Chapter 138
Chapter 138 A different trial
Huaxia Second Base.
Clang~!
A deep, resonant toll of a bell exploded across the skies above every established human base and shelter!
【Time Has Come. The Trial Begins!】
【All participating shelters are to immediately dispatch their designated teams into the Trial Space!】
【This Trial's Comprehensive Grade Rating: S-Grade.】
【Trial Scenario Loading: Death Wheat Field.】
【Trial Guardian Boss: Watchful Scarecrow (S-Grade).】
【Completion Conditions: Survive within the Wheat Field for 24 hours, or… eliminate the Boss.】
【Space Transfer Gate Opening Countdown… 59… 58… 57…】
At the central plaza of Huaxia Second Base.
A massive star gate radiating an eerie blue glow had risen from the ground.
Zhao Yan stood in full combat gear, with the last 4 elite members of the Iron Wall Squad standing behind him.
He turned, looking toward Wan Changzheng, Shen Lian, and the other high-ranking base officials who had come to see them off.
"Commander, we'll be heading out first."
Zhao Yan had set aside his usual carefree, devil-may-care demeanor. His rugged face was etched with iron-blooded solemnity.
Wan Changzheng stepped forward. "Go. Remember what I emphasized before."
"Absolutely do not underestimate that scarecrow."
"Within its domain, every single wheat stalk could be a lethal strike."
"Even going by past trials…"
"Even if trial participants die inside, it won't mean actual death."
"But I still want you to treat this as a life-or-death battle. Give it everything you have! Do not get careless!"
"Relax, Commander."
"I, Zhao Yan, don't like holding back!"
"Otherwise, someone else would be standing here instead of me."
Zhao Yan cracked a grin, then exchanged a glance with squad leader Xin An.
"All units! Move out!"
5 figures stepped forward without the slightest hesitation, striding into the transfer gate and vanishing from the plaza in an instant.
……
At the same time.
Eagle Nation's 7th Base.
Mac was lounging leisurely on a sofa, taking a long drag of his cigar.
Beside him stood Jesse, holding the Leader Tablet for her superior.
The expressions on both of them at that moment were nothing short of spectators watching a show from the sidelines.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
Mac exhaled a smoke ring, watching it slowly rise.
"But the problem is…"
He broke into a grin.
"The 7th Base currently has absolutely no power whatsoever."
"So there's no responsibility either."
Jesse's mouth twitched.
"Sir, if the President were to hear that…"
"He won't hear it."
Mac waved a hand, cutting her off.
"Besides, it's not like I said anything wrong."
"The 7th Base is only responsible for training new recruits. Everything else is none of our concern."
He took another drag of his cigar and narrowed his eyes.
"It's finally my turn to watch other people suffer headaches."
"Jesse, what did the President say? Which squad did they send for this trial?"
Jesse looked down at her tablet.
"Sir, the President chose to dispatch the Black Shark Squad and White Eagle Squad for this trial."
"Both are Tiger-Grade squads."
"White Eagle is slightly stronger. I've always had high hopes for their captain."
"Huaxia Nation's side also sent 2 Tiger-Grade squads."
"I heard they dispatched Blade Squad and Iron Wall Squad."
He exhaled another smoke ring.
"All very capable."
"But our Black Shark and White Eagle are no slouches either."
Mac nodded, then suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, how are Arielia and her team doing?"
"Three Leopard-Grade squads were dispatched from above to escort that group of newcomers."
"With them around, the shelter should be nearly finished by now, right?"
Jesse's expression stiffened for a split second.
"Sir…"
She spoke quietly.
"That's actually what I came to talk about."
Mac's brow furrowed.
"What is it?"
Jesse took a deep breath.
"10 hours ago, we lost contact with Arielia and her team."
"Their last signal was near Soul-Return Town."
Mac's frown deepened.
"What the hell?!"
He sat bolt upright.
"Weren't they supposed to stay with her?! Where are those 3 Leopard-Grade squads?! Why weren't they with Arielia's team!"
Jesse's voice dropped even lower.
"Uh… those 3 Leopard-Grade squads…"
"They vanished along with them."
"Didn't we agree to have those 3 Leopard-Grade squads stick to them like glue?!"
"Where's the escort?! Where did they disappear to?!"
"Uh…"
Jesse's complexion grew even worse. "Those 3 Leopard-Grade squads…"
"They also vanished without a trace."
"What?!"
Mac's eyes went wide.
"They just disappeared without a sound?! How is that possible!"
"No, wait. If everyone's gone, who transmitted the intelligence back? What source is this from?"
He grabbed Jesse's shoulder.
"How did the information get back? Who confirmed it?!"
"It was… intelligence transmitted by Muraguchi Kazusu."
Jesse said quickly.
"In the encrypted channel, he swore up and down that it was because squad captain Arielia was arrogant and reckless. That she ignored all warnings and forcibly explored the forbidden zone within Soul-Return Town, which led to everyone going missing……"
"Bullsh*t!"
Mac roared.
As a seasoned old fox who had navigated the political arena for half his life!
He smelled conspiracy in that explanation within an instant!
"Who the hell does Muraguchi Kazusu think he is?"
"He's nothing but a dog we keep to guard the door!"
"The movements of those 3 Leopard-Grade squads are top-secret. How could he possibly know such details?"
"He even knew clearly what decision Arielia made in the end?!"
"For a watchdog, he knows far too much! That's extremely abnormal!"
"Report my analysis directly to the President immediately!"
Mac gave the order through gritted teeth.
"I strongly recommend we move at once!"
"Launch a covert arrest operation against Muraguchi Kazusu's family members! Use them as hostages!"
"I have serious suspicions that Sakura Nation is pulling something underhanded again behind the scenes!"
That vile and two-faced nation!
Like a rabid dog that could never be domesticated!
Give them an inch, and they'd turn around and bite their master at any moment!
"Yes, Sir! I'll use the top-secret channel to report this immediately!"
Jesse snapped to attention and turned to dash toward the communications room.
But just as she turned around.
Beep beep beep! Beep beep beep! Beep beep beep!
The Leader Tablet in her arms suddenly blared out an alarm tone representing the highest-level emergency!
Jesse looked down at the screen.
Just a single glance, and her pupils contracted, as though she had witnessed the end of the world!
"C-Commander!"
Jesse's voice trembled so badly she couldn't string together a single complete sentence.
She fumbled frantically and thrust the tablet in front of Mac.
"Now what?!"
"Can you stop overreacting?!"
Mac was already irritated to the extreme over Arielia's disappearance. He snatched the tablet impatiently.
However.
When Mac read the lines of large text pushed by the Sky Screen System on the display, his legs gave out and he collapsed back onto the sofa!
On the holographic screen, a red light was flashing.
【Global Battle Report: Express Dispatch!】
【Current Trial Survivor Count: 15/20】
【Participating Squads: Blade Squad, White Eagle Squad, Iron Wall Squad, Black Shark Squad (Fully Wiped)】
【Eagle Nation's 11th Base-affiliated squad 'Black Shark Squad', Trial Failed!】
【This squad's survival time within the Death Wheat Field scenario: 10 minutes 56 seconds.】
【Minimum completion requirement not met. All members judged dead, and…】
【This trial does not allow revival! Does not allow revival! Does not allow revival!】
【Important things must be said 3 times!】
【Pursuant to the rules, penalty for failure is now being executed!】
【In 10 minutes, the Sky Screen System will airdrop directly upon their affiliated shelter—Eagle Nation's 11th Base!】
【A Watchful Scarecrow Boss in a berserk state, S-Grade, will be delivered!】
【Penalty Arrival Countdown… 10… 9… 8…】