We rested in the swamp without making a sound.
The only noises were the buzzing of insects and the occasional rustling of leaves.
I closed my eyes for a moment, gently patting Rusty's neck.
Rusty sat beside me while the scout had climbed to the top of a nearby tree. He remained there, watching our surroundings.
After a while, I opened my eyes.
"May I know your name?"
I looked up at him.
He glanced down and gave me a faint smile.
"Kid, are you trying to get attached before you die?"
"No."
I shook my head.
"I just want to know the name of the man whose rear I'll be covering."
His smile widened slightly.
"Fine."
He paused.
"Call me Black Snake during this mission."
"If we survive this ambush, I'll tell you my real name."
He looked away.
"And after that..."
"Let's never meet again."
Black Snake reached into his clothes and pulled out a cloth.
He began polishing his dagger and throwing knives.
I sat down again.
I didn't know what to do.
I was willingly riding toward death.
And now there were only two of us.
I didn't know what role the other scouts would play.
I didn't even know exactly how many enemies we would face.
My job was simply to cover Black Snake's rear.
We would strike the enemy, disrupt them, and retreat before they could surround us.
I repeated the plan in my head.
Even a sane person would probably call this madness.
And I couldn't disagree.
But I had no better option.
Even if I wanted to turn back...
I didn't know the way.
I wasn't in peak condition, either.
My body was still injured, my weapon was damaged, and I had already lost too much blood.
I slowly rested my head against the tree.
I exhaled.
At this point, I was breathing more through my mouth than my nose.
Nearly an hour passed.
There was still no disturbance.
Finally, Black Snake looked down.
"Kid."
"Let's move."
I stood up.
I climbed out of the shallow swamp and checked my equipment.
My spear was strapped across my back.
My sword hung at my side.
I climbed onto Rusty's back and took hold of the reins.
It was time to move.
We traveled in the same direction for nearly forty minutes.
I kept my Sensory Field active.
Nothing.
Not even a single group of lizardmen.
The forest was strangely quiet.
I couldn't understand it.
Can they really have no scouts around this area?
Could they be guarding the main force instead?
Black Snake noticed my expression from the top of the trees.
He jumped from one branch to another before landing near me.
"Kid."
"You are using your brain, aren't you?"
I looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
He sighed.
"Let me ask you something."
"Do you really think the other scouts spent while we are resting "
I remained silent.
He continued.
"They have been clearing the area around the enemy camp?"
"Without raising suspicion?"
"That's why you haven't seen any lizardmen."
"The other scouts already dealt with the ones around us."
"They've been watching the enemy without being detected."
"So don't worry about the silence."
"It's exactly what we want."
I nodded.
That made sense.
We couldn't discuss the entire plan openly, but Black Snake had already told me my role.
Cover his rear.
Make sure we come back alive.
I tightened my grip on the reins.
Still riding atop Rusty, I felt a little calmer.
The pain in my body hadn't disappeared, but my mind had become clearer.
I leaned forward and whispered into Rusty's ear.
"Rusty..."
"Run properly this time."
"And make sure we come back in one piece."
Rusty flicked his ears.
I tightened my grip on the reins.
Then—
I saw them.
A large group of lizardmen appeared ahead.
There were more than I could count at first glance.
They had gathered among the trees, their bodies partially hidden by the vegetation.
Several lizardmen stood at the front as guards.
But something about their formation was strange.
They weren't looking toward us.
They didn't even seem particularly alert.
I couldn't understand it.
Who in their right mind would attack the center of an army with so few people?
The answer was simple.
Someone insane enough to try.
We slowed as we approached.
The thick trees and swamp vegetation still concealed us.
Black Snake moved through the branches above me.
Then his voice came down quietly.
"Kid."
"I'll give the signal."
"When I move, rush behind me."
"Your job is to cover my rear."
"Don't chase kills."
"Don't go looking for glory."
"Just make sure we both get out alive."
I nodded.
"Understood."
Black Snake looked toward the enemy.
The lizardmen had cleared part of the forest around their position.
There weren't many trees left near their formation.
He climbed down from the tree.
For the first time, I saw his breath clearly in the cool air.
Black Snake reached into his equipment and pulled out one of the small orange crystals.
He placed it inside a sling.
Then he began rotating the sling in a smooth circle.
Once.
Twice.
Faster.
His eyes remained fixed on the lizardman formation.
Then—
Whoosh!
He released the sling.
The crystal shot through the air toward the enemy.
Black Snake immediately rushed forward.
I followed him.
My job was simple.
Protect his rear.