Free Web NovelChapter 98: Chapter 98: South Marsh Fires
The south marsh was worse than expected.
Not because of poison alone. freewebnovёl.ƈom
Because it burned.
At first glance, the marsh looked like a field of black water and green vapor, similar to Poison Mist Swamp. But scattered across the mud were pockets of blue flame, burning directly on the surface of poisoned water. The flames released foul smoke that mixed fire and toxin.
Captain Ren called it rotfire.
"Do not breathe it," he warned. "Do not step into it. Do not strike it with open flame."
Qin Mo looked offended.
"Why does poison need fire?"
Qin Yuheng distributed Hundred Toxin Cleansing Pills and Flame Cooling Pills.
"Because floors after the First Gate combine problems."
"I dislike educational design."
This time, the full team entered the south marsh. Leaving too few at the outpost was dangerous, but the marsh route needed both combat and formation expertise. Captain Ren remained behind with the remnants, continuing wall repairs and beacon preparation.
The mission panel updated.
[South Marsh Scout Route entered.]
[Warning: Rotfire poison detected.]
[Scout objective: Identify beast tide gathering point.]
Qin Lian led carefully, marking safe ground. Qin Mo used poison and heat detection stones. Qin Yuchen guarded the rear. Qin Yuheng watched the mist.
The first enemy appeared as a mound of mud.
It rose into a hunched beast with burning blue eyes.
[Rotfire Mud Beast]
[Level: 20]
[Type: Poison-fire swamp creature]
Its body released toxic steam whenever struck.
Qin Yuheng adapted immediately.
"Break core from distance if possible."
Qin Mo used formation spikes to pin it. Qin Yuchen struck from the side and retreated before steam burst. Qin Lian targeted exposed cracks. Qin Yuheng delivered the finishing thunder thrust into its core.
The beast exploded into rotfire vapor.
Their pills reduced the effect, but accumulation still rose.
[Rotfire Contamination]
Average: 9%
The deeper they went, the more enemies appeared.
Mud beasts.
Poison frogs.
Burning leeches.
A massive rotfire crocodile nearly dragged Qin Yuchen into the water before Qin Lian cut its eye and Qin Yuheng severed its jaw.
After two hours, they reached a ridge overlooking the marsh heart.
There, they saw the gathering point.
Hundreds of beasts.
Not all the same type.
Fang Beasts from east forest.
Bonewings from north ridge.
Rotfire beasts from south marsh.
At the center stood a four-legged creature covered in bone plates, antlers, and burning poison markings. It had the body of a wolf, the head of a stag, and a tail like a serpent.
[Frontier Beast Tide Commander]
[Level: 27]
[Type: Composite beast commander]
[Status: Gathering final tide]
[Danger: Very High]
Qin Mo whispered, "We found it. Wonderful. Now we leave?"
Qin Yuheng studied the beast commander.
The main mission required lighting the beacon before the final tide arrived. Defeating the commander was optional. But if left alive, it would command the tide intelligently.
Could they kill it now?
No.
Too many beasts.
Could they weaken it?
Maybe.
Qin Lian pointed toward several smaller totems around the gathering point.
"Those bone stakes pulse when beasts move."
Qin Mo narrowed his eyes.
"Command anchors. If we destroy them, the tide formation may weaken."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
"How many?"
"Four visible."
"Can we destroy one without alerting all?"
Qin Lian studied the terrain.
"The eastern one, perhaps."
Qin Mo looked at Qin Yuheng.
"This is the part where we do something risky but not suicidal?"
"Yes."
"I appreciate the distinction."
The plan was precise.
Destroy one command anchor, collect information, retreat before full response.
Qin Lian moved first, cloaked by shadow and mist. Qin Yuheng followed at a distance. Qin Mo prepared a remote disruption formation. Qin Yuchen guarded the escape route.
The eastern anchor was guarded by six beasts.
They lured two away with repellent powder, killed two silently, and avoided two.
Qin Mo activated the disruption.
The anchor flickered.
Qin Yuheng struck with thunder.
Crack.
The bone stake shattered.
The beast commander raised its head instantly.
Its gaze swept toward them.
A roar shook the marsh.
Every beast stirred.
"Retreat!" Qin Yuheng ordered.
The marsh erupted behind them.
The escape was brutal.
Bonewings dove from above. Rotfire beasts emerged from mud. Fang Beasts chased through the reeds. Qin Mo used every slowing formation he had prepared. Qin Yuchen cut down anything that reached the rear. Qin Lian guided them through safe patches. Qin Yuheng intercepted the strongest pursuers.
By the time they returned to the outpost, the final tide timer appeared.
[Final Beast Tide accelerated.]
[Time until arrival: 4 hours.]
[Command Anchor destroyed: 1 / 4]
[Final tide coordination slightly reduced.]
Captain Ren listened to the report and became grim.
"So it comes tonight."
"Yes," Qin Yuheng said. "We light the beacon before it reaches the valley mouth."
Qin Mo immediately began reinforcing the beacon mechanism.
Qin Yuchen organized wall defenders.
Qin Lian marked fallback points.
Qin Yuheng stood atop the watchtower and looked toward the valley.
Rain fell harder.
In the distance, the beast tide began moving.
The outpost had four hours.
Four hours to prepare.
Then the frontier would either hold or fall.
