Doomsday Spiritual Artifact Master
Doomsday Spiritual Artifact Master - Chapter 87: When the Roses Bloom (5)

Chapter 87 鈥?When the Roses Bloom (5)

鈼?The crystal was stolen!!! 鈼?/strong>

The next morning, V587 and Irene prepared to leave the temporary camp.

To their surprise, this camp not only housed individuals with supernatural abilities but also had many ordinary people: the elderly, children, women鈥?each person was occupied with tasks, and the aroma of cooking and food filled the air, exuding a rich essence of life.

At the entrance, a burly mercenary leader sat on the ground, his upper body bare, with a full-length python tattooed across his back. The snake鈥檚 mouth was wide open, its sharp fangs vividly detailed, enough to intimidate anyone. He was assembling an L39 anti-tank rifle, a firearm known for its extreme destructive power. At close range, this rifle could split an elephant into two in a matter of minutes.

Several mercenaries nearby were speaking to him with a respectful attitude.

鈥淪amuel, representatives from the Shaye faction have come again, wishing to meet with you.鈥?/p>

鈥淗mph, just a bunch of refugees. They think too highly of themselves. I won鈥檛 see them.鈥?/p>

As he noticed them approaching, the mercenary who was talking showed a wary expression and fell silent immediately.

Irene nodded slightly in Samuel鈥檚 direction.

Samuel cast a sharp glance at Song Ke and the others before nodding in response.

After leaving Samuel鈥檚 camp, Song Ke inquired, 鈥淚s this Samuel also a freelance mercenary?鈥?/p>

鈥淭hat鈥檚 right,鈥?Irene replied. 鈥淭he mercenaries in Western Street each have their own influence and generally avoid crossing paths. Samuel refused to comply with admission restrictions and moved out of the city after the apocalypse. During this time, many people sought refuge with him. He might be domineering, but he鈥檚 still a man of his word.鈥?/p>

Song Ke had long understood not to judge a person solely by their appearance. Although Samuel looked fierce, his willingness to openly resist the control of the generals and his decision to accommodate the elderly and children indicated he wasn鈥檛 a villain. It was no wonder Irene brought them here to spend the night.

The group later killed a few nearby zombies. Irene鈥檚 clearer mission progress reached 100%, smoothly completed. Unfortunately, V587鈥檚 level 3 crystal remained missing. Song Ke sat on the top of an overturned small car, letting out a long sigh.

In the distance, there was the faint sound of footsteps, quickly passing by. However, everyone present had supernatural abilities and immediately detected the anomaly.

Su Cha retrieved a dagger: 鈥淚鈥檒l go check.鈥?/p>

A while later, Su Cha returned: 鈥淚t was Samuel, leading 17 individuals with supernatural abilities, heading southeast.鈥?/p>

鈥淎re they armed?鈥?Irene asked.

鈥淎.K.47, G36, FAMAS, small cannons, Samuel has the L39,鈥?Su Cha elaborated.

Irene lifted the cannon with one hand and gestured towards Song Ke, raising her chin. 鈥淲hatever makes Samuel take action personally isn鈥檛 a small matter. It might have what you鈥檙e looking for. Want to check it out?鈥?/p>

鈥淟et鈥檚 go,鈥?Song Ke made a quick decision, leaping down from the car roof.

With Su Cha around, there was no worry about losing track of Samuel. The group trailed behind them, arriving at the southeast corner of Xiangang Center.

As a precaution, Song Ke found a somewhat distant office building and ascended to the rooftop for observation.

鈥淲ow!鈥?As soon as she got a clear view of the scene, Song Ke couldn鈥檛 help but exclaim.

Indeed, it was no trivial matter. In the ruins on the ground, hundreds of individuals with supernatural abilities were surrounding and attacking a mutant zombie.

This zombie was notably evolved, twice the size of an ordinary one, with no visible signs of decay. Its body muscles were robust, with sharp nails, each about half a meter long, capable of deeply scratching the ground. Despite its powerful physique, its head looked relatively small, nestled among its shoulders. Its pupils were jet black, moving swiftly.

Nearby mercenaries hurled their supernatural iron chains, binding it tightly. The zombie roared in anger, breaking free from the restraints, snapping the chains into pieces, and grasping the ends to viciously throw the mercenaries into the collapsed steel of the building.

Several fire-based individuals rushed forward, attacking it with flame guns. The agile zombie swiftly dodged behind a nearby truck, disappearing from view, and leaving the group cautiously surrounding the area. Suddenly, a robust arm extended, gripping one person鈥檚 leg, pulling them back and the gruesome sound of the head being crushed echoed: 鈥渃runch, crunch.鈥?/p>

The mercenaries quickly encircled the truck, gunfire erupting, yet it was empty; the zombie had already escaped.

Two seconds later, it leaped out of a broken window in another high-rise building, instantly killing another mercenary. This zombie not only possessed intelligence but also conducted guerrilla warfare, shamelessly toying with humans.

Hurriedly arriving at the scene, Samuel joined the battlefield, leading his people in a rapid, continuous barrage of gunfire.

Observing from the top floor of the office building, Zhuang Qingyan, after a moment鈥檚 observation, concluded, 鈥淢utant zombie, conservatively estimated to be level 2 or above.鈥?/p>

鈥淲hy are there so many people?鈥?Song Ke was puzzled, wondering if everyone was participating in the Hero Banquet.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just because of the Hero Banquet. It鈥檚 more likely for money or resources,鈥?Lu Xiaoyu said. 鈥淚 just checked casually. In the black market now, the value of a Level 3 crystal has been driven up to over ten million.鈥?/p>

Song Ke gasped; she had never seen ten million in her life!

Meanwhile, the mutant zombie continued its massacre, with mercenaries falling one after another. Ambushers were being exposed, and Irene swiftly reported their positions.

鈥淭arget in position 3, left 10-70, close to 23, enemy mortar position.鈥?/p>

鈥淭arget in position 6, right 10-40, depression, enemy grenade assault formation.鈥?/p>

Suddenly, Irene paused, her voice turning more serious. 鈥淐oordinates X6742, Y5878, Ruan Wenjun鈥檚 people are here.鈥?/p>

Ruan Wenjun, one of the three major warlords of Mu City. If Mu Qin is sly and crafty, and Miao Lun is reckless, then Ruan Wenjun is a complete war maniac. He commands the largest private army and is passionate about the sensation brought by gunpowder and destruction.

Song Ke looked around in confusion鈥?, 6, depression鈥攚here were they?

With a soft sigh, Zhuang Qingyan wheeled closer, gently placing a hand on Song Ke鈥檚 head, turning it 30 degrees to the left. 鈥淗ere, position 3.鈥?/p>

Then, adjusting it 70 degrees to the right. 鈥淧osition 6.鈥?/p>

Next, he directed Song Ke鈥檚 whole body towards himself, almost hugging her. 鈥淟ook forward from here, Ruan Wenjun鈥檚 people are there.鈥?/p>

鈥淪ee clearly now, hmm?鈥?Zhuang Qingyan asked, close to her ear, his tone ambiguous.

Feeling uncomfortable, Song Ke shrugged. 鈥淯m, yes.鈥?/p>

Finally, she saw it.

Irene鈥檚 cold voice unexpectedly sounded, 鈥淩uan Wenjun鈥檚 side has made a move.鈥?/p>

Song Ke snapped back to attention, witnessing a massive tank convoy slowly entering. The sounds of gunfire and engine roars were deafening. While the mutant zombie continued its killings, it lost the best opportunity to escape due to the overwhelming number of people; its defeat was only a matter of time under such a sea of tactics.

Excitedly, Song Ke asked, 鈥淪hall we鈥?snatch?鈥?/p>

Zhuang Qingyan pondered for a moment. 鈥淲e can try.鈥?/p>

鈥淗ow do we snatch?鈥?Song Ke inquired.

鈥淲e鈥檒l play it by ear, but we only have one shot. Whether successful or not, we retreat immediately,鈥?Zhuang Qingyan replied.

With only eight of them, seizing and killing the zombie was an extremely risky endeavor. Being assaulted by numerous individuals with supernatural abilities wasn鈥檛 a fun prospect. Additionally, being recognized midway could pose trouble for participating in the Hero Banquet later.

Zhuang Qingyan created a group chat on Song Ke鈥檚 device and assigned tasks to everyone.

鈥淚rene, switch to incendiary rounds. You鈥檙e responsible for distracting the enemy, disrupting their sight. Remember, the more chaos, the better.鈥?/p>

鈥淯nderstood,鈥?Irene鈥檚 microphone representing her lit up, and her composed voice came through.

Incendiary rounds were highly destructive bullets that could also create explosive dust clouds, particularly effective in underground tunnels and densely built areas.

鈥淟in Youyou, do you have a debuff that temporarily blinds the enemy?鈥?/p>

Lin Youyou鈥檚 ability was song-based and she swiftly scanned her mental lyric database, 鈥淵es.鈥?/p>

鈥淲hat鈥檚 the duration?鈥?/p>

鈥?0 seconds at most.鈥?/p>

鈥?0 seconds, one shot, can you do it, Captain?鈥?/p>

Song Ke contemplated for a moment. 鈥淚鈥檒l try.鈥?/p>

鈥淪u Cha, you鈥檒l stealthily move ahead. If successful, grab the crystal immediately.鈥?/p>

鈥淥kay,鈥?Su Cha鈥檚 figure vanished, blending seamlessly with the surroundings.

Once the team was in position, Zhuang Qingyan softly encouraged, 鈥淟adies, let鈥檚 go for it. It鈥檚 up to you.鈥?/p>

鈥?/p>

In the midst of the ruins, the mutant zombie, subject to a series of heavy weapon assaults, sensed danger and swiftly retreated.

Suddenly, countless shells rained down from the sky.

鈥淏oom鈥擝oom鈥斺€?/p>

Irene lay in a sniper position, her supernatural abilities bursting forth. One explosion followed another; the incendiary rounds she fired were extraordinarily powerful. They exploded upon hitting the ground, launching debris and smoke into the air. The air was consumed by burning gases, causing the mercenaries in the area to clutch their throats in agony, desperately scrambling to flee.

As the firepower descended, Irene鈥檚 position became exposed, and several individuals with supernatural abilities swiftly rushed towards her.

鈥淚rene, retreat,鈥?Zhuang Qingyan promptly commanded.

鈥淯nderstood.鈥?Irene dismantled her cannon, turned, and ran, deftly navigating the winding paths, soon vanishing without a trace.

Amidst the smoke and debris, Lin Youyou鈥檚 melodious and gentle singing echoed, 鈥淲hy can鈥檛 you see, can鈥檛 see this red and black dryness, allowing wickedness to sleep peacefully, untroubled hearts~鈥?/p>

The mercenaries were suddenly blinded as a result of Lin Youyou鈥檚 song. Unable to see or breathe, the chaos intensified under the dual effects.

鈥淪ong Ke, one chance.鈥?/p>

Zhuang Qingyan turned back, his deep eyes looking at her, exuding complete trust.

Song Ke鈥檚 fingers brushed across a stone slab; in an instant, the slab disappeared, replaced by an enormous longbow in her hands.

Raising the bow, pulling the string, setting the arrow, the flexible bow arm slowly extended. A deep blue arrow materialized, accumulating energy. With exceptional dynamic vision, Song Ke had firmly locked onto the mutant zombie鈥檚 position even before Irene鈥檚 bombardment. With the assistance of her mental power, she tracked its movements, quickly aiming the arrow.

鈥淎hh!!鈥?/p>

A thunderous roar echoed as the enraged zombie went on a killing spree, instantly taking down two more people.

However, its roar exposed its position. With a focused gaze, Song Ke released the arrow!

鈥淪wish鈥斺€?The arrowhead, moving at super-high frequencies, rapidly oscillated through the mist and smoke, flying straight toward the mutant zombie.

鈥淭hud鈥斺€?The metal arrow, formed by supernatural ability, accurately pierced its forehead.

The arrowhead fragmented the next second, dispersing hundreds of smaller needles that pulverized its brain. With its vulnerable head fatally penetrated, the zombie鈥檚 eyes widened in rage, and with a 鈥渢hud,鈥?its body crashed heavily to the ground.

鈥淒irect hit!鈥?Song Ke shouted in joy.

鈥淨uick, let鈥檚 retreat.鈥?Zhuang Qingyan grasped her wrist, pulling her along.

鈥淐ough, cough, cough. The zombie鈥檚 dead!鈥?The nearest mercenary shouted instinctively, without thinking.

The others first appeared bewildered, then crazily surged towards the direction of the corpse.

Amidst the crowded crowd, a vague wisp of green smoke drifted over, lingering at the zombie鈥檚 head for two seconds before swiftly dispersing.

As those individuals excitedly rummaged through the body, the zombie鈥檚 brain was squashed like a rotten melon鈥攏o trace of the crystal to be found.

鈥淒amn it! Who the hell stole the crystal?!鈥?/p>

鈥?/p>

V587, successful in their chicken steal, ran wildly, stopping only after running a good ten kilometers, finally able to catch their breath.

The group looked at each other and burst into laughter, even Fang Zhixu couldn鈥檛 help but smile faintly.

This was precisely the legendary 鈥渉it and run.鈥?Ah, so frustrating to be unable to catch up.

Song Ke couldn鈥檛 wait and urged, 鈥淪u Cha, check the crystal.鈥?/p>

Su Cha opened his palm, and a luminous, translucent azure crystal appeared slowly.

鈥淪ister, it鈥檚 a Level 3!鈥?Xu Xing, sweating from the run, danced with joy in place.

Song Ke鈥檚 cheeks dimpled slightly; this whole escapade wasn鈥檛 in vain.

鈥淲hat about Irene?鈥?Lin Youyou looked around. 鈥淲hy isn鈥檛 she with us?鈥?/p>

At the right moment, Irene鈥檚 voice came through the group chat, 鈥淚鈥檝e completed my task, and you鈥檝e got what you wanted. Consider the deal even this time. I鈥檓 off; I鈥檒l contact you if necessary.鈥?After speaking, she exited the group.

Lin Youyou couldn鈥檛 help but sigh; Irene鈥檚 personality was indeed carefree.

鈥淟et鈥檚 return to the city,鈥?Zhuang Qingyan suggested.

After a lengthy wait at the city gates and intricate security checks, the group finally returned to their apartment well past midnight.

At this time, they had 12 days remaining before their admission period expired and only two days until the Hero Banquet.

Zhuang Qingyan tapped the table with his slender fingers. 鈥淥ne crystal corresponds to one slot. Let鈥檚 discuss now who will attend the Hero Banquet.鈥?/p>