Chapter 124: We Have Wet Cloth Strips!

In the next instant, the mist from the foggy forest drifted beyond its borders, instantly engulfing the surrounding jungle in a sea of white. The entire landscape seemed veiled in a layer of white sand, creating an eerily transformed atmosphere.

"Ah, my mouth! It burns—it's rotting away!"
"My throat! Why is my throat being corroded?"
"Agh, my nose! Why is it bleeding?"

Suddenly, screams erupted from all directions. Before long, Viper and his men began collapsing one by one. They spewed white foam, convulsing uncontrollably; some bled from their seven orifices, while others writhed in agony. Some lay gasping their last breaths, while others had already perished, a testament to the lethal nature of the mist.

The chaos that had already gripped the group intensified. They felt as though they were facing a terrifying, toxic vapor, sensing a lethal danger that filled them with dread. To them, the mist seemed like a malevolent entity, a poison bent on total destruction.

The men fired their weapons aimlessly into the white haze. Their lack of precision only added to the mounting confusion, and their gunfire did nothing to deter the mist, which continued to roll out on the southeastern breeze, washing over them. One after another, they fell, frothing at the mouth and twitching in agony.

Those who had not yet been reached by the mist fled toward the back of the jungle, terrified of the lethal fog and certain that contact would mean a horrific end.

Watching the carnage outside the forest, Qin Feng felt a chill run down his spine. He was shaken by the sheer potency of the mist; its toxicity was so severe that once inhaled, there was barely time for any treatment.

Thinking of this, Qin Feng felt a surge of relief. Fortunately, they had covered their mouths and noses with damp cloth strips beforehand, preventing them from inhaling the vapor. Otherwise, their fate would be no different from those men.

War Eagle and the others looked at each other, their eyes reflecting that same relief. They turned to Qin Feng with looks of gratitude, struck by how brilliant and unconventional his foresight had been—a solution few would have thought of. They felt certain that following Qin Feng was their best chance at breaking through.

"We have the damp cloths, and the enemy does not," Qin Feng said to the group. "We can maintain our combat effectiveness while they cannot. This is our chance to break out."

"Feng, how do we proceed?" War Eagle asked, sensing the breakthrough was imminent and trusting fully in Qin Feng's leadership.

"It's almost time," Qin Feng replied. He knew that once they broke through, they could reach safety and escape the encirclement. "You see? This toxic mist is crippling the enemy and thinning their ranks. We can use this opportunity to slip away safely."

"We're with you, Feng," War Eagle said.

"Understood. I will lead you out," Qin Feng said, his eyes flashing with sharp resolve.

The enemy, meanwhile, seemed to hold a superstitious dread of nature. Viper, witnessing the scene, panicked; he mistook the mist for some ferocious creature of the forest unleashing its power to destroy everything in its path. He frantically ordered his men to retreat to the sides.

Just then, Red Skull hurried over. "Viper, tell everyone to get down and crawl! It’s just mist—it isn’t that dangerous. Don't let those bastards escape!"

To Red Skull, the lives of these men were expendable. His sole focus was eliminating Qin Feng, and he demanded that they hold their ground to complete the mission.

"Just mist?" Viper retorted, his voice trembling with rage. "Look closely, Red Skull! This is lethal, highly toxic fog. You can send your people to their deaths if you want, but I won't do the same. I have to answer to my superiors when we return."

Viper was furious. He cared little for the mission; his priority was bringing his men home alive to bolster his own power and standing within their organization. He would not let Red Skull ruin that.

"But those men will escape," Red Skull said coldly.

"Listen to me, Red Skull. People are dying, and with this toxic mist and the man-eating ants, this place is a death trap. We have to leave. You are a mercenary we hired; you have no authority to command me. I will not stay here to die."

Viper stood his ground, no longer intimidated by Red Skull. He knew that staying meant certain death.

"Fine," Red Skull conceded, realizing he could not sway Viper. "But as you retreat, you will continue to engage them."

"That, I can do," Viper agreed. He knew they had to leave immediately, but he still had over two thousand men. He figured they could easily eliminate the five of them while they were retreating.