Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking

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The Void Shift really did mess things up.

Nobody could rely on their previous knowledge about the routes they compiled. They must begin anew, and that takes a lot of work, even for experts of their level. This was the void, after all.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Fortunately, the command center was ahead in their thinking. They specifically sent experts and gave them the task of compiling information so that they could create a new route for future patrols.

Most of them started at the area near the gates, which is normal, before making their way deeper into the void.

For the Northwestern Camp's side, the changes caused by the Void Shift were a little disadvantageous to them.

Compared to the previous route that they used, the one closest to the gates, the new route was longer and more spaced out.

Previously, the resource gathering points were somewhat near, and the 'Safe Zones' weren't too far in between either. There would be some occasional sightings of void creatures, but most of them were weak and could be handled even by a freshly built team under the strict and careful leadership of a competent team leader.

As for the current one? It's worse. Two of the nearest resource points disappeared, assumed to be transferred somewhere deeper into the void or, at the very least, wandered near the other entrances, putting them under other people's responsibilities.

This also applies to safe zones as well. The new route only has three when previously there's supposed to be five. Also, they're far from each other.

Evidently, this will have a great effect on future patrols. The camp has to revamp the operations moving forward because the old method just won't work anymore.

Then there's the matter of rescue...

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Somewhere within the void, farther from the wall, a figure dashed with incredible speed, leaving a blazing trail behind.

This figure engaged upon a towering void creature. The movement caused too much commotion. The bleak and silent atmosphere of the void was interrupted by their clash.

Screech!

This piercing sound didn't come from the void creature. This one, specifically, can't make that noise. It came from the swift figure dashing across its gigantic body. The sound was filled with frustration, anger, and impatience.

Despite the humongous size of the void creature and its apparent strangeness, it was no match for the swift figure. It could only wriggle in despair, in poor attempts to shake off the figure. But it was obvious that it's failing.

It didn't take long before Swift figure stopped because the gigantic void creature had been turned into minced meat.

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Not far from this area were a few more people. They're wearing the same suit as the swift figure, making it evident that they're from the same side.

These people were the rescue team from the Northwestern Border Patrol Guardian Camp, and the frighteningly swift and vicous figure that slaughtered the void creature just now was none other than Scylla, who's getting increasingly frustrated because she still has yet to see traces of her brother.

The Ancient Titan, the actual leader of this search and rescue team, sighed under his visor. Inwardly, he couldn't help but pity the poor void creature.

Well, it has poor timing. It just had to show itself when Scylla was irate, and she couldn't be blamed for lashing out at it.

However, Scylla was being a little too frantic, which isn't good considering where they are right now. And as the leader of this operation, he had to step in somehow, lest this lady become even more reckless in her actions.

"Scylla, come back here, girl. Catch your breath while we move." The titan's voice was firm and offered no room for rejection.

The mantis lady obviously caught this as well, and at the very least, even as irate as she was right now, she didn't dare defy his orders. He was the captain, after all. If she tests his patience here, he will not hesitate to strike her down where she stood, and that would cut off any chances of her finding her brother forever.

With her mandibles clucking in irritation, she flew down and marched along with the team. She kept her mouth shut, afraid that any word that came out of her mouth would just be foul and would ruin the atmosphere of the team even further.

"We're heading deeper." The titan announced, "We'll search around the edge of the Danger Zone, but we won't go in. That is as far as we go. If we still can't see any traces of them, we'd go back to the camp and apply to go deeper."

This was the best assurance that he could offer to Scylla.

Encroaching upon the Danger Zone is already beyond the necessary means to pacify her. After all, if her brother truly ended up deep into the Danger Zone, it would be a goddamn miracle if he's still alive. After all, even this team would have to watch their steps carefully in that place.

Past the Danger Zone was the 'True Abyssal Zone'. It's a place that some of the Cosmic Lords don't dare to explore. Even he, an Ancient Titan, would dare to recklessly barge into that place because he could die faster than he could blink out there.

The true horrors of the void lurk in that place, after all. And if it's already miraculous for Scylla's brother to survive within the Danger Zone, it's downright impossible for him to survive in the True Abyssal Zone.

Despite entertaining thoughts like this, the team continued marching deeper into the void.

They moved with practiced ease and familiarity; even the irate Scylla was cooperating. This is because they're used to this. This isn't the first time they became a search and rescue team. The only difference right now is that it's personal.

"Captain, I sense some strange fluctuations over in that direction." One of their teammates suddenly reported. He's holding some kind of crude-looking scanner.

"Let's check it, but keep it hush. Especially you, Scylla. Our priority is search and rescue, not assault." The titan ordered.

Scylla begrudingly accepted despite her mounting anxiety. She had to constantly remind herself that she's already troubling the team because of her selfishness to ground herself.

They approached the zone, making sure to mute any sound they made as much as they could and keeping watch of their surroundings.

Once they arrived close enough to the location according to the scanner, they were disappointed because all they found was some gathering of the void creatures.

There's at least ten of them in there, and only God knows what they're doing. They initially hoped that it would at least have some clues for the team they're searching for, but it turns out to be a disappointment instead.

"Let's go. There's nothing to see here. I don't want us to waste unnecessary energy to deal with those things," the titan declared.

But just as they were about to leave, the person who's holding the scanner suddenly said:

"Sir, I believe there's something in there worth checking out."

His words got the attention of the team. Before speaking, the guy just showed them the other scanner he's holding.

"I'm getting traces of heat. The scanner dictates that it contains residue from yang-based elements. And it's pointing towards the center of whatever ritual circle those things were forming."

Hearing this, the Titan's eyes flashed. This was promising. Any familiar source of energy, like Yang-based heat traces, shouldn't appear in the withering bleakness of the void.

This means that somebody left a clue behind, and it's truly worth checking out.

"Prioritize the clue; assault is secondary. Move!"

Scylla was already in motion even before the leader finished his orders. She already approached the person who's holding the scanners and attached his suit to hers. When the order was given, she immediately ran towards the pit, dragging her poor teammate with her.

Of course, her other teammates were far behind.

Since they abandoned stealth, their movements were sensed by the void creatures. But they hardly posed a threat to this team. Scylla could cut them all down on her own if she has time. But with the entire team in motion, there's no need for her to do everything on her own.

Scylla's priority was her brother. And so, as soon as she arrived at the exact spot where the scanner was pointing, she paused to let her teammate study the area even more carefully.

Yet in truth, there's no need for him. Even Scylla herself could understand what she was looking at because whoever left this clue made their message very clear.

"It's a summoned sword." The scanner guy mused. He crouched down, seemingly unconcerned by the quakes around them caused by their other teammates smiting down the void creatures.

Looking at the summoned sword clearly, he saw a message carved at its body.

"Oh no!" The scanner guy exclaimed. His expression took a drastic change, just as much as Scylla's did. "This is bad! This is really bad!"

"What's up? What's bad?"

"Sir, we have to move or else we'll be too late!" The scanner guy anxiously told the captain. "The people we need to rescue are facing a grave crisis!"

"They're being sniffed out by Dread Lords!!"