The sound of the wind echoing in the pitch-black subway tunnel grew louder and closer. The tiny stones on the trackbed below were also whipped up by the gale, rolling and striking the steel subway tracks with a clinking, clanging noise.
Ash and Chu Yin exchanged a glance and immediately made a decision.
Like Wu Mu, they dared to hide in this abandoned subway station because they had already prepared for enemy attacks.
The difference was that they were members of the Mobile Detachment and had more resources than regular players, allowing them to set up more powerful and wider-ranging traps.
Ash extinguished his flashlight. With a light hook kick, he sent Wu Mu tumbling backward. He then quickly pulled a futuristic-looking long rifle from his backpack and aimed it down the subway tunnel.
Chu Yin immediately picked up a large spring onion and slowly retreated, pressing herself close to the wall.
Wu Mu, lying at her feet, realized the critical situation. He silently rolled onto his back and waved his cuffed wrists at Chu Yin, signaling her to unlock the shackles.
Chu Yin took a matching key from her pocket. After a moment's hesitation, however, she didn't throw it to Wu Mu, instead gripping it tightly in her palm.
Players from different teams can harm each other, and I can't be sure that this Wu Mu isn't a threat. He might attack us if I free him.
SWISH—
The sound of the wind grew shrill. A deep green glow appeared at the bend of the subway tunnel, illuminating the tunnel walls.
Wrapped in a Damaged Cape, the Resentful Demon soared through the tunnel with a howl. In one arm, he cradled a glowing, translucent caterpillar curled into a ball; in the other, he held a Lunar Phase Locator. The gale from his flight swept up all the dust from the ground, startling the insects hidden in the darkness.
On the screen of the Lunar Phase Locator, red dots symbolizing players were clearly displayed.
Wu Mu was with two other players. Additionally, at the edge of the barrier zone, two more red dots were approaching.
Within a narrow range of less than two kilometers in diameter, a total of seven players were gathered.
If Gulu Lugu had still been severely injured, the Resentful Demon might have chosen to retreat—he wasn't human and was more likely to be targeted and viewed with hostility by other human players.
This meant the Resentful Demon and Gulu Lugu could potentially face a two-versus-five situation.
But now, Gulu Lugu, the caterpillar teammate in the Resentful Demon's arms, had recovered most of its injuries. After being seriously wounded by Li Ang and Liu Wu Dai, Gulu Lugu had simply abandoned most of its body, expending a large amount of Energy to maintain this energy-efficient state, which consisted of only a head.
After all, most of its abilities don't rely on a robust body to be triggered; its current state will only have a slight impact.
But, the more enemies we encounter at the same time, the better it is for us...
BOOM—
Suddenly, the subway tracks beneath the Resentful Demon exploded from the inside out! Intense light and heat lit up the entire dim tunnel as if it were broad daylight.
In the enclosed space, the shockwave from the explosion reverberated, tearing the old steel tracks into countless fragments that scattered in all directions. A palm-sized piece of iron even bounced around, flying dozens of meters to the subway station's waiting area and lodging itself in a crevice in the stone ceiling.
The explosion was triggered by a special item created by the Special Affairs Bureau and the Heterodox Academy. Not only could it generate a powerful shockwave, but it also released heat Energy almost as scorching as the midday sun, deadly to fiends and Demons.
Ash, who had previously suffered greatly at the hands of the Resentful Demon, had already set up various traps and surveillance equipment in the tunnel. He had refrained from detonating them earlier because Wu Mu appeared to be a severely injured human player. Now, however, they were perfect for dealing with the swooping Resentful Demon and Gulu Lugu.
The flames died down. After a long pause, silence returned.
Ash, wearing a device similar to night vision goggles, raised his rifle and peered into the depths of the tunnel.
Around the corner of the dim tunnel, a soft emerald glow slowly appeared. This sole point of light in the darkness was rapidly flying towards Ash.
Without hesitation, Ash crouched. His arm, now grey dust, tightly gripped the massive, futuristic sniper rifle, aiming at the green light.
Inhale. Exhale.
He adjusted his breathing, waiting for the Resentful Demon in its Damaged Cape to appear in the center of his scope.
Suddenly, the afterimage of the cape and the crosshairs of the scope overlapped for a fleeting moment.
The trigger was pulled. A giant Beam shot straight across the long subway tunnel, striking the afterimage of the cape and melting a large, circular crater into the tunnel wall behind it.
But no System notification of a kill followed!
His shot had missed. Ash's complexion became noticeably paler and more gaunt. His face, previously not very angular, now clearly showed prominent cheekbones.
The price for forcibly firing this rifle was a significant consumption of body fat. A few more shots, and I'll probably pass out before the enemy even reaches me.
But before that, I have one more shot!
Ash exhaled. Just as he was about to pull the trigger of the smoking, massive sniper rifle again, he heard a familiar, horrified shout, "What are you doing?!"
It was Chu Yin's voice. The scene before Ash's eyes wavered. Only then did he clearly see a huge, circular crater, melted like wax, in the wall beside Chu Yin, who was hiding in a dark corner of the subway station.
[Warning: Friendly fire detected. Team attack damage reduction activated.]
[Notice: In cooperative team missions, intentional malicious attacks on teammates are prohibited. Violators will be penalized by the System.]
The System's alert was belated. Ash was stunned into realization. I didn't fire at the tunnel... I aimed at my teammate, Chu Yin, and pulled the trigger!
If it weren't for the rapport between teammates and the System's automatic reduction of friendly fire, that last shot might have cost Chu Yin her life.
This is... Illusion Technique!