The Duel

Brain Bug No. 1: "It’s a bit difficult. It would be best to find an opportunity to enter the enemy ship normally. I estimate there are at least 10,000 combat personnel on this Dulu vessel."

"Alright, let’s try our luck then."

Xia Jin hadn't expected it to be this easy.

While seizing the ship carried risks, it was the easiest way to obtain a vast amount of data on the opposing civilization.

...

A new group of Dulu, including the captain, had also been placed under "house arrest" below.

These guys began discussing how to escape or whether to simply fight their way out.

"These bugs might have some strength, but they certainly can't compare to our combat suits. Our electromagnetic rifles can easily pierce alloy walls. Do they really think a mere biological carapace can rival thousands of years of technological progress?"

"If all else fails, we’ll just have to try. The captain has trained in swordsmanship. With energy blades, we won't even fear those creatures rushing us at close range. As long as we aren't surrounded by thousands, breaking out will be easy."

The content of the Dulu's discussion was intercepted in its entirety by the Zerg through psionic radiation.

Standing beneath the Small Leviathan, Xia Jin yawned.

"Maybe I can find a reason to fight them."

She was very curious about the individual combat capabilities of the Dulu.

Xia Jin didn't have enough data on former Zerg civilizations, so she had to collect most of it herself.

About ten minutes later, a hydralisk appeared before the Dulu.

"We have discussed it. Since you are newcomers, you do not necessarily have to follow our customs. Perhaps we can let you go."

"What? Is that true?" a female Dulu stood up excitedly.

"Rest assured, once we leave, we will properly convey the friendship between our two sides," the captain replied immediately.

Yeah, right!

There was no way they wanted to return to this hellhole.

"You may indeed leave, but you must follow another of our customs: engage in a battle with one of our warriors. If you lose... then you must stay for ten years."

The captain: "..."

Strictly speaking, was there any difference between ten years and one year?

Either way, they wouldn't be getting out in this lifetime.

"Fine, a deal is a deal."

Although the Zerg looked strong, these people were truly confident.

Their equipment was the latest generation—technology that had been in use for decades, allowing ordinary Dulu to survive in various harsh environments.

Even solid steel on the ground was defenseless against an energy blade.

Not to mention the electromagnetic rifles in their hands had a range of several kilometers, and a single bullet could even pierce through several buildings.

What could mere bugs use to block that?

"Let me do it."

The captain stood up and took out a simple device. With a light press of a button, a sharp sword manifested in his hand.

The sword was translucent with a dim glow, looking like a shard of sharp crystal.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that the crystal was actually a form of flowing fluid energy.

Seeing this, a zergling nearby slowly stepped forward, preparing for battle.

The onlookers from both sides began to retreat, clearing a space of two hundred meters.

"Begin."

Bang!

Almost instantly, the zergling's legs coiled and sprang. Its speed reached its peak in a flash as its sharp blades slashed fiercely toward the opponent.

Surprisingly, faced with this Tier 10 attack, the captain actually reacted. One of his legs snapped outward like a spring, launching his body to the side. Then, his arm suddenly elongated as he swung the light blade at the zergling.

The zergling immediately twisted its body to dodge.

Xia Jin frowned slightly, while the Dulu onlookers were astonished.

"The captain has undergone genetic modification, is wearing a combat suit, and has neural enhancements—yet he still didn't hit the opponent?"

"These bugs are actually this strong? They can actually go back and forth with a powerhouse like him?"

The battle between the two was extremely fierce.

The zergling's speed was already exaggerated, but the captain before it could always anticipate the attacks and dodge quickly.

The Dulu's body was like a spring; every limb could rapidly contract and extend, full of elasticity.

As the zergling whipped its tail, the man's weapon came down in a flash, severing it.

Bang!

The severed tail actually bounced off the ground, delivering one final strike.

The captain was knocked back a few steps. Looking down, he saw cracks had appeared on his protective suit.

He knew he couldn't lose this fight. With a roar of fury, his hands sped up, striking the bug's neck with a speed the zergling couldn't keep up with.

"We won."

The zergling shook its head and retreated a few steps.

"Your strength is formidable. It seems you truly may leave this place."

The zergling controlled by Xia Jin spoke and moved aside to clear the path to the exit.

The remaining Dulu breathed a sigh of relief.

These guys walked up the stairs, but suddenly realized the scene before them was wrong.

The exit of the stairs was not the outdoors, but a corridor.

And at that moment, the corridor began to writhe.

"This isn't good!"

Boom!

A psionic shock from the brain bug struck from the other end.

"Damn it, give it everything you've got!"

One of the Dulu pulled out a launcher and pressed it toward the distance. A small missile flew from the head, instantly breaking the sound barrier and exploding at the end.

A blinding fireball suddenly ignited.