Chapter 126: Waiting for an Opportunity
Just as Zhao Qian finished speaking, two Sentinels approached.
The one in the lead was powerfully built, with a square jaw and a gaze so sharp it felt like it could pierce right through you.
He had two Energy Guns holstered at his waist and an Alloy Blade for close combat strapped to his back. One look was enough to tell he was a seasoned veteran with extensive combat experience.
He glanced at Zhao Qian, his tone flat. "I’m Guo Kai, the Sentinel assigned to your group. You want to switch groups? Reason."
Zhao Qian pointed toward Yun Sheng and her friends. "Those three are a clique. I... I’ve had issues with them before. I don’t want to be in the same group."
Guo Kai’s gaze swept over Yun Sheng and her two friends before returning to Zhao Qian. "Personal conflicts don’t affect the mission. On the battlefield, your teammates don’t have to be your friends, but you all share the same goal: come back alive and complete the mission. Your reason is not valid."
Zhao Qian was at a loss for words.
Ma Yu, standing nearby, pushed up his glasses and added in a measured tone, "A real combat mission isn’t about picking friends; it’s about survival. If you think you’ll be safe just by being in a certain group, then you might as well stay in the camp and not go out."
Zhao Qian’s face went pale, but she couldn’t manage to say another word.
Cheng Nian leaned close to Yun Sheng’s ear and whispered, "Serves her right."
Yun Sheng couldn’t be bothered with Zhao Qian and led Cheng Nian and Li Wen away to get their gear.
「Ten minutes later.」
"Group Six, assemble!"
The six of them gathered.
Zhao Qian stood at the edge of the group, her expression still sour, but she didn’t dare say anything else.
Guo Kai’s gaze swept over the group as he said in a deep voice, "I’m responsible for your safety on this mission. But let me be blunt: I will intervene if you encounter danger, but only on the condition that you do your utmost first. If anyone shrinks back at the slightest trouble, don’t blame me for docking your score."
Ma Yu added, his tone much gentler, "My main responsibility is to record your performance. Rest assured, as long as you don’t violate any regulations, I won’t deduct points arbitrarily."
Cheng Nian muttered under her breath, ’So they’re basically proctors...’
Ma Yu glanced at her, the corners of his mouth actually twitching into a smile. "Pretty much."
"Move out."
With a wave from Guo Kai, the group headed out of the camp.
The morning light spilled across the barren wilderness, but it couldn’t dispel the faint, oppressive feeling that lingered in the air.
The six-person squad followed behind the two Sentinels, stepping out of the camp and officially entering the mission zone of Buffer Zone 10.
The ground was pitted and uneven, with traces of the previous night’s contaminant rampage visible everywhere.
There were scorched-black burn marks, severed limbs from Bone-piercing Vines, and several puddles of corrosive slime that had already dried and blackened.
"Stay quiet. Watch your step."
Guo Kai’s low voice rang out.
The group lightened their steps and continued onward.
After about half an hour of walking, the surrounding terrain began to change.
The flat wilderness gradually gave way to rolling hills as Guo Kai led the team deeper to the southeast.
"We’re almost at the first marker," Ma Yu said, glancing down at his tablet. "That rocky area up ahead."
The six students slowed their pace, approaching cautiously.
The rocky area was deathly quiet. A few dead shrubs stood crookedly among the scree, the only sound the mournful whine of the wind blowing through the rock crevices.
Cheng Nian whispered, "It looks like... there’s nothing here?"
Li Wen frowned as well. "I don’t see any signs of contaminant activity, either."
Zhao Qian immediately chimed in, "If there’s nothing here, let’s just finish our survey and head back. Save ourselves the trouble."
Zhou Ying shot her a look but said nothing.
Yun Sheng didn’t let her guard down, her gaze sweeping across the gaps between the rocks.
’It’s too quiet. Unnaturally quiet.’
Just as the group was preparing to survey the terrain...
"GRRR..."
A low, hoarse roar suddenly echoed from deep within the rocky area!
Everyone tensed instantly.
Then, a massive beast covered from head to toe in grayish-brown scales slowly rose from behind the largest boulder.
It was a size larger than a Split Ridge Lizard, with a row of barbs running down its spine. Its blood-red eyes were fixed on the intruders.
Guo Kai’s pupils constricted. "A B-level contaminant. A Rock Armor Lizard."
The color drained from Ma Yu’s face. "What is this thing doing here? This isn’t its territory. Could it be because of what happened last night...?"
"Now’s not the time for analysis," Guo Kai cut him off, his gaze quickly sweeping over the six students. "Mission aborted. Prepare for evac."
Zhao Qian had already taken two steps back, her face deathly pale.
But Yun Sheng didn’t move.
She stared at the Rock Armor Lizard. Deep within her spiritual landscape, her spiritual power, now more condensed than ever, began to stir.
’I haven’t had a chance to test this new power in a real battle yet.’
’A B-level...’
’I want to give it a try.’
"What are you standing there for? Let’s go!" Zhao Qian urged in a hushed, panicked voice.
But then Zhou Ying spoke up. "I want to give it a try."
All eyes turned to her.
Zhou Ying’s expression remained placid, but her eyes were bright, fixed on the Rock Armor Lizard, her face a mask of eagerness.
"I’ve fought plenty of C-level contaminants, but never a B-level. With two Sentinels right here, it’s not like we’ll get ourselves killed."
Ma Yu frowned. "B-level and C-level contaminants are in completely different leagues."
"That’s why I want to try," Zhou Ying replied calmly. "We have to face them sooner or later."
Guo Kai looked at Yun Sheng, who also hadn’t moved.
"And you?" he asked.
Yun Sheng raised her head, meeting the Rock Armor Lizard’s blood-red gaze.
"I want to give it a try, too."
Guo Kai’s gaze lingered on Yun Sheng and Zhou Ying for a few seconds before sweeping over Cheng Nian, Li Wen, and He Yi.
Zhao Qian was already backing away, the look on her face screaming, ’Are you all insane?’
"Are you sure?" Guo Kai’s voice was low. "A B-level contaminant is no joke. I’ll only intervene the instant you can no longer hold on, but by then, you could already be injured."
Zhou Ying gave a faint nod. "Understood."
Yun Sheng nodded as well.
Cheng Nian swallowed nervously but still took a step forward. "If Yun Sheng’s trying it, I’m with her."
Li Wen didn’t retreat either. "We’ve come this far."
The taciturn He Yi said nothing, but he quietly tightened his grip on his weapon and moved to stand at Yun Sheng’s side.
Zhao Qian stared at them in disbelief. "Are you... all insane?!"
No one paid her any mind.
Ma Yu announced, "Recording initiated. Guo Kai, keep a close watch. I’ll be on the perimeter, ready to provide backup."
Guo Kai grunted in acknowledgment and took a few steps back, leaving the battlefield to the six students.
The Rock Armor Lizard seemed to sense something. Its blood-red eyes swept over the humans who dared to stand their ground, and a low growl rumbled in its throat.
It emerged slowly from behind the boulder, each step sending a faint tremor through the ground.
The barbs on its spine bristled.
"Spread out!"
Zhou Ying shouted, the first to dart to the left.
Yun Sheng led Cheng Nian and Li Wen to the right, while He Yi silently circled around behind, getting into position for a pincer attack with Zhou Ying.
Zhao Qian froze for a moment, then finally gritted her teeth and fell back to where Guo Kai was standing.
"Its weak points are the gland beneath its throat and its eyes," Zhou Ying’s voice called out, perfectly calm. "But its scales are too thick; it’s hard to break its defense head-on. We need to coordinate."
Yun Sheng said nothing, her eyes locked on the massive beast.
She raised her hand, and two thin needles of spiritual power materialized at once.
They were more solid and sharper than the ones she had used against the Bone-piercing Vine.
She didn’t attack immediately. She was waiting.
Waiting for an opening.