Chapter 174.1 – Key (17)

◎ Are you sneaking a snack outside? ◎

This was a lower-lying canyon, with waterfalls roaring on both sides and water splashing.

A group of low-level awakeners were trapped in the middle by zombies, frantically dealing with the situation. Bang, bang! Gunshots echoed around, not only failing to deter the monsters but also infuriating them as they retreated. Ferociously, they turned around to attack, and in an instant, three people were knocked down.

Among the more than twenty people, only four didn’t look so chaotic. A man in a blue robe manipulated a dozen thorny vines to control the battlefield. Three agile teammates cooperated seamlessly, slashing and killing. Though it wasn’t effortless, at least they could protect themselves.

Hidden in the jungle, Song Ke also recognized them. They were their old acquaintance from the Throne Race Competition – “Three Grandsons and One Grandpa.” The figure in blue was Captain Duan Muqi, and the three members were Xiao Chen, Fan Peng, and Qiong Mingcheng.

V587 had dealt with them a few times, and Zhuang Qingyan’s original words were, “The whole team is more pragmatic, but Duan Muqi is relatively upright.”

Song Ke’s impression of “Three Grandsons and One Grandpa” was not bad, and in the end, they were the ones who attracted these zombies. After a moment of contemplation, she signaled her teammates to assist.

“Don’t try to trap me with love ~ Let me be trapped in the bone-chilling swamp ~”

Lin Youyou’s singing voice began, echoing ethereally in the forest. The ground in the canyon collapsed suddenly, and the zombies involuntarily fell in.

No need for verbal communication, Xu Xing’s blizzard followed closely. Under the dual control of two A-levels, the movements of the monster group were forced to slow down. Their blood-red appearance was wrapped in glistening frost, like a bunch of twisted candied haws.

Song Ke and Su Cha jumped into the battlefield, dual blades striking down. Luxuriant giant vegetation collapsed with a roar, carving deep gullies between the swamp and the flat ground.

“Run behind me!” she shouted.

The trapped individuals awakened like from a dream, crawling and scrambling out of the immobile zombie group. Su Cha swiftly cut through the mess, chopping off the tangled roots and branches, piling up numerous obstacles in the gullies. When the swamp and frost lost their effectiveness, seeing the prey had escaped, the zombies lost interest and quickly disappeared into the depths of the jungle.

Song Ke crouched on the huge treetop, watching the backs of the zombies, lost in thought.

Long and slender limbs, agile movements, completely devoid of the stiffness of ordinary zombies, but more like… humans.

She puffed her cheeks, the harder she thought, the more confused she became.

No, she was about to grow a brain. If Zhuang Qingyan were here, it would be great. He was so smart; he would definitely analyze everything immediately.

Song Ke lightly jumped down, and as she turned around, Duan Muqi stared at her intently. “It’s you? Thanks for helping.”

“You’re welcome.” Song Ke crossed her hands and sheathed her blades with a casual and graceful move.

Time passed, things changed, and people changed.

Duan Muqi’s mood was particularly complex. A year ago, they were evenly matched competitors. Later, V587 won the championship and went to District B. Unexpectedly, when they met again, everything was different. Like an insurmountable barrier, he and his teammates were trapped, but Song Ke effortlessly forced the zombies back. Even though he knew it was wishful thinking, Duan Muqi couldn’t help but sigh: If they had been the ones who won back then…

The rescued awakeners gathered around, expressing their gratitude with lingering fear.

“Heroes, thank you! Hey? You guys… look familiar?”

“Uncle, we’re V587. Have you heard of us?” Xu Xing replied with a smiling squint.

“V587? Holy shit, the one who assassinated the Mu City magistrate?”

“I know, the champion of the Ferrara Throne Race Competition!”

“I have a friend in District B who said V587 is famous, able to kill even Level 6 ferocious beasts!”

“Big brother, are you really not looking at the zombie guide and just making things up? Ferocious beasts are at most Level 5!”

The person who was exposed blushed, “I made a mistake, I made a mistake…”

With Zhuang Qingyan absent, Fang Zhixu, who looked “kind,” took the initiative to assume diplomatic responsibilities. He took out several new isolation masks and handed them to the injured.

“Why are you here in the Huangyuan?” he asked.

“To take on that A-level commission. Maybe we’ll get lucky and kill the Zombie King!”

“We’re not after the Zombie King, just hoping to get some loot.” The group spoke in a lively manner.

Fang Zhixu sighed, took the opportunity to enlighten them about the risks of the mission. The survivors, who had just experienced an attack, were already hesitant. After his introduction about the Zombie King and showing past videos, their faces turned pale. They unanimously declared that the A-level commission wasn’t suitable for them, and their lives were more important.

Fortunately, their location was on the outskirts of the jungle, and they could still leave in time. After a while, the crowd dispersed, leaving only Duan Muqi and the other three.

“Aren’t you guys leaving?” Song Ke asked, showing a hint of surprise.

Duan Muqi shook his head, “Not leaving, still a few points short.”

Song Ke asked, “How many points do you need?”

Duan Muqi replied, “A little over 40,000.”

Lu Xiaoyu added quietly, “40,000 points, equivalent to 1200 Level 2 zombies or 200 Level 3 zombies.”

Calculating based on regular monster-killing tasks, reaching 40,000 points seemed distant. It could only be achieved quickly through task rewards. So, despite knowing the immense danger, “Three Grandsons and One Grandpa” did not hesitate to come to the Huangyuan after receiving the All-Area Commission.

Ever since Song Ke arrived at Ferrara, this team had been tirelessly climbing the rankings day and night. After a year, their conviction remained unwavering. Even though gaining points in the lower-level districts was more challenging, Duan Muqi and his team were just a step away from the 500,000 threshold to District B.

After careful consideration, Song Ke extended an invitation, “When you have enough points, why don’t you come to the Northern Base?”

Fan Peng, with a round face and a simple appearance, couldn’t help but say, “As long as you’re an awakener, who wouldn’t want to go to the Northern Base? But B10 is the most competitive among the popular districts. Our strength isn’t outstanding, and Aqi said the chances of getting selected are slim.”

Xiao Chen, with a determined face, patted Fan Peng on the shoulder to console him, “Aqi is considering Miao Ying or Baishen, and they’re not bad choices.”

Duan Muqi nodded, “These two areas have relaxed their B-level audits until autumn. We must accumulate enough points by then.”

All members of “Three Grandsons and One Grandpa” were at B-level, with Duan Muqi being the highest at B8, and the others ranging from B5 to B7. In the Northern Base, their capabilities might not stand out, especially considering the overcrowded situation in Qianzhan City. Even if they were selected, they would have to wait in line for a long time.

Song Ke turned to exchange glances with her teammates. Everyone more or less guessed what Captain Song wanted to do and nodded silently to show their agreement.

To join the Northern Base, there was another way – a kind of internal recommendation. The success rate would be significantly higher, just like when Yin Xiao invited V587. However, the recommending person had to guarantee the recommended person for five years. Unless the relationship was extremely close or the person had an impeccable character, obtaining a recommendation letter was as difficult as reaching the sky.

“If you really want to come, I’ll write a recommendation letter for you,” Song Ke assured them, patting her chest.

The Throne Race Competition had intense clashes, yet “Three Grandsons and One Grandpa” never attacked V587.

Even Zhuang Qingyan praised Duan Muqi for having a “decent character.” The three others also acted with camaraderie – Xiao Chen was steady, Fan Peng was simple, and Qiong Mingcheng, the youngest, had a cheerful personality. Writing a recommendation letter for them wasn’t a big deal, but… she was sure she wouldn’t do a good job. She decided to ask Zhuang Qingyan to do it later.

“Really?” Fan Peng exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “It looks like you guys are doing well!”

“Average, just average,” Song Ke waved modestly, then added proudly, “Except for being the top on the Northern Base rankings.”

Duan Muqi and his three companions: “…”

With this newfound friendship, the two teams quickly formed an alliance and proceeded together.

“You guys are too bold, just four people daring to take on an A-level commission?” Lin Youyou casually mentioned on the way.

“Of course not, we’re not stupid. We’re not here to throw our lives away. Aqi has a backup plan.” Qiong Mingcheng’s political savvy wasn’t that deep. He considered them as close friends, and he inadvertently spilled the secret, realizing afterward, “Sorry Aqi, can I say this?”

Duan Muqi sighed. You’ve already said everything. If the other side had malicious intentions, they could easily kill them, and they wouldn’t stand a chance.

However… Duan Muqi glanced at Song Ke’s group. Besides curiosity, there was no greedy expression on their faces.

He didn’t hide anything and took out a device similar to a camping kerosene lamp.

“This is called a Random Anchor Device. I exchanged it from an A6-level anchor-type awakener. After using it, it can randomly teleport up to four people to a specific location, within a range of ten kilometers.”

Random teleportation within ten kilometers was an excellent escape tool. No wonder “Three Grandsons and One Grandpa” dared to come to the Huangyuan.

“Good stuff. Any usage restrictions?” Song Ke was quite interested.

“No, but each activation requires adding ‘fuel,'” Duan Muqi pointed to a small groove on top of the lamp, “One Level 4 crystal per use.”

Wow! Using a Level 4 crystal every time, that’s quite extravagant.

Song Ke’s face showed a hint of pain. Even if someone gave her this, she wouldn’t be willing to use it.

Xiao Chen looked serious, “We only have two Level 4 crystals and plan to use it only once.”

Their original plan was to use the Random Anchor Device to escape if they encountered danger, and having a second crystal was just a precaution.

Lu Xiaoyu, on the other hand, showed great curiosity about the Random Anchor Device and asked Duan Muqi to borrow it for studying for a while.