A slip of the hand

Ascension progress: 28%

Tianyang slumped down near the Demon Hound's corpse. After killing his target, his entire body felt weak and sore. The release of tension, combined with the excessive drain on his Star Essence and stamina, had left him exhausted.

Through this battle, Tianyang had gained some understanding of the Assassin rank. He even wanted to take stock of what he had learned, but this was not the time.

His ascension progress had increased after killing the Demon Hound, but only by four percentage points. That puzzled him.

When he killed Qin Wu, he had gained a full ten percentage points of ascension progress. Yet now, killing a Demon Hound had raised it by only four.

Was Qin Wu stronger than the Demon Hound?

Of course not.

It might have been due to the Avenger class's ascension mechanism.

Tianyang had already had a vague suspicion. Now, the Demon Hound had provided further support for his theory.

The class I awakened must have an ascension mechanism tied to revenge. That was the only explanation that made sense.

After reporting the successful completion of his mission to the commander, Tianyang stood up. He took a set of material-harvesting tools from his portable kit and collected the Demon Hound's two eyeballs.

After the Children of Darkness died, their bodies rapidly decomposed, but certain parts or organs remained intact.

These preserved remains all had special uses. Under the Fortress's regulations, Ascenders who killed Darkfolk owned whatever remains they left behind. They could keep them for their own use or turn them over to the Fortress in exchange for contribution points.

After Tianyang collected the Demon Hound's eyes, the commander's voice came through his communicator. "Tianyang, withdraw along the designated route immediately. Without their leader directing them, we've driven the pack back. Be careful not to run into any stragglers. I've stationed personnel along your withdrawal route to meet you. Hurry back."

"Understood, Commander. I'm heading back now."

Ending the call, Tianyang left the area and withdrew along the route Lida had marked out.

Before long, he could see the lights of the defensive line in the distance.

Just then, a pack of Mad Dogs suddenly burst out of the grass. Seventeen or eighteen human-faced monsters spread out and surrounded Tianyang.

Tianyang inwardly groaned, drew his Particle Warblade, and braced himself.

At that moment, arrows formed from star essence tore through the air, striking several Mad Dogs with lightning speed.

A gap immediately opened in the Mad Dogs' formation, and Tianyang seized the chance to break out.

He had barely escaped the encirclement when frenzied howls erupted behind him. Apart from two monsters that lay motionless, their bodies bristling with star essence arrows, the others still refused to give up the chase.

The boy raised his Assaulter Rifle and fired several shots over his shoulder, driving back the two Mad Dogs closest to him.

Just then, he heard a startled cry, followed by a brilliant flare at the edge of his vision.

Turning his head, he saw a grayish-white elemental spear hurtling straight toward him!

Without time to think, Tianyang stopped short and sidestepped. The spear skimmed past the tip of his nose.

It struck the ground, creating a small elemental storm.

A fierce wind battered his face and tugged at his body. Only after retreating several meters did Tianyang finally regain his footing.

Then a Falcon combat vehicle drove up from ahead. The muzzle of its heavy energy cannon lit up, and a Star Essence Shell wiped out all the remaining Mad Dogs.

"Sorry."

Someone jumped down from the vehicle's roof. In the headlights, Zhou Wang wore a thoroughly insincere smile. "My hand slipped just now. Good thing you weren't hurt. You don't mind, do you?"

His hand slipped?

Tianyang was not stupid enough to believe that excuse. Staring at that grinning face, he wanted nothing more than to drive his Particle Warblade into Zhou Wang.

The bastard had clearly done it on purpose. Even if an elemental javelin might not have killed Tianyang, a pack of Mad Dogs had still been chasing him!

If the elemental spear had hindered Tianyang, the Mad Dogs behind him would have had a very good chance of killing him.

"Come on, why are you looking at me like that? I already apologized. Besides, I didn't do it on purpose. Would I attack a fellow soldier? That's a serious crime." Zhou Wang sounded aggrieved, but mockery gleamed in his eyes.

Another member of the Gray Pigeon Squad climbed out of the vehicle. "Exactly, Tianyang. Zhou Wang wouldn't do that. I can guarantee it. This was just a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding. Definitely a misunderstanding!" Zhou Wang came over and gave Tianyang a friendly pat on the shoulder. "When we get back, I'll buy you a drink to make it up to you!"

"What happened?"

Lida arrived then as well. After all, Tianyang belonged to the Raven Squad. If anything happened to him, the bald woman worried about how she would explain it to Han Shu.

She had not expected to arrive and find something wrong with the atmosphere.

Tianyang said nothing. He gave Zhou Wang a long look, then calmly brushed the hand off his shoulder.

His face grim, he walked past Lida and headed straight toward the square.

Zhou Wang briefly recounted what had happened, naturally emphasizing that it had been a misunderstanding. Then he shook his head. "Captain, kids these days all have such terrible tempers. I apologized, and he still gave me that look. He really doesn't know what's good for him."

Lida looked at him and said evenly, "Anyone would be upset if someone suddenly threw a spear at them. Zhou Wang, was it really an accident?"

Zhou Wang laughed. "What, you think I did it on purpose? Captain, you don't suspect me, do you? I've got no grudge against that kid. Why would I attack him?"

Lida nodded. "Good, then."

The acting commander turned to leave, then looked back. "This time, I'll take it as an accident. Don't let it happen again."

Zhou Wang's whole body tensed before slowly relaxing.

When Tianyang returned to the square, he found that Han Shu and the others were already back. The rugged man immediately waved him over when he spotted him.

As soon as Tianyang approached, Han Shu slapped him on the head. "Damn it, where did you run off to? I told you to stay behind, not wander around!"

"Ahem." Fortunately, the bald woman arrived in time. "Captain Han, I sent Tianyang on a mission. If you want to blame someone, blame me."

Unexpectedly, Han Shu slapped him again. "Are you stupid, kid? You just do whatever anyone tells you? If something happened to you, how would I explain it to... to your family?"

Only then did Lida understand why Han Shu had not taken Tianyang along on the rescue mission. Someone was looking out for this child.

Although Tianyang had taken two slaps from the man, he could feel the concern beneath his rough exterior.

He smiled. "I can take care of myself. Besides, I killed a Mad Dog leader."

"Oh, feeling impressive, are you?" Han Shu almost slapped him again, but ultimately held back. Instead, he gave the boy an irritated shove. "Get over to the Medical Team and have them check you out. I may have only given you one lesson, but that still makes you half a student of mine. Don't go dying for no damn reason before you've even made me proud."

Tianyang had wanted to say he did not need an examination, but Han Shu's eyes went wide, his expression plainly saying, If you don't go, I'll beat you.

Left with no choice, the boy gave a couple of sheepish chuckles and walked away.

Lida stepped up beside the man and asked quietly, "What's this kid's background, anyway? He isn't a War God Class, is he?"

Han Shu glanced at her. "Stay out of his business, and don't go spreading it around."

The bald woman frowned. "Why?"

The rugged man silently pointed upward.

Lida murmured, "Oh. Got it."

Han Shu scoffed. "You don't know a damn thing!"

Thump! Lida kicked him in the backside, sending him sprawling face-first onto the ground.