Chapter 89: Provoking the 2nd Echelon [GOLDEN TICKET BONUS]
Cain walked toward the nearest jeep while watching the preparations.
The organization was considerably better than when they had first left the university.
Nobody needed to be told where the food should go or which vehicle they were supposed to enter. The survivors had gradually become accustomed to moving as a group, especially after spending quite a while traveling through the city.
Even the newly rescued people were simply directed by those who already understood the system.
Within a few minutes, almost everything had been settled.
"Ready!" Professor Holt called from farther behind.
Cain looked around once before getting inside.
Nathan and Ron were already there, along with several other people responsible for scouting and relaying information to the buses.
Cain looked toward the driver.
"Let’s go."
The engine started.
The jeep headed west while the buses followed from a considerable distance behind.
Cain had deliberately ordered them to maintain the gap.
The jeep was far faster and easier to maneuver than the buses. If they encountered something dangerous ahead, Cain wanted the convoy to have enough time to react rather than discovering the threat only after the slower vehicles had already gotten too close.
Their journey was surprisingly smooth.
The streets were still filled with abandoned vehicles and the occasional wandering zombie, but none of them caused a problem for them.
Whenever an Unranked zombie moved directly into their path, Nathan quickly took care of them.
There was no reason to stop the entire convoy for several ordinary zombies when they were heading toward something far more important.
Cain sat quietly as the jeep continued through the western districts.
The surroundings gradually became familiar.
They passed several roads he had traveled before, along with buildings still carrying marks from previous battles.
Before long, a broad crossroads appeared ahead.
Cain leaned forward.
"Stop here."
The jeep slowed before coming to a halt near the middle of the intersection.
Cain stepped outside and looked around.
Four roads connected here, providing plenty of open space for a large battle. More importantly, there were multiple directions available if their situation suddenly became unfavorable.
This was also far enough from the public park that the buses would not immediately be exposed to whatever came from inside.
Cain waited until the buses arrived and stopped farther behind.
People began getting out.
Jack and Alex moved toward the front, while Professor Holt helped organize the fighters.
Elara approached Cain.
"You’re checking the park now?"
"Yeah."
Cain looked north.
"Ron, Nathan, and I will go."
Elara rested her hand against her sword.
"I can come with you."
"There’s no need." Cain shook his head, then continued. "We’re only checking the situation and provoking whatever is inside. Stay here and prepare for anything we bring back."
Elara hesitated before nodding.
"Fine."
Cain turned toward everyone else.
"Stay ready. The buses keep their engines running."
He looked toward the drivers.
"If something happens and you’re ordered to retreat, leave immediately."
Cain then glanced at Ron and Nathan.
"Let’s go."
The three headed north.
Once they left the crossroads behind, their speed increased considerably.
Scattered zombies wandered along the roads, but Cain could not be bothered to fight them.
A Level 18 zombie noticed him and rushed forward.
Cain shifted slightly to the side.
Its hands closed around empty air.
Ron and Nathan passed it moments later.
When the zombie turned around, the three of them were already far away.
They encountered several more infected along the way and ignored them in the same manner.
The closer they came to the western public park, the fewer zombies they encountered.
Cain noticed the familiar change in the surroundings.
The area near the park was strangely quiet compared to the rest of the city.
Most of the infected nearby had apparently gathered under the control of the creature inside.
Soon, the park came into view.
Tall trees covered much of the park, making it difficult to see what was happening deeper inside.
Cain slowed down.
Ron and Nathan stopped beside him.
Cain focused his Sense and could vaguely sense that the powerful presence was still there.
Cain looked toward Nathan.
"Fire an arrow toward its direction."
Nathan immediately removed one from his quiver.
"Hit it?"
"No." Cain shook his head, then continued. "Just fire near it. Don’t accidentally touch the bastard."
Nathan nodded in understanding, since damaging the designated target could ruin Cain’s Advancement Mission before it even properly began.
He raised the bow and aimed toward the deeper section of the park.
At the same time, Cain opened his Inventory.
A sharpened metal rod appeared in his right hand.
Nathan glanced toward it.
"You’re throwing too?"
"I want to make sure it notices us."
Cain adjusted his grip.
He had no intention of using his full strength as he thought that using half of his strength would be more than enough.
Nathan pulled the string backward.
Cain narrowed his eyes.
"Do it."
The arrow flew first.
Twang!
It disappeared between the trees.
Cain followed its trajectory before drawing his arm backward.
His body naturally entered the familiar throwing posture.
Then he released the metal rod in his hand.
Whoosh!
The metal rod shot into the park shortly after Nathan’s arrow.
Several seconds passed and nothing happened.
Ron looked toward the trees.
"Maybe you didn’t make it angry enough."
A deafening scream suddenly erupted from somewhere deep inside.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The sound spread throughout the park.
Leaves shook violently, while several birds immediately fled from the treetops.
Cain smiled in satisfaction.
"That should be enough."
Nathan’s expression had suddenly become serious.
"There are movements."
Cain looked at him.
"How many?"
Nathan concentrated and felt that several powerful presences had begun approaching rapidly from inside the park.
The weaker ones behind them were even more numerous.
"Ten strong ones."
"1st Echelon?"
Nathan nodded.
"Yeah."
He remained silent for another moment before continuing.
"There are more than a hundred Unranked zombies behind them."
Cain raised an eyebrow as he found it to be interesting because the 2nd Echelon Zombie still had that many subordinates even after they killed a lot of them before.
"What about the 2nd Echelon Zombie?" Cain asked with a serious expression as this was the most important part that would determine their plans.