Chapter 182.1 – Key (25)

◎ Friends, teammates ◎

“The barrier is broken.”

Su Cha lay low in the darkness, carefully observing the surrounding environment, a solemn shadow falling on his slightly pursed lips.

There was a faint movement above his head. His gaze sharp, he grabbed Lin Youyou’s wrist and swiftly entered an abandoned house. A dark, heavily armed fleet flew past, heading in the same direction. Su Cha opened the terminal, attempting to communicate with the outside world, but the signal remained blocked.

His heart sank, and he realized that the person behind him had been silent all along.

Su Cha turned around, Lin Youyou’s eyes lowered, her expression unclear.

“What’s wrong?”

“…I was thinking, actually, I don’t have many friends.”

Su Cha looked at her quietly. When Lin Youyou spoke, he was always a good listener.

“I sing well, considered successful as a celebrity, and many fans claim to love me, but they are too far away from me.” Lin Youyou murmured softly. “After Lin Xiu’s incident, I became selfish, always considering myself first. I know, I have a bad personality, so for a long time, I thought I wouldn’t have friends, lovers, or family, wouldn’t establish stable intimate relationships.”

The confident and radiant big celebrity now looked incredibly lost.

Su Cha opened his mouth, unsure of what comforting words to say. He hated his own clumsiness for the first time.

Lin Youyou was silent for a moment, then took out a clear white crystal, which was only level 1. No one would take a second look at it in today’s V587.

However, Su Cha instantly realized that this was likely the one they snatched from Song Ke during the Throne Race. After all this time, Lin Youyou had been carrying it with her.

“Song Ke said we are teammates.”

“But teammates, clearly, are even more intimate than friends. It’s a relationship worth entrusting your back to, a bond of trust.”

Lin Youyou slowly clenched the crystal in her palm. “During the Mirror Lake incident, I could find excuses for myself because I had to save Lin Xiu. But now? If I run away now, I will never forgive myself for the rest of my life.”

Lin Youyou sniffled, her voice choked. “…She lied to me.”

“She can’t come out. Zhuang Qingyan is Xie Zhuo, the Xie Zhuo the entire Alliance is looking for. They can’t escape.”

Tears uncontrollably fell, and Lin Youyou cried without making a sound, but it caused a painful twist in the hearts of those who witnessed it.

Subtle emotions kept assaulting Su Cha. He slowly raised his hand, the rough fingertips clumsily wiping away her tears.

The moist sensation penetrated through the black fingerless gloves, reaching deep into the skin, creating an entangled and unresolved feeling.

“Let’s go back,” Su Cha sighed.

Lin Youyou looked up, revealing a damp face, her throat feeling sour and difficult to articulate.

Su Cha focused on her, his young face resolute and calm. “I’ll accompany you back.”

“You don’t have to accompany me. Do you know what we’ll face if we go back now?” Lin Youyou held his broad hand, lingering on her cheek. “There are probably hundreds of S-levels there, and going back might mean giving away our lives.”

“So, you don’t have to be so obedient. It’s not like you’ve sold your life to me. You can have… your own thoughts.”

Lin Youyou’s tearful eyes shook, and she shook her head with a smile. “How long has it been since I paid you a salary, silly dog.”

Su Cha’s shoulders were broad, his back straight. His black shirt was soaked with dark-colored blood, his gaze clear and determined.

“The captain has already paid the salary. I want to go back.”

After joining V587, Su Cha’s pocket money was indeed always stuffed by Song Ke, but they tacitly understood that their return was not for the money.

“Do you not regret it?” Lin Youyou confirmed.

“I don’t regret it,” Su Cha nodded.

Lin Youyou traced the tattoo on Su Cha’s nape, applying a slight pressure. She had to tiptoe to reach his cold forehead. “Alright.”

Years ago, during a heavy rain, she had found a soaked puppy. Now, that little dog had grown into a loyal knight.

Lin Youyou wiped away her tears, found a quiet place, clapped her face with both hands. A female celebrity’s facial expression management was unparalleled. In a blink, she put on a radiant smile and carefully took out a light screen.

A holographic projection appeared, and Lin Xiu lazily lounged on the sofa. “Lin Youyou, your wings have gotten stronger, huh. You haven’t said hello to me for several days.”

Lin Youyou smiled, “Lin Xiu, I’m going on a long journey. We might not see each other for a while. Entertain yourself.”

Lin Xiu instantly sat up, “Where are you going? Can’t you take me with you? What kind of place doesn’t even allow the use of a light screen?”

She suddenly approached, “Wait a minute, something’s not right. Did you cry? Who bullied you?!”

“This light screen is the latest model, and I’ve granted you all the permissions,” Lin Youyou said casually, “watch some shows, play some games during your free time. Don’t get bored, quickly catch up with the pace of the times, don’t be like an outdated little old lady.”

“You brat, you better explain clearly to your sister. Where are you going?!” Lin Xiu stomped her foot, feeling inexplicably anxious.

“Sis, I love you so much,” Lin Youyou leaned in and kissed her on the cheek in the void.

Then she made a tough decision, cut off the projection, switched to low-power mode, bundled the light screen and locator together, wrapped it in isolation clothing, dug a deep hole, buried everything underground, silently thinking, “Lin Xiu, if I can come back, I’ll dig you out and apologize, okay?”

Lin Youyou stood up, looked at Su Cha, her eyes, washed by tears, shining and beautiful. “Let’s go.”

*

The deafening roar of artillery echoed.

Simon wore a command headset, his eyes cold and excited. Gu Hongyi handed over the command of the aerial bombardment to him, and he didn’t hesitate to choose the “Magnetic Burst Bomb.” This type of projectile was specifically designed for individuals with awakened abilities. Once it hit the target, it not only shattered the body but also forcibly blocked the magnetic field within the body, making it an excellent weapon against Song Ke’s second ability.

“Open maximum firepower, blast her to pieces!”

The scorching air currents brushed against Song Ke’s hair. She narrowly avoided it, weaving through the intermittent explosions. Facing hundreds of S-ranks alone, she remained calm, with metal fragments flying and blades shooting out, knocking down opposing awakeners.

Various spiritual weapons spun around her. Song Ke stood alone at the front, like a tower constantly battered by waves. Those who collided with her met only a fate of being crushed into pieces. She raised her hand and wielded the scythe of death, penetrating the bodies of the enemies instantly.

Simon, frustrated, shouted, “Aim and shoot, hit her heart, hit her limbs!”

No matter how powerful an S8 was or how incredible their self-healing abilities, once their body turned into debris, there was only one way to go—death.

Zhuang Qingyan ran while restraining Flame. Suddenly, a pitch-black iron chain approached him. His eyes narrowed, swiftly evading it!

Ding—! A shockwave resonated in his consciousness. Zhuang Qingyan raised his head abruptly, looking toward a seemingly inconspicuous starship in the sky. Aaron had used “Knowledge Deprivation” on him!

Zhuang Qingyan’s expression turned icy. He separated his mental ability to counterattack. The fierce mental force pierced back, and Aaron hastily evaded, reluctantly stopping. His gaze showed a hint of regret. Breaking through the mental barrier of an S6 was too difficult unless he could make the opponent’s mind chaotic.

However, during this pause, Iron Chain seized the opportunity, piercing through his right shin mercilessly. Blood sprayed like a fountain, and he staggered to the ground. Simultaneously, numerous magnetic burst bombs targeted him, raising a dense cloud of smoke over a dozen meters high.

Boom!!

In this critical moment, Song Ke flew over, rolled, and caught him in a waist embrace. A dark blue giant umbrella appeared in the nick of time, shielding both of them from the exploding shells. She then reversed her hand to cut the chain. Iron Chain shrieked in pain, struggling violently. The tip withdrew from between Zhuang Qingyan’s legs.

Song Ke pressed down on his wound, about to counterattack. However, the moment she stood up, she suddenly swayed.

The next second, a two-inch thick, ferocious chain pierced through her shoulder blades.

Song Ke blinked slowly, realizing belatedly that the sealing agent’s time limit… had passed.

Snap!

The wheelchair shattered into pieces, and Lu Xiaoyu once again rolled onto the ground. The 101010 branches and twigs dispersed, Lu Qiusuo strode forward. The solidified phantom reached out and grabbed his silver hair, forcing him to lift his head, his expression twisted yet pleased, “I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

Vast amounts of data condensed into a long spear, thrusting into the connection point of Lu Xiaoyu’s external arm. Crack! The first, the second, the third connection broke.

“You are my most beloved child. Even if you commit heinous crimes, I’ve given you opportunities. You should have obeyed, stayed in the Death Prison and never come out.”

Lu Xiaoyu’s eyes revealed undisguised mockery, “Just a bunch of basic-level codes, thinking of being my mother?”

“Ugh!!” The fourth mechanical arm was broken, and he writhed in pain, curling into a ball.

Lu Qiusuo’s movements paused for a moment, a hint of struggling pain flashed across his expression, “Xiaoyu…”

“Get lost.” Lu Xiaoyu’s face turned pale. He tapped the code with his fingertips, and a data wall rose out of nowhere, forcefully pushing Lu Qiusuo away.

Using the remaining two mechanical arms to support himself, he stood up. Due to the physical mutilation, the position of his legs was empty. He staggered back two steps and collided with Song Ke, both falling to the ground.

Within the encirclement, the three members of V587 were isolated and helpless, covered in wounds.

In the midst of the rubble and wreckage, thick smoke billowed into the sky, and the long night seemed endless.

At this moment, a pair of gentle hands grasped Song Ke’s shoulders, slowly helping her up. Song Ke turned around vigilantly, unexpectedly seeing Lin Youyou and Su Cha.

“Didn’t you guys… run away?”

“We came back,” Su Cha replied quietly.

Song Ke was a bit angry, “Why come back? Didn’t I tell you to leave?”

Lin Youyou playfully tapped her forehead, “Throwing a tantrum now? We’re still teammates, Song Ke’er, do you know what teammates are? Teammates are meant to fight side by side until the last moment. You invited us to join V587 back then, and now, don’t even think about chasing us away.”

Song Ke was anxious, “I…”

Lin Youyou interrupted her, “It was you who said ‘welcome to join V587.’ We will forever be part of the team. I won’t betray you again.”

Before heading to District B, Song Ke extended her hand with a radiant smile, “Welcome to join V587.”

From that moment on, the destinies of the seven of them were tightly bound together.

Lin Youyou’s attitude remained firm, and Song Ke, feeling helpless and bitter, sniffed lightly and muttered, “Fool.”

But she didn’t insist on asking them to leave.

Zhuang Qingyan staggered to his feet. After a year, he limped again, the same leg, an unfortunate twist of fate.

“Alright, we can catch up on old times later. For now, listen to my command.”

He gazed deeply at a certain direction, “Kill Flame first.”

A needle sealed the blood vessels, and both Song Ke and Su Cha rushed forward.