Chapter 140: The First All-Out Battle [POWER STONE BONUS]
Cain opened the rough animal-hide map while running.
The route toward the Southern Anchor Gate continued north, but several smaller markings had been drawn around it.
Based on their positions, Cain suspected they represented patrol stations or outposts scattered across the surrounding territory.
One symbol immediately caught his attention.
It was much larger than the others and sat close enough to their current position that reaching it would not require a significant detour.
Cain remembered the chest they had discovered inside the previous Zombie Race camp.
Thirty Zombie Blood Crystals.
That camp had not even been particularly large. If the markings on the map reflected the size or importance of each location, then there was a good chance this outpost held far more resources.
Cain did not need long to decide. He glanced at the others.
"We’re making a little detour."
Nathan looked toward the map while keeping pace beside him.
"To that large mark?"
"Yeah."
Cain tapped the larger symbol with one finger.
"Let’s check this one first. If it’s a bigger outpost, there might be more Blood Crystals inside."
Ron chuckled from behind.
"Now that sounds more like you."
Cain glanced over his shoulder.
"You say that as if there’s something wrong with wanting free resources."
"I’m not judging." Ron grinned. "I’m just saying nobody here is surprised."
Cain folded the map and returned it to his Inventory.
"Then stop talking and keep up."
Ron clicked his tongue, but the grin on his face remained as the group changed direction.
They left the main road shortly afterward.
Their pace increased once more as they crossed the barren terrain.
Ruined structures occasionally appeared in the distance, but nobody slowed to inspect them.
Most were incomplete remnants that had probably been dragged into the Corridor from other worlds long ago, and they had already learned that stopping for every unfamiliar ruin would only waste time.
Several minutes passed.
Nathan suddenly raised one hand, and the group immediately slowed.
"Thirty-seven 1st Echelons," he reported without wasting time. His eyes remained fixed on the terrain ahead as he continued, "Three 2nd Echelons."
The others reacted almost at once.
Professor Ian’s hand moved to his sword. Maya shifted closer to him, while those fighting from range began giving one another more space.
However, Ron looked anything but worried.
Bluish-white Lightning flickered around the spear in his hand as a grin slowly appeared on his face.
"Finally."
Jack glanced at him.
"You’ve really been waiting for this, haven’t you?"
"Of course." Ron rolled one shoulder as Lightning crawled farther along the spear. "I haven’t even gotten the chance to see what this thing can actually do."
Jack looked down at his own gauntlets.
"Can’t say I disagree."
Cain heard them but kept his attention ahead.
After crossing the low rise in front of them, the outpost finally came into view.
A dark stone wall surrounded a broad section of land. It was only several meters tall and clearly had not been built to withstand a full-scale assault, but it separated the outpost from the barren territory surrounding it.
Several low structures stood beyond the wall.
Unlike the temporary camp they had searched earlier, this place looked far more established. The black buildings were positioned around cleared paths, and Cain could see Zombie Race soldiers already moving near the open entrance.
He activated Dragon’s Eyes, a faint golden light appeared within his pupils and mana immediately became visible throughout the outpost.
Nathan’s count was accurate.
Dozens of 1st Echelon soldiers were scattered across the area, while three significantly stronger presences stood deeper inside.
Cain observed them for a few seconds before looking back at the group.
This was actually perfect.
Most of them had grown considerably stronger since leaving the university, yet their recent battles had ended too quickly for several members of the group to properly test what they had gained.
Ron had undergone an enormous change after awakening his Divine-rank Lightning Talent, and the spear in his hand had strengthened him even further.
Sonya had only recently advanced to the 1st Echelon, but awakening her first Sun had completely changed the power behind her Fire abilities.
Elara had gained new offensive power of her own.
Nathan had possessed his bow for quite some time, yet he rarely encountered enemies strong enough to force him to use its abilities seriously.
Jack was in much the same situation with his gauntlets.
Cain looked across the five of them.
"Go all out this time. You’ve all gotten stronger, but none of you have really had the chance to use everything properly."
The excitement in Ron’s eyes became obvious.
"About the damn time isn’t it?"
Sonya looked toward the outpost.
"So we’re not holding anything back?"
"No." Cain’s tone became firmer as he continued, "Since you probably won’t be able to anyway considering there are many enemies this time."
Elara glanced toward the stronger presences deeper inside the outpost.
"What about the 2nd Echelons?"
"They’re all mine." Cain replied with a smile.
She looked back at him.
"All three?"
"Naturally."
Cain added with a calm expression, "Just focus on your fight because I won’t interfere with any of you unless I have to."
Elara understood what he meant and nodded.
"Alright."
Cain looked toward the others.
"You heard me. The 1st Echelons are all yours."
Nobody argued as they understood Cain’s intention.
The difference compared to only a few days ago was almost absurd.
Back then, encountering even one 1st Echelon being was enough to force them to approach carefully.
Now Cain was leaving several dozen of them to the group because he wanted to see how far they had progressed.
A harsh shout suddenly came from inside the outpost as they were discovered.
Zombie Race soldiers began pouring toward the entrance.
Unlike the mindless zombies on Earth, these soldiers did not simply charge at whatever stood in front of them. Cain could hear short commands being shouted in their unfamiliar language as they rapidly organized themselves.
The three 2nd Echelons emerged soon afterward.
One carried a massive curved weapon with a blade wide enough to cover most of its torso. Another wore thick dark armor over its upper body, while the last held a long spear.
Their crimson eyes swept across Cain’s group.
Cain noticed that their attention lingered on him longer than anyone else.
They could probably tell who the leader was and which person posed the greatest threat.
Even so, none of them seemed to believe all three would be needed to deal with a single 1st Echelon human.
The zombie carrying the curved weapon barked something toward the other two before stepping forward.
The armored zombie immediately changed direction and rushed toward Cain’s group instead. The spear wielder followed from another angle, clearly intending to join the dozens of 1st Echelons in wiping out the others as quickly as possible.
Cain understood their decision immediately as one 2nd Echelon for him and the other two for everyone else.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he thought to himself.
’They really look down on me.’
However, it made sense as they didn’t know how strong he was.
Cain immediately used his skill, gathering Crimson-gold fire beside him.
An Origin Solar Lance formed.
The zombie carrying the curved weapon shouted something before charging directly toward Cain.
Cain caught the lance in his right hand.
His body naturally entered the familiar throwing posture as he drew his arm backward.
Piercing Momentum responded.
The approaching zombie seemed to sense the danger at the final moment.
Its expression changed.
It abruptly stopped advancing and raised the enormous weapon across its body.
"Too late." Cain smiled viciously before throwing the lance from his hand.
BOOM!