Dungeon Raider System-Chapter 516: Join the army Part 2

It was early in the evening when Tate's team reached the military camp, though because of the absence of a sun it was impossible to tell the passing of time and the only thing they had to go by was the progress in the construction of their shelters. Upon seeing the newly built hogans, Tate thought that maye they spent more time than they should have inside the dungeon.

Instead of the shabby cottages, they were greeted by the sight of uniformly placed hogans in such numbers that the only reasonable explanation was that at least a full day passed, though in reality it was because of how cheap and efficient they were compared to their previous shelters.

There were also water reservoirs and they were even starting to plow the soil like Uriel suggested to create a small farm.

Uriel scanned his surroundings trying to find Lieutenant Ridge, though Sergeant Tate didn't allow it.

"Before letting you join us, you'll have to atone for your previous actions." He said as he placed a sign on Uriel's chest that read 'traitor'. It was intended to humiliate him, but it didn't bother him nearly as much as the system notice that popped up shortly after.

[System notice] New title acquired: traitor.

Being branded a traitor by someone he assumed to be a corrupt soldier was one thing, but the system doing the same thing rubbed Uriel the wrong way and he couldn't help but grumble.

"Don't worry Sage, they've done the same thing to all the new recruits that didn't jump on the offer ot join the army. They'll just parade you around the island for a while and then you'll be one of us." Amy tried to ease his worries, though it had the complete opposite effect.

"What do you mean 'just parade me around'? This is unacceptable! I didn't agree to this."

"What are you complaining about? Perhaps you want a reminder of the reason why you're joining on the first place." Tate made a grin that was supposed to be threatening, though it came off as pitiful.

Under the light of the dungeon ceiling, Uriel was now able to see the soldiers that made him prisoner. Each of them was pale and famished, their emaciated faces showing dark bags under their eyes to the point where they barely passed as human. Needless to say, it was the effect of the many sleepless nights and the few rations they consumed in the past few days.

Times were rough for everyone, but they were even harder for those who like the soldiers, couldn't afford to even rest properly. At that moment, Uriel made up his mind and decided to see how things developed, but not before taking off Jon's Fedora and giving it to Amy for safekeeping.

Uriel and the other hunter who initially rejected the 'offer' to join the army were forced to walk around the army camp with the board that branded them as traitors. It was intended to humiliate them both, though breaking Uriel's spirit wasn't as easy.

Instead of embarrassed, Uriel actually appreciated the chance to take a stroll through the camp and started making mental notes about everything he saw.

From time to time, the soldiers tried to push the two unruly hunters, though Uriel was in way better physical condition than the corporals and he had to pretend being pushed around.

"Keep walking,criminal!" The corporal shouted as he gave Uriel a nudge.

"Yes, sir." Uriel replied and continued on his 'atonement' walk which allowed to understand the army's situation as though it was an informative tour instead of a form of punishment.

He noticed that the army had taken over two islands. The first one was the island directly connected to the entrance through a bridge, it was the only way in and out to the first world which allowed the army to controll the flow of people and hunters. It was very convenient, but keeping it secure was impossible since so many people would use it.

The second island, though, was at a higher altitude and it was more easy to defend. It was probably the place where they kept all the weapons and rations, and it was likely that it worked as their headquarters. Uriel raked up is brain trying to make sense of Tate's actions to find out whether or not he was corrupt, but not long after the answer came to him in a form he wasn't expecting.

"Tate, what have you done?" Asked a woman wearing a colonel's uniform. Her appearance was that of a stern soldier, showing the discipline only veteran soldiers could. She looked tough, dangerous even, though Uriel could have sworn he knew her, but at the same time he was having a hard time recognizing her face.

"Colonel, I'm following the general's orders." Tate replied, but the colonel ignored him altogether and proceeded to rip the 'traitor' sign off of Uriel's chest.

"Of all the dangerous people you could have stumbled upon, I think you hit the jackpot. You're lucky he didn't decide to fight you or else your head would have divorced the rest of your body." The woman continued speaking to Tate, though Uriel didn't mind it as he was still attempting to remember where did he met her before.

"It doesn't matter now, we're in a military zone and you can help me contain him if he becomes violent again..." Tate attempted to rebuke, but the woman cut him short.

"Contain him? Me!? You're deranged, he can give the general a run for her money!"

"I think you're mistaking him with someone else, he's just an evolved." Tate replied, hesitating to release Uriel knowing that if he truly was as dangerous as the colonel said, he as about to face a world of pain.

"Lieutenant Sage, let me apologize on behalf of the army. Please accompany me to the headquarters and for a proper compensation." The woman said in a humble tone of voice.

"Can my friend come with?" Uriel said as he effortlessly released himself from the strains leaving Tate completely stupefied as it was a feat only an ascended could perform.

Amy was shook by Uriel's statement, not just because he called her a friend but also because he wanted her to come with. To her, even Tate was a threat and now Uriel wanted her to walk directly into the maw of the wolf. She wished she could refuse, but she was stunned and her body started walking before she could utter a word.

"Lieutenant, I'm so glad to see you're doing alright. Not that I doubted you'd be fine, it's just that after all the things I saw Im wondering how can humans even live in this world." The colonel spoke casually to Uriel showing familiarity, but recognizing her was truly impossible.

Uriel didn't know many people to begin with, which is why it bothered him so much to meet someone who clearly knew him while he had absolutely no memories about her. He knew it wasn't likely that he met her in college, but his stay in the army was short and mostly in another city.

It wasn't until they entered a newly built hogan that Uriel finally understood who she and what was going on with the army.

"Sage! Just the man I wanted to see!" Cassandra took her eyes from the papers in front of her desk to direct a dazzling smile at Uriel.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"Colonel Sword..." Uriel nodded.

"I'm actually a general now. Many things have changed, but I'm glad to see you're doing fine. As soon as Lieutenant ridge mentioned you I asked Mayhem to fetch you."

"Mayhem? That's Mayhem?" Uriel was so shocked he needed to do a double take. "You're Mayhem!?"

"Now I'm hurt, you trained me yourself and led us through the most dangerous incursion of my life, but you don't even remember my name."

"Your name I remember, but the rank and your appearance..."

"We've been through a lot..." Mayhem sighed.

The more Tate listened to their conversation, the more he wanted to shrink in his own skin. He not only disrespected a higher ranking official, but judging by how casually he spoke to General Cassandra and the mentor relationship he had with Colonel Mayhem he started realizing how badly he screwed up.

His first instinct was to apologize, but he couldn't muster the courage to even join the conversation.

On the other hand, Amy knew Sword from before since they both lived in the same dorm rooms back in college. It seemed like ages ago, though it hadn't been that long since the last time they met up in the hallways during peaceful times.

"General Sword," Uriel spoke formally to shift the tone of the conversation making both Tate and Amy flinch. "I need to ask you a question. Are you forcefully drafting people into the army? If so, what is the reason behind it?"

"I'm glad you asked, but this is a serious matter that can't be discussed with low ranking officers."

"I see, then I guess I'll have to investigate it on my own." Uriel shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't be silly, I meant them." Cassandra directed a cold glare to Tate and Amy, though Uriel swiftly walked besides his friend.

"I'm actually here on behalf of Amy, she was extorted into joining the army and I'd like to release her from the army."

"Consider it done," Cassandra nodded and then continued speaking. "You can also send me a list of the people who you like to free from their duty, but bear in mind that they'll become your responsibility."

Uriel and Cassandra looked each other in the eye as though they were discussing matters, though in reality each of them was thinking hard on the situation. Uriel figuring what the problem was and Cassandra any possible solution to the problem. After a few moments, it was Uriel the one who broke the silence with a grim statement.

"It's just as I thought, then... You're thinning the population."