Shelter

Honestly, with an ability like [Horde], forming a small five-person team among the Deathmatch Participants was quite easy.

After all, no Deathmatch Participant would pass up such a free buff, especially when the owner of the ability itself couldn't receive the boost, greatly reducing their threat.

It was like an ADC in a team fight, never minding an Enchanter helping them out.

"Whose is the 'node'?"

Lu Bai asked the crucial question.

"Ensure all five of us make it into the top ten, and when it's just us left, we'll fight it out on our own."

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Xueyin added, "They've all agreed to this arrangement."

He knew clearly that the team had been formed, but the trust between them was far from enough to let them turn their backs on each other.

If they encountered mortal danger, it would be good if their so-called teammates didn't stab them in the back.

The others in the team likely knew this as well.

Joining the team was merely to make it easier to deal with other lone Deathmatch Participants.

Lu Bai nodded in understanding, "Then I have no issues."

He could already feel the boost provided by [Horde]. With his body already enhanced by the zombie virus, the effect of the buff was particularly significant.

If the timing were more appropriate, he would have liked to kick Xiao Xueyin again to test it out.

Fortunately, Xiao Xueyin didn't know what Lu Bai was thinking. He clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention.

"I won't waste time with pleasantries. Excluding us five, there are 128... oh, 127 Deathmatch Participants left in this Deathmatch Arena. According to the latest location information released by the Deathmatch system, most of them are gathered near that building, and the 'node' is inside that building."

He gestured to the Research Center in the distance. "I'll state my personal opinion first. Given the current number of surviving Deathmatch Participants, I don't recommend we go for the 'node' right now. We'd become targets. For now, it's best we hunt down lone Deathmatch Participants near the 'node'. That's all I have to say. Anyone with a different opinion can speak up."

"Tch, what else is there to say?"

Liu Yue pouted and waved her hand. "Let's go, I want to see blood flow like a river."

It's worth noting that when Xiao Xueyin mentioned the pretty sisters, Wu Ya and the other two had already come out of the tent. They were just less conspicuous because they were standing behind Lu Bai and remained quiet.

Unlike the other residents at the settlement, they had some understanding of Deathmatch Participants because of Lu Bai.

They could naturally tell from Xiao Xueyin's words that the people present were Deathmatch Participants like Lu Bai.

Although they didn't understand the meaning of terms like "Deathmatch Arena" and "node" in Xiao Xueyin's speech, they could tell that they were planning to team up with Lu Bai to kill people.

Once they confirmed this, Wu Ya mustered her courage, gently tugged on Lu Bai's sleeve, and asked in a low voice, "Can't you not go?"

However, she didn't know that the Deathmatch Participants present had all received physical enhancements. Even a twenty percent increase was enough that they could hear something this close.

Initially, out of respect for Lu Bai, Xiao Xueyin and the others hadn't paid much attention to Wu Ya and her companions.

But after Wu Ya spoke, Liu Yue's gaze towards Lu Bai became increasingly strange. "I'm a bit curious, how do you get along with these natives? Keeping them as pets is one thing, but how can you let them boss you around?"

A kind smile appeared on Lu Bai's face as he said, "You're not very polite."

Despite the smile being genuine, it inexplicably made Liu Yue's scalp tingle.

"Alright, everyone has their own way of treating people, it's not a big deal."

Xiao Xueyin smoothed things over and then took out five small walkie-talkies from his pocket, keeping one for himself and distributing the rest to the others. "If there are any unexpected situations, we'll contact each other through these."

Lu Bai calmly accepted the small walkie-talkie.

He had a feeling that these Deathmatch Participants always carried some kind of communication device. Agu, who was still locked up in the laboratory, was the same.

"Then let's go."

After the team members had roughly adapted to using the small walkie-talkies, Xiao Xueyin suggested they start moving.

The explosion-haired man and the hoodie guy turned and walked towards the Research Center without a word. The little delinquent named Liu Yue was similar, but before leaving, she turned back and stuck her tongue out at Lu Bai.

"Do you need some time?"

Xiao Xueyin glanced at Lu Bai, then at Wu Ya and the others standing behind him. Without waiting for Lu Bai's reply, he added understandingly, "I'll wait for you ahead."

As soon as the Deathmatch Participants left, Wu Ya couldn't wait to speak. "Can't you not go? He said there are over a hundred people as strong as you, it's too dangerous."

"You're being a bit..."

Lu Bai originally wanted to say she was being a bit too boundaryless, but as the words reached his lips, he felt it might not be good to say that to a young girl, so he changed his mind. "Don't worry, at most I'll be eliminated. Strictly speaking, 'dangerous' isn't the right word."

"But..."

Wu Ya wanted to say more, but Lu Bai interrupted her before she could.

"If you keep talking like this, you won't even have friends."

Hearing the word "friends," Wu Ya finally calmed down and said hesitantly, "Then don't get eliminated."

Ke Jiangni chimed in at the right moment, "Go ahead with confidence, we're safe here."

"You really need to ensure your own safety, because I can't be your bodyguard forever."

Lu Bai left a piece of advice, then smiled and waved goodbye, turning to follow Xiao Xueyin and the others.

Speaking of which, he was quite satisfied with his newly formed team.

While there wasn't exactly trust between them, at least Lu Bai found Xiao Xueyin less repulsive to be around than Agu.

Whether it was real or an act, they'd end up fighting anyway. So why not choose someone more pleasant to cooperate with?

"Everything's handled, right?"

Seeing Lu Bai catch up, Xiao Xueyin smiled and continued, "Honestly, from a teammate's perspective, I shouldn't say too much. But I still want to remind you, Deathmatch Participants and natives won't have an outcome.

If you're really looking for romance, once this Deathmatch is over, I can introduce you to a few people. Of course, if we're not in the same shelter, then there's nothing I can do."

Lu Bai stared at Xiao Xueyin's profile with some surprise.

He didn't really care about being misunderstood, and he was too lazy to explain.

What did pique his interest was a word Xiao Xueyin had mentioned.

Why "shelter"?

Shelter from what hardship?