Chapter 39: Three Strikes and You're Out

Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Having led Rogge Camp for fifteen years and maintained its position as the top camp around Redwood Ridge, Luo Ming was naturally shrewd.

Half a month ago, when Yang Ning and Li Hu proposed that he and everyone from the other five camps follow their orders, Luo Ming had already guessed their intentions.

Yang and Li's terrifying descriptions of the Abomination didn't surprise Luo Ming - he'd seen with his own eyes how the creature killed for pleasure and grew stronger with each victim.

But if they claimed they were staying to help out of kindness or shared humanity, Luo Ming would never believe that.

He wasn't that naive.

From their multiple battles, Luo Ming knew fighting the Wood Puppet Abomination carried risks for Yang and Li too. The only reason they'd keep risking their lives to hunt it had to be personal gain.

Luo Ming suspected killing this Abomination must bring significant benefits, otherwise the two wouldn't be so relentless.

Half a month ago, Luo Ming gathered leaders from four neighboring camps. After explaining the situation, all four agreed to cooperate.

Their cooperation wasn't just out of respect for Luo Ming.

Shenju and Iron Peak camps, along with the Great Xia Camp he'd mentioned - three of Redwood Ridge's nine surrounding camps had already fallen to the Abomination.

Though the camps didn't interact much normally, everyone understood the principle of shared peril. With Yang and Li present to potentially eliminate the threat, this was their best chance - they couldn't handle the Abomination alone.

Having fought the creature himself, Luo Ming knew his own strength was insignificant. Yet Yang and Li still wanted him to gather fighters from other camps. He understood their real purpose.

The Wood Puppet Abomination killed for fun and grew stronger through murder. Since these camp fighters were weak, Yang and Li clearly wanted them as bait to lure out the creature.

Reality proved him right.

After gathering all Lumberjack Realm fighters from five camps at Rogge Camp, Yang and Li openly stated their plan.

Though initially hesitant, remembering the Abomination's power, Luo Ming became the first to agree. Shi Qing, having also encountered the creature, agreed second.

The other four camp leaders hesitated but eventually consented after persuasion.

The six camps agreed to each send three Lumberjack Realm fighters as nightly bait at Redwood Ridge to draw out the Abomination.

Luo Ming never doubted Yang and Li's strength - otherwise he wouldn't have worked so hard convincing the other camps.

But the Abomination's power far exceeded his expectations.

Over ten days, they successfully lured it out three times.

Yet all three times, it escaped.

That alone would be bad enough, but each time, bait fighters died.

The Wood Puppet Abomination moved unpredictably, sometimes killing people inexplicably. Most horrifically, it could soon control its victims' corpses, disguising them as living people who'd then ambush others - completely unavoidable.

Many victims died with looks of utter disbelief.

Seven died the first time, nine the second, seven the third.

This fourth attempt claimed six - the lowest toll yet.

Twenty-nine Lumberjack Realm fighters lost - equivalent to two small camps' entire strength.

Rogge Camp itself only had forty-seven such fighters total.

Of the twenty-nine dead:

Rogge Camp lost most with seven; Huangzhao Camp four; Chenye Camp five; Lushang Camp four; Dachuan Camp six.

Boulder Camp suffered worst.

Already reduced to five after the Great Xia incident, they lost three more as bait.

Now only brothers Shi Qing and Shi Dong remained.

Even if they killed this Abomination, Boulder Camp couldn't recover. The two brothers alone couldn't sustain three hundred people.

Worst of all, all these deaths hadn't killed the Abomination.

Even Luo Ming began doubting Yang and Li's capabilities and methods.

"I know you're all upset - Rogge Camp has suffered too," Luo Ming consoled. "But please endure. You've seen that creature's power. If these lords leave, none of our camps will survive!"

Before Shi Qing could speak, Dachuan Camp's leader Hong Gang interjected gruffly, angered by his six losses:

"Let's be frank, Leader Luo. I respect their strength, but reality shows the Abomination's stronger. Three failed attempts - this'll be no different. Rather than sending brothers to die, we should enjoy what peace remains. Continue this, and we'll all perish before the Abomination does!"

Huangzhao Camp's Huang Yong added: "We don't blame you or those lords. But facts are clear - if this fails, we must leave. After half a month away, our camps' food runs low. We can't let people starve."

The other two leaders' expressions showed agreement.

Shi Qing finally spoke: "I'll be brief. Your camps still have foundations. Boulder Camp can't continue. Losing either brother would doom our three hundred people. Regardless of tonight's outcome, we're leaving."

As Luo Ming anxiously prepared further persuasion, Yang Ning and Li Hu arrived.

"That beast escaped again," Yang said, "but this time we took its arm. Next time we'll finish it."

"Don't get careless," Li warned. "Haven't you noticed? It's growing stronger!"

Hearing this, all six leaders and their men displayed fresh disappointment.

After the first escape, despite casualties, they'd felt encouraged, believing victory near.

The second escape brought unease as deaths mounted - losing close comrades inevitably hurt.

By the third failure, serious doubts emerged about Yang and Li's ability to kill the Abomination.

Three strikes was enough. Now at the fourth attempt, disappointment showed openly - though none dared show disrespect.

As Luo Ming considered asking Yang Ning for reassurances to calm the men, and the other leaders contemplated announcing their departure, Yang and Li noticed the unusual atmosphere.

The lingering disappointment on everyone's faces told them everything.

Li Hu's expression darkened with anger as he stepped forward.