Chapter 222: Infiltration

This was a concealment spell unique to the elves.

Favored by nature, they could almost perfectly hide themselves using this magic.

In the Lim Mountains.

Helag was stationed by the Shadow Altar, sitting with his eyes closed, meditating and resting.

Each Shadow Altar needed constant guarding.

Helag and his team took turns, each guarding for a night, and tonight was Helag’s turn.

The materials used to build the altars were limited and expensive.

Thus, every altar was crucial and needed protection.

If an altar was lost, Helag and his team would face consequences.

Failing to protect an altar would likely mean failing the assessment at Base 27.

Night fell, enveloping the mountains in deep darkness.

Distant stars shone, casting a faint glow over the valley.

Yet, the valley was eerily silent, with only occasional ancient beast growls breaking the stillness, sending chills down the spine.

Above the peaks, the twilight faded, replaced by dim moonlight, illuminating the mountain contours, making them appear eerie and mysterious.

The deep valleys and cliffs blocked most moonlight, with only scattered beams reaching the wind-eroded cliffs, enhancing their sinister appearance.

Suddenly, faint footsteps echoed between the peaks.

Soon, a small creature appeared in the moonlight.

Its eyes glowed like green flames, with short wings on its flat head. It spat a green mist, enveloping its feet, then carefully crawled along the cliff.

More creatures followed. Large beasts with thick fur, baring fangs and glaring fiercely.

Reptilian creatures, agile and resilient, seemingly tireless.

They roamed the mountains, or flew high with magical wings. The mountains teemed with diverse creatures.

These creatures wandered throughout the mountains.

Milanra led the elven squad, and upon entering the Lim Mountains, they were chilled by the sight.

So many creatures, if unleashed, would exact a heavy toll to repel.

Milanra exchanged glances with the others, seeing their resolve to destroy the altars.

Lucio was right; they couldn’t allow the wizards time to build strength.

They cautiously advanced through the mountains, avoiding the creatures.

Milanra’s group didn’t want to alert the creatures too soon.

First, they needed to locate the altars, then destroy them.

Milanra’s team scouted the mountain entrance, finding four or five altars.

“So many, but we only have six people.”

Milanra realized there were more altars than expected, and these were just at the mountain’s edge; more were likely deeper in.

Each altar had one or two guards, and they only had six people.

After a moment’s thought, Milanra said, “We’ll split into pairs to destroy three altars. Once done, leave immediately. If it’s too difficult, retreat.”

Their goal was to disrupt as many altars as possible, not to complete the task at all costs.

Preserving their lives was paramount, given their limited numbers.

Losing more would worsen their disadvantage.

The others agreed, nodding and pairing up.

They paired naturally with members from their own tribes.

After the other teams left, Milanra focused on a distant altar, seeing a lone guard below.

Creatures roamed the altar’s perimeter, but no other wizards were visible.

Milanra maintained concealment, stealthily approaching.

They planned a surprise attack.

Confident in their elven concealment magic.

***

Helag, meditating, sensed two figures approaching.

Using Deep Blue’s environmental scan, he identified them as elves, crystalline-level wizards.

Helag didn’t raise an alarm but quietly spoke into his wristband, “Mr. Cain, I see two crystalline-level elves approaching, likely targeting the Shadow Altar. I suspect more elves are infiltrating from other directions.”

Cain quickly replied, “Hold your ground, protect the altar. We’re sending reinforcements.”

After reporting, Helag stood and stretched.

Then.

“Absolute Defense!”

“Rage of the Blood Bull!”

***

Moments later, a giant in black armor stood by the altar, patrolling slowly.

“Have we been discovered?” Milanra was startled when Helag cast spells, fearing exposure.

But seeing Helag merely patrolling, seemingly unaware of their presence, Milanra relaxed.

“A low to mid-level spellcaster’s aura? But physically strong,” Milanra assessed Helag’s strength.

With a plan in mind, Milanra readied his magic.

Ten meters from Helag, Milanra and his kin attacked, summoning a magic array that unleashed two thick green vines aimed at Helag’s head and chest.

Helag, back turned, seemed oblivious, walking forward.

Milanra and his kin focused on the vines, envisioning Helag’s defeat.

But the vines struck empty air.

Helag vanished.

Milanra was shocked, certain he wasn’t hallucinating.

Magic ripples indicated Helag used a spell to evade.

A sound from behind.

Without turning, Milanra chanted, raising a green vine wall to block Helag’s punch.

Boom!

The vine wall met Helag’s fist with a dull thud.

Milanra and his kin retreated, distancing themselves from Helag.

They realized Helag was a melee wizard, keeping distance was wise.

As the vine wall vanished, Helag’s imposing figure emerged.

He grinned at the retreating elves, retrieving a wooden longbow from his spatial ring, aiming at Milanra and his kin.