Ch 91: The Overlooked Warning

“Team 15, safe.”

“Team 9, safe.”

“Team 21, safe.”

“Team 17, safe.”

“Received all reports. Continue advancing towards Olijia’er.”

Ke Fan nervously held the transceiver. Although Li Jingru had told him that Number 1 was no longer in Jianghua City, he couldn’t rest easy.

Number 1’s actions in Xinghe District had become widely known; nearly an entire elite squad had been killed, along with 7 Special Grade Ability User Captains.

No one wanted to set foot in Xinghe District.

But Li Jingru ordered him, as the Reconnaissance Team Leader, to lead several teams to scout Olijia’er.

Ke Fan couldn’t refuse a superior’s order, so he gritted his teeth and went.

It was said that Number 1 could detect anyone entering Xinghe District, so they only dared to approach gradually from the four outer directions.

Fortunately, they hadn’t found any abnormalities yet.

He wanted to borrow Cui Zixuan, but she looked extremely haggard, with visible dark circles under her eyes, and she was trembling, almost like she had gone mad.

It was said she had started taking antidepressants.

With no other option, Ke Fan chose four teams that had some self-preservation skills but were expendable.

If they encountered danger, it would likely be death.

He didn’t want to choose the elite teams and cripple his reconnaissance group.

The combat team was already severely weakened, and the reconnaissance team was already short-staffed; the loss of any promising member would break his heart.

Although it was unfair to the chosen teams, Ke Fan had carefully considered his decision; there was no fairness in the current situation.

“Captain, Team 21 has spotted the SUV the target drove off in. Should we track it?”

“Track it, ensuring you aren’t detected. Focus on whether Number 1, Xia Yiqing, or Song Ci are in the vehicle.”

“Received.”

Without Ji Chuan’s help, Xia Yiqing took on the main task of clearing the road.

Zhu Zhu didn’t drive too fast because zombies kept rushing out. To prevent the road from being blocked, Xia Yiqing would cut them up and blow the pieces away.

Lin Lulu and Song Ci felt superfluous.

Their abilities were useless in these road conditions.

Their targets were clear: shopping malls and supermarkets with large zombie gatherings.

The remote convenience stores had already been looted by survivors; conversely, places with large numbers of zombies rarely saw anyone venturing in.

Song Ci frowned; he felt like someone was watching them.

He had used all his ability-enhancing cards on himself; his strength, perception, and speed far exceeded normal humans.

But Song Ci didn’t worry about the perceived gaze; Xia Yiqing’s flashy actions and the group traveling by car would inevitably attract attention.

It was likely just survivors looking from windows in buildings.

“Captain, Xia Yiqing spotted. He’s in the car. There are about four people in the car. The rear window is closed; we can’t see the other passengers. They’re heading towards Taishehui.”

“Keep following.”

Ke Fan remembered Number 1 had used flight to take Captain Xia and Captain Song away. Since they were traveling by car, Number 1 probably wasn’t in it; Number 1 might have really been moved.

But what were Xia Yiqing and the others doing? If Number 1 wasn’t in Jianghua City, why wasn’t Xia Yiqing returning to the Esper Base?

The car wasn’t heading towards the base.

“Captain, a few more blocks to go. Should we report?”

“Don’t report. Stand by. Let the other teams go first.”

Team 15’s members instantly understood their captain’s words.

They were reluctant, but they couldn’t disobey orders. Although their captain had tried his best, Team Leader Ke hadn’t agreed.

The first team to approach Olijia’er would undoubtedly be the most dangerous. Fortunately, their captain hadn’t blindly followed orders.

They simply waited for other teams to report in through the transceiver.

“Captain, Team 9 is 1 kilometer from the target, no abnormalities detected. Should we proceed?”

“Proceed. Retreat immediately if you encounter danger.”

Team 15 felt relieved hearing the transceiver conversation; thankfully, the other teams weren’t as cautious.

There’s no way to retreat if you run into real danger. Seven Special Ability Users died there, and the strongest captain surrendered. Who do they think they are?

Anyone who could escape unscathed wouldn’t be doing this mine-clearing work in the reconnaissance team.

The Team 9 captain exchanged glances with his team members after receiving the affirmative reply, and continued to move forward.

The towering metal gate had come into view; the Olijia’er in the distance resembled a medieval metal fortress, mysterious and majestic, giving them a strong sense of oppression.

He turned on the transceiver, so he could communicate with others immediately if anything dangerous happened.

The area around Olijia’er seemed to have recently been the site of a massacre; the streets were littered with shredded flesh and body parts.

The stench of decay mixed with the strong smell of blood made even the daytime atmosphere terrifying.

Team 9 members encouraged each other as they moved forward. Since their superiors said that Number 1 had already left, the stronghold was probably just an empty shell; there shouldn’t be any danger.

They tried to reassure themselves, but the team that was furthest from Olijia’er was the first to arrive.

It seemed their route was the best; the other teams must have encountered problems.

As they approached the hotel and planned how to enter, they saw someone crouching by the door.

It was a young girl with a wanzi tou hairstyle. Since she was petite and crouching, she wasn’t easily noticeable.

She was staring at them, her expression unreadable.

“Little girl, what are you doing here…?”

“I should have warned the base people not to come near here. Blame that woman for not telling you.”

Before Team 9’s captain could understand the girl’s meaning, he felt a sharp pain all over his body. The screams didn’t last long before everyone fell.

Countless steel needles had grown out of their bodies; their deaths were gruesome. The transceiver fell to the ground with a clatter.

“Team 9? Team 9? What happened? Please respond!”

Team 15 members broke out in cold sweat upon hearing the voice on the transceiver.

“Retreat!”

Upon hearing their captain’s order, Team 15 didn’t hesitate; they quickly retreated along their original path.

When Team 15’s captain received this mission, he felt it was extremely dangerous, and he had no right to refuse, but that didn’t mean he had to maintain normal efficiency.

Since four teams had been chosen, what was wrong with his team moving a little slower?

Taking more risks meant a higher chance of death; it was better to leave the opportunity to test with their lives to others.

Ke Fan was stunned after hearing the conversation and screams.

Although he knew there might be danger, he hadn’t expected to witness an entire team’s death.

Wasn’t Number 1 already moved? Then who attacked them?

Little girl? A girl’s voice? A warning?

Ke Fan’s mind was racing. His superiors hadn’t told him not to approach Olijia’er; no one had mentioned a warning!

Was this a deliberate setup to send them to their deaths?

Ke Fan gritted his teeth. “Other teams, retreat!”