Global Survival: I Have Endless Skeletons

In front of the Jackal Town, human awakeners stood in long lines while waiting to enter through the heavily guarded gates.

Some were covered in dust, dried blood, and torn clothing while others carried faint satisfied smiles across their exhausted faces.

The expressions alone revealed the outcome of their recent adventures within the deadly Bleeding Desert.

Some returned victorious.

Others barely survived.

Nearby, another entrance path specifically meant for the Jackal Beastmen remained equally crowded.

However, unlike the humans, the Beastmen dragged bound humans behind them using thick ropes like livestock.

The captured humans stumbled repeatedly across the rough ground while the Jackal Beastmen barked loudly within their native language.

Their beastlike faces overflowed with excitement and cruelty.

Occasionally, many of them shifted their gaze toward the human awakeners standing nearby with obvious disdain.

Several snarled openly while tightening their grip around their crude weapons threateningly.

Ever since the attack upon several Jackal Beastmen inside the town earlier, the tension between humans and Beastmen increased drastically.

The illusion of peace and safety inside the settlement had already begun shattering slowly.

Within merely several hours, many human awakeners mysteriously disappeared throughout the town.

Others were captured publicly in broad daylight.

When frightened humans attempted asking questions regarding the sudden arrests, they were either beaten mercilessly or dragged away forcefully.

Several victims were beaten until they hovered dangerously close toward death.

Since then, every human living within Jackal Town walked cautiously as though standing upon thin fragile glass capable of shattering beneath their feet at any moment.

Fear spread rapidly throughout the settlement.

Many still hoped the worsening situation would eventually calm down naturally. However, those who understood the hidden truth already prepared themselves mentally for the worst possible outcome.

Although the situation inside the town deteriorated rapidly, nobody could simply leave safely.

The nearest human settlement remained dozens of dangerous miles away beyond the endless desert dunes.

Worse still, terrifying desert beasts roamed the Bleeding Desert constantly. Traveling carelessly through the desert almost guaranteed death.

Therefore, the trapped humans possessed only two choices remaining. Either solve the growing crisis within the town itself or die trying.

There was no third option.

Inside the headquarters of the Slave Trade Guild, an extremely tense atmosphere filled the meeting hall heavily.

Every guild member remained silent nervously while observing the guild leader cautiously.

Since joining the organization, very few ever witnessed their boss appearing this anxious before.

Even the air itself felt oppressive.

Suddenly, the large wooden door swung open loudly. Instantly, everyone inside the room turned their attention toward the entrance.

A young woman wearing light breastplate armor hurried inside using quick steady steps. Without wasting time, she approached the guild leader directly.

"Did you discover anything?" the boss asked immediately using a cold deep voice.

"No, Boss," the young woman answered while shaking her head slowly.

"The only information we discovered about him was that he stayed at the famous inn near the town center. Apparently, he entered the town through recommendations from his former party members."

"Then what about those party members?" the Boss asked sharply.

"We could not find them anywhere," she replied grimly.

"They seem to have vanished completely without leaving any trace behind."

After pausing briefly, she lowered her voice further.

"I believe they are already dead."

Bang!

The thick wooden table standing at the center of the hall exploded violently into countless fragments.

Broken splinters scattered throughout the room instantly. Several guild members inhaled sharply from shock.

The Boss slowly lowered his clenched fist afterward. His expression darkened tremendously.

"We need finding him immediately," he growled coldly.

"I do not care what methods you use or how many people you must arrest. We absolutely must locate him."

Then slowly, his dangerous gaze swept across every face within the room.

"Our lives depend upon it."

"This order came directly from the Inner Region itself," he continued grimly.

"And failure means death."

Huh!

Many guild members gasped loudly afterward.

Several people even shuddered visibly.

Although most already understood the mission carried tremendous importance, none expected the consequences reaching such terrifying severity.

Failure meant death.

Instantly, the room became silent like a graveyard.

Nobody dared speaking carelessly anymore.

Even breathing seemed quieter afterward.

Then eventually, one guild member slowly raised his hand before speaking cautiously.

"Why do we not cooperate directly with the Jackal Beastmen completely?" he suggested carefully.

"I believe the target still hides either within the town or somewhere nearby."

"If both our guild and the Jackal Beastmen search together simultaneously, escaping detection should become impossible."

Listening toward his proposal, many people nodded gradually in agreement.

The Bleeding Desert remained too dangerous for any ordinary human surviving alone for long periods.

Outside the protection of the town walls, endless Sand Hounds and other horrifying desert creatures hunted continuously without rest.

Eventually, exhaustion would overwhelm even the strongest awakener. And once exhaustion appeared, death naturally followed afterward.

That very fact remained the foundation behind the young man's reasoning. However, the armored young woman frowned immediately afterward.

"But if we cooperate openly with the Jackal Beastmen, the already fragile tension inside the town could collapse entirely," she warned quietly.

"And if chaos erupts completely, that situation may become equally dangerous for us."

"Correct," the Boss replied firmly while narrowing his eyes coldly.

"But I honestly do not care about anyone else anymore."

"I do not care whether humans die or survive afterward."

"All that matters now is finding him immediately."

Hearing those ruthless words, the gathered guild members nodded silently afterward. Each understood the terrible position surrounding them clearly now.

Their lives balanced precariously upon a knife edge. Only completing their mission successfully guaranteed survival.

Eventually, the Boss straightened his posture slowly before speaking again.

"I will personally visit the Jackal Chief once more," he announced coldly.

"As for the rest of you, spread throughout the streets immediately."

"Arrest anybody possessing even the smallest information regarding our target."

"I do not care whether their information seems useful or worthless."

"Capture them all."

Then his expression hardened further.

"And anyone attempting resistance…"

"Kill them."

"Yes, sir!"

Immediately, the guild members rose from their seats simultaneously before preparing leave the room.

However, before anyone could depart, the door suddenly burst open violently once more.

A young guild member rushed inside frantically while shouting loudly.

"Boss!"

The Boss frowned deeply afterward.

"What now?" he asked irritably.

"Boss, one of the Jackal Beastmen sent tracking the target has returned!" the young man reported hurriedly.

"What?"

The Boss suddenly stepped forward quickly while widening his eyes slightly.

"Where is he now?"

"At the Jackal Chief's residence," the messenger answered immediately.

Whoosh!

The Boss vanished instantly from his original position before rushing directly toward the Jackal Chief's building at terrifying speed.

His heart pounded heavily with nervous anticipation throughout the entire journey.