Bait 3/6 / Bai Ye's Swordsmanship

Bai Ye's extraordinarily high affinity aura took effect at that moment, and the doctor began rambling about his past.

His name was Nikola. He had once been a doctor in Saint Petersburg, fresh out of medical school. Just as his life had begun down a bright path, it plunged into darkness—he had accidentally become an Infected and spent the rest of his life in the mines of the northwestern tundra.

Nikola treated Infected in the mines and collected folk remedies, gradually honing his medical skills, especially in surgery. After Reunion rescued him, he became Reunion's chief doctor.

"Sorry, I haven't had anyone to talk to in a long time..." Seemingly realizing his loss of composure, the middle-aged man quickly stopped himself and got to the point. "Mr. Bai Ye, I noticed earlier that Miss Alina's Oripathy had shown signs of flaring up. But after testing, her infection is currently being effectively suppressed."

As he spoke, Nikola tried hard to control the excitement in his voice.

Because this discovery was simply too astonishing.

Oripathy was an ever-present nightmare for the Infected. Every day, this incurable terminal illness gnawed away at what remained of their lives.

No one could foresee their own death, yet Oripathy was destined to bring the Infected their fated end."

Most of Reunion consisted of Infected.

The environment here was harsh, the conditions grueling, and there were no effective means of suppressing Oripathy. On top of that, the Infected lived extremely difficult lives, while the fighters were constantly wounded and forced into battle. As a result, the chances of Oripathy symptoms erupting were high.

Their cellular Originium assimilation rates and blood Originium crystal densities continued to rise, while the crystals appearing on their skin kept increasing.

Many Infected had not died in battle, but from Oripathy flare-ups.

And now, a turning point had appeared. Alina's Oripathy had been effectively suppressed. To Reunion's doctors, who had previously been able to do nothing but watch the Infected suffer under the torment of illness, this was undoubtedly good news.

"Are you wondering how I did it?" Bai Ye looked at the doctor before him and smiled.

"Mm-hm, that's right." Nikola looked eager.

"Actually, I have effective suppressants." Bai Ye did not keep him in suspense. He pulled a box of medicine from Rhodes Island out of his pocket.

Chapter 34: Bait 3/6

(114 book reviews reached—where did the other 514 go?)

Skadi stuffed the entire grilled fish into her mouth, wiped her lips, and placed a hand on her weapon.

Bai Ye had told her that once he took out the medicine, she needed to watch their surroundings.

After all, it was a highly sought-after commodity, far too tempting for the Infected.

Skadi kept watch while looking at Bai Ye's pocket. She was very curious why he could pull anything out of it.

"This... this is..." Nikola stared fixedly at the medicine box in Bai Ye's hand, even forgetting to breathe.

"I don't have much on me. What happens next depends on your attitude—and your leader's."

Bai Ye placed the box of medicine in Nikola's hands, then thoughtfully bent the doctor's fingers around it.

"Reunion's fate is now in your hands." Bai Ye patted Nikola on the shoulder.

This was the opportunity for cooperation.

But while Reunion assessed him, he was also assessing this Infected squad.

Some might ask whether cooperation with Reunion was necessary. They were destined to be pawns; their fate had long since been arranged.

Bai Ye had considered that question.

The answer was yes. After all, there were simply too many reasons and benefits.

For example, Reunion had the last pure-blooded Wendigo. Through him, Bai Ye could establish contact with other Sarkaz.

For example, Reunion had ranged across the tundra for many years—was that really not just exile?—and had destroyed quite a few mines. They possessed a large quantity of Originium ore that had yet to be traded.

For example, Reunion was one of the few Infected organizations Bai Ye could contact within Ursus. Due to its oppressive policies toward the Infected, Rhodes Island could not establish offices within Ursus, making cooperation with Reunion necessary.

Of course, the most important point was that Reunion had plenty of work. No matter how many Players he recruited, he would be able to find things to keep them busy with, so they would not be left with nothing to do.

As for whether Reunion would turn into a prankster movement because of the Players, that had nothing to do with Bai Ye. From what he had seen so far, the Infected seemed rather foolish, especially the Snow Crab Squad...

It felt like Skadi had plenty in common with them.

They could all be foolish together!

Still, Bai Ye knew perfectly well that trading with Reunion would inevitably mean taking on the corresponding risks. Therefore, he could not use Rhodes Island's name, nor could he reveal even the slightest trace of Rhodes Island during the process.

That meant he needed proper cover, as well as a secret cooperation agreement with Rhodes Island.

The mineral exploration and excavation company he had considered before could not be used. According to Bai Ye's investigation, mining in Ursus—especially Originium mining—was controlled by the military.

The border nobles who controlled the military possessed complete Originium refining supply chains. From raw ore to refinement, everything was monopolized by these dukes. They controlled the lifelines of every Mobile City through this, and Bai Ye would have a hard time getting a share.

Bai Ye needed to discuss it with Miss Swire and set up a new shell company with a permanent office base inside the Ursus Empire.

That would make it easier to stay in contact with Reunion and recruit newly arrived Players in the cities.

Night fell.

The twin moons traveled through the sky along their predetermined paths. As long as humans looked at the sky, they would find stories there.

"Whose story are the orbits and speeds of the twin moons telling?"

Bai Ye led Skadi toward their own camp. Skadi was somewhat puzzled, because Bai Ye seemed to have done it deliberately. He had refused to have their camp placed among the guerrillas, instead choosing to pitch camp some distance from Reunion's encampment.

Fortunately, their location was still within the sentries' observation range, so the guerrillas did not object to Bai Ye's decision.

In a sense, both sides seemed to share an unspoken understanding.

"This position is dangerous." Skadi slung her weapon over her back and looked at Bai Ye.

"I know, but Skadi is the strongest." Bai Ye did not take out a weapon, but the longsword in his inventory was already poised to strike. Because of certain "accidents," word that he had medicine had spread among the Infected.

When he returned to his tent, Bai Ye could clearly feel the gazes carrying all sorts of emotions.

"I'll protect you." Skadi clenched her fist.

"But when we fight, don't get close to me, and don't talk to me. It's dangerous."

Skadi's greatsword had an enormous attack range. Getting close to her was highly risky.

Bai Ye nodded with a smile, warmth filling his heart. Since crossing over, everyone he had met had been good people—Penguin Logistics, the Guards Bureau, Rhodes Island...

"I really hope that luck carries over to Reunion."

Bai Ye turned off the windproof Originium lamp in the tent, and darkness immediately enveloped the area. Only the fierce sound of wind battering the outer layer of the tent remained.

"Sleep." Bai Ye said goodnight, then lay quietly beside Skadi.

In the latter half of the night, when darkness was deepest and sleepiness strongest,

a group of shadowy figures quietly approached Bai Ye's tent.

They carried weapons or held staffs.

Inside the tent, Bai Ye and Skadi, who had been lying down, opened their eyes at the same time. They silently sat up as well.

Though it was dark, Bai Ye could still see the faint chill glinting in Skadi's crimson eyes.

She was clearly prepared.

The girl in combat mode was not the usual silly Skadi.

"Take them alive," Bai Ye whispered into the girl's ear.

"Mm." Skadi nodded, deciding to hold back her strength.

To the people outside, however, the tent was silent, as though its occupants knew nothing of the commotion beyond it.

"So naive... Find the medicine, then get out of here." The lead Infected lowered his voice. "With suppressants and a vehicle, we can leave Ursus directly."

The longsword Arc Light fell into Bai Ye's hand.

The pitch-black Sword Sheath began to glow.

Bai Ye activated his "staff" and used his Originium Arts.

Without anyone noticing, the icy wind that had been howling across heaven and earth suddenly became obedient.

A layer of vacuum enveloped the area around Bai Ye. Any sound made within it was destined not to travel outside.

"Tonight, Bai Ye joins the hunt."

Bai Ye drew Arc Light. To be honest, his hands had been itching for action.

Since coming to Terra, he had experienced only a handful of battles.

Skadi, naturally, was much more straightforward and brutal.

Bang—

The Infected who had been pressed against the tent, preparing to cut through it, was suddenly blasted away. He spat blood in midair before crashing heavily onto the ground like a broken doll.

The next moment, the tent flap flew open, and two figures rushed out one after the other.

Chapter 35: Bai Ye's Swordsmanship

"This place is too dry..."

Skadi took a deep breath.

Although she had been on land for so long, she still could not fully adapt to such an environment.

Well, she was much better than when she had first arrived.

"So annoying..." Skadi helplessly shook her head as she watched the Infected charging toward her.

Moving on land was troublesome. Though seawater had pressure and resistance, it also had buoyancy and currents. An Abyssal Hunter could move easily underwater.

Too lazy to move, Skadi merely lifted her greatsword and casually swung it.

With a single strike, the first Infected to surround her were swept away like trash.

"Urgh—"

The screams blended together. Though the girl had not struck to kill and had held back considerably, the strength of an orca was not something these Infected, who had only received a few rounds of military training, could compare to. Bai Ye saw with his own eyes that several unlucky people had arms and legs bent at extremely unnatural angles. They had clearly been broken.

The miserable state of their companions did not affect the fighting spirit of the remaining Infected in the slightest. One after another, they charged at Skadi.

"Quick, use Arts!"

"She's alone! Hold her back!"

The fanatical Infected did not fear death. They desperately rushed at Skadi, trying to delay her.

Crossbow bolts, missed shots, Arts, stones...

All kinds of bizarre attacks flew toward Skadi like an impenetrable rainstorm. Even Skadi had to devote part of her attention to dealing with them.

"Skadi, don't worry about me." Bai Ye knew the girl was holding herself back to protect him.

"But..." Skadi frowned.

"Don't underestimate me too much. And don't forget, you can't... bleed on land." Bai Ye did not say the latter half aloud, instead sending it directly to Skadi's ear through the wind.

"...I understand." Skadi chose to trust her friend and began focusing on the Infected. She had to be careful and could not leave any wounds.

Once Skadi's attention was diverted, several taciturn Infected rushed toward Bai Ye.

Their target was naturally Bai Ye. After observing them, they had long realized that no matter how powerful Skadi was, she centered everything around Bai Ye. Therefore, they had sent all their elite fighters after him.

The bolts fired from powerful crossbows tore through the air with shrill whistles, carrying Originium Arts as they shot toward Bai Ye. These Infected intended to kill him.

Bang—

A wall of wind rose from the ground, blocking the ranged attacks. At the same time, Bai Ye drew his longsword and turned to block the dagger stabbing toward him from behind.

The blade and dagger met with a crisp ring. At the same time, Bai Ye's longsword suddenly erupted with force, carrying powerful momentum as it crushed past the dagger and cut into the attacker's chest.

After dealing with the attacker behind him, Bai Ye swung his longsword around and turned toward his next target.

At that moment, several more enemies suddenly dropped from above. They wore mobility devices that could generate immense thrust in bursts, allowing them to dash short distances at incredible speed.