Su Wan opened her eyes and looked toward the grey horizon outside the city.
She needed to get in touch with Zhou Hu; she needed his intelligence.
At the city gate, the guards were still standing around lazily, gossiping about the murderous-looking convoy that had just passed.
“What’s with all the fuss? Where are they headed?”
“I heard a shelter popped up in the Ruin Zone. It’s taking in pariahs—thousands of them. The City Defense Force is going in to clear them out.”
“Thousands? Are those pariahs even worth deploying the 3rd Mobile Brigade?”
“Who knows? That’s for the higher-ups to worry about. Not our business.”
Su Wan walked past them, and no one spared her a second glance.
Once outside the city gates, she accelerated abruptly.
Unleashing the full physical potential of a Level 3 Late Stage expert, she became a grey blur, weaving through the ruins like a bolt of lightning.
Potholes, collapsed walls, twisted rebar—none of the obstacles slowed her down.
She didn't head directly for the City Defense Force convoy. Instead, she took a curved path to intercept Zhou Hu’s position.
Her Level 3 Late Stage mental power fanned out like an invisible net, stretching toward the southeast.
When the distance between her and Zhou Hu closed to two kilometers, her perception picked up the trail of the two men.
Two figures were moving rapidly along a small path on the edge of the ruins.
The one in the lead was tall and broad-shouldered, radiating a beast-like ferocity.
That was Zhou Hu.
The man following him was lean and wore a dark grey combat suit with two short blades hanging from his waist.
Su Wan locked her mental power onto Zhou Hu and established a link through the Slavery Collar.
【Zhou Hu, can you hear me?】
On the path ahead, Zhou Hu’s footsteps faltered for a fraction of a second.
His expression didn't change, and his pace remained steady, but a subtle shift flickered in the depths of his eyes.
It was the instinctive reaction to the contract’s power being activated.
【Master.】 Zhou Hu’s consciousness responded through the contract, his voice steady and devoid of emotion.
【Report your current status.】
【I am currently en route to Area A5 with "Shadow Blade," another Level 3 Ability User from the Panshi Company’s Outer City branch. We expect to rendezvous with the City Defense Force’s 3rd Mobile Brigade in twenty minutes.】
【Shadow Blade is Level 3 Mid Stage. His abilities are speed enhancement and short-range teleportation. He specializes in close-quarters assassination.】
【What about the two Level 3s from the City Defense Force? What do you know about them?】
【I know them. One is called Iron Bone, Level 3 Mid Stage. His ability is metalization; he can transform his skin and muscle tissue into a high-strength alloy. His defense is extremely high, and his melee combat is exceptional. His weaknesses are his slow speed and a significant drop in mental defense while in his metalized state.】
【The other is Cold Wind, Level 3 Mid Stage. His ability is ice manipulation. He can condense ice blades and walls for both offense and defense, giving him strong long-range suppression. He is cautious by nature and tends to observe before committing to a fight.】
Su Wan mentally noted the information.
Four Level 3s: a speed-type assassin, a defensive tank, a long-range mage, and Zhou Hu, the power-type warrior.
It was a formidable lineup.
A force like this was more than enough to wipe out not just a vagrant base, but any average faction.
【Zhou Hu, I want you to help me take out the other three Ability Users.】
Zhou Hu responded immediately: 【Understood.】
【Good. Your first task is to find an opportunity to neutralize Shadow Blade.】 Su Wan’s voice was calm and certain.
Zhou Hu didn't ask questions.
【Understood, Master.】
The link disconnected.
Su Wan withdrew her mental power and stood up from the shadows.
She needed to meet up with Zhou Hu first before they took on the brigade together.
Two kilometers was a distance she could cover in just a few minutes.
The wind howled in her ears as the ruins blurred past her.
As she ran, Su Wan simulated the upcoming battle in her mind.
Zhou Hu would take out Shadow Blade from behind, then keep Iron Bone busy.
She would deal with Cold Wind.
A Level 3 Mid Stage ice manipulator.
With her Level 3 Late Stage mental power, it shouldn't be difficult to handle him.
The problem was the rest: one hundred and twenty infantrymen, six Level 2s, four armored vehicles, and a fire-support vehicle.
The Terminal Station’s defense system would have to handle those.
Su Wan contacted the Central Hub.
“Central Hub, when is the convoy expected to reach the Terminal Station?”
【Based on their current speed, the City Defense Force’s 3rd Mobile Brigade is expected to reach the perimeter of the Terminal Station in thirty-five to forty minutes.】
“How long will it take me to get back?”
【At your current speed, it will take approximately eight to ten minutes to return to the Terminal Station from your current position. However, since you need to meet with Zhou Hu first, extra time will be consumed. Overall, you should be able to return five to ten minutes before the army arrives.】
That was enough.
Su Wan pushed her speed, the ruins flashing by.
A few minutes later, she stopped behind a partially collapsed wall.
About two hundred meters ahead, two figures were moving quickly along the path at the edge of the ruins.
It was Zhou Hu and his companion.
Su Wan’s mental power reached out quietly, locking onto the lean figure.
Shadow Blade.
Level 3 Mid Stage, speed enhancement, short-range teleportation.
Someone like him was the most troublesome presence on a battlefield—fast as the wind and impossible to guard against.
But with Zhou Hu there, that was no longer an issue.
Hiding behind the wall, Su Wan contacted Zhou Hu again.
【I’ve arrived. Two hundred meters to your front-right, behind the half-wall.】
Zhou Hu’s pace didn't falter, and he didn't even glance in her direction.
But his consciousness responded: 【Understood.】
【Shadow Blade usually walks about three paces behind my right shoulder. From this distance, I can attack the moment I turn. He won't have time to react.】
【When do you plan to strike?】
【Anytime.】
Su Wan thought for a moment. 【Now, then. I’ll assist you with a mental interference.】
【Remember, just incapacitate him. Do not kill him.】
【Understood.】 Zhou Hu’s response was brief and steady.
Tucked behind the wall, Su Wan’s mental power fanned out, closing in on Shadow Blade.
Two hundred meters was well within the range of her Level 3 Late Stage precision.
“Do it!”
Zhou Hu moved.
Without warning, his massive frame spun around, his right arm lunging toward Shadow Blade like a steel pincer!
Shadow Blade’s reaction was incredibly fast.
His Level 3 Mid Stage speed enhancement gave him reflexes far beyond normal humans. The moment Zhou Hu turned, his body was already retreating, and his right hand was reaching for the short blades at his waist.
But Su Wan’s mental attack was faster.
An invisible needle pierced Shadow Blade’s consciousness core the instant he tried to back away!
Shadow Blade’s body stiffened. His pupils constricted, and his hand froze mid-reach for his hilt. It was as if someone had pressed the pause button on his entire existence.
Rate on N.U.
