My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse novel Chapter 574

Only after ensuring that both Zeus and Bell had resolved not to follow her inside did Kisha finally relax. While her concern for their safety was paramount—knowing the poisonous gas could easily claim their lives—she also needed them to guard the perimeter.

Their role was crucial in preventing any external threats or reinforcements from sneaking in and tipping the balance of the battle, a risk that could jeopardize their mission and endanger everyone inside.

She needed to ensure they were fully prepared before moving forward. As much as she wanted to save Sparrow, it was equally vital to guarantee that she, Duke, and Vulture made it out alive.

Saving Sparrow only to lose someone else in the process would be a hollow victory, equally devastating and rendering their mission meaningless.

Her priority was to plan meticulously, equip themselves thoroughly, and establish contingency plans to face whatever dangers lay ahead.

Fortunately, Kisha wasn’t the only one prioritizing caution. Duke shared her mindset, meticulously preparing to ensure they wouldn’t be at a disadvantage once inside.

Like Kisha, he was determined to avoid the devastating outcome of losing one person while saving another. With this shared resolve, Kisha moved forward, her senses sharp and focused.

Duke followed closely, his heightened alertness and defensive posture reflecting his readiness to counter any ambush.

Meanwhile, Vulture maintained vigilance at the rear, safeguarding their flank and ensuring no threats could sneak up on them.

They didn’t forget to fall into formation. Kisha took the lead as the vanguard, relying on 008’s radar-like mapping to navigate the dense fog.

Duke stayed close behind her, practically her shadow, determined not to lose sight of her in the oppressive mist that limited their visibility to barely three feet.

Vulture brought up the rear, wielding his massive hammer with an air of nonchalance. Yet, beneath his calm exterior, he was the most worried and tense of the group.

His impressive defensive abilities gave him some reassurance, allowing him to maintain his composure, but his mind kept drifting to the worst-case scenarios.

Despite his nerves, Vulture focused intently on the mission, pushing aside his fears and anxieties, especially those concerning what might have happened to his good brother.

As soon as Kisha and her team entered the fog, their vision and senses were severely compromised.

It felt as though they had stepped into an endless white void—disorienting and devoid of any tangible landmarks.

Their sense of direction faltered, unable to distinguish right from left, while their physical awareness dulled to the point where they couldn’t feel the environment around them.

The overwhelming blankness made them hyperaware, their instincts kicking into overdrive to compensate for the lack of sensory input.

However, this heightened awareness came at a cost. Remaining in such a state would strain their mental fortitude, leaving them fatigued before they even encountered their enemy.

Kisha couldn’t shake the thought that this was precisely what their enemy intended—to weaken their resolve and sap their energy, making them vulnerable when the confrontation finally came.

Kisha took a shaky breath, placing one foot carefully in front of the other as she scanned the foggy surroundings.

Her heart threatened to race out of control, but a reassuring pat on her back from Duke steadied her.

It was his silent way of saying, "Don’t worry, I’m right behind you." The simple gesture grounded her, pushing back the creeping edges of panic and reminding her that she wasn’t alone.

This enemy was unlike any they’d faced before—dangerous, methodical, and deadly. Kisha’s mind raced as she pieced together possibilities, narrowing the creature’s identity down to a handful of horrifying candidates.

Each scenario confirmed one undeniable truth: they were walking into real danger.

It made Zeus and Bell’s roles in securing the perimeter all the more critical. If reinforcements arrived or something attacked them from behind, they’d be cornered.

Knowing the two were outside watching their backs gave Kisha the strength to push forward, even as uncertainty gnawed at her resolve.

Each step Kisha took felt heavy with dread. The soft crunch of grass beneath her feet and the faint rustle of blades echoed unnaturally in her ears, as though it were the only sound in the entire world.

The oppressive silence wrapped around her, amplifying every movement.

She could barely see more than three feet ahead, the fog reducing everything to indistinct shadows.

A tree would only reveal itself as a dark blur at the edge of her vision, its full shape materializing only when it loomed directly before her.

The eerie delay between seeing and recognizing her surroundings set her nerves on edge, heightening the tension with every step forward.

"This won’t do," Vulture muttered, his frustration bubbling over. "Can’t we do something to drive this fog away? Or does anyone know how long it might last?" His voice, though controlled and barely above a whisper, seemed to echo unnaturally in the oppressive silence.