This means that those remaining at Rogel Camp are basically ordinary people.
The Wood Puppet Monster grows stronger the more it kills.
Moreover, according to Bruce's observations, the opponent's control over both the quantity and quality of puppets is rapidly improving.
"It might be a complete massacre! No, we must rescue people."
This thought crossed Bruce's mind, and his expression of hesitation was instantly replaced by determination.
Regardless of whether they have all been killed, they must act quickly.
That Wood Puppet Monster already has a grudge against Harper; watching it grow stronger will surely lead to their doom.
However, they cannot proceed rashly.
Bruce carefully organized his thoughts and then turned to ask William:
"You just mentioned that Lex and Matthew are very strong and surely can deal with the Wood Puppet Monster, right?"
William nodded, realizing from Bruce's expression that he intended to go to Rogel Camp, quickly adding: "No, leader, Lex, and Matthew are strong, but the Wood Puppet Monster has escaped from them four times and even infiltrated Rogel Camp. This shows it is not only strong but also cunning and mimicking, so we should not venture to Ro…"
"If we don't, are we just going to watch everyone at Rogel Camp die?"
Bruce interrupted William, letting out a deep breath and looking at him seriously:
"No matter how many we can save, we can't just let it recklessly kill people. Didn't those two gentlemen Lex and Matthew say, once the Mimicking monster advances to intermediate, there will be no future for humans around Redwood Ridge."
"But, with that Mimicking monster's power…"
"Rest assured, I have the means to deal with it!"
After saying this, Bruce didn't continue speaking with William but called over the nine who were watching the surroundings.
Ignoring their puzzled expressions, Bruce gave direct instructions:
"Robin, Orion, Elias, the three of you take the team back to the camp right away. We're almost there, and with this short distance, there shouldn't be any issues. Once back, seal the entrance as before; anyone without the passphrase, do not expose yourself to anyone."
Robin, Orion and Elias had just broken through the Axeheart Realm, and their strength wasn't yet stable, so they were left at the camp.
"Yes, leader!"
Though curious, they quickly nodded in compliance.
"The remaining six of you, follow me to Rogel Camp. If that Wood Puppet Monster is there, it's causing chaos now."
"Yes, leader!"
Hearing this, Charlie, Tony, and the others readily agreed with no hesitation.
No, it wasn't just hesitation they lacked.
In fact, they were somewhat… excited?
William, lying on Flash's back, silently watched everyone, wondering if he had seen wrong, but upon confirming that Charlie and the others indeed showed not fear but excitement, he was baffled with one thought.
Are these young people ignorant of danger or do they indeed have something to rely on?
"Taylor Leader, tell me the exact location of Rogel Camp."
Knowing he couldn't dissuade Bruce, William also felt a flicker of hope for this group, promptly providing the exact location of Rogel Camp.
After finishing, seeing Bruce ready to set off, he quickly tapped his son, indicating to take out the backpack they had packed.
He swiftly pulled two curved bows from it, along with two arrow quivers, stopping Bruce:
"Leader, these bow and arrows are no use staying with me, take them and see if they are useful."
Upon hearing this, a look of joy appeared on Bruce's face as he quickly accepted the bows.
"Thank you, Taylor Leader!"
Without further words, he led Charlie and the six others through Redwood Ridge, charging northward.
---
The camps surrounding Redwood Ridge, although all located on the east side and mostly connected from north to south, do not communicate with each other.
People from the two camps meet almost exclusively on their respective territories, within 500 meters of the outskirts of Redwood Ridge, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
The reasons are quite simple.
Firstly, the outskirts are well-known, making everyone relatively safer.
Secondly, to avoid each camp spying on each other, as human hearts are unpredictable.
Therefore, unless under special circumstances, when traveling from one camp to another, everyone generally enters Redwood Ridge first, then follows the east outskirts, heading south or north according to the destination.
The Harper Camp is located at the southernmost part of the east side.
To reach Rogel Camp, one must pass through the territories of Taylor, Samsung, and Banana, before entering Rogel Camp's territory.
It's only about four kilometers, but traversing it feels different.
The old problem persists: night travel is inevitably slow, and out of concern for startling the Cold Beasts, one cannot make too much noise.
Thus, even though Bruce is anxious like a fire knowing that Rogel Camp might have faced a misfortune, he can do nothing but travel steadily.
The more you rush, the easier it is to make mistakes, it's crucial to remain calm.
The Wood Puppet Monster's cunning surpasses that of a Cold Beast.
A single slip doesn't just doom oneself but the entire camp.
"Leader, we've arrived!"
Bruce looked up in the direction Charlie was pointing.
Two towering mountains stood imposingly to the east, approximately two to three thousand meters high, their tops intersected, leaving a valley over a hundred meters wide between them.
"The valley William mentioned should be over there."
"Leader, shall we go directly there?"
Hearing Tony's inquiry, Bruce hesitated for a moment, but after thinking for a while, he shook his head and turned his gaze to the interior of Redwood Ridge.
"We're unclear about the situation at Rogel Camp, rushing over might be disadvantageous. Let's first find Leader George, along with Lex and Matthew as William mentioned. Having them around will be more secure."
Bruce has had a few encounters with the Wood Puppet Monster, but technically, he has never faced it directly.
He knows nothing about the opponent's true strength or any mysterious abilities it might possess.
Though he's reluctant to witness Rogel Camp being slaughtered, Bruce is no fool.
Risking others' rescue without ensuring their own safety is kind to others but utterly foolish to his people.
According to William, Lex and Matthew repelled the Wood Puppet Monster thrice.
Although Bruce suspected it was deliberate, the Wood Puppet Monster couldn't handle the two at least.
Including George and the others, going together is most secure.
"Rogel Camp usually operates within a thousand meters. You six split into two groups, one heading south, and one north. I'll search the inner west perimeter; if located, use the Bone Whistle to signal. Be cautious."
"Yes, Leader!"
Charlie took Tony and Jordan south, Clark with Nick and Clint headed north, while Bruce went alone into the interior of Redwood Ridge, as the seven of them began searching separately.
---
Western inner perimeter of Redwood Ridge
Unaware of Taylor Camp's plight, George and his group appeared somewhat irritable.
"It's been over two hours, can we lure it out?"
"The thing's escaped four times; it wouldn't be stupid enough to come again, right?"
"Shh… don't talk nonsense, those two are just behind us."
"What adults? I admit to their strength, but truth be told, that Wood Puppet Monster is stronger, do you truly think the previous four times it was beaten back? I suspect it was intentional."
"Intentional? Why?"
"Think about it, that Wood Puppet Monster comes out to kill a few each time, then is chased away by those two, giving us hope, making us keep luring so it can continue killing, right?"
"Hiss… you have a point."
---
George, paired with Sam and Ben, felt a tinge of unease hearing the discussions ahead.
The last attempt to lure the Wood Puppet Monster, according to Lex, apart from him and Matthew, everyone else is just prey in its eyes, so they were grouped into sevens or eights across the inner perimeter to lure it.
In unfamiliar terms with the Wood Puppet Monster, George follows Lex's orders.
He brought twenty-eight people, three from the Earthripper Realm, and twenty-five from the Axeheart Realm; the other four camps, including the leader, have twenty-four Axeheart Realm members altogether.
So, including himself, there are fifty-two in total, divided into seven teams, with his being the largest at nine, apart from his Earthripper Realm, the rest are all Axeheart Realm.
Sam and Ben ended up in his group by coincidence.
As for Lex and Matthew, they hid in the shadows, moving around the central part of the teams, ready to rush over if needed.
"Leader George, something's off."
Listening to their chatter, Ben commented aloud.
"Two hours and it hasn't shown up; every time before, it would appear in less than half an hour, why not this time?"
George's face darkened, he realized the issue before Ben.
They are the bait, to put it bluntly, prey.
When the hunter shows up is up to him, not the prey.
So, even realizing something's off, they are helpless.
But what unsettles George isn't just that.
The absence suggests hidden implications, significant ones.
Previously, hearing from Lex and Matthew, human lives are the lure to the hollow creatures, and the Wood Puppet Monster emerged as bait was set, proving their claim.
But this time, despite deploying many, it did not appear.
Does this mean, the previous times, it might not have appeared either, but deliberately did?
If extending this logic, just as someone ahead said, the Wood Puppet Monster did it all intentionally.
Purposely appearing to kill a few, then being driven away by Lex and Matthew, giving hope to keep providing bait, so it continues killing?
But now, why hasn't it come?
Is he overthinking?
Or does the Wood Puppet Monster have more important matters?
Snap…
A clear slap rang out nearby, awakening George.
Following it, came an overbearing scold.
"Useless! I risk life ridding you of monsters, not thankful but gossiping behind my back, another word, and I'll deal with you fools before the Wood Puppet Monster arrives!"
Hearing this, George's face immediately grew stern.
Beside him, Ben and Sam shared the same expression.