All the subways in the tunnel had stopped running, and the bright billboards on both sides displayed quietly.
As they went deeper, the tunnel became dark and dim, with lighting lamps on the walls at intervals.
The soldiers jogged forward, activating the tactical lights on their helmets and gripping their rifles tightly.
Woof woof
Gou Dan and Quan Yi were exploring the tunnel floor, catching the scent of the Red-Eyed Giant Rats and occasionally emitting cautious sounds.
The only ones who remained calm were Bai Ye and Xiao Fentuan.
Bai Ye unleashed his spatial perception, silently following the soldiers.
Xiao Fentuan, in a human-like manner, covered its nose with a look of disgust. It was unclear if it was due to spending too much time with Gou Dan and the others, but the scent of the Red-Eyed Giant Rats was even more unpleasant to it than Gou Dan's territorial markings.
About a kilometer into the tunnel, a large number of soldiers appeared ahead. They were all fully armed, even equipped with rocket launchers and various light artillery.
Above them was a residential area, where many heavy weapons could not be used, which was why Elder Song personally invited Bai Ye.
These soldiers were guarding a dark, bottomless opening. The tunnel within was only slightly smaller than the subway tunnel.
This was the entrance to a Rat King's passage.
The soldiers guarding the entrance saw the Moth team arrive. They spoke no words, silently saluting Bai Ye and the others with solemnity and quiet reverence.
The captain of the Moth team was named Liu. He glanced at his watch before looking up at Bai Ye.
Ye!
Bai Ye had been given a codename in the military, which was his streaming alias, Ye. This was specifically arranged by Elder Song for Bai Ye.
There were many forks in the Rat King's passage, and we haven't yet found the correct direction leading to the depths. This next part will be up to Gou Dan and the others!
Understood!
Gou Dan, Xiao Fentuan, go. Find those rats.
Woof woof!
Awooo!!
Xiao Fentuan climbed onto Gou Dan's back, and together with Quan Yi, they quickly entered the Rat King's passage.
Bai Ye followed close behind them.
Ye, stay in the middle of us.
Captain Liu and the soldiers followed at a brisk pace, their expressions changing slightly. The commander-in-chief from above had personally instructed him not to let the mutated giant rats get close to Bai Ye. In fact, their primary mission was to protect Bai Ye's safety.
Moths, face death as if it were home. This team must ensure Bai Ye survives until the end, as Bai Ye is the core of the mission.
Seeing the numerous soldiers quicken their pace to shield him in the center, Bai Ye could roughly guess Elder Song's intentions.
He probably thought Bai Ye was a mage without close-combat abilities. Or rather, most mages lacked offensive capabilities.
Just keep an eye on the rear.
Bai Ye leaped lightly, easily clearing the soldiers ahead, and followed behind Quan Yi.
Captain Liu and the soldiers were startled, then hurried to catch up. Bai Ye's voice drifted back.
This mission is led by me, so follow my lead.
If they truly protected him, they would likely become moths indeed.
Follow his lead.
A command came through Captain Liu's left ear communicator. Each soldier was equipped with combat communication.
Mingzhu Subway Station had been turned into a temporary combat command center.
Elder Song was gazing at the projection screens, which displayed videos of Bai Ye's team, as well as numerous scenes from various subway entrances, sewer outlets, and more. However, due to the deep underground location, the signal was poor, and many scenes flickered erratically.
Previously, Elder Song had also arranged for drones to investigate, but many were destroyed by the Red-Eyed Giant Rats, and some were lost due to signal issues. In short, the results were unsatisfactory.
At this moment, the ground was tranquil, with many citizens already asleep. Beneath the city, a tense and solemn battle preparation was underway.
Gou Dan, Xiao Fentuan, and the others led Bai Ye's group deeper into the tunnels.
The empty Rat King passage was lined with many small holes, which were tunnels dug by ordinary Red-Eyed Giant Rats.
Woof
At a fork ahead, with a passage to the left and right, Gou Dan and Quan Yi sniffed the ground.
Squeak squeak!!
Xiao Fentuan raised its paw and pointed to the left tunnel. Seeing Gou Dan still hesitant, it swiped its paw, shearing off a small tuft of Gou Dan's fur.
Bai Ye glanced at it, unperturbed. Quan Yi and the others remained silent.
However, Captain Liu's Moth team soldiers, despite being extremely tense, couldn't help but chuckle. Gou Dan and the others were indeed as amusing as they were in the live broadcast.
The oppressive and solemn atmosphere eased considerably.
They continued forward, and after an unknown duration, they reached an unknown location beneath the city.
Woof woof!!!
Suddenly, Gou Dan let out a low bark and quickened its pace, charging into the depths of the tunnel.
Xiao Fentuan's round eyes gleamed with excitement.
Awooo!!
Bai Ye hurried to keep up, with Captain Liu and the soldiers closely following.
Squeak!
Rounding a bend, a group of Red-Eyed Giant Rats was gnawing on an animal carcass. The crunching sound was chilling.
Awooo!
Gou Dan, Xiao Fentuan, and Quan Yi immediately turned red-eyed and pounced, their claws slashing and massive jaws tearing.
One bite, one kid!
Squeak squeak!!!
In a single encounter, dozens of Red-Eyed Giant Rats were mostly killed or injured, daring not to counter-attack, fleeing in terror towards the depths.
This (゜ロ゜щ)
Captain Liu and the others were dumbfounded, holding their guns in bewilderment.
They had seen the video materials provided by the military, which showed these Red-Eyed Giant Rats to be extremely fast, with two large incisors that could cut through iron. Once they got close and attacked, they were incredibly dangerous.
Therefore, for this mission, their team had embraced a resolve to face death as if it were home, hence the team's name, Moth!
But now, seeing Gou Dan and the others dispatch a group of Red-Eyed Giant Rats in mere moments...
Woof woof!!
Gou Dan and the others excitedly pursued, with Bai Ye following at a relaxed pace.
Keep up!
Captain Liu led his team to follow closely.
Squeak
Squeak squeak!!!
Squeak squeak squeak!!
Ahead, as the fleeing Red-Eyed Giant Rats ran into a patch of darkness, a huge commotion erupted from within.
Countless sounds emerged, and then, pairs of ghostly red eyes filled the darkness ahead, staring at them, sending shivers down their spines.
Ahead was a rat nest!
Squeak!
An angry shriek came from amidst the rat horde. Tens of thousands of Red-Eyed Giant Rats began to squeal in unison, then swarmed towards Bai Ye and the others in a dense mass.