Chapter 102: The World Collapses

“This is a magnetic resonance blade. It uses vibrations to rapidly destroy anything it touches.” Lin Yang handed a short blade to Xie Liu. Xie Liu swung it casually and smiled, “I like this one.”

“This is the Rebound Blade.” Lin Yang passed another katana to Xie Liu. “There are seven ballistic holes on the spine. You can fire them as you swing, using the recoil to boost force or brake quickly.” Xie Liu took the obsidian-black blade, gently caressed its surface, and sighed, “In our daily lives, we could never see such impressive gear.”

Xu Xiong silently distributed equipment to everyone. It had to be said, the arsenal in this small town was remarkably comprehensive. Everyone was outfitted head to toe in advanced gear.

“These are three Level-Five rounds. Keep them safe; they’re potent enough to threaten a Level-Nine ability user. They’re one of our trump cards.” Lin Yang stuffed three red bullets into Xie Liu’s hand. Xie Liu toyed with them for a moment, then sighed, “If only we had a Level-Seven round.”

But Level-Seven bullets were rare treasures; encountering one was no easy feat.

Once the equipment was distributed, Ye Ling rose from the sofa. She looked almost fully recovered.

“We should discuss our next move,” Xie Liu drew everyone into a circle. “First, let’s confirm the remaining teams: Godslayers, Silver Flash, Scorpion, Azure Dragon, Sky Revelation, Destruction, Fury, and us.” While they waited, two more teams had been eliminated. Based on Xie Liu’s memory of the hunting squads, these were the ones left. They found a sheet of paper and wrote down the teams.

“The Sky Revelation squad didn’t come through here. That massive blaze we saw in the first town must have been caused by their captain, Zhao Tianxing’s ability.”

Xie Liu crossed out Sky Revelation. “Also, Godslayers and Silver Flash are in the city right now, not here.”

He struck out Godslayers and Silver Flash.

“I’m not sure about Scorpion, but it’s unlikely they’re still in this town. They’re probably in or near the city, so let’s cross them off as well.” Xie Liu marked off Scorpion.

“That leaves Destruction, Fury, and Azure Dragon.” Xie Liu tapped the names of the three teams. “From what I know, Fury’s ‘Eagle Eye’ is an exceptional sniper. So, first, we can confirm Fury has at least one member left.”

Xie Liu looked around. “There are four others in this town besides us. Eagle Eye isn’t Fury’s captain, so their captain likely survived. Xu Xiong, investigate the captain’s ability and rank.”

Xu Xiong quickly searched, then turned his computer around. “Codename Tyrannosaurus, ability: Ruin, Level Nine. Notable for being indiscriminate—doesn’t distinguish between friend or foe.”

“Two more left.” Xie Liu pondered. “Azure Dragon’s chances are slim. Given their strength, it’s unlikely only two survived. It must be Fury. Xu Xiong, check Fury’s members with abilities above Level Eight.”

Xu Xiong soon reported: The captain is a Level-Nine Air Manipulator, different from Gong Hou. He specializes in precision and direction, not brute force. There’s also an Eight-Level Magnetic Controller who caught Xie Liu’s attention.

“At this point, the only real threat is Destruction’s Eagle Eye.” Xie Liu cradled his weapon. “If we eliminate him, we can escape. Lin Yang, the time?”

“About half an hour left,” Lin Yang said gravely. Xie Liu nodded and scanned the surroundings again. “Eagle Eye’s ability is Level-Seven Sonic. Its main use is scanning and locating targets, which means our position can’t escape his notice.” Xie Liu leaned with his rifle against the wall.

Outside was pitch black.

“Do you have any way to take him out?” Ye Ling asked, clutching her shoulder, still recovering from a gunshot wound.

This was a battle between snipers, where life and death hinged on the smallest detail. Xie Liu wasn’t sure he could kill the enemy without casualties.

“In sniper duels, generally, whoever fires first and hits the wrong target loses.” Xie Liu’s gaze finally rested on Ye Ling. “So, we need someone to draw his fire.”

Ye Ling nodded. “Makes sense. So, who’s going to lure him out?” She covered her shoulder, but seeing Xie Liu staring intently at her, Ye Ling pointed at herself in surprise. “You mean me?”

“I really can’t think of a better candidate.” Xie Liu shook his head. “Gong Hou and Lin Yang are our main force; they can’t take risks. Xu Xiong handles intel; we need him. Li Shizhu’s psychic abilities are invaluable. That leaves you and me. I need to take out the enemy, so, like it or not, you’re the only choice.”

Xie Liu spoke coolly, as if stating a simple fact. After a moment’s stunned silence, Ye Ling sneered, “Xie Liu, if Lin Yang or someone else could get the kill, would you volunteer to be bait?”

Without hesitation, Xie Liu nodded. “I would. But right now, I can’t.”

Ye Ling read Xie Liu’s expression, then turned to the dark balcony. “I trust you, Xie Liu. If I die, keep fighting, bring home a good ranking. Otherwise, you’ll let me down.”

“Of course.” Xie Liu promised solemnly. Ye Ling took a deep breath and stood at the doorway.

“Run straight to the building opposite. Don’t stop.” Xie Liu whispered, holding his sniper rifle at the doorway.

“I’ll count down. Three, two, one—then you go.”

Ye Ling nodded, took a deep breath, and gestured okay to Xie Liu.

“Three…” Ye Ling held her breath.

“Two…” She bent her body slightly.

“One…” Her muscles tensed; she could even hear her own heartbeat.

“Go!” At Xie Liu’s command, Ye Ling dashed out the door.

But the gunshot didn’t come. As Ye Ling burst through the doorway, Xie Liu threw out a package. At that moment, a shot rang out, shredding the package to pieces!

Now!

Xie Liu spun around, didn’t hesitate, and aimed at the source of the shot. In the next instant, his gun fired, and the distant sniper dropped.

Ye Ling tumbled and crawled to the base of the opposite building. Before she could steady herself, Lin Yang appeared before her, using his ability. Ye Ling’s legs gave out, and she collapsed into Lin Yang’s arms.

“It’s over, it’s over, you’re safe now.” Lin Yang held the trembling Ye Ling. Hearing those words, Ye Ling couldn’t hold back her tears and sobbed.

Lin Yang hugged her tightly, murmuring comfort.

Xie Liu let out a breath, returned to his spot by the door. He knew he’d made the right bet.

When Ye Ling ran out, the enemy had two choices: fire and kill Ye Ling, exposing themselves and risking being shot; or ignore her and wait for the sniper to peek, then kill him. Xie Liu gambled on the second option, so after Ye Ling dashed out, he threw the backpack. The enemy’s first reaction was to fire, giving Xie Liu the chance for a counter-shot.

War allows no mercy, no lapses. Choosing Ye Ling as bait was cruel, but necessary.

Lin Yang and the others knew it, too. It was the best choice—ruthless but effective.

“Let’s go, time to scavenge.” Xie Liu urged. There was no time to console Ye Ling. He led the charge out of the house. His mobility belt snapped out, hooking both sides of the buildings, launching him like a projectile straight to the fallen sniper’s position.

It was an elegant little villa. Xie Liu crashed through the blinds, smashing into the room.

He rolled along the floor, hurried to his feet, and faced a burly man.

Xie Liu immediately knew who he was—only Tyrannosaurus would be with Eagle Eye. They were barely half a meter apart; Xie Liu could feel his breath.

Xie Liu’s sudden arrival stunned Tyrannosaurus. They were separated by only a few dozen centimeters, close enough to strike with a single blow.

Recovering first, Xie Liu acted. His magnetic resonance blade flashed from his waist, slashing at the man’s neck. The instant the blade touched skin, it wailed, blue lightning flickered, and the blade snapped in two.

“Electromagnetic defense field!” The thought flashed through Xie Liu’s mind. It was a shield that could block a fatal blow, triggered instantly at the first sign of danger. He hadn’t expected the enemy to have such a treasure.

No time to think. Xie Liu tossed aside the broken blade and drew another. This time, the enemy’s shield was gone, but he had time to react—he quickly leaned back, dodging Xie Liu’s strike.

He shoved Xie Liu away; the air exploded at his touch, and Xie Liu was hurled back, smashing through the wall and falling from the second floor.

Xie Liu felt two ribs snap. Had there been more time for the enemy to react, he might have been killed outright.

A Level-Nine Ruin ability could destroy any material—Xie Liu hadn’t a chance.

“You…” The enemy stepped forward, seeing Xie Liu sprawled on the ground, locking eyes with Xie Liu’s violet irises.

“Huh? Where is he?” Tyrannosaurus seemed blind to Xie Liu, still searching for a target. Simultaneously, Xie Liu shouted, “Now!”

Lin Yang appeared at Xie Liu’s call, his lightsaber thrusting without hesitation into the enemy’s chest!

Their coordination was flawless, as if telepathic. Lin Yang’s timing was perfect—calmly and precisely piercing the enemy’s chest.

“You—!” Tyrannosaurus finally reacted, but Xie Liu was already in motion, his blade slashing as he spun.

Fire burst from the back of the blade, Xie Liu using the recoil to deliver a powerful cut. Lin Yang vanished at that instant, and Xie Liu’s blade severed Tyrannosaurus’s head.

The battle ended in a heartbeat!

“Search for loot, quickly!” Xie Liu commanded, but saw daylight breaking. “Damn, we’re out of time.”

As the sky brightened, Xie Liu and the others felt the ground trembling beneath their feet. In the distance, the light barrier moved again!

Wherever it passed, the earth shattered. Xie Liu watched as the woods where he had once hidden were reduced to ashes!

The world was collapsing!

“Brothers, no time left—run for your lives!”