Dark Ruins Dawn

Chapter 80 Crow
At this time, in the brown rat tribe's main camp.

Upon seeing Santa and the seven black ratmen outside the cave, the rat guards immediately went to inform them.

Tataji paced back and forth in the bedroom, his rat-like eyes red, his claws scraping the floor with a "rustling" sound.

"The Demon General" is like an inescapable shadow, deeply imprinted in its mind.

The moment it closes its eyes, those emotionless eyes appear, sending chills down its spine.

It must find something that can put its mind at ease.

Fire and explosions were the only methods it could think of to specifically target the weaknesses of the demon general.

So Tataji ordered the supply rats to go on a buying spree.

The wooden crates piled in the corner were filled with yellow gunpowder packets; rows of Molotov cocktails and hand grenades were neatly stacked under the bed, within easy reach; even the air was filled with the smell of kerosene and sulfur.

Surrounded by these deadly "toys," its tense nerves finally relaxed, and it began to feel a little sleepy.

Just then, a rat guard came to report that Santa had returned with the black rat people and wanted to join Tataji.

"Seek refuge? You're not here to assassinate me, are you?"

The rat guards confirmed repeatedly that Santa showed no signs of being possessed by the demon general, nor was he hiding any weapons.

Although Tataji was very suspicious, he did not imprison them.

After all, this is a voluntary surrender. If they were to refuse it or treat it rudely, it wouldn't sound good if word got out.

So it became magnanimous, ordering its subordinates to host a welcome dinner for Santa and his party, and even assigning them some easy tasks, making a grand gesture.

Santa breathed a long sigh of relief.

It made the right bet and has even more confidence in its decision.

Only in this way can the few remaining bloodlines of the Northern Black Rat Clan be preserved.

Linhai City, Nuclear Group, Intelligence Office.

The crow is communicating remotely with its superior.

On the screen was a dignified middle-aged man, whose gleaming epaulets indicated his high status within the nuclear group—the Minister of Intelligence.

"Crow, the progress in Linhai City is too slow," the intelligence minister said, revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.

Crow explained in a deep voice, "Sir, the People's Alliance government has sent new instructions to prioritize the stability of Linhai City. We can't conduct a comprehensive investigation like before, which has slowed down our progress."

The intelligence minister sneered, "It's Nan Canghong again. He's only been in office for a short time, but he already thinks he has all the power in his hands."

The crow remained silent, waiting for instructions from its superior.

The intelligence chief's gaze sharpened:
“But I hope you’re not deliberately slowing down the search to retain more authority and power for overseas assignments.”

"Sir, no way."

"Well, then tell me your judgment."

The crow pondered for a moment, then said with certainty, "I judge that the target is no longer in the city."

"continue."

"Next, I will divide the area outside the city into multiple blocks and carry out a carpet-style cleanup to gradually reduce his space for maneuver."

"The people from Xunlong and Fengmang are still in Linhai City, and I will have them continue searching."

"very good."

The intelligence chief nodded: "Headquarters will also send two elite teams to assist you."

As the communication was about to end, the intelligence chief remembered something: "Oh right, there's an S-rank female hunter in the Sharp Edge, named Grey Goose. I've met her before; she's very capable."

"Grey Goose. Okay, I understand."

Communication ends.

Crow immediately led the team and found Chu Ningyan in the interrogation room.

She sat in a chair, facing Qiu Shan and two serious-looking judges.

The moment Qiu Shan saw the crow, his heart sank.

"Team Leader Grey Goose."

The crow looked directly at Chu Ningyan: "We need your assistance in capturing an important fugitive."

Qiu Shan immediately stood up, forcing a formulaic smile onto his face:

“Chief Raven, I’m afraid that won’t work. Grey Goose is suspected of murdering Lieutenant-Captain Harry. The evidence is conclusive, and she faces a final trial at any time. She is currently awaiting trial.”

Crow turned its gaze to Hill, a hint of amusement in its voice: "She murdered her colleague? How interesting."

"As far as I know, Grey Goose is a top-tier S-class hunter at the Edge of the Edge. He is professional, calm, and of extremely high quality. Would someone like that leave behind solid evidence because of impulsiveness?"

The crow emphasized the word "certain," causing a slight unease to flash in the eyes of the two examiners.

The so-called "ironclad evidence" in their hands cannot withstand scrutiny at all.

The crow, also skilled in intelligence gathering and interrogation, immediately sensed something was amiss at the scene.

He continued to apply pressure, his voice cold and hard:

"Our objective is of paramount importance and requires the most reliable support. We hope that Fengmang will exercise caution and not misjudge an S-rank hunter due to internal issues. After all, the Nuclear Group is maintaining the highest level of oversight over every aspect of this operation and will also be evaluating the final performance of each mercenary group."

The inspectors exchanged glances, seeing a hint of hesitation in each other's eyes. They didn't want to offend Qiu Shan, but they couldn't afford to offend the Nuclear Group even more.

The lead investigator cleared his throat: "Of course, the investigation is still ongoing. Since it's an emergency mobilization, we can consider it a special test for the Grey Goose team leader. Captain Qiu, what do you think?"

The ball was kicked back.

Qiu Shan's face was ashen, and he squeezed out four words through gritted teeth: "I'm fine."

Chu Ningyan breathed a slight sigh of relief and nodded to the crow: "My team and I are both ready to be called up."

"Welcome, Grey Goose Team Leader."

Qiu Shan stood aside, feeling as if he had a fishbone stuck in his throat.

In the evening, a senior board member named Soren summoned Qiu Shan.

Soren revealed an inside story:
"Next month, the board plans to add several combat officers, each in charge of five squads."

A glint of longing flashed in Qiu Shan's eyes: "Then how can one become a combat commander?"

“Select the most capable person from among the various team leaders to take on the role.”

Soren looked at him meaningfully: "So, I hope you work hard and don't let me down."

Qiu Shan immediately understood and then expressed his concern: "However, Director Harpenson has always wanted to avenge his son, and he might interfere."

Everyone in the mercenary group knows that Soren and Habenson have always been at odds, and their conflict is extremely serious.

"This is indeed a problem."

Soren nodded: "Harbenson has a wide network of connections, and he definitely wants to compete for the management position. Originally, his son was the most promising candidate, but now that his son is gone, he will try to bring you down and push his own person up."

Qiu Shan already regretted it. If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have sided with Soren; he should have just sided with Habenson.

"Yes, so we need to speed up the investigation of the greylag goose."

Qiu Shan said in a deep voice, "As long as the chain of evidence is solidified, we can shut Harbenson up."

Soren understood the unspoken meaning: "Oh, what new development has occurred?"

Qiu Shan answered truthfully:

"Crow, the nuclear combat director, took a liking to Grey Goose's tracking abilities and asked her to assist in the investigation."

“This way, I won’t be able to fabricate evidence. The nuclear team is watching, and if I force it, it might cause dissatisfaction among others.”

"Then we should compile a set of irrefutable evidence as soon as possible."

Soren tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I'll try my best to delay Habenson's progress."

Night falls inside the recycling station.

Xiong Er stared at the latest weapons processing table, touching and fiddling with various tools on it.

"Wow, you guys are really willing to spend a lot of money. I want to modify my sniper rifle when I have time."

Gage, standing to the side, looked sullen but couldn't say anything, only expressing his dissatisfaction with his eyes.

Zhuang Fan is back.

Gage wanted to report to him on the progress of the "Baron" mech, but seeing his boss's tired expression, he swallowed his words.

Hua Xin had just finished watering the flowers when she saw Zhuang Fan and asked with concern, "Brother Ya, are you alright?"

"No, I'm just a little sleepy. I'm going to rest now. Don't stay up too late."

After giving his instructions, Zhuang Fan returned to his room.

As soon as I sat down, a slight vibration came from the panel on my wrist.

It was an encrypted communication that Chu Ningyan accessed.

He pressed the call button, and the screen lit up, revealing her face wearing a tactical mask.

"The nuclear weapons have begun a full-scale search of the outer city."

"."

Zhuang Fan felt a chill run down his spine. He was about to say something when everything suddenly went black, and he lost consciousness.

He fell heavily to the ground.

"Puff-"

A dull thud followed, accompanied by screen shake, before finally settling on the ground.

On the other end of the communication panel, Chu Ningyan was stunned.

On the screen, a hint of surprise and bewilderment flashed in her clear, cold eyes.

"Zhang Dafan?"

She called out tentatively.

No response.

(End of this chapter)