Before anyone could continue the conversation further, one of the nearby soldiers suddenly grabbed his radio.
"Contact report from southern patrol sector."
The mood around the road changed immediately.
Several soldiers nearby stopped what they were doing.
Adrian turned toward the operator.
"What kind of contact?"
"Scattered infected, sir. Around two kilometers south of the perimeter. Multiple pockets still active near the destroyed highway sectors."
Marco's face tightened again instantly.
"I thought you said the horde was gone."
"It is," Adrian replied calmly. "But cleanup operations are still ongoing."
Then he looked toward the soldier.
"How many?"
"Current estimate is maybe several hundred spread across different pockets. Some are trapped inside ruined structures and tree lines."
Adrian nodded once.
"Mobilize nearby response teams. I'll head there myself."
The nearby soldiers immediately straightened.
"Yes, sir."
Liza's expression changed immediately.
