TL: Hua

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Chapter 28

“How heartless.”

Pei Yingye said aggrievedly, but still propped himself up on his arms and slowly sat up from Ji Xuan. During the movement, the sleeves of the ruined jacket tied around his waist brushed lightly against Ji Xuan’s leg.

The metal fittings on their gear clinked together crisply.

Ji Xuan stood up as well, patting the dust off the oversized jacket he was wearing. He glanced at Lai Zhou, who was similarly covered in grime and grimacing as he checked his terminal. Once he confirmed his teammate was fine, his gaze returned to Pei Yingye.

The Alpha’s exposed arms and shoulders had various scrapes, and the back of the hand he had used to shield Ji Xuan’s head was bruised and red. Pei Yingye sat cross-legged, brushing metal fragments off himself, when two perfectly intact glass vials rolled from somewhere and stopped at his knees.

He frowned, picked them up for a look, and his eyes suddenly widened.

[Points +50, Personal Contribution 33.3%]

“It’s actually an antidote for mutations—” Pei Yingye said, “enough for a whole team, tsk, it really came to us without any effort.”

Ji Xuan asked, “What’s the other one?”

“Genetic extraction fluid from that S-grade Zerg.”

[Zerg Genetic Extraction Fluid.]

Pei Yingye and the system’s voice happened to coincide. Ji Xuan raised an eyebrow in surprise and reached out a hand toward Pei Yingye.

His fingers crooked slightly in a beckoning motion.

Pei Yingye understood his meaning instantly. His eyes lit up as he stuffed the extraction fluid and the agent into his bag, then placed his own hand into Ji Xuan’s.

Watching from the side, Lai Zhou couldn’t hold it in: “Pfft—!”

The two turned their heads at the sound. Lai Zhou hurriedly covered his mouth and shrunk his neck, saying, “Sorry, I just thought of something funny.”

Pei Yingye pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment, quickly realizing why the man was laughing.

That beckoning gesture didn’t look like something that would happen between two people…

Are you treating me like a dog, Lai Zhou?

Pei Yingye ground his molars together, threatening through gritted teeth, “Eliminating teammates doubles the point deduction, but it doesn’t say anything about beating them up…”

He had only just begun to shift his shoulder when Ji Xuan firmly grabbed his wrist and gave it a tug. Pei Yingye’s spine went rigid instantly. A cool, hemostatic gel was applied to his scraped wounds, making his skin shiver and contract against the cold.

“Does it hurt?”

Pei Yingye suppressed the corners of his mouth and shook his head; then, as if feeling that wasn’t quite right, he nodded again.

“Weren’t you afraid of getting both of us eliminated at once?”

Pei Yingye said beamingly, “But didn’t you come up too? You were the one who rushed up first.”

The movement of Ji Xuan’s hands paused for a moment.

“Maybe I just wanted to pull you in to serve as my cushion.”

Ji Xuan pressed down on one end of the hemostatic bandage. Those hands, which only minutes ago had been wielding a bayonet with incredibly fierce aggression, now displayed a meticulous tenderness that possessed a completely different aura.

From Pei Yingye’s perspective, he could clearly see Ji Xuan’s lowered eyelashes and dry lips. He watched as the other man’s tongue unconsciously moistened the corner of his mouth and saw a warmth floating in those eyes shielded by lashes that he had never seen before, just like the first time he had mentioned that tattoo.

Pei Yingye suddenly felt that he could, after all, forgive Lai Zhou’s “offense” from earlier.

Thus, he let out a couple of hums: “Lai Zhou, congratulations, your little life is saved.”

Lai Zhou was bewildered: “?”

Ji Xuan applied pressure, tied a knot in the tourniquet, and then asked for Pei Yingye’s other hand: “What is Genetic Extraction Fluid?”

“I don’t know much about it,” Pei Yingye said. “I think it was an experiment by the Alliance a few years ago.”

“I’ve heard a bit about it.” Lai Zhou shifted toward them while clutching his bag. “Originally, they wanted to use Zerg genes to strengthen the abilities of existing military branches, but it ultimately failed because, rather than strengthening, it caused even greater damage to the human genetic chain… Wait, so that ‘child’ he mentioned earlier, couldn’t that also be some kind of strange Zerg genetic weapon?”

“So that’s how it is,” Ji Xuan murmured.

So the “Ji Xuan” in the original plot ended up with this fate.

Encountering Zerg at the border fortress, he was injected with a similar genetic extraction fluid or attacked by a similar genetic weapon. Afterward, his body began to deteriorate from the inside out, leaving him only able to hang onto life via a medical capsule and nutrient solutions. Since the Alliance had not yet developed a specific drug to resolve this kind of damage, he could only watch as his body worsened day by day under the erosion.

[It should be like that…] the system said gloomily.

“But isn’t this the North Star Fortress you guys mentioned?” Ji Xuan asked. “Were they the ones in charge of that experiment?”

Lai Zhou thought for a while and said, “There are such theories. The cause of the North Star Fortress incident was that there was a newly captured S-grade Zerg being held in the fortress at the time… The fortress laboratory conducted research on it, but it used some unknown method to coordinate with its companions from the inside and outside to invade the fortress. That’s why North Star Fortress was eventually relocated to its current location due to excessive damage, and General Ying was assigned there.”

Ji Xuan lowered his eyes, his expression dark and inscrutable.

“It seems this Zerg has left a deep impression on them, so much so that they’re keeping it even in this simulated future scenario… Judging by this, it should still be alive.” Ji Xuan said, his fingertips unconsciously stroking Pei Yingye’s arm lightly.

It didn’t seem intentional but rather like a subconscious movement while he was thinking. Spurred by this touch, Pei Yingye’s eyes darkened by several shades.

“I remember hearing it was dead…”

“Not dead, just missing. North Star Fortress has been searching for it these past few years, but because no trace of it can be found anywhere, it was judged as ‘suspected dead’.” Pei Yingye paused. “But if it were really dead, why would they send Ying Xun to the fortress?”

A sudden realization hit Lai Zhou: “That seems true.”

After Ji Xuan finished bandaging Pei Yingye’s last wound, the three of them took a short rest before following their original path to retreat back to the surface.

The air above ground was simply far better than below. Lai Zhou took large, greedy breaths of the outside air; he hadn’t felt it while in the pipes, but thinking about it now, the underground was practically a giant garbage dump.

The safe zone shown on the map had already begun to shrink rapidly. At this rate, their current area would be swallowed in three hours. Including everything, there were still twelve hours left until the end of the simulation.

“Looks like we need to find a place to hole up for one more night,” Pei Yingye said, looking lazily at the constantly shifting boundaries on the map.

However, because of the hidden quest and the points gained from eliminating Shaikh and his team, they were currently leading by a wide margin and had absolutely no need to take risks in the final stage. The three found a relatively stable, easily defensible collapsed bell tower within the safe zone to use as a temporary base.

As night fell, simulated moonlight poured through the ruined dome, casting a clear glow. Pei Yingye leaned against a broken wall, resting with his eyes closed, the ruined jacket draped haphazardly over his shoulders fluttering gently in the night wind. Ji Xuan sat on a shipping container opposite him, wiping the bayonet in his hand, his expression looking somewhat blurred under the moonlight.

“It’s finally coming to an end.” Lai Zhou let out a yawn. “Can we choose which legion or fortress to go to for the next stage of adaptive training based on the final rankings this year?”

Ji Xuan’s movements paused.

Pei Yingye also opened his eyes, looked at Ji Xuan, and lazily replied, “Yes. Those at the top of the rankings get priority choice. It’s like that every year.”

Lai Zhou let his mind go blank, staring up at the messy wall in front of him, and began to murmur calculations of his own ranking: “If we take first place in the Full-domain Simulation too, then I should be able to go to Black Stone Fortress. I’ve been craving their fortress treasure for a long time… What about you two? Where do you plan to go?”

“North Star, probably,” Pei Yingye said while casually stretching.

“Why North Star?” Lai Zhou was curious. “In terms of equipment and experience, Yanguan and Yumen are both just as famous as it.”

Pei Yingye glanced at him: “With Ying Xun stationed there, isn’t that reason enough?”

“North Star Fortress is the best in the Alliance. If you’re going to go, of course you go to the best one.”

He specifically emphasized the word “North Star,” his gaze falling on Ji Xuan’s face with a faint sense of hope and suggestion.

Ji Xuan raised his eyes to meet his gaze; the moonlight reflected in the depths of his calm eyes. After a long while, he curled his lips and said, “It is indeed a good choice.”

In the original plot, Ji Yan also went to North Star Fortress and spent a month of happy training there, returning to the capital planet looking radiant.

As for him… the border was full of wind, sun, and rain all day long, and many unpresentable bad habits had bred inside. As a low-grade Omega, besides being ostracized, he would find it difficult to move at all. There was really no need to wade into that muddy water again and end up being attacked by Zerg. Pei Yingye was right—if you’re going to choose, of course you choose the best.

Not only would he choose the best this time, but he would also choose the best from now on.

He didn’t say much, but Pei Yingye seemed to have already gotten the answer, leaning back against the wall with squinted eyes.

Lai Zhou didn’t notice the silent exchange between the two and was still rambling: “North Star Fortress is good, but I heard the rules are strict there and the pressure is high… I really don’t understand what’s in the heads of you Ying Xun fans… Then Ji Xuan, have you decided on North Star too?”

Ji Xuan sheathed the cleaned bayonet with a slight “click.” He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Pei Yingye’s face, which held a hint of anticipation, and finally rested on the building outlined in a broken silhouette by the moonlight.

“Yeah, it’s worth considering.”

Hearing this, the corners of Pei Yingye’s mouth couldn’t help but curl upward, though he quickly suppressed it, only letting out an unintelligible low hum from his throat as he changed his posture in a very good mood.

The night grew deeper, and the wind moaned as it blew through the corners, bringing the distant sound of faint gunfire and the sounds of other teams competing, but it soon returned to silence.

When the mutation reminder sounded, the three quickly finished the vial of medicine. It seemed there weren’t many teams that hadn’t obtained the antidote; after the leaderboard shifted slightly twice, no new broadcasts appeared from the system.

Ji Xuan, who wasn’t scheduled for night watch, went back to sleep. Lai Zhou insisted on guarding the first half of the night and was replaced by Pei Yingye in the second half.

The next day, the dawn dispelled the mist of the simulated battlefield, and a final reminder appeared on the system panel—

[Full-domain Simulation Combat Countdown: 01:29:59]

The safe zone was shrinking toward the place where Ji Xuan and the others were located at an amazing speed!

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At the same time, on the Mars Military Academy’s internal forum, the posts on the front page were constantly refreshing.

[Title: [Hot][Watching the Live Stream] Last hour and a half of the Full-domain Simulation! Gods fighting, mortals eating melons. Let’s talk about who will take first place!]

[1L (OP): The final circle! Mars is getting better and better at this every year, actually coming up with this terrifying Battle Royale mode. The rankings change drastically every minute, so thrilling and exciting.jpg]

[2L: Team Eight chose a really good spot. Easy to defend, hard to attack, and they can overlook the whole situation. Pei Yingye, what are you doing? No, it’s the final circle, bro, are you really this calm?]

[3L: What else? Their points are in a different league in first place, do they need to move? The one I’m most curious about now is Ji Xuan. Ever since he eliminated Shaikh, I feel like nothing can shock me anymore…]

[7L: News flash—it seems second and third place have reached a temporary agreement and are creeping toward their team!]

[8L: Reply to 7L: LOL, they just entered Team Eight’s field of vision. Pei Yingye just stood up and stretched his wrists, he didn’t even pick up a gun, and those two teams slammed on the brakes and retreated on the spot!]

[9L: Hahahaha, the deterrence is maxed out! Pei Yingye: Come at me! Opposite side: No, no, sorry to bother you!]

[10L: [Ji Xuan looking up coldly.gif] Holy cow, what an otherworldly face. Those two teams didn’t even draw their guns; they turned and ran the moment they saw him. What kind of powerful mental power is this to be able to radiate so far?]

[11L: The posture of stepping on the container to draw a knife is so cool, why isn’t he stepping on my leg…]

[12L: Does the person above also want to experience the Shaikh-style throat-slit treatment?]

[18L: Actually, I’m more curious about why Ji Xuan and Pei Yingye blacked out the cameras for a few hours on the first night… Can we please ban turning off cameras in assessments in the future?]

[19L: Reply to 11L: Don’t mention those two hours, I’m dying of curiosity!]

[20L: Stop guessing, come watch the show! Second and third place didn’t dare provoke Ji Xuan’s team and started fighting each other, benefiting the fourth-place team that crept up behind them.]

[23L: Team Eight is just watching from above, like they’re spectating a colosseum. Ji Xuan even found a place to sit and rest with his eyes closed. Pei Yingye is guarding beside him… Alright, stop flaunting that ragged jacket of yours.]

[29L: Latest battle report! The melee below has ended. The remaining remnant team is probably seeing red; they actually rushed toward Ji Xuan and the others!]

[31L: And then? And then? Is Pei Yingye finally going to make a move?]

[32L: No way. Pei Yingye had just taken a few steps forward when Ji Xuan snatched the gun from his hand. One shot, one kill, easily taking the final few points… I suggest everyone go watch the live stream, it’s too cool. It’s the first time I knew an Omega could be this cool.]

[39L: There’s no way, I’m truly impressed. I’ve replayed this leg-wrap by Ji Xuan several times. Such long legs, such strong flexibility, such awesome power. My neck is already starting to hurt just watching.]

[40L: Does anyone remember that Ji Xuan is a low-grade Omega…]

[43L: Ten minutes left!!]

[45L: What did Pei Yingye say to Ji Xuan?]

[46L: Reply to 45L: “The first place I promised before, I did it. Then that thing you promised, can you tell me now?” Probably something like that.]

[47L: What are they whispering about? They’re about to be first, shouldn’t they have a hug to thank their teammates for supporting each other?]

[48L: Morning light, ruins, standing side by side—this scene seems more suitable for a kiss…]

[50L: So desperate. In just one annual assessment, the forum is now full of people dreaming of being Ji Xuan’s A, B, or O. I’m going to fight you all.]

[52L: Five minutes!]

[63L: Three minutes!]

[71L: Ahhhhh one minute!]

[99L: It’s over! System announcement, First Place: Team Eight! A total landslide victory!]

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