

”You give me too much credit,” I grumbled.

”You give yourself too little,” Feng Hai countered without missing a beat. Sighing, I nodded and jabbed my chest.

”Leave it to me.”

Famous last words…

*

”You guys okay?” I asked as we crept toward the enemy base. The noise of battle had died down by now, and though I couldn't see anybody in the exterior, I was sure they were still alive somehow. Otherwise we would be hearing the triumphant hooting and screeches of the menacing Barbaric Baboons.

Adrian and Melina glanced at me, and then nodded. They looked pale and afraid, clutching their stealth devices tightly as if their dear lives depended on them…which, they did, as a matter of fact. If the stealth field that the devices magically produced fail, then we would be visible to the Dark Church and Barbaric Baboons, and it would not end well for us.

Even though Feng Hai claimed that I could escape, I wasn't that confident. I wanted to cast a summoning spell in preparation, but I didn't know if the base was larger than a hundred meters, and for the stealth device to work, I would need to cast as little magic or emanate as little mana as possible. So preparing a summoning spell in advance was risky.

Well, whatever. I would worry about it when we get caught. For now, I could only move forward. Otherwise nothing would progress.

Gesturing to Adrian and Melina, I silently instructed them to follow me. Even though they were tense with dread, I could see excitement in their eyes. The two of them still managed to see this as some sort of adventure, and despite their anxiety they were looking forward to this.

After all, if they pulled this off, they would have quite the story to tell their friends. I stifled a smile. No doubt I would be feeling similarly back when I was at their tender age.

We crept past the damaged gates, which were still left open after the Barbaric Baboons fled from there. No repairs had been enacted – sparks were still flying from ruptured, trailing wires and we had to be wary while passing by dented, torn metal because of their sharp, jagged edges. I placed a hand on the hilt of one of my swords, glancing around cautiously for any sign of enemies, human or not.

”…where is everybody?”

Despite himself, Adrian couldn't help but ask. I didn't shush him because the same question burned in my mind. Carefully proceeding down the corridor, I took cover against the wall and peered around the corner. There was still no sign of any living thing in here.

”…ugh.”

There was plenty of death, though. Corpses – both human and monster – lay strewn about, blood flooding the floor. Damaged lights hung from the ceiling and creaked, swinging slowly as their beams swept across the floor erratically.

The place looked like hell.

Taking a deep breath, I threw a hand out to stop Adrian and Melina from rounding about the corner. I needed to mentally prepare them before the grisly sight came into their view. Sighing, I wondered if we were wasting our time.

If Ling Dan had been here, he might very well be attacked and ripped apart by these stupid monsters long ago…