Chapter 28｜The Final Showdown: Post-Battle Cleanup and System Upgrade

The fading sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns across the forest floor that swayed gently with the breeze. After a day of relentless pursuit and ambushes, Li Xing finally halted his squad in an open clearing. The mingled scent of mud, sweat, and the damp air hung heavy yet still.

Li Xing stood at the center of the formation, scanning the surrounding trees to confirm no hidden threats. Zhao Yun crouched on the left flank, Desert Eagle in hand, eyes sharp. Occasionally, he murmured brief exchanges with Li Xing: “Clear ahead for now.”

Li Yu gripped her Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, lightly inspecting the bolt. Her finger lingered on the trigger for a moment, as if feeling the traces left by today's battle. She turned her head to look at Li Xing and whispered, “Are we... okay?”

Li Xing nodded. “Nothing serious, but rest is crucial.”

Zhou Xiaoyu lay prone at the high ground, her sniper rifle in hand, eyes fixed on the shadows in the woods. She gave a low hand signal: “No enemy stragglers spotted us.”

Zhou Yan crouched at the rear of the squad, hunting knife in hand, sweeping his gaze lightly over the ground and the squad's rear, confirming no fallen leaves stirred abnormally. The hunting dog stood still ahead, its nose twitching lightly, giving a low growl to alert the squad to safety.

Li Xing took a deep breath and murmured, “First, organize gear and supplies. Check ammunition and weapons.”

Zhao Yun crouched down, disassembling the Desert Eagle's bolt action, meticulously cleaning each bullet. His movements were slow yet carried a calm, practiced ease.

Li Yu also performed routine checks on her rifle, confirming the chamber and trigger were in order. She murmured to herself, “The fight just ended. The next round might be tougher.”

Zhou Xiaoyu rested her sniper rifle on her knees, scanning the surroundings. Her fingers lightly touched the scope, as if organizing today's observation data. Zhou Yan bent over to inspect his hunting knife, casually adjusting other gear. His brow furrowed slightly, as if recalling every potential danger lurking in the woods.

Li Xing stepped to the front of the squad and summarized in a low voice, “Everyone's status is good, but don't let your guard down. Rest for a moment, but stay alert.”

System Feedback

Li Xing opened the system interface, where rows of green numbers and prompts flashed:

[Combat Completed: High-Level Black Market Hunter]

[Combat Rating: Stable]

[System Reward: +5% EXP Boost]

[Skill Potential Enhanced: Hunting Ground Control Improved]

He stared at the interface, his expression slightly grave as he mentally analyzed the gains from each battle.

Zhao Yun murmured, “My aim feels steadier than before, and my reactions are quicker.”

Li Yu gripped her rifle tightly, breathing evenly. “Combining system assistance with real combat experience—my accuracy feels sharper.”

Zhou Xiaoyu gestured, “My field vision analysis has sharpened—I pinpoint enemy positions faster now.”

Zhou Yan murmured, “The hounds are keener. Their tracking and alerting abilities have both improved.”

Li Xing observed each teammate's state and nodded slightly. “Every battle is growth. This time, we didn't just repel the enemy—we adapted the system to real combat.”

Restocking and Recovery

The team gathered in an open area to replenish rations and water supplies. Li Xing organized the game and provisions from his backpack, distributing them to each member.

Zhao Yun and Li Yu portioned the hunted game, either briefly cooking it or packing it for transport back to base.

Zhou Xiaoyu tended to her personal first-aid kit, cleaning minor scrapes and superficial cuts.

Zhou Yan muttered under his breath, “Every cut, every bullet—they all need recovery and maintenance. Otherwise, we'll pay the price next time.”

Li Xing watched everyone meticulously organizing their gear, a faint smile touching his lips. “Steady and deliberate. Every battle isn't just about skill—it's about survival skills.”

System Growth and Team Synergy

The system interface flashed another notification:

[Hunting Ground Control: +10%]

[Team Synergy Bonus: Steadily Increasing]

[Potential Enhancement: Combat Reaction +5%]

Li Xing withdrew his gaze, exhaled softly, and addressed the team: “Steady growth. Everyone's adapting better to complex environments. Next time, we'll have more confidence.”

Zhao Yun nodded: “Smoother coordination, faster reactions. Even facing stronger enemies next time, we won't panic.”

Li Yu gripped her rifle, her gaze unwavering: “System assistance combined with real combat experience has significantly boosted our efficiency.”

Zhou Xiaoyu reported with a hand signal: “Enhanced observation from high ground and predictive capabilities. This will give us an edge when scouting the hunting grounds next.”

Zhou Yan murmured: “The hounds' sensitivity has increased, strengthening both tracking and warning abilities.”

Li Xing surveyed the team with satisfaction: Steady progress, everyone's growing—that's the greatest reward."

A breeze rustled through the forest canopy, whispering softly. After a brief rest, the team prepared to push deeper into the hunting grounds. Unknown high-level hunters and potential dangers still lurked silently in the distant shadows. But now, these five were no longer novices stepping into the hunting grounds. Their growing synergy and maturity made the next exploration phase...