“What do you mean?” He Wuning raised an eyebrow at her. Saying it like that made it sound as if all the follow-up battles they had prepared were pointless.
Did she know about their agreement with Padra? Or was this some kind of hint?
“Being able to launch five events is the ideal scenario,” the Hunting Spider Woman said, looking at He Wuning. “You’ve adapted to the game faster than we expected. Right now, we no longer have the strength to launch five offensives.”
She had actually admitted their lack of forces so frankly. He Wuning couldn’t help showing a look of surprise—he had thought that the more short on troops they were, the more they would bluff.
“You can take this as a trap if you want, but everything will end tomorrow,” she raised her twin sickles. “We will fight with our backs against the wall. You should bring out all your trump cards as well, humans.”
“I’m curious—what kind of people will prevail in your race?”
She slowly assumed a combat stance. He Wuning was still thinking about her words, giving her a disinterested glance without even drawing his blade. He turned to Yi Luo. “Fight?”
“I’m actually surprised she wants to fight,” Yi Luo looked her over with interest. “Mind if I ask—what makes you think you can win?”
“I’ve never thought that,” the Hunting Spider Woman replied, staying on guard as she lowered her body. “But you can see I carry quite a few administrator fragments. I assume you wouldn’t let an enemy like me go.”
“Even if I’m probably not your match, I still intend to fight like a warrior until the end.”
He Wuning and Yi Luo exchanged a glance, then both turned around and got back into the vehicle, leaving her standing there.
The Hunting Spider Woman couldn’t understand what they were planning. Perhaps they intended to use the milk tea car to gain an advantage? In any case, she took a defensive stance, bracing for an impact.
But instead, the horn of the milk tea car beeped. Yi Luo rolled down the window, stuck his head out, and waved impatiently. “Hey, move aside—you’re blocking the road.”
She hesitated, instinctively stepping aside a little, then stopped, confused. “You’re not going to fight me? Why?”
“We have an old rule,” Yi Luo raised an eyebrow and waved dismissively. “You don’t kill the messenger when two armies are at war.”
“I am curious how you managed to expand four new fallen zones so quickly. Since monsters can’t enter safe zones, I’m guessing it wasn’t just monsters acting.”
The Hunting Spider Woman didn’t answer immediately. She just looked into his eyes. “Is that so? Then don’t you hate us?”
“Of course I do. I’m no saint,” Yi Luo narrowed his eyes, not hiding his killing intent. “I remember what my companions looked like when they died at your hands. I think about it every day.”
He let out a cold laugh. “But we’re not like you. We won’t fall for the game and become monsters like you.”
“We’ll end this battle with dignity—and put an end to this malicious game for good.”
“Now move aside. We’re heading home.”
He waved her off again impatiently, looking like he might lose control and ram into her at any moment—but in the end, he didn’t move.
The Hunting Spider Woman silently stepped back, clearing the way.
She remained on guard, half-expecting them to suddenly turn around, crash into her, and cruelly reveal it had all been a trick to give her false hope.
But they really just left.
She stared blankly at where they had gone, unable to understand humans at all.
Back in the milk tea car, He Wuning had already contacted Xue Xun. On the other end, things were chaotic—footsteps and shouting overlapped noisily, sounding almost like a bustling marketplace.
Xue Xun shouted over his shoulder, “Hold on! Don’t rush—let them register first!”
He seemed to move to a quieter spot as the noise faded. Letting out a breath, he quickly asked, “Did you pick up Bai Yan and the others? Everything okay?”
“All good. We ran into a strange monster—we’ll tell you later,” He Wuning brushed it off. “I saw the new zones.”
“Scary, right? Four of them appeared at once! I thought I was hallucinating!” Xue Xun sighed deeply. Somehow, hearing him sound so exaggerated actually reassured He Wuning a little. “Is Zone A okay?”
“Zone A is fine,” Xue Xun replied quickly.
“And because it’s fine, our phones are blowing up! Everyone’s asking what’s going on—I’d like to know too!”
“Anyway, since we’re safe here, a lot of people are flooding into Zone A. I’m organizing registration. When you come in, don’t use the main gate—call Zuo Qianming and have him open a portal straight to the lab. I’m worried people might swarm your vehicle.”
Halfway through, he seemed to realize that was very possible and added, “We’ll talk when you get back. I’ll wrap things up here and head to the lab too—wait for me!”
He Wuning hung up and exchanged a look with Yi Luo.
Yi Luo frowned. “Only Zone A is fine… so after attacking Zone E and Zone F, they also targeted the newly opened Zone G and Zone H.”
“Even if new players aren’t strong, they should at least know to stay in safe zones,” Bai Yan frowned deeply. “I don’t believe they’d all leave the safe zones without any precautions.”
“So what exactly happened?”
No one had an answer.
After contacting Zuo Qianming, they quickly ordered milk tea, and the pink milk tea car passed through a portal, appearing out of thin air in the parking lot in front of the safe zone service hall.
Zuo Qianming had a pen in his mouth, pacing anxiously like a caged animal. When he saw them, he immediately jumped up and waved. “Hurry up!”
Yi Luo looked at him curiously. “What’s going on? I rarely see you this anxious.”
Zuo Qianming’s face darkened. “How can I not be anxious?”
“Four new zones suddenly appeared out of nowhere—it’s like seeing ghosts! And the worst part is, we didn’t get any warning!”
“I was browsing the forum for weapon references—refreshed the page, and boom, four new zones!”
Yi Luo motioned for the others to follow. “Doesn’t Xue Xun know what’s going on?”
“He went out to ask around, but still no answers! I’m waiting for him to explain, too!”
Zuo Qianming scratched his head into a mess as he led them. “How is this even possible? Monsters can’t enter safe zones! After Zone E and Zone F were attacked, we warned Zone G and Zone H’s players to stay inside—there’s no way not a single person listened, right?”
“This makes no sense!”
He was practically losing it as he hurried them into the lab.
Li Liangzi sat calmly in the center of the lab, rapidly processing messages, completely in control. When they entered, she spared them a glance and nodded. “You’re back.”
Her gaze shifted past them to Bai Yan. “There are many injured from other regions near the treatment center, and we’re short on healers. Teacher Bai, you…”
Bai Yan nodded firmly. “Understood. I’ll head there now.”
“Wait,” Li Liangzi stopped him. “Master Zhi Yin, and the two from the combat department—you’ll go with him.”
“There are too many patients from other regions. We don’t have time to verify whether they’re believers. Be cautious—don’t let anyone get close to him.”
The master and the two combatants nodded. He pushed Bai Yan’s wheelchair. “Leave it to me. No point keeping me here—I might as well be a bodyguard.”
Bai Yan’s face paled slightly, clearly thinking of something unpleasant, but he nodded. “Understood. I’ll be careful.”
Li Liangzi turned to Lu Bai. “Xiao Bai, how’s your condition?”
Lu Bai nodded eagerly. “I’m fine! I can keep working!”
“Good.” Li Liangzi smiled gently. “Report to your captain in the Special Combat Department. He’ll assign your position.”
“We still don’t know how monsters are entering safe zones. For now, strengthening the borders is the safest approach.”
“You drank He Wuning’s revival milk tea, right?”
Lu Bai nodded vigorously. “Yes! I have the revive status!”
“Good.” Li Liangzi patted her head. “Remember—don’t tell strangers you have a revival chance. Only tell people you truly trust. And don’t ask others either, once you leave this department. Understood?”
Lu Bai looked a bit confused but nodded instinctively.
Just as she left, Xue Xun rushed in, brushing past her. Zuo Qianming snapped his fingers. “Director Xue, perfect timing!”
“Phew!” Xue Xun exhaled, waving his hand. “I ran all the way here—haven’t exercised like this in ages. My back’s killing me…”
“Quick, give me some water…”
Li Liangzi handed him tea. He gulped it down before finally sitting with a sigh.
Yi Luo could tell immediately from his expression that he had news—and not good news.
He sat down as well. “What is it?”
“I got some information,” Xue Xun rubbed his temples. “This time… it was Zone C that made a move.”
“What?” Zuo Qianming stared, doubting his ears. “Zone C attacked?”
“…What are they trying to do?”
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