Chapter 636 - 17: Confessional
Even though he had been stalling for time overtly and covertly, Vladimirovich dared not overdo it. Once the cave was excavated, his men swiftly set down a long ladder, completing their task.
Returning to the vehicles, they opened a self-heating stove, had a quick lunch, and then regrouped to begin exploring the first level of the remodeled base.
...
This time, Alexander’s men replaced Vladimirovich’s as the new reconnaissance team.
Unlike Vladimirovich, known for engaging in gunfights and using explosives, Alexander was a typical tech enthusiast.
He believed that more advanced technology could reduce their casualties, provide better intelligence, and help them accomplish their mission more effectively.
Hence, the Alexander Legion was equipped with a variety of high-precision firearms, including the FR-F2 sniper rifle and the FAMAS bullpup assault rifle.
The latter could directly launch grenades, causing massive harm to swathes of enemies.
Besides that, his legion carried a dozen drones and two civilian-to-military mechanical dogs, as well as being equipped with night vision goggles and timed directional explosives, smoke bombs, and incendiaries.
Whether facing battlefield counterparts, jungle mutants, or hiding wealthy drug lords, Alexander could deliver a lethal blow with his advanced gear.
Vladimirovich remained vigilant during the operation, but Alexander was unconcerned, putting blind faith in the power of modern technology, convinced his fully-armed legion could complete the mission unscathed.
...
The tranquility of the basement level further reinforced Alexander’s views.
Small drones buzzed through separated corridors, gradually sketching the terrain of the basement on the display.
Growing bolder in his exploration, the drone operator ceased focusing on every nook, driving like a racer, maneuvering the drone swiftly through the base’s mess, even humming a tune.
The drone’s wings buzzed, and the communication channel remained silent.
A strong light made the corridor bright as day, casting shadows behind the disorganized equipment.
The protective suit isolated most of Chen Zhou’s senses, especially his sense of smell.
He focused on listening to every sound in the basement, eyes wide open as he scanned the walls to his left and right, an omen brewing in his heart.
It was his intuition—a beast’s domain stirring primal fear of unknown dangers.
Intermittent static scratched through the communication channel, as if pressing on everyone’s hearts, making them feel they were treading between the living world and Hell.
Amid this static, Chen Zhou suddenly caught the sound of frantic footsteps—
The sound came from underground ahead, like a water python rapidly approaching the Alexander Legion’s explorer.
His gaze locked onto the origin of the sound: a drainage ditch covered by an iron plate, the strange noise coming from beneath it.
Chen Zhou quickly flicked the speaking switch by his ear, attempting to alert Alexander to the danger beneath him.
But the explorer moved forward, the sound hastily closing in; though his warning was timely, it didn’t change the outcome.
...
A giant rat, larger than other hairy rats, pushed open the drilled iron plate, pouncing on the explorer like a rabid dog.
In an instant, all headlamps focused on the commotion between the giant rat and the explorer.
Gunshots immediately rang out, and the giant rat atop the explorer was forced back by the bullet’s impact.
Before the explorer could recover, iron plates covering the drainage ditch were successively lifted, launching a second wave of rodent attacks.
Caught off guard, members of the Alexander Legion could only fight individually.
The corridor’s solid walls provided them trustworthy cover; back against the wall, they either held a corner alone or formed pairs, lifting rifles to mow down the giant rats.
Shell casings fell to the ground, gleaming in the strong light.
Amidst the chaotic interplay of light and shadow, Chen Zhou got a clear look at these giant rats.
They differed significantly from the hairy rats at the cave entrance.
In addition to their darker, denser fur, they had larger ears and sturdier limbs, with particularly striking sharp, curved tusks extending from the sides of their mouths, reminiscent of a Mammoth.
These "Mammoth Rats" were significantly stronger than the ordinary hairy rats at the entrance, and their tusks exacerbated their lethality. By sheer numbers, they quickly breached the Alexander Legion’s defense line, charging further back.
For the surviving stragglers, Ivan’s confidants finally opened fire.
Their combat style was strikingly similar to the Vladimirovich Legion warriors, favoring precise shots to deal with enemies, refraining from firing a second shot unless necessary, and maintaining an almost stingy demand for minimal bullet consumption.
Though the giant rats were sturdy, they remained just rats.
Even their size only measured up to a medium-sized dog; not even the Mammoth they mimicked could rival humans.
A one-sided massacre ended swiftly.
Alexander regrouped the legion, dismissing Vladimirovich’s taunts, ordering his men to inspect the sewers for remaining giant rats, recalling the drones, and then checking for injuries.
...
Although the bullet’s network blocked most rat assaults, their surprise attack was utterly unforeseen, hastily leaving two soldiers with protective gear torn, exposing their combat suits underneath.
The Geiger counter’s alarm had never ceased; Alexander intended for the pair to return to the convoy to change into new combat suits before returning.
Unexpectedly, they gazed down the narrow, dark passage behind the group, ultimately choosing to stay.
The members insisted and Alexander, wary of inadequate manpower, went along with their decision—
They had all taken iodine pills, and short-term exposure to low-intensity radiation wasn’t significantly harmful to the body.
Chernobyl’s nuclear leak was half a century ago, and the base was far from Chernobyl. By now, the radiation levels here were acceptable.
...
The rodent ambush stripped the Alexander Legion of their carefree attitude, forcing them to focus intently, steadily advancing.
Every inch they traversed was scrutinized.
Yet there seemed to be only one ambush; after leaving a field of rat corpses, silence returned to the base.
They passed the office zone, medical room, skirted the dormitory corridors, trod over scattered tattered clothing in the hallway, leaving footprints in the dense dust.
After walking approximately 300 meters, Chen Zhou noticed a drastic shift in the corridor’s decorative style—from stern modern Soviet simplicity to lavish religious motifs.
Simultaneously, Ivan’s confidant’s voice crackled over the communication channel.
"Attention everyone, we’ve reached the confessional.
Stay alert; we’re about to depart from the secret passage within the confessional to delve into the second basement level."
With that, the static resumed.
As Chen Zhou was about to proceed with the team, Ivan suddenly tapped his shoulder.
Turning back, through the transparent visor, Chen Zhou saw Ivan’s bloodshot eyes obscured by lifeless hair, the eyeballs bulging as if about to roll off his face.
Then he heard Ivan muttering to himself.
"Chen, did you hear that? The sound of singing..."
With alarm bells ringing in his mind, Chen Zhou swiftly shrugged off Ivan’s hand from his shoulder.
Before he could discern what had happened, gunfire erupted from within the confessional.
With the blast of gunpowder, two Alexander Legion soldiers outside the confessional fell instantly.