Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking

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Traversing the void wasn't a simple thing. Every single Border Patrol Guardian knew this, and yes, this includes those who haven't gone in there yet.

All life born in the primordial chaos could feel an instinctive repulsion towards the creatures of the void, and if that evokes that kind of reaction already, one could only imagine what they'd feel once they arrive at their home, which is the void itself.

Nobody knows just how vast the void was. Some say that it's endless. Some speculated that it should have limits. Others think that it's unnatural and might be created by some other lifeforms out there attempting to plunder their home.

If there's one thing that everybody could agree on though, it'd be the fact that the void isn't to be underestimated. Even Cosmic Lords will lose their lives if they're not careful out here.

This is why the protocols for void walking were extremely strict, and any form of transgression, small or big, was punishable by field execution. Everybody should follow orders down to a T if they want to get out of here alive.

In truth, this mission was very simple. Just patrol the vicinity and take note of anything you see.

Does that place look weird to you? Does it give you bad vibes for some reason? Write it down.

What? Those bunch of outlines turned into a nonsensical shape? Write it down!

You saw movement? Did you see what it looked like? Describe it and write it down. Oh, you also heard something? Great! Describe it. And write it down!

Any documentation made by the Void Walkers will be analyzed and interpreted by the experienced people back at the camp. Of course, this isn't all the basis for their judgment about the void's activities, but it's no less important than the others.

Those people have learned the hard way not to dismiss even the tiniest clues of the void.

Cedric couldn't speak for anybody else, but in his eyes, the void was simply an enigma. Past the primal fear and disgust, this is what he felt about the void.

Counting the time, Cedric knew that they hadn't even been here for an hour, yet the amount of strange things he had seen was already greater than the things he saw during the past decade of his life.

He saw lines morphing into shapes, solid things turning into nothingness for a brief second before reappearing into another shape on the next, heard harrowing sounds that caused shivers running down his spine, and since arriving here, the constant threat to his existence has never gone away.

And this was just the area near the Scarlet Division Wall. Cedric shudders to think what it's like in the true depths of this place.

As the team moved, they maintained alertness and did their duties, recording everything they saw on the way. The whole team was connected with a rope attached to their suits, making them a single unit functionally. This rope was made from special materials, and it won't be withered by the void.

"Team, we're approaching the first gathering point. Be ready, just in case." The mantis team leader's voice buzzed through their comms.

Everybody perked up after hearing that.

Cedric recalled this information briefly. Gathering points were strategic resource points that were established around these parts. Yes, this sounds incredibly audacious, especially since this was the void, but that doesn't really deter some people.

Moreover, the materials used to create weapons and things that work against the void creatures are harvested from gathering points like this. Cedric's new sword case was an example of this.

According to their route, they'd pass through three resource gathering points along the way. Once on the way to their end route and another on the way back as they retrace their steps to the gates.

But of course, gathering resources from the void wasn't a simple thing...

"Fighters, get ready. I believe we have company." The team leader's voice echoed on their ears again.

In truth, nobody has to be told of this because they had already seen the things he was talking about even before he said. How could they not? They're gigantic!

One was a worm-like creature that stood for about 100 meters. Its body was crawling with tentacles that wriggled disgustingly. It also has a pair of crimson eyes, the only thing that exudes color for a creature born in this colorless world.

The other was a monstrosity. A six-legged creature with extremely long and thin legs with a really fat and spherical body. It was a horrifying creature, one that could induce nightmares even for war veterans. Its body was covered in mouths and eyes. Instead of feet, it has hands attached to those asburdly long and frail-looking legs, which are also covered in bony protrusions and dripping with some sort of substance.

And like the previous creature, the eyes of this one also flared with a crimson light. This was the only indication that they're looking at void creatures instead of the random nonsensical things that exist in the void.

Between these two monstrosities was their first checkpoint, which is the resource gathering point. It was a small patch of clearing with a few signs and fences indicating that it's different from everything else they've seen here.

For some reason, though, the two void creatures were fixated on it. It's like there's something about it that prevents them from looking away at it.

"Observe that behavior." The team leader's voice echoed in their ears through the visors. "The void creatures are driven by instinct most of the time, yes, but sometimes they can display some semblance of intelligence, albeit very weakly and very rarely."

"If you haven't noticed it, the void was always in constant motion and change. Nothing here stays permanently the same, not even its denizens. This is one of the natural truths and laws in this place."

"The resource gathering points were something that had to defy this because we wouldn't be able to locate it otherwise. And that's probably the reason why it catches the attention of void creatures now and then."

"So, what's our move, sir?" one of the group members asked. "Are we engaging or walking past them?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Usually, we'd go for the latter." The team leader replied, "After all, it's not worth it to entagle with them too much and risk delays on our mission."

"However, this particular gathering point had been overflowing with resources for quite some time now."

The team leader's voice had an edge and stress audible on it as he spoke.

"It has been ignored for an entire year, and we could no longer afford to ignore it. So, I'm afraid that we'd have to engage."

"Sir, pardon me, I don't intend to bring down our morale, but...can we even kill those things? Are we equipped for it?"

"We don't really have to kill them," the team leader replied. "We can just chase them away somehow or distract them at the very least while we gather as many materials as we possibly can."

"If we can kill then, that's fantastic. That way, we can empty the whole point and bring back a rich haul. But I wouldn't force it upon you all. Remember, we're just a patrol team. Even if we failed in the end, we still have to try so that the HQ wouldn't punish us."

"Sir, do we have any intel about what those two monstrosities can do?" Cedric asked this one.

"Unfortunately, no." The team leader replied, "I've seen the worm-shaped creature before though, but I never personally saw it in action. As for the other one, I'm just as clueless as you all."

Cedric pursed his lips. He's disappointed but not really surprised. Like he said, the void was always in constant motion and change. Nothing stays the same here, so it was quite possible for many iterations of void creatures to appear. Even the database of the camp couldn't possibly compete with the ever-changing concept present in the void.

"I have puppets we can use to attract their attention." Somebody offered.

"Same, I have one as well."

"I have tools that can make a noise; maybe we can attach them to the puppets to make it more believable."

"Focus on controlling them, then. The puppets will be useless if it withers before it even goes far."

"I know. That's why I need your help. Also, if we have a tool that can minimize our presence even further aside from the void suits, that'd be great."

"I got that covered." The team leader spoke, "Focus on the distractions."

Cedric didn't have anything to add. He saw that the puppet was new and made from decent materials, so his expertise wasn't needed. He chose to remain silent and observed as the team devised a plan.

After a few minutes, they decided to make the move. Now, the team was hiding undercover as the puppet unceremoniously waltzed closer to the monstrosities. Once it entered the area near them, the attention of the monstrosities shifted to the puppet, and Cedric immediately felt a chill on his soul.

No, it's not because the puppet was destroyed immediately. It was okay and was already doing it's job. What truly surprised him was what he heard from the Void Creatures.

'Chase! Chase! Chase!'

'Fun! Kill! Perish!'