Five days later, dark red clouds obscured the sky above Kokoto Village, continuing to expand outwards.
The creatures in the Forest Area sensed the anomaly and began a large-scale migration.
The engineering team stationed at the ruins of Schrade Castle, having not detected the black dragon's movements, requested assistance.
The installation of large ballistas, cannons, and traps was not particularly difficult; the main challenge was transportation.
This was because the areas the engineering team had to traverse lacked any roads.
The path forward was either blocked by collapsed stone structures or by deep, bottomless pits.
To speed up deployment, they had to rely on a large number of personnel for assistance.
The overall commander for this black dragon subjugation operation was a person known as the General, who agreed to the engineering team's request and dispatched an elite hunter team to help deploy the combat weapons.
The chief team's division of labor was elsewhere, so they did not participate.
Two days later, a supply reinforcement from the Kingdom arrived.
Zudda looked at the one hundred rapid-fire cannons in Kokoto Village with a headache.
The engineering team had requested assistance precisely because of the slow deployment progress.
Upon seeing the accompanying document stating that Gaeiras had specifically indicated the supplies were a gift to the chief hunter team at the King's behest, Zudda went to Li Fan for verification.
"The Kingdom's support of rapid-fire cannons has arrived, quite fast," Li Fan said with surprise in the inn.
"So it was you who arranged this, but with the current progress, it might take a long time before the rapid-fire cannons can be deployed," Zudda said helplessly.
"It's alright. The Kingdom's rapid-fire cannons are designed for use in the Abyss of Calamity, and can be directly air-dropped into the combat zone," Li Fan explained.
"They don't need to be pre-assembled and deployed? They can be used directly after an aerial drop?" Zudda was very surprised by this.
"Yes, the Kingdom's technological development is rapid. If the Schrade Castle area were closer to the sea, I could have requested even more maritime support," Li Fan informed him.
"I didn't expect you to have planned for this..."
"By the way, Director Zudda, when will the next batch of monster meat arrive? The monsters in the Forest Area are migrating in large numbers, and the Velkhana is almost out of food," Li Fan said.
"Soon, it's expected to arrive in about three days."
"That's a relief."
"Um... Velkhana and the Ruiner Nergigante, they won't refuse guidance and fear this battle, will they?" Zudda asked tentatively.
"It's hard to say, but compared to the cost of inducing them, I think it's very much worth a try," Li Fan gave a less than clear answer.
Other hunter teams and monsters did not trust each other, nor could they cooperate, making tactical coordination impossible.
Therefore, the impact of monster teams on combat deployment had to be minimized.
Days passed, and nine days later, an elite team from the New World Exploration Group, led by Fray, arrived at Kokoto Village.
Everyone was quite excited to see Li Fan.
However, due to the long-term stationing of many hunters and the complete halt of hunting, the village's ingredient reserves could no longer sustain lavish feasts. Thus, only a small-scale gathering was held in the evening.
"Leader, did you and Eudora really hunt a Fatalis?" Aiden asked impatiently at the dining table.
"Aiden, such questions cannot be mentioned publicly," his partner Martha interjected.
"Yes, the Safi'jiiva happened to encounter another powerful monster, and Eudora and I felt it was an opportunity, so we acted," Li Fan replied, and the boisterous dining table fell silent.
"Fatalis... what an incredible hunt. No wonder Director Ni Zhen discovered so many inexplicable ecological mysteries in the New World," Aiden said, suddenly enlightened.
"Speaking of which, how are you adapting to your Teostra armor?" Li Fan asked curiously, seeing that Aiden was already wearing four pieces of Teostra armor, excluding the helmet.
"When I first tried wearing the full set, I had nightmares every day. Four monsters would grab my limbs, and a fierce woman wielding a greatsword would charge up a strike at my head..."
*Pfft*
Eudora, who was raising a glass of wine, spat out a mouthful of liquor.
"Sorry..."
Eudora picked up a napkin and began to wipe down Delu, whose fur was wet.
"But it's much better now... except for the occasional dream of being chased by a Nergigante," Aiden said.
"That's good. Remember to protect yourself. The Fatalis's flame stream is so potent that even Elder Dragon-grade armor cannot withstand it directly," Li Fan warned.
"Understood, Leader!" Aiden promised.
After the gathering, Fray went to the General to discuss the details of the operational deployment and assist in improvements.
The compilers gathered to see if they could deduce the black dragon's potential weaknesses from the limited ecological information.
Some hunters meticulously checked the reliability of their weapons and equipment, while others sat by the campfire, chatting.
"Where do you think it went?" Eudora asked, looking up at the dark red clouds obscuring the moon.
"Perhaps it's also preparing for battle," Li Fan replied.
"Fatalis needs to prepare for battle too?"
"Yes, but the way it prepares is likely beyond our comprehension."
"Sigh~ I thought we had an advantage in operational deployment," Eudora said with some disappointment.
"There's no need to be so dejected. Every effort we make now adds hope to defeating the black dragon," Li Fan encouraged.
"Mhm! To maintain peak combat readiness, I'm going to rest." Reinvigorated, Eudora floated into the air.
As Li Fan returned to his room to rest, he heard a pattering sound from the backyard and went to the window to observe. He found Delu practicing with her attack and recall balls, holding them in her paws.
Since many monsters were participating this time, entering the balls was the best way to evade wide-area attacks. Therefore, Li Fan entrusted Delu with the task of recalling and deploying some of the monsters.
"Stop practicing, Delu. Come back and sleep early."
"I'm not sleepy, meow. I'll sleep after practicing a bit longer."
"Alright, then I won't lock the door." Li Fan informed her.
Two days later, the dark red clouds not only continued to expand but also descended in altitude. The waiting fleet of giant airships had to continuously lower their positions.
The Hunter and Crimson Horn, each carrying fifty rapid-fire cannons, entered the central area of the Schrade Castle ruins for deployment.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*....
After everyone evacuated, a large number of rapid-fire cannons rained down from the sky, crashing onto the dilapidated plaza.
Waving flags on the deck to confirm the completion of the drop, the engineering team members and hunters emerged to check the condition of the cannons.
*Boom! Boom!*...
At this moment, a muffled sound emanated from the black void at the core of the dark red clouds. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up.
"What's the difference between this Ancient Potion and a regular potion, meow?" At the entrance to the Kokoto Village branch, Delu asked curiously, looking at the black pills distributed by the Guild.
"Its effects are more potent, allowing injuries to heal rapidly," Li Fan informed her.
"If only non-five-star hunters could also receive one each," Eudora said with some regret.
"Perhaps the Guild doesn't have that many in reserve," Li Fan speculated.
*Bang!*... *Bang!*.... *Bang!*...
In the distant sky, red signal flares exploded one after another. The hunters stationed in the village all looked up at the sky.
"Stop eating, let's go!"
"Where's my greatsword? Where's my greatsword!"
"On your back!"
"Everyone, quickly onto my airship!"
....
Amidst the clamor, a large number of hunters grabbed the cables released by the airships and rushed to the combat zone.
Li Fan took a deep breath and said, "It's time for us to move as well."
An hour later, some of the participating monsters assembled at the top of the hill outside the village.
Puff, who appeared, let out a low roar, guiding several seven-colored will-o'-the-wisps attached to its body to spread pollen among the monster team. It then slid in place, creating a large number of red bubbles and further strengthening them with a power-boosting mucus.
"Huihui, avoid the black area above the city center. Try to attack with a diagonal dive," Li Fan instructed. The suspended Huihui tilted its head and charged into the dark red sea of clouds.
Sunlight streamed down from the void created by the spreading clouds, but it did not last long. Dark red clouds rapidly converged from all sides, filling the void once more.
*Whoosh! Boom!*
With an explosion, flames flickered in the ruins of Schrade Castle in the distance, engulfing half the city in fire.
"The main force led by the Guild will attack from the relatively open west. To avoid disrupting their deployment, we will infiltrate from the east," Li Fan said, looking at the map and determining the attack direction.
"This is a battle where we could die at any moment. Are you prepared?"
"I've waited a long time for this battle."
"Black Dragon! Here I come, meow!"
"Alright... everyone, deploy!"
With Li Fan's command, several massive shadows under the dark red clouds moved towards the ruins of Schrade Castle, either flying or rushing.
*Roar! Boom!*~~
After a roar that echoed through the sky, rolling orange flames rampaged through the scorched ruins.
*Bang! Bang!*....
Rapid-fire cannonballs fired continuously, forming lines and striking the black dragon from multiple directions.
*Ding! Ding!*
The sound of dense projectiles shattering rang out. Even when hitting the seemingly weak, dark gray wing membrane, they still failed to cause visible damage.
*Boom! Boom!*....
Under the bombardment of falling spherical shells, clouds of black smoke appeared around the black dragon's head, but apart from a slight retraction of its head and neck, no visible damage was observed.
The General and Fray, who were watching the entire battlefield from the top of the city wall, wore increasingly grim expressions.
"Rumor has it that the black dragon melts hunter armor and fuses it onto its own shell. It seems that might be true," the dark-skinned General remarked.
"Although I knew it was a true evil dragon, its terrifying presence still exceeded my expectations when it appeared," Fray said with a hint of helplessness.
An observer hurried up to the city wall and reported, "Report! Three Dragonator cannons have been destroyed by burning! The combat units are requesting permission to fire restraints!"
"Mere restraint will only waste our deployment. Have the hunter units sortie simultaneously, engage in combat, and guide them towards the areas where Dragonators are deployed," the General ordered.
"Wait a moment, General. Isn't it too early?" Fray questioned.
"I don't want to advance to the next stage of operations prematurely, but as you can see, if we don't restrict the black dragon soon, the deployed armaments will be destroyed. If it cannot be contained here, the entire world will face disaster," the General explained.
"Mm... alright." Fray could only agree.
The reason the two were reluctant to have hunters face the black dragon directly was simple: casualties.
"Report!... A giant humanoid creature is rapidly approaching!" the observer on the city wall reported.
"A giant humanoid creature? This observer must be suffering from mental confusion caused by the black dragon. Replace her immediately, have the cat rescue team take her for treatment," the General commanded.
"I'm not mistaken, General! It's a humanoid creature! And I've seen it somewhere else before... where... where... Ah! Dongdouruma! That's a Colossus!" the observer, looking through the binoculars, stated with absolute certainty.
The General and Fray exchanged glances, completely unable to comprehend the appearance of the Colossus.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*....
The Colossus was charging forward with heavy steps.
Inside its rumbling chest, Delu was also looking through binoculars at the combat zone.
"It's completely unable to form a restraint, meow..." Delu never expected that despite such a long deployment, they were still helpless against the black dragon. The difference in combat power between them seemed to belong to different dimensions.
"Delu, let me observe. Quickly put on your block armor," Li Fan said, having already donned Huihui's attire, as he switched.
"Understood, meow!"
"The hunters haven't joined the battle yet. If the battle fully unfolds, the gap won't be so..."
*Boom!* As Li Fan was speaking, a stream of flames erupted from the city center. The city wall toppled, and the fortifications collapsed. Half the city was instantly engulfed in flames.
"Fine, consider me as if I hadn't said anything. Bingbingzi, equip the Mantis Captain!" Li Fan said, tossing an attack ball outwards.
*Whoosh*
As Bingbingzi appeared, a wave of cold air spread from above. After slightly adjusting its flight posture in the high altitude, Bingbingzi flapped its wings and unleashed a misty white frost breath towards the Mantis Captain.
*Chirp! Chirp!*...
Large amounts of ice layers condensed on the surface of the Colossus.
"Shanshan! Raise your shield, let Bingbingzi enchant your equipment!" Hearing Li Fan's words, Shanshan raised its scythe and lifted its right arm, which was mounted with an extremely thick metal door.
Applying [Frost Alchemy] to such a massive object was a first for Bingbingzi. After a brief charge-up, a faint blue aura began to infuse the door-like shield.
Li Fan removed his Thunder Dragon Gauntlets and released the fear-stricken Gnashbugs from the ball.
"Little bug, don't be afraid. After injecting the Calamity Blood, I'll let you return to the ball." Saying this, he grasped the bug's body and pressed it against his arm.
*Gurgle! Gurgle!*
The Gnashbug's tubular body rapidly inflated and contracted. As the Calamity Blood was injected, a red glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes. When he tried to pull the bug off, it clung to his arm, comfortably sucking blood.
"It's fine if you don't want to go back, but you must ensure a continuous supply of Calamity Blood," Li Fan poked the bug's body, reminding it.
"Such a high elevation difference. No wonder the Guild didn't choose to attack from the east. It seems Shanshan will have to climb," Eudora speculated.
"That would be too slow, and it would easily alert the black dragon."
"Are there other ways?" Eudora asked, puzzled.
"Yes, fly over, directly to the battlefield," Li Fan said, quickly tapping on his handheld device.