Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Combat Assessment (1/2)
The two of them reacted very quickly as well.
Although they were both sent flying, they scrambled back to their feet the moment they landed, dodging the mutated lizard’s attacks while simultaneously launching a counterattack.
The two loners were clearly very experienced fighters.
The moment the ambush happened, they both knew they were no match for the mutated lizard in terms of speed.
Even if they split up and ran, it was impossible that one could sacrifice themself to create an escape opportunity for their companion.
The most likely outcome was that the mutated lizard would kill one of them and immediately catch up to the other.
Rather than being picked off one by one, they decided to rely on their combat synergy for a life-or-death struggle. That way, they at least had a chance of victory.
They both had guns, but they were clearly small-caliber firearms. Unless they hit one of the mutated lizard’s vital spots, they wouldn’t be able to inflict any effective damage.
Watching the two become locked in a bitter struggle, Bena narrowed his eyes.
He had originally planned to ambush them on their path to make up for the power disparity between their groups.
But now, that black mutated lizard had done what he wanted to do for him.
Bena was somewhat relieved that he hadn’t made the first move. The two loners were even stronger than he’d imagined.
If his group of three had been the ones to launch the attack, they would have been the ones to die unless they could take out one of the loners in an instant.
However, the situation was different now.
Judging solely from the current state of the battle, the attacking mutated lizard held a clear advantage.
The mutated lizard’s defense, size, and movement speed were all far superior to the two loners’.
If not for the loners’ superior combat experience, intelligence, and teamwork, the situation probably wouldn’t be the lizard having a slight edge, but a completely one-sided beatdown.
If you were to measure the combat power of the three parties on the scene with numbers, the mutated lizard’s combat power would be a 10, the two loners’ would be around 8 or 9, while his group was only about a 6.
If they were willing to help the loners fight, the mutated lizard would certainly die, though they would suffer some casualties.
But after defeating the mutated lizard, their situation would become extremely awkward.
With the element of surprise, they might be able to defeat the two loners, but in a head-on fight, they didn’t stand a chance.
After a moment’s thought, Bena had No. 1 report the situation to the Administrator.
·····
「Inside the shelter.」
Looking at the information on his wristband, Ye Yun furrowed his brow.
’To think there’s such a powerful monster near the shelter, and strong loners, too?’
Ye Yun knew the communication wristband had a delay; the farther it was from the shelter, the slower the information traveled.
He had to make a decision immediately.
’Should I help the loners, who are human? Or should I wait and watch, then reap the rewards?’
After hesitating for just a few seconds, Ye Yun made his decision.
’Reap the rewards!’
It was a cruel approach, but risking Bena and his team for two complete strangers would be foolish.
He began to type a command.
[Observe from the sidelines. After the two loners are dead, kill the mutated lizard.]
The next moment, the evaluation system suddenly popped up with a notification.
[Evaluation Type: Combat]
[Assessing combat risk...]
[This is an ambush battle.]
[Evaluation: 25% chance of White item, 44.7% chance of Green item, 15.205% chance of Blue item, 0.005% chance of Purple item. Risk Factor: 55%]
Ye Yun: !?!
Seeing the risk displayed by the evaluation, Ye Yun quickly pulled back the finger he was about to use to press send.
’Damn, what’s going on? The risk factor for reaping the rewards is as high as 55%?’
He quickly modified the command.
[While ensuring your own safety, assist the two loners in defeating the mutated lizard.]
[Evaluation Type: Combat]
[Assessing combat risk...]
[This is a cooperative battle.]
[Evaluation: 9.1% chance of White item, 14.7% chance of Green item, 45.205% chance of Blue item, 20.005% chance of Purple item. Risk Factor: 2.5%]
Watching the risk factor plummet from 55% to 2.5%, Ye Yun narrowed his eyes.
This was completely beyond his expectations.
’The risk of helping the loners is only 2.5%? And there’s a 20% chance of getting a Purple item?’
’Does this mean helping the two loners is the right move?’
Now, only two paths lay before him: either have his team retreat immediately, or have them join the battle.
After a moment of thought, Ye Yun had his answer.
’They absolutely can’t run. The mutated lizard is beyond what my people can currently handle.’
Even with the lizard wounded after a fierce battle, the risk factor for Bena’s team of three to attack it was still a staggering 55%.
That meant if the lizard were unharmed, the three of them would have virtually no chance of defeating it.
If this mutated lizard were far from the shelter, he could of course ignore it and they could mind their own business.
But it was right near the shelter, and combined with its rapid movement, it would pose a serious threat to the safety of Bena’s team on their future explorations.
Rather than living in constant fear, it was better to seize this opportunity and eliminate it once and for all.
[While ensuring your own safety, assist the two loners in defeating the mutated lizard.]
········
Bena could hardly believe the message No. 1 relayed to him.
"What did you say?"
"The Administrator really said we should help them kill that mutated lizard?"
No. 1 nodded seriously.
"Yes, Mr. Bena. That is what the Administrator said."
Hearing No. 1’s confirmation, Bena’s face was a mask of confusion. He didn’t understand why the Administrator would issue such an order.
This decision meant they would go from being spectators to combatants, which would not only change the tide of battle but could also introduce unexpected risks.
’Based on the current situation, letting both sides wear each other down to the point of mutual destruction is clearly the best option.’
Although Bena was deeply confused, he gritted his teeth and stood up from behind the wall.
There was a communication delay, and several minutes had already passed since the fight began.
As their stamina was heavily depleted, the two loners’ disadvantage was becoming more and more apparent.
Bena said in a low voice to No. 1 and No. 2:
"Be careful. That mutated lizard’s attacks are extremely powerful. Avoid taking a direct hit at all costs."
Bena knew they were both androids. As long as they weren’t hit in a vital spot and were still breathing, they could be repaired back at the shelter.
After giving the two their combat assignments, Bena raised his spear and began to jog slowly toward the battlefield.
He wasn’t deliberately stalling. The battle was so intense that if he suddenly made too much noise, the mutated lizard might abandon its original targets and attack them instead.
