Chapter 90: Why am I so unlucky (Part 7)

With their resolve set, Carter and the others followed the faint tracks on the ground.
The noble squad moved cautiously—they only needed to identify the culprits, not fight them.
Confirming their identity and leaving would be ideal.

I stuck close to Katherine, my mind racing with plans for how to escape if things went south.
Of course, I hoped it wouldn’t come to that—who’d want to flee in this wilderness?

I thought to myself, but soon, faint noises came from ahead.
Carter and the others exchanged glances, sensing they’d found their target.
They were right.

As we crept closer through the forest, we peered out and saw groups of mercenaries loading supplies onto trucks!
“…That’s… the Thunderlash Mercenary Corps!”

In an instant, I recognized them—a group I’d had some dealings with.
“…Mengmeng, you know these mercenaries?”

Katherine, noticing my expression change, lowered her voice and asked.
“Those guys… they’re the Thunderlash Mercenary Corps, the strongest mercenary group in Blackshine City, with three golden-rank fighters!”

My face darkened as I whispered back.
“If it’s them, it all adds up,” Katherine said grimly.

“What’s going on?” Emil asked, his expression heavy.
“You know something?”
“Just a hunch.”

I paused, then continued, “As the top mercenary corps, it’s not surprising they’d know about Blackshine City’s defenses. When people started disappearing in droves and other mercenary groups took losses, Thunderlash seemed untouched. Now they’re here, hauling supplies… There’s only one answer.”

“They’re the ones who sold out Blackshine City’s defense plans! And now, they’re looting military supplies in the chaos!”
I glared at the Thunderlash mercenaries, anger surging at their actions.

This was betrayal! Countless residents and soldiers around Blackshine City would die because of their treachery!
I despised betrayal above all else—especially treason!

I had no attachment to the so-called human empire, but what was happening made me sick with rage.
Still, I quickly calmed myself.

They were a powerful mercenary corps with three golden-rank fighters, and the two to three hundred mercenaries here were likely just a fifth of their total force.
We were only six people—no matter how strong, we’d be swallowed whole by them.

“Now… we’ve confirmed their identity. Can we leave?”
I took a few deep breaths, blinking at Carter and the others to urge them.

“…Alright, let’s get out of here.”
Carter nodded, preparing to retreat quietly—but at that moment, a chill ran through me again.

“Get down!”
Katherine reacted swiftly, tackling me behind a large tree.
The other four squad members did the same.

A barrage of gunfire erupted!
Several bullets hit where we’d just been, but most of the attack targeted the Thunderlash mercenaries, who were busy gathering supplies.

In an instant, dozens of unprotected mercenaries, not wearing armor for easier work, were gunned down.
But those on guard used their sturdy armor to block the sudden firearms assault.

“Blood for the Blood God, skulls for the Skull Throne! Praise Khorne, praise our Lord!”
That chillingly familiar chant, raising goosebumps, rang out.
I knew we were in deep trouble.

Maybe Thunderlash had struck a deal with the aliens, but to dark elves, everything was a sacrifice to Khorne—they didn’t care about any agreements their leaders made.
Several squads of frenzied dark elves burst from the forest.
Despite the mercenaries’ numbers, after the initial gunfire, the dark elves drew bows, firing volleys of piercing arrows.
Dozens more Thunderlash mercenaries were struck through the throat, dropping dead.

Even fallen, every dark elf retained the elves’ innate talent—nearly all were exceptional marksmen, with firearms or bows alike!
In moments, the Thunderlash mercenaries were caught off guard by the ambush, dozens dying instantly—but we were under attack too.

I lay flat on the ground, clutching my head, trembling as arrows whistled through the air, thudding into the tree in front of me.
…Why am I so d*mn unlucky?