Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Group Will
"Three mutant beasts..."
In the wilderness, Chen Yu and Tie Niu were lying prone on a dirt slope, their eyes fixed on three mutant beasts a hundred meters away.
The three mutant beasts looked something like prairie dogs, but they were completely different.
They were taller than kangaroos and powerfully built.
They had long tails, gray bodies, and a row of sharp spikes running down their spines.
Chen Yu had no idea what these things were called.
At that moment, the three monsters were gnawing on a corpse.
"Brother Tie, what are these things called?" Chen Yu asked in a low voice.
Tie Niu stared at the three mutant beasts a hundred meters away. "Tuchishu. They launch spike attacks from their backs and can burrow underground."
"Tuchishu..."
’They can burrow underground!’
Hearing Tie Niu’s description, Chen Yu immediately grew tense.
"These are three Level 1 Tuchishu. Their burrowing ability won’t be too strong. Watch out for their back-spike attacks."
Tie Niu said in a low voice.
"Then I’ll go. Brother Tie, you keep watch. How about it?"
Chen Yu offered.
He couldn’t pass up the Source of Life.
He couldn’t give up.
Every little bit he could gather was worth it.
Tie Niu nodded. "Go ahead. Be safe."
Chen Yu gripped his Vibrating Gold Battle Blade, channeling his Qi as the muscles in his legs tensed. With a SWOOSH, he charged directly toward the three Tuchishu.
"SKREEE!!!"
The commotion immediately alerted the three Tuchishu. Seeing the figure rushing toward them, they didn’t retreat. Their blood-red eyes gleamed with a vicious light. They let out a sharp cry and arched their backs.
"SWISH SWISH SWISH!!!"
The spikes on their backs shot rapidly toward Chen Yu.
They were fast!
"CLANG CLANG CLANG—!!!"
He activated his Gale Knife Skill, forming a powerful blade energy that deflected the spikes one by one.
"SHLICK!"
Quickly reaching one of the Tuchishu, he brought his blade down. Blood spurted, and the beast was killed instantly.
"SKREEE!!!"
The two remaining Tuchishu shrieked and launched their back spikes again, sending them whistling through the air.
SWOOSH—!
With a quick dodge, Chen Yu deftly avoided the Tuchishu’s attack.
"BZZZT—!"
The blade of his knife hummed. As he dodged, Chen Yu swung his blade at one of the Tuchishu. The Vibrating Gold Battle Blade cut through the creature’s body as if it were tofu, splitting it in two.
"SKREE!"
The last Tuchishu let out a sharp cry, spun around, and glowed with an earthy yellow light.
It burrowed directly into the ground and vanished.
"Burrowing..."
Watching this, Chen Yu’s gaze hardened.
"Behind you."
Tie Niu’s voice suddenly called out. Chen Yu’s entire body tensed as he spun around.
The Tuchishu was lunging at him.
"HUMMM..."
He unleashed his Qi without hesitation, swinging his blade and splitting the Tuchishu’s body in two. Blood and viscera splattered across the ground.
With the three Tuchishu dealt with, Chen Yu checked his Source of Life.
points!
Each Tuchishu had increased his Source of Life by two points.
’Looks like those hyena-beasts really were the weakest of the bunch.’
Chen Yu sighed to himself.
They were all Level 1 mutant beasts, yet the difference was significant.
But thinking about it, that was normal. After all, the Tuchishu had two skills.
Back spikes and burrowing!
If his reflexes weren’t sharp enough, he could have easily been taken down by a Tuchishu.
If he were unarmed, he’d probably have to run from even a Level 1 Tuchishu.
Even with his physique, he couldn’t withstand their back-spike skill. That thing had enough power to skewer you through the heart with a single hit!
"Nice work."
Tie Niu walked over and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Should we do something with these bodies?" Chen Yu looked at Tie Niu.
Tie Niu shook his head. "No need. Tuchishu aren’t worth much. The meat is tough and bitter."
Chen Yu: "...⊙▽⊙"
’He’s describing it in such detail. Don’t tell me he’s actually eaten it?’
"Don’t look at me like that. When you’re on a special mission, you’ll get to experience it too."
Tie Niu looked at Chen Yu and said with a completely straight face.
"A special mission..."
"What counts as a special mission?" Chen Yu asked, blinking.
"A special kind of special mission," Tie Niu said, and started walking forward.
Chen Yu: "..."
’That was a masterclass in saying absolutely nothing...’
Watching Tie Niu’s back, Chen Yu took a deep breath and hurried to follow.
—
「Half a day passed.」
In a jungle within the Qing City wilderness, two figures appeared.
Chen Yu looked into the distance and pulled out his Life Fluctuation Detector.
There was nothing on it.
’Seems like these mutant beasts aren’t easy to come by. If I could just find a few more, I’d have enough for my next Evolution.’
Chen Yu thought to himself.
In half a day, his Source of Life had accumulated to eighty-three points. He only needed seventeen more to be able to evolve.
If he was lucky, one more encounter could be enough. If he was unlucky, it could take all day and he’d still come up short.
Glancing at the Life Fluctuation Detector again, Chen Yu was about to put it away when suddenly, red dots appeared on the screen.
A dozen or more red dots appeared.
Chen Yu’s expression changed in an instant.
Over a dozen red dots most likely meant they had run into a small pack of mutant beasts.
"Brother Tie, we’ve got a situation."
Chen Yu handed the Life Detector to Tie Niu. When Tie Niu saw the red dots on the screen, his expression changed as well.
One or two wasn’t scary, but a dozen mutant beasts appearing at once, even if they were only Level 1, was extremely dangerous.
"Notify Captain Duan."
Tie Niu said immediately. Chen Yu nodded and quickly used his Life Watch to communicate.
"Northwest sector! I’ve encountered nineteen mutant beasts! Three members of the Ninth Mercenary Team are being pursued! Requesting immediate support at my coordinates!"
The call had just connected when Duan Feng’s voice came through.
Chen Yu froze.
He looked at the location data on his Life Watch, then back at the direction on the Life Detector.
It seemed Duan Feng had run into the same group.
"..."
’What a coincidence, huh?’
The two of them exchanged a look, then both turned to the northwest. With a flicker of movement, they sped off in that direction.
The location data couldn’t be wrong. Duan Feng hadn’t been too far away before, so the chances of them encountering the same group were high.
They sprinted at full speed.
They covered the few hundred meters quickly.
In the distance, a dozen mutant beasts came into view.
A pack of Wilderness Wolves!
Nearly twenty Wilderness Wolves.
Among them, one enormous Wilderness Wolf was particularly eye-catching.
A black Wilderness Wolf, several times larger than the others.
Its black fur seemed to glow with a dark light.
A Level 3 Wilderness Wolf!
Chen Yu’s pupils contracted.
That black Wilderness Wolf had already reached Level 3.
Right now, Duan Feng was engaged with that very wolf.
Besides Duan Feng, there were three other people, also wearing black uniforms. Their clothes were tattered, and they were being swarmed by the other Wilderness Wolves.
This pack of Wilderness Wolves seemed different somehow. They were clearly only Level 1 mutant beasts, but their combat prowess was exceptionally fierce.
A faint light shimmered on their bodies, as if they were covered by an invisible protective shield.
The three people huddled together, their Qi flaring as they used their battle blades to fend off the attacking Wilderness Wolves.
All three were injured. Even united, they were having a hard time holding on, especially because of the faint glow on the wolves. It seemed to be a powerful protective barrier, as the trio’s attacks were failing to do any significant damage.
’Could it be because of that Level 3 Wilderness Wolf?’
The thought surfaced in his mind.
"Be careful. These Wilderness Wolves have a Group Will that can form a protective barrier. They’re much harder to deal with than lone ones," Tie Niu suddenly said.
’Group Will?!’
’What kind of ability is that?’
Chen Yu was stunned.
But there was no time to figure it out now. If they didn’t move, those three wouldn’t last much longer.
"I’ll try to break their will-defense first. You back me up with grenades," Tie Niu said, and charged forward.
SWOOSH—!
Chen Yu followed close behind, rushing into the fray.
