Chapter 673: Uncertain Alliances

“Are you saying you want to have your entire Fire Wolf Team grouped together?”

“Sorry, that doesn’t comply with our regulations.”

As the test neared its end, and before they split up to enter the underground base, Yenir wasted no time and approached the Colonel with Ming Luo and the others.

“Isn’t my test level the highest? Colonel, we’re all on the same team. You know, there’s something a bit special about me… being with others might not be ideal, right?”

Seeing the Colonel’s blatant hostility, Yenir showed no fear; he subtly brought up that high-ranking officer from earlier.

He didn’t directly mention his condition, but he was confident that the Rebel Colonel would catch his drift.

Sure enough, when Yenir stressed the word “special,” the Colonel’s expression darkened as he glared at him, as if trying to decipher his thoughts.

“Are you threatening me? Special? I think your lot is pretty special on its own!”

Perhaps it was a soldier’s instinct, but while that high-ranking officer had approved Yenir without issue, the Colonel saw it as a sign of carelessness—and a refusal to offend the kid.

The top brass placed great importance on finding unique Awakeners, and since this kid fit the bill, the higher-ups were willing to overlook other matters!

Still, the Colonel stubbornly felt that even if Yenir qualified, his identity should first be verified.

“What if he’s a spy!?”

Tensions soared as the atmosphere suddenly stiffened.

After a long pause, once a Rebel officer noticed the commotion, he reluctantly stepped in to play peacemaker.

The officer, roughly on the Colonel’s level, leaned in to whisper a few words. Only then did the Colonel snort coldly and stomp off, suppressing his anger.

Turning around, the officer gave Yenir an awkward smile and said:

“Lin Ming, is it? Colonel Hong is pretty strict and inflexible. How about this: we can group your squad together, but your personal perks might have to take a hit.”

“For instance, if you were meant to have a private room with S-level privileges, now you’ll probably end up sharing a space with the whole team.”

After saying this, the officer smiled, clearly implying it was the Military’s best concession.

Yenir had hoped to get his entire squad into the highest-security zone, but that was clearly out of the question. A compromise was acceptable—he didn’t want to risk upsetting his colleagues or offending that high-ranking officer.

“Alright, that’s fine. But may I ask—what’s our plan once we go down? Are we waiting for the Military’s next orders? How long might that take?”

“And if I want to contact that high-ranking officer from earlier, what should I do?”

Yenir subtly signaled to Ming Luo, indicating he should slip a little gift to the officer.

Frankly, Yenir cared little about the so-called benefits.

The situation was rapidly deteriorating. For Yenir, waiting several days—or even longer—after going down was simply unacceptable.

He had seen Fang Hao’s message. While the Capital Military had only detected a surge of corpses at the border and things were still under control, Yenir had already anticipated what would come next!

“It won’t be that simple! That surge is just a precursor— the Rebels will undoubtedly have another move up their sleeve!”

Listening to Yenir’s question, the officer paused briefly before meaningfully accepting a pack of plump cigarettes from Ming Luo.

After a quick glance around, he stepped forward a couple of paces and lowered his voice:

‘Ahem, you’re wondering when you’ll be granted an audience with the higher-ups, right?’

Once you go down, you’ll take a brief rest before a new test. If you pass, that means a promotion to Third-Stage mid-level.

“Of course, given your situation, you’ll have no trouble—and you’ll probably be tested solo.”

“As for contacting that high-ranking officer, just come find me.”

After saying that, the officer nodded toward Yenir as if he could read his subtle intentions.

“After you meet those bigwigs, remember to put in a good word for me.”

In his eyes, Yenir was clearly eager to get close to that high-ranking officer. Being in the know, he didn’t mind passing a favor along.

Especially since Yenir was so on point—he might even prove useful down the line.

As if recalling something, after Yenir promptly nodded in agreement, the officer’s face lit up with satisfaction, and he added:

“Oh, and by the way, I’ve got a little gift for you soon. I bet you’ll be pleased.”

Yenir: ??

————–

Bang—clank

As a resounding metallic gate roared open behind Yenir, Ming Luo scrutinized the underground base they were about to enter with a serious look.

One after another, layers of bomb-resistant metal doors slid open, and a gust of moist air rushed up from the seemingly bottomless corridor below.

Just as Yenir had suspected, what appeared on the surface was only the tip of the iceberg; beneath lay a vast cavern concealing a beehive-like structure!

“Lord Yenir? Should our next step be to gather intelligence to figure out what these Rebels are really up to?”

“I feel our movements might be too hampered. Should we prompt the Capital to launch an early attack and create an opening for us?”

His heart pounded like ants scrambling on a hot pan.

Ming Luo had also received word from the Military. The Military Department was redirecting forces to the border in line with Yenir’s plan.

Realizing that the situation could worsen at any moment, he was desperate to uncover the Rebels’ nefarious schemes immediately!

Unlike Ming Luo’s urgency, Yenir remained remarkably composed:

“Theoretically, launching an attack to stir up chaos is feasible, but I doubt the Rebels will give us that chance!”

“Ming Luo, if you were in our situation with the Military ready to strike at any moment, would you waste time conducting experiments here? Even if it’s to develop something new, that can be done in another Battle Zone!”

“If they dare linger here, they must be counting on it!”

Those words left Ming Luo visibly stunned:

“You mean…!?!”

Footsteps echoed as Yenir, leading the team, sighed deeply and, using his mental power, spoke in a low, measured tone:

“Do you believe that if Uncle Fang and his forces dare charge in, the Rebels will immediately trigger another surge of corpses along Huaguo’s border? They fear no death, but we certainly do!”

“Dragging our forces back and forth will only allow them to build momentum and claim that we’re indifferent to the lives of Huaguo’s people, accusing us of inciting rebellion!”

“So, we can’t make a move for now. If we do, it has to be an all-out strike—eliminate the leadership without giving them a chance to react!”

With absolute conviction, Yenir fell silent, rehearsing over and over in his mind how to take down that Rebel high-ranking officer.

Perhaps this time, he’d have to stage a one-man assault amid a sea of troops.