Endless Debt Chapter 1118 - 123: Resilience

Oubos, Border Sanatorium.

Bologue stirred from his slumber, drawing back the curtains as the intense sunlight flooded in, not only chasing away his grogginess but also igniting a faint hum of vitality within him.

Palmer, still half-asleep, cast a sleepy glance at Bologue. He pulled the blanket tighter and turned away, seeking to continue his rest away from the sun's glare.

Bologue was quite used to Palmer’s morning demeanor. After all, it was a period of rest, so he allowed his companion to sleep in.

After a light stretch, Bologue departed the room. He had become something of a regular at the Border Sanatorium, it seemed. His stays here felt like a recurring pattern, as if he was fated to awaken in this place periodically.

Yet, the current Border Sanatorium felt surprisingly different from his memories. It was typically a place of profound quietude, with few souls traversing its halls. Now, however, a cacophony of noise and bustling activity filled the air. The sheer din made Bologue momentarily believe he had somehow returned to the Cultivation Room.

Medical staff darted through the corridors, and as Bologue passed doorways left ajar, he could discern the constant echoes of pained groans. A pervasive aroma, a mixture of disinfectant and blood, hung heavy in the atmosphere, a scent that had persisted for days without fading.

To be exact, this very scent had been unavoidable since Bologue’s arrival a week prior.

A full week had now passed since the city was consumed by the ominous gray tide smog. In the aftermath of the intense battle, Fuen had made a dramatic appearance, conjuring a torrential storm that ultimately quelled the rampant, mysterious epidemic. Once order was restored, the arduous task of cleanup and recovery commenced.

The Logistics Department was operating at full capacity, managing the fallout from the collapse within the Great Rift and orchestrating the rescue of injured personnel. From what Bologue gathered, the incident had claimed the lives of numerous field operatives, with others still listed as missing and unaccounted for…

The grim reality was that most of the missing were presumed dead. Perhaps they had plunged into the abyssal depths of the Sea of Mist, or maybe the mysterious epidemic had consumed them entirely, leaving no trace of flesh behind. The sheer terror of that Extraordinary Disaster was etched indelibly into everyone's memory.

Each individual had their assigned duty.

While the Logistics Department diligently handled the recovery efforts, Bologue found himself being brought into the Border Sanatorium… More accurately, all field operatives involved in the operation were admitted here.

Every survivor bore injuries of varying severity. During his recent wanderings, Bologue frequently encountered familiar faces, all swathed in bandages, connected to IV drips, and in some cases, missing limbs.

According to the casualty lists, a significant number of Condensers and Prayer Believers had perished. Furthermore, two Negative Power Users fell during the fierce conflict… these were specifically two Negative Power Users belonging to Group 10.

Group 10, with its substantial membership and extensive operational scope, possessed a greater aggregate strength than many dedicated action teams. During the outbreak of the mysterious epidemic, they formed a cordon around the outer perimeter of the Great Rift, engaging directly with the remnants of the King’s Secret Sword.

While Bologue and his comrades grappled with threats from Defenders and Seekers of Glory, these represented merely the elite forces within the King’s Secret Sword. A multitude of Negative Power Users and Prayer Believers fought valiantly on the outer fronts, seeking to break through and engage the enemy.

After the sacrifice of two Negative Power Users and a considerable number of Prayer Believers and Condensers, Group 10 succeeded in eradicating the remaining forces of the King’s Secret Sword.

The core of the battlefield was only one small part; beyond it lay a far vaster world where battles raged, unseen by Bologue.

Following the immense war, the Order Bureau experienced a short period of vulnerability. It was anticipated that widespread chaos would erupt, yet the situation remained surprisingly tranquil during this time.

This peace was understandable. Amidst the frenzy of the mysterious epidemic, the King’s Shield Guards, with the exception of Xilin and the absent Third Seat, were virtually annihilated. Even the formidable Fog Abyss Fortress at their station had crumbled.

The King’s Secret Sword also suffered grievous damage under Xilin’s relentless assault, their strength severely crippled. Even if they had harbored intentions to act, their capacity was severely diminished.

In comparison, the Order Bureau sustained relatively fewer damages. By skillfully maneuvering amidst the conflict between the other two factions, the Order Bureau initiated a ruthless purge within the Great Rift, leading to the demise of even the Wandering Crossroad.

The Order Bureau paid a steep, bloody price in this struggle. While they halted the further proliferation of the disaster, they also neutralized latent threats lurking within the Great Rift. The King’s Shield Guards sacrificed nearly their entire force, but in doing so, they secured the return of Xilin. The cost was agonizing, yet undeniably worthwhile.

The King’s Secret Sword appeared to be the sole faction to emerge as a loser, ultimately serving as a stepping stone for Xilin's ascendancy.

Bologue suddenly grasped the true nature of the conflict. What seemed like a chaotic free-for-all was, in essence, a calculated ploy of mutual exploitation between the Order Bureau and the King’s Shield Guards, designed to erode the formidable threat posed by the King’s Secret Sword.