Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1523

"If it were just the Blood Ghouls, my men wouldn't be afraid to step into the forbidden area," Buzz muttered.

As he spoke, his face turned pale, as if he remembered something horrifying.

Tiana pressed him aggressively, "Tell us—what other evil creatures are hiding in this cursed place?"

Buzz shook his head weakly. "Stop asking. Even if you keep pushing, I won't say another word. This is the misfortune of our Gallow's End heritage hamlet… a punishment from above.

"The only thing I can do for you is urge you to return to the village below with me at daybreak, then leave this place forever. If you don't, what's waiting for you won't even leave you a body to bury. Trust me, what's inside will break you. You'll suffer pain and fear far worse than death itself."

He finished speaking, but his hands trembled around the grip of his musket. Without another word, he turned and walked back to the fire pit, sitting alone, dazed and silent.

Logan gritted his teeth and said, "Would it kill these dim-witted Patoaja to spill the truth? Since they know there's danger inside this ancient site, why won't they just tell us what it is?"

Kevin grinned. "Mr. Keller, how about we work together? If these backward Patoaja won't cooperate, then maybe they'll start talking with a gun barrel shoved down their throats."

Logan glanced toward Andrew and shook his head. "Mr. Wright Senior, your offer's tempting, I'll admit that. But no. That's not a line I'm willing to cross."

Kevin laughed coldly, "You want treasure but won't get your hands dirty. You need to be ruthless to be a real man—you're all just a bunch of cowards."

Andrew shot him a cold look. "If you so much as think about harming the Patoaja, I'll cripple you right here and now. We're in the middle of nowhere—no one would stop me."

Chantelle scoffed. "Spare me. The bottom line is that you failed horribly this time. When we get back to Blumedale, I'll be formally requesting your company to halve your compensation."

Ralph's eyes flashed with a malicious glint. However, he held back and remained silent.

Around another campfire, Logan, Natasha, Jerry, Tiana, and Andrew sat in a circle.

Tiana suddenly said, "Andy, what are you thinking about?"

Under the firelight's glow, Andrew's face showed a calm smile. "I'm just wondering where the Blood Ghouls on this site came from in the first place."