Lieutenant Rodriguez swiftly led 15 CQB company personnel, 2 Combat Engineers, and 2 Communications Specialists hike to the top of Rocky Hill. His mission was to block the opposition's communication network.

The Signal Squadron under IDG still didn't grasp how the communication crystal worked. So the blocking operation must be carried out using a direct intervention.

Based on intel from IDG, the target was a rock mound on the highest peak and had barred windows facing the four cardinal directions. Pointman had just found the target when the attack command was launched by Colonel Meyer.

Wasting no time, Lieutenant Rodriguez gave the order, "We're going in."

The security perimeter immediately erected, while one of the pointmen peered into the mound where the communication crystal transmitter was.

"Nobody home," whispered the pointman over the radio.

The two combat engineers then grinned before starting to work. First, they measured the thickness and density of the mound walls. Then calculate the required explosive power and pattern

After that, drilling was started using a 2 mm diameter steel bolt, followed by a larger bolt until a 10 mm diameter hole and 15 cm long was formed. In 80 minutes, 32 holes with a zigzag pattern were created. Then TNT was inserted into each borehole.

TNT was chosen because to destroy a structure from the inside, a low-velocity but heavy explosion was more effective than a high-velocity sharp explosion. Because the impact would last longer inside the wall. So the resulting crack would spread out and widen. This was also the reason why dynamite was used in mining, rock blasting, and building destroying.

The problem was, factory-made TNT was produced in the form of a block and unmoldable like plastic explosive. So, the Combat Engineer Unit had to produced their TNT and shaped it according to the field need. It was not an easy job, considering that TNT was one of the most difficult explosives to mix manually.

Fortunately, the Combat Engineer Unit had a lot of explosive junkies who thought that any challenge in the process of explosive production was a bliss. Therefore, the production of home-made TNT went smoothly.

Bam!

All of the TNT was detonated simultaneously, but the sound was no louder than a single blow to a sandbag, also no vibration or shaking.

A moments later, the cracks in the mound's wall collapsed to form a 2×1 m hole and a pile of gravel beneath.

After the room was secured, the two communications specialists started to work immediately. They carefully examined the communication crystal transmitter in the center of the room.

There were four communication crystal transmitters, shaped like spotlights, 40 cm in diameter, and each facing a window. After examining the transmitter holder that penetrated the floor, the two communication specialists immediately concluded.

"The communication room is below this room."

"Bingo."

Pointman confirmed the communications specialist's deduction by pointing to the iron hatch he was guarding.

The two combat engineers then checked the structure and thickness of the iron hatch. After making a short calculation, they then turned to Lieutenant Rodriguez.

""Very sturdy, but we could blow it up even though it would be very loud.""

Lieutenant Rodriguez instantly frowned. "A large entry point is ideal. But we're not out in the open. We shouldn't attract attention either."

One of the communications specialists immediately added, "We should also bring the entire communication crystal system home as intact as possible."

The sparkling in the two combat engineers' gazes dimmed, then in a low voice the two said, ""We will use cold breach then.""

Within 2 minutes, the two combat engineers managed to trick the lock on the iron hatch. Two team members then prepared to open the hatch, while the two pointmen and four team members prepared to enter.

"Ready."

"Set."

"Go."

As soon as the iron hatch was opened, the first pointman immediately aimed his silenced Glock 19 to every corner of his view. Surprisingly, there was not a single movement or sound from within the room. But he smelled blood and some burning.

Without delay, the first pointman jumped down and he found three bodies lying on the floor, in a pool of blood. Meanwhile, a pile of scrolls was being devoured by the fire in the hearth.

"Cover me."

The first pointman immediately ran to the hearth to save the scroll that had not been devoured by the fire. While the second pointman who had just set foot in the room swiftly protected him.

- - - - -

Major Jansen carefully observed the 3x2 meter hole in the blocking wall. Destroying the concrete on the blocking wall is not difficult. The problem was, inside the blocking wall there was an iron frame made of iron bars with a diameter of 2 cm.

"How long will it take to cut this iron frame?"

Combat engineer Phillips immediately replied, "It will take time, but we're doing our best."

"Good."

Under Combat Engineer Phillips' direction, the process of cutting the iron frame then began. At the same time, Major Jansen received a radio call.

[High Raider, Main Raider, do you read me?]

"Main Reader, High Raider, loud and clear, go ahead."

[We secured the communication crystal room and some documents. Three communication crystal operators were already dead when we entered.]

"Good, stand by and be vigilant for now. We still haven't crossed the first blocking wall."

[Received and understood, High Raider, out.]

- - - - -

East Raider was the first team to arrive at the special tunnel which was connected to the center of the gold mine, and as expected, once the guards in the special tunnel were cornered, the blocking wall was lowered.

The blocking wall was then knocked down with TNT, while the iron frame inside of it was cut by heating it using welding, then sprayed with freezing liquid, and finally hit with a hammer.

When the last blocking wall was ready to be torn down, Sergeant Adams reported to Camp Terry. Ten minutes later, he heard Colonel Meyer launch the attack order.

"We have green, get in your position."

Swiftly, the East Raider personnel dispersed and took a prone position. After the combat engineer signaled that the detonator was ready, the carbide lamps were immediately turned off.

Bam!

The concrete on the blocking wall immediately collapsed, and a row of huge shields appeared.

- - - - -

As soon as all of the blocking walls lowered and blocked the special tunnel, Centurion Mutt immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though the fire arrows used by the demons in black clothes were able to penetrate the huge shield, he was sure that the fire arrows couldn't penetrate the blocking wall.

Of course, Centurion Mutt still ordered his remaining men to set up a defensive perimeter around the last blocking wall.

With a pounding heart, Centurion Mutt then waited. However, an hour later the last blocking wall still stood still. So he began to relax

Then, without warning, the center of the last blocking wall suddenly collapsed and formed a 3x2 meter hole.

'Bastard!'

Centurion Mutt's heart stopped beating for a moment. He realized that there was still an iron frame to hold the demons in black clothes. However, if the demons in black clothes could reach the last blocking wall, then the iron frame was not enough to hold them.

"Don't be afraid! Archer, release the salvo while they're held by the iron frame."

After strengthening his resolve, Centurion Mutt loudly gave the order, and the archer squad immediately responded. But before the first salvo of arrows was released, flash after flash appeared from the dark tunnel behind the last blocking wall.

A moment later, Centurion Mutt and all of his men had collapsed, lying on top of their pool of blood.

*****