Chapter Forty-Seven: Desperation

A few minutes later, a horde of mutated beasts had already appeared within everyone's sight.

"We'll make it back alive! Have faith, everyone—charge out with me," Zhao Yihan declared in a voice that rang with unwavering resolve.

For a woman to become a warrior, a squad leader, in times like these, she certainly possessed her own remarkable qualities.

The way she carried herself now spoke volumes to Long Yu about just how extraordinary she was.

She was braver than most men, yet her heart was subtle, intelligent, and, most importantly, fearless. Even in such dire straits, she could keep her composure and do what must be done, as if the crisis belonged to someone else.

Among the group, Number Two was struggling the most—his brow beaded with sweat, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

It was understandable, for Number Two was the only one among them who had a family. He dared not die, could not die. Family meant responsibility; if he were to fall, it would not be just his own life lost, but disaster for those he left behind.

Living can be exhausting at times—so afraid of dying that even death is a burden. But what's the use in fearing death? When the time comes, who can escape it?

Of course, we all hope our loved ones can live better lives, but to turn responsibility into a paralyzing fear of death—Long Yu found such an attitude hard to accept.

From the moment we are born, we are bound to do countless things and shoulder endless responsibilities.

If life were a game, then for Long Yu, death was its true conclusion—not supposed success or anything else.

If his own game ended, he would no longer care how those still playing fared.

Death awaits everyone in the end; as long as one enjoys the time left, why worry about how long it lasts?

Lost in these wandering thoughts, Long Yu and his companions soon found themselves in close combat with the mutated beasts.

A towering earth giant, seven or eight meters tall, barreled through the beasts at the front.

Number Three was not idle either—his C-rank skills, Stonewall and Keen Edge, both empowered the earth giant leading the charge, making it even swifter.

With overwhelming force, the earth giant smashed a path through the mutated horde, opening a bloody trail.

Number Two’s blade danced relentlessly, cutting down any beast that managed to slip past the giant’s defense.

At the rear, Long Yu commanded two mutant cats and the leopard at his side, intercepting any beast that tried to attack the group.

The battle raged for two or three minutes, and, against all odds, they managed to advance more than five hundred meters.

The creature commanding the mutated beasts from the shadows was clearly growing impatient; the attacks intensified.

Countless mutated beasts charged forward, heedless of death. Even when grievously wounded, so long as they could still draw breath, they did not relent.

Beast after beast clamped onto the earth giant, only to be slain in a frenzy, and then more beasts swarmed over its body...

This was a battle without concern for sacrifice. An organized horde of mutated beasts was already terrifying; an organized horde unafraid of death was beyond dreadful.

Every attack was carried out with the certainty of death, seeking only to inflict even the smallest wound on the enemy.

The mighty earth giant was being whittled away, its massive legs growing thinner by the moment.

Number Three tried to restore the earth giant, only to realize his energy had long been depleted.

Hundreds, even thousands, of mutated beasts had been slain, but thousands more poured into the fight.

Number Two struck another charging mutated boar—a gruesome wound opened, but the beast did not die. He quickly gave two more blows before the thick-skinned brute finally collapsed.

It was unclear whether this boar was stronger than those before or if Number Two was simply exhausted.

Number Three continued to manipulate the earth giant, but his face grew paler with each moment, clinging to the last of his strength.

Another beast lunged, biting the defenseless Number Four, who retaliated with his blade—one, two, five strikes before the beast was finally dead.

Feeling the pain of his wound, Number Four was then washed over by a soothing sensation; within seconds the wound had scabbed and healed.

With one healing spell, Number Four felt not only revitalized, but his strength had returned.

This was Zhao Yihan’s healing art. As the team’s healer, she watched over everyone, ready to cast her spell the moment someone was hurt.

Her C-rank skill, Wood’s Binding, was also unleashed repeatedly, briefly restraining any beast that broke through to attack, allowing the others to swiftly dispatch them.

Everyone fought with all their might, but the battle grew ever more desperate. The mutated beasts multiplied, growing stronger and more numerous, an endless tide that seemed impossible to stem, while the group became more and more weary.

The two mutated cats had long since been killed under the relentless assaults, and even the leopard was covered in wounds.

At last, the earth giant at the vanguard crashed to the ground, the pressure upon the group instantly doubling.

Then, the second earth giant fell...

There was no breaking out.

"Scatter and retreat!" Zhao Yihan’s voice, hoarse yet eerily calm, sounded out.

But no one obeyed the order.

"We can’t hold on..." Long Yu sighed heavily, no longer intending to keep fighting. They were all doomed, after all.

"Here, have a smoke," Number Three said, his hands trembling as he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He drew one out for Long Yu, paused, then handed over the whole pack, keeping only one for himself.

"Take them all. We won’t be needing them where we’re going. You’ve got the Gate of Space, you can still escape."

Number Three, who had controlled the earth giants, was now the most idle of them all—the last remaining earth giant was barely holding on, moments from collapse.

Long Yu accepted the pack in silence. Though he was set to leave, there was no rush. Perhaps, just perhaps, a miracle would occur.

Pale wisps of smoke curled from Number Three’s lips. Only after the final earth giant fell did he finally speak, voice heavy: "At last, I can finally die. I’ve had enough of this life."

"Is there really no way to save the Captain? Or Number Two, at least—he’s got kids at home!"

Long Yu said nothing, only shook his head.

"What a shame," Number Three went on, loudly enough for all to hear, "the Captain’s so beautiful, and she’s never even had a husband..."

This time, he made no effort to hide his words; everyone heard him clearly.

Zhao Yihan, however, said nothing in response.

Without waiting for anyone to react, Number Three turned and charged headlong into the horde.

"Number Three..."

A few hoarse cries rang out in unison, but nothing could halt his steps.

Lacking any close-combat skills, Number Three was torn apart in less than two seconds, vanishing amidst the beasts.