AZI Volume 1 Chapter 21

"…That's it? It's dead?"

Looking at the scene with disbelief, Qing Yue asks this question as Long Hua retracts his Relic.

"That's a clean hit to the neck that instantly broke its bones."

Crouching down by the side of the dead beast, Ye Chen looks to the wound with an intrigued expression before directing a stare at Long Hua.

"My physical strength and senses tend to be stronger than most Sinners. With my Relic released, they get raised by another level. Supposedly, my doctor says it's because my Relic is merged with my body."

"These parts of its flesh are darkening."

Pointing out four black spots on the fallen beast's flesh, Ye Chen recalls seeing the white-scaled serpents sinking their fangs into these exact locations.

"It's because of the poison."

"And the effects of that poison?"

"Corrosion of the internal organs."

"You able to inject it into drinks?"

"You hiring me for a hit, captain? Who do you want dead?"

"…"

An expression of wariness forms on Qing Yue's face hearing the two's exchange.

Although the two aren't fighting one another, there is seemingly a strong sense of tension between them that can be ignited with a single spark.

"Nah. I just… Li Xue, might hire you instead if she finds out about this."

(She did say that this guy got her father killed, and that she plans to kill him at some point.)

Recalling this detail, Long Hua shrugs his shoulders.

"Is that why you told her to stay back to guard the truck?"

"They say, to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but… I think she might be an exception to that."

Disinterestedly, Long Hua turns away from Ye Chen and continues to move in the direction of the way back.

Hurriedly, Qing Yue opens the drawstring pouch and sucks the white tiger back into it.

"2nd Lieutenant Qing Yue, you panicked a bit when that thing charged at you, didn't you?"

"Well…"

"That's something you gotta work on in the future."

Nothing else happened on the way back, while Ye Chen gives Qing Yue a few suggestions to maintain a composed mindset amidst the heat of battle.

...…

"That took a bit longer than expected."

Seeing the three's return, Li Xue remarks on the time it took for them to complete their task.

"Ran into some minor trouble. And you?"

"Nothing happened on our end."

"Hmm. Maybe my luck is just off today?"

Pulling out his phone and opening a game with relatively high rates in its drawing pool, Ye Chen does a single pull and draws an R rarity unit.

(Now I'm starting to feel like… Something bad is just waiting to happen.)

Storing the phone away, Ye Chen climbs into the driver's seat and with everyone now loaded back into the truck again, they resume their patrol route.

Upon reaching their next stop, Li Xue, Yu Ji, and Qing Yue are sent out for the task of retrieving the recording chip of this area's computer terminal.

As the three lieutenants have yet to acquire the proper knowledge on what precautions to take during these walks, Ye Chen and Li Xue took turns guiding them through on what to avoid and how to notice signs of danger in the vicinity.

However—

(It's so peaceful that it's kind of eerie. Not a single sign of danger anywhere… Makes it hard to teach them the ropes without proper examples to use.)

Lamenting about this issue, Ye Chen sighs.

Other than the incident that involved the one-horned lion in the first patrol session, the trip continues peacefully.

"Might be time to stop for the day."

Looking at the sun that is starting to set while sitting on top of the truck's front nose, Ye Chen makes the decision to setup camp.

"Right then, 2nd Lieut. Yu Ji get the tents out."

"Got it."

In terms of progress, Ye Chen would consider themselves clearing through the patrol route at a decent pace, for they have already covered half of it.

Attempting to go any faster isn't exactly much of a necessity, since regardless of how quick one is able to cover these routes, they'd still be made to finish it in two days due to the number of miles that they are forced to cover.

...…

With a large pot placed over a fire and held up by a metal stand, the group waits for the MREs to finish cooking.

"I should be used to this by now, but…"

"It's nothing expired right?"

"It's actually edible right?"

Knowing that they would be having MREs instead of an ordinary meal, the three lieutenants voiced these concerns aloud.

"…?"

"You three… Just what sort of hellhole has those schools become after I graduated?"

"A place where you eat canned fruits for lunch."

"A place where you eat stuff that's already expired."

"A place where they feed you stuff that not even a dog would want."

The three answer Ye Chen's question simultaneously, while Li Xue stirs the pot.

"I've checked the packages and it says it doesn't expire until next year, and I'd consider rice with some curry seasonings edible. Unless you're allergic to anything in it."

Attempting to bring fresh ingredients would take up far too much space and weight when they must also bring four sleeping bags, two tents, five folding stools, the pot, the fire-starting kit, a first-aid kit, along with three large containers of water.

"Right, it's done."

Holding the meal contained within a plastic package, Long Hua gives it a brief sniff.

(Smells good at least.)

Having checked that, he digs his spoon in for a taste.

(What is this? I feel like crying—knowing that a meal like this is tastier than the crap they served back in S09.)

Eating their meal in silence, Ye Chen is the first to finish as he looks to the group and brings up the topic of—

"Right then, who's up to do first watch with me?"

The reason why they didn't bring a sleeping bag for everyone was because there must be two individuals on guard duty during the night.

"Why did we bring four bags then?"

"That fourth one is just in case."

"I recommend 2nd Lieut. Long Hua and 2nd Lieut. Yu Ji to make a decision, it's the gentlemanly thing to do for the ladies that need beauty sleep."

Turning to each other, Long Hua and Yu Ji decided it over a game of rock, paper, and scissors.

"Well, g'night then."

(Karma's a real bitch I guess.)

Having lost the game, the two on guard duty are Ye Chen and Long Hua.