Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Night Slayer Team, truly a gathering of exceptional talents!
Su Yu murmured softly to himself, his eyes filled with anticipation.
But, anticipation is just anticipation.
In the following week, Su Yu inevitably had some idle time.
Firstly, because there weren't many orders from the management office.
Secondly, due to Su Yu's enmity with the Night Slayer Team, the residents of the Sanctuary, although aware that Su Yu's skills were now incomparable, still didn't dare to approach him for business.
But Su Yu was in no hurry.
By next month, there would be new orders coming from the management office again.
Furthermore, this time, Yang Lie's Ninth Squad would have their equipment replaced, which wouldn't bring small gains.
He was happy to take a break, resting for a week, enjoying a long-lost leisure time since falling ill.
However, Su Yu didn't rest for long.
At the beginning of the new month, he received the worst news.
"Su Brother, I'm really sorry!"
When Yang Lie, Zhang Wu, Li Mao, and more than ten members of the Ninth Squad appeared at the door of Su Yu's repair shop, covered in dust, Su Yu was trying to sketch some new weapon designs.
This was the benefit he gained after unlocking [Basic Mechanical Creation]; initially, the designs Su Yu drew himself served only as a memo, preventing any basic oversights during weapon assembly.
But now, even without parts on hand, Su Yu could gain skill experience in [Basic Mechanical Creation] by designing blueprints.
Moreover, if luck was on his side, these drawn blueprints could be officially recognized as a true [Design Blueprint], providing at least a onefold amplification of success rate during assembly!
If he was lucky, he might even get a twofold or threefold success rate increase.
Even with intermediate equipment, Su Yu could achieve a one hundred percent success rate in assembly.
Of course, he hadn't managed to produce such high-quality design blueprints yet.
But Su Yu had accumulated five [Low-grade Design Blueprints] that provided a onefold success rate amplification, including one for the intermediate equipment, which was a design blueprint for a custom sniper rifle he crafted for Zhang Wu.
However, that custom sniper rifle Su Yu meticulously crafted had now broken into two pieces, and its owner, with his right hand bandaged, appeared utterly despondent—his youthful vigor gone!
"Brother Wu, and also..."
Su Yu looked at Li Mao next to Zhang Wu.
This core member among the three of Ninth Squad, Li Mao, who held the reconnaissance position, was leaning on a crutch, managing a comforting smile at Su Yu while waving his hand, saying, "Don't worry about me; it's just a minor injury. I'll recover in two or three months!"
Despite Li Mao's attempt to sound lighthearted.
Su Yu's heart wasn't relieved at all.
Rest for two or three months in this wasteland?
Even for someone like Yang Lie, a captain who could lead a hunting squad, taking a month's leave would diminish his status in the Sanctuary greatly, let alone someone like Li Mao, a squad member?
Resting for two or three months.
Even if the Sanctuary doesn't expel him, he could starve to death!
"What exactly happened?"
Su Yu took a deep breath and asked softly, looking at the guilt-ridden Yang Lie.
"I..."
Yang Lie, full of shame, could only silently hand Nuonuo back to Su Yu.
It was uncertain whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, but while the Ninth Squad members were injured, Nuonuo, responsible for security as a recorder, was unharmed.
After reviewing the combat footage recorded by Nuonuo, Su Yu understood what had transpired.
"The Night Slayer Team really is... full of talents!"
When the video ended, Su Yu looked at the darkened screen and couldn't help but applaud softly, though his eyes lacked admiration and were filled with a chilling iciness and a sense of relief!
Relieved that he had been cautious enough to have Nuonuo act as a camera, following the Ninth Squad.
Otherwise.
He might never have seen Yang Lie or heard of their total annihilation in the wilderness!
The footage recorded by Nuonuo, though fragmented, was enough for Su Yu to reconstruct the Ninth Squad's encounter in the wilderness.
When the Ninth Squad initially entered the wilderness, the situation was fine—just normal hunting and combat.
But on the third night, as they ventured deeper into the wilderness.
The situation took a drastic turn!
First, there was a pack of mutated hyenas, usually found dozens of kilometers away, posing a lethal risk even to two-star Transcendents when encountered alone, suddenly appearing near the Ninth Squad's camp for no apparent reason.
Thanks to Su Yu's improved equipment, Li Mao, as a scout, first detected the approaching hyenas.
Otherwise, the Ninth Squad might have had to retreat early on their third night in the wilderness due to severe damage.
But the journey that followed didn't become any smoother.
In the ensuing days, the Ninth Squad encountered unexpected Radiation Beast attacks multiple times.
Despite relying on Su Yu's modified weapons and equipment, they struggled to hold on.
But eventually, an accident happened.
Core members Li Mao and Zhang Wu were injured while covering the retreat.
If Yang Lie hadn't fought bravely, they might have ended up as the Ant Queen's afternoon snack, belonging to the giant ant cluster that should have been residing seventy kilometers away in a marshland!
Even though Yang Lie appeared to be in a better state than Li Mao and Zhang Wu.
With Su Yu's level-eight mechanic skills enhancing his sharp observation, he could detect a noticeable overexcitement beneath Yang Lie's seemingly energetic spirit!
This was a sign of neural effects caused by Radiation Giant Ant Poison!
But the issue was, Yang Lie's power was very close to reaching the two-star level.
In another two to three months at most, he might break through the barrier and achieve the two-star Transcendent tier.
As a Transcendent with an extraordinary physical body, his robust physique at the peak of one-star level should make him immune to over ninety percent of the Radiation Giant Ant Poison.
In other words.
"The Night Slayer Team even attracted the Ant Queen?"
Only toxins from a two-star Radiation Beast, the Ant Queen, could penetrate Yang Lie's Transcendent physical immunity and directly affect his neural system!
"Su Brother, can you tell?"
Upon hearing Su Yu's words, Yang Lie gave a bitter smile but quickly composed himself, waved his hand, and said, "But don't worry about me; didn't I say? The Radiation Ant Poison is the gentlest poison on this planet."
Radiation Ant Poison isn't fatal.
Those afflicted would become increasingly manic under its influence, experiencing shorter sleep durations.
In the end, in extreme excitement, they would remain sleepless for several days and nights until their brain died in high excitement.
Even as a peak-level one-star Transcendent, influenced by the Ant Queen's poison.
At most, Yang Lie could only survive for another two to three months!
"Two to three months, not too long but definitely not short."
Yang Lie licked his lips, his eyes no longer filled with pride, only deep-seated hatred.
"I'm here to ask a favor, Su Brother."
Yang Lie spoke, looking back behind him.
A few Ninth Squad fighters immediately carried several boxes over, and once opened, a strong smell of blood filled the entire repair room.
These were the Radiation Beast materials hunted and gathered by the Ninth Squad during their outing.
"With Su Brother's help during this hunt, although we suffered heavily, our yield was several times higher than usual. After subtracting what we owe to the management office, we're giving all of these materials to Su Brother, in hopes Su Brother can do two things for us."
"One is to continue assisting us in refurbishing our equipment over the next two months."
"The other is to look after Old Zhang and Old Li in the future."
Compared to now, the Ninth Squad, already targeted by the Night Slayer Team, was already in peril.
Last month, having successfully completed the management office orders, Su Yu's status in the Sanctuary was slightly higher than everyone in the Ninth Squad combined.
But these requests, Yang Lie made without much expectation.
After all, things weren't what they used to be.
With the impression of the Ninth Squad ahead, the Night Slayer Team's presence in the Sanctuary had now risen to a terrifying level.
Su Yu, who had already made it to the shore, refusing their request, would be understandable.
"Neither of these paths do I want to take."
"I want to choose a third path."
Looking at the Ninth Squad in front of him, Su Yu took a deep breath and spoke softly, "Uncle Yang, when is the Ninth Squad's next hunting expedition?"
"Hmm?"
Yang Lie was taken aback, then looked up in surprise at Su Yu, his eyes filled with doubt, "Su Brother, do you mean..."
Su Yu gave a slight smile, directing his gaze over Yang Lie's shoulder at Zhang Wu and Li Mao, speaking sincerely, "Brother Wu, Brother Mao, if you don't mind, could you guide me on reconnaissance and firearms operation in the coming period?"
Seeing Su Yu's serious expression.
Zhang Wu, Li Mao, and all the members of the Ninth Squad, already prepared for a deathmatch revenge, after a brief pause, couldn't help but take a deep breath, then bowed deeply to Su Yu!
"Su Brother, thank you so much!"