Chapter 28: Explosive Gun Lv10, Urgent Mission

Lin Feng gently shook the gun in his hand, and the detailed data loaded the next moment:

"Explosive Gun Lv10/19, Red Quality"

"Upgrade Points: 1/2, Damage: 50, Effective Range: 2 kilometers, Remaining Bullets: 100/100"

"Extra Attribute: Bullet Recovery: 1/1h, Space Magazine: 100 Reserve"

"Note: Can switch to Lv9 Divine Handgun, with unlimited normal bullets; switches automatically when explosive rounds are depleted."

"Evaluation: This is a 20mm caliber semi-automatic hand cannon; bullets have an explosive effect, creating a 1-meter diameter blast on impact, destroying thick armor. Killing targets of the same tier grants upgrade points."

Indeed, the upgrade to red quality transformed the weapon significantly, turning a small handgun into a hand cannon—a compact grenade launcher.

Unfortunately, with only 100 rounds, even if all explosive rounds hit, it could only take out thirty-three Lv13 or lower Black Spinal Bugs.

But this was just Lv10's initial stage. Lin Feng believed further upgrades would exponentially increase power and ammo reserves.

Post-Lv10 upgrades required killing same-tier targets, slowing progress akin to ordinary people's enhancement.

This didn't bother Lin Feng much; as long as he could penetrate the Black Spinal Bugs' thick armor, upgrading would be no issue.

Surprisingly, the upgrade allowed switching back to the Divine Handgun mode with unlimited normal bullets, solving Lin Feng's light weapon shortage.

Otherwise, he'd need to find another handgun to upgrade from scratch.

After completing the over-tier upgrade, Lin Feng didn't immediately initiate his own over-tier upgrade. Being new to the area, he wanted to understand the situation first.

If the over-tier upgrade required significant time or incapacitated him, Lin Feng needed to prepare, like having Chen Yanyan guard him.

Lin Feng put away the unassuming handgun, also retracting his shield armor to avoid attention.

Seeing this, Chen Yanyan pressed her side, similarly reverting to carapace form.

Soon, Zhang Xuan and others arrived, along with the survivor-laden school bus.

Qin Hu approached, and with traffic ahead, everyone disembarked to assess the situation.

Lin Feng climbed the camper's ladder to the roof for a better view, gasping at the endless traffic jam stretching over ten miles.

Both lanes, including the opposite direction, were clogged with fleeing vehicles.

Previously, the pre-New Year travel rush was notorious for day-long jams, worsened by bad weather, with people eating instant noodles in the cold.

Now, every coastal city's residents were migrating inland. With flights grounded and some trains halted, vehicles were the only means, worsening congestion.

At this rate, who knew when they'd move?

Qin Hu approached some soldiers, showing his ID and exchanging a few words, his relief turning heavy.

The soldiers were equally shocked, and after a brief exchange, hurriedly left.

Returning, Qin Hu briefed the group:

"We've traveled far too quickly. This isn't a rescue zone but a civilian evacuation area. We're 30 kilometers from the insect army's edge, safe for now."

Lin Feng jumped down from the camper, asking:

"So the Federation's rescue forces are still tangled with the insect horde in Haicheng's north?"

Qin Hu nodded; they'd fled too fast.

Or rather, under Lin Feng's frantic urging, they'd lost their way, driving over 50 kilometers to the rear.

Lin Feng frowned:

"So the giant Insect Empress I saw in the south is a new appearance..."

Realizing something, he continued:

"It appeared deeper south than the northern front... Is the insect army flanking the Federation to annihilate them?"

Qin Hu looked surprised at the young man's insight, knowing the giant land bug as an Empress.

This was just learned from the soldiers maintaining order here, the latest official definition.

Considering Lin Feng's connection to those airlifted researchers, it made sense.

"Indeed, the command doesn't know this yet, nor does the northern army..."

"Luckily, we fled quickly, alerting them in advance to buy more time to retreat."

Qin Hu looked at Lin Feng and Liu Yueqi:

"The Federation needs soldiers, especially those who've killed bugs. Strong awakeners like Mr. Lin receive excellent treatment."

"If interested, visit the recruitment office."

"I'll return to report. Safe travels."

With that, Qin Hu took a few photos with the group as proof of mission completion and left with a soldier.

Watching him go, the group felt briefly relieved, only to face the endless traffic jam with renewed anxiety.

Then their phones rang—it turned out this area still had power, and signals were restored.

Lin Feng had several missed calls, mostly from Sister-in-law Yuruo, and some from Ding Fatty.

It seemed they'd safely reached the rear.

Surprisingly, his mother's disciple, He Jie, also called.

Lin Feng called Sister-in-law first, connecting in seconds:

"Hello, Yuruo, we escaped safely."

On the line, Zhang Yuruo sounded relieved:

"Good, I'm glad. Even walking, you can reach here."

"My dad's now the Steel City's plant director, so they sent me there, far from you, Xiaofeng."

Lin Feng nodded; Steel City, located at the plains-highland border, had historically been a key pass, Wu Lao Pass, and remained strategically important.

Modern times discovered rich minerals, close to northern coal mines, establishing the Federation's largest metallurgy base.

With Yuruo's father now director, his power and status had risen, especially in wartime.

This ensured Sister-in-law's safety.

But Lin Feng knew the uniform safety of the rear wasn't for him.

Even with Sister-in-law's care, he'd feel constrained. Since resigning, compromise wasn't in his vocabulary.

He couldn't rely on a woman for survival; his abilities shone on the battlefield, not through dependence.

His upgrades required combat weapons, and the safe rear lacked bugs for leveling.

Sensing Lin Feng's silence, Zhang Yuruo reassured:

"It's okay, Xiaofeng, I'll wait in Steel City."

"When I'm less busy, I'll ask my dad about a ticket back..."

Lin Feng shook his head, resolute:

"No, I won't be of help there."

"I can grow faster here."

"Yuruo, give me half a year!"

"In six months, I'll come to Steel City for you!"

Zhang Yuruo paused, then earnestly replied:

"Okay, no rush, Xiaofeng. Whether it's six months, two years, or ten, I'll wait..."

"Promise me you'll stay safe."

"Come back to me alive."

Lin Feng chuckled, lightening the mood:

"Don't worry, Yuruo, it won't take that long. My name will be known across the Federation, even the world!"

"We'll win this war! Then you can point to the TV, saying that's the hero who saved the world!"

Zhang Yuruo laughed:

"Alright, hero, get some rest. I'll wait for your news. Remember to call back."

After hanging up, Lin Feng called Ding Chenghai, who sighed in relief, inviting Lin Feng to the war research department to catch up and test new weapons.

Lin Feng brushed it off, asking about the post-nine-enhancement upgrade, and Ding promised a report.

He also suggested informing He Jie of his survival to gain favor.

Ding thanked him and ended the call.

Lin Feng saw the survivors calling family, reporting safety.

Some local to Haicheng, the sole survivors, stared blankly at the fleeing convoy, lost and dazed.

Haicheng's fall left them with nothing.

Besides Sister-in-law, Lin Feng was similarly alone, unburdened.

Chen Yanyan approached, offering a pricey bottle of Snow Mountain mineral water.

The villa had nothing cheap.

"Your family's in the northwest? Have you contacted them?"

Chen Yanyan opened a strawberry soda, eyeing the congested road:

"I did, Yuruo promised to take care of them."

Lin Feng nodded, noticing a group of tattooed men eyeing the newcomers.

Lifting his shirt to reveal his holstered handgun, he deterred them.

"Move it! No cutting in line!"

A yellow road rescue pickup appeared on the emergency lane.

Now enlisted by the security bureau, a recruitment officer with a megaphone announced:

"Emergency notice! Emergency notice!"

"Recruiting new soldiers for urgent missions! Priority to those who've killed bugs! Enhancers prioritized, with a week's rations and 50 liters of fuel!"

"Awakened superhumans, report to recruitment! Better benefits await!"

Lin Feng set down his bottle, feeling a gaze.

Turning, high schooler Liu Yueqi watched him eagerly.