Moore and his Air Assault team loaded all the loot they had collected from the encampment into the pickup truck. They gathered everything from clothing to weapons, with the hope that these resources would bolster the budget available for Bell's team to manage the outpost. Meanwhile, Lukas was already on the scene with another pickup truck, a more economical choice compared to the JLTV that Lisa had requested. Lisa and the settlers were en route to the outpost as they spoke.

"Not bad, Bell, not bad at all," Lukas remarked, his eyes surveying the now decimated encampment.

Bell replied, looking at the lifeless bodies on the ground, "What can I say? They fuck around, and they find out."

Lukas inquired about the children, "What about the kids?"

Bell assured him, "They'll be reunited with their parents as soon as they arrive at the outpost."

The children were being examined by an Air Assault medic, checking for any signs of assault and ensuring they were free of any dangerous items. However, a comprehensive medical check-up would take place later at the newly upgraded outpost. Lukas informed Bell that he and Amelia were anticipating a significant influx of refugees, so they had expanded the facilities to accommodate them.

"You really need to see it, Bell," Lukas said with a smile. "We've established quite the setup. There's a medical tent, a comfortable sleeping area, an armory, restrooms, a command center, and the best part – a fully equipped kitchen."

Bell chuckled, genuinely surprised. "I never imagined you'd be more excited about the kitchen than the command tent." He pondered Lukas's background in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), wondering why culinary amenities took precedence. Then again, Bell considered, maybe Lukas was simply trying to infuse a bit of warmth into their otherwise chilly situation.

Shifting the conversation, Lukas inquired, "So, Bell, what's the situation with the southern coalitions? The information I've received is rather vague, especially regarding our adversaries, aside from the undead."

Bell gazed into the distance, his expression serious. "The southern coalitions," he began, "are a complex network of human-controlled kingdoms, republics, and empires. Their unity isn't solely based on geography; it's deeply rooted in an ideology of human and magical supremacy. It's a harsh reality, but it's the truth."

"Tell me more," Lukas encouraged.

Bell paused, carefully choosing his words. "Their main goal is chillingly clear: the total eradication of demonkind. To them, we're relics of a dark past, a threat to their order. This isn't just a military conflict; it's an ideological war, driven by a longstanding fear and animosity that goes back further than my own existence."

Lukas listened intently, his expression growing increasingly solemn. "What lies at the core of this ideology?"

Bell's gaze held the weight of centuries. "Around five centuries ago, our ancestors did indeed enslave humans. Our dominance was absolute, bolstered by our formidable strength and magical abilities. It was a dark era marked by our unquestioned rule over humankind."

Lukas grasped the inherent power of demon magic, a natural order that had once placed demons at the zenith of control. This hierarchy had allowed some of their supremacist forebears to assert dominance over less powerful races. "Yes, history..." he acknowledged.

Bell pressed on, his voice laden with the gravity of the past. "However, time and magic are ever-evolving forces. Humans made significant strides in magical warfare. They adapted, learned, and eventually, they overthrew our imperial reign. That epoch came to an end, but its remnants left a profound scar on human memory."

Bell offered a chilling detail that underscored the depth of historical animosity. "The stories of demons conducting sacrificial rituals with living humans are etched into their collective memory. This is why the southern coalitions view us as an existential threat. And in the grand scheme of things, their fear is not entirely unfounded."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"And so, they bombarded you all with magical and biological weapons?" Lukas sought clarification.

"Exactly. That's pretty much the gist of it," Bell confirmed.

Lukas let out a deep breath, the harsh reality of their situation sinking in. "So, what's our strategy against such overwhelming odds? We'll run out of bullets before they run out of husks, and the disease could spell doom for the demons."

Bell's gaze shifted to the children, his empathy for their plight evident. "Our top priority is the protection of our people. We'll fortify our positions, create safe havens against the cold, and provide training to enable them to defend themselves against the undead. The idea of repopulating areas beyond the northern plain is nearly impossible, primarily due to the husk populations."

Lukas added, "And the outbreak."

Bell nodded, acknowledging the additional threat. "Yes, the outbreak. We'll need a specialized group to find a cure for this plague. Lisa will draft guidelines to help our people protect themselves from further harm caused by it. You know, the usual three Rs."

Lukas inquired, "And what are those?"

Bell explained, "Regroup, rearm, and reclaim."

With the loot fully loaded into the weathered pickup truck, the group prepared to depart. Bell took his place in the front passenger seat, with Lukas behind the wheel. The children occupied the double cabins, accompanied by the six soldiers who had come to their rescue earlier.

Bell couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in how those six men had swiftly dismantled the human encampment. He mused that they could take an entire fortress by lunchtime and be back at the base before dinner. Such was the sheer power of those individuals.

"I have to admit, summoning the 120th was a wise decision, Bell," Lukas remarked.

Bell nodded but also pointed out, "Yes, but they come with a hefty price tag."

Lukas offered a perspective, "Quality can often be a quantity in itself, wouldn't you agree?"

Bell agreed with a simple "True."

Lukas noticed the significant reduction in their budget and inquired, "Sir, what did you purchase with Lisa? I noticed that more than half of our balance is gone."

Bell disclosed, "I acquired a JLTV with a remote weapon station."

Lukas couldn't help but remark, "Those ladies and their expensive toys, and here we are with a used Toyota Hilux from the 1990s. Perhaps they have their reasons, but I'm not entirely convinced myself."

Thirty minutes passed during the journey, and Bell still hadn't spotted any sign of Lisa and her group. They seemed to be quite a distance from the outpost. However, what truly captivated his attention was the newly constructed road leading into the heart of the forest, where several trees had been felled to create a pathway.

At the entrance to this new road, two soldiers stood guard, each armed with a formidable machine gun. Their stern readiness to eliminate anyone approaching the encampment without proper authorization was evident. As they ventured deeper, Bell couldn't help but be increasingly astonished by the transformation brought about by a mere 80,000 EP entrusted to Moore.

Lukas hadn't exaggerated when he mentioned the extensive upgrades. Upon arriving at the camp, Bell took in the remarkable changes. The medical tent stood prominently, well-equipped to address injuries and illnesses, an absolute necessity in the unforgiving wilderness. Adjacent to it, the sleeping area featured rows of comfortable cots and warm blankets, thoughtfully arranged to provide a sanctuary for those in need of rest. The attention to comfort in such harsh conditions spoke volumes about the thoughtfulness put into the camp's design.

An armory tent was stocked with essential weapons, signifying their preparedness for defense. The command center, located in the midst of it all, buzzed with activity, serving as the operational core for coordinating the outpost's efforts. And the kitchen, as Lukas had emphasized, wasn't just a place for food preparation; it was a communal tent, furnished with chairs and tables, offering warmth and a sense of normalcy amid the surrounding chaos.

Throughout the camp, people worked diligently, each contributing to the survival and functionality of the outpost. It was a practical setup, born of necessity and the harsh reality of their situation. Bell stepped out of the truck, taking in the sight of the outpost. All and all, it was impressive.

"This is far better than what I expect," Bell praised.

"We also provided extra sleeping area for the refugee," Lukas pointed his hand at another tent erected, with a shape similar to that of a house, but it lacked the cot for sleeping and only had two wood stoves for warming purposes. However, there was still decent flooring to make sure that the tent stayed warm.

[After Action Reports: 30 Ice Mephits Killed]

[210,000 EP Rewarded, 2,100 EXP Rewarded]

[Level Up To Level 8]

"All units, this is Lisa. We're under heavy attack by suicide bombers with ice explosives. Immediate medical support needed. ALCON, acknowledge, over."

"Sergeant Moore responding to ALCON. QRF is being mobilized. Please provide your exact grid for rapid deployment, over."

"Our grid coordinates are NE-155962, over."

"Copy, Lisa. QRF is on the way. Hold your position. Moore out."