Chapter 111: Falling into a Trap
The group waited until nightfall just before ten when the guards stationed in the forest finally withdrew to change shifts.
They were members of the Sori Group.
Taking advantage of the gap, Haze and his five-man team infiltrated the restricted zone.
Following the designated route, they moved deeper into the heart of the area.
Although there were multiple patrols along the perimeter, this path had been deliberately created, leaving exploitable gaps.
Rita pulled out a compass and, using her ability, guided the team toward the ruins.
Haze led the way, with Feitan and Machi behind him, and Anthony and the others following. They intentionally slowed their pace, allowing Rita to scan each area for danger before proceeding.
They couldn't afford to split up…
Against an unknown enemy, everyone remained fully alert.
"Our opponents come from different factions and backgrounds, but they all possess the skill to enter the ruins," Haze said as he pushed through the thick underbrush. "So… there's no chance of forming alliances. We'll fight separately. If facing the Sori Group becomes too difficult, we may even be forced to cooperate with others."
The environment was wild and untouched no visible paths in the dense vegetation. Even if traces existed, following them could lead directly into enemy hands.
Their priority was stealth to remain hidden, observe, and quickly assess the situation of the three remaining teams.
"According to our contact's report, one group has already left. That means the remaining three have nearly reached their goals and could withdraw at any time. If we can't repel them, at least we must recover whatever they took from the ruins."
He was explaining and analyzing the mission, ensuring everyone understood their objectives and tactical plan.
Suddenly, a strange man with a side-swept fringe appeared.
With quick steps, he approached the team from behind. A faint smile curled on his lips, his eyes coldly fixed on the group still talking completely unaware of their "prey."
Under the cover of night, the man didn't even try to conceal the sound of his footsteps as he crept closer.
Strangely, though he was now just two or three meters away from Feitan and Machi, neither sensed his presence.
The man gripped a dagger tightly, his gaze locked on Feitan.
This middle-aged man was known among the newcomers as one of the most dangerous
"Let's take him out first."
Haze, walking in front, suddenly frowned and raised his hand signaling everyone to stop.
The team froze instantly.
All eyes turned toward Haze. Danger?
A split second later Haze lunged, leaping past the others and crashing into Feitan.
A silver blade flashed behind Feitan, raised high
The attacker was startled by Haze's sudden movement but reacted quickly, driving the dagger toward Feitan's neck.
BANG!
Haze pushed Feitan aside and caught the descending blade with his bare hand, gripping it tightly.
His cold eyes locked onto the stranger who had emerged among them.
"Heh… impressive. You're the captain, aren't you? Quite capable." Despite his failed ambush, the man with the fringe smiled calmly.
Machi and the others finally reacted, scattering into defensive positions.
Feitan's face went pale, cold sweat dripping down his back.
If not for Haze he would have been dead.
"How… how is that possible?" Rita gasped. Her detection ability hadn't triggered a single warning
the enemy had completely evaded her perception.
What kind of power could do that?
Clash! Clash!
After a brief flurry of strikes, Haze and the stranger broke apart, each retreating a few steps. The man smirked mockingly in the darkness.
"Here to kill me?" he sneered.
A provocation. A deliberate taunt.
This man was incredibly strong able to engage Haze in close combat without giving him an opening.
More importantly, his ability…
It wasn't simple disguise or concealment it was something akin to assimilation.
Humans experience dulled perception in familiar environments a phenomenon known as "open-eyed blindness." For example, you might look for something at home that's right in front of you, yet fail to see it.
So even with Rita's skill, detecting him was impossible.
This assimilation ability was astonishingly powerful.
Haze's mind analyzed it instantly.
The man clearly knew something about them yet they had only just entered the restricted area and had never crossed paths before.
There was only one explanation:
someone on the enemy's side had used a marking or surveillance-type Nen ability on those outside the zone
or perhaps even planted spies within.
Meticulous… and terrifying.
That meant the enemy had anticipated the Sori Group's plan to hire outside help and had prepared long beforehand.
Haze's team had been exposed.
"But our infiltration route was predetermined… unknown to outsiders. And the restricted area is vast it shouldn't be possible to locate us this fast. Which means…"
"Someone inside the Sori Group has been compromised."
Haze realized it instantly.
By now, the mysterious man's figure was half-hidden in the darkness, about to vanish completely from sight.
Given his ability, once out of view even Haze would struggle to find him again.
A display of dominance the enemy's way of showing they had the upper hand.
He clearly intended to eliminate them here.
A provocation… or a diversion?
Perhaps to draw Haze away
while his hidden comrades attacked the rest.
Machi and the others were far weaker, and the enemy knew that.
"Not much you can do… You can protect them for a while, but I'll be watching from the shadows," the man said coldly. "The moment you lower your guard I'll slaughter your team."
Psychological warfare.
A direct attempt to restrict Haze's movements
and to anger him, forcing a reckless response.
"…Even knowing it's a trap," Haze muttered, eyes narrowing, "you still managed to make it work."
He scanned the surroundings but couldn't locate any other hidden presences.
Then he smiled.
And dashed straight toward the man.
"Hahaha! So you don't even care about your teammates' lives? What a terrible leader!" the man mocked triumphantly.
Behind him, Anthony and the others regained focus.
The enemy had successfully separated their captain
which likely meant danger was closing in.
Yet none of them tried to stop Haze.
Because they knew him.
Their captain wasn't terrifying just because of his strength
but because his decisions were always optimal.
"Stay alert!" Feitan barked, positioning himself protectively in front of the others.
Machi gripped her kitchen knives tightly.
The five took defensive stances.
And then they saw him.
A bald, heavyset man with a long black braid and tufts of hair sticking from his nostrils emerged from the opposite direction, smirking as he watched them.
He didn't attack immediately. His eyes gleamed with mockery.
Because aside from Haze these five were far too weak.
"Ever played checkers?" the fat man sneered.
Feitan and the others froze.
Suddenly, light flared beneath their feet
and in the blink of an eye, the scenery changed.
"Ah! The goods we've been waiting for have finally arrived! That was quick!"
A burst of laughter echoed in the air.
Machi turned toward the sound, her heart tightening.
Four powerful Nen users stood watching them grinning.
They had been ambushed. Perfectly.
The trap was flawless they hadn't noticed a thing.
Perhaps the path they'd followed had already been altered by the fat man beforehand.
The strike was precise not meant to kill, but to trap them completely.
This was the caliber of a high-level, veteran team
stronger even than the elite Nen users outside the restricted area.
(End of Chapter)
Happy New Year to everyone, thank you so much for your support. I hope to continue with you for another year. Fight for your dreams, and thanks to Marco for remaining a top donor.
I invite you to read my new fanfic about Fullmetal Alchemist. It's 100% my own work, I hope you like it.
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Under the Law of Equivalence
https://www.webnovel.com/book/34562609200143405