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

"Self-inspection by all staff."

Long Fei's voice rang out in the encrypted channel, devoid of any emotion.

"Snow Wolf Group, green light."

"All Tigers, green light. Exoskeleton hydraulic system functioning normally."

"The eagle is in position."

Lin Mo glanced down at the tactical terminal on his chest, where the heart rate reading showed 110 beats per minute.

He took a deep breath and adjusted the shoulder straps of the carrying system.

Despite the aid of the mechanical exoskeleton, this fully enclosed individual combat armor, along with the life support module on its back, is still quite heavy.

"The drone swarm is transmitting images back; the area ahead is three kilometers ahead, and it's safe."

Wang Hao's fingers flew across the keyboard, projecting a dark blue three-dimensional terrain map onto the inside of the holographic mask.

"The heat source reaction is mainly concentrated due north, which is the location of Fernwall Village. There are no signs of large predator activity in the vicinity."

Long Fei made a tactical hand gesture, indicating that they should advance at full speed.

"Snow Wolf, advance and establish a 200-meter perimeter. Tiger, in the center, protect the supply crates. Eagle, bring up the rear."

"Set off!"

Dozens of specially made tactical boots stepped simultaneously on the layer of decaying leaves, producing a dull yet orderly sound.

The servo motors of the mechanical exoskeleton emit a slight "buzzing" sound, and with each step, the hydraulic rods provide precise assistance.

Normally, it would take an average person at least half an hour to walk one kilometer in this muddy and difficult primeval forest, but this team was incredibly fast.

The trees rushed past on both sides.

Lin Mo gripped the 191 in his hand. The familiar matte finish of the gun made his tense body relax slightly.

He was surrounded by fully armed comrades. This feeling made his previously unsteady steps become firmer.

"Attention, approaching the contact zone."

The whispers of the scouts came through the earpiece.

Lin Mo raised his head.

Through the sparse canopy of trees, the familiar, simple wall made of thick logs appeared at the edge of the field of vision.

The torches on the wall flickered in the wind, emitting black smoke.

"Stop advancing."

Long Fei raised his right fist.

The team froze instantly, without any unnecessary movements. Everyone quickly knelt down, pointing their guns into the depths of the surrounding jungle.

"Tiger Team, establish a defensive position on the spot. Keep an eye on the supplies."

"Snow Wolf Team, spread out and take control of the high ground. Snipers, I need to ensure there are no mishaps in this area."

"yes!"

The order was issued extremely quickly.

Several Tiger team members carrying heavy equipment quickly unloaded their backpacks, and within seconds, a temporary circular defensive fortification took shape.

The dark muzzle of a heavy machine gun was set up, coldly pointing at the jungle.

"Eagle Team, Lin Mo, come with me into the village."

Long Fei patted Lin Mo's shoulder armor.

Lin Mo nodded and followed Long Fei out of the shadows of the woods.

At this moment, a figure cautiously peeked out from the wooden wall of Fernwall Village.

The man held a polished hardwood longbow in his hand, and a hideous old scar ran across his face.

It's Rennes.

He squinted, staring at the group of steel monsters that had suddenly appeared at the edge of the woods.

Sunlight shone on the special forces soldiers' black alloy armor, reflecting a cold luster.

Renn's fingers gripped the bowstring tightly, his muscles tense.

Until he could clearly see the figure walking in the middle.

The young man, though wearing strange armor, still appeared somewhat thin.

Raine paused for a moment, then abruptly released the bowstring and raised the longbow high above his head.

"Open the door! Open the door now!"

A rough roar shattered the tranquility of the village.

Raine turned and shouted at the guards below the wall, the veins on his neck bulging:

"The warriors are back! The warriors have returned!"

The heavy wooden door creaked and groaned as it slowly opened to both sides.

The village instantly erupted in excitement.

The clanging of the blacksmith stopped, the women who were drying animal hides dropped what they were doing, and even the children who had been rolling in the mud got up.

The crowd began to surge towards the village entrance.

Blacksmith Forging Stone Iron Fist, carrying a heavy iron hammer and covered in soot, squeezed to the front.

Village chief Haimer, leaning on a cane, walked very fast despite his leg problems.

Lin Mo and his group walked onto the dirt road in the village.

More and more villagers gathered around, and the primitive noise mixed with the smell of cooking fires rushed towards us.

But the special forces soldiers did not relax in the slightest.

Except for Lin Mo, everyone else maintained a tactical gun-holding posture, their eyes under their helmets scanning vigilantly for anyone who approached.

The cold muzzles of the special forces soldiers' guns and their silent demeanor caused the enthusiastic villagers to instinctively take a step back, making way for them.

"Enable translation module".

Long Fei's voice was very low, and only the team members could hear it.

"Full-band reception, real-time translation."

"Sizzle..."

Lin Mo felt a slight vibration in his headset.

The next second, the previously noisy and incomprehensible otherworldly language suddenly turned into clear Chinese.

"My God, look at their metal shells..."

"Is that iron? Why is it so dark and doesn't reflect any light at all?"

"Shh! Don't point. Look at that big guy's pipe. That thing is scarier than Captain Ryan's arrows."

The villagers' whispers reached Lin Mo's ears without reservation.

Just then, the crowd suddenly parted.

A long-haired girl rushed out.

She was wearing a coarse linen skirt, the hem of which was covered with bits of grass, and she was holding a handful of freshly picked herbs in her hand.

"warrior!"

Arya ran a little too fast, her cheeks flushed.

She stopped three steps away from Lin Mo, glancing fearfully at Long Fei, who was fully armed beside Lin Mo, but her gaze quickly returned to Lin Mo.

Her eyes were sparkling.

"Warriors...you're really back?"

Arya's voice trembled slightly.

Lin Mo stopped in his tracks.

He raised his hand and pressed a black button on his left arm armor.

The indicator light changed from red to green.

"Yes, Arya."

Lin Mo looked at the girl, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Immediately afterwards, a string of fluent, otherworldly universal language came from the external speaker on his left arm, the voice carrying a slight electronic synthesizer quality:

"We're back."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear at the quiet village entrance.

Arya's eyes widened suddenly, and she covered her mouth.

Raine, who was standing next to him, almost dropped his longbow.

The blacksmith's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as he stared intently at the small black box on Lin Mo's arm.

Is that black lump of iron... talking?

And they were speaking their language?

The surrounding villagers instantly erupted in a cacophony of exclamations, and everyone unconsciously took a step back, their eyes filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity about the unknown.

In their minds, only legendary great magicians could make inanimate objects speak.

Lin Mo did not explain.

He simply stood there quietly, while the special forces soldiers behind him remained silent and on guard.