Gloomy City lay only twenty to thirty miles away in a straight line. Although the terrain was rugged, a small group of elites could reach it in half a day under a forced march. Attacking Gloomy City directly was unrealistic. With over a thousand fighting units and fortified defenses, Miracle City's current military strength was insufficient for an immediate assault.
However, Blackwind Pass stood as the gateway to Gloomy City and its last line of defense. This pass, nestled against a canyon with rugged terrain, was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Lord Jack knew that Maggot Eye had been the general responsible for guarding Blackwind Canyon, but with Maggot Eye dead at Black Bone Camp and the Dark Lord lacking a Lord's Vision, the Goblins wouldn't be able to react promptly. This presented an opportunity to exploit.
Jack decided to gamble that Gloomy City hadn't reinforced Blackwind Pass and that Goblin Lord Bloodthroat wouldn't expect a human Underground City to be so bold and aggressive. If the gamble paid off, Jack would position his forces right at Gloomy City's doorstep. The territory war's battle line would push directly in front of the city. When Bloodthroat was forced into a passive situation, he would likely attempt to recapture the pass. Jack could then leverage the defensive advantage to deplete Gloomy City's forces before counterattacking the city.
Even if the gamble failed, losing some troops was manageable. The novice protection period was long, providing Jack ample time to reorganize his forces. This small risk and cost were insignificant compared to the potential gains of success.
**[You have resurrected Witch Zombie (Luna Snow), consuming 30 points of mental power!]**
Jack first activated the Soldier's House's resurrection function, bringing back five contracted Adventurers, including Luna Snow, who had died in battle, consuming a total of 90 points of mental power.
"Contracted soldiers are indeed useful!"
Disposable temporary workers required payment for conversion and consumed soul crystals upon death. Regular workers, however, could be converted for free, didn't consume soul crystals, and could even be resurrected to rejoin the battlefield, making them part of the territory's regular army. A Tier 1 Soldier's House could resurrect soldiers 10 times a day, restoring combat power and enhancing Miracle City's war potential.
A few minutes later, five contracted soldiers, including Luna Snow, returned. Tanks 1 and 2, who were guarding the monster camp, were also teleported to Black Bone Camp. Miracle City's troops, now equipped with four Tank Zombies, one Witch Zombie, and one Flaming Tracker, formed a powerful fighting force, instilling confidence in Jack's aggressive strategy.
Still, he needed more assurance. To be on the safe side, he added a few more monster soldiers.
**[You are summoning 'Exploder Zombie' × 4. This summon requires 'Mental Power' × 160, 'soul crystal' × 80, 'Exploder Soul' × 4. Do you wish to continue? Yes/No!]**
Jack added four Exploders. The Adventurers were puzzled by the round, fat Zombies.
Pig King questioned, "Lord Jack, even if we need to reinforce our troops, why summon these seemingly useless soldiers?"
Mandy agreed, "Yeah, there's a difference between good and bad monsters. Although Exploders are two-star monsters, they're not as useful as Hunters!"
The other Adventurers nodded in agreement. The Exploders were fat and slow-moving, and their fragility was frustrating. They exploded at the slightest provocation, and while the shockwave and bile poison mist were potent, the self-detonation meant they were a one-time consumable.
Thus, despite Exploders often posing significant threats in secret realms, no Adventurer had ever wanted to become one or prepare to contract one. They were purely benchwarmer units.
"You'll know in a while!" Jack reassured them, glancing at the time. "Time is running out. This battle must be decided quickly. Let's go!"
"Alright!"
"Kill, kill, kill!"
"Miracle City will win!"
After a forced march of four hours, everyone arrived at the battle location.
"Is this the Blackwind Pass we're going to attack?"
"Oh my god, it's so high and rugged. I'm afraid it won't be easy to get in!"
The pass was a mountain stronghold built into the canyon terrain, with a narrow and easily defensible entrance. Even with only a hundred or so troops stationed there, it could mount a strong defense. At least three to four hundred troops would be needed to pose a threat.
The Adventurers looked at each other, apprehensive. This battle wouldn't be easy!
Jack assured them, "Although the enemy has all the geographical advantages, this battle is not without a chance of winning. To reduce losses, we cannot attack by force; we must outsmart them!"
White Crane Hermit asked curiously, "So what does the Lord plan to do?"
Jack didn't explain directly. Instead, he selected four Hunters and three Smokers, "You are responsible for taking the opportunity to deal with the Goblin archers above."
Black Stone Hammer King agreed, "No problem!"
Lone Wolf inquired, "We Hunters can climb up, but the question is how to get close?"
Ryan Shaw pointed out, "The enemy has a wide field of vision, and there is no cover around. We might be shot by arrows before we get close."
"Don't worry, we have airdropped soldiers, which are enough to create a diversion."
Airdropped soldiers? What did he mean? Where did these airdropped soldiers come from?
Jack didn't elaborate. Instead, he ordered White Crane Hermit and Violent Little Chicken, along with two Tanks and five Chargers led by Pig King, to act as vanguards. When the fighting started, they would attack the gate from the front to draw attention, their thick skin withstanding most attacks.
The mercenary temporary workers were divided into two groups: one hundred thirty-five charged from the main gate, while thirty formed the paratrooper unit Jack had prepared.
"Everyone get ready!"
Tanks 1 and 2 each picked up an Exploder. Their thick arms hefted them like shot puts, launching the Exploders toward Blackwind Pass's wall.
Throwing heavy objects was a Tank's traditional skill, and their accuracy was impressive. No suspense!
Bang bang! Two Exploders exploded like firecrackers, a shockwave carrying green poison mist enveloping the pass wall and the Dark Goblins within.
"Continue!"
Bang bang, another two shots. These Exploders were human grenades! The dense green bile poison mist completely obscured the vision.
"So that's it!" White Crane Hermit's eyes lit up. The Lord was using the Exploders as smoke bombs!
"I get it too!" Black Stone Hammer King became excited. "The Exploder Zombie's bile is a great tonic for Zombies, making us go berserk, quickly recover from injuries, and gain stronger power, while other creatures will have their eyes and respiratory tracts burned."
The Adventurers were stunned, then their eyes lit up.
"Holy cow!"
"Brilliant!"
"Exploders can be used like this? I suddenly feel like this unit isn't useless!"
Under the cover of the green poison mist, when the defending Goblins lost their sight and started coughing frantically, the opportunity to attack had arrived!
Not only that, the Exploder's bile poison mist would burn the eye membranes and respiratory tracts of ordinary life forms, but for Zombies, it was beneficial, providing restorative and strengthening effects.
Attacking at this moment, Miracle City's Zombies entering the green mist would immediately receive a buff, entering a berserk state with greatly increased speed and strength. This was equivalent to adding a combat power boost BUFF to friendly forces!
"Attack!" Jack ordered. The Hunters immediately took the lead.
And the tricky move Jack prepared wasn't over yet. Tanks 1 and 2 didn't rest for a moment. After throwing the Exploder Zombies, they grabbed the temporary workers around them one by one and threw them into the pass tower ahead.
"Airdropped soldiers?"
"These are the airdropped soldiers the Lord was talking about!"
"That's too crazy!"
"Goddamn airdropped soldiers!"
"It's literally airdropped soldiers, isn't it!"
"Lord Jack, I've discovered you're a goddamn genius!"
Tanks were powerful and skilled at throwing. Combined with the Zombies' durability and the healing effect of the Exploders, they could throw some combat power behind the enemy lines. Even if some of these paratroopers were lost, as long as a small portion retained combat power, they would quickly recover with the buff from the Exploder's bile poison mist and then pose a threat to the defenders.
This strategy would buy time and create opportunities for others to attack. White Crane Hermit and Ryan Shaw looked at Jack with admiration. This Lord not only had top-notch secret realm creation abilities, but his command of troops was also first-class. With such a Lord, how could Miracle City not rise?
The Adventurers were greatly encouraged! It seemed certain they would take this pass today.
Thanks to Passerby Who Only Buys Soy Sauce, Pastelito, and 08a for their rewards!0
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