Familiar faces everywhere

The reconnaissance mission in the D-7 Abandoned Mining Area went more smoothly than expected, and... more strangely.

The creature lurking deep within the mine is not an ordinary vampire, but a Class B mutant marked as "Gargoyle" in the base's data.

They can blend into rock walls, launch sudden attacks, possess immense strength, and have skin as hard as iron.

But for Luo Li, who possesses Path of [Spacetime], these clumsy fellows move as slowly as a slideshow.

He didn't even need to use Enma; relying solely on [Time Retardation] combined with [Super-Speed Reaction] and the standard alloy longsword, he precisely sliced through the energy cores of the three Gargoyle.

Kong Yan'er and his Clone were like ghosts, using the [Trickster Hands] in conjunction with energy short blades to appear and disappear unpredictably. Often, before the Gargoyle could even react, their joints or cores would be instantly destroyed, turning them into a pile of real rubble.

The entire operation was swift and efficient, with the main mine tunnels cleared in less than twenty minutes.

"Great job, newbie!"

Kong Yan'er retracted her Clone, dusted off non-existent dust from her hands, and expressed her appreciation for Luo Li's performance.

"Your reaction speed is definitely more than what's written in the B+ level data—you've been hiding it quite well!"

Luo Li smiled but didn't reply, her gaze falling on some scattered, unnaturally formed metal fragments deep inside the mine.

"These things..."

"It looks like the remains of some kind of device."

Kong Yan'er squatted down, picked up a piece, and ran her fingers along the edge.

"This isn't some old-fashioned stuff; the residual energy is strange... Tsk, this mission doesn't seem so simple. I'll have to write a detailed report when I get back."

Mission accomplished, the squad returns to base for handover.

As Luo Li and Kong Yan'er entered the mission hall, preparing to submit their report and spoils, an extremely exaggerated voice, with a distinctly theatrical tone, resounded throughout the hall like a loudspeaker:

"Family members! Who would have thought! I ran into my long-lost half-brother, Luo Li, right here in the frontline mission lobby!"

That familiar, highly recognizable, earthy, shouting-rap style...

Luo Li's lips twitched, and she looked in the direction of the sound.

In the corner of the hall, a young man dressed in a flashy, obviously modified combat uniform, with a tuft of his hair dyed a flamboyant purple, was holding up what appeared to be a live-streaming device, pointing it in the direction of him and Kong Yan'er, his face displaying the "ecstatic joy" of finding a family member.

Who else could it be but Qingqiu Ze?!

"Qingqiu Ze?!"

Luo Li's eyes widened. What was this guy doing here? Wasn't he supposed to be in Jiangcheng as an entertainment news anchor?

"Lo--Li--!"

Qingqiu Ze put down the equipment, performed an exaggerated sliding kneel (of course, he stopped in time a few meters away from Luo Li), and opened his arms to pounce, but Luo Li disdainfully pressed the sword sheath against his forehead.

"Get lost! What are you doing on the front lines?"

"Hey, isn't this just responding to the call to contribute to the survival of humanity?"

Qingqiu Ze straightened up, patted his chest, and then winked.

"Of course, I also came to the front lines to gather inspiration—you know what I mean! My family loves this! 'Top Streamer Ventures Deep into the Furnace, Battles Vampires for 300 Rounds'! Isn't that a sensational title?"

Luo Li sighed, utterly speechless at this clown.

Kong Yan'er watched with great interest, nudging Luo Li: "Who's this show-off? Your friend?"

"A friend... whom they're reluctant to admit it is."

Luo Li said helplessly.

"Qingqiu Ze, Class B sonic ability, entertainment streamer."

"Class B? Sonic ability?"

Kong Yan'er's eyes lit up, and she looked at Qingqiu Ze with more interest.

"Interesting. Kid, your ability should be great for clearing mobs or controlling the battlefield. How about joining our team? We're just looking for a ranged attacker and... atmosphere-maker?"

Qingqiu Ze immediately perked up, moved closer to Kong Yan'er, grabbed his hand, and shook it up and down. "This big brother has good taste! He's definitely someone who's going to do great things! I, Qingqiu Ze, will follow you from now on! I guarantee we'll make our team the coolest on the front lines, and our livestream viewership will be off the charts!"

Kong Yan'er was taken aback by his enthusiasm, then burst into laughter. "Interesting! Kong Yan'er, A+ Rank ' Trickster Hands ', welcome to join us!"

Seeing the two men instantly put their arms around each other's shoulders, as if they were long-lost brothers, Luo Li felt his temples throbbing.

He had a feeling that life in the squad would become quite "lively" from now on.

Just as the chaotic family reunion was underway, a clear and intellectual female voice rang out from the side. "Luo Li? I didn't expect to run into you here."

Luo Li turned his head and saw a young woman in a white lab coat and gold-rimmed glasses, with a capable demeanor, standing not far away, smiling at him.

"Yuan Huan?"

Luo Li was surprised again.

Yuan Huan, the senior student he met once at the Jiangcheng Ability Guild Library, is said to be very accomplished in the research of superpower theory.

Why did she come to the front lines too?

"I was seconded to the research institute to participate in a project on the energy adaptation changes of frontline superhumans."

Yuan Huan pushed up his glasses, his sharp gaze sweeping over Luo Li with a hint of inquiry.

"As for you, junior, your energy fluctuations are much more solid than when we last met. It seems the front lines really are a good training ground."

Her gaze seemed to penetrate appearances, causing Luo Li to feel a slight chill. This senior's perception was as sharp as ever.

Hello, senior.

Luo Li greeted her politely.

Yuan Huan nodded, then turned her gaze to Qingqiu Ze, who was bragging to Kong Yan'er about his live-streaming performance. She frowned slightly but didn't say anything. She simply said to Luo Li, "Since we've run into each other, that's fine."

I need some combat energy data samples from different levels of ability users. If you have time, junior, you can come to the Zone E research institute to cooperate with the testing. There will be a contribution point reward.

"Okay, senior, I'll definitely go when I have time."

Luo Li agreed.

Cooperating with the testing is a minor matter; the real opportunity is to learn more about the research institute, especially the anomalies in the underground area, which might yield unexpected insights.

Yuan Huan exchanged a few more words with Luo Li about their views on the impact of the frontline energy environment on superpowers, then left with the documents, her style of doing things as concise and efficient as ever.

After seeing Yuan Huan off, Luo Li hadn't even had time to process this series of "chance encounters" when her personal terminal rang urgently. It was a communication request from Yang Shan.

As soon as the call connected, Yang Shan's loud voice boomed, "Li Zi! Are you alright?! I just returned from patrol with my team and heard that your squad went to the D-7 Mining Area? They just detected a small-scale energy burst there!"

"It's alright, it's been taken care of. Just a few Gargoyle."

Luo Li felt a warmth in her heart and replied.

"That's good! You scared me!"

Yang Shan breathed a sigh of relief, then became excited again.

"Oh, right, I have some good news! Our patrol team just finished a rotation and rest period, and I've been transferred to the city defense patrol team at ' Ironwall ' Fortress! Now we brothers can fight side by side again!"

"You transferred ' Ironwall ' here?"

Luo Li was genuinely surprised this time.

When did you arrive?

"Just arrived today! Checking in right now! Zone C, right? Wait here, I'll come find you as soon as I'm done! We have to have a drink tonight to welcome you and celebrate my promotion and raise!"

Yang Shan's voice was full of enthusiasm.

After hanging up the communication, Luo Li looked at the bustling crowd in the mission hall and felt a little dazed for a moment.

Qingqiu Ze, Yuan Huan, Yang Shan... these people who met in Jiangcheng unexpectedly appeared one after another at the front-line fortress in this way.

Is this really a coincidence?

Or perhaps the threads of fate had already entangled them together, leading them towards some unknown vortex?

"Hey, Li Zi!"

Kong Yan'er walked over with Qingqiu Ze, whom he had already become sworn brothers with, a mischievous smile on his face.

"I didn't realize you had such a wide network! You've only been here a few days, and you already know people everywhere? Even the beautiful senior students at the research institute are giving you the cold shoulder?"

Qingqiu Ze immediately chimed in, "That's right! My Brother Li is the top star in Jiangcheng! His charm is off the charts!"

Luo Li glared at the two clowns, annoyed. "Stop talking nonsense! Have you finished handing in the mission? If you have, hurry up and leave. That kid Yang Shan is coming over soon."

"Yang Shan? Your childhood friend? He's here too?"

Kong Yan'er raised an eyebrow.

"Great, the team's getting bigger and bigger! We have to celebrate tonight! I know a basement bar in District D, the owner's secret stash is pretty good..."

Watching Kong Yan'er and Qingqiu Ze arm in arm discussing where to go have fun that night, Luo Li shook her head helplessly.

Although the road ahead remains shrouded in mist and fraught with danger.

But looking at these familiar faces and feeling the vitality amidst the chaos, the chill of the apocalypse in his heart seemed to dissipate considerably.

Perhaps, in this cruel Furnace, he was not alone.

Behind him stood his girl, his brothers, his... well, let's just call them friends.

That's enough.

It was enough for him to grip the knife tightly and cut through all the thorns in his path.

"They're gone!"

Luo Li gave a shout and took the lead in walking out of the hall.