"..."

Mei, Claire, and the rest of the group couldn’t help but pause after hearing Kai’s words. His lie was obvious but they didn’t speak...

’Build a shelter, huh...’ Claire wryly smiled as she waited for the other side’s response.

Unexpectedly, the man in the fog lowered his rifle slightly, but his suspicion lingered in his stance.

Soon, however, his voice carried frustration more than hostility.

"Tch... another one. Build a shelter? Dream on. You people keep coming here, thinking you can trade or settle. We told you already! We’re not accepting trades anymore, and this Mist Mountain is ours!"

Kai tilted his head, as he thought of just going with the flow... "Wow... You already claimed this place and you’re not accepting trades? That’s unusual. Survivors need supplies. Fuel, food, weapons... surely you’re still dealing with some fuel? We have a lot of food supplies here."

The man spat to the side. "We don’t care. We’re done with outsiders. Too many leeches coming here, asking for fuel, asking for bikes. We’re not selling anymore. We still have enough food!"

Of course, it was a lie. The man knew that they always needed food supplies. However, he was clearly instructed by Angelo not to accept any trades for the next two weeks.

Kai’s smile didn’t change, but inside, he had already confirmed that man’s location and the fact that there weren’t any other people guarding this entrance...

For a moment, he took a deep breath...

He remembered Angelo’s earlier threats, weeks ago, the man had made it clear that Freedom Shelter was on his list.

Angelo had bikes, fuel, and men who were eyeing their shelter. That alone made him dangerous. If left unchecked, he would eventually strike.

Soon, the rest of the group felt that Kai was about to give his command to attack. Everyone held their weapons tightly...

However, Ralph muttered under his breath, "This doesn’t feel right."

It was as if he had noticed something off.

Still, Kai raised a hand...

"We’re not here to trade. Like I said, we’re scouting. This swamp looks promising for a shelter. Fog for cover, there’s water nearby... it has potential."

The man scoffed. "Potential? You don’t know what you’re talking about. This place isn’t for you."

Kai’s smile thinned.

"Then perhaps you can show us around," Kai said smoothly. "We’re not enemies. Just survivors, like you."

The man hesitated. His rifle lowered further, but his eyes darted toward the mist behind him. "Wait here," he muttered. "I’ll call the others."

Just like that, Kai watched the man disappear into the fog.

He didn’t stop him. In fact, he wanted him to call for backup.

The reason was simple... It was better to fight here, in the open swamp, than to storm a fortified shelter where Angelo’s men would have every advantage.

If they could thin out Haven‑28’s numbers now, the raid would be far easier later.

Kai turned to his companions...

"Stay sharp. They’ll be back, and they’ll bring more. Get ready..."

Claire nodded...

Ralph exhaled slowly. "So we’re baiting them out..."

They already discussed that this could happen, and none of them were surprised.

"Exactly," Kai replied. "I thought it wasn’t possible... Thankfully, we can fight them here, on our terms."

Soon, the strike force moved around, taking positions along the path. Atom stood at the center, like a normal human, because of what he was wearing from head to toe... Atom even had a helmet, so as long as you’re not looking at Atom’s face, you won’t even realize that it was a Sentinel.

Mei crouched low, adjusting her scope. Sera and Althea flanked left and right with their rifles raised.

Alfie, with his Gladiator Talent, was also ready to be in the front lines... He remained silent but ready...

Meanwhile, Noli and the ten workers spread out, forming a defensive line. They looked a little nervous, but the protective gear and rifles gave them confidence.

Furthermore, Kai reminded them of their utilities...

Flashbang grenades, smoke grenades, and a decoy emitter device... He had already handed them to his companions and they should be prepared to use it already.

Still, Kai reminded them again with a low voice...

"Flashbangs first," Kai instructed. "Blind them, disorient them. Smoke for cover. Decoy emitter goes last... make them think we’re more than we are."

Mei smirked. "Classic misdirection."

The group settled into cover, crouching behind reeds and broken logs.

The fog was thick, but it worked both ways.

However, they had thermal detection goggles! This device from the Stealth Gift Pack could give them a clearer view of the situation.

Minutes passed. Then, faint voices echoed through the mist.

"They’re up ahead." The man from before said...

"Leader said no trades. Drive them off."

As they confirmed the presence of the enemies, it didn’t take long before figures emerged... five men at first with their rifles raised within the fog.

More followed, until nearly a dozen stood before Kai’s group.

The tall man from earlier stepped forward, sneering. "You should’ve left. This swamp isn’t yours."

Kai’s smile was cold. "We’re not leaving."

The man raised his rifle. "Then you’ll die here."

Kai’s hand turned upward. "Now!"

Everyone happened so quickly!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Flashbangs exploded, blinding light tearing through the fog.

The enemy staggered with their rifles dropping as they shielded their eyes.

Then, as if the fog wasn’t enough, smoke grenades hissed!

Thicker clouds started rolling across the swamp. Then, almost at the same time, the decoy emitter was activated, projecting false gunfire and movement deeper into the mist.

Chaos erupted instantly.

Claire fired, her shot precise, dropping one of the blinded men.

Ralph followed, and his rifle was fired as another human survivor fell. Sera and Althea moved in sync, covering the flanks as they also started shooting...

Well, killing humans wasn’t really something they wanted to happen since the enemies were the A.I. Army.

However, since the leader of this shelter threatened to take over their home... Then that was a different conversation.

Mei’s scope flashed as she also began her hunt... one shot, one kill.

The workers fired in bursts...

Even Atom charged ahead! Almost instantly, its mechanical arms smashed aside two enemies who dared to come forward!

The swamp became a battlefield!