Chapter 100: Pre-Battle Strategies

Before the battle, it’s time to deploy our forces.

Unlike before when assignments were made on a whim, the Military clearly took this one very seriously.

After rapidly laying out his tactics, Wang Yangping pulled out an object resembling a barrier device and tossed it aside:

“Soundproof Barrier with Basic Illusions.”

“The two Third-Stage units must be taken down separately. If they join forces, no one can stand against them.”

“Our Military team—four Third-Stage and six Second-Stage Awakened—will handle the mutant on the right, while you seven Second-Stage and three Third-Stage take on the left.”

As he spoke, he pointed out that one of his high-ranking Second-Stage was already en route to support Yenir and the others.

What seemed a barely even matchup immediately darkened the faces of both Huang Kai and Yun Ming.

After all, the Military’s Second-Stage Awakened not only survived in greater numbers—they were also top quality.

Even though the Military provided a Second-Stage officer for support, each side still had ten fighters. However, their side was missing one Third-Stage! The remaining Second-Stages—and the two trash Yenir brought over—were practically useless.

Even Yun Ming from the Demon-Hunting Team felt the pressure mounting.

Especially since, in his eyes, Yenir was nothing more than a Third-Stage filler! In short, the entire weight of the coming battle would fall squarely on him and Huang Kai.

“Colonel Wang, aren’t you worried that this setup will let our side spiral out of control?”

“If I can’t hold on, we’re all doomed!”

Hot-headed Huang Kai raised his shield, his tone menacing as he spoke.

He didn’t even care about possibly offending Wang Yangping.

Damn it—under this arrangement, even the slightest mishap and he’d be the first Third-Stage to get crushed! Even if they barely hang on, the final kill credit would surely end up with the Military. Clearly, Wang Yangping planned to make them suffer so he could swoop in for the win!

“Oh?”

Feigning difficulty, Wang Yangping let out a quiet chuckle, unconcerned with their discontent.

“If you’re so burdened by pressure, how about swapping Ye Lin with one of our Third-Stage fighters?”

Offering a half-hearted solution, Wang Yangping pointed to one of his own Third-Stage Awakened, known for his explosive attacks, as he spoke.

As he talked, he shot a smiling glance toward Yenir.

It was a move to kill two birds with one stone—he was just waiting for Huang Kai and the others to open their mouths under the pressure!

The plan was simple: send one of his own over. If they could snatch the advantage, great; if not, wait until the fight was over. It would also net Yenir a favor. In his mind, with Yenir’s lackluster strength, blending into the Military was the safest bet—and they’d surely be grateful.

“Hmph…”

Huang Kai scoffed coldly and shot a resentful glance at Yenir.

Anyone savvy enough to climb to Third-Stage wasn’t a fool. Though rough around the edges, he targeted only the weak and posed no personal threat. Naturally, he could tell the Military had their eyes set on Yenir’s Spirit Crystals—and his connections.

But that worked out fine; once that useless kid got shifted over, his own burden would ease considerably.

To everyone’s surprise, as Wang Yangping confidently awaited Yenir’s switch, Yenir outright refused:

“No need.”

“We’re all set here.”

Hmm?

Not only did Wang Yangping freeze in surprise, even the taciturn Yun Ming wore an expression of astonishment.

“All set? Not a chance!”

“If I can’t hold out in the fight, you’ll just wait around to die!”

Overcome with pent-up resentment, Huang Kai glared fiercely at Yenir. He bitterly laughed, thinking Yenir was shockingly clueless and absurdly arrogant.

“All set? That little rat may scurry about, but it’s the main fighters who shoulder the real pressure.”

He had made up his mind: once the battle began, he’d hold back—no mercy. Damn it, if he wasn’t suffering, neither should anyone else!

“Ye Lin, you…”

When Wang Yangping regained his composure and tried to persuade him, he found Yenir simply shaking his head, as if truly confident.

With an odd expression and no way to persuade him, Wang Yangping had no choice but to give up.

After a moment, he shook his head and muttered:

“If this kid really can’t hold out in the fight, lend him a hand…”

Hearing the order, the Military’s Third-Stage fighters responded, albeit with a hint of exasperation:

“Colonel Wang, it shouldn’t be a big deal.”

“That kid might not be much in battle, but he’s still Third-Stage. He should manage…”

……….

Inside a massive cavern, both sides tensely prepared to awaken their Third-Stage Mutants.

With the barrier device blocking the view, they could no longer see each other. In the real world, splitting mutants up like this might be ineffective, but in the dungeon—with the mutants under system control—it worked wonders.

Unlike the few tense fighters, Yenir was calmly plotting his own next move.

“This is tricky…”

“They’re separated by two or three hundred meters. Even if they try to close the gap deliberately, they’d still be over a hundred meters apart.”

Whether it’s Sky Rift Radiance or Sword Storm, each covers roughly a hundred meters. For Yenir, taking out both mutants simultaneously was clearly impossible.

“Sky Rift Radiance never loses its power, but Sword Storm packs its biggest punch in the center…”

“So later, should I drag the monster over to the Military’s side and use both skills in one go?”

Lost in thought, Yenir couldn’t help but hesitate.

If he pulled them together, he’d be caught in the crossfire. With his basic stats, one hit from two Third-Stage attackers would be fatal. For safety, using both skills was the best option.

As for the Dimensional Slash…

He just shook his head.

Yenir had long viewed Dimensional Slash, the only skill with a near-invincible evasion effect, as his lifeline. If anyone went berserk trying to take him down, that trump card would be his ultimate comeback!

After rehearsing several battle scenarios, Yenir stopped overthinking. Lifting his gaze, he caught sight of Huang Kai glaring at him with his shield raised.

That short, stocky kid sneered coldly, his eyes glinting with malice as if to warn that the upcoming battle would be a harsh lesson for Yenir.

A quiet chuckle escaped him as Yenir paid no mind to the provocation. In his eyes, his opponent was already a lost cause.

……….

“Prepare for Battle!”

“Roar!!”

“Roar!!”