Chapter 37｜Core Confrontation: Escalation of the First Round of Conflict with the Unknown Force

The fog still hung thick over the abandoned outpost, light scarce and sparse. The wind rustling through the trees sounded like a low drumbeat, pressing down on everyone's nerves.

Li Xing crouched in one corner of the wooden hut, his Tang sword casually gripped in one hand, his gaze cool and sharp.

Zhao Yun pressed himself against the opposite wall, his Desert Eagle half-clenched in his hand, the chamber already chambered. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.

Li Yu lay prone on the windowsill, his Type 56 semi-automatic rifle steady and braced, his gaze scanning relentlessly through the gray haze.

Zhou Xiaoyu crouched at a vantage point, her sniper scope locked onto moving shadows on the roof and in the woods, her movements light and silent.

Zhou Yan guarded the rear, his hound pressed close, sniffing the air's mingled scent of earth and decaying wood, growling low.

The Prelude to Conflict

The door to the core area trembled slightly, and a muffled footstep echoed from within.

Li Xing gave a hand signal, and the team instantly assumed tactical positions.

Zhao Yun fired first, striking the wooden plank near the corner outside the door with a sharp crack.

The shadow behind the door froze abruptly, followed by faint footsteps and the dull clang of metal.

Li Yu calmly suppressed the flank, bullets striking the iron plates on the outer wall with precise, echoing thuds, forcing the hidden figure to shift position.

Through the scope of his high-point sniper rifle, Zhou Xiaoyu observed a figure darting more rapidly in the corner of the roof, clearly seeking a firing angle.

Li Xing whispered orders: “Mind the rhythm. Don't rush in recklessly. Observe. Find the opening.”

First Engagement

The door burst open violently as three members of the unknown faction charged out at breakneck speed.

Zhao Yun sidestepped the initial charge, firing two rapid Desert Eagle shots that forced one enemy back behind cover.

Li Yu pulled the trigger, unleashing three precise rounds that pinned down the flank. Two enemies were forced to alter their firing direction, unable to mount effective fire.

Zhou Xiaoyu suppressed the rooftop and distant woods from her elevated position, providing covering fire for the team.

Zhou Yan charged from the rear with his hound. The dog lunged at an enemy attempting to flank them, its low growls and snarls slowing the attacker's movements.

Seizing the moment, Li Xing drew his Tang sword and thrust forward, cornering the exposed enemy and forcing them into a defensive posture.

Tactical Confrontation

This engagement differed from ordinary hunting grounds.

The members of the unknown faction were well-trained, moving swiftly and in coordination. They exploited the terrain, dodged rapidly, and launched probing counterattacks.

Li Xing whispered a warning: “Don't go solo. Maintain flanking maneuvers and crossfire.”

Zhao Yun and Li Yu's fire created overlapping suppression, forcing the enemy to stick to fixed movement routes. Li Xing led Zhou Xiaoyu in a rapid flanking maneuver from the high ground.

The enemy finally recognized the team's seamless coordination and shifted tactics, retreating deeper into the wooden hut from passive defense. They used interior cover to block sightlines, biding their time for a counterattack.

Zhou Yan provided rear support while the hunting dogs tracked every enemy movement, poised to strike or warn at any moment.

System and Team Advancement

Amid the firefight, Li Xing's system interface flashed, prompting tactical optimization:

【Team Coordination Level Upgraded】

【Fire Support Coverage Optimized】

【Close Combat Assistance Enhanced】

With every shot fired, cover taken, and movement made, the system learned their patterns, adjusting recommendations in real-time to boost efficiency.

Zhao Yun felt smoother shooting feedback than before, with bullet trajectory corrections happening almost instantly.

When Li Yu fired her semi-automatic rifle, the system precisely calculated bullet impact points, minimizing deviation.

When Zhou Xiaoyu observed from an elevated position, the system swiftly analyzed potential firing angles, requiring almost no manual adjustments.

Zhou Yan and the hound developed greater synergy, with the hound sensing enemy movement patterns more accurately.

The clash temporarily ceased.

After a brief yet intense firefight, three members of the unknown faction retreated deep into the wooden hut, the door slamming shut.

The team regrouped, breathing slowly and rhythmically.

Li Xing murmured, “The first skirmish is over, but the core remains intact. They're tougher than black market hunters, and clearly aware of our presence.”

Zhou Xiaoyu said gravely, “We need more intel. There might be additional members within the core.”

Li Yu checked her ammunition: “Opponents outside the system... we'll need to rely on our own judgment.”

Zhao Yun nodded. “This was merely a test. They'll adjust their tactics. The next confrontation will be far more dangerous.”

Li Xing lifted his gaze toward the darkness deep within the cabin. His eyes were cool, yet a faint glint of battle intent flickered within them. “The real fight—the one beyond the hunting grounds—has only just begun.”