Chapter 269 - 223: Basement

Chapter 269: Chapter 223: Basement

"Looks like this is where the treasure is hidden." Leo inspected the lock on the door. "We’re going to need tools to open it."

The team’s tech expert stepped forward and took out a set of lock-picking tools. After some effort, the lock finally clicked open. As the heavy door swung open, a gust of stale air rushed out.

"It’s probably dangerous inside. Everyone, be careful," Zhou Mei warned.

They switched on their lights, illuminating the dim basement. It was filled with all sorts of ancient chests and containers—this was clearly the treasure they had been looking for.

"Quick, let’s get this treasure back," Leo ordered, and the team began moving the haul.

Just as they were busy working, the basement suddenly began to shake. It seemed the remnants of the raiders were trying to destroy the treasure.

"We’re out of time! We need to hurry!" Zhou Mei urged anxiously.

The team members picked up their pace, quickly hauling the treasure to the surface. Just after the last piece was brought out, the entire basement suddenly collapsed, sending up a cloud of dust.

"That was close!" Leo dusted himself off. "We did it. Now let’s get this treasure back to the shelter."

They set off with the treasure, beginning their journey home. Although they encountered more difficulties along the way, they ultimately overcame every obstacle with their combined strength and wits, returning safely to the shelter with the treasure in tow.

When Zhou Mei and Leo led the team back to the shelter, they were greeted with a hero’s welcome. Their success not only brought precious resources to the shelter but also gave its residents hope and confidence.

Bena stood at the head of the conference room, a detailed map of the area surrounding the shelter spread across the table before him. His sharp gaze swept over the team members seated around the table. Each one was an elite, hand-picked for their diverse skills and experience.

"We’re facing a group of unidentified invaders," Bena said, his voice low and powerful. "They might be after our resources, or they might just be here to cause destruction. Our mission is to ensure the shelter’s safety. There is no room for error."

"We’ve analyzed their likely routes of approach and tactics." Bena pointed to several markings on the map. "We will set up defenses here, here, and here. We’ll use our familiarity with the terrain to set up traps and ambush points."

"Captain, do we have any solid intel on their strength?" a team member asked.

"Our intel is limited, but one thing is certain: they aren’t your average raiders," Bena replied. "They’re organized and well-equipped. We must be prepared for a serious fight."

"So what’s the plan, Bena?" another team member asked.

"We’ll split into three teams," Bena began, assigning roles. "The first team will be responsible for the eastern defenses. The second team will take the west. I will lead the third team as a rapid response unit, ready to provide support at a moment’s notice."

"Our fortifications need to be reinforced," Bena continued. "Use the shelter’s existing resources to build roadblocks, barricades, and traps. We also need to set up sentry posts to ensure we can detect enemy movements in time."

"Captain, what if there are too many of them?" someone asked.

"Our advantage lies in our knowledge of the terrain and our defensive fortifications," Bena answered. "Even if they outnumber us, we will make them understand that this is our home turf. We won’t let them succeed easily."

After assigning the tasks, Bena once again stressed the importance of the mission and encouraged everyone to give it their all.

"I know this won’t be an easy road, but our unity and our wits will be our greatest weapons. Let’s face this challenge together—for the future of the shelter, and for the future of us all."

The conference room erupted in fervent applause, everyone inspired by Bena’s words.

Afterward, the teams began their tense preparations. They dug deep pits in the wasteland, lining them with sharp spikes, and set up sniper nests in high positions. The fortifications were also being feverishly reinforced; the walls were strengthened, and multiple obstacles were set up at the entrance.

Bena’s rapid response team trained intensely as well. They practiced assembling quickly and learned how to rapidly locate and engage targets in the dark. A single belief was drilled into every member: protect our home, never retreat.

A few days later, on a moonless night, the invaders’ force quietly approached the shelter. They split into several small groups, attempting to infiltrate silently. However, the moment they stepped into the pre-set trap zone, the alarms went off.

"Go!" Bena gave the order from the command room, his voice crackling over the radio to every Guardian.

Instantly, the shelter’s defense systems fully activated. Traps were sprung, and spikes in the deep pits impaled the invaders’ bodies. Snipers from the high ground opened fire, their bullets streaking across the night sky on deadly trajectories.

The rapid response team also deployed swiftly, weapons in hand, charging toward the invaders. The invading force was caught completely off guard, their formation instantly dissolving into chaos.

Some of the invaders tried to fight back, but they were quickly suppressed by precise gunfire and swift assaults. Bena’s team moved like ghosts in the night, silently reaping the enemy’s lives.

After a fierce, night-long battle, the invading force was utterly crushed. Their bodies were scattered across the wasteland, becoming nutrients for the soil.

The residents of the shelter were exhausted, but their eyes shone with the light of victory. Bena walked out of the command room and stood on high, gazing out at the scene.