Mutagen

<strong>Day 253 - 8:02 AM - Mountainous Crater, Municipality of Viga, Province of Catanduanes</strong>

The morning sun shined brightly in the sky. With a man in black armor in the lead, silhouettes of people appeared on the northwestern peaks at the edge of the mountainous crater.

Mark and his group led the hike to the peak of the mountain. The ability of the [Yasaws] to shrink the distance of travel sure made it easy to move large numbers of people. However, it was not without limitations.

While it would be no problem moving large numbers of people, it would only be best used if the destination was more or less an even terrain. If the destination had steep geography, it would be only good for a few people. After all, people still needed a proper ground to stand on after reaching the destination, and steep places would not grant that requirement. It was still possible to move a large number of people into steep locations, but the probability of accidents would be pretty high.

Thus, halfway through the mountain, they could only rely on their physical and magical abilities.

Because of this, they spent more time climbing up the mountain they needed to reach.

Of course, it was possible for the [Yasaws] to bring the entire group inside the crater. However, that was not something Mark would recommend.

After all, everything inside the crater was the territory of the [Giant Mechid]. Although the scouts that Diwata Iraya sent kept watching the enemy, what they could observe was limited due to the fact that a large area around the [Giant Mechid] was greatly affected by radiation. The flimsy amount of information they had could not be relied on concretely.

Furthermore, these mountain peaks would be the strategic point of the battle. Not only would it hinder enemies from quickly reaching the warriors and entangling them into close-quarters combat, but it would allow quick and safe retreat if necessary.

BAM! BAM!

Loud noises were suddenly heard, making the warriors still climbing flinch and go into hiding. On the other hand, Mark and those already at the top stood still as they watched the source of the loud noise.

The source of the loud noise, of course, was the [Giant Mechid]. It was still trying to overcome the mountains that imprisoned it, only to fail again and again. Even so, as if it was not within its program to stop, it continued to stand and attempt to climb up the mountainous walls of the crater.

By the looks of it, they were still far from getting detected by the [Giant Mechid]. Not only that, they had chosen a location quite far from it, but Diwata Iraya was also currently using magic to hide everyone's presence. Although a direct line of sight would reveal their location, it should be fine for now as the scouts already deemed this location safe.

Mark glanced at his group, and with a nod from him, they began to lay low. This time, his group was composed of everyone except for Ilia, Bella, and Donna. The three golems were also present for assistance.

In this battle against the [Mechids], the [Mutator] abilities of the two sisters would be useless since these alien machines could not be affected by their numbing and sleeping powders. As for Ilia, it was not like she had no combat abilities. In fact, her combat skills would be above Feng Zhiruo. However, with only her and Chimetrice being able to pilot the [Mini Cube], it was better for her to be on standby inside the floating vessel just in case.

Mark turned his eyes toward Diwata Iraya. Upon receiving his gaze, the [Diwata] immediately ordered her warriors to spread out.

These mountain peaks would be the frontline of the battle.

The magical creatures moved in different groups. One group, led by the [Tamawo], Ordulk, wielded bows in their hands. The second group, led by the [Cursed Armor], Morlkil, carried spears. Lastly, the [Yasaws], led by Derielio, moved behind the lines.

In the incoming battle, melee combat was not recommended. The terrain in the mountain peaks was not good for close combat battles. Furthermore, although weaker than the original ones, it was still not easy to penetrate the bodies of [Mechids] using primitive weapons. While the damage could be the same with range attacks, it would at least keep the warriors at a safer distance.

This was why both the groups led by Ordulk and Morlkil wielded ranged weapons and spears. Spears might be melee weapons, but they could also be thrown and keep enemies at bay.

On the other hand, the [Yasaws] would not be much of help in the combat scenario. After all, their childish bodies only had their speed as their advantage. However, their magical abilities would be crucial in swiftly moving around the position of warriors and during the retreat. As such, they were assigned to support the other two groups from behind.

Lastly, Mark's group.

Mark and Chimetrice would be the ones to directly face the [Giant Mechid]. The rest of their group present would be focused on supporting the two.

While waiting for everyone to get into position, Mark took the opportunity to observe the geography within the crater. It was also the first time they saw the crater this close, and it was good to take notice of the surroundings before starting the battle.

And without a doubt, the geography outside and inside the crater seemed like two different worlds.

The forest outside, while mixed with unfamiliar trees from the [Spirit Dimension], still looked more or less normal to Earth's current circumstances.

Inside the crater, however... While the leaves of the trees seemed natural from afar, the leaves were actually covered in disgusting vein-like growth that would keep on pulsating. Even the trunks of the trees had mutated far from [Mutagen] would affect flora. It was not wrong to say that the inner areas of the crater looked alien-like.

There was no need to mention that the black goo normally found inside the bodies of the [Mechids] was everywhere. Usually, this black goo would evaporate, but it seemed that the prolonged exposure of the area to this substance made it possible for the black goo to stay in form.

Mark continued to observe with a frown. However, the time he needed to wait ended sooner than expected.

It only took ten minutes before everyone got into position. This preparation should have taken longer due to the fact that the warriors had to spread out to different areas. Here, the ability of the [Yasaws] came in handy.

Mark closed his eyes and felt his surroundings. Everyone was pretty nervous. However, all of them were also determined to end this troublesome situation.

Opening his eyes, Mark stretched his wings wide open. The three pairs of wings he had were really unique, taking everyone's attention towards him. It was not only Mark but also Chimetrice. After all, the wings of this [Humanoid Chimera] were made from six different species of both magical and demonic beings.

Mark glanced at Mei and nodded. Mei returned the nod with her own. There was no need for words as the two already knew what each other's nod meant.

The nods meant "I am going." replied with "Be careful."

Mark's wings flapped, bringing him up to the sky swiftly. Chimetrice followed closely behind him.

Then, the two front liners swooped down from the sky into the alien-like forest below them.

Flying straight towards the [Giant Mechid] would be faster. However, it would also make them easier to detect, and retaliation would likely come before they even reached the enemy.

As the two entered the gross-looking forest, Mark could not help but feel his stomach churn. He did not mind the smell of rotting corpses, but the smell of the black goo concentrated within the crater was extremely suffocating.

After reaching a certain distance within the crater, Mark began to feel a bit nauseous. Without hesitation, Mark released [Miasma] from his body. Immediately, he felt better. This nauseating sensation was not from the smell but because they already had entered the immediate vicinity affected by the radiation the [Giant Mechid] was releasing.

And as they get closer, the surroundings get worse.

The [Giant Mechid] continuously excreted the black goo from the broken parts of its body. As such, the amount of black goo would only get thicker as they get near it. Of course, it was the same for the corrupted surroundings due to the black goo.

Mark and Chimetrice flew as fast as they could while keeping account of the surroundings. Their current goal was to initiate the first attack before the battle began.

But would the initial plan go smoothly?

Unfortunately, the answer was no.

The closer they get to the [Giant Mechid], the chance of encountering its minions would also become higher and higher. And just one of those [Mechids] spotting Mark and Chimetrice would mean stirring out the hornet nest.

And...

<strong>CREAK!</strong>

A slight creak to their left made Mark click his tongue.

Mark immediately aimed the railgun, [Shadow Piercer] in his hand and launched a full-charge shot.

<strong>CLANK!</strong>

The sound of metal being pierced through was heard. A [Mechid] was there, wandering about. It was moving in their direction, clearly sensing their arrival.

Furthermore, there was not only one.

Chiemetrice increased his speed, moving at speeds where only a blur could be seen. He swooped down some incoming figures, bisecting them with his right arm, now covered with vines.

It was unclear how these [Mechids] managed to locate them. However, looking at [Mechids] seemingly confused, it looked like they managed to detect Mark and Chimetrice, although unsure who or what they were.

And since Mark and Chimetrice dealt with the enemies before they could see them clearly, it would definitely cause more confusion among the intelligent [Mechids].

But by now, the [Mechids] would definitely know that some enemies came into their territory.

<strong>CLANG! CLANG!</strong>

The loud sound of metal clanging was heard. The [Giant Mechid] was changing its movements. Instead of facing the mountain it repeatedly tried to climb, it was the direction of the intruders.

Mark turned to Chimetrice. He then pointed to the south.

Chimetrice, seeing Mark's signal, separated from him, flying south. On the other hand, Mark flew towards the north.

Since the [Giant Mechid] faced their initial direction, what they could do was flank its sides from opposite directions.

And as Mark planned, there seemed to be some confusion from the movements of the [Giant Mechid].

Mark and Chimetrice continuously eliminated the [Mechids] they came across, making sure to change direction for every kill they made. This strategy would make it hard to point out their exact location while confusing the hell out of the [Mechids] trying to find and chase the two.

The [Mechids] within the crater began to gather. They tried to find and chase the intruders. Some of them were fast, while some were quite tough. However, since most of these [Mechids] were made of experimental metals and were weaker prototypes, they could not do anything against Mark and Chimetrice.

Nonetheless, they continued to swarm Mark and Chimetrice.

Mark started to get quite irritated. The number of [Mechids] along his path was rather plenty. Sure, they were weak. However, because of their number, it was easy for them to find Mark and relay his location to the giant [Mechid].

The situation on Chimetrice's side was the same. It forced them to change directions dozens of times already.

Mark could use the [Photokinesis Mental Crystal] to hide. Unfortunately, he would not easily do so as it would reveal that he could do this kind of stuff to the intelligent [Giant Mechid].

Chimetrice was the first to reach the [Giant Mechid]. It did not matter who reached it first. However, the one to do so would start the battle immediately.

As such, Chimetrice clenched his right arm. It began to release a greenish glow.

And there, Chimetrice punched the ground, disregarding the black goo covering it.

<strong>BOOM!</strong>

The ground shook with a loud boom. All of a sudden, large vines grew from the ground and began to constrict the [Giant Mechid].

Those that saw it from the mountain peaks knew.

The battle finally started.