The ambush failed without a doubt.

All the participants were killed, leaving no survivors.

The Flying Eagle members who hadn’t been on guard against those beside them died as well.

Forrest Chapman took a headcount and found that his team of over twenty was now down to just ten. The sorrow in his heart was almost impossible to hide.

Besides the sorrow, he also felt guilty toward Marcus Monroe’s group.

After all, if he had noticed something was wrong with his team members sooner, perhaps things wouldn’t have gotten this bad.

Marcus Monroe’s group had also lost a team member, and their tents, vehicles, and other supplies were severely damaged.

All told, it was a heavy price to pay.

More importantly, could a fractured and disunited Flying Eagle team still earn the other side’s trust?

In response to his apology, Marcus Monroe shook his head. "Don’t be. This was their own doing; it has nothing to do with the Flying Eagle."

Forrest Chapman pressed his lips together, staring at him for a long moment before saying heavily, "Thank you."

Almost everything at the temporary campsite was destroyed, so there was no need to even pack up. Although the vehicles were damaged, Paige Summers took a look and found they weren’t beyond repair. However, the path ahead was a steep mountain road, so it didn’t matter if they weren’t fixed for now. Marcus Monroe stored the vehicles, and they decided to proceed on foot. They would worry about the vehicles after crossing the mountain.

And so, the group promptly set off.

Although they had gained a number of Crystal Cores as a bonus, everyone’s mood was quite low. Even if they were used to such dark events, even if they had experienced them before, it still took time to recover when it happened to them personally. Moreover, they had lost comrades they had known for years.

Faced with this incident, Sean Raines was probably the most at ease.

These people had nothing to do with him.

As long as Paige Summers and Erin Quinn were unharmed, he couldn’t care less how these people died.

However, Erin Quinn’s lack of self-defense abilities was a growing concern for him.

Keeping pace with Paige Summers, he looked at the little girl in her arms. "Little Junior Sister, you should start learning some basic Magic Techniques from me now. It’ll be easier for you to begin your training later. This world is a dangerous place!"

Paige Summers was reminded of a certain movie, and the corners of her lips twitched. ’I really want to add, "You should go back to Mars"!’ However, she did agree with his idea. Erin Quinn really did need to become independent as soon as possible.

Erin Quinn looked at her, slightly flustered. "I didn’t agree to go with him!"

"Mm. I know. It’s okay, there’s still time. You can think it over before you decide." Paige Summers patted her reassuringly a couple of times.

Erin Quinn relaxed but also felt a little dejected. She snuggled into Paige’s arms, hung her head, and fell silent.

Paige Summers didn’t say anything more. She whistled, calling for Sweetie to return.

Sweetie had been very dejected. Exhausted, it had been sleeping soundly and had failed to detect the attackers’ infiltration beforehand. It seemed to have taken on scouting as its personal responsibility and felt deeply derelict in its duty regarding the tragic outcome. From then on, it did its utmost to make up for it, always flying ahead of the group to put its early warning abilities to use.

Paige Summers didn’t object, but she would call it back to rest after a while.

Sweetie landed on her shoulder and habitually nuzzled her cheek before quietly starting to recover its strength.

Sean Raines fell half a step behind, watching the harmonious scene of the two people and one bird. He found a smile unconsciously spreading across his lips. Being around them, it seemed he could always feel such a warm atmosphere.

Also witnessing this scene were Marcus Monroe and Claire Chapman.

One had an inscrutable expression, while the other’s eyes darted about, their thoughts unknown. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Their pace back to The Dead City was somewhat faster than when they had left.

With the Flying Eagle team joining them, the lone or small groups of Mutant Beasts they encountered sporadically were easier to deal with.

Aside from the time spent repairing the vehicles, no significant obstacles appeared. That evening, they successfully arrived near one of the outlying camps set up by The Dead City.

They slowed their pace.

Since there was unrest within The Dead City, this camp was unlikely to be the same as before. The allegiance of the Superpower Users stationed here was unknown, so Marcus Monroe naturally wouldn’t risk it.

Sure enough, Isaac Langley, who had gone ahead to scout, quickly returned, bringing two people with him.

Paige Summers had seen these two before during a previous visit to Marcus Monroe’s home. She couldn’t recall their names but knew they were Marcus’s own people. Since they were here, they had obviously come with news.

The members of the Flying Eagle tactfully moved to one side. Sean Raines also pulled Erin Quinn a short distance away, while Marcus Monroe’s people gathered around.

They were all very concerned about news from The Dead City. Paige Summers thought for a moment and decided to stay. After all, Levi Young was still in the city!