Chapter 557 - 271: That Was a Close Call
Chapter 557: Chapter 271: That Was a Close Call
"Keep up the pressure! Don’t let them reform their ranks!" Li Chang’an shouted, his Saw Chain Sword instantly cleaving through the Insect Race members that rushed him.
Sun Yang laughed as he fired furiously. "Captain, you think we can take out a few more this time?"
"Don’t get cocky. Be ready to pull back!" Li Chang’an commanded, keeping a close eye on the movements of the Insect Race.
After a brief moment of chaos, the Insect Race quickly reformed their ranks and began to counter-attack the Insect Hunter Squad.
"The enemy is counter-attacking! Everyone, be careful!" Han Ruoxi warned, quickly releasing a current of electricity to form a protective net that temporarily blocked the Insect Race’s assault.
Shen Qiuyue, meanwhile, used the terrain to her advantage, quickly flanking the Insect Race and precisely killing several of them with her Longsword.
"Captain, their numbers are growing!" Sun Yang yelled, clearly struggling.
"Retreat! Don’t get tied down!" Li Chang’an ordered, leading the squad in a gradual withdrawal.
The squad used the terrain and their speed to skillfully maneuver around the Insect Race, gradually disengaging from the battlefield.
"We successfully held them up. The base’s defenses should be ready by now!" Li Chang’an said, catching his breath.
"That was a real nail-biter!" Han Ruoxi said, patting her Electric Power Device, a tired smile on her face.
"You all did great." Li Chang’an
gave a slight nod, then turned to look at the distant battlefield. "Let’s head back now. Mission complete!"
The Insect Hunter Squad quickly withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the base.
Back at the base, Liu Na was standing in front of the command center. She walked over as soon as she saw them return.
"You did an excellent job. You successfully stalled the Insect Race’s assault force and bought the base precious time!" Liu Na said, a rare smile gracing her face.
"The mission’s complete, but their counter-attack was fierce," Li Chang’an said. "We can probably expect more assaults to come."
Liu Na nodded. "That’s right. The Insect Race won’t give up that easily.
Go get some rest for now, but be ready for a new mission at any time!"
"Understood!" Li Chang’an replied, leading his team back to their dorms.
Back in their dorm, Sun Yang plopped onto his bed, panting heavily. "Man, today’s battle was intense! Captain, we really held our own this time, huh?"
"You did well," Li Chang’an said with a smile. "But the missions from here on will only get harder. You need to be prepared."
"Don’t worry, Captain, I can definitely handle it!" Sun Yang said as he flopped back onto the bed, clearly exhausted.
Han Ruoxi chuckled. "Don’t get too smug. The next battle might be even tougher!"
Shen Qiuyue didn’t say much, just sat to one side, silently polishing her Longsword.
Watching them, Li Chang’an felt the corners of his mouth turn up slightly. Though their missions were fraught with danger, he had complete faith in this team.
Night fell, and the base gradually grew quiet. Lying in bed, Li Chang’an replayed the day’s battle in his mind.
’Every mission is more difficult than the last,’ he thought. ’The Insect Race’s attacks seem endless, and this fight is destined to be anything but easy.’
"Captain, think we have another mission tomorrow?" Sun Yang asked listlessly from his bed, obviously drained by the day’s battle.
"Probably," Li Chang’an replied quietly, his eyes still closed.
"The Insect Race’s attacks won’t stop. We have to be ready at all times."
"I’d kill for a day off to get some real sleep," Sun Yang sighed. "But then again, Captain, you’ve got incredible energy. You’re always so calm after a fight!"
"You get used to it." Li Chang’an opened his eyes, sat up, and smiled at Sun Yang.
"This is what war is like. The sooner you adapt, the better your chances of survival."
"The Captain’s right. War is no game. We can’t let our guard down," Han Ruoxi said from the side, inspecting her Electric Power Device, a hint of exhaustion in her voice.
"Everyone, get some rest while you can," Li Chang’an said. "We’ll probably have another mission tomorrow. Don’t wear yourselves out."
"You got it, Captain!" Sun Yang rolled over and yawned.
"I just hope tomorrow’s a bit easier. At least, not another one of these stalling missions!"
Han Ruoxi chuckled. "Don’t get your hopes up. The Insect Race isn’t about to give us a break."
Shen Qiuyue remained as calm as ever, saying nothing. She just sat quietly on the edge of her bed, occasionally wiping her Longsword.
The night deepened. The members of the Insect Hunter Squad fell into a deep sleep, while the wind howling outside the base seemed to herald an approaching storm.
「The next morning」
He pushed open the door to his dorm and found Han Ruoxi already waiting outside.
"Captain, you’re the first one up again!" Han Ruoxi said with a smile. "You’re so dedicated!"
Li Chang’an smiled. "Force of habit.
You’re up pretty early yourself!"
"I need to practice my Electric Energy control more. During yesterday’s battle, I felt I wasn’t precise enough," Han Ruoxi said, her expression serious.
"You already did great, but there’s always room for improvement," Li Chang’an said, patting her shoulder.
Just then, a communicator suddenly chirped, interrupting their conversation.
Li Chang’an answered it immediately.
"Li Chang’an, Insect Hunter Squad, assemble immediately. Emergency mission!" Liu Na’s voice came through the communicator.
Li Chang’an frowned and immediately replied, "Understood. We’re assembling now!"
He ended the call and rushed back to the dorm to wake up Sun Yang and Shen Qiuyue.