Chapter 254:Stopping.
Eventually, the convoy reached a broader section of the valley; the cliffs opened slightly and the ground flattened.
Larry ordered everyone to stop.
Silver parked.
The sun was almost touching the horizon. He climbed out. The valley looked completely different under the fading light; the rocks had turned dark, the distant cliffs were silhouettes, and the sky was painted orange and red. It was almost too beautiful.
But Silver knew better. This place was anything but peaceful.
Larry approached the group.
"We’ll continue tomorrow."
Nobody complained.
"We’re still on schedule so there is no need to worry." He looked toward the eastern horizon. "If everything goes well, we’ll reach the eastern border by tomorrow."
Silver looked in the same direction. The eastern border was still far away since they hadn’t even reached the deepest part yet.
Ravenna stood beside him.
"You thinking about something. You’ve been frowning the whole time."
Silver smiled faintly.
"I always think."
"Too much, I’ve noticed you’re an overthinker." She leaned against him and took his hands into his. "Whatever happens tomorrow, we’ll handle it together. "
Silver looked down at her then smiled. He squeezed her hand, feeling the small collasas on her palm. It kept him grounded and relived the worry he had been carrying for a little bit.
"I’m scared we might get separated or this trip becomes useless, then I would have wasted our time. We only have a week and a few days remaining before the admissions start."
She smiled lightly.
"We haven’t been separated yet, the universe itself couldn’t. Stop thinking about that. We’ll be on time don’t worry about it."
Silver sighed but didn’t respond.
Around them, the contractors began preparing camp, but before Silver could turn away, he heard another distant roar. This one was deeper, more powerful, and unlike the earlier ones, it didn’t sound far away.
He slowly looked toward the darkening cliffs. Something powerful enough that the smaller beasts had been fleeing from it was out there.
He couldn’t see it but he had the uncomfortable feeling that the valley had begun to notice them. And whatever was coming next would be far more dangerous than the creatures they had fought so far.
.
.
.
The convoy had barely finished securing the vehicles when the atmosphere inside Death Row Valley suddenly changed again.
Silver noticed it before anyone said anything. The wind had died.
The insects that had been chirping among the grass had suddenly gone quiet, and even the occasional calls of distant beasts had disappeared. The valley had become unnaturally still, as though everything living within it had suddenly become aware of something approaching.
Silver stood beside the vehicle with his hand resting near his sword. Ravenna noticed his expression.
"Do you hear it again?"
Silver didn’t answer immediately. He looked toward the cliffs, nothing moved. But that was precisely the problem, the valley had been full of movement all afternoon, now there was nothing.
Antony stepped out of his tent and looked around.
"Why did everyone suddenly stop talking?"
Victor answered without looking at him.
"Something is nearby."
Antony’s expression changed.
"Strong?"
He nodded.
"Very."
Larry immediately walked toward the center of the convoy.
"Everyone stay close to the vehicles."
The contractors stopped what they were doing and drew their weapons.
Silver’s eyes moved across the cliffs, then he saw it. A stone rolled down a slope and bounced twice, then disappeared into the darkness below.
Silver narrowed his eyes. Another stone moved, then another. Something was coming down the mountain.
A low rumble echoed through the valley. It sounded almost like thunder but Silver knew it wasn’t thunder.
The first creature appeared at the top of the cliff. At first glance, it looked like a goat, then Silver realized how absurd that comparison was.
The animal was enormous.
Its body was covered in thick, dark brown fur, with muscles clearly visible beneath its hide. Two massive horns curved backward from its skull before sweeping forward again, each horn longer than Silver’s arm. Its hooves were thick and sharp, designed to grip the narrowest ledges.
And it wasn’t alone. Another appeared behind it, then another, then five more.
A herd.
But these weren’t peaceful mountain goats. The creatures stared down at the convoy with predatory eyes. One of them opened its mouth revealing sharp teeth.
Antony stared.
"Those are goats?"
Silver tightened his grip.
"Not anymore."
Larry’s face became grim.
"Mountain goat beasts, most are Rank Two or Three." Larry’s eyes remained fixed on the largest creature. "But the Alpha..."
The creature stepped forward, its hooves striking the rock. The sound echoed through the valley.
Larry finished quietly.
"Rank Four."
The Alpha let out a roar and the entire herd moved.
"DEFEND!"
The convoy erupted into action.
The mountain goats didn’t charge along the road. They came from everywhere. Several sprinted down the cliffside, somehow maintaining their balance on surfaces that should have been impossible to traverse.
Others leaped from ledge to ledge. One jumped nearly ten meters and landed directly beside a vehicle. The impact shook the ground.
Silver raised his firearm and fired.
[Phantom Draw Lv3 Activated]
The bullet struck the creature’s shoulder but it barely reacted. Silver’s eyes narrowed.
"Armored."
He fired again, this time the bullet struck its eye. The creature screamed and collapsed. Another goat immediately charged.
Ravenna fired from beside him. Her bullet struck the creature’s skull and it fell.
Silver turned.
Another was already approaching from the opposite side.
He fired.
The creature stumbled. He switched to his sword and stepped forward. The beast swung its horns to which Silver ducked. The horns passed over his head.
He stepped inside its reach.
[Advanced Swordsmanship Lv1]
His sword flashed and the blade cut across its throat. Blood sprayed across the ground. The creature collapsed.
"Silver!"
Ravenna shouted.
He turned to find a goat charging directly toward her. Silver raised his gun and fired. The bullet struck the beast’s face. It staggered but continued.
Ravenna fired again.
The creature dropped just before reaching her. She looked at Silver.
"Thanks."
He nodded.
"Stay close."
"I am."
Another roar shook the valley.
The Alpha had finally descended after seeing the defeat it’s kin were facing.
Silver looked toward it.
The massive beast was at least twice the size of the others. Its horns were covered in scars, its fur was darker than the rest and unlike the other goats, it didn’t charge blindly.
It cautiously watched and observed, then its gaze settled on the convoy.
Silver felt a chill.
That thing was intelligent enough to understand what was happening.
The Alpha suddenly lowered its head.
Larry shouted.
"Move!"
The Alpha charged, the ground shaking with it step it took. It wasn’t moving like a goat but more like a living battering ram.
Marcus stepped forward and activated his ability. The air around him distorted. The Alpha collided with him, the impact exploding across the valley.
He was pushed backward several meters but he held. The Alpha’s horns scraped against his shield.
He gritted his teeth.
"Strong!"
Victor joined him and the two attacked simultaneously. The Alpha twisted its body as Victor slashed down his sword. One attack missed but the other struck its side. Blood spilled everywhere.
The Alpha roared and the entire herd responded. The battle became chaotic.
Silver moved with Ravenna.
They didn’t try to fight the Alpha directly, there was no point; instead, they focused on the other goats. Silver’s firearm barked repeatedly. His Phantom Draw allowed him to place each shot precisely.
Ravenna’s sniper rifle thundered beside him. Every shot carried enough power to kill or cripple the lower-ranked beasts.
The mountain goats attempted to climb the rocks and attack from above but Ravenna picked them off. One creature leaped from a ledge.
Silver saw it.
"Above!"
Ravenna turned and fired. The beast fell.
Silver caught movement on the opposite side.
"Left!"
Ravenna fired again and the creature collapsed. Their coordination had become instinctive.
Antony appeared between them. He was in his female form now. He moved across the rocky terrain almost effortlessly. One moment he was beside Silver, and the next, he had already reached a goat attempting to flank the convoy.
He struck it across the neck with his dagger and the creature stumbled. Antony disappeared again.
Silver watched him briefly.
The goat charged after him which Antony dodged. The creature slammed into a rock. Antony turned and struck it from behind; it collapsed.
"Nice," Silver called.
Antony grinned.
"Thanks."
A roar interrupted them.