Chapter 39｜The Unknown Force Strikes Back: Escalating Core Conflict and Life-or-Death Battles

Deep within the abandoned stronghold, the air thickened with the acrid scent of gunpowder and dust. After the previous breakthrough at the core, the team held the upper hand for now, yet the silence seemed to conceal danger ready to erupt at any moment.

Li Xing crouched behind a broken wooden beam, his Tang sword gripped in hand, sensing the faint vibrations in the air.

Zhao Yun lay prone on the flank, Desert Eagle half-clenched in his palm, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's.

Li Yu lay flat on the windowsill, his Type 56 semi-automatic rifle trained on potential corners inside the room, his fingertips lightly resting on the trigger.

Zhou Xiaoyu lay prone at an elevated vantage point, her sniper scope locked onto every flicker of movement on the rooftops and in the surrounding trees.

Zhou Yan guarded the rear, his hound pressed close, growling low to warn of potential threats in the air.

Li Xing murmured, “Stay calm. They'll counterattack. Their goal is to reclaim the core.”

First Wave of Counterattack

A low shout and clang of metal erupted from within the house as several unknown forces charged out from multiple directions.

Zhao Yun fired first, covering Li Yu and Li Xing's frontal advance. The Desert Eagle's crisp bursts forced the enemies to retreat.

Li Yu swiftly suppressed the flank, a single bullet landing precisely beside a cover, disrupting the enemy's stable firing position.

Zhou Xiaoyu provided long-range support from an elevated position. Two enemies in her sniper scope's crosshairs were forced to retreat deeper into the building.

Zhou Yan flanked from the rear with his hunting dog. The hound growled and lunged at enemies attempting to outflank them, creating a pincer movement.

Li Xing led his team into the building. Tang swords flashed, driving back exposed enemies and establishing a brief local advantage.

Tactical Upgrade

This counterattack differed from previous engagements. The enemies were well-trained, moving swiftly and in coordination. They exploited cover and the building's narrow corridors for retaliation, constantly seeking opportunities for counter-encirclement.

Li Xing ordered in a low voice: “Hold formation! Crossfire suppression! Use the environment to force enemy movement!”

Zhao Yun and Li Yu's fire created overlapping suppression, pinning the enemies to fixed movement routes.

Zhou Xiaoyu maintained elevated observation, precisely marking enemy escape routes and potential ambush points.

Zhou Yan covered the rear, with the hound poised to pounce on any threat.

The system interface flashed again:

[Tactical Coordination Upgrade]

[Optimized Linkage Between Long-Range Suppression and Close-Quarters Support]

[Increased Life-or-Death Combat Experience Points]

With every shot and movement, the system analyzed the battlefield in real-time, refining the team's coordination strategy.

Fierce Close-Quarters Combat

Inside the building, an enemy suddenly bursts from a dark corner, lunging at Li Xing with a dagger.

Li Xing parries the blade with a swift Tang sword strike, then counters with a backhand slash to push the attacker back. Zhao Yun immediately suppresses the enemy with gunfire, preventing a follow-up attack.

Li Yu seizes the moment, rapidly adjusting her firing angle to pin down the remaining enemy members.

Zhou Xiaoyu observed from an elevated position, each bullet precisely landing on potential enemy cover points, denying them environmental protection.

Zhou Yan flanked from behind with his hound. The dog growled and lunged at the retreating enemy, forcing them completely out of the core area.

Outcome of the Counterattack

After several minutes of intense firefight, the unknown faction members were forced back to the deepest part of the house, unable to continue their advance. The team seized the initiative, though each member bore signs of exhaustion.

Li Xing took a deep breath and murmured, “They'll adjust their tactics. This was merely the first core assault. They clearly understand our capabilities and our tactical coordination.”

Zhao Yun nodded. “The next clash will be fiercer.”

Li Yu checked her ammunition. “Enemies outside the system... we can only rely on our own judgment.”

Zhou Xiaoyu observed from an elevated position: “The core isn't fully secured yet. They still have reserves.”

Zhou Yan soothed the hunting dog, murmuring softly, “Beyond the hunting grounds, the real life-or-death game has only just begun.”

Li Xing's gaze hardened as he stared into the darkness deep within the building: “The core has been partially breached, but we've already tested the unknown faction's limits. From here on, every single clash could decide the outcome.”