Chapter 102

Chapter 102:

The blinding blue light vanished, replaced by a starless night sky, eerily still and impossibly vast. Below, the city stretched out like a surreal, baroque masterpiece, illuminated by dim, amber-hued streetlights. The skyline was a jumble of towering spires, ornate domes, and intricate facades, their gilded edges gleaming faintly.

Inside the cockpit, Alexei was fighting a losing battle with the controls, sweat dripping down his face.

"We're coming in too fast!" he yelled, yanking desperately at the yoke.

"Hold it together!" Léonard barked, gripping the back of his seat.

But the plane plummeted, its engines sputtering and wings trembling under the strain. The first impact came suddenly, a grazing blow to the tip of a cathedral spire, shearing off part of the wing. The aircraft shuddered violently, the cabin erupting in screams as passengers were thrown against their restraints.

"Brace yourselves!" Alexei roared.

The plane descended into the city's heart, its left wing slicing through a grand archway, sending chunks of marble crashing to the streets below. Another impact tore through the fuselage as the aircraft scraped along the side of an opulent opera house, its elaborate statues and carvings shattering under the collision.

The cockpit was a cacophony of alarms and flashing lights. Smoke filled the air as Alexei struggled to regain control.

"We're losing everything, hydraulics, engines, everything's failing!"

The plane careened into a cobblestone plaza, its wheels smashing through ornate lampposts and decorative fountains. Sparks flew as it skidded along the ground, narrowly avoiding a grand staircase leading to a majestic palace. The tail of the aircraft tore away, scattering debris and leaving a fiery trail in its wake.

"Steady! Steady!" Léonard shouted, though it was hopeless.

The final impact came with a deafening crash as the plane slammed into a row of merchant buildings, their elaborate facades crumbling under the force. The fuselage groaned as it came to a screeching halt, finally resting against the base of an imposing clock tower.

Silence descended, broken only by the crackle of fires licking at the wreckage.

Léonard groaned as he unbuckled himself, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead. He glanced around the shattered cockpit, finding Alexei slumped over the controls but conscious.

"Everyone… status report," he managed, his voice rough.

From the cabin, the voices of the Resh-1 operatives trickled in, strained but alive.

"We're here, boss," one of them called out. "But we're sitting ducks out here."

Léonard pulled himself upright, his eyes scanning the surroundings through the broken windshield. The baroque city loomed around them, its once-majestic streets now littered with debris from the crash. Ornate buildings and towering statues stood eerily untouched, their grandeur clashing with the chaos of the wreckage.

"We're not safe," he said grimly, his gaze narrowing as shadows flickered in the distance. "Prepare. We move now."

Leonard stepped out of the cockpit, all the operators were ready and waiting for his orders.

Leonard shouted: "Listen to me, we are in an unknown and probably hostile city. We don't attack unless I give the order." Then Leonard turned to Alexei: "What are our assets?"

Alexei replied: "One Demon Mode user, 8 thaumaturgists including myself, and 2 Level 3 reality benders… plus you."

Leonard nodded: "Okay, listen up, guys. We're probably going to get lit up, so stick together. Also, I need a weapon."

An operator shouted: "I've got one," and pulled a bag from the overhead compartments, handing it to Leonard. Leonard opened it and found a bulletproof vest, ammunition, a combat knife, a pistol, and an MP7.

Leonard looked at the operator, utterly confused. The operator shrugged: "If American prisoners can smuggle phones into prison through their asses, why can't we get our weapons through a little airport security check 🤷?"

Leonard stared at him, completely dumbfounded: "Huh?" while the other operators facepalmed, despairing at how he explained it.

Leonard stood frozen for a few seconds before finally speaking: "Alright, someone check the situation outside while I gear up."

He emptied the contents of his bag and began putting on his vest. As he worked, one of the operators asked: "Boss, what about the civilians?"

Leonard glanced at the rest of the passengers, many of whom were utterly confused, some in shock, others visibly injured or even dead. He bit his lip and clenched his fists, trying to come up with a way to help them.

A hand rested on his shoulder. He turned to see Alexei, who shook his head solemnly: "Boss, we don't have the energy or resources to save anyone. Prioritize your own survival first."

Leonard protested: "But the civilians-"

Alexei gave him a sad look: "Boss, you won't be able to save anyone if you don't save yourself first. Let's evacuate, and once we're safe, we can think about helping them."

Leonard wrestled with the decision, an internal battle raging in his mind. Finally, he relented: "Fine. We evacuate first. If the civilians are still alive later, their rescue becomes our top priority."

The group exited the plane, weapons at the ready, scanning their surroundings. Leonard surveyed the wreckage around them, trying to grasp their situation. They had crashed into what appeared to be a grand baroque market square, surrounded by towering buildings with ornate columns and stained-glass windows. The ground was littered with debris and bodies, some of the locals caught in the impact.

A cluster of civilians had gathered at a safe distance, watching them warily. Their expressions shifted from fear to confusion, and they began murmuring in an unfamiliar language, pointing at Leonard's group. The atmosphere was tense, but it was not until one of the operators shouted that things truly escalated.

"SEVERAL CONTACTS IN THE AIR AT THREE O'CLOCK!"

Leonard snapped his head toward the direction indicated. Against the dim, starless sky, massive shapes emerged, their silhouettes growing larger as they approached. Gigantic bird-like creatures with vast wingspans swooped down, their riders clad in glimmering armor that caught the faint light.

The civilians' fear seemed to dissipate as they turned to the approaching knights with expressions of awe and hope. Some even began cheering, as though salvation had arrived.

"Knights," Alexei muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on his weapon.

Leonard frowned, realizing the potential danger. "Hold your fire unless I give the order. We don't know if they're hostile yet."

The knights' mounts circled above the square, their screeches echoing ominously. One of the riders broke formation, his massive bird descending gracefully to the ground in front of the group. The knight, clad in intricately designed silver armor with a crested helm, dismounted with practiced ease. He held a long spear, its tip glowing faintly blue.

He strode forward, addressing Leonard and his group in a commanding voice, speaking the same unfamiliar language the civilians had used.

"Does anyone understand what he's saying?" Leonard asked, glancing at Alexei.

Alexei shook his head. "No idea, Boss. But judging by his posture, I'd say he's not here to welcome us with open arms."

The knight raised his spear, pointing it directly at Leonard. The civilians behind him began to chant something in unison, their tone reverent.

Leonard clenched his jaw. "Okay, everyone stay calm, but be ready for anything."

The tension was palpable, and the air seemed to thicken as more knights circled above, their mounts screeching as they prepared to land.

The situation grew even more tense as another group of riders appeared on the horizon, their approach marked by the gleaming brilliance of their armor. These knights were clad in radiant white and gold, their steeds moving with an almost supernatural grace. Unlike the first group, there was an undeniable aura of power emanating from them.

One of the Resh-1 operators stiffened and muttered, "Damn, I'm picking up a strong EVE signature from these guys. Each one of them is almost at our level."

Leonard frowned. "Great. Just what we needed."

One of the new knights dismounted and strode forward with commanding confidence. His armor was ornate, engraved with glowing runes, and he carried a massive sword that seemed to hum faintly with energy. Standing tall, he looked directly at Leonard and, with a thick accent, asked a single question:

"Earth?"

Leonard hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly.

The knight's eyes narrowed as he turned back to his comrades, raising his sword high. He shouted something in a booming voice, incomprehensible to Leonard and his team. But the meaning became clear immediately as all the knights raised their weapons in unison, the runes on their armor and blades igniting with light.

"Yeah, I'm guessing they're hostile," Alexei remarked dryly, tightening his grip on his MP7.

Leonard shot him a sharp look and retorted, "No shit, Sherlock?"

The first knight swung his sword downward, signaling the charge. The air seemed to hum with energy as the knights advanced, their weapons glowing brighter, while the civilians scattered in terror. The tension snapped, and chaos erupted.

"Get ready!" Leonard shouted, pulling his MP7 up and motioning for the team to form a defensive perimeter. The Resh-1 operators quickly spread out, taking cover behind the wreckage of the plane and nearby market stalls. Bullets chambered, safeties flicked off, and adrenaline surged as the knights closed in.

The chaos exploded as the first wave of knights surged forward, their swords and lances crackling with EVE energy. The air shimmered with magical sigils as the knights invoked spells to bolster their armor and weapons. The clash of ancient steel against modern firepower began in earnest.

"Open fire!" Leonard commanded.

The operators of Resh-1 unleashed precise bursts from their MP7s, each round aimed to exploit the weak points in the knights' enchanted armor. The bullets were no ordinary ammunition but Magic-enhanced rounds designed to disrupt thaumaturgic defenses. Sparks flew as enchanted metal clashed with modern ballistics, and the knights found their magical barriers failing under the relentless onslaught.

One knight raised his gauntleted hand, summoning a fiery glyph that launched a massive bolt of flame toward Resh-1's position. Alexei immediately barked, "Counter-Thaumaturgy!"

An operator to his left activated a warding device, nullifying the fireball mid-flight. The explosion dissipated harmlessly, but it was clear the knights weren't done yet.

Two knights charged together, their lances glowing with energy. Leonard and another operator took them down in unison with a flurry of shots. One knight fell with a cry, his armor shattering into fragments as the rounds pierced his chest.

"Reloading!" shouted one operator as another covered him, tossing a grenade toward a cluster of knights. The grenade exploded with a deafening blast, sending shards of shrapnel tearing through the air and incapacitating the knights caught in its radius.

Alexei grinned grimly. "That'll even the odds."

A knight, undeterred by the loss of his allies, closed the distance with a vicious roar, swinging his glowing sword at Leonard. Leonard sidestepped the swing and countered with his combat knife. The blade found its mark between the knight's helmet and chest plate, and the enemy morphs crumpled.

"Boss, watch out!" an operator shouted as another knight charged Leonard from the flank.

Leonard ducked instinctively as a volley of magics rounds tore into the charging knight, courtesy of an operator covering his six.

Meanwhile, another part of the battlefield turned into a chaotic dance of magic clashes. Two knights conjured a barrier of light, blocking a hail of bullets. However, Alexei, flanked by two thaumaturgists, launched a spell. The spell slammed into the ground with a metallic thud, generating a field of crushing force that shattered the barrier and knocked the knights to the ground.

"Push them back!" Alexei roared, gunning down the stunned knights with surgical precision.

One of the knights, clearly a leader, began chanting a complex incantation. The ground beneath him started to crack as a large glyph formed, summoning what appeared to be a spectral beast.

"Not happening," an operator growled, activating a Scranton Reality Anchor. The device generated a wave of energy that disturbed the glyph's connection, dissipating the beast before it could fully manifest.

The battle raged on, with Resh-1 outmaneuvering and outgunning their foes despite the knights' superior numbers. The cohesion of the team was undeniable, each operator knew their role and executed it with precision.

Finally, the last knight of the first wave fell, his armor riddled with holes and his magical aura extinguished. Resh-1 regrouped, taking defensive positions around the wreckage of the plane. The operators quickly reloaded their weapons and checked their gear, their breathing heavy but controlled.

Leonard scanned the battlefield, his MP7 still raised. "Status report!"

"All clear for now," Alexei said, wiping blood from his cheek. "No casualties. Ammo's running low, though."

"Reserves?" Leonard asked.

"Enough for one more wave," an operator replied grimly.

Leonard nodded. "We'll make it count."

Before they could rest further, the sound of heavy hoofbeats echoed across the city. The second wave was coming, and this time, the gleaming figures of the white-and-gold knights appeared on the horizon. Their approach radiated an overwhelming aura of power.

"Shit," Alexei muttered. "Here comes the real fight."

The white-and-gold knights charged forward with disciplined precision, their massive flying mounts shrieking as they swooped down from the blackened sky. Their shields flared with magical energy, deflecting the bullets fired by Resh-1. The operators adjusted their tactics quickly, taking cover behind debris from the wrecked plane.

"Shields are deflecting everything!" one operator shouted.

Leonard gritted his teeth. "No holding back! Use everything you've got!"

The battlefield erupted into a maelstrom of chaos as Resh-1 unleashed their full array of anomalous abilities. The 8 thaumaturgists stepped forward, forming a tight line as they began weaving complex sigils into the air. Bright arcs of energy streaked toward the knights, shattering into bursts of light against their shields. But the operators weren't done yet, each spell was layered with another, targeting weak points in the knights' defenses.

"Push them harder!" Alexei roared, already surrounded by five knights.

He ducked under a glowing spear thrust, countering with a burst of raw magic energy from his palm that sent his opponent sprawling. Another knight lunged, and Alexei sidestepped, grabbing the knight's arm and slamming him into a crumbling wall with enough force to crack the enchanted armor.

Meanwhile, the two reality benders moved in tandem, their abilities warping the battlefield. One raised a hand, slowing time in a localized field around a group of knights, giving their allies precious seconds to reposition. The other focused on disrupting the enemies' spells, their precise manipulations tearing apart defensive wards before they could fully materialize.

"Shields down on the left flank!" one thaumaturgist called out.

The operators immediately capitalized, peppering the exposed knights with Magic rounds. One knight fell, clutching his chest as his armor failed, and another was sent tumbling from his flying mount, crashing into the ground with a sickening thud.

Amidst the chaos, the user of the Demon Mode activated his ability. Tattoos across his body glowed an ominous red, spreading like living veins until they covered him entirely. With an inhuman roar, he launched himself at a cluster of knights. His speed was impossible to track, and his strength was devastating.

A single punch shattered the shield of one knight, sending him flying into two others. Another knight raised his blade to strike, but the Demon Mode user caught it mid-swing with his bare hand, snapping it in two before delivering a devastating kick that broke the knight's armor.

"Stay down," he growled, his voice distorted and guttural.

The knights rallied, their mounts diving to attack from above. One massive bird swooped toward Leonard, claws extended to tear through his position.

"Not today!" shouted one of the reality benders, who warped the air around the beast. Its trajectory wavered, and it crashed into the ground, scattering debris.

Leonard remained at the center of the chaos, flanked by the reality benders who protected him with shimmering barriers. He fired controlled bursts from his MP7, aiming for weak spots in the knights' armor. Every now and then, he issued commands to keep the team coordinated.

"Left flank needs reinforcement!" he shouted, watching as two thaumaturgists struggled against four knights.

The Demon Mode user roared in acknowledgment, leaping across the battlefield in a single bound to engage the enemies. His arrival tipped the scales, and within moments, the knights were forced into retreat.

Despite their initial advantage, the knights began to falter under the relentless assault. Resh-1's thaumaturgists fought two-on-one with equal skill, their spells weaving through the knights' defenses and striking true.

"Alexei, status!" Leonard called out.

Alexei, now covered in blood and scorch marks, dispatched his fifth opponent with a swift thaumaturgic strike that cracked the knight's helm. "Holding steady. But these bastards aren't backing down."

Just as the tide seemed to turn in Resh-1's favor, a deafening horn echoed across the battlefield. The sound sent a chill through the air, and all fighting momentarily paused.

From the shadows of the baroque buildings, a new wave of knights emerged. These were far more numerous and heavily armed, their pristine white-and-gold armor gleaming under the moonless sky. Behind them, massive beasts lumbered into view, hulking creatures that dwarfed the knights' flying mounts, their glowing eyes and jagged armor exuding pure menace.

"Boss," Alexei muttered, his voice grim. "We've got a problem."

Leonard's eyes widened as he took in the overwhelming force. "Everyone regroup! This fight isn't over yet!"

Leonard stared at the wave of enemies, Alexei stepping up beside him and saying:

"Boss, there's no way we can hold them back. There are way too many of them."

Leonard turned toward the plane, where the civilians were hiding, their frightened faces pressed against the windows. He clenched his teeth before shouting:

"WE'RE FALLING BACK! SWITCH TO GUERRILLA TACTICS!"

Chaos erupted immediately after Leonard's command. The operators of Resh-1 moved with practiced precision. The thaumaturgists acted first, raising walls of fire and unleashing bursts of energy to cover their retreat. The sudden explosions and thick plumes of smoke created momentary confusion among the advancing knights.

"Fall back in groups!" Alexei shouted to the group as he parried an enemy's blade, countering with a quick burst of flames that sent his opponent stumbling back.

The operators retreated into the narrow streets of the baroque city, using its winding alleys and uneven architecture to break line of sight with the pursuing knights.

"Stick to the plan! Cover each other!" one thaumaturgist yelled as he conjured glowing sigils that collapsed a building behind them, creating a temporary barricade.

The reality benders supported the retreat, manipulating the environment to slow the enemy. One of them raised his hands, and the cobblestone street ahead of the knights twisted and cracked, sending several charging mounts stumbling to the ground.

The operator in Demon Mode took up the rear, his body still glowing with crimson tattoos. He struck down several knights who dared to press too close, his movements a terrifying blur of speed and power.

"Keep moving!" he bellowed, slamming a knight off his mount with a devastating punch.

Leonard, flanked by the two reality benders, directed the retreat. They shielded him from incoming attacks, deflecting stray magical projectiles and disrupting the enemy's attempts to close the gap.

"We need to regroup deeper into the city!" Leonard ordered, scanning the streets for a defensible position.

The civilians in the plane watched helplessly as Resh-1 vanished into the labyrinth of the city, the echoes of combat fading as the operators disappeared into the shadows.

The sprawling city became a war zone as Resh-1 executed their guerrilla retreat, expertly navigating the maze-like streets and alleys. The operators moved in coordinated units, using the city's architecture to their advantage.

As the pursuing knights, mounted on their massive avian beasts, swept through the air, Alexei led a small team into a cathedral-like building with high, ornate windows.

"Set up here!" Alexei barked, directing the thaumaturgists to prepare traps and countermeasures.

One thaumaturgist raised his hands, chanting in a guttural tone. The floor beneath the doorway glowed with runes before collapsing into a pit of jagged stone spikes. Another operator placed explosive sigils along the walls and columns.

"Here they come!" someone shouted.

The knights smashed through the grand doors, their magical shields absorbing the initial traps. Bolts of thaumaturgical energy and bursts of fire rained down from above as Resh-1 engaged. One knight managed to leap past the defenses, only to be intercepted by an operator in Demon Mode. The operator's crimson tattoos flared, and he delivered a devastating blow that sent the knight crashing through a column.

The knights' counterattacks were relentless. One unleashed a torrent of golden flames that engulfed the room, but a reality bender nullified it with a wave of his hand, causing the fire to dissipate harmlessly.

"Fall back to the next position!" Alexei ordered.

The operators slipped through a side passage, detonating the sigils behind them. The explosion brought the cathedral's roof crashing down, blocking the knights' pursuit momentarily.

In the narrow streets, Leonard led another group. The air was thick with tension as mounted knights swooped overhead, scanning for them. Leonard signaled to a thaumaturgist, who raised a hand and cloaked their group in a shimmering veil of invisibility.

As the knights descended, oblivious to their hidden prey, Leonard motioned to his team. "Wait for it…"

The operators held their breaths until the knights were directly above them.

"Now!" Leonard yelled.

The veil dropped, and the operators opened fire. The sound of suppressed MP7s filled the alley as bullets streaked through the air. The knights' shields flared, absorbing most of the shots, but a concentrated burst from a thaumaturgist shattered one knight's defenses. He fell from his mount, crashing into the cobblestone below, where an operator swiftly neutralized him with a knife.

"Move!" Leonard shouted, and the group darted through another alley.

---

A third team set up an ambush in the remnants of the market where the plane had crashed. Using overturned carts and debris as cover, the operators awaited the next wave of knights.

"Here they come!" a thaumaturgist whispered as the sound of beating wings grew louder.

The knights arrived, their mounts screeching as they spotted the operators. The lead knight raised his hand, and a spear of light materialized before he hurled it.

"Defensive wards!" an operator yelled.

A shimmering blue barrier appeared just in time, deflecting the spear into a nearby building. The thaumaturgists retaliated, launching bolts of lightning and bursts of flame that forced the knights to retreat momentarily.

Demon Mode charged forward, vaulting onto one of the mounts. His glowing fists smashed through the rider's shield, sending the knight plummeting to the ground. He roared, leaping to the next mount with inhuman agility, sowing chaos among the airborne knights.

The knights regrouped, and reinforcements poured in. Dozens of golden-armored knights descended into the streets, their combined thaumaturgical energy creating an oppressive aura that made the air feel heavy.

The groups of Leonard, Alexei and the third group gathered in a square surrounded by large buildings.

"We can't hold this position!" Alexei shouted, deflecting an incoming magical bolt with a barrier.

Leonard scanned the area, his eyes landing on a river visible through a gap in the buildings.

"There!" he pointed. "We'll use the river to escape!"

"Understood!" Alexei replied.

The operators fought their way toward the river, using every ounce of their abilities to fend off the relentless knights. A reality bender created a collapsing bridge of stone behind them, temporarily blocking the knights' path.

As they reached the riverbank, Leonard turned to Alexei. "Any pursuit?"

Alexei shook his head. "None in sight. Let's move before they find us!"

One by one, the operators leapt into the cold, dark water. The current was strong, pulling them downstream as they clung to debris for support.

Leonard floated alongside Alexei, his breathing heavy but controlled. "We made it. For now."

The group allowed the river to carry them deeper into the unknown city, their silhouettes disappearing into the night as the sound of pursuit faded into the distance.

After what felt like an eternity, the river finally carried them out of the city's outskirts and into the embrace of a dense, shadowy forest. The air was damp and cool, with the sound of rushing water fading behind them. The group dragged themselves onto the muddy bank, their breaths ragged as they collapsed one by one.

Leonard, dripping wet and visibly exhausted, scanned his surroundings before addressing Alexei. "Is everyone accounted for?"

Alexei, still catching his breath, began counting. His finger moved as he silently tallied each operator, his face momentarily tense before relaxing. "Two, five, eight… ten. Perfect. Everyone's here."

Leonard nodded and turned his gaze to the operators of Resh-1. They stood in a loose half-circle around him, their weapons held tightly, their postures stiff despite their exhaustion. Their faces were pale, their breaths labored, and their eyes heavy with fatigue. Yet, they forced themselves to remain alert, protecting him even now.

He frowned. "Alright, team. We're taking a break. A long one. You all look like you're about to drop dead."

Alexei, standing closest to Leonard, immediately protested. "Boss, we're fine! We can keep going. We're more than capable of-"

Leonard raised his hand, cutting him off mid-sentence. His voice was firm but not unkind. "No negotiations, Alexei. We're resting. That's an order."

The operators exchanged weary glances, some visibly relieved but unwilling to voice it. Alexei sighed heavily, reluctantly stepping back. "Understood, boss," he muttered.

Leonard softened his stance, placing a hand on Alexei's shoulder. "Look around, Alexei. These people have fought like hell today. They've earned this. So have you."

Alexei nodded reluctantly, gesturing for the others to lower their weapons and relax. Slowly, the operators began to set up a loose perimeter, some slumping against trees while others simply sat on the damp ground.

Leonard leaned against a tree trunk, watching his team as they unwound. Despite their exhaustion, there was a quiet resilience in their eyes. For now, they were safe, but he knew this was only the beginning.

"We rest," Leonard said quietly to himself, his gaze fixed on the canopy above. "Then we figure out what comes next."

Leonard groaned softly as a mechanical chime resonated in his mind, a familiar yet unwelcome reminder of the system bound to him. He muttered under his breath, annoyed.

"Again with this…"

The glowing text appeared in his vision as the system continued its routine announcements:

[Ding! It has been detected that the host is trapped in an extradimensional zone. As a result, certain system functionalities will be deactivated.]

Leonard sighed, rubbing his temples. The system had been a part of his life for so long that its sudden interjections barely fazed him anymore, but the content of this message was troubling.

[Ding! New quest unlocked:]

Here it comes, he thought grimly.

[Primary Objective: Escape the extradimensional zone.]

[Secondary Objective: Aid the Delisian Movement in their struggle against the oppression of the kingdom.]

Leonard's face twisted with frustration as he read the objective. He slammed his fist against the nearest surface, his voice rising with anger. "Are you kidding me? I can't even breathe for a second! It's been only a few days since I got beaten by 096, and now you're throwing me into another dimension? Do you want me dead, or what?!" His hands trembled as he glared at the screen, the weight of exhaustion and fury pressing down on him.

He closed his eyes briefly, processing the situation. He was used to the system's cryptic quests and unexpected demands, but being thrown into another dimension with his team added layers of complications. He had no idea who the Delisians were, but if the system was mentioning them, it meant their fate was somehow tied to his.

Leonard opened his eyes, scanning the resting operators of Resh-1. They were exhausted, battered from the relentless combat, and their expressions spoke of silent endurance. They were soldiers, trained to keep moving no matter the cost. But this? This was far beyond their pay grade.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, system. I get it. One step at a time."

He turned to Alexei, who was still alert despite his exhaustion. "How long before everyone's ready to move again?"

Alexei shrugged, his tone dry. "They'll move when you order it, Boss, even if they're half-dead."

Leonard shook his head. "No. I want everyone at 100% before we make our next move. We can't afford any mistakes in this place."

Alexei raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Leonard's orders, no matter how strange, had to be followed.

As he leaned back against the tree, Leonard reopened the system interface in his mind, scanning the details of the new objectives. He couldn't ignore the secondary quest, no matter how much he wanted to. The system had a way of ensuring its objectives were unavoidable, and experience had taught him that ignoring it would only lead to worse outcomes.

"Delisian Movement, huh?" he muttered. "Guess we'll be meeting you soon enough."

Leonard exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath as he delved into the system's interface in his mind. He immediately attempted to connect with his forces, hoping to establish a line of communication with the other MTF units or any nearby Foundation sites. However, the interface displayed only the ten operators of Resh-1, their names glowing faintly on the roster. Every other connection, every site, every team, was grayed out, inaccessible.

"You've got to be kidding me," Leonard growled, clenching his fists. "Cut off from everyone else. Of course."

He selected one of the operators' profiles. A status window appeared: "Fatigue: Extreme". He scrolled through each name, finding the same disheartening report for every single one of them.

Leonard slammed the mental interface shut for a moment, pacing to release his frustration. He was used to the system's quirks, but this felt like a deliberate handicap. Regaining his composure, he reopened the interface and decided to test other functions.

He tried accessing the Global Chat, only to be met with a lock icon hovering over it.

"Figures," he muttered.

Switching tactics, he navigated to the Store tab. Relief flickered through him when he saw the interface was still active. Scanning through the options, he found that he could purchase reinforcements or supplies. However, the resources required for these purchases were steep, and Leonard knew he needed to save them for emergencies.

Finally, he noticed a new option in the menu: "Map". Intrigued, he selected it.

A fog-shrouded map unfolded before his eyes, its edges obscured by swirling darkness. Only a small portion of the terrain was visible, a meandering river, along with a stretch of nearby land that was now marked as "Explored Territory". It was the path they'd taken to escape the city.

Leonard frowned, studying the map. The revealed area was limited, but it was better than nothing. At least he had a visual reference for their current location.

He zoomed out, hoping to get a broader view, but the fog remained impenetrable. The only clear zones were the immediate surroundings of the forest and the river. A small note hovered near the edges of the explored zone:

"Expand territory by exploration."

"Of course," Leonard said bitterly. "Nothing's ever easy."

He mentally closed the interface and glanced at his team. Most of the operators were sitting in a loose circle, their heads low as they rested. They were tough, but the exhaustion on their faces was undeniable.

Leonard sighed, then turned to Alexei, who was quietly sharpening his knife nearby. "We're cut off from the rest of the world. It's just us out here, and this place isn't going to let us rest for long. Once everyone's ready, we move. This map's all we have, and we're going to need to explore if we want to survive."

Alexei nodded, his expression grim. "Understood, Boss. Let's hope whatever's out there isn't worse than what we just ran from."