Dodge and his team were quite far from the target point inside the rainforest given by Organization Z.

If they entered the rainforest via a conventional route, they would inevitably encounter explorers and tourists. Their heavily armed presence would easily arouse curiosity among the explorers, causing a stir.

Therefore, their route into the rainforest avoided the paths commonly chosen by explorers and tourists, opting for a secluded route known only to a few.

However, this route had potential dangers. It required sending a six-man advance team to penetrate deep into the rainforest, clearing any dangers for Dodge's team. Only then would Dodge's team follow, ensuring the safety of the key personnel (Fatty and Rui).

All six members of the advance team were locals from Brazil, having served in the Brazilian Special Forces and possessing experience in rainforest combat.

The advance team left one person, Derek, at the initial starting point at the rainforest entrance, responsible for waiting for and receiving Dodge's team.

When Dodge, Fatty, Rui, Jennifer, and five mercenaries appeared before Derek, Derek even gave Dodge a salute, showing that both teams were under Dodge's command.

Derek truthfully reported the situation of the advance team to Dodge.

Dodge asked Derek, "How long has the advance team been inside?"

Derek glanced at his watch and replied, "The advance team has been in the rainforest for two hours and twenty-eight minutes."

Dodge then asked, "What is the advance team's current location?"

After all, the number of meteorites was uncertain. There might be others. If Fatty and Rui died, Han Yu would no longer cooperate with Organization Z, and that would be a greater loss than gain.

The initial stretch into the rainforest was smooth. Derek was a friendly person, spoke passable English, and was talkative, somewhat like Fatty. As they walked, he introduced the team to some precautions in the rainforest.

Derek told Fatty and the others, "The path we're on now was frequently used by nut gatherers who used to camp here. There were many people gathered here at the time, and most of the poisonous plants and insects around here were cleared away, so there's basically no danger here."

Fatty was usually a chatterbox himself. As soon as Derek finished speaking, Fatty immediately followed up, asking, "Where are those nut gatherers? I haven't seen a single one."

Derek replied, "A few years ago, the tributaries of the Amazon River flooded, submerging that grove of nut trees. Most of the nut trees were drowned, so those people eventually moved away, and this place was abandoned."

Derek continued, "I used to be active here often, so I know this place quite well. However, after we pass this section, there will be more dangers."

"Oh, right!" Derek suddenly said to the others, "The environment here is complex. Please make sure to follow my steps closely. Don't touch animals or plants casually, and don't go to certain places. There are predators in the rainforest, so please be careful."

Dodge felt that Derek's reminders were somewhat superfluous and kept urging Derek to hurry. The speed couldn't be increased not because of Derek; Jennifer had just mastered the use of the exoskeleton equipment. She could barely maintain a relatively fast speed on flat ground, but in the rainforest, with occasional slopes and potholes, and the ground covered with weeds, vines, dead branches, fallen leaves, and mud, Jennifer's movement speed was severely affected.

However, Fatty and Rui were supporting her, allowing Jennifer to barely keep up with the team's speed, but she was still the one dragging everyone down.

Derek led Dodge's team for about half an hour, arriving at the first marker point left by the advance team.

The marking method Derek and the advance team agreed upon was to use a knife to carve a pointing symbol on a tree, draw a circle around the symbol, and stack two stones, one large and one small, under the tree with the carved symbol. This would quickly help Derek find the marker and determine the direction ahead.

Upon reaching the first point, Derek contacted the advance team via communication equipment. The advance team was still in transit, and everything was normal.

The hot and humid environment in the rainforest made Dodge and the other non-locals sweat profusely. There wasn't even a trace of wind in the dense forest. The environment was hot and humid, and the air humidity was extremely high. Except for Derek, no one else could adapt at all, and they felt like they were about to get heatstroke at any moment.

The team's movement speed was getting slower and slower. It took them more than forty minutes to travel from the first marker point to the second. Seeing that the gap with the advance team was widening, Dodge saw that there was really no other way. If they insisted on walking in the dense forest while feeling unwell, it would be even more troublesome if someone fell ill.

The most urgent task was to quickly find a water source to replenish the water lost by the team members. Dodge suggested that Derek take one person to find water nearby.

Derek handed a whistle to Dodge, solemnly instructing the others to stay put. If there was danger, Dodge should blow the whistle, and Derek would return immediately.

Dodge felt that Derek was being a little too sensitive and didn't want to take the whistle, only wanting Derek to hurry up and get water. In the end, Fatty grabbed the whistle and told Derek to go and get water without worry.

After Derek left, the others in the team sat down to rest.

The sky, which had been clear just a moment ago, suddenly became overcast shortly after Derek left. Then, a drizzle passed through the trees and leaves, dripping onto Dodge's team.

The rainwater was actually warm. The rainforest was already unbearably humid, and when the team's clothes got wet, they stuck to their bodies, making them feel extremely uncomfortable.

The sky was gloomy, and the beasts in the forest became active due to the rain. The roar of a jaguar came from not far away, causing the team to feel nervous. Dodge and the mercenaries silently took out their guns from their holsters, maintaining high alert. Fatty gripped the whistle tightly, ready to blow it at any moment.

The jaguar's roar continued, and Derek and a mercenary had been gone for a long time and still hadn't returned.

"Fuck..." Dodge cursed inwardly.

If Derek encountered danger, they wouldn't even be able to find the way forward without Derek's guidance.

Derek was nowhere to be seen, and the jaguar was lurking nearby.

The team was in crisis...