Merit

Time seemed to freeze for a split second, and even the Earth Dragon's raised torso went rigid.

The next moment, like a blade slicing through worn fabric, a sudden, dull rip echoed in everyone's ears.

The Earth Dragon split open starting from below its head, as if a zipper had been pulled down a jacket, tearing all the way to its abdomen.

The only difference was that this "jacket" was its own flesh and blood, and the "zipper" was a dagger held in the hand of a figure drenched in gore.

Chen Chong leaped out from the Earth Dragon's belly, flipped through the air, and landed on one knee.

With a thunderous boom, the disemboweled Earth Dragon collapsed behind him, kicking up clouds of dust and shaking the ground.

Chen Chong coughed twice, stood up from the haze, and scanned his surroundings.

Whether it was the security team, Peng Wei, Pei Li, or even Liu Xun, everyone was staring at him as if they had seen a ghost.

He kicked the writhing mass of flesh at his feet:

"What are you staring at? This thing is still twitching."

Still twitching... no, wait, he could still talk?

He just came out of the Earth Dragon's stomach, right?

The group looked at Chen Chong, finally snapping out of their stupor.

The security team's expressions shifted into uncontrollable shock; they never imagined that this unremarkable Cannon Fodder Fighter could actually escape the jaws of death!

Although they hadn't seen how Chen Chong was swallowed, everyone had witnessed how he came out.

Using a dagger less than a forearm's length to disembowel an Earth Dragon over twenty meters long, then jumping out full of vigor...

"Oh, yeah, sure, I believe it. Why wouldn't I? It's just like that time I went out and used an Earth Dragon as a pocket pussy until it died. Totally legit."

If they were at a bar hearing someone describe this scene, they would surely be laughing and saying something like that.

After all, it was simply too absurd.

And the most absurd part was that they had seen it with their own eyes.

The most insignificant Cannon Fodder Fighter had descended like a god to save them; a few of the injured members even suspected this was just a hallucination before they were swallowed by the Earth Dragon.

Peng Wei stared at Chen Chong with wide eyes, his expression much like someone seeing a ghost; meanwhile, Pei Li looked blankly at the dagger in her own hand, then at the one in Chen Chong's, beginning to wonder if they weren't actually identical blades.

Liu Xun took a deep look at Chen Chong, his intended stride coming to a halt.

He had intended to finish off the Earth Dragon, which wasn't quite dead yet, but the aura Chen Chong radiated made him feel as if going over there would mean submitting to his command.

Liu Xun's face darkened slightly. He paused for two seconds before walking over and using his combat knife to dissect the Earth Dragon.

He was quite skilled, and before long, he had hacked the Earth Dragon into several pieces, ensuring it was well and truly dead.

Then, he turned to look at Chen Chong, sizing him up:

"Not bad skills."

The brutal battle had ended.

Two members of the security team were dead, two were severely injured, and the rest had suffered varying degrees of minor wounds.

Those with light injuries busied themselves treating the severely wounded, leaving the task of packing the spoils to Chen Chong and his two companions.

However, this time, at least two team members came over to help, holding bags and loading the carts.

Of course, they mostly just didn't want to stay here too long. Even if two Earth Dragons were likely the limit, it was better to leave early; after all, today's Hunting Grounds were truly bizarre.

At the same time, the security team members no longer dared to look at the trio—especially Chen Chong—with any flippancy. Whenever they were caught stealing a glance at Chen Chong, they would quickly look away, quiet and well-behaved.

After all, if he could disembowel an Earth Dragon with a single dagger, he could certainly do the same to them—even two of them stacked together wouldn't be a problem.

"We're running out of supplies. You two take the carts back to camp, then bring back stretchers and medical supplies."

Once the packing was mostly done, Liu Xun ordered:

"Mission accomplished, prepare to withdraw."

Everyone felt a surge of energy, and the trio exchanged glances, all wearing expressions of relief.

Thankfully, the losses weren't too heavy—provided Kong Qingsong didn't object.

"We made a huge contribution this time; we're bound to earn a lot when we get back, plus there's the Earth Dragon Meat! Long Zhibin is actually quite generous about that. Chen Chong, you're probably going to strike it rich!"

Peng Wei whispered excitedly.

Chen Chong merely nodded, feeling three parts happy and seven parts regretful.

He had gone out on this trip, but he hadn't found a particularly suitable opportunity to escape.

Still, there should be chances in the future.

"You two go."

Liu Xun suddenly pointed at Pei Li and Peng Wei.

The two looked at each other, then at Chen Chong, and clicked their tongues in unison. Heroes of the mission were entitled to special treatment, so they didn't say anything else, pushing the fully loaded tactical carts away.

Liu Xun looked at Chen Chong, and Chen Chong looked back at him. Both were covered in black blood—the blood spilled by the Earth Dragon—looking as if they had been cast from the same mold.

Liu Xun did not know why Chen Chong was essentially unscathed, suffering only from some minor corrosive wounds. But since his attention had been focused on his own side at the time, he did not press the matter. Yet, looking at Chen Chong's indifferent temperament, his upright stature, and the fact that his combat record and medals were similar to his own, an inexplicable feeling stirred in his heart.

Looking back at his own subordinates who had suffered heavy casualties, a flicker passed through Liu Xun's eyes.

"Your name is, Chen Chong? Or Kong Qingsong?"

"Chen Chong."

"Chen Chong..."

Liu Xun pondered for a moment, then said indifferently:

"Do you know where you went wrong?"

Chen Chong was stunned for a moment.

"Since you had the strength, why didn't you say so earlier? You made me expend so much effort, and caused the loss of so many brothers."

Liu Xun's expression grew colder as he spoke:

"Hmph, if we're going to talk about it, this is all your fault!

"First, you disobeyed orders, drawing the Earth Dragon into our formation and causing heavy casualties among our brothers; second, you deserted in the face of battle, refusing to pull your weight and attempting to let your companions die in your stead; third, you were greedy for glory. That Earth Dragon had already been half-killed by me; instead of joining the main force to deal with the other one, you went off to steal the credit. You are absolutely despicable!

"You didn't contribute much this time, yet your mistakes caused such heavy casualties. Fortunately, I turned the tide and killed both Earth Dragons. And now, not only are you not reflecting on your actions, but I heard you were even asking for credit?

"You're dreaming! Go back and prepare to face the General Manager's family law!"

Chen Chong looked at Liu Xun's sharp gaze, taking a moment to process what was happening.

Stealing credit?

It was more than that.

Although they had hunted three Earth Dragons this time, the Security Department had suffered heavy losses.

The Security Department was personally trained by Long Zhibin; they could be called his personal troops, the apple of his eye.

Someone had to take responsibility for such losses.

Even if this had been an accidental situation, Liu Xun would at least be charged with "incompetent command"—even if Long Zhibin didn't intend to pursue it, Liu Xun's competitors within the Security Department would certainly not let this opportunity pass.

After all, as the most important and critical department in Thunder Dragon, the competition was fierce, especially at the captain level. After all, anything higher than that was essentially a department-level manager.

One of the two dead men was the vice-captain. If a Cannon Fodder Fighter were to be credited for meritorious service, then Liu Xun would be the only one left to shoulder the blame... He naturally could not accept that.

Chen Chong and the others had naively thought they might get a share of the credit, perhaps even receiving some Earth Dragon Meat for free, but who knew they would be handed such a massive scapegoat instead.

Long Zhibin's family law? There were very few people in the entire Thunder Dragon who could withstand it.

Seeing the expression on Chen Chong's face, Liu Xun realized he had completely figured it out.

Secretly amazed by the fighter's sharp mind, Liu Xun became even more determined. He glared and shouted:

"What, you're not convinced? Do you know that for any one of the offenses you just committed, I could execute you on the spot! You caused the deaths of so many of my brothers; I should make you pay with your life right now!"

He suddenly raised his gun and pressed it directly against Chen Chong's forehead!