Chapter 23: Farewell to Sister-in-law, Lv8 Handgun
Chapter 23: Farewell to Sister-in-law, Lv8 Handgun
The words of the special forces couldn't curb the desperate survival instincts of the crowd.
After Ding Chenghai gripped the rope and ascended to the helicopter...
Zhang Xuan, among the surviving professors from other departments, realized they had been deceived and exploited by the engineering faculty!
In an instant, he hid behind others and began to incite them.
"Why call names? We're all survivors and professors; why do they get to board the helicopter? What makes them special?!"
Zhang Xuan shouted, and those around him echoed, sparking outrage among a dozen people. They pushed and shoved, trying to break past the special forces to reach the rope.
But in wartime, any obstruction of military operations is met with zero tolerance.
The seasoned special forces raised their guns, firing above the crowd's heads.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three shots whizzed over the tallest heads.
Zhang Xuan felt his slicked-back hair, smelling burnt strands, and collapsed in fear, supported by Liu Ruojiu.
Liu Yueqi watched his disheveled state with disdain, looking expectantly at Lin Feng's group.
Unfortunately, the stern warning deterred anyone from stepping forward, as the special forces' cold eyes promised deadly force.
He would shoot to kill.
As names were called, confirmed professors from the engineering college ascended the ropes to the helicopter.
A soldier handed his magazine and grenades to a teammate, patting his shoulder:
"Take care! See you at camp!"
With that, he ascended the rope back to the helicopter.
The remaining special forces member pulled out a photo, looking at the woman he'd noticed before, pointing to her:
"You, up!"
The woman was Lin Feng's companion.
After one last kiss goodbye with Lin Feng, Zhang Yuruo walked to the helicopter.
The soldier handed her the photo, securing the safety belt around her waist.
As the rotor turned, she slowly ascended to the cabin.
The soldier below gave a thumbs-up to the cockpit, and the pilot began climbing higher.
Inside the helicopter, the rescued professors stared incredulously at the woman who'd boarded last.
No one expected this inconspicuous woman was also a military rescue target, with a special forces member exchanged for her escape.
No wonder she arrived at Haida at the last moment.
Zhang Yuruo fastened her seatbelt, exhaling in relief, and looked back at Lin Feng waving below, tears spilling over.
Across from her sat Ding Chenghai, who frowned intently at the woman.
Calming her emotions, Zhang Yuruo offered a polite smile.
The man suddenly spoke:
"I remember now, you're Lin Feng's neighbor, his sister-in-law, right?"
Recalling her earlier kiss with Lin Feng, Ding Chenghai crossed his fingers, his gaze and tone scrutinizing:
"Whatever your intentions with Lin Feng, now that you've used him, don't bother him again."
Zhang Yuruo's smile widened, eyes narrowing:
"How do you know Lin Feng and I aren't truly in love?"
Ding Chenghai's face turned cold, saying nothing more, looking at the distant shrinking figures on the rooftop.
As the helicopter flew off, the rotor noise faded, leaving the crowd speechless at the scene.
"Just seven people? Is this a joke?"
"Why?! Why does that woman get to go, and we can't?!"
With the helicopter gone, those left behind, hopeless, began questioning.
The remaining special forces member packed his gear, then addressed the crowd:
"The Wuzhi helicopter holds ten people. With two pilots and two gunners, six spots remain."
"Sorry, we're just following orders."
"But don't worry, the Federation hasn't abandoned you."
"By this afternoon, the troops outside the city won't leave. That's our countdown to escape."
He introduced himself:
"I'm Qin Hu, you can call me Captain Qin. I'll lead you out of Haicheng."
"How many worker bugs have you killed? How many enhancements?"
His words left the crowd looking at each other, lacking the courage to face the ferocious bugs. Without Liu Yueqi guarding the door, sacrificing colleagues, they wouldn't be alive.
Seeing their hesitation, Qin Hu sighed. He wouldn't normally accept such a suicidal mission, but he was promised his family would be moved to a safe area, away from future swarms.
For his family's safety, Qin Hu took the risk.
Fortunately, his mission was to escort those on the helicopter. As for the professors, their survival wasn't strictly required.
If they became a burden, Qin Hu wouldn't hesitate to abandon them.
Having faced the battlefield, he knew even tanks couldn't withstand a swarm.
Of the eleven survivors, perhaps half might escape with him.
Feeling some despair, a girl stepped forward.
Liu Yueqi, holding her sheathed knife, approached Qin Hu:
"I killed fifteen worker bugs, five enhancements."
She then looked at the couple at the rooftop's edge, gazing into the distance.
After ensuring Zhang Yuruo's safe departure, Lin Feng relaxed, examining the communication device left by Ding Chenghai for messages.
Soon, a mysterious text arrived.
Opening it, Lin Feng found it was from the Federation Research Institute, detailing the current insect types and names.
Skimming through, Lin Feng froze...
The ubiquitous worker bugs were officially named Red Armored Beetles!
Yet his system had identified them at the apocalypse's start.
The institute must know deeper secrets, understanding the swarm more thoroughly.
Reading further confirmed Lin Feng's suspicions. Immersed in knowledge, Chen Yanyan nudged him, and he looked up to see the professors and the special forces member watching him.
Chen Yanyan whispered:
"They're introducing themselves. The soldier will lead us out of Haicheng to join the main forces."
Understanding the situation, Lin Feng stepped forward:
"Hello, I'm Lin Feng, enhanced eight times! I've awakened a superpower."
He gestured to his red-silver shield armor.
Qin Hu's eyes caught Lin Feng's holstered gun, asking:
"Are you Haicheng's sheriff?"
Lin Feng shook his head, uninterested in being a moral hostage or saving people.
Qin Hu nodded, asking no more.
With weapons unregulated, many armories had been emptied, guns spread out.
A handgun sufficed to explain Lin Feng's rapid enhancements, as guns made bug-killing efficient.
"Alright, let's leave before the soldier bugs arrive."
"Do you have cars and keys in the parking lot?"
Several professors raised hands. Qin Hu nodded, reloading his gun, leading them to the window.
The crowd followed, reluctantly, after the soldier.
Chen Yanyan gripped her long knife, watching the departing professors, frowning:
"Bringing them won't end well."
Lin Feng nodded, trailing behind:
"No rush; they can distract the swarm. Let's find the main force. We need supplies and useful allies."
"Did Yuruo leave you the car keys?"
Chen Yanyan nodded, adding:
"Yes, I'll drive, and you stay on guard."
With Zhang Yuruo gone, Chen Yanyan needed to prove her indispensable value for Lin Feng's protection.
Her bag also held some of Yuruo's private clothes and black-and-white stockings.
Once out of Haicheng, they both needed a good night's rest, relieving stress.
As they prepared to leave, someone stopped Lin Feng. Liu Yueqi asked:
"Your enhancements are more than eight, right?"
Lin Feng shrugged, showing his handgun:
"Just eight."
"Divine Handgun Lv8/9, White Quality"
"Upgrade Points: 65/10, Damage: 30, Effective Range: 2000 meters, Remaining Bullets: 2000/3000"
"Extra Attribute: Bullet Recovery 1/s, Space Magazine 3000 Reserve, New Active Attribute: Metal Storm, Fire Rate 6000/min"
The upgrade brought little change, but increased range and ammo made Lin Feng more confident against swarms.
Expecting no unusual effects from further upgrades, Lin Feng began self-upgrading and the handgun's final level, from Lv8 to Lv9.
As he prepared to descend, Liu Yueqi quietly suggested:
"Hey, you said you need partners. Take us with you. I'll be your bodyguard, and my aunt can heal you."
"Two for the price of one, a great deal."
"Your ability's side effects are severe. If you feel unwell, see my aunt."
"Her skills are excellent, right?"
The girl tilted her head, smiling.
Unhesitatingly offering her aunt.