Chapter 60: The Precarious Sixth Round

The sixth round is about to begin! Note: After the sixth round, we’ll enter the final stage.

..

Listening to the cold system prompt, the final 16 awakened fighters were split into two teams, their eyes nervously fixed on the horizon.

Dismembered limbs covered the ground. After slaying countless mutants and zombies, the corpses outside the wall had piled up into small mounds. Slimy, tainted blood pooled into puddles, and the air reeked of bloody stench.

“Lin Teng, if you want to live, you’d better follow orders. Don’t even think about resisting.”

“We promised that if you comply this round, we’d let you go. We intend to keep our word.”

Standing next to the archer who remained at the Second-Stage Peak, a mid-level Second-Stage awakened from the Blood Wolf Squad chuckled softly, his tone easing slightly.

In the Death Factory instance, they had only managed to reach the fifth round last time without a leader. This time, with the leader at the helm, they fully intended to clear the sixth round.

If he could ‘soothe’ these expendable pawns into obedience, he certainly wouldn’t hold back his words.

“I understand.”

In a low tone, the young man known as Lin Teng took a deep breath, as if he truly believed the other party’s words.

Just like those in the rear, the Blood Wolf member standing behind Song Gang also spoke in a more conciliatory tone.

They were used to letting other awakened fighters fight to the death; they excelled at dealing with awakened foes but were utterly inept against monsters.

“Song Gang, our boss said: just hand over your rewards after this is over. And don’t worry—we won’t take your shield.”

“When the monsters attack, I advise you to at least put up a fight.”

“Otherwise, if anything happens to us, our boss won’t be so forgiving!”

Nodding silently, Song Gang, absorbing the threats from the Blood Wolf Squad, simply drew his shield without a word.

He knew these guys were death-fearers, trembling at the thought that his act of defiance might drag them down with him.

As for their advice, he dismissed it as nothing more than hot air.

The Farming Team wouldn’t be so kind, would they? That woman could never reach Third-Stage status! All her equipment is stained with the blood of awakened fighters!

On the City Wall, Yenir watched impassively as a mid-level Second-Stage fighter stood by his side.

If nothing goes awry, after the sixth round, aside from the Blood Wolf Squad, no more than four individuals are likely to survive.

Even if Song Gang and his group defied orders, it’s estimated that perhaps only he might make it out alive…

He wasn’t planning to coordinate with the two Second-Stage Peak warriors in combat.

Until the situation is completely thrown into chaos, nothing truly matters! Especially since Yenir is aware of the hidden option in this instance.

Seconds later, under the extremely tense gazes of everyone, mutant creatures began spawning at the edge of the horizon.

Two Second-Stage Peaks! Three Advanced ones!

Prepare for battle!

Forced to advance, the last few melee-focused awakened fighters took a deep breath and gripped their weapons tightly.

At the outer defensive line, a woman clad in blood-colored armor spoke calmly:

“I’ll deal with one of the Second-Stage Peaks. You handle the rest.”

No sooner had she spoken than she dashed out like a crimson phantom, launching a sudden assault on a giant mutant.

Boom!!

With a thunderous punch fueled by a burst of red light, the first-to-act Blood Wolf Leader drove his fist through the mutant’s belly.

With a pained roar, the two-headed giant mutant, seething with rage, swung its rusted battle knife in a deadly arc.

Speed, high power… acceleration skills, burst skills…

On the City Wall, Yenir quickly assessed the Blood Wolf Leader’s strength. He had to admit that, with her high-end gear, this woman’s combat prowess surpassed even that of the Third-Stage fighter he had encountered before. Her rapid, forceful punches were forcing the Peak Mutant onto the defensive.

Her punches were ferocious; whenever mutants swarmed around her, she dodged them with agile precision. Even when struck, bursts of red light emerged from her body as she forcibly withstood the impact.

Dual-Type: Strength and Agility… and at least one B-rank defense skill…

Watching the brawl around him, Yenir unconsciously furrowed his brow.

Facing such a Third-Stage opponent, if his Sword Breath Torrent didn’t hit her directly, he might not have been able to one-shot her.

Besides, there’s a 99% chance that this woman is still hiding a trump card!

The battle raged fiercely.

Unlike previous rounds, the moment combat erupted this time, two of the frontline melee fighters cried out in agonized screams.

Under the vicious assault of a werewolf-like mutant, one mid-level Second-Stage awakened fighter had his intestines torn out in an instant, helplessly watching as his guts were brutally dragged out.

Bang!!

A glancing collision—Song Gang, crouched behind his shield, wore a grim expression. In just a few seconds, aside from the Blood Wolf Squad, others suffered injuries while two fell a tragic death.

They had planned to counterattack in the final stage, but now it seemed they wouldn’t survive long enough for that moment!

Watching the crimson figure fight effortlessly against the Peak Mutant, his heart suddenly steeled.

In at most 30 seconds, he and Lin Teng would have to find a way to act!

If they could concentrate their fire to severely wound this Third-Stage foe, they’d have a chance to escape the instance.

Wait! Let that woman finish off that mutant!

In perfect sync, Lin Teng on the City Wall frantically began targeting another Second-Stage Peak alongside the middle-aged man; the survival of others no longer mattered to them.

The Blood Wolf Leader certainly wouldn’t let go of her kill credit.

Once the first Second-Stage Peak is dealt with, that woman is bound to go after the Dual-Blade monster! With a three-sided assault, they might still have a chance!

Agonized screams filled the air.

As the battle reached a fever pitch, the Blood Wolf Squad—who had been taking it easy—were forced to unleash their full might, no longer caring to watch over anyone.

With the leader present, they weren’t worried about those weaklings daring to resist.

Within mere seconds, the awakened fighters and mutants became entangled in chaotic combat, with bursts of spiritual energy lighting up the scene.

Bang!

The final punch!

After a brief pause to catch her breath, the Blood Wolf Leader, her body drenched in blood, calmly leaped off the corpse after shattering the Second-Stage mutant’s skull with a punch.

With her extraordinary combat prowess, she took down the monster using just 30% of her spiritual energy.

Glancing at Lin Teng, who appeared to be charging up to kill another mutant, the woman coldly sneered. She wasn’t about to spare anyone – how could she possibly allow someone else to claim the kill?

Without hesitation, she dashed forward toward the Dual-Blade monster; her foot, clad in red armor, struck with the sharpness of a blade.

“You hold off the mutant—I’ll take it down!”

At her command, Song Gang, the shield-bearer, feigned agreement as a burst of blue light enveloped him and he charged toward the mutant.

Meanwhile, on the City Wall, a flash of determination crossed Lin Teng’s eyes.

“Now’s the time!”

“Spirit Ice!”

With his spiritual energy surging wildly, and a storm of wind and snow—several times stronger than before—coalescing on his bow, Lin Teng desperately charged while feigning a shot at the mutant.

Sensing Lin Teng’s build-up, Song Gang abruptly shifted his angle, waiting for the moment when, after his arrow flew, he could simultaneously attack the Blood Wolf Leader.

With a three-pronged assault, no matter how strong she was, there was no way she could hold out!

At the far end of the City Wall, Yenir, darting about with his dagger, sighed quietly.

Watching Lin Teng nock his arrow and charge up, a look of regret flashed through his eyes.

He knew these two had been driven into a corner—with only this one chance to strike. But it was obvious that with such an overt attack, the Blood Wolf Leader was more than ready.

“Spirit Ice Arrow!”

“Shield Assault!”

In perfect synergy, upon noticing the Blood Wolf Leader being sliced by the dual blades, Song Gang suddenly charged at the woman. His shield erupted in a dazzling blue light; by unleashing his trump card skill, he was confident he could keep her controlled for a full second!

Under that control and with a three-pronged assault, even the strongest awakened would be instantly overwhelmed by damage!

An arrow whistled through the air—the Spirit Ice Arrow, which had been aimed at the mutant, instantly changed course and headed straight for the woman’s brow.

In that instant, the Blood Wolf Leader, caught in the crossfire, seemed utterly trapped.

But then a mocking laugh rang out as the Blood Wolf Leader, who had hastily blocked the dual blades, suddenly glared at Song Gang and taunted:

“Idiot, did you really think I wasn’t prepared?”

The next second, before Song Gang’s horrified eyes, a surge of crimson erupted between them.

In a move as sudden as a swap of positions, she and the Blood Wolf Leader exchanged places.

On the City Wall, Yenir’s gaze hardened.

Feigning injury? A teleportation skill?

Fortunately, he was alert enough not to act; otherwise, with such a sudden repositioning, his Sword Breath Torrent might have missed its mark.

In the blink of an eye, as Song Gang was shifted, the arrow that Lin Teng had loaded with all his might exploded amidst the middle-aged man and the mutant.

Boom!!

An icy explosion rang out. Amid the mutant’s pained cries, the middle-aged man, unable to defend, had his right hand shattered and was blasted backward, coughing up blood.

If it weren’t for his resilient Constitution, he probably would have been killed instantly by the blast.

Unfazed by Song Gang’s severe injury, the woman let out a cold laugh and instantly charged toward the mutant’s head—her slender legs, as sharp as blades, swiftly severed its head. Amid the spray of blood, she turned to stare at a despairing Lin Teng.

“You’ve wasted two of my skills already; not bad, I suppose.”

Whoosh!!

In a flash nearly at supersonic speed, she once again dashed in front of Lin Teng.

Smash!

Ahhhh!!

Accompanied by Lin Teng’s agonized screams, the woman crushed his right hand with her bare hands. A heavy knee strike soon rendered Lin Teng useless, completely stripping him of his combat ability.

Within a few breaths, the battle was over.

All the awakened fighters present watched the Blood Wolf Leader in horror, their hearts sinking. They never expected that the desperate counterattacks of the two Second-Stage Peaks would be brushed aside so effortlessly.

Before anyone could recover, the Blood Wolf Leader—having just incapacitated Lin Teng—scanned the area and said coolly:

“Kill them. Take that kid down.”

In an instant, Blood Wolf Squad members beside them sneered and unleashed their skills to massacre the remaining awakened fighters.

Next to Yenir, a mid-level Second-Stage awakened, having received orders, sneered cruelly and without hesitation delivered a heavy blow to Yenir’s abdomen.

Bang!

Grimacing in pain, Yenir fell to the ground. A cold glimmer flashed in his eyes as he realized that the Farming Team intended to reap a harvest.

Surviving the blow with his high Constitution, he pretended to be severely injured—coughing up blood as he collapsed.

The attacking awakened fighters glanced at Yenir, whose aura had suddenly weakened, but cared little—they simply rested the knife’s edge against his neck.

No doubt about it.

It was perfectly normal for a Willpower-Type to sustain a severe injury from a single blow.

Within a few seconds, the sixth round assault was completely over.

As the situation was brought under full control, the Blood Wolf Leader looked down at Lin Teng with an indifferent expression and said:

“Hand over your Credit Points. We won’t continue to the seventh round. Once you comply, I’ll let you go.”

Even as she spoke, she stomped lightly on Lin Teng’s chest, applying just enough pressure.

In pain, Lin Teng let out a bitter laugh:

“Go to hell, you dog bastard!”

“You think… I’d ever believe you?”

Bah!

Spitting a mouthful of blood, he glared fixedly into the woman’s eyes:

“Even if I die, I won’t let you off!”

“Oh, really?”

The Blood Wolf Leader smirked, a playful glint crossing her beautiful face—a smile that, in Lin Teng’s eyes, was devilish.

“Clear the battlefield. Strip them of their gear—we’re leaving.”

As she spoke, she gently grasped Lin Teng’s left hand and then suddenly exerted force.

“I have plenty of ways to make you hand it over!”

Ahhhh!!

As his hand bones were crushed bit by bit, Lin Teng bellowed curses in a frenzied manner.

Paying no mind to his outcry, the woman skillfully stomped on his leg bones, continuing to torture him.

Beside Yenir, the mid-level Second-Stage awakened beamed excitedly and said:

“Another one with stubborn bones. This is going to be entertaining.”

Then he turned his head and added:

“Kid, hand over your gear, or I’ve got plenty of ways to torture you.”

Lying on the ground, Yenir, his face pale, watched as the Blood Wolf Squad gathered, ready to commence their slaughter; his heart silently steeled.

That’s about enough…

Seeing the system prompt flashing repeatedly, asking whether to enter the next stage, a sudden chill flashed in his eyes.

The chance is now.

In the next second, Yenir immediately sent a request to the system.

“Increase the difficulty to Maximum and proceed to the next round!”

Few know that for the seventh round, even if only one awakened confirms the highest difficulty, the instance will continue!

Upon confirmation, a cold system prompt resounded across the battlefield:

“Beep – An awakened has confirmed entry to the next stage. The seventh round assault is about to begin!”

“Current difficulty: Maximum!”

His pupils suddenly contracted. The Blood Wolf Leader, who had once taken pleasure in tormenting everyone, now looked at him in sheer disbelief.

They had no intention of entering the seventh round at all! According to rumors, the monsters in the seventh round are Third-Stage mutants!

Why would they proceed to the next round?! Isn’t it supposed to require a 70% pass rate?!

Shouts of shock and anger rang out.

Never before had the Blood Wolf Squad experienced such a situation; amid the chaos, they all felt a deep chill.

They were used to deceiving awakened fighters into handing over their gear while pretending not to kill them. In most cases, no one would dare fight them to the bitter end!

After all, who doesn’t want to live until the end?!

Especially since they had long calculated the instance conditions—if they didn’t continue, logically the instance shouldn’t go on!

Before anyone could react,

a terrifying aura suddenly erupted from the Factory.

Boom!!

In an instant, amid resounding underground booms, a gigantic mutant resembling a sandworm burst from the ground and lunged to swallow the Blood Wolf Leader—the one with the strongest spiritual energy.

The woman, scrambling away with every hair on her body standing on end, wore a mask of sheer terror.

She stared in disbelief at the suddenly emerged sandworm, her eyes filled with despair.

This worm is a Third-Stage Mid-Level?! Why has the Maximum difficulty been activated?! Who is responsible?!