Book 3, Chapter 201: Iron Monster

Half an hour later, Chen Chuan, Yuan Qiuyuan, and Qin Qingque boarded a train. Along with them was a twenty-two-man tactical team assigned to assist them.

They were in charge of coordinating attacks, along with helping them with logistics, communications, transport, and other support-related tasks.

Joining them was Rao Qili, a tactical advisor familiar with the situation. Ding Mou had assigned Rao Qili to help them come up with strategies, since they had just arrived and weren’t familiar with the area yet.

Since they left in a hurry, Rao Qili only had time to start talking about the mission after the train started moving.

“The Iron Monster is our target this time.” He placed a stack of documents in front of them. Once they picked them up, the first thing they saw was a large, colored picture.

The Iron Monster was a person wearing a savage, crimson, iron mask, along with armor and a helmet from the old era. In his hand, he held a long spear with a white feather ornament, while he rode on a gigantic horse with red spots over a black coat.

The horse also wore armor from the old era, and its eyes were blood red. When compared to the point of reference next to it, the horse was more than two meters tall. It also appeared to have sturdy bones. Even so, it gave off the feeling that it was incredibly agile.

“We received word from the front that the man intends to lead a fifty-man platoon to attack and destroy the rear when most of our fighters have been sent to the front lines,” Rao Qili said.

Yuan Qiuyuan looked back and forth between the picture and the information before stroking his chin and asking, “I thought that the Iron Monster was supposed to be from the merged space, but judging by what you said and how it looks, the Iron Monster is human? Why is he attacking us? Is he from the enemy faction?”

“He is indeed from the merged space, but you should know that there have been multiple eras of change born from the numerous times the two worlds drew close to each other,” Rao Qili corrected him. “Whenever they get close enough, they inevitably clash and come into contact.

“That’s why the merged space has existed since the old era.

“The people in the past didn’t have much knowledge about the merged space, and the gaps between worlds were scattered everywhere, so plenty of refugees hid here. For a while, it was also the place where demoted government officials and failed politicians were banished.

“During the previous era of change, the empires were toppled over, and a large number of royal family members as well as their high-ranking relatives fled here. They built independent dynasties that are extremely hostile toward us.

“Through the secret gaps and connections they had in the past, they have stayed in contact with our world. They work together with the companies and possess some artifacts, so their technology isn’t outdated at all. Having lived in the merged space all this while, they’ve also adopted certain unique skills.

“Right now, aside from the existences on the other side of the World Ring, the remnants of the old dynasties are our main enemies.”

Chen Chuan asked some questions and learned that their fort was built on the border set by the old dynasty.

As the military base expanded, it naturally encroached upon their territory. To them, this was a clear statement that they wanted to destroy them again, which led to the conflict between the two sides becoming even more intense.

Rao Qili pointed at the photo. “The Iron Monster is an elite, royally appointed warrior, and he has some cavalry under him. They often ambush us while we’re tied up with defending the front lines.”

Chen Chuan picked up the stack of papers that came with the photo. Martial artists in the old era were known as warriors, but royally appointed warriors were different. They served the royal family and were given a noble rank.

Warriors had to reach the Third Limit to be given a noble rank.

The information stated that due to how big the merged space was and how sparsely populated, the royally appointed warriors had fiefdoms that existed in the form of fortified estates. Each royally appointed warrior also led a squadron of cavalry.

This was quite an ancient system, but it suited this place quite well.

Rao Qili continued, “The Iron Monster has destroyed our railways, communication stations, and ambushed patrol teams multiple times in the past. We even have records of him attacking our bases.

“Both he and his troops know how to use our vehicles, but usually, they ride on dragon-nose horses that have been specially cultivated. Some of them have even been modified with implants. The Iron Monster in the picture is riding one of them.

“This horse is strong, fearless, durable, and can bear a ton of weight. While roaming the wild, it can travel at a speed almost on par with that of an SUV at a trot. It can also run for an entire day without eating.

“With these horses, they can travel great distances, and their attacks are swift and sudden. Once we mobilize a large number of troops, they leave and go somewhere else.”

Qin Qingque found this strange and said in puzzlement, “Advisor Rao, even if they’re highly mobile, we have more advanced tools, better communication methods, and stronger weapons. Why are we unable to take them out?”

The old era had long passed. No matter how great a dragon-nose horse’s mobility was, an SUV would be able to catch up to it, as long as it had enough fuel. They were even fighting on interior lines, so communications and supplies should be much better. They even had airships. If they wanted to take the Iron Monster out, they could just mobilize some powerful martial artists and get rid of him.

“They understand tech and know our strengths very well. They also have moles among us. They only attack after we’ve sent our martial artists to the front. Before attacking, they also test the waters. They launch a full-scale attack only after being sure that we don’t have enough strength to take them down.

“Also, they have an advantage we don’t have—the abnormalities in the wild. Hmm... I don’t think Ms. Tian has been able to tell you about it yet. Anyway, just avoid spending the night in the wild.

“Abnormalities appear frequently at night, and you’ll see all sorts of bizarre, strange things.

“We have well-fortified works and protective systems blocking out these abnormalities in the fort, so we can ensure everyone’s safety, but it’s not the case in the wild. We suffered terribly during the early days because of this.

“The Iron Monster and his troops have some sort of method to move at night. That’s why their ambushes are usually done at that time. During the day, they lie in ambush or leave the areas they attacked, making it hard for us to make targeted arrangements.”

When Chen Chuan heard this, he checked their vitalization rate. Perhaps due to them going into the wild, but Yuan Qiuyuan and Qin Qingque’s vitalization rate had risen to around eight. As time passed, the number continued increasing. If this kept up, they would have to use their breathing technique to keep their vitalization rate down.

“Since these people are active in the wild for prolonged periods of time, how are they not affected by vitalization?” Chen Chuan asked.

“There are a few reasons behind it. First, these people have been living here for so long that the weaker ones have been eliminated long ago, and only the strong remain. The ones who survived have some resistance toward vitalization or believe in some sort of existence that has granted them resistance.

“Second, they’re using the same methods as we are and are resisting vitalization through medicine and a breathing technique.

“And third, some of them have gone through complete vitalization.”

The last reason was stated grimly.

Yuan Qiuyuan was shocked. “That means they’re no longer human, right? How could they be willing to go through it?”

“While they aren’t humans anymore, their thought processes remain human. The former royal family seems to have a way to identify and use them. That’s why the old dynasty has some completely vitalized warriors among them.

“We’ve seen it before. After killing the enemies, their brains or limbs fled and even tried to possess the people inspecting them. If you see such a person, get rid of them completely. They’re people born from noble warriors of the old era fusing with the monsters in the merged space!

“The Iron Monster was formerly known as Qu Mohu. When he wanders about, he loves wearing a demon mask. That’s why many people believe that he’s actually a demon.”

Yuan Qiuyuan mulled over this before remembering something. “By the way, Advisor Rao, you mentioned something about belief just now. Can beliefs prevent vitalization?”

Rao Qili didn’t seem to be willing to dive into this topic. After some hesitation, he mumbled, “They might believe in some transcended existences in the merged space.

“Those existences are gathered near the front lines of the merged space. I heard that they’re enemies with some existences from the other world. I don’t know much about this, and we have a rule not to talk about it. From now on, try not to bring it up.”

“Got it. In any case, we just have to fight this Iron Monster guy, right?” Yuan Qiuyuan said and clenched his fists tightly. Cracking sounds came from his knuckles.

“Yes. Our mission is to chase them out. If we can’t, we have to keep them within sight and prevent them from causing further damage,” Rao Qili stated.

“We just have to chase them away and keep an eye on them afterwards?” Chen Chuan asked.

Rao Qili gave them a look and pondered over his words. “You’ll be considered to have done a good job if you can do that. You’re a recently formed unit that has yet to understand the situation. Qu Mohu isn’t just a royally appointed warrior. He was also appointed commandant by the royal family.”

“Oh? That’s a martial rank from the old era, isn’t it? I heard from my grandfather that he would have been given it if he lived in the old era,” Yuan Qiuyuan said.

“That’s right. Royally appointed warriors are soldiers belonging to the emperor, but that’s all they are, soldiers. If they’re given noble ranks, though, that’s different. Then, they’re military officers who can lead armies.

“Only elites are given noble ranks. You might not understand what I’m saying, so let me put it in a different way. According to the higher-ups, the Iron Monster might have already honed his mind and body to perfection.”