Chapter 56: Decapitation Mission and Favor Exchange

Just as Lin Feng was puzzled, Qin Hu leaned in to explain quietly:

"The command has a proposed operation plan."

"They call it the Decapitation Mission."

Hearing these words, Lin Feng's pupils contracted, instantly considering a possibility, prompting him to lower his voice:

"You intend to send an elite awakener squad to take down the Queen directly?!"

Seeing the astonishment in Lin Feng's eyes, Qin Hu nodded, admitting frankly:

"Exactly."

"However, not now. The plan is to wait until the Wu City blockade battle erupts, and the Queen sends all the Black Spinal Bug armies to the frontline..."

"That will be when it is at its weakest."

"Once its location is confirmed, we can dispatch a highly awakened team, equipped with our most powerful personal weapons, to attempt a decapitation strike on the Queen!"

"If we can kill or severely injure the Queen, all threats will dissolve immediately, as the bug army would become nothing more than headless flies without its command."

Qin Hu's face showed a hint of pride, already envisioning humanity's complete victory over the bugs.

This operation plan emerged from an afternoon discussion among several staff officers, primarily addressing the threat of the Queen bypassing the defenses. If the bugs avoided confrontation, the entire line would become a monumental joke.

Thus, the preemptive strategy was to target the bug's brain—the Queen—with a decapitation mission.

A special unit of late-stage first-tier awakeners would be tasked with this mission.

Qin Hu's initial joy upon learning of this plan lasted only minutes before he realized the difficulty in selecting personnel.

It was likely a one-way mission with no return.

Even the strongest first-tier awakeners couldn't simultaneously fend off hundreds of Black Spinal Bug attacks.

In the reinforced awakener battalion under his command, several late-stage first-tier officers openly refused to participate in such a suicidal mission.

The overall power of the awakener team was rapidly expanding, especially the late-stage first-tier members with physical and mental attributes several times that of ordinary humans.

Physically enhanced awakeners could easily exert tons of force with a punch, moving at high speeds, even reaching 100 meters per second in extreme conditions.

Their short-term combat power far exceeded the Black Spinal Bugs, and they could even take on tanks, the kings of land battles, alone.

If willing, 500 awakeners could effortlessly defeat thousands of Black Spinal Bugs and eliminate tens of thousands of ordinary soldiers within hours.

With such progress, awakeners were becoming a different species of humanity, naturally altering their mindset.

Issuing a task akin to a death sentence made it difficult to recruit loyal and reliable elite team members.

Even if forced conscription occurred, they might just pretend to comply, and the command couldn't do much about it.

Thus, the mission relied on voluntary participation.

Since the announcement in the afternoon, only a handful of late-stage first-tier awakeners approached Qin Hu, demanding high rewards and advance payment.

These weren't issues; if they could injure the Queen and shift the battle's tide, any demand could be met.

The real issue was the lack of volunteers.

In the face of personal survival, all wealth and glory seemed like mere dreams.

This pressure had been placed on Qin Hu, tasked with assembling two elite special squads of sixteen within three days.

Qin Hu was troubled over this matter, even considering abandoning the mission to avoid alienation among awakeners.

As a former special forces leader, Qin Hu understood the stakes.

Unexpectedly, Lin Feng's casual remarks at the gathering sparked interest among the late-stage first-tier officers.

For those who had reached the pinnacle, only further strengthening and becoming a second-tier powerhouse could entice them.

This inadvertently aligned with the decapitation mission's goal.

Regardless of whether they truly aimed to kill the Queen, assembling the necessary team was the first step.

Qin Hu's explanation revealed the underlying interests, but Lin Feng was skeptical of the decapitation mission's success.

As one of the few survivors who had witnessed the Queen's emergence, the scene in Haicheng's suburbs was deeply etched in Lin Feng's mind.

Even overcoming his fear, the colossal beast's terror lingered.

The Queen, as a high-tier insect, lacked weaknesses besides its slow movement. A team of late-stage first-tier awakeners couldn't defeat it.

Even a Lv32 early high-tier Queen had 12,000 health points, requiring precise hits with over a hundred TNT-equivalent bombs to inflict serious damage.

Yes, just serious damage.

To kill it, Lin Feng estimated a small nuclear warhead would be necessary, timed perfectly as it emerged from the ground.

Beyond its immense health, the Queen had 1,100 physical and 1,500 mental attributes. Its mental abilities alone could easily handle low-tier humans.

Lin Feng even suspected the Queen possessed a mind-control ability, enabling it to command distant bug armies.

He hoped the interested late-stage first-tier officers, if participating, would only probe the periphery, withdraw after dealing with second-tier insects, and not overextend against the Queen.

Wishing them luck in advance.

Lin Feng raised his glass, sharing a knowing smile with Qin Hu.

Then, a sudden inspiration struck him.

A favor for a favor: since Qin Hu was grateful, Lin Feng intended to leverage this unexpected goodwill to enhance the armored camper's firepower.

"Congratulations in advance, Brother Qin, on completing this crucial mission... But I have a favor to ask."

Lin Feng set down his glass, shifting the conversation.

Qin Hu squinted slightly:

"What is it? I'll send the materials you needed first thing tomorrow."

Lin Feng nodded:

"Thanks, but I'm referring to something else."

Qin Hu nodded silently, waiting for him to continue.

Lin Feng took a deep breath, speaking softly:

"Regarding the service area's protection mission, my handgun's firepower isn't enough. Could you provide some heavy weapons, like a large-caliber autocannon?"

"I want to upgrade the camper into an infantry fighting vehicle."

Hearing this, Qin Hu frowned. If Lin Feng were a Thirteenth Army special soldier, it would be easy, even gifting an armored vehicle wouldn't be an issue. But since Lin Feng joined the state guard, Qin Hu lacked the authority for private weapon transactions.

Seeing Qin Hu's hesitation, Lin Feng continued:

"During my reconnaissance of the insect activity range, I encountered Wind Wing Bugs on the way back."

"They gather intelligence for the Queen. Without appropriate anti-air measures, my mission could be compromised, and the Queen might learn of our plans."

After careful consideration, Qin Hu nodded:

"I'll send the requested equipment under the guise of arming an outpost, but don't bring the modified camper into Wu City."

"Ensure the vehicle is well-disguised and not conspicuous."

Lin Feng's lips curled into a smile, promising earnestly:

"No problem at all. Wishing you a successful mission."

...

As Lin Feng and Han Yuxin returned to the service area in a jeep arranged by Qin Hu, it was already the early hours of the morning.

On the way, Han Yuxin, slightly tipsy, laughed at Lin Feng holding a takeout box:

"Who would've thought you'd ask for takeout at a banquet, especially in the VIP area..."

"It was a buffet!"

"Didn't you see the waiter's awkward face, running to the kitchen for a box? After tonight, the VIPs might forget others but will remember you, the adorable guy."

Lin Feng shrugged, unfazed. Following the principle of taking what he could, face meant little compared to a full stomach.

"I needed to bring something for my absent teammate; I'm not one to eat alone."

Lin Feng explained briefly, saying no more.

Han Yuxin gazed at Lin Feng's defined profile, more handsome in the moonlight.

Slightly drunk, she leaned against his broad shoulder.

Upon arriving at the service area, Lin Feng helped Han Yuxin back to the inn, gently refusing her lingering invitation, settling her in the back room.

Then he carried the takeout box back to the camper.

Quietly entering the bedroom, finding Chen Yanyan still asleep, he retrieved the Lv15 autocannon from under the bed.

Preparing for the next upgrade.

Just then, a pair of long, slender legs appeared behind him.

Delicate feet wrapped around Lin Feng's shoulders, pulling him onto the bed.

A soft, gentle voice followed:

"Leaving without a word..."

"Tell me, how will you make it up to me?"

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