ABFMV Chapter 52

Faced with Qi Ye’s obvious feelings, Xu Linlang was momentarily at a loss for what to do. In the end, she hung the necklace around her neck and, in an unusually formal tone, said, “This is the most precious gift I have ever received.”

She gazed at the crystal chain that shimmered like water, her thoughts drifting to the insane, villainous acts Qi Ye had committed in the game.

This time, with her here, she would never let him descend to such depths.

Xu Linlang, however, didn’t notice Qi Ye’s gentle gaze or the slight curve of his lips.

Rong Ruoyue observed it all, thinking that the engagement between these two children probably didn’t need to be called off.

Just as Rong Ruoyue was reminding them to be cautious during the upcoming mission, a massive explosion suddenly shook the air, sending a chill down their spines.

Rong Ruoyue sprang to her feet and looked out the window. At that moment, another explosion erupted, the towering flames illuminating the dormitory windows.

Xu Linlang’s eyes widened. The explosions were coming from the building that housed the Research Center.

Elder Jiang and the other teachers were still inside!

Panicked, Xu Linlang began to put on her coat, but before she could even slip her right hand into the sleeve, another explosion shook the area.

Three massive explosions occurred in quick succession, plunging Lilan Military Academy into chaos.

Xu Linlang’s heart sank.

At that moment, she was deeply worried about the teachers’ safety. She could not stand by idly in such a dangerous situation.

Immediately, she activated her personal terminal and called He Tan. The line connected, but no one answered.

She exchanged a serious, tense look with Qi Ye.

In perfect unison, they said, “We need to go check it out.”

Before Xu Linlang could finish, Qi Ye interrupted, “You’re not going out. It’s too dangerous. I still have my mecha to handle this.”

Xu Linlang assumed, “Then I can come with you in the mecha.”

“No. We don’t even know the situation outside yet. You shouldn’t go.” Qi Ye’s caution was evident.

Rong Ruoyue, judging from experience, said, “It’s not the work of the Zerg. It should be the interstellar pirates—most likely the Crimson Flame Brigade. They’ve always been aggressive and merciless.”

Hearing the words “interstellar pirates,” Xu Linlang remembered—they existed in the game.

Among them, the most notorious were the Crimson Flame Brigade, known for pillaging and wreaking havoc across the stars.

They were independent, loyal to no race, and obeyed no authority.

Technically, most members were exiles expelled by their own people for crimes. Homeless and wandering, they were taken in by the Crimson Flame Brigade, which became their sanctuary.

Cynical and vengeful, they left destruction wherever they went.

No one could contain them—their leader was cunning, well-equipped, and commanded advanced starships. Simply tracking them was extremely difficult.

Moreover, with the Zerg ravaging the galaxy, other factions were stretched thin. Compared to the Zerg, the Crimson Flame Brigade’s actions were minor, so little effort had been devoted to countering them.

Unexpectedly, they had now launched an assault on Lilan Military Academy.

…

Inside the Research Center building, He Tan was hiding in a corner, terrified, peeking at the chaos not far from him.

About three meters away lay a body, blood still seeping from its chest.

He Tan recognized it as one of the Research Center’s security personnel, recently killed during the Crimson Flame Brigade’s assault.

Yes, an ambush. In the chaos, the pirates had blown open the Research Center’s protective shield, barged through the shattered windows, and landed swiftly in the main hall. They killed the security guard instantly and blocked all exits, leaving everyone trapped.

The Crimson Flame Brigade hadn’t been active in the empire for a long time, yet now they had appeared at Lilan Military Academy.

They arrived in three small starships, armed with photon weapons, fully controlling the scene. Two alloy crates were offloaded from the ships.

Their operation was clearly organized: some guarded the perimeter, while others opened the right crate.

After a brief glance, He Tan realized they were pulling out various loaded weapons—likely aiming to seize the Research Center’s mechas for analysis and modification.

They were here for the mechas!

Angry and anxious, He Tan knew these pirates weren’t simply after the mechas. They likely intended to reverse-engineer the new prototypes.

Yet with so few of them, that seemed nearly impossible. Lilan Military Academy would not fall easily.

But then He Tan saw the left crate being opened, revealing crystal bombs—enough to instantly flatten the entire Research Center building.

How did they even have crystal bombs?!

He Tan panicked. Things had become extremely dangerous.

The body in front of him could easily become his own fate.

Everyone inside the building was effectively a hostage, threatened at any moment, possibly to die in the explosions.

Outside, reinforcements in multiple mechas could be heard approaching, yet the Crimson Flame Brigade maintained control inside. The outcome was uncertain.

He Tan felt his mind go fuzzy, his thoughts buzzing. Then, the pirates suddenly seemed to argue among themselves.

“What kind of work is this?!”

“Useless!”

The leader, a burly man who appeared older, shouted at a subordinate.

His anger didn’t last long, however. He quickly regained composure and led several men in mechas outside.

The roar and explosions followed, then quiet returned. Inside, the Crimson Flame Brigade continued looting the mechas.