Chapter 2028 - 545: Land of Burial_4

While ordinary players are still struggling around the Bronze Level, the leader of this group had already broken through to the Gold Level last year, just one step away from the maze's first-floor boss, "Lizardman Corpse Ghost General" Octo—

The difference between Platinum Level and Gold is just one rank, so calling it one step away is not an issue.

Apart from Brother Yiye Zhiqu, the Ratman Assassin brother "Hu Wan" walking beside him is also impressive, having reached Gold Level at the beginning of this year.

As for the two Silver Peak Lizardmen behind them, they are the Minotaur Warrior and Pig-headed Knight, among the more useful underlings under the Demon King's command.

The four were ordered by the Demon King to secretly infiltrate the northern border of Spinor Earl's Domain to investigate the movements of the "Rot Clan."

After a year, they finally received the follow-up to the Twilight Province Ratman storyline, which excited all four players as they rushed here.

"...These are the tracks of a patrol cavalry. They might have encountered survivors and then retreated with them... If my guess is correct, this should be the plot."

"Should we go to the border outpost?"

"No need. This isn't the Twilight Province, so the title of Holy Spirit is useless here... Moreover, who knows whose actions are faster."

Yiye Zhiqu squatted down, his bone finger gently brushing the marks on the ground.

Apart from a series of hoofprints retreating south, there was also a series of human barefoot prints extending north, and... claw marks overlaying these footprints.

"The rats are nearby."

The Soul Fire in his skull flickered slightly as he retracted his bone finger and stood up.

At the same time, Hu Wan had nimbly leaped to the treetops, his Soul Fire shrinking to a point, scanning the Pine Forest with his scythe-like gaze.

[Shadow Vision!]

This is a skill of the Undead Assassin, allowing the spellcasters to ignore physical barriers and search for the living's Energy!

Soon, he jumped down from the treetops.

"Found them."

The Pig-headed Knight grinned, resting the Battle Axe on his shoulder.

"Time to work!"

Following the clues Hu Wan had found, the four players quickly advanced. Soon, the sound of chattering arguments came from the bushes ahead.

A few Clan Rats wearing tattered leather armor were shoving each other, seemingly blaming one another for losing the prey.

"It's all your fault! Letting the human relic escape!"

"Blame you! Blame you!"

Their chattering voices mixed with Ratmen slang.

"Take action."

Yiye Zhiqu's voice was utterly calm, and as he spoke, he raised his bone finger adorned with a Golden Diamond Ring.

At the same time, several pale bone spears instantly materialized, shooting out with a piercing shriek as they tore through the air.

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"

The three Clan Rats were pinned to the trees by the bone spears, not even having time to scream before being impaled through the chest.

The only one left, a short scout, was scared silly by a bone spear grazing past his scalp, howling as he scrambled into the depths of the dense forest.

"Stay! Fiend, don't flee!"

The Pig-headed Knight shouted with excitement, ready to charge forward, but Brother Yiye Zhiqu raised his skeletal hand to stop him.

"Stay calm."

Yiye Zhiqu withdrew the ring glowing with Magic Light, and the bone spear that intentionally missed dispersed into dust at the same time.

"I let it escape on purpose; it won't get away."

Just as he released the bone spears, he also released a Wind Bird that soared into the sky, its hawk-like gaze locking onto the rat firmly.

It won't escape!

Minotaur Warrior: "666! As expected of Brother Leaf, unfathomable!"

Yiye Zhiqu: "... Stop it."

No more words were exchanged, as the group followed Brother Yiye Zhiqu's lead, closing in swiftly on the small rat scampering around in panic.

About twenty minutes later, they tracked it to a hidden spot by a small stream. The frantic Ratman lunged into the gap between two large boulders covered with vines, disappearing from sight.

"Quite well hidden."

Yiye Zhiqu nodded to Hu Wan beside him.

The latter, understanding the cue, blurred into motion, melding with the shadows as he slipped into the entrance.

Soon, there were dull thuds and the crisp sound of traps being dismantled from within the cave.

Then, the rusty iron gate was slowly opened from inside, and Hu Wan made an "all clear" sign in the shadows.

"Follow my lead—"

"Roar!!!"

"Charge!!"

The two Lizardmen, unable to hold back, roared as they charged in, eager for combat.

The inside of the cave was a different world, clearly a long-established underground hideout.

The Minotaur Warrior, brandishing his long spear, led the charge. A cold gleam flashed first, followed by the spear charging like a bull!

The Pig-headed Knight was right behind, his Battle Axe thirsty for blood as he swung it in a wide arc amidst the Ratmen.

Dozens of resting Ratmen were stunned by the sudden assault.

The two heavily armored Silver Peak warriors were like wolves in a sheep pen, their long spear sweeping through and Battle Axe cleaving, creating a whirlwind of bloodshed!

"Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!"

These little rats were utterly outmatched, scrambling to their feet to dodge and retaliate amidst their hiding places.

However—

Their struggles were futile.

Facing Silver Level powerhouses head-on, these mere fifty or sixty Ratmen stood no chance, especially as these two Silver Level brutes initiated a surprise attack.

The unprepared Ratmen soldiers were immediately decimated, and an Elite Monster, who seemed to have awakened an Extraordinary Power, rushed forward with a long knife, only to be cleaved in half with a single axe stroke.