Chapter 267: Unforeseen Betrayals

“Phew…”

With a sudden exhalation, Yenir forced down his excitement and couldn’t help but clench his fist hard.

Although the Sword God System was still in the process of hinting at a takeover of privileges, the details remained unclear.

But the mission was undeniably accomplished!

He was right all along!

Taking down the infected in advance would drastically delay the Doomsday progress in the instance!

Yet, as he scrutinized the fluctuating values in the mission summary, a grim thought flashed in his mind. From the data, he sensed a deeper significance.

It would affect key figures and, in turn, steer future events.

Even if he hadn’t truly altered anything, he was still deemed to have changed the plot.

“Taking over privileges…”

“Even though Doomsday would inevitably erupt later—Lin Rui merely set off on the path to oppose the Military—but the system still marked it as a success.”

“Does this mean that taking over privileges simply requires me to replace the original puppet master and push the plot forward?”

Lost in thought, Yenir pondered many possibilities.

Firstly, neither the Sword God System nor the Doomsday System were truly on the same side. Whether it was deceiving the Doomsday System or seizing the highest instance privileges…

He detected an eerie undertone in it all.

Connecting the dots, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the Sword God System was up to something – or rather…

was trying to muscle in on the Doomsday System’s territory? The top privileges in the instance were undoubtedly held by the Doomsday System.

The Sword God System’s actions…

Whether deceiving the other system or snatching the top privileges of the instance…

They were hardly worth the effort, each move resembling that of a common bandit.

After much repeated reflection, Yenir found no further answers.

Oh well, he had made it this far solely thanks to the Sword God System’s almost cheating abilities. It was useful to him, no matter what the system planned.

After all, it was a system… and if the Sword God System was hiding an earth-shattering conspiracy, there was little he could do.

Yenir knew very well that before a system, a mere Third-Stage mid-level was nothing more than an ant; even if two systems clashed, all he could do was watch.

“Who cares—as long as it works for me.”

Gazing at the mission panel and the description for the takeover of privileges, Yenir’s eyes burned with determination as he focused on the final reward.

The progress bar for the takeover was racing ahead. Judging by its current pace, it would be completed in at most a dozen hours! By then, the Mothership Blueprint would be his!

Moreover, Yenir had a growing suspicion that achieving the highest privileges might bring immense benefits to him!

Including the instance’s settlement rewards upon exit, this mission couldn’t have gone any smoother!

Before a smile could break on his face and he began finalizing details,

an angry outburst from Ming Luo boomed over the team channel:

“Yenir!!”

“Zhang Qiming ran! He slipped away while we were busy putting on a show!”

“He cut off communications! He even injured a team member! I suspect he’s the traitor!”

……………

Fire raged against black clouds.

Above the military base, its structure twisted under scorching heat. Ming Luo’s face contorted as he sped off in pursuit of Zhang Qiming’s escape route.

On the ground, two Third-Stage mid-level members stared in disbelief at a teammate whose chest had been pierced, their eyes bloodshot.

The severely injured combatant—specialized in melee—had been acting along with Lin Rui and others until a sudden arrow from a rampaging Zhang Qiming tore through his chest.

That hollow, transparent wound almost robbed him of his life force.

“Why?! Why!!”

“How could it be him!”

Dragging his teammate’s head, a young man roared in anguish. Zhang Qiming had been close to them; as one of only two ranged specialists in the team, he had frequently suppressed enemies in battle, making him one of the least likely suspects.

“The Captain and Uncle Zheng are already after him…”

“When we catch him, we’ll make him answer for this!”

Their voices broke with pain.

For comrades who had fought side by side through life and death, it was unfathomable that a traitor had emerged among them.

But the evidence was indisputable; Zhang Qiming’s recent actions clearly showed he realized the instance was about to end and, with no other choice, decided to bail out of the team!

To be honest, even though they had heard Yenir mention a traitor among them, after Yenir temporarily decided not to pursue the matter, none of them could bear to dwell on it.

In fact, they hoped Yenir’s judgment was mistaken!

Yet, never in their wildest dreams did they expect a traitor to actually appear!

“In hindsight, we should have known—Yenir had already suspected him. At the time, he pointed out that the traitor would most likely avoid close combat. Otherwise, there’d be no way to hide during a life-or-death fight…”

With a bitter smile, a Third-Stage mid-level member wearing gloves looked at the teammate he had helped up with evident regret.

They had all been too complacent…

Now, they could only hope that both Captains would catch up to him. Otherwise, if Zhang Qiming managed to hide—or worse, escape the instance—it would spell nothing but trouble!

Yenir’s value and performance had become immeasurable! Should word of this leak, they couldn’t fathom the peril Yenir would face in the future!

After much effort, they had finally found a genius capable of grabbing resources in the instance. They knew all too well how crucial Yenir was.

………….

“Zhang Qiming!!”

The roaring wind blended with Zheng Cheng’s anguished shouts.

“Why! Why you!”

“What favors did they give you to betray your own country? How can you face your fallen brothers?!”

Under a barrage of accusations, the three formed a triangle as they engaged in an intense aerial pursuit.

As they desperately closed the gap, a stunned Ming Luo couldn’t help but feel amazed.

His abilities far surpassed those of Zhang Qiming, yet in the chase, he was shocked to see that Zhang’s speed was virtually on par with his. Clearly, he had concealed his true strength! That damned traitor had deceived them all!

Every thought of Huaxia Battle Zone’s years of losses and fallen comrades fueled his burning desire to devour the traitor whole.

No answer came.

In high-speed flight, Zhang Qiming remained silently determined, seemingly undisturbed by the accusations.

Only when Zheng Cheng suddenly yelled that he didn’t care about his family, that he wasn’t afraid of implicating them as traitors, did Zhang Qiming’s expression change. He couldn’t help but turn and shout:

“You don’t understand anything!”

“I was forced into this! I only wanted to survive! Let me go—I promise that once I’m out, I won’t…”

“Bang!!”

In an instant—after a slight delay—Zhang Qiming, who had intended to beg for mercy or defend himself, felt as if a heavy hammer had struck his head.

An invisible force, sharp as a spike, suddenly pierced into his brain.

“No matter the reason, it’s not an excuse for you to become a traitor!”

His face twisted in pain.

As Zhang Qiming fell under the control of the Mental Shock, Zheng Cheng, seething with resentment, erupted into a burst of flames that instantly devoured him.

Under Zheng Cheng’s hateful strike, the now helpless Zhang Qiming crumpled like a log, emitting a shrill cry before tumbling from the sky like a burning torch.

……….

Ten minutes later.

Yenir stared calmly at the charred corpse before nodding silently.

“Yenir, I’m sorry… We couldn’t leave any survivors.”

“I was just too furious back then…”

With a bitter smile, Zheng Cheng let out a long sigh as he clenched his fists in silent remorse.

Beside him, Ming Luo offered a helpless, bitter smile:

“Yenir, the traitor has been found. It’s just a pity we couldn’t extract more clues from him.”

“But finding him is still a good thing—you’re safe now.”

A mix of sorrow and relief mingled within them.

They grieved the fact that a traitor had emerged in their ranks, yet rejoiced in the mission’s success. With abundant resources secured, there was hope that the instance could continue for longer.

But just as Ming Luo was about to ask when Yenir planned to leave, the usually silent Yenir shook his head slightly, his gaze distant as he said:

“It isn’t that simple. There are still things that surprise even me.”