The flames still flickered, and they had to record the video from start to finish before leaving.
Not a single detail could be overlooked. Just as they had been warned, even the irregular direction of the flames' dance needed to be captured completely, as those erratic movements might hold the key to the problem.
If things went seriously wrong, this mission could end up being nullified.
The best plan for dealing with this situation was to take a bit of trouble now: set the camera to automatic recording, have everyone get out of the vehicle, and look around. Of course, while in the car, they were all prepared with protective gear—those hard-shell suits worn by chemical workers—mainly to prevent any Man-Eating Worms from crawling in through the corners of their clothing.
Putting on the protective suits required several people working together and took about ten minutes. By the time everyone was suited up and got out of the vehicle, it seemed that the fire was gradually dying down.
There wasn't much fuel left, nor were there any more combustible materials; what remained of the Bone had turned to ash.
They spread out, searching the area, each holding a bottle of high-proof liquor and a plastic bag.
Inside were a dozen bottles of that liquor, each stuffed with a cloth soaked in alcohol. With a lighter in their right hand, they carried makeshift Molotov cocktails that brought them some psychological comfort.
As they moved along, all they could see was the charred ground. The worms were only as big as a finger, with some as large as a palm, but now it was impossible to tell what they originally looked like; they had all become fixed in their charred state.
Continuing along the path, they returned to where the Diesel Barrel had been placed and stopped. The Bone had long since turned to ashes.
However, it was not difficult to notice that among the still smoldering ashes of the flames, the worms were arranged in a way that suggested they desperately wanted to break free from the fire. Yet ultimately, they perished under the explosive force of the Diesel Barrel's sudden blast—a devastating blow from the intense heat.
These Man-Eating Worms seemed to be trying to express something but left no last words before dying.
After two hours of searching, everyone returned to the vehicle and took off their protective suits, digging a hole to bury them underground.
These suits could technically be reused after one use, but the Hunters didn't want to bring them back.
In memory of this place where so many lives were lost, they decided to bury the suits here, carrying with them remnants of what had transpired.
"There are no survivors; it seems we killed them all," Freyr said with a smile.
Others nodded in agreement as Ross took a swig from a bottle of strong liquor he had pulled from the bag, drinking several mouthfuls before becoming completely intoxicated and collapsing in the vehicle.
When a person's nerves relax to the ultimate degree, they become fragile, especially in moments like this. Many lives have been harmed, and their spirits must also be affected. Although they are not human and cannot be considered living beings, even enemies represent a living life form. Ross's actions appeared somewhat entranced, and it would likely take him a long time to recover from this emotional pain.
Everyone had noticed that he probably had never taken a life before. A hunter who has never killed, even if they have stained their hands with the lives of many Zerg creatures, had just burned hundreds of Man-Eating Worms in this fiery encounter.
In this maiden battle, Freyr's Soldier-Level Hunter Team performed exceptionally well, maintaining pressure from start to finish. They faced risks but managed to turn every danger into safety, resulting in zero casualties.
In fact, after completing the mission, everyone felt a significant sense of relief, though fatigue soon washed over them.
Freyr opened a bottle of sparkling drink and took a sip, feeling invigorated. He quickly turned the vehicle around and drove out of the grassland.
The return journey would likely take all night. Freyr was skilled at driving, taking the fastest route possible to allow his companions to rest one by one.
However, his body was not made of iron; he too needed ample rest. Thus, he arranged for Relock to take turns driving every six hours.
They would spend a considerable amount of time on the road, but sometimes the conditions could be troublesome.
They encountered dangers without any effective weapons at hand, relying only on simple Molotov cocktails as makeshift firearms.
After all, insects are still a type of animal. As long as they are not particularly large, flames can scare off those simple creatures.
In reality, these insects were quite formidable in combat; they could penetrate flames at close range. The ability of fire alone could not achieve instant burn effects quickly enough; the heat from those simple Molotov cocktails was nowhere near the three thousand degrees Celsius of a furnace.
Yet perhaps due to primal instincts, living beings have an innate fear of fire and tend to avoid its vicinity.
This provided an opportunity for those in the vehicle to break through. In fact, it wouldn’t take long before those insects crossed the range of flames; by then, it would be too late for them to realize it. The off-road vehicle's momentum combined with its powerful engine and robust motor allowed it to glide smoothly over the terrain with flat tires.
With all hard equipment perfectly in place, this vehicle was configured to near perfection.
While it might not compare to top-tier vehicles at a glance, it could easily leave those inferior insects behind by ten roads in an instant.
The people in the vehicle had gone through so much, and at that moment, they all closed their eyes to rest. However, their senses were heightened to the extreme; even the slightest rustle of leaves or a gentle breeze could awaken them.
This was all thanks to the excellent training they had received during this mission. Without the numerous challenges they faced, they would never have realized how strong they truly were. The rescue of lives in Slyland City had already proven that they were a team of exceptional hunters, worthy of the title Hunter Team.
The journey was not without its troubles; they experienced a flat tire along the way, but fortunately managed to handle it with minimal issues by promptly using a spare tire.
Although the situation was far from ideal compared to when they had good tires, simply being able to keep moving was already a blessing. They were uncertain if they would survive long enough to return home, so it was better to avoid unnecessary risks and continue driving.
After refueling twice and running the tank nearly empty, they finally caught sight of Slyland City. They did not linger; instead, they took the vehicle to a repair shop for a complete overhaul. They paid in full for the upgrades. The car's performance was decent, but with a top-notch motor and high-performance engine, it would roar to life like a fierce beast.
Men often liked having such vehicles; as long as it drove fast enough, that was all that mattered.
After staying at Rose Inn for a few nights and leaving behind contact information for future correspondence, they planned to return to Human Alliance City once the car's performance was fully optimized.
Entering the city felt like reaching safety.
The route ahead was familiar to everyone. They drove back to the association, each stopping by home briefly to check in with family before spending a night there. The next day, they reported back at the dormitory of the association on time. It seemed that everyone looked somewhat fatigued; exhaustion was inevitable. But soon came their favorite time—profit-sharing. At this point, everyone's spirits began to lift once again.
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