"You’re all talk!" Li Chang’an tightened his grip on his Saw Chain Sword, his gaze locked on the insect’s movements. "Provide cover. We’ll test it first!"
"I’m ready to go. Just wait, I’m gonna blast it!" Sun Yang’s Pulse Gun was already aimed at the target, ready to fire at any moment.
"Don’t be impulsive!" Shen Qiuyue shot him a cold glare. "One move and you might attract the others!"
Han Ruoxi nodded, nervously gripping her Superpower Gloves. "Sister Qiuyue is right. Everyone be careful. This place has more than just this one insect!"
Li Chang’an said no more, slowly shifting his feet to adjust his position.
He knew this insect wasn’t acting alone. The Insect Race’s nature meant they often moved in swarms, and provoking just one could lead to big trouble.
"Captain, I’ve spotted traces of other insects. Three o’clock, not far!" Bai Lin’s voice suddenly came through the comms.
"Got it. Continue reconnaissance, and don’t make any sudden moves," Li Chang’an replied softly, his eyes still fixed on the giant insect before him as he began to weigh his options.
The insect’s movements were slow, yet menacing.
Its huge foreclaws were raised high like scythes, poised to strike at any moment.
"Prepare for battle!" Li Chang’an ordered in a low voice.
"I’ve been waiting for this!" Sun Yang waved his Pulse Gun excitedly. "I can’t wait!"
Han Ruoxi, however, was not so at ease. She frowned. "Captain, are we really going to face them head-on? This is a reconnaissance mission. Our main priority is gathering intel!"
"I know!" Li Chang’an took a deep breath, his gaze firm. "But sometimes, reconnaissance and combat are inseparable.
We have to find their hive and confirm the situation.
This insect, I’m afraid, is in our way!"
Sun Yang grinned. "I get what the Captain means. Take it out and move on!"
The words had barely left his mouth when the insect let out a roar. It had clearly noticed Li Chang’an’s group, and its huge foreclaws swung violently, slashing toward Li Chang’an.
"Spread out!" At Li Chang’an’s command, the group immediately scattered, each seeking cover.
"Sun Yang, draw its fire!" Li Chang’an quickly issued the order.
"Roger!" Sun Yang immediately pulled the trigger of his Pulse Gun, and one blue Energy Bullet after another flew toward the giant insect.
The insect shrieked in rage as it was hit. It turned toward Sun Yang’s position and lunged at him, its giant foreclaws swinging.
"Come on! This grandpa isn’t afraid of you!" Sun Yang dodged the insect’s attacks while continuing to fire. Though his movements seemed casual, his eyes were exceptionally focused.
"Han Ruoxi, Shen Qiuyue, flank it! Disrupt its movements!" Li Chang’an quickly made the arrangements.
"Understood!" Han Ruoxi replied. Her palms crackled with blue lightning as she unleashed an arc of electricity, striking the insect’s flank.
Meanwhile, Shen Qiuyue silently approached from the side. Her Dueling Sword flashed from its sheath, aimed straight at the insect’s other flank.
Her Swordsmanship was precise and fierce, with almost no wasted motion. Every strike was clean and decisive.
"Captain, it looks like it’s going berserk!" Sun Yang shouted while firing.
"Stay calm. Keep harassing it, keep it busy!" Li Chang’an commanded coolly, his Saw Chain Sword already at the ready.
The insect’s movements grew more and more frantic. Its huge body began to lash out wildly, but Li Chang’an’s group was clearly experienced. They nimbly dodged its fatal attacks while maintaining a constant barrage of fire, gradually wearing down its defenses.
"Captain, I think it’s time!" Han Ruoxi shouted. "Its movements are getting slower!"
Li Chang’an nodded slightly, signaling the others to pause for a moment. Then he charged forward, his Saw Chain Sword carving an arc as it slashed directly at the insect’s head.
The Saw Chain Sword’s high-frequency vibrations instantly sliced through the insect’s hard carapace. A blackish-green fluid gushed out and, accompanied by the insect’s pained shriek, its body convulsed violently a few times before finally collapsing to the ground.
"Beautiful!" Sun Yang shouted. "Captain, that was a clean finish!"
Li Chang’an flicked the gore from his Saw Chain Sword and said softly, "Don’t celebrate too early. The others are probably nearby!"
"The Captain’s right," Shen Qiuyue said, glancing around warily. "We need to leave now. We can’t delay any longer!"
"Alright, mission continues. Everyone stay alert!" At Li Chang’an’s command, the group gathered together again and quickly advanced toward the Insect Hive.
Along the way, they carefully avoided several insect patrols until they neared the target area.
"The place we need to scout is just ahead!" Bai Lin said in a low voice, his fingers flying across a tablet. "I’ve hacked into the Insect Race’s surveillance system. I can see the layout of the Insect Hive now!"
"Nice work, Bai Lin. Keep feeding us intel," Li Chang’an said with a satisfied nod.
"There aren’t many insects here, but they’re all elites," Bai Lin continued. "The hive entrance is on the east side, but it’s guarded by several sentry-class insects. We have to be careful!"
"Got it." Li Chang’an nodded. "Everyone, prepare to move. The objective is to obtain intel on the hive’s interior. Try not to alert the enemy."
The group quickly sprang into action. As they approached the Insect Hive, their movements were perfectly concealed, making almost no sound.
"If we can really get a clear picture of the Insect Hive this time, we’ll have pulled off something big!" Sun Yang whispered, obviously excited about the mission.