Han Ruoxi quickly shook her head. "Okay, okay, my mistake! I'll get back to zapping!" She raised her hand and unleashed an arc of electricity, felling several Rebel Army soldiers while muttering under her breath, 'Jeez, Sister Qiuyue is way too serious.'
After advancing to the cover ahead, the squad found the enemy's firepower had significantly increased.
"That heavy weapons unit dead ahead is a real problem!" Bai Lin said as he analyzed the situation. "He's on high ground, surrounded by Insect Race guards. We need to split our fire to draw their attention!"
Sun Yang thumped his chest. "I'll go draw their fire. I guarantee I'll make a big enough scene!"
Li Chang'an shot him a look. "Are you trying to get yourself heroically killed? Or are you just planning to tank your accuracy stats even further?"
Sun Yang gave a dry laugh. "Er, I mean, I can try to create a diversion!"
"A diversion is fine, but don't try to be a hero," Li Chang'an said with a nod. Then he turned to Han Ruoxi. "Ruo Xi, circle around from the left. Use your Arc Attack to disrupt the enemy's heavy weaponry!"
"Got it!" Han Ruoxi perked up and quickly moved to the left, looking for a good firing position.
"Qiuyue, you're with me on the frontal assault. Our targets are the Insect Race guards.
Bai Lin, keep tracking enemy positions and give us timely updates!" Li Chang'an quickly issued his orders.
"Understood!" Shen Qiuyue gripped her sword, ready for battle.
The battle began once more.
Sun Yang drew the attention of most of the Rebel Army with his suppressing fire. In that instant, Han Ruoxi's Arc Attack struck the heavy weapon's control console, causing its shots to go wild.
"Nice one!" Li Chang'an yelled, charging into the midst of the Insect Race guards with Shen Qiuyue. The two fought in perfect sync, taking down the insectoids one after another.
"The heavy weapon is disabled! You can advance!" Bai Lin reported from a distance. "But three more enemy squads are closing in. You need to hurry!"
"Got it!" Li Chang'an nodded. "Sun Yang, cover our advance to the objective!"
"You can count on me!" Sun Yang switched his Pulse Gun to grenade mode and launched a series of explosive grenades, leaving the pursuing forces in disarray.
In the end, the Insect Hunter Squad successfully advanced to the target control point.
Li Chang'an quickly destroyed the control point's core device, and a system prompt announced: Mission Complete.
When they returned to the base lobby, Instructor Wei Zhuang was in front of a screen, reviewing their data.
"Not a bad performance. Your completion time was within the standard range." Wei Zhuang looked up, his eyes sweeping over them. "But your teamwork has room for improvement. Especially you, Sun Yang. Running your mouth is useless; it's your actions that matter."
Sun Yang rubbed his nose and chuckled. "Instructor, I was just warming things up! I'll definitely be more serious next time!"
"I hope so." Wei Zhuang stood up. "That's all for today's mission. There's more training tomorrow, so don't get cocky."
The Insect Hunter Squad nodded in acknowledgment and dispersed.
"Hey, what are we eating tonight?" Han Ruoxi asked, grabbing Li Chang'an's arm.
Li Chang'an turned to look at her. "You're not tired after today's simulation mission? And you're already thinking about food?"
"Tired or not, a girl's gotta eat!" Han Ruoxi said with a blink. "Don't be cheap, Captain. Come on, treat us to a nice meal!"
"Fine," Li Chang'an agreed with a resigned nod. "Your performance was decent today. A good meal can be your reward."
"Yay!" Han Ruoxi cheered, dragging the other squad members straight to the base cafeteria.
In the base cafeteria, the Insect Hunter Squad found the largest round table and sat down. Sun Yang immediately spread open a menu and began to order.
"I'm definitely eating well tonight!" Sun Yang muttered as he ordered. "Spicy-Hot Insect Claws, Braised Beast Tendons... bring us two large plates of each! And what's this? The Deluxe Warrior's Combo? We'll take three!"
Han Ruoxi looked up at him. "Brother Yang, can you take it easy? Who's paying for all this? Did you order that much for yourself, or are you expecting us to just watch you eat?"
"I can finish it!" Sun Yang slapped his stomach, looking completely justified. "We completed a mission today! We have to celebrate properly! Besides, the Captain already agreed!"
"I won't stop you even if you eat till you burst!" Han Ruoxi rolled her eyes and took the menu from him. "Let's see... Hmm, this Grilled Electric Eel looks good. We'll have one of these.
And some Energy Drinks. I discharged a lot of power today, so I need to recharge!"
Shen Qiuyue, who was sitting to the side, picked up another menu and ordered a few simple dishes. "Something light is better. I can't handle anything too heavy. We just need to replenish our Energy after a fight."
Bai Lin was still hunched over his terminal, completely ignoring the menu. Han Ruoxi nudged him. "Hey, aren't you ordering anything? Or are you planning on going to bed hungry?"
Bai Lin glanced up. "Whatever. You guys can order for me. I'm not picky."
"Bai Lin, you're something else!" Han Ruoxi tossed the menu to a server. "Alright, that's everything. Bring it out quickly!"
Before long, the dishes began to arrive, filling the air around the table with fragrant aromas.
Sun Yang immediately grabbed a Spicy-Hot Insect Claw and started chewing, his words muffled. "Mmm, this flavor is incredible! A hundred times better than those combat rations!"
Han Ruoxi took a sip of her Energy Drink and shook her head. "You're really something else. All big talk until the food arrives, then you act like you haven't eaten in a week."
Sun Yang swallowed and retorted with a smirk, "Hey Ruo Xi, who was the MVP on today's mission? My precision grenades shredded those Rebel Army guys. You saw it!"
"Yeah, yeah, you're the greatest," Han Ruoxi said, rolling her eyes. "But if my Arc Attack hadn't disabled that heavy weapon, would you even be here to brag? *You're* the one who would've been riddled with holes!"
"Oh, so now we're bickering, are we?" Sun Yang put down the insect claw and gestured with his hands. "We're all on the same team here. No need to fight over who gets the credit.
We all worked hard, and that's why we get to enjoy this meal!"
Li Chang'an, who was gnawing on a roasted beast leg, watched them bicker with a small smile. "Argue all you want, but eat up. Everyone's tired from the mission. Get some rest; we might have another one tomorrow."
"Captain, you think a little mission like this can tire us out?" Sun Yang said brazenly. "You're underestimating the physical conditioning of the Insect Hunter Squad!"
Shen Qiuyue finally spoke, her tone laced with ice. "A 'little mission'? Sun Yang, why don't you go look at the combat data? You're the one who made the most mistakes.
If you keep underestimating the enemy, you'll get yourself eliminated even in a simulation."
"Er..." Sun Yang scratched his head, embarrassed. "Sister Qiuyue, it's... it's just a simulation. Let's not get too serious!"
"There's no harm in being serious." Shen Qiuyue put down her chopsticks and added, "Make another mistake like that, and I won't be there to bail you out."
Sun Yang nodded with an awkward smile. "Got it, got it. It won't happen again, I promise!"
After dinner, the squad walked back to the dormitory area together.
As they walked, Han Ruoxi asked, "Captain, what do you think tomorrow's mission from Instructor Wei Zhuang will be? It's not going to be another one of those exhausting simulations, is it?"
"Probably," Li Chang'an said, leaning against a wall. "We're still rookies, after all. These missions are fundamental.
Besides, you all love showing off so much. There will be plenty more opportunities."
Han Ruoxi mumbled, "You're always so calm, Captain. It makes the rest of us look like we're constantly running on adrenaline!"
"You'll get used to it." Li Chang'an shrugged. "Get some rest. We'll deal with tomorrow when it comes."
Bai Lin had already ducked into his dorm room, tablet in hand. Han Ruoxi couldn't help but ask, "Bai Lin, are you going to spend all night studying those stats again?"
Bai Lin nodded. "If I don't review the data when I have free time, I won't know how to improve.
If you guys reviewed it more, you'd make fewer mistakes."
"Sigh, you're unbelievable," Han Ruoxi said, shaking her head. "Alright, fine. I'm going to catch up on my sleep. Don't bother me tonight!"
"Catching up on sleep is the one thing you're good at," Shen Qiuyue said coldly before turning to leave.