As they drew closer to the tribe, Isabella and Jonas quickly decided not to stop. Although they had just experienced a harrowing battle, they were acutely aware that the jungle was still rife with unknown dangers, especially from the Guerrillas who could strike again at any moment. They could not afford to linger here for too long; their best option was to reach the tribe immediately and find a relatively safe place to regroup, leaving other matters for later.
Jonas gestured for the mercenaries to prepare to move swiftly. His voice was low and decisive. "Let's get to the tribe first; we can handle everything else later."
Isabella, however, was fixated on the corpse of the monster. She knew this was one of their most significant discoveries during this mission and could not simply abandon it. She pulled a small blue cube from her pocket, pressed her finger gently on its surface, and it began to emit a faint glow. Taking a deep breath, she tossed the cube towards the monster's body.
The cube arced through the air before landing softly on the ground beside the corpse. The moment it touched the ground, a brilliant blue light erupted, resembling a miniature lightning bolt that rapidly spread outward. The blue light expanded like ripples in water, encircling the monster's body and forming a stable barrier.
This light centered around the corpse, creating a translucent shield that encompassed an area of about thirty centimeters. The space within the barrier seemed frozen in time, everything immobilized without any motion or change. The bullet-riddled body was completely sealed within the Blue Barrier, with no trace or breath escaping.
"This should protect the body for now," Isabella said softly, her tone tinged with fatigue but also cautious satisfaction. She understood how crucial this corpse was for their research; it must not be damaged or contaminated in this perilous jungle.
Jonas nodded, his gaze still vigilant. "Good. Now we need to move quickly." He knew they had already wasted too much time and needed to reach the tribe as soon as possible to find a safe place to rest before planning their next steps.
The team quickly assembled, and the mercenaries efficiently checked their gear before setting off. The vehicles roared back to life and rumbled toward the tribe's direction. Both Isabella and Jonas understood that the road ahead was fraught with unknown challenges, but they had no choice but to face them bravely.
As the convoy gradually distanced itself from the battlefield, the blue barrier remained stable, completely isolating the monster's corpse from the outside world. Though this terrifying encounter had temporarily ended, Jonas and Isabella both realized it was merely the beginning of a larger mystery.
The convoy jostled along the rugged jungle road, and tension hung thick in the air inside the vehicle. Accompanying doctor Allison focused intently on Mocus, a middle-aged man in his forties whose face was pale and hands trembled slightly; his eyes still reflected lingering terror and unease. The recent ordeal had evidently taken a severe psychological toll on him; his breathing became rapid as if each breath strained to maintain his inner calm.
Allison gently placed her hand on Mocus's shoulder, speaking in a soft and comforting tone. "Mocus, you're safe now; it's all over. Try to take deep breaths and relax." Her voice carried a maternal warmth aimed at reassuring him.
Mocus's gaze was somewhat unfocused, but he heard Allison's words and slowly nodded. Although his inner fear remained difficult to quell, he made an effort to follow her instructions and took several deep breaths. As his breathing steadied, his heartbeat gradually slowed, and the fear etched on his face began to fade away.
Allison sensed that his emotions had stabilized a bit, so she gently asked, "Mocus, would you like to pray together? Perhaps it will help you feel more at ease." She knew that in such situations, mental support often mattered more than any medication.
Mocus hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding. His voice was hoarse and tinged with unease. "Alright... I think so. Thank you, Allison."
Allison smiled softly, then closed her eyes, gently holding Mocus's hand as they prayed together. Her voice was low and calm, the words of the prayer echoing softly in the vehicle, bringing a touch of peace to the chaotic and fearful space. Mocus gradually closed his eyes along with her voice; although the fear within him lingered, this brief moment of tranquility offered him some solace.
Meanwhile, Samuel seemed to have already fallen into a deep sleep beside them. His body curled up in the seat, his expression serene, as if this terrifying ordeal had nothing to do with him. The bumps of the vehicle and the dangers outside did not disturb his slumber; it was as if he had shut everything out and immersed himself in his own secluded world.
Allison glanced at Samuel and sighed silently before refocusing on comforting Mocus. She understood that each person in their team faced fear and pressure in their own way, and her responsibility was to help them maintain their health and sanity in this perilous jungle. Whether it was physical pain or mental trauma, Allison would do her utmost to heal.
Jonas leaned against the seat in the vehicle, closing his eyes as he fell into deep thought. His brow furrowed slightly as he replayed everything that had just happened in his mind. The sudden attack had caught them off guard, but as an experienced commander, he knew such situations were not uncommon in this chaotic jungle. The enemy—a group of Guerrillas—had launched a surprise attack on them, likely targeting the rich supplies their team carried.
However, certain details from the battle left Jonas feeling unusually unsettled. First of all, it was clear that this Guerrilla group consisted of child soldiers. Those young kids wielded weapons far too large for their small frames, attacking wildly on the battlefield with a madness and numbness that belied their age. Jonas knew these children had been thoroughly brainwashed, turned into cannon fodder for warlords and armed factions. Yet when he recalled the creature they had just faced, a larger mystery loomed in his mind.
The creature's body had finally been defeated after an intense struggle. But when Jonas thought back to its final form, he felt an overwhelming sense of confusion and unease. The corpse—pale, emaciated, riddled with bullet holes—looked unmistakably like a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old child. This tightened Jonas's chest because it was entirely different from any enemy he had encountered on the battlefield.
Jonas couldn't comprehend how a child could suddenly transform into such a monster. This was definitely not a natural phenomenon nor something ordinary warfare could explain. What had this child gone through to become such a terrifying being? The black Worms, the twisted body, and that strange power all hinted at a more horrifying secret behind it all.
Jonas's thoughts churned restlessly as he tried to find clues to unravel this mystery; yet no matter how he speculated, the answers remained elusive. He recalled Isabella mentioning the legend of the Black Rope Deity—could that mysterious power be related to these children's transformations? Or was it part of an even more horrific experiment?
All of this left Jonas feeling uneasy; this mission seemed far more dangerous and complex than he had anticipated. He took a deep breath, striving to keep calm; although the mystery before him couldn't be solved immediately, he knew he must lead his team forward regardless of how many unknown horrors awaited them.
When he opened his eyes again, there was a newfound determination in his gaze. He understood that no matter what happened, he had to uncover the truth and ensure the team's safe return. The truth behind those children turning into monsters and the dark forces lurking behind it all—Jonas vowed he would get to the bottom of it.
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