Chapter 81 Winter's Routine

• Three months had passed since the creation of the special squad—a small experiment that had, against every odd, survived. The days blurred into a rhythm of exhaustion and purpose: six days of work, one day of rest. Dawn after dawn, Lucy found herself waking to the same dull sky, the same pale world of white and blue, and the same sense that every step forward was bought with breath and blood.
• Ferals were no longer the reckless beasts they once thought them to be. The evolved creatures now displayed alarming signs of intelligence—laying traps, circling prey, retreating to lure pursuers into ambushes. Some even mimicked the cries of wounded humans, their distorted voices echoing through the fog. The squad learned quickly that instinct alone wouldn’t save them anymore. Caution, coordination, and trust—those were the only shields that mattered now.
• Daren’s leadership had become the spine of their survival. Under his command, the squad’s once disjointed tactics turned into a synchronized rhythm. His quiet decisiveness and unshakable calm had earned not only the respect of his teammates but also the attention of higher officials. Soon, the command began assigning him additional duties—training new recruits for the next wave of special squads.