Chapter 41 | Unknown Force's Core Exposed: Truth and a Higher-Level Life-or-Death Game

Inside the abandoned stronghold, the air was so thick you could hear every breath. After a series of engagements, the team was familiar with each other's tactical rhythms, but an unknown threat still lurked at the core.

Li Xing crouched in the corner of a wooden hut, Tang blade gripped tightly, his eyes scanning the broken beams and walls with vigilance.

Zhao Yun lay prone on the flank, Desert Eagle ready to fire, a bullet chambered, his eyes as sharp as a hawk.

Li Yu lay prone at the window, a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle steadily shouldered, each breath slow and precise.

Zhou Xiaoyu monitored from a high point, capturing a faint movement deep inside the house in her sniper scope, whispering, "Core... someone's moving."

Zhou Yan guarded the rear of the team, the hunting dog growling close, its nose twitching, as if sensing a mixture of metal, gunpowder, and unknown scents in the air.

Li Xing said in a low voice, "Get ready, the core is finally exposed. Remember, this will be the most dangerous life-or-death situation yet."

The Core Appears

A heavy iron door deep inside the house slowly opened, revealing dim yellow light. Several fully armed members of an unknown force emerged, their weapons unfamiliar and deadly, clearly not the equipment of ordinary hunters.

Li Yu analyzed in a low voice, "This equipment... has high-level lethality, the ballistics and power far exceed the black market hunters we've encountered before."

Zhao Yun gripped his Desert Eagle, whispering, "Looks like we only encountered the outer guards before, their core is more dangerous than we thought."

Li Xing crouched slightly, the system interface flashing:

[Unknown Force Core Identified]

[Tactical Level: High-Level Life-or-Death Situation]

[Team Coordination Limit Mode Available]

The team felt a sense of oppression. This opponent was not only cunning but also cruel, every move like setting a trap of life and death.

Initial Engagement

The core members moved quickly, approaching simultaneously from multiple directions.

Zhao Yun opened fire first, the Desert Eagle accurately suppressing, forcing the enemy to change their route.

Li Yu provided flanking fire, three consecutive precise strikes from the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle preventing the enemy from firing steadily.

Zhou Xiaoyu observed from a high point, marking potential ambush routes and movement paths.

Li Xing led the team to move quickly, the Tang blade cutting down approaching enemies, while using system prompts to optimize movements and tactics.

Zhou Yan and the hunting dog maneuvered, blocking the enemy's retreat route from behind, forming a pincer attack.

The system interface flashed again:

[Limit Combat Experience Increased]

[Coordinated Tactics Further Upgraded]

[Life-or-Death Situation Control Ability Improved]

High-Level Life-or-Death Situation Activated

The enemy realized their initiative advantage had been broken and immediately changed their strategy. Hidden passages and elevation differences inside the house were used to form a multi-point encirclement.

Li Xing shouted in a low voice, "Divide the work! Cross-cover with firepower, maintain formation, don't get separated!"

Zhao Yun and Li Yu formed suppressing fire, forcing the enemy to fix their movement routes.

Zhou Xiaoyu continued to provide high-point support, the sniper scope locking onto possible ambush points.

Zhou Yan and the hunting dog closely followed the rear of the team, ready to cut off the enemy's counterattack route at any time.

The enemy's movements became faster and faster, the pace of battle accelerated sharply, but with the assistance of the system, the team's reactions were almost without delay, their movements coordinated as one.

Potential Truth

After a brief exchange of fire, the team gained visual control of the core area, but the enemy had not completely retreated.

Li Xing said in a low voice, "Their core isn't just simple hunters, but organized, planned, and even collecting hunting data."

Li Yu looked through the scattered documents, saying in a low voice, "The records here... they're simulating hunting grounds, recording prey behavior, and possibly even experimenting with hunter abilities. We're facing not just enemies, but strategic and psychological challenges."

Zhou Xiaoyu nodded, "This is the true meaning of a high-level life-or-death situation, not just guns and knives, but a comprehensive contest of intelligence and reaction, psychology and strategy."

Zhao Yun took a deep breath, "This life-or-death situation is more cruel and dangerous than any hunting ground we've encountered before."

Zhou Yan comforted the hunting dog, saying in a low voice, "We have entered a higher level of combat, any mistake could cost us our lives."

Li Xing looked up at the darkness deep inside the core, his eyes cold, "The truth of the unknown force has been exposed, but this is just the beginning. The life-or-death situation is upgraded, we must be stronger, or no one will get out of here alive."