Recognition

The highly intelligent monster, after witnessing all its peers being singled out and killed, and the collapse of its entire race, finally fell into unprecedented panic.

Its attack faltered slightly.

"Die...!"

Lei Kun seized this fleeting opportunity, and a final burst of madness erupted from his One-Eye.

He burned the last of his Undying Golden Blood, pouring all his power into the Battle Axe that had been released from his hand.

The Battle Axe transformed into a shooting star, letting out a mournful cry, and with speed exceeding its limits, it slammed into the head of the mid-level executioner!

"Boom!"

A violent burst of energy erupted, and the battle finally ended.

[Warning lifted; Insect Tide in C-4 Gate Defense Zone has receded.]

A cold, impersonal system notification sounded in everyone's communication channel.

Lei Kun was covered in blood and deep, bone-revealing wounds. He knelt on the ground, leaning on his dulled Battle Axe, like a dying lion, panting heavily.

The Monkey slumped in the corner, its face ashen.

At the top of the defensive tower, Leng Yan leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down to the ground, her eyes vacant.

The entire battlefield was a scene of utter devastation.

Only one place was so clean it seemed like another world.

Chen Fan stood in the center of that pristine land, completely unharmed, not even the hem of his combat uniform was disheveled.

He was looking down, slowly and methodically putting the last dark gold core into his pocket, as if he were taking stock of today's gains, with even a hint of regret on his face.

Outside the gate, there was deathly silence.

The pungent smell of blood mingled with the metallic odor, filling the cold air.

Lei Kun knelt on the ground, the blade of his Battle Axe, which had been with him for many years, was full of nicks. He looked like a dying lion king, blood dripping from his tattered Battle Armor onto the ground.

On the defensive tower, Leng Yan slid down to the ground against the cold wall. Her eyes, which were always as sharp as an eagle's, were now empty. She even forgot to pick up the Sniper Scope that had fallen to her feet.

In the shadows of the corner, the Monkey slumped over its console, its hands hanging limply at its sides. On the Light Screen in front of it, the data flow had long since stopped, leaving only a glaring red alarm.

Three people, from three different directions, all stared intently at the center of the battlefield with a look that was a mixture of bewilderment and absurdity.

There stood a boy.

His brand-new combat uniform was spotless, a stark contrast to the blood-soaked battlefield.

Chen Fan put the last dark gold Life Core into his pocket, then casually clapped his hands, as if he were just brushing away non-existent dust.

He even clicked his tongue with a hint of regret.

That's still too little; it's not enough to burn.

After doing all this, he turned around and looked at his three teammates who were dumbfounded.

Those amber eyes were clear and calm, without any impurities, only a trace of pure curiosity.

He broke the silence.

"Why are you... so slow?"

"I'm almost dozing off."

These words landed lightly in the hearts of the three people.

Lei Kun's intact One-Eye suddenly contracted, as if the wound that had just stopped was being torn open again, and the intense pain made him tremble all over.

The Monkey seemed to have had its last bit of strength drained away, and its whole body went limp.

A ripple finally appeared in Leng Yan eyes; it was a reflection of the world shattered after her beliefs had completely collapsed.

The journey back to camp felt as long as an entire era.

Lei Kun, Leng Yan, Monkey walked ahead, their steps heavy and stiff.

Chen Fan followed behind, hands in his pockets, walking briskly.

No one spoke.

In the narrow passage, only the sound of four people's hurried footsteps echoed.

But the three people in front could clearly feel the gaze behind them, as calm as a bottomless abyss, making them feel like they were being pricked by needles with every step they took, sending chills down their spines.

That wasn't murderous intent, nor was it oppressive power; it was something far more terrifying.

An absolute perspective from a higher level of life.

"Clang!"

Back in the barracks, Lei Kun could no longer hold on and threw his Battle Axe heavily to the ground with a loud, piercing crash.

The atmosphere in the cramped space was extremely oppressive.

Lei Kun stared intently at Chen Fan, trying to figure out what was going on.

But when he met those calm eyes, all the words stuck in his throat.

Finally, he slumped down onto his bed in a dejected manner.

"Cough... cough cough..."

He coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of saliva streaked with blood, his voice hoarse.

"The Pioneer Team Seven is the undisputed cannon fodder team in the entire War Zone 450."

Both the Monkey and Leng Yan froze simultaneously.

"Here, the average survival time for new recruits is no more than three missions."

Lei Kun's One-Eye didn't look at anyone, only staring at the pool of his own blood on the ground, and he gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Therefore, we never invest any emotion in newcomers, nor do we expect them to survive. Because that would only... bring unnecessary suffering."

He didn't say sorry, but every word he uttered was a disguised apology.

It was a confession of his previous indifference, and also a confession of his pathetic survival rules.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lei Kun slowly raised his head, and for the first time, his single One-Eye looked solemnly at Chen Fan.

"Lei Kun, Mid-Stage Sixth Grade Undying Realm."

A cold metallic clanging sound rang out, Leng Yan straightened up, reporting her information expressionlessly.

"Leng Yan, Early Stage Sixth Grade Undying Realm, sniper."

"Monkey... Fifth Grade Golden Body Realm Perfection, Technician." From the corner, the Monkey also managed to speak with difficulty.

This was the first time they had regarded the boy before them as a true comrade-in-arms, rather than a passerby who might die at any moment.

Chen Fan listened calmly and simply nodded.

"Chen Feng, Sixth Stage!"

This nonchalant attitude only made Lei Kun and the other two more convinced of its validity.

Just then...

"Drop."

A barely audible beep came from the Personal Terminal in front of the Monkey, breaking the eerie atmosphere.

He glanced at it instinctively, and froze instantly.

"What's wrong?"

Lei Kun asked hoarsely.

The Monkey raised its head, its voice hoarse.

"Our squad's ranking in the War Zone..."

He swallowed hard.

"He's risen from eighteenth to fifteenth."

"System assessment... Our team independently killed four Rank 6 Executioners, points... points skyrocketed."

The entire barracks fell into a deathly silence once again.

Lei Kun suddenly raised his head, and in his One-Eye, which was somewhat dim due to blood loss, a flame called hope ignited.

He looked at the unfathomable young man before him, and a crazy idea, so crazy that even he himself couldn't believe it, began to grow wildly in his mind.

Perhaps...

This cannon fodder squad is destined to struggle to the death in the quagmire...

Is there now a possibility of breaking free from fate?