Dark City lay only twenty to thirty li away in a straight line.
The terrain between here and there was rugged, but with a small, elite force marching at full speed, they should be able to reach it within half a day.
Attacking Dark City itself was obviously impossible.
Dark City likely had over a thousand defenders, along with sturdy walls and layered fortifications. With Miracle City's current forces, storming it directly was completely unrealistic.
However…
In front of Dark City stood Heifeng Pass.
The gateway to Dark City.
Its final defensive line.
The pass was built along a narrow gorge, a fortress perched on dangerous slopes, easy to defend and nearly impossible to assault.
According to Kanzaki Ren's knowledge, Maggot-Eye had originally been the general assigned to guard this canyon pass. But now he had abruptly died at Blackbone Encampment. The Dark Lord, without the advantage of lordly omnivision, wouldn't react fast enough.
A chance had appeared.
It was worth making a bet.
Bet that Dark City had not yet reinforced Heifeng Pass.
Bet that the goblin lord, Bloodthroat, would never expect the human dungeon to strike so boldly and aggressively.
If the gamble paid off…
Kanzaki Ren would force Dark City into a suffocating disadvantage.
The front line of the territory war would be pressed right up to Dark City's doorstep.
Once Bloodthroat fell into a reactive, defensive situation, he would certainly try to reclaim the pass. Ren could then use the pass's defensive structure to wear down Dark City's troops, launch counterattacks, and end the war.
And if the gamble failed…
They'd lose some soldiers, nothing more.
The newbie protection period was still long.
Ren had plenty of time to rebuild an army.
Compared to the potential gains, the risks were insignificant.
[You have resurrected Witch Zombie (Tsukikage Sayuki). Mental Energy -30!]
Ren activated the Soldier House's resurrection function, reviving Sayuki and the other four contracted adventurers who died earlier. In total, it cost him 90 points of Mental Energy.
"Contract soldiers really are amazing."
Temporary workers required payment to convert and consumed soul fragments every time they died.
Official contract soldiers were different. They could be converted for free, did not consume soul fragments upon death, and could be resurrected repeatedly, forming the backbone of the territory's standing army.
A Tier-One Soldier House could resurrect up to ten soldiers per day.
Though resurrection consumed resources, it restored combat strength quickly and drastically improved Miracle City's war potential.
A few minutes later…
Sayuki and the other revived contract soldiers returned.
Tank No. 1 and Tank No. 2, who had stayed behind at the monster camp, were teleported to Blackbone Encampment.
Miracle City's force now held four Tank Zombies, one Witch Zombie, and one flamethrower-wielding Stalker, plenty of power to justify Ren's aggressive plan.
Still missing a little.
To be safe…
He needed a few more monster troops.
[You are summoning "Exploder Zombie" ×4. This will cost: Mental Energy ×160, Soul Crystals ×80, Exploder Essence ×4. Continue? Yes/No]
Ren summoned four Exploder Zombies.
The adventurers stared at the round, waddling fat zombies in utter confusion.
Pig King: "Lord Ren, if we're reinforcing the army, why summon trash like this?"
Nekomi Momo: "Right? Monsters have quality tiers. Exploders may be Two-Star monsters, but they're nowhere near as useful as Hunters."
The other adventurers agreed wholeheartedly.
These things were slow, clumsy, and—worst of all—fragile. They tended to explode at the slightest hit.
Their self-detonation produced impressive shockwaves and bile-poison fog…
But they died in the process. Total one-time consumables.
Exploder Zombies were notorious nuisances in secret realms, but no adventurer ever wanted to contract one, let alone transform into one. They were the definition of a benchwarmer troop.
"You'll understand soon enough."
Ren glanced at the time. "We're running short. This battle must end quickly. Move out!"
"Got it!"
"Kill!"
"Miracle City will prevail!"
…
After a four-hour forced march…
They reached their target.
"So this is Heifeng Pass?"
"Damn… it's tall. And steep. No way we're breaking through easily."
Before them stood a mountain fort built into the canyon. Its geography granted it a narrow entrance and overwhelming defensive advantage.
Even with only 180 defenders, it could hold off enormous pressure.
To threaten it, at least 300–400 troops were required.
The adventurers exchanged uneasy looks.
This fight looked ugly.
Ren spoke, "The enemy holds the terrain, but the battle isn't unwinnable. To avoid losses, we won't brute-force it. We'll outsmart them."
White Crane Hermit asked, "Then what is Lord Ren's plan?"
Ren didn't answer directly.
Instead, he pointed at four Hunters and three Smokers. "Your task is to take out the goblin archers on the walls when the moment comes."
Blackstone Hammer King: "No problem."
Lone Wolf frowned. "We Hunters can climb, but how are we supposed to approach? They'll see us coming."
Wind-Sleeper added, "Their line of sight is wide. There's no cover. They'll pelt us with arrows long before we get close."
"Don't worry. We have airborne troops to distract them."
Airborne troops?
What?
Where were these so-called airborne troops coming from?
Ren offered no further explanation.
He ordered White Crane Hermit and Rampaging Chocobo, the two Tanks, along with Pig King and the five Chargers, to lead a frontal assault later to draw attention. Their thick armor and natural toughness would let them endure most attacks.
The mercenary temps were split into two forces.
135 would charge the gate.
The remaining 30… were Ren's specially prepared airborne unit.
"Everyone ready!"
Tank No. 1 and Tank No. 2 each lifted an Exploder Zombie as casually as picking up a cannonball, then hurled them toward the fortress walls like living catapults.
Throwing heavy objects was a Tank specialty.
Their aim was solid.
Predictably—
Boom! Boom!
The Exploders burst like firecrackers upon impact. Shockwaves mixed with thick green bile-poison mist flooded the walls instantly, enveloping the dark goblins.
"Again!"
Boom! Boom!
Human grenade launchers.
The dense, green toxic fog expanded rapidly, completely obscuring visibility.
"So that was the plan!" White Crane Hermit's eyes lit up.
Ren was using Exploder Zombies as smoke bombs.
"I get it too!" Blackstone Hammer King shouted excitedly. "Exploder bile is medicine to zombies! It heals us, makes us go berserk, boosts our strength! But it burns the eyes and lungs of anything living!"
The adventurers were stunned.
Then thrilled.
"Holy crap!"
"Genius move!"
"Exploders aren't trash after all!"
…
Under the shroud of green fog…
The wall defenders lost all vision and began coughing violently.
This was the opening.
Not only that, but the Exploders' bile fog enhanced zombies—healing them, empowering them, boosting speed and strength.
A massive buff.
"Attack!"
Ren ordered the assault.
The Hunters moved first.
But Ren wasn't done with the chaos.
Tank No. 1 and Tank No. 2 immediately switched to the next phase, grabbing temp workers one by one and hurling them over the wall.
"Airborne troops!"
"So that's what Lord Ren meant!"
"This is insane!"
"He literally made airborne infantry!"
"Lord Ren, you're a damn genius!"
Tanks were strong.
Good at throwing.
Zombies were durable.
Combined with the healing effects of Exploder bile…
They could toss an entire squad behind enemy lines.
Even if some temps suffered injuries upon landing, the bile buff would help stabilize them. Once recovered, they would immediately threaten the defenders from within.
Buying precious time.
Creating openings for the main force.
White Crane Hermit and Wind-Sleeper looked at Ren with renewed awe.
Their lord not only had unmatched dungeon-creation ability—his talent for strategy and battlefield command was terrifyingly sharp. With a leader like this, Miracle City's rise was inevitable.
The adventurers' confidence soared.
Taking the pass today seemed entirely within reach.