Chapter 290 Setting traps.

"Just join Antelope Base."

Antelope’s voice was filled with irritation, sending waves of anger and disgust down Ivy’s spine. She immediately face-palmed herself, taking a deep breath as she tried to control her growing rage.

"Rather than wasting your time trying to recruit more bases, just join my base."

"You really think your base and the other bases will continue to stand when the real threat which are the monsters continue to grow?" Ivy raised an eyebrow before letting out a scoff.

"There’s no use hiding and protecting ourselves while the larger threat continues to grow. We need to fight the threat before it reaches us. If the enemy destroys everything around us, our own bases will eventually be affected too."

She paused, her expression becoming more serious.

"Instead of removing yourself from the situation, it’s better to fight. Because whether you fight or decide to hide away, if the monsters continue growing stronger, you won’t be safe."

"I’m not interested in fighting any threat." Antelope replied with seriousness etched into his tone. "You should join my base instead. Trust me, you won’t regret it."

But instead of giving him another response, Ivy simply ended the call.

"And who was that?"

Erick’s voice came from behind her.

Ivy turned around to see him approaching with a wide smile on his face.

"The people are really happy about the clothes distribution," Erick added, gesturing toward the crowd.

"It was Antelope. He’s asking me to join his base." Ivy scoffed, shaking her head. "That bastard!"

She took another deep breath before glancing toward the people happily sorting through the clothes.

"And yeah, I’m glad the people are happy."

"Fierce Hunter Base officially joins the Hope Base Alliance."

Erick announced the decision with seriousness etched across his face.

"If other bases are unwilling to join, you know Fierce Hunter will always stand with you. Together, I believe we can fight those monsters and win. We just need proper training."

Ivy couldn’t help but smile warmly at his words. She nodded her head in response, feeling a sense of relief at having another base willingly join the alliance.

Just then...

Ding!

{Congratulations, Host. Alliance membership has increased by one. You now have two bases: Dawn Base and Fierce Hunter Base.}

"Oh, yeah, yeah. Thank you," Ivy muttered under her breath, letting out a heavy sigh. "At least two is still better than none."

Afterward, she began making her way toward the area where the clothes were being distributed, while Elliot and Erick followed closely behind her.

*****

Three days later.

Fierce Hunter Base and Dawn Base, along with Diamond Base and Harmony Base, had all agreed to join the Hope Base Alliance. Those were the only bases Ivy had managed to convince to join her plans so far.

For the past three days, Ivy had continued leading the team as they set traps at carefully chosen locations, deliberately luring monsters toward their ambush points in preparation for the alliance’s first major operation.

"Dig the ground properly. Ten meters deep, please," Erick instructed one of his men from Fierce Hunter Base. "Once you’re done, cover the surface with leaves. There’s no way those monsters will be able to climb out of here."

The soldier immediately nodded and continued digging.

"Don’t forget the rope," Anya called out, directing her attention toward several members of Dawn Base. "Tie it properly around that huge rock on top of the tree."

She pointed toward the large rock they had positioned above the trap.

"Those monsters are strong, and you all know that. Setting all these traps is the best way for us to stay one step ahead of them."

Everyone worked quickly, knowing that they couldn’t afford to waste time.

"I can detect two monsters approaching already."

Erick’s voice suddenly became tense.

"We all know that once we start setting these traps, those monsters will eventually show up."

As he spoke, he pulled out his gun.

The others immediately followed his lead, bringing out their various weapons and preparing themselves for the incoming monsters.

They continued setting up the traps while more monsters gradually began appearing in the surrounding area. Whenever a monster wandered too close before the ambush could be activated, the soldiers immediately attacked and killed it on the spot.

Once everyone had brought out their weapons, they moved into position and hid behind trees and bushes, carefully waiting for the monsters to fall into the traps.

And then....

"Growl!"

The loud growls of the monsters echoed through the area.

The sound grew louder and closer.

Everyone held their breath as they waited.

Then, right before Ivy and the others’ eyes, two monsters suddenly fell into the deep pit they had just finished digging.

"Roar!"

The other two monsters were caught beneath the huge rock as it swung down from above, smashing violently against their heads.

Yet, despite the tremendous impact, the monsters remained standing.

They staggered for a moment, clearly disoriented by the sudden attack.

Before they could figure out what was happening around them or recover from the shock, Ivy raised her hand.

"Now!"

"Bang! Bang!"

Gunfire rang out through the area.

The bullets pierced directly through the monsters’ heads, causing their loud growls to abruptly die away.

Their massive bodies collapsed heavily onto the ground.

For a moment, silence returned to the surrounding area.

Then Erick lowered his gun and glanced toward the others.

"Good. It worked."