After Beating the Game, I Became the Villain BOSS-Chapter 133 - 120: Lindong Mountain Range
After meeting at the bar, everyone took a day to organize their gear and recharge their spirits. They met at the agreed location on the third day and set off on time.
This time, the target of the mission, the "TL730 Ruins," is located in the Land of No Master.
Land of No Master, literal meaning, ownerless.
It's an area yet to be developed after the war, not belonging to the World Government Territory and having no legal ownership. Theoretically, anyone can explore it.
But, with capital, you know.
Such a big treasure land, can everyone go treasure hunting?
Dreaming?
The three major corporations have long established numerous military checkpoints, completely controlling the routes to the Land of No Master, only allowing their personnel to enter and exit.
The corporations dispatch personnel to operate in the Land of No Master adjacent to their bases, explore thoroughly, change it from "ownerless" to "owned," and then continue expanding outward.
This time, the TL730 Ruins that everyone is heading to is located beyond the northern "Lindong Mountain Range."
The Lindong Mountain Range was originally also a Land of No Master. The Iron Blood Alliance spent 3 years exploring and constructing works here, before incorporating it into their territory.
Such events play out continuously at the edge of the World Government Territory, the Iron Blood Alliance alone possesses hundreds of districts like the "Lindong Mountain Range."
Therefore, it's not hard to understand why they face manpower issues, as the Land of No Master adjacent to the district is simply too vast and broad; relying on internal personnel alone can't handle the exploration.
Su Mo and others are simply one of the mercenary teams enlisted by Iron Blood this time, responsible only for exploring the TL730 Ruins.
Simultaneously, there are over thirty hired mercenary teams exploring the Land of No Master adjacent to the Lindong Mountain Range.
Given the vast region, they are separated by tens to even hundreds of kilometers, certainly having no chance to meet.
The Lindong Mountain Range is over 600 kilometers from New Moon City, and Su Mo and the others drove for more than 8 hours before reaching the Iron Blood Alliance's checkpoint.
In the car, Dongdong was dizzy from the ride, letting out a salty lament: "Ugh... Why do we have to drive... Couldn't we take a Floating Airship..."
Dorne apologized with a smile: "Sorry, all Floating Airships are used for higher-level tasks, really can't spare any additional vehicles."
"Meaning we're not worthy..." Dongdong rolled her eyes and muttered.
Su Mo stuck his head out of the car window and looked ahead.
In front was a heavily guarded military checkpoint, with rising and falling watchtowers and fully armed soldiers, tightly controlling the entrance to the Land of No Master.
Su Mo's mind held the location information of all the "Divine Artifacts" in the Dawn Realm, many of which were located in the Land of No Master.
The reason he hadn't sought those "Divine Artifacts" before was due to the existence of these checkpoints.
In the Human Realm, the World Government is merely a puppet on the stage, with the real rulers behind the scenes being the three giants: Hegemony Company, Iron Blood Alliance, and Black Domain Group.
The Human Realm is completely surrounded by the territories of the three giants, and to want to enter or exit the Land of No Master, one must have their permission, otherwise, it will be considered hostile action.
This is Su Mo's big obstacle in "map running" now. He knows where the good stuff is, but due to real-world constraints, many cannot be obtained.
Last time, he and Nuobai forcefully intruded into Hegemony Company's territory in Windwhirl Plains and went to the Land of No Master to find the "Mutant Gene Fusion Elixir," which was really a last-ditch effort.
They had to think until their brains smoked, align favorable conditions of timing, geography, and human harmony, yet both nearly failed miserably, indicating how dangerous it is to forcefully intrude.
Now that his wings are not yet fully grown, there's no possibility to reenact forceful intrusion; he can only let those "Divine Artifacts" lie within the Land of No Master ruins for now.
Of course, it's not entirely impossible to gain contact with them beforehand.
Audiana and Dress both rose as middlemen backed by the Iron Blood Alliance, having deep connections with its leaders.
Just complete the commissions in their hands well and accrue trust, and they will support you internally at Iron Blood, seeking quality commissions, including those heading for the Land of No Master.
Thus, based on his understanding of the Dawn Realm, he can seize the opportunity.
For instance, this commission is a perfect opportunity.
If Iron Blood outsources the TL730 Ruins exploration work to mercenaries, it shows that in their judgment, the exploration priority of these ruins isn't high.
But Su Mo knows this is a severe misjudgment.
The weapon inside TL730 is very powerful.
And what he has to do is seize this commission and unknowingly take possession of that weapon for himself.
...
"Stop." The checkpoint soldier halted the vehicle and walked to the side of the car window.
Dorne showed his credentials to the checkpoint soldier: "TL730 Exploration Team."
The soldier took out an instrument and scanned the credentials and car personnel.
Database task information matches.
Personnel biosignature identification passes.
Credential anti-counterfeit identification passes.
Everything checks out, matching perfectly.
The soldier stepped aside and saluted everyone: "Wish you a safe return."
The isolation gate of the checkpoint opened, revealing the road to the Land of No Master.
The convoy traversed towering mountains, originally icy cold with flying snow, to the other side where a warm flow was evidently felt.
This Land of No Master's climate is warm and humid, with a sprawling green sea of forest as far as the eye can see. Despite the blazing sun, there's no feeling of heat, and the distant babbling stream can be heard.
Dorne led the way off the vehicle and said: "Ahead is a primeval forest, no roads exist here, we can only proceed on foot."
Sun Min asked: "How far is it from here to the TL730 Ruins?"
Dorne replied: "Walking takes about two hours."
Sun Min turned to remind: "Everyone remember, this is no longer the World Government Territory. We are in a post-war area that is primitive and undeveloped; we must remain vigilant and guard against danger."
Su Mo went to Dongdong's side and said: "Stay close to me, let me go first if we encounter danger, don't rush in front."
Dongdong pushed him and dissatisfiedly said: "Don't treat me as a burden! I'm here to help you, not cause trouble, I know what to do!"
Su Mo nodded and he and the main troop headed into the forest together.
Dorne had a precise electronic navigation device in hand, determining directions: "Our advance team has already airdropped beacons at TL730; just follow me."
The deeper they walked into the forest, the more lush the vegetation became, with towering trees surrounding them, even the sky being shrouded and appearing obscure.
The climate here was also variable. Upon departure, the sun was shining; midway, the sky turned dark and light dimmed continuously, as if a heavy rain might fall at any moment.
As they walked, suddenly they heard Su Mo's voice: "Stop."
Dorne looked back: "What's wrong?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Su Mo: "Don't you think it's too quiet?"
Everyone began to pay attention to their surroundings.
Logically, such an untamed primeval forest should contain plenty of wildlife, yet at this moment, there was not even bird chirping, only the swishing sound of the wind through leaves.
No sound indicated a large area around was devoid of wild animal activity.
If wild animals dare not appear nearby, there is only one possibility...
Here lurks the most supreme predator.
"Roar—"
Without warning, accompanied by a beastly roar, a shadow darted out from the bushes, charging towards the smallest Dongdong.
