"So, are we clear? Don't lie and tell me if there's a part of the operation you don't understand." Ascalon asked in a heavy tone, his stern eyes scanning over the pillars of his little Damnedling Army.

Only a few months had passed since he became the leader, and in those few months, he had learned and experienced a lot of things, far more than what he would've had he not been stuck in Limbo, although more through pain and suffering than through his few meagre accomplishments.

He had lost quite a number of people.

Ascalon, as the captain of their little force, naturally got devoured by his guilty conscience and the pain of failure due to incompetence more times than the number of fingers on one's hand.

Some operations even turned out to be a total disaster.

While the loss of a few dozen people seemed small and insignificant, all of them trusted him with their lives, and he, by his standards, failed them.

Every single one of their deaths haunted him to this day.

But one of his learnings and realizations was that this was the fate of a leader, and if he wanted to be true to his promise to a certain someone, he had to learn how to bear this heavy burden.

He had led people to their deaths, and he would probably lead many more, each loss allowing his young heart to grow a little more sturdy, numb, and resilient.

Still, this didn't mean Ascalon wanted to witness more of his comrades lose their lives.

They were all hoping to escape this god-forsaken realm.

While some would inevitably be lost along the way, the young SS-ranker wanted to save as many as he could, even if salvation was far.

Explaining the operation approach over and over again was nothing if it meant preventing the death of even just one more of his dearest comrades.

After all, they've literally been through hell together.

The plan wasn't too complicated, and frankly, one would have to be exceedingly slow not to understand.

"I got it-sah!"

"Easy enough-gar!"

Thrad and Aesyn also nodded.

Of course, being the smart little Veshari that she was, it was easy enough for Lesha to remember everything she needed to do.

Daru, too, despite being new to the army.

"Alright then, dismissed! We shall assemble south of Egress after twelve hours. Daru, come with me."

The meeting wasn't too long.

They only made revisions to their initial plan, after all, and the newcomer savior's task was simple, as well.

He would only have to fight — advance and retreat according to Ascalon's orders — while the others dig a few target graves to increase their numbers and retrieve Nando's head.

They couldn't stay in the Cemetery of the Damned for too long, as, apparently, there was a chance that the Gravewarden would come if they did.

Only death would await them then.

Naturally, Daru grew curious.

He enthusiastically continued asking the SS-ranker about the Gravewarden while following him to wherever he was being taken.

Apparently, the Gravewarden was a strange level 60 Field Boss.

Nando had once mentioned that there was a special method to take it down, but until they found another top-ranker, they'd better not try anything funny, which was a rather sobering warning, considering that "funny" ideas were already forming in Daru's head.

Something along the lines of "a few exchanges before retreating shouldn't be too much of a problem".

The exact knowledge of how to take it down was also in Nando's head, so Daru could only drop the matter for now.

Difficult as it was, he decided to focus on the upcoming battle for now.

He planned to obtain their trust and secure more freedom for himself in the upcoming cemetery raid.

A few dozen minutes later, the two of them arrived at a different shack, one that was guarded by two individuals — one from Aesyn's party and the other from Thrad's.

They gave a casual but respectful salute to Ascalon and smiled at Daru before letting the two in.

Daru scanned the rather shabby interior of the wooden shack, noticing that aside from multiple shelves, there were also crates containing sustenance.

A lot of them.

His brows rose in astonishment, wondering how Egress had gathered so many.

After all, he would only get enough for a few days even if he hunted the whole day, and with the numbers of the Damnedling Army, it was a bit difficult to believe that they had a surplus.

Ascalon noticed his gaze and chuckled.

"Aren't we amazing? Haha, just kidding. We just farmed them. The old man taught us how. It's only possible to grow them in the Reprieve, though."

Daru nodded in acknowledgement, turning to look at the SS-ranker, who was now walking towards one of the shelves.

Ascalon retrieved something and handed it over to Daru.

"Here, this one's yours now. This would allow you to communicate with us outside of the Reprieve."

It was the familiar white ribbon everyone was wearing.

Daru received and wore it immediately.

He was also given enough sustenance for two days before being led to his own, small wooden shack.

This would be where he would stay for probably most of his time here in Limbo.

Daru was rather overwhelmed at how quickly he was accepted into Egress, and now, he was a part of them — one of the many challenging the underworldly rules to make it back to their world.

Lying down at the relatively comfortable cot, he sighed, only realizing how tired he was.

His previous sleep wasn't too restful, after all, since the Accursed Soulcatchers knocked his tree down and he was forced into an immediate fight to defend himself.

Looking back, Daru felt lucky that Egress appeared on time.

His day could've been much rougher.

Closing his eyes, Daru's mind wandered for a while.

The Hidden Reprieve, Egress Haven, the villagers, Nando, the mighty Gravewarden…

Strangely, not a single thought about the Surface fleeted.

He fell asleep a few more minutes later.

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