The bonfire in the center of the camp crackled, casting light and shadow across the Bald Boss's fleshy face.

When Zhao Hu's team was summoned to the front of the two-story small building, the sky had just begun to break dawn.

Lin Feng stood at the end of the line, clearly sensing the oppressive atmosphere.

It wasn't just their team; everyone in the camp who had risen early stopped their work, their gazes drifting toward them with varying degrees of intent.

In front of the building, the Bald Boss stood with his hands behind his back, his single eye scanning the gathered crowd. Beside him, Hei Zhua and Xi She stood to his left and right with arrogant expressions.

"Scarface," the one-eyed man's gaze swept over every member of Zhao Hu's team, finally resting on Lin Feng for a full three seconds. "You know the recent situation of the camp."

He slowly pulled a rough parchment map from his breast and spread it out in his hands.

On the map, simple terrain was drawn with charcoal: a triangular symbol representing Black Wind Camp, and the swamp to the east was colored green.

A skull was drawn at the Rift Valley to the north, while the Stone Forest area to the west was marked with a striking red circle.

"Stone Forest." The boss's finger tapped the red circle. "This past month, our people have been circling the outskirts, and the harvest is getting smaller and smaller."

"But the things inside—Fire Lizard scales, supplies left behind in Qingshi County, and the potentially existing mineral veins—are all still there waiting."

He looked up, his single eye devoid of any warmth. "The camp needs to develop; we can't always survive on these scraps from the outskirts."

"I have decided to organize a reconnaissance mission into the interior of the Stone Forest."

Tie Dun's breathing grew heavy. Shadow Snake's fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of her short blade. Jian Yan narrowed his eyes.

Zhao Hu remained silent, waiting for the boss to continue.

"This mission has two objectives." The boss held up two fingers. "First, scout the internal terrain, monster distribution, and resource points of the Stone Forest to draw a detailed map."

"Second," he paused, his voice lowering, "find the exact location of the Qingshi County ruins and assess the threats—especially whether there are still traces of activity from 'that kind of thing'."

The phrase "that kind of thing" was spoken very softly, but everyone understood what it referred to.

Great Qin Elite Soldiers.

A deathly silence fell in front of the building. Even the camp members eavesdropping from afar held their breath.

"The mission is very important," the boss's tone became "earnest." "It concerns whether the camp can gain a foothold in the Stone Forest in the future, or even... rebuild a stronghold."

He looked at Zhao Hu. "Scarface, your team's combat power is the most balanced, with both ranged and melee capabilities, and you are experienced. I am most at ease leaving this mission to you."

The words were pretty, but everyone understood the meaning behind them: pathfinding fodder.

"Boss," Zhao Hu finally spoke, his voice raspy. "The situation deep within the Stone Forest is unknown. Our team's highest level is only 7. If we encounter a pack of Level 7 Fire Lizards, we might not even be able to retreat safely, let alone..."

"That's exactly why we need to scout." The boss interrupted him, his single eye narrowing slightly. "If it were easy, would I need to send you?"

He pulled a small cloth bag from his breast and tossed it at Zhao Hu's feet.

The mouth of the bag loosened, and three gray crystals rolled out—energy crystals, the hard currency of the Nightmare World (randomly dropped by Level 6 and above Nightmare creatures). They could be used for forging weapons and were also essential energy for running special structures in a territory.

"This is the advance payment," the boss said. "After the mission is completed and the map is handed over, you will be paid three times more based on its value."

"Furthermore, for all personal gains you find inside the Stone Forest, the camp will only take a thirty percent cut, which is forty percent less than usual."

It was a very tempting offer.

But only if they could come back alive.

Zhao Hu stared at the crystals on the ground, then looked up behind the boss—Hei Zhua and Xi She on either side had their hands on their weapons, their eyes unfriendly.

There was no room for refusal.

"When do we leave?" Zhao Hu asked.

"This afternoon." The boss stood up. "I'll give you half a day to prepare equipment and medicine. Arrows, antidotes, and blood-stanching powder can be drawn from the warehouse at double the quota."

He walked up to Zhao Hu and patted his shoulder with heavy force. "Scarface, don't let me down. The camp... needs this map."

After saying that, he turned and went back into the small building.

Hei Zhua and Xi She followed him inside, and the building door closed with a dull thud.

The team remained standing where they were.

Tie Dun bent over to pick up the bag of crystals, weighed it, and his face turned grim. "Three low-grade energy crystals... he sure is generous with the blood money."

"Get ready." Zhao Hu took a deep breath and turned to look at his team members. "Jian Yan, go to the warehouse and get double the arrows, prioritize armor-piercing ones."

"Tie Dun, your iron hammer needs sharpening; go get [N O V E L I G H T] a spare buckler as well. Shadow Snake, prepare more poisons and antidotes."

He paused and looked at Lin Feng. "You... come with me."

The two walked to a water vat in the corner of the camp. The morning light filtered through the thin mist, casting blurred spots of light on the ground.

"Lin Feng." Zhao Hu lit a cigarette but didn't smoke it, just watching the smoke rise slowly. "You don't have to go on this mission."

Lin Feng was stunned for a moment.

"The boss called for my team, but he didn't specify individuals."

Zhao Hu's voice was very low. "You've only been here a few days. I can find a reason to leave you behind, like your injuries haven't healed, or assign you to another peripheral task."

"Does Brother Zhao think I'll be a burden?" Lin Feng asked.

"No." Zhao Hu shook his head and finally took a puff of the cigarette. "On the contrary. I've seen your performance these past few days; your combat awareness is even stronger than some veterans. But because of that..."

He turned around and looked directly into Lin Feng's eyes. "This mission is a near-certain death sentence. You're only eighteen, you've just awakened, and you have infinite possibilities in the future. There's no need to throw your life away here."

Lin Feng fell silent.

He indeed had the choice not to go. Staying in the camp, though suppressed, would at least be relatively safe.

He could level up slowly, accumulate contribution points slowly, and one day he would be able to get better equipment.

However—

"Brother Zhao." Lin Feng looked up, his gaze calm. "I am a member of the team, and... you saved my life. If it weren't for you that night, even my ashes would be cold by now."

Zhao Hu stared at him for a long time before finally exhaling a long plume of smoke. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"...Fine." Zhao Hu crushed the cigarette butt under his foot. "Go get ready. There's spare leather armor in the warehouse; pick one that fits. Your knife should be replaced too; if you don't have enough contribution points, I'll lend you some first."

"Thank you, Brother Zhao."

"Don't thank me." Zhao Hu waved his hand. "Once we're in the Stone Forest, everyone looks out for themselves."

During the morning, the entire camp was discussing the matter.

"Scarface's team is going deep into the Stone Forest? Are they crazy?"

"The boss is clearly sending them to their deaths..."

"I heard there are ghosts of Black-armored Soldiers in the Qingshi County ruins; you can hear them drilling at night."

"Tsk tsk, what a pity. Scarface is actually a decent guy."

While Lin Feng was picking out equipment in the warehouse, he could feel the gazes being thrown his way.

Some were pitying, some were gloating, and some were curious.

He eventually chose a White-quality hard leather armor. Its defense was 8, which was much better than his previous piece of broken scrap metal.

He also used the contribution points Zhao Hu lent him to exchange for a White-quality Standard Longblade. Its attack power was 12, and its edge gleamed with a cold light.

【Standard Longblade (White)】

【Attack Power: 12】

【Durability: 80/80】

【Description: A standard-issue weapon, manufactured to standard specifications, well-balanced.】

Combined with the attack speed bonus from his 10.5 Agility, his actual combat power had increased significantly once again.

Jian Yan drew sixty arrows, twenty of which had armor-piercing bodkin heads; Tie Dun had polished his iron hammer until it was bright and also carried a heavy wood-and-iron buckler on his back;

Shadow Snake's belt now held seven or eight small vials of different colors;

Uncle Wu, as the team physician, carried a bulging medicine basket filled with blood-stanching herbs, antidotes, and refreshing medicinal powders.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the team gathered in front of the camp's main gate.

The Bald Boss brought Hei Zhua, Xi She, and other core members out to "see them off."

"Make sure the map is detailed." The boss handed a roll of blank parchment and a charcoal pencil to Zhao Hu.

"Mark the monster distribution, dangerous terrain, and resource points clearly. Especially the Qingshi County ruins—if you find them, prioritize assessing the structural integrity and potential threats."

"Understood." Zhao Hu took the parchment and tucked it into his breast.

The boss scanned the team again, his gaze lingering on Lin Feng for a moment, his lips curling into a half-smile. "The newcomer is going too? Scarface, you're quite a bold captain."

"An extra person is an extra set of hands," Zhao Hu said flatly.

"Fine then." The boss said no more and waved his hand. "Set out."

"The camp awaits your good news."