CHAPTER 223: CLAIMING ANOTHER CAMP

The drive to Crane camp was very fast. In less than 50 minutes, Gabriel saw the camp come into view.

’So that’s why he was arrogant.’ he thought briefly, sweeping his gaze across the settlement.

It was in a much better state compared to when he had first encountered Kairos’ camp, and it seemed organized to a certain level. A mixture of adventurers and militants were stationed along the walls.

This made Gabriel realize that despite his strength, Bai Youn was just as lazy as Kairos. He never truly bothered to organize the camp—only dealing with enemies who dared to attack.

"They’re signaling for us to stop," Sophie announced softly, her eyes fixed ahead.

"I can see that." Gabriel’s eyes glinted as he pressed the accelerator to the maximum. "We’re going all out!"

On the walls, the adventurers and militants grew tense as they watched the vehicle speed toward them.

"Fire! Don’t let it crash through the gate!" a guard roared at the top of his voice. From the muzzles of over fifty militants, a spray of bullets exploded outward.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Sophie’s expression tightened. She called out in a loud, steady voice. "Silver Bell!"

Following her words, a small silver bell floated out in front of the vehicle and transformed into a transparent shield.

The rain of bullets slammed violently into the barrier, but they were completely neutralized. Empty shells clinked against the ground. Since their weapons and ammunition were low-quality and crudely manufactured, Sophie’s silver-grade treasure easily repelled them.

"Fuck!"

"Shit!"

Panic rippled through the militants as they realized their efforts were useless.

"Is there any ranged fighter who can strike them down from here?" the head guard shouted, his face pale as he looked toward the adventurers.

"We’ll have to wait until they’re within a hundred to fifty meters before making a move," one of the Awakened mages replied.

The head guard bit his lip. It was a gamble. Better to deal with the vehicle now while it was still far from the walls.

"Damn it! Continue firing!" he ordered. "That treasure won’t hold forever!"

The militants squeezed their triggers. Most of their weapons were old-world mana rifles scavenged from ruins, patched together with scrap metal and makeshift magazines.

They weren’t precision arms—more like crude automatic rifles with rusted barrels—but they spat out bullets fast enough to suppress weaker camps.

"Reload, reload!" someone shouted as barrels overheated, glowing red before jamming.

Gabriel shook his head in disappointment. "Useless trash. Grizzlenaught, come forth!"

His shadow flickered, and Grizzlenaught emerged in front of the truck. The summon’s crimson build loomed like a beast straight from hell, its electric blue eyes cutting through the smoke as it glared at the militants.

ROAR!

Those on the walls gulped noisily.

"Wh—what the hell is that!?"

"It’s a monster!"

Grizzlenaught slammed a clawed foot into the ground with a thunderous crack that echoed like a cannon, then sprinted forward. Claws dug deep into the earth before it leapt, scaling the wall in a single bound and landing inside the defenses.

"Fuckity fuck!"

Militants and adventurers panicked, not expecting the beast to cover so much distance in seconds.

They activated skills and swung weapons wildly. Muzzle flashes lit up the wall; at first they seemed to take the monster down, but with a snap of his fingers Gabriel burned through 100 MP from his 2,580 reserve and summoned it once again.

In a single sweep, Grizzlenaught’s claws ripped through two men, sending their bodies flying like rag dolls. Another was grabbed and smashed against the wooden rampart until his head burst.

Screams erupted everywhere as the summon tore through the defenses, scattering militants and adventurers alike. Some tried to reload, but their trembling hands only spilled bullets onto the ground.

"Keep firing, damn it!" the head guard bellowed, his voice breaking.

"It doesn’t die!"

But their line was already broken. The summon ripped a mounted machine gun from its stand and hurled it over the wall, smashing into tents below. Blood and chaos followed.

From inside the truck, Sophie and Cassie exchanged glances.

"This big guy has become even more savage compared to the last time I saw it," Sophie muttered in awe.

Gabriel’s lips curved faintly, but he didn’t reply. "Brace yourselves—we’re entering the camp now!"

Boom!

The cargo truck crashed through the wooden gate, successfully breaching the camp.

Calmly, Gabriel stepped out and swept his gaze across the area, watching as several refugees scrambled into hiding, not daring to meet his eyes.

In every camp, it was easy to spot the leader’s residence—it was usually more luxurious and powered with electricity.

But this time, he didn’t need to search. Standing right in front of him was the temporary leader of the camp, holding a blade.

’A swordsman.’ Gabriel noted, already preparing to cut him down if he resisted.

"I surrender!"

A loud, clear voice rang out as the leader dropped his blade to the ground.

He had done his research days earlier. Scouts had reported that this man didn’t just kill Hero-rank Bai Youn but also Crane himself. How could a mere level 50 fight against someone like that?

"Wise decision. It’s rare to see intelligent bandits, so I’ll spare you," Gabriel said calmly before shifting his gaze to the rest of the survivors.

They huddled near makeshift shelters, looking more like scarecrows than militants. Their eyes held a mixture of fear and desperate hope. They had followed Crane out of a desire for strength and order, but that loyalty had clearly evaporated with his death.

Basically... this base now belonged to him as well.

***

Thanks to all those who support Extraction Talent with their valuable Golden tickets, Gifts l, comments and power stones, to this novel! I greatly approaciate. It keeps me motivated.

Also incase you have any Golden tickets please save and vote the first of next month, let’s climb the ranking and help this book gain more popularity.

Next Chapter up in few minutes!