Chapter 053: Encirclement and Suppression

When Wu Fan saw the dense horde of ratfolk crowding the riverbank, he was utterly stunned. The path ahead was blocked, enemy forces pressed from behind, and of the more than two thousand warriors he had led, only about fourteen hundred remained. At this moment, even Wu Fan himself found it hard to maintain composure, let alone the soldiers under his command. The oppressive atmosphere grew heavier, with fear and unease permeating the entire warband.

The Black Banner Army, together with Viktor’s reservists, swiftly formed a massive encirclement. Four thousand ratfolk surrounded the fifteen hundred human warriors, maintaining maximum firing range, awaiting only Yang Jie’s order to launch an all-out assault.

Yang Jie emerged from the ranks of ratfolk, his expression cold as he addressed the human soldiers before him:

“Listen, humans across the way!”

“If you lay down your arms, I will let you leave unharmed!”

The human warriors did not respond. They wanted to survive, but none trusted the words of these rodents.

“What a joke!”

“A pack of rats!”

“As long as we stand together, the outcome is not yet decided. Don’t be fooled by their honeyed words. It’s a fight to the death!”

“To the death!”

Wu Fan shot back without hesitation; surrender for mercy was nothing but a lie. As a player, he knew well that killing enemy tribesmen not only granted points and achievements but also additional experience.

Points could be exchanged for various rare items in the item shop once the Bronze Age began. Achievements were equally significant—such as earning the “Hundred-Kill” achievement by slaying a hundred foes in a siege, which unlocked all sorts of rewards.

Military achievements provided merit points, which were far more valuable than technology points, and increasingly scarce as time went on, obtainable only through killing enemies. While technology points could be acquired in many ways, merit points came solely from battle.

Merit points could be used to upgrade the war banner, granting bonuses to the entire unit. As for experience, it was a crucial hidden attribute that, though invisible on any system panel, could subtly enhance overall combat strength.

Thus, in “Tower Defense and Civilization,” there was no place for humanitarian ideals or prisoners; all were simply converted into experience on the spot.

At that moment, a retainer beside Wu Fan pointed toward the Tamm River bank and called out, “Chief, look over there!”

Following the direction indicated, Wu Fan saw the warships moored along the Tamm River.

“Those are our former warships. I can see them!” Wu Fan’s tone was helpless, having hoped his subordinate might offer a better idea.

“Chief, have you noticed something odd about the number of warships...?”

This prompt immediately sparked a realization in Wu Fan. He had been so focused on escaping the encirclement that he hadn’t paid attention to the number of ships. Now, with a closer look, he saw that three ships were missing. Aside from the three previously sent to aid allied guild members, nine remained, meaning three ships had vanished into thin air.

The only possibility was that the missing ships had returned upstream. So, if they could reach the fleet upstream, there was still hope of returning to the Parando Plateau.

This thought shone like a beacon across a dark sea, guiding Wu Fan and restoring clarity to his turbulent mind.

While Wu Fan was wracking his brains for a way to break through, Yang Jie was also pondering how best to attack. The main force of the enemy was still intact; a direct assault risked a desperate, mutually destructive clash—an outcome Yang Jie was unwilling to accept. With the enemy already surrounded, he could afford to take his time.

Just then, One-Eye, standing before Yang Jie, turned to report, “Chief! They’re on the move. Looks like they’re trying to break out to the north.”

“Have the northern troops open a path and let them through…” Yang Jie replied without hesitation, “But don’t make the gap too wide...”

“Chief, are you sure about this?”

“Why are you all so anxious? I haven’t finished speaking!” Yang Jie clicked his tongue, revealing two yellow, gleaming rat teeth as he continued, “Concentrate the troops on both flanks, let the vanguard slip through, and crush those trailing behind. If the vanguard turns to counterattack, we’re not afraid—we’ll split their formation and devour them bit by bit.”

With that, Yang Jie chopped the air with a blade-like hand.

“Understood!” One-Eye saluted hurriedly and led his men north.

At the center of the human contingent, keeping a safe distance from the ratfolk, Wu Fan reviewed his calculations and summoned his officers.

“Prepare yourselves—we’ll break out to the north. Elite troops will cover the rear; wounded go first.”

“Chief, what about you?”

“Don’t worry about me. My personal guard and I will cover your retreat. Head north along the Tamm River. The three ships that escaped earlier can’t have gone far.”

“I also believe they won’t risk a direct confrontation. In their shoes, I’d keep close behind our main force, wearing us down along the way.”

“Exactly! This is their territory and we don’t know the terrain. We must stick together.”

“General Charles, I appoint you as commander of this operation. Preserve as much of our fighting strength as possible!”

Charles, his face covered in a thick beard, nodded heavily.

“Rest assured, Chief. I will not fail you!”

He rose and embraced Wu Fan tightly. Wu Fan was not only their chief but a brother-in-arms through countless battles.

These warriors were among Wu Fan’s earliest followers, having fought alongside him in dozens of battles on the Parando Highlands. Who could have foreseen disaster on the Northson Plains today?

“Remember—once you break out, keep up the pace. Don’t leave anyone behind. They’ll send troops in pursuit. No matter what happens in the rear, don’t stop!”

“Understood!”

“Take care, Chief!”

Wu Fan looked at his gathered warriors, unable to resist a few final words of caution.

“Prepare to break through!”

“Yes!”

“At your command!”

In an instant, the entire warband sprang into action. Led by Charles, the human warriors, wielding all manner of weapons, charged northward.

Two hundred meters away—

“Chief, they really are breaking out to the north!” Wendy turned to Yang Jie, her eyes brimming with undisguised admiration.

“Let the first wave through! Johnny, take the personal guard and pursue from behind. Wait for my signal!”

“At once!”

To the north, One-Eye watched the humans charging and immediately ordered his troops aside, clearing a path.

“Hank!”

“Here!” One-Eye’s lieutenant stepped forward.

“They’re probably aiming to run upstream. Pick two hundred strong men, stay on their heels, and act as the situation demands!”

“Understood!”

...

Five minutes later, Wu Fan watched Charles vanish into the distance. He turned, drew his weapon, and roared to his elite guard,

“Everyone, break north! Prepare for battle!”

A mighty war cry erupted from the two hundred members of Wu Fan’s personal guard.

At the same time, in the ratfolk’s temporary command post, Yang Jie spoke calmly to Wendy at his side:

“Begin encirclement from three sides. Tell One-Eye and Johnny to tighten the noose!”

“And make sure not a single one of their vanguard escapes.”

“Instruct Viktor to take the warships upriver, to prevent those three escaped ships from coming to their aid.”

“At once!”

Yang Jie rose, gazing north.

So you want to run? Leave your elite to cover the retreat? Then I’ll target the sharp end! Dare to slaughter my kin? Not one of you will escape!

Yang Jie spat viciously, his eyes filled with murderous intent.