The Hunt Begins

Five people stood beside the armored vehicle. At their head was a middle-aged man in a black combat uniform, with thick brows and sharp eyes. A Second Rank martial artist badge was pinned to his chest, and a broad battle saber was strapped across his back.

Song Chen walked over. "Captain Lei?"

The middle-aged man turned his head, his gaze settling on him.

"Song Chen?"

"Yes."

Captain Lei's gaze paused on the bronze badge on his chest, then shifted to his youthful face.

"A newly advanced martial artist?"

"Yes."

"How old?"

"Eighteen."

Captain Lei raised a brow.

"You're eighteen, and you dared leave the city as soon as you got your Martial Artist Badge? You've got some nerve."

A lanky young man beside him leaned over and looked Song Chen up and down.

"Captain Lei, is this the one they said was being assigned to our team?"

Captain Lei nodded, then looked at Song Chen. "Yeah. Your luck's bad—you happened to arrive at a time like this. Do you know what things are like outside the city now?"

"I know a little. About the Beast King."

Captain Lei glanced at him and nodded. "You still came even knowing that. I'll give you credit for having guts."

He pointed at the people beside him. "Let's get acquainted. This is Zhang Lie, a Second Rank martial artist and our team's vice-captain."

A man in his early thirties nodded at Song Chen. He was not tall, but his muscles were solid all over, and his eyes were as sharp as a wolf's.

"This is Zhao Hu, peak First Rank."

A big, honest-looking man grinned.

"This is Wang Hai, mid-stage First Rank."

A young man wearing glasses waved at Song Chen.

Captain Lei pointed to the other two standing nearby: a young girl and a youth who looked slightly older than Song Chen.

"These two are like you, newly assigned here. Li Xiao and Zhou Li. They're a little stronger than you."

The girl named Li Xiao nodded at Song Chen, curiosity flickering in her eyes. The youth named Zhou Li looked nervous, constantly glancing toward the distant Wilderness.

Captain Lei clapped his hands, gathering everyone together. "All right, introductions are over. Let's talk business."

His expression turned solemn.

"Don't think this is an ordinary hunting mission. You're wrong. This is a cleanup mission."

A cleanup mission?

Song Chen's brow twitched.

"Anning City's higher-ups have predicted that if that Beast King really breaks through to Sixth Rank, a beast assault on the city will be as certain as nails in a board. When that happens, the low-rank mutated beasts outside the city will be controlled by the Beast King and surge toward the walls like a tide."

"So the Garrison Command has issued a large number of hunting missions. On the surface, it's to let you earn points. In truth, it's clearing out low-rank mutated beasts. Kill one, and there's one less. When they attack the city, the pressure will be that much lighter."

Wang Hai's face went pale. "Captain, will there really be a beast tide?"

"It's possible. Not certain, but we have to be prepared."

He looked toward the distant Wilderness, a complicated glint flashing through his eyes.

"So during this time, kill as many as you can. Not for points—for survival."

Everyone fell silent.

Captain Lei clapped his hands. "All right, get in. Today we're heading to the ruins north of Evergreen City. Quite a few First Rank mutated beasts have gathered there recently. Remember, don't chase glory, don't rush ahead, and follow orders."

The six of them got into the vehicle.

The armored vehicle started up and drove toward the Wilderness.

Inside the vehicle, Captain Lei sat beside the driver's seat and asked without looking back, "Song Chen, you just got your badge. Have you killed mutated beasts before?"

"I have."

"How many?"

"A few hundred, I guess."

The carriage fell quiet for a moment.

Everyone looked at him, surprise in their eyes.

Zhang Lie turned around and looked him up and down. "A few hundred? You killed them during practical training?"

"Yeah."

"What school?"

"Third Middle School."

Zhang Lie nodded, and there was an extra trace of admiration in his gaze.

"Not bad. You're not some inexperienced rookie."

Zhou Li said quietly, "I've only killed a few..."

Li Xiao lowered her head as well, looking a little embarrassed.

After driving for an hour, the vehicle stopped at the edge of a stretch of ruins.

This was an old district north of Evergreen City. The buildings were not tall, but they were packed tightly together. Most had already collapsed, leaving only broken frames behind. The streets were overgrown with weeds, littered with abandoned vehicles and scattered debris.

Captain Lei waved a hand. "Get out. A large number of mutated beasts have been active in this area lately. Stay sharp."

Seven people got out and formed a combat formation as they slowly entered the ruins.

The moment they stepped onto the first street, Song Chen sensed something strange. Something was watching them. His gaze swept across the surrounding ruins before finally stopping at a second-floor window in a three-story building.

There, a pair of ghostly green eyes was staring at them.

"Second floor, left side."

Captain Lei glanced at him and made a hand signal.

Zhang Lie immediately rushed out. In a few strides, he scaled the outer wall, flipped himself through the second-floor window, and a burst of snarling and fighting sounded from inside before quickly falling silent.

Zhang Lie poked his head out the window. "One Mutated Cat. Taken care of."

He jumped down and looked at Song Chen. "Kid, your eyes are sharp."

Song Chen said nothing, merely nodding.

The team continued forward.

They had gone less than a hundred meters when there was movement again.

This time, it came from the street corner ahead. Three Mutated Wild Dogs were tearing into a corpse. Hearing the footsteps, they raised their heads at the same time, revealing blood-smeared fangs.

Captain Lei immediately issued orders. "Three mid-grade First Rank beasts. No problem. Zhang Lie, Zhao Hu, Wang Hai—one each. You three newcomers watch from the side and learn from the experience."

Before he had even finished speaking, Song Chen had already charged out.

He was astonishingly fast, reaching the wild dogs in the blink of an eye.

The dog in front had no time to react before half its head was sliced off with a single slash. The other two dogs pounced at him together.

[You have killed a First Rank mutated beast, Mutated Wild Dog. Obtained 5 Killing Value.]

Song Chen sidestepped the first dog's lunge, then slashed backward, burying his blade half a foot into its waist. The wild dog let out a miserable cry and collapsed.

[You have killed a First Rank mutated beast, Mutated Wild Dog. Obtained 5 Killing Value.]

The third wild dog seized the chance to leap behind him, opening its blood-filled maw to bite for his throat.

Without even turning his head, Song Chen reached back with his left hand.

"Sizzle!"

A bolt of lightning shot from his palm, blasting straight into the wild dog's open mouth.

The wild dog's body instantly stiffened. It dropped from midair, hit the ground, and convulsed without end.

Song Chen turned around and finished it with one slash, ending its life.

Three wild dogs. From the moment he attacked to the moment it ended, less than ten seconds had passed.

The street was deathly silent.

Zhang Lie's hand was still resting on his sword hilt, and he stood frozen in place. The others were much the same.

Captain Lei stared at Song Chen, his expression complicated. "You..."

Even if he had acted personally, he did not think he could have done it so cleanly and decisively.

Song Chen wiped the blood from his blade and sheathed it. "Sorry. I'm used to it. I was always the one taking the lead before. I'm not used to hiding in the back and watching."

Used to it.

Those three words silenced everyone present.

What did he mean, used to it?

Used to what?

Used to charging at the very front?

Used to instantly killing First Rank mutated beasts?

Or used to ending the battle before anyone else had even reacted?

Zhang Lie took a deep breath, walked over, and circled Song Chen once. He looked as though he were examining some rare animal. "You kid... how many did you say you killed in practical training?"

"A few hundred."

Zhang Lie stared at him. "How many were First Rank?"

"Over a hundred, I guess."