Chapter 686: A Deadly Device’s Revelation

This thing!?

Blood Shadow permeates the air—its potent, bloody scent brimming with life.

As Ming Luo and the others ‘fearfully’ pulled out the Blood Shadow device, every survivor present stared in astonishment at the swirling blood mist. Though its appearance was eerie, even exuding a cruel brutality, everyone knew this device was no ordinary piece of equipment!

“Such powerful life force!”

“What level is this device? Special class?”

“I don’t know. I barely have any equipment. Devices like this are probably only for the big shots!”

Curious whispers spread among the onlookers.

Even among Awakener-level individuals, such a rare device—rarer than equipment—had seldom been seen.

Not to mention, with its unique Blood Shadow properties, even Peak Third-Stage fighters treated it as their trump card, easily intimidating everyone.

Just as Yenir had predicted, the rebel Mid-Ranking Officer, who had planned to strike first, suddenly froze, his heart pounding as his attention was completely drawn to the Blood Shadow.

“What a twisted effect! Absorbing life force to form illusions, replenishing vitality and mental power… I bet even the top high-ranking officers don’t get their hands on this!”

Greed flashed across the rebel leader’s eyes, and under his Peak Third-Stage might, it took several seconds for his racing heart to settle.

For some reason, just by seeing the device, he didn’t need any explanation from Ming Luo’s group—he could already picture the abnormal effect it had just demonstrated.

“Is this yours!? For a bunch of Second-Stage fighters like you, where did you even get this!?”

“Speak up! Who exactly are you!?”

His expression was cold, his murderous intent undiminished.

Though his heart raced, his explanation was still surprisingly plausible.

But for the rebel leader—a Peak Third-Stage fighter—his doubts would not be so easily dispelled.

Reports had it that these Fire Wolf Team Second-Stage fighters were nothing more than insignificant players in the Tianjin Battle Zone. Obtaining a device of this caliber? They’d probably struggle to even gather a few pieces of Blue Equipment.

Hence, Ming Luo’s group became even more suspect.

“Sir!”

“This device is truly ours! We acquired it from a special dungeon! Aren’t you misunderstanding? Weren’t we supposed to be testing it?”

Feigning fear, Ming Luo put on an impressive act.

He swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving the Blood Shadow now snatched by the rebel Peak Third-Stage fighter—as if, even if surrounded and accused, he could never bear to lose it.

His demeanor was that of a vulnerable man clutching a treasured secret, suddenly exposed.

“A special dungeon? What dungeon? Where is it located? What was the mission?”

“You’re nothing but a group of Second-Stage fighters. Tell me, how did you manage to get a reward meant for Third-Stage fighters?”

In a cold tone, the rebel leader glared at Ming Luo’s group, as if a single misstep in their words would provoke immediate action.

Under the rebels’ suspicion, Ming Luo’s heart skipped a beat; for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Lies wouldn’t work. In such a short time, he couldn’t possibly fabricate a complete story without revealing the dungeon’s location.

Even though these rebels had turned traitors, their intel on Huaguo’s territory was almost as good as that of the Capital Military. If a special dungeon really existed near the Battle Zone, the Military would have found it long ago.

To fabricate a story now would require too many lies—how could he possibly manage it!?

With no time to ponder as the rebel’s murderous intent grew by the second, Ming Luo had no choice but to stall:

“Sir, the dungeon appeared recently. Our squad barely learned of its existence. It was our secret… I…”

“There are no secrets in front of the Military! Enough nonsense! If you can’t explain properly, we have every reason to doubt your identity!”

At that, the rebel leader roared, releasing his Spirit Energy, fixating it on Ming Luo’s head with unyielding precision.

When all hope seemed lost for Ming Luo, a voice echoed in the mental link from Yenir:

“Tell him! You can speak up, but there are too many people here!”

“Hint that the dungeon hasn’t been fully explored yet—there’s still something even more valuable inside! Let him interrogate you alone!”

Yenir quickly coached Ming Luo on what to say, making one final desperate attempt.

He noticed that the rebel Peak Third-Stage fighter had been tempted—if his resolve wavered, it would give them an opening!

“Sir, I’m telling the truth! It’s just that… there’s more inside that dungeon, and it’s located near our Battle Zone.”

“There are too many people here… I…”

Ming Luo, visibly apprehensive, scanned the room subtly, hinting to the rebel Mid-Ranking Officer that it wasn’t safe to divulge more. He then feigned a pained expression, a bitter smile playing on his lips.

Fate seemed to favor Yenir.

After a few tense seconds, the rebel Peak Third-Stage fighter hesitated. His cold gaze betrayed his inability to resist the lure of the Blood Shadow, and he barked:

“Fine! Come with me to the interrogation room—I want to hear whether you’re telling the truth!”

With that, he snatched the Blood Shadow device as if claiming it for himself.

“All personnel, be on alert! There might be others with dubious intentions here!”

Ignoring the puzzled looks from other Military soldiers, the rebel Peak Third-Stage fighter ordered Ming Luo’s group to be escorted into the interrogation room for his personal questioning.

On the high platform, Yenir exhaled slowly, his fierce urge for violence gradually subsiding.

Thankfully, the toughest hurdle had been cleared.

As long as the rebel leader didn’t bring a crowd to interrogate Ming Luo, Yenir would still have a chance to gain the upper hand—perhaps even turning misfortune into opportunity.

With the immediate pressure off, Yenir’s eyes gleamed as he silently trailed the escort team, pondering what had really gone wrong with Ming Luo’s group.

“Something that can make even a Third-Stage fighter lose control…”

“No, judging by how Ming Luo and his team acted, that creature inside the metal sphere must be extraordinary!”

———————-

“Clang.”

The main door closed with a resounding thud.

Inside the dim interrogation room, Ming Luo and the other three were isolated for individual questioning.

Unlike their calm demeanor outside, the rebel Peak Third-Stage interrogator’s face suddenly shifted as he entered. He couldn’t help but pull the Blood Shadow device out of his pocket, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Truth be told, after poring over the device’s manual repeatedly, he no longer cared whether Ming Luo’s team were traitors.

“An Artifact! This thing is practically on par with a legendary Artifact! If used well, its value rivals that of mythic-grade equipment!”

“Devices like this could even tempt the highest-ranking officers!”

His eyes clouded with conflicted emotion and gloom.

Perhaps even Yenir hadn’t realized that his willingness to comply with Ming Luo’s ploy was born from a sudden surge of fear!

If the details of this device were reported to his superiors, there was no chance it would end up in his hands.

Realizing this, he regretted even more his decision to publicly question Ming Luo’s team. He should have secretly taken control and seized the device first!

“Pass on my orders! Do not report what just happened for now!”

“Just say it concerns the Capital Rebels—I’m still investigating!”

Disregarding any repercussions, he took a deep breath, tucked away the Blood Shadow device, and hurried into the interrogation room!

Meanwhile, Yenir, trailing silently behind, chuckled softly. Noticing that his target had entered, he paused a few extra seconds before striding toward the guard by the metal door.

As the saying goes.

“The mantis catches the cicada, only for the oriole to be waiting behind.”