Initial Improvements

"Stay alert." Big Shield retracted his extendable shield. The others checked their ammunition counts and began keeping watch as well.

Zhuang Xiaolin stayed where he was and examined the upgraded Rainbow Six squad description card.

Although it had only raised the experience cap and level, the effects described on it were certainly not insignificant.

Just like the stated increase in weapon damage, such improvements were difficult to notice on a small scale unless the boost was substantial.

As Zhuang Xiaolin pondered this, he looked around at the frozen, snow-covered landscape.

"Commander, our ammunition carrying capacity has increased." After checking his ammunition, Machine Gun Guy ran over to report to Zhuang Xiaolin.

"Mm, got it. You and Mozzie keep watch around us. The rest of you, come with me. I have something to discuss." Machine Gun Guy and Car Thief nodded, then swiftly vanished into the endless snowfield.

Big Shield, Glaz, Trap Girl, Doctor, Rook, and the others who had not received orders packed up their weapons, cleared away the remaining Originium Slug corpses on the ground, and quickly gathered near Zhuang Xiaolin.

"How have the ammunition counts for everyone's weapons changed?" Zhuang Xiaolin asked, though he already knew the answer.

"They've all increased, by about five percent. Also, Commander, our skills have received varying degrees of enhancement." As Montagne spoke, he demonstrated it.

His already enormous shield expanded even further when extended, larger than it had been before. Zhuang Xiaolin could also see faint currents of electricity flickering across it.

"Yes, even my armor pack has changed somewhat." Rook chimed in, taking out another stack of armor plates. "This armor has gained a new ability. After being hit by a ranged weapon, it will automatically launch a tracking counterattack to disrupt distant enemies." Rook took out an armor plate and slipped it into his vest, then called out to the already-prepared Glaz in the distance.

Glaz did not hesitate. He raised his pistol and fired.

"Bang—" "Boom—"

Two different sounds echoed across the snowfield.

A small-caliber bullet slowly fell from Rook's chest, while Glaz in the distance was struck by an attack from Rook's ballistic plate.

A tiny, needle-shaped object shot straight at Glaz. Reacting swiftly, Glaz raised his pistol and shot it out of the air.

"As you can see, it can counterattack passively, but it isn't very powerful. Still, it's quite useful for disruption." Rook patted his chest and took out another armor plate. "And this time, everyone can take two."

The moment those words left his mouth, everyone present except the two on watch had their eyes light up greedily. Like people who had starved for over ten days, they swarmed forward. Nearly everyone crawled toward the armor pack in almost twisted poses, frantically stuffing ballistic plates into their vests.

Zhuang Xiaolin was not surprised by this. In the game, armor from someone like Rook, which could provide extra health and a chance to revive oneself after being downed, was always supposed to be used first. Aside from those extremely confident in their timing or those who simply had no need for such a thing, almost everyone would rush forward as soon as Rook put down an armor pack and divide up every plate inside. Even attackers would be unable to resist picking up armor packs they spotted during an assault. That alone showed the appeal of the armor pack.

As for Glaz's changes—according to him, his eyes seemed to have gained something like a holographic display. It could show wind speed, direction, humidity, and other information that had a critical impact on sniping.

Trap Girl's changes... how should it be put? They were somewhat astonishing.

If there were something that combined EDD mines with the incendiaries of a Volcán Shield, while also locking enemies in place, then in the game, it would be the kind of thing that granted a free enemy kill whenever someone stepped on it.

And if such a thing appeared in reality, it would become a solid defensive barrier.

That was right. The effects described above were the new additions to the Welcome Mat.

The Welcome Mat had become even more concealed. When buried in environments such as snowfields, deserts, or forests, it would be almost impossible for enemies to detect. The instant an enemy stepped on it, it would trigger four EDD mines and release two Volcán Shields on either side of the Welcome Mat, inflicting damage on enemies across a wide area.

If they had to say who had received the greatest increase in capability, it was undoubtedly her. As for Machine Gun Guy and Car Thief, Zhuang Xiaolin had already asked them about it when he sent them out to keep watch.

Machine Gun Guy's new ability was that his heavy machine gun could seamlessly connect to the next ammunition drum and continue firing. While firing, he could also mount the Loud grenade launcher beneath the machine gun and launch incendiary rounds at the same time.

Car Thief's upgrade was to Pest. Pest was no longer limited to capturing enemy ground-based mechanical devices in place. It could now move and fire laser waves like Fish Uncle's to destroy enemy equipment, and it could also connect to terminals for remote data transmission, remote intrusion, and more.

One mission had brought them a full harvest, and there was even a draw waiting for him.

Looking out over the endless snow, Zhuang Xiaolin decided to leave this snowfield first before determining their next direction.