Fire Extinguished

"Me!"

"Me!"

"Me!"

Besides Niu Niu, the other three scrambled to speak. At Fang Yue's request, they played rock-paper-scissors to decide the winner.

The winner excitedly took Fang Yue's torch, lit it with Lifespan, and immediately ran off into the distance.

Compared to staying here and fighting Anomalies that could appear at any moment, consuming Lifespan to light a torch was a minor issue.

Not to mention, reporting back was considered meritorious by the Guard Team and would be rewarded.

With Shi Wuliao and that person gone, the team was reduced to four.

Only Niu Niu was left in the team with a torch.

Niu Niu was energized and eager to fight.

Since last night, he had been spending all his time in the Game, except for eating and using the restroom, practicing his punches frantically.

The fist-shaped bloodstains left on the solidified rock in the guard post's courtyard today were a testament to his efforts.

If he hadn't been short on Lifespan, he wouldn't have even wanted to come out on a mission.

His Control Power, which was originally 3 points, had been forcibly increased to 3.7 points in just one day and one night.

This growth rate had the reserve members marveling in admiration, and even the instructors looked at him with new respect.

If this were in any sect, he would undoubtedly be a martial arts prodigy.

However, Niu Niu knew that besides his diligence, his main advantage was the Talent of [Innate Divine Strength].

He had kept the full effect of [Innate Divine Strength] a secret.

Besides increasing Control Power by 2 points, [Innate Divine Strength] also moderately increased the growth rate of Control Power. It was a growth-type Talent with a promising future.

"But who wouldn't keep some secrets?"

Niu Niu looked at Fang Yue with a challenger's gaze.

"Just like no one knows how Brother Ye managed to walk in the rain last night."

Fang Yue's punch that shattered the solidified rock last night had deeply shocked Niu Niu, but Niu Niu was also stubborn. He believed that with enough time, he could definitely surpass Fang Yue.

And now, he wanted to kill an Anomaly and prevent Fang Yue from getting the chance to act, thereby proving his strength after his growth!

With this thought, Niu Niu prepared to light the Soul Fire torch to locate the Anomaly, but a large hand pressed down on the torch.

"Wait!"

"Brother Ye, the enemy is hidden, but we are exposed. How can we find them without lighting the Soul Fire?"

Fang Yue glanced at Niu Niu and emphasized, "Wait!"

As he spoke, Fang Yue continued to stare intently at the teammate who had just left with the torch.

That person had only run about a hundred meters and was quite conspicuous in the darkness.

Niu Niu was a bit confused but said nothing. Instead, he looked at the other two members of the team.

Those two were hiding behind Fang Yue, looking like they were begging for protection.

Sensing Niu Niu's gaze, they immediately showed a look of embarrassment mixed with fawning.

Clearly, they couldn't be counted as combat strength.

In fact, they weren't combat-specialized; they were just Normal Players.

They had wandered around the village for a day, doing things like weeding and feeding chickens, constantly seeking a good path forward.

But a day had passed without them finding any direction. Lacking Talent and direction, they needed more Lifespan to find opportunities and their place in the village.

However, time was of the essence. Their dwindling Lifespan forced them to seek help desperately, leading them to Niu Niu and this perilous night patrol mission.

Therefore, these two were truly just dead weight.

Not just Niu Niu, but Fang Yue also knew these people were a burden.

But there was nothing he could do. He had taken their money, so he had to see them through.

These were clients who had paid him, and Fang Yue couldn't just abandon them.

Of course, if trouble arose, his own safety would come first.

For instance, Fang Yue was currently using them to conduct some tests to ensure his own safety.

The only thing he regretted was that Fang Yue wasn't sure if [Night's Breath] could heal his injuries at the time, so he had quoted a low price.

Now, if he were to ask for more... it would feel a bit unethical. If his reputation soured, it would be hard to "harvest leeks" later.

As for the matter of "10,000 yuan per Anomaly head" that Shi Wuliao had mentioned earlier, Fang Yue hadn't even considered it.

If there were Anomalies to kill, why would he let others do it? That business wasn't profitable at all. He hadn't even considered taking on orders because his body was severely injured, so they hadn't discussed it in detail.

While Fang Yue was lost in these thoughts, the teammate carrying the torch had already run over two hundred meters and was nearing the first intersection.

According to the route, he would turn left at the first intersection. Past that corner, Fang Yue wouldn't be able to see the light from his current position.

"It seems the Anomaly isn't nearby?"

Just as Fang Yue made this judgment and was about to retract his gaze...

The flickering light in the distance, which had been moving, suddenly stopped.

Fang Yue's heart skipped a beat, and he focused his attention.

Unfortunately, the distance was too great, and he couldn't see clearly anymore.

From the changes in light and shadow, he could tell the torch had fallen to the ground.

He could vaguely see two figures moving.

Hiss.

At this moment, the Soul Fire, unsupported by Lifespan, extinguished.

The area plunged into complete darkness. Niu Niu and the others finally looked sharply in that direction.

Almost simultaneously as Niu Niu and the others looked, a series of heart-wrenching screams erupted from that direction, echoing across the main road.

The screams lasted only a few seconds before abruptly falling silent.

Everyone knew that person was dead.

Thinking of the tragic state of Yong Ge and his teammates, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Thump.

A Player behind Fang Yue suddenly slumped to the ground.

Fang Yue turned to look and saw the Player's face filled with terror, trembling uncontrollably. Another Player stared blankly, expressionless, as if their soul had left them.

Fang Yue was slightly taken aback.

"What happened to him?"

"He logged off."

Niu Niu whispered, "I've seen what people look like after logging off; they're like this, soulless. Ye Ge, don't mind them. The Anomaly is ahead, let's charge!"

Charge?

They didn't even know what level this Anomaly was, and he wanted to charge? Was he tired of living?

"That's not wise. The Anomaly's strength is unknown. Let's go to Chen Mansion for reinforcements first."

The Anomaly being ahead meant they were cut off from seeking help from other Patrol Teams.

Their only remaining support was Chen Mansion.

Given his relationship with Captain Chen, it shouldn't be too much to ask to snatch a kill after he engaged the Anomaly, right?

With this thought, Fang Yue reached for Niu Niu's Soul Fire torch, but suddenly felt resistance.

He looked at Niu Niu strangely. Niu Niu was tightly gripping the Soul Fire torch, smiling, "Ye Ge, it's not time yet. Let me hold onto the torch."

Niu Niu wasn't stupid. Before the incident with the other Player, he had only found Fang Yue's decisions strange.

Now, he understood completely.

Fang Yue had long sensed the Anomaly nearby and was using lives to test its exact location.

Niu Niu didn't want to become Fang Yue's stepping stone or cannon fodder.

Therefore, he had to think for himself and decide on his actions, rather than blindly following Fang Yue's commands.

Niu Niu cherished his own life. He knew that if he had another chance, there wouldn't be another Lucky Gift Pack, and it would be difficult to achieve his current success again.