So saying, Qi Yuan soon understood. He shook his head and said, "Neither."
The people around were surprised. So young, not even a combat student? Graduated so early?
Having deep experience in being fantasized about, Qi Yuan saw through what these people were thinking with one glance. He took the initiative to explain, "I'm a student, just didn't study combat."
Miao Miao Tu revealed an "I see" expression, then realized how deep the waters ran here, and immediately shut her mouth.
So the rumors were true that the country had secret plans to better nurture the growth of geniuses, so they don't become targets for monsters to attack?
So the rumors of nine seats in public and nine seats in private...
Zhuang Heng and Brother Li had a tacit understanding and thought of a certain rumor.
The only one not fantasizing, Brother Zhang, laughed out loud and gave Qi Yuan a thumbs up, "Then you're pretty awesome to be so strong without studying combat."
Shut up! Don't you see we're still livestreaming!
Brother Zhang's bold words greatly shocked the other three.
But the livestream was never short of old experts who understood everything and conspiracy theorists.
【Tsk, a pure student, I can only say those who understand, understand】
【What ah what】
【It's that national rumor right?】
【Those in front are waiting to get on the express promotion list】
【I say how come I never heard of such an amazing guy before...】
Miao Miao Tu also couldn't end the livestream. Doing so would only spread the news faster. Better to change the topic and let the audience forget about this.
"How did you run into the monster?"
Brother Li tacitly gave Miao Miao Tu a thumbs up in his heart. He'll follow her after this is over. He cooperated and replied, "We were with Pang Team Leader and encountered a B-rank Lizard Man monster. Little Zhao was heavily injured while covering our retreat. Brother Zhang and I stayed behind to take care of him, then got teleported near the monster due to spatial distortions."
"B-rank monster!!"
Miao Miao Tu was so shocked her voice went up an octave. She had only wanted to find a small melon to divert the topic, but got a huge one instead.
Could the patrol team still take care of it? The average strength of the team leader was only C-rank at most...
Brother Li saw her train of thought and explained further, "The team leader has already requested reinforcements from higher up. It's been so long, any B-rank espers still in the city should have arrived by now."
Hearing that help had arrived, Miao Miao Tu felt relieved. Not as panicked as before.
"You guys were in such danger."
Zhuang Heng had a different perspective from Miao Miao Tu. Facing a B-rank monster, there wouldn't be few injuries in the team.
Brother Zhang still felt lingering fear recalling that escape. "Yeah, fortunately we're tough and pulled through."
Blown up by the praise, and feeling he had luckily come to this ghost place on a whim, Qi Yuan nodded in great agreement.
Mainly because the people around were too good at fantasizing. Even a dried up fish would want to try its best, just in case it came true right?
Seeing everyone with worried looks, Brother Li smiled and said, "Don't worry, maybe the B-rank monster has been taken care of already. We little characters should just wait for the good news."
"Can't stick flags in casually ah."
Miao Miao Tu recalled the flag she had stuck in before entering. She wasn't worried before, but now she was worried again hearing Brother Li's words.
She hurriedly stopped the flag sticking behavior.
Was this the mentality of the camera brother back then?
"This counts as sticking a flag too."
Seeing everyone even more worried, Brother Li could only change the topic, "What are your plans next? I can take care of them alone. Little Zhuang, you should go help clear the monsters too."
Zhuang Heng took the initiative to speak, "I'll stay behind to take care of you guys."
This fusion zone was more dangerous than imagined. Separating might mean they may never find each other again.
Brother Li alone taking care of two patients didn't seem reliable no matter how he looked at it.
"You young people shouldn't lack drive like this."
Brother Li made eyes at him, raising his eyebrows to point at Qi Yuan's direction.
Zhuang Heng understood. He was telling him to take Qi Yuan to rescue their other teammates.
Compared to teammates whose life and death was unknown, Brother Li and the others' priority had to be pushed back a little.
Thinking this, Zhuang Heng didn't insist further.
"Ah, okay."
Qi Yuan didn't want to leave. He knew B-rank monsters were still on the loose. This was no different from seeking death.
Moreover, he had just finished putting on an act earlier. Jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't wash away his sins. If he ran out and encountered a monster, and Zhuang Heng asked why he didn't fight, how could he explain?
"It's still better to stay together for mutual support."
"No need, no need," Brother Li kept waving his hands, thinking Qi Yuan wanted Zhuang Heng to stay. "No need to waste time with us here. Without clearing the fusion zone, a single monster injuring citizens will be a lifelong regret."
Brother Zhang thumped his chest and boldly said, "Right, I'm still able to move, Old Zhang. Don't worry about us."
Qi Yuan: ...
Speaking to this point, refusing would seem petty.
He could only reluctantly accept reality and set off with Zhuang Heng and Miao Miao Tu.
...
"Golden Eyes, so frightening!"
The Resentful Ghost and Mirror Ghost noticed the spatial distortions teleporting them away, escaping the clutches of the Golden Eyes human. They both collapsed on the ground leaning against the wall, saying the same feeling in unison.
The Resentful Ghost complained, "Why didn't you bring me along when you ran away?"
"I yelled at you to run quickly, yet you were still dawdling. Whose fault do you think it is?"
The Mirror Ghost also held a bellyful of resentment, but if only the Resentful Ghost had trusted it, it wouldn't have needed to explain so much and just wildly ran off.
"You mentioned this Golden Eyes earlier, is he strong?"
"He's not about whether he's strong or weak, he's one of those very rare..."
Speaking to this point, the Resentful Ghost felt something was off. It looked back: "Boss...Big bro...no, Sir."
Recognizing too many big bros would mix up how to address them.
The newcomer had his entire body covered in fine scales, an overall brownish-green color. His head was very lizard-like with the flat head. Despite walking upright, a long thin tail still dragged behind him.
"Continue talking about that Golden Eyes kid."
The Lizard Man's pupil was a narrow slit, and the brownish-green eye color blended extremely well with his body color. He gazed at the Resentful Ghost.
"He's just..."
The Resentful Ghost vividly described everything it had seen and heard, with the Mirror Ghost continuously supplementing.
Of course, it left out the part where it used to be a minion for the Spider Monster.
It had been hiding in the orphanage recently, plotting to find a new big bro. Then the fusion zone was born and the new big bro came knocking on its door.
Their little abacus beads clacked loudly.
They had only recognized this big bro for a day and couldn't leave an unreliable impression.
"That Golden Eyes kid would absolutely not be your match, Sir."
The Resentful Ghost and Mirror Ghost's ghostly faces were piled full of fawning smiles, currying favor with this new boss.
The new boss was harder to figure out than the old boss. Gloomy-faced, he impatiently waved his hand, "I still have things to do. You two leave."
The two ghosts obediently agreed and left the room.
After the two subordinates left, the Lizard Man got on all fours and circled around in place.
"The D-rank's judgement is certainly embellished. What can be certain is the other party has the ability to instantaneously reach C-rank, but this may not be his limit."
He looked at his own long tail, falling into contemplation.
B-rank and C-rank both belonged to mid-tier. The gap between same tier wasn't large enough to be insurmountable, S-rank and A-rank were exceptions.
"Still need to make more preparations to deal with the suppression by espers. Relying solely on that group of trash subordinates, there's no way to wear down espers with formidable strength."
"I also have to join the battle, otherwise waiting for the humans to surround me with more espers, I can only wait for death."