Chapter 29: Gathering Intelligence

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For the Trailblaze squad, scaling the high wall posed little challenge. After some effort, all four members successfully infiltrated Belobog.

This was the last human settlement on Jarilo VI, often referred to as the Guardian City, the Everstanding City, and humanity's sole fortress against Frostfall...

Belobog is divided into two main sections: the Overworld and the Underworld.

The Upper Tier handles administration and trade, while the Lower District focuses on energy supply and resource development.

However, due to an order issued many years ago, there has been no interaction between the Upper and Lower Districts for quite some time.

One could liken it to a second Piltover-Zu'an scenario; not identical but strikingly similar.

Upon climbing over the wall, the group of four naturally found themselves in the Overworld, where the sky remains visible. The Underworld, being underground, offers no chance to see the heavens.

Although their clothing clearly differed from that of the locals, nonetheless...

Similarly, they did not attract much attention. At most, a few curious glances were cast their way before everyone went about their business.

"As soon as we entered the city, it's no longer cold." March 7th exhaled a puff of white mist.

Dan Heng replied, "It's to be expected since this is a human settlement; being warmer here is quite normal."

"Bochang, do you have any plans next? If not, let's split up and gather information individually... We'll reconvene here in five hours."

Dan Heng turned to look at Bochang. Since they had already entered the city, he wanted to avoid drawing attention with weapons. The black-haired youth left his Vow Spear outside Belobog, buried beneath the icy snow. If needed, he could summon it easily—a convenient advantage.

Stelle's baseball bat wasn't particularly conspicuous, so carrying it posed no issue.

"I don't have specific plans. Let's follow your lead, Dan Heng."

Bochang nodded, and the other two girls expressed their agreement as well.

"March, go with Stelle. Remember... be extremely cautious."

Dan Heng was still uneasy about letting March 7th go alone, but the pink-haired girl seemed content with that arrangement.

Bochang pondered for a moment and said, "I just don't know how to effectively gather intelligence..."

Before his transmigration, the black-haired youth was merely a student, not some secret agent, so it was natural he lacked experience in gathering intel.

Stelle chimed in, agreeing, "Me neither."

March 7th patted the gray-haired girl's shoulder and remarked, "No worries, I'll teach you."

"Hmm... This is indeed a problem, considering it's your first mission. However, there's no need to worry. Just treat it like a stroll; walk around the city and see what information you can gather. Whatever remains, leave to me. The key is to avoid causing too much commotion—especially you, March."

Dan Heng crossed his arms, recalling his previous missions with March 7th and Welt Yang. Often, Dan Heng and Welt would split up to gather intelligence independently. Therefore...

He was relatively experienced in such tasks.

March 7th placed his hands on his hips and said, "Got it, I won't cause any trouble."

"If something does happen, contact us through your phone."

Dan Heng clearly didn't fully trust March 7th and reiterated the reminder multiple times before parting.

Bochang rubbed his chin and remarked, "Is that so? I thought you'd take me along to give some guidance... However, if you need assistance, I can help."

Dan Heng hadn't expected this response from Bochang, but upon careful consideration, teaching him indeed seemed like a good idea.

The black-haired youth replied, "Let's pass for now. I prefer exploring on my own; we should all head out separately."

Dan Heng slightly shook his head, unsure of what Bochang was thinking.

Next...

The group of four split into three smaller teams, each proceeding in different directions. Bochang chose the right side, wandering through the streets and alleys, experiencing Belobog's local culture and atmosphere.

After walking some distance, Bochang encountered a rift.

These phenomena emerged alongside Stellaron, causing continuous spatial distortions that eroded reality and could transform normal people into monstrous beings.

Additionally, within these rifts, various rift creatures spawned.

Rift creatures were generated by assimilating biological data from the rift, resulting in monsters that retained their original forms but with distinct mutations.

Before entering Belobog, Bochang's group had already faced such rift creatures. They either avoided them when possible or dealt with them if avoidance wasn't an option.

At the locations where rifts appeared,

numerous Silvermane Guard soldiers were stationed, armed with long axes and firearms, maintaining a strict blockade around the area.

No one was allowed to pass through.

This was their primary method of controlling the disasters caused by rifts.

"The rift has spread into the city... I remember this being mentioned in the original plot, hmm... This should count as valuable intel. Note it down, all of it—so we have something to discuss later when we return."

With the area sealed off,

Bochang had no choice but to find another route and continue his exploration.

After circling around, Bochang unexpectedly came across March 7th and Stelle, both gathered near an ice sculpture... seemingly critiquing and discussing something.

It seemed they had reached the city center now.

Bochang noticed a young girl surrounded by children—Pelageya Sergeyevna, or simply "Pela" for short.

Dressed in the uniform of the Silvermane Guards, she served as their intelligence officer.

As Bochang approached, Pela was explaining the ice sculpture before her to the attentive crowd.

"All right, kids, please take a look at this—the Everwinter Monument. It was erected to commemorate the great Architects. These Architects were followers of Aeon Qlipoth, who foresaw the impending crisis and built the high walls, establishing Belobog to preserve humanity's spark. Even today, they continue managing our city..."

Pela spoke with enthusiasm, while the nearby children listened attentively, including March 7th and Stelle.

Only when Bochang drew near did they notice him. March 7th asked, "Bochang, what brings you here?"

"The path I took had a rift, so I detoured, and then inexplicably..."

Bochang shrugged.

March 7th exclaimed in astonishment, "Has rift corrosion reached even within the city?"

"From what I saw... it seems that way." Bochang nodded.

By now, Pela's introduction had concluded, and she loudly asked, "Does anyone have any questions?"

Stelle glanced at Bochang and March 7th. "It appears Pela knows quite a lot. If there's anything we don't understand, we can ask her... Who should go over?"

"After you called her 'Big Sister Pela' in front of everyone earlier, no way am I going..." March 7th shook her head. "Bochang, why don't you do it?"

Hearing the pink-haired girl expose his momentary lapse, Stelle managed an awkward yet courteous smile.

Bochang felt he might have arrived slightly too late.

If he had come earlier, he probably would have witnessed an interesting scene.

"Well, if someone must go, the key question is... What exactly should we ask?"