Chapter 671 - 328: Can You Be a Little More Reliable?
Chapter 671: Chapter 328: Can You Be a Little More Reliable?
"Ruo Xi, use your electric arc to block the tunnel ahead! Sun Yang, watch the exit on the left!"
"Got it!"
Panting, Han Ruoxi activated her Superpower. The electric arc released from her wristband formed a wall of lightning, instantly blocking the swarm’s path.
Meanwhile, Sun Yang raised his Pulse Gun and sprayed frantic fire at the several openings on the left, sending the insects trying to bypass them scattering in chaos.
"They’re being suppressed!"
Han Ruoxi shouted.
"But we can’t hold out for long! Where the hell is the Captain?"
"Don’t worry, I’m here!"
A familiar voice came through the comms.
The next second, a figure rushed over from the other side of the mine, his Saw Chain Sword emitting a low, buzzing drone.
"Captain!"
Sun Yang’s face lit up with excitement.
"You’re finally here!"
"Less talk!"
Li Chang’an raised his sword and sliced an insect pouncing at Sun Yang in two.
"Bai Lin has already contacted the Thunder Eagle Squad. They’re clearing the perimeter and are on their way! We need to hold these insects off until they arrive!"
"The Thunder Eagle Squad? Can we actually count on them?"
Han Ruoxi frowned, clearly not holding out much hope for these "reinforcements."
"Whether they’re reliable or not is irrelevant. Right now, we can only count on ourselves!"
Li Chang’an said grimly.
"Shen Qiuyue, help me clear the swarm on the right! Ruo Xi, keep the tunnel blocked. Sun Yang, cover us!"
"Understood!"
Shen Qiuyue responded crisply and charged to the right with Li Chang’an.
The battle inside the mine was exceptionally fierce. Though the insect swarm was vast, the mine’s complex terrain did indeed restrict their movement.
Li Chang’an and Shen Qiuyue fought with perfect coordination. Their Saw Chain Sword and Dueling Sword struck alternately, each blow precisely hitting an insect’s vital point.
"Captain, the swarm on the right is almost clear!"
Shen Qiuyue said coolly, cleanly piercing the head of an insect.
"What’s next?"
"Focus fire and clear the insects in the main tunnel!"
Li Chang’an ordered loudly.
"Ruo Xi, do you still have enough Energy for the arc?"
"I can hold on for a little longer!"
Han Ruoxi shouted back. The electric arc from her hand had already taken down several insects, but a hint of exhaustion showed on her face.
"But there are too many of them. At this rate, I won’t last much longer!"
"Sun Yang, cover Ruo Xi!"
Li Chang’an said quickly.
"Don’t let her defense collapse!"
"Got it!"
Sun Yang immediately switched targets, unleashing a wild spray of fire on the insects trying to get past the electric arc.
Just then, Bai Lin’s voice came over the comms.
"The Thunder Eagle Squad has arrived! They’re clearing the insects at the mine entrance now! Hold on for another two minutes, and they’ll reach your position!"
"You hear that? Just two more minutes!"
Li Chang’an yelled.
"No one drops the ball!"
"I know!"
Han Ruoxi gritted her teeth. The electric arc she released grew even more intense, pinning the swarm trying to break through the defensive line in the tunnel.
"There are just too many of these things!"
Sun Yang yelled as he fired.
"What the hell is the Thunder Eagle Squad doing? Are they chewing on the insects with their teeth?"
"Stop complaining!"
Han Ruoxi shot him a glare.
"Just focus!"
Two minutes later, the Thunder Eagle Squad finally arrived on the battlefield.
Their arrival instantly eased much of the pressure on the Insect Hunter Squad.
"You guys held out for quite a while!"
Du Feng charged in with several of his squad members, cutting down an insect with a single strike. A cold smirk touched his lips.
"But don’t get too cocky. These insects are no pushovers."
"Cut the crap!"
Li Chang’an said coldly.
"The swarm’s command unit hasn’t appeared yet. That’s the real challenge."
"Command unit?"
Du Feng frowned.
"You mean... these insects have a leader?"
"That’s right."
Li Chang’an nodded, his gaze sharp and cold.
"If we don’t find that command unit, none of us are walking out of here today!"
Deeper in the mine, the air grew increasingly thick. The surrounding walls were covered in a dark red slime unique to the Insect Race, emitting a pungent, foul stench.
The Insect Hunter Squad and the Thunder Eagle Squad advanced together, pushing step-by-step toward the core of the swarm. Everyone’s nerves were stretched to the breaking point.
"I really can’t stand the smell of these insects!"
Sun Yang said, his voice muffled as he pinched his nose.
"I feel like I’m about to puke up my lunch!"
"Shut up and watch your step!"
Shen Qiuyue said coldly. Her gaze swept over the slime and shattered insect corpses on the ground, her Dueling Sword held constantly at the ready.
"Du Feng, what’s your squad’s status?"
Li Chang’an asked in a low voice over the comms as he continued to lead the squad forward.
"We’re still holding up!"
Du Feng’s voice came through the comms.
"But there’s something I don’t get. Why were the insects on the perimeter so concentrated just now? It didn’t seem like they were moving randomly. It was more like something was driving them."
"Your assessment is correct,"
Li Chang’an said grimly.
"These insects clearly have a purpose. The command unit must be deep inside the mine!"
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Du Feng’s tone held a hint of impatience.
"Let’s take out their command unit now, before their numbers fully regroup!"
"Don’t be reckless!"
Li Chang’an immediately stopped him.
"The mine’s layout is complex. If we rush in blindly, we’ll likely be surrounded by the swarm.
If all the exits get blocked, we’re all dead!"
Du Feng fell silent for a moment, offering no rebuttal.
Bai Lin was looking down, operating a portable terminal. A simplified thermal map of the mine appeared on the screen.