Am I the Target?!
Qi Yuan frowned. It didn't make sense for the Lizard Man to ignore the B-level superhumans and go after a C-level instead. Even if it was a cowardly monster, it should have started with E-levels.
Could it be that the B-level superhumans didn't show up, so this monster came after him instead?
"I heard the B-level superhumans already arrived?"
Pang Shuo was carefree and unconstrained, unable to infer the implication behind Qi Yuan's words: "Yeah."
Unlike the unreliable captain, Liu Ying picked up on his hidden meaning and took the initiative to explain to him: "The B-level superhuman Lin Cang was ambushed by the monster and seriously injured, so he can no longer participate in exterminating the monsters."
"How did he escape death?"
It was the monsters' instinct to eat humans. Humans and monsters would only have a chance of resolving their conflict when one side was eliminated.
What kind of chef mentality was this, to prepare a huge feast but not eat it, and then specifically order the next huge feast? Qi Yuan was even more puzzled.
"Let me tell you about this."
Since the topic was brought up anyway, Lin Cang had no choice but to give an account of his embarrassing experience himself to at least keep some dignity.
According to Lin Cang's introduction:
He discovered an E-level monster that was acting suspiciously, so he followed it and successfully located the Lizard Man.
At the time, it was commanding its subordinates to set up traps, seemingly searching for humans with golden eyes.
"After I get rid of the big rat that sneaked in, I'll go find the Golden Eyes."
Right after the Lizard Man said that, it launched an attack on Lin Cang.
"We fought evenly for a while. Then I accidentally tripped and..."
Lin Cang used an awkward smile to cover up his embarrassment.
If possible, he didn't want to talk about this. But Squad 4 on duty rushed over after hearing the commotion and witnessed his entire defeat.
If he didn't explain it himself, the seemingly unreliable Pang Shuo would speak up instead, making the situation even more awkward.
According to Lin Cang, the Lizard Man had used Spatial Blades and Spatial Leaps in combat. Whether it had more skills remained unknown, as he was then rescued by Pang Shuo's squad and they fled together until finding refuge in a Spatial Turbulence.
Qi Yuan thought: What an awkward way to be defeated...
"Speaking of which, I wanted to ask earlier - why are you called Golden Eyes?"
After talking for so long, Lin Cang's throat was also dry. He twisted open his water bottle while raising this question.
"I know the reason for this."
Miao Miao Tu raised her hand to answer. With Qi Yuan's personality, he definitely wouldn't boast about himself and might just brush it off vaguely. This required an expert explanation.
She took out another phone from her backpack - her livestreaming phone was different from her personal phone for convenience.
Based on her watch history, she easily pulled up the video of Qi Yuan instantly killing the spider monster and played it.
The curious crowd gathered around that phone screen.
The edited video only showed the instant kill scene and was less than 1-2 minutes long altogether.
Exclamations of "Holy shit" and "Wow" sounded among the encircled people.
"That was a C-level monster. B-level and C-level are different."
With such solid evidence, trying to explain it away would only elicit disbelief. It was better to change direction and emphasize the difference between B-level and C-level.
In short, Qi Yuan wanted to say that even with the strength shown in the video, he still needed protection.
Sure enough, Liu Ying picked up on his intent.
"You're right, C-level and B-level monsters are different."
Pang Shuo scoffed, "You can tell you've never dealt with C-level monsters by saying that."
Liu Ying frowned in displeasure, as if Pang Shuo was mocking her lack of experience and implying she had less sense than him.
"Both C-level and B-level belong to mid-tier. Some powerful C-level superhumans can even cross tiers and defeat weaker B-level monsters. We usually lump B-level monsters into high-tier alert levels together with A-level monsters. This is because some B-level monsters can have sudden breakthroughs during battle, or borrow A-level power by paying a certain price. So subconsciously, people group B-level monsters together with A-level."
Lin Cang patiently explained, then added: "So Qi Yuan was just being modest. With his ability to instantly kill a C-level monster, he can at least go head-to-head with a B-level."
Everyone suddenly understood and looked at Qi Yuan admiringly.
It turned out God doesn't just open doors for some people, but gives them multiple windows too.
So handsome, so strong, yet so modest!
Damn it... Qi Yuan couldn't help but swear.
"Let's get back on track."
Liu Ying brought the going-astray conversation back.
"That means the captain and Qi Yuan working together can fend off the Lizard Man's attacks. Our next step is very clear - buy time until the B-level superhumans arrive."
Qi Yuan had no objections. On the contrary, he felt a bit guilty.
On the surface, he was being asked to help out. But in reality, the Lizard Man was targeting him personally. The squad on duty with him would also get caught in the crossfire.
"Alright, now that we know the Lizard Man is going to attack, stop dawdling and get ready for battle, everyone."
Liu Ying clapped her hands. "Captain, anything else to add? If not, get some good rest. You'll be crucial later."
Having cooperated in combat for years, Liu Ying's intention was for Pang Shuo to not worry about trivial matters and just focus on fighting. Naturally, Pang Shuo wouldn't argue with her over a little verbal authority.
He shook his head indicating no additions, and went to sit and wipe his long saber.
Led by their captain's example, the squad members who had gathered also returned to their positions to rest up and prepare.
"Then I'll go rest too. Don't be fooled by my mummy-like bandages, I might still be able to help you guys out later."
Lin Cang struggled to get up, about to go back to his earlier spot.
"Wait a moment..."
Qi Yuan wanted to ask Lin Cang whether there were two ghost monsters with the Lizard Man.
With insufficient information, he deliberated again and again, and could only inquire about the two ghost monsters.
Lin Cang halted and looked back at Qi Yuan. A two-meter tall powerful Spatial Blade brushed past him...
Boom!
The Spatial Blade hit the wall with a deafening noise, leaving a crescent-shaped dent on the solid exterior.
"Enemy raid! Evacuate the room immediately!"
Liu Ying reacted swiftly, hobbling as she directed the scene.
The burlier members of the squad clenched their fists, muscles pumping, then smashed them into the wall. The wall came crashing down, opening up a new entry/exit.
Amidst the chaos, Squad 4 carried out their duties in an orderly manner.
"It came this quickly? The target is indeed Qi Yuan."
With blade in hand, flames erupted along Pang Shuo's saber.
Seeing the Spatial Blade barely miss Lin Cang, Qi Yuan immediately activated his ability to locate the monster.
Hearing Pang Shuo spout nonsense, he couldn't help but correct him: "No, its target is Lin Cang."
"I also feel it was aiming for me. Thanks to Qi Yuan's warning."
Lin Cang's expression was grave as he unwrapped some of the bandages restricting his movement.
Failing to hit its target, the Lizard Man climbed onto the ceiling, looking down at them from above.
"Captain, we're surrounded by monsters."
Zhuang Heng's voice came from the corridor. In front of and behind them, monsters were gradually closing in.