I started with a portal, then turned around and handed it over to the nation.

As the darkness faded on the horizon, a sliver of pale light struggled to emerge from the horizon, framing the tall tree canopies with a blurry silver edge.

The mist in the forest drifted and thinned.

The team raced through the woods, each soldier's chest heaving violently as the scorching air filled their lungs, bringing with it waves of burning pain.

His physical strength was already exhausted, and he was only kept going by a strong belief.

"look!"

Ryan, who was running in the lead, suddenly shouted excitedly. His voice was hoarse from exhaustion, but it was full of unbelievable joy.

Extend your finger and point forward.

Through the gaps in the morning mist and trees, a familiar outline appeared before everyone's eyes.

It was a towering wall built of thick logs, with a simple watchtower at one corner. A few wisps of smoke rose from inside the wall, drifting away in the cool morning breeze.

Fern Wall Village!!

"The village...we're home!"

Raine's voice trembled with tears as he turned to look at Lin Mo, his bloodshot eyes shining with an astonishing light.

Lin Mo nodded heavily; he had seen it.

That peaceful village bathed in the morning light was their final destination, the end point from which they had crawled back from the brink of hell.

The team's speed unconsciously increased a few points.

As Long Fei ran, he gave his final instructions into his headset, his voice carrying a sense of relief at finally being relieved of a heavy burden.

"Eagle and tiger, beware!"

"Upon reaching the village's outskirts, do not enter the village! Establish a circular defensive line extending 200 meters outwards from the village! Be on alert!"

"receive!"

"receive!"

Shi Lei's response to Captain Cangying was brief and powerful.

Long Fei continued:

"I'll lead the Snow Wolf Squad, Lin Mo, and Li Na to escort the wounded into the village to rest. The rest of you, guard our backs!"

"yes!"

As the distance closed, the view at the village entrance became increasingly clear.

At the village entrance, the familiar blacksmith shop was now belching black smoke from its chimney, and the heavy, rhythmic hammering sounds carried through the morning mist.

Forging Stone Iron Fist has already begun his day's work.

His bare, muscular upper body was bare as he swung a sledgehammer, ready to smash the red-hot iron block, when out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a large group of figures rushing out of the woods in the distance.

He paused, then squinted.

I could see clearly that Renn was running at the front, and the warriors behind him dressed in strange clothes and holding bizarre weapons.

Clang!

The heavy sledgehammer slipped from his hands and crashed to the ground with a loud bang.

For two seconds, Duan Shi was stunned, then he let out a deafening roar.

He rushed out of the blacksmith's shop and shouted into the village:

"They're back!! Raine and the others are back!! Our heroes are back!!"

The roar shattered the village's morning tranquility.

One by one, the wooden doors were suddenly pushed open.

One by one, villagers rushed out of their houses, their faces filled with astonishment and disbelief.

"What? Renn's back?"

"Where? Where?"

"Quick! Go check at the village entrance!"

The entire village erupted in excitement, with people spreading the news and their faces beaming with excitement and joy.

In an instant, a large group of villagers gathered at the village entrance, craning their necks and looking out of the village.

Arya was also in the crowd, squeezed to the front, when she saw Rein's familiar figure, and Lin Mo who was safe and sound behind him.

The girl's eyes immediately reddened, and she covered her mouth tightly with both hands to stop herself from crying out loud.

The team finally arrived at the village entrance.

Long Fei led the Snow Wolf Squad and the wounded into the village, while the Fierce Tiger and Azure Eagle teams...

Upon reaching the village entrance, they did not pause at all, immediately turned around, and silently and swiftly disappeared into the jungle on both sides of the village to carry out their guard duties.

Ryan noticed this detail.

He watched the two teams leave without looking back, his face full of confusion.

He subconsciously pointed to the soldiers who had disappeared into the woods, then turned to look at Lin Mo, opening his mouth as if he wanted to ask something.

Lin Mo understood what he meant.

He didn't say anything, but simply reached out, patted Ryan's shoulder heavily, and shook his head.

He didn't know how to explain in the language of this world the discipline ingrained in their bones—not taking a single needle or thread from the masses, and minimizing disruption to the normal lives of ordinary people.

One shook his head, the other gave a determined look.

Renn understood instantly.

He froze, his eyes slowly shifting from confusion to shock, and finally to an indescribable admiration.

They clearly have warm houses to rest in and hot food to eat, yet they choose to stay in the cold jungle outside.

What kind of army is this?

While Renn was still in a daze, the group had already entered the village in a grand procession.

The villagers swarmed around Ryan and the special forces soldiers.

"Raine! You really killed the minotaur?"

"Where are the monsters? They didn't chase after us, did they?"

How's your injury?

Faces filled with simple concern, and urgent inquiries.

Enveloped in this enthusiasm, Ryan walked towards the center of the village, waving his arms and excitedly announcing to everyone with all his might:

"Kill them! Kill them all!!"

He pointed to the Snow Wolf team members marching silently behind him, his voice filled with pride and admiration.

"These are the warriors! You have no idea how strong they are! Their weapons... can spew flames and thunder!"

The villagers gasped in surprise.

"Mouthmen! A dozen or so minotaurs! They were no match for them! They were all wiped out!"

Renn's voice grew louder and louder, echoing throughout the entire village.

"And goblins! Thousands of goblins! They were all wiped out! We won!!"

"We won!!"

"Ohhh!!"

Upon hearing this, the villagers erupted in jubilation. They cheered loudly and patted the shoulders and backs of every soldier around them.

They expressed their respect and gratitude to the heroes in the simplest way.

Children weaved through the crowd, looking at the tall warriors and the cold weapons in their hands with curiosity and awe.

Arya's father, Barton, the taciturn woodcutter, squeezed to the side of the line and bowed deeply to Lin Mo and Long Fei.

Arya's mother, May, along with several other women, quickly ran back into the house to prepare the most sumptuous food and hot water.

Chief Alchemist Thran and Village Chief Haimer also stood on the periphery of the crowd, watching this exciting scene before them. Both old men showed long-lost, heartfelt smiles.

Looking at the lively scene, Long Fei's tense facial features, which had been taut all night, finally softened.

He didn't dampen the villagers' enthusiasm, but instead whispered orders to his team members.

"Snow Wolf Squad, stand by, accept the villagers' kindness, but remain vigilant."

"yes!"

He then walked over to Nail, who was being supported by two Tigers members.

"How are you feeling?"

"Reporting to Captain Long... I feel much better."

Nail's face was still pale, but his spirits had improved considerably. He looked at the cheering villagers around him and grinned, "This treatment is worth it."

"That's good."