Sky-cracking Rider

Number 76 was a long-haired woman, curiously sizing up Chen Fei's shoulder. After listening to his introduction, she couldn't help but ask, "Number 74, is that little bird on your shoulder a Pure Light Sparrow?"

Carrying a little bird with black feathers was indeed very eye-catching.

Birds are usually timid, and it wasn't easy for someone like Chen Fei to carry one around.

"Yes, its name is Xiao Jiu. Xiao Jiu, say hello to everyone."

Chen Fei smiled and nodded.

"A pet, how fun!"

Someone murmured softly, clearly an inexperienced rookie who had no idea about the dangers of this mission. Even if they were a supernatural power user, what could they do when surrounded by mutants?

"Chirp!~"

A burst of white light erupted unexpectedly, enveloping an area of several meters and shrouding all six people within it.

"Damn!"

"My eyes, my eyes!"

"Who, who did this?"

"It's an ambush!"

The scene was in complete chaos, with most members of the 13th Reconnaissance Squad scattering like headless flies.

"Uh, everyone, don't panic! This was just an accident. It's a 'Light Burst Flash' from the Light-based Spells. My little bird hasn't quite mastered it yet, sorry, really sorry!"

Chen Fei had almost become immune to this spell. His vision was momentarily blinded but recovered in an instant.

Recently, the Little Bird had taken to flashing without much reason, although it couldn't do it too often in a short period. Still, thanks to the fast recovery of the Light Element and spiritual power, its energy was full again after half an hour!

If it cast "Light Burst Flash" every six minutes, it could keep flashing incessantly, achieving the "Permanent Flashlight" feat.

"..."

The female executive manager, also affected, twitched at the corner of her mouth.

She knew that Chen Fei's little bird understood human speech. This sudden flash, whether intentional or accidental, was probably best not pursued.

You really can't hold a grudge against a bird, no matter what, for the sake of your own dignity!

"Pure Light Sparrow, a Light-element Magical Beast..."

The captain of the 13th Reconnaissance Squad, Number 78, groaned.

This unexpected flash was indeed a Light-based Spell and was utterly unexpected.

"Xiao Jiu, no more of this, okay."

Chen Fei was instructing the little bird not to randomly use "Light Burst Flash" anymore and causing the whole reconnaissance squad to descend into chaos.

"Chirp!"

Xiao Jiu cheekily pecked at the finger Chen Fei, its dad, had extended, looking rather defiant.

A minute or two later, except for Chen Fei and Hanna Gagar, everyone else had slightly swollen, red eyes and their gazes flitted around, too afraid to look directly at the little bird, fearing another flash.

Although it wasn't lethal, causing only temporary blindness, it was still quite an ordeal.

But in a dark cavern, an unexpected flash like that could potentially cause permanent blindness.

"This, this is really something... Number 74, control your bird!"

Number 78, a tall, thin Black man, was at a loss for words.

Brought along on the mission, whether it should be encouraged or not was a dilemma too complex to resolve, somewhat beyond his capabilities.

"Don't worry! Xiao Jiu won't make trouble!"

Chen Fei assured him confidently, patting his chest.

The little bird was very well-behaved and quite obedient.

"Number 75, please continue."

The tall, thin Black man had no choice but to trust and turned his gaze toward the person next to Chen Fei.

Number 75 was a young, overweight man with messy hair and thick, high-prescription glasses.

He rubbed his hands together and shyly said, "My name is Andy Brian, a freelancer. I'm basically a homebody, a Seventh Rank Earth Mage."

After saying that, he ran out of things to say and awkwardly looked over to Number 76.

Number 76 was the long-haired woman who had previously asked Chen Fei about the bird. She had some freckles around her nose but wasn't unattractive. She smiled and said, "I'm Number 76, my name is Cecilia Danbers. I'm from the Joint Defense Committee, handling various electronic devices like communicators, drones, warning systems, and more.

I'm also proficient in first aid, bone-setting, and bandaging. If you're injured, come find me."

From her skillset, it was clear she was purely support personnel, unlikely to engage in frontline combat unless everyone else was down.

After finishing, Number 76 glanced again at the Pure Light Sparrow on Chen Fei's shoulder. This Magical Beast Bird's skills somewhat overlapped with her own duties.

The first skill of a Light-element Magical Beast is typically the Healing Spell "Light Healing Technique," especially effective for bruises and minor injuries, often showing immediate results.

Having such a little bird was beneficial and harmless for the entire reconnaissance squad.

"My name is Sahar Ignatius, a Sixth Rank Wind-Type Battle Profession User and a Great Swordsman, from the Olympus Defense Group."

No. 77 was a sturdy-built man with a composed demeanor, carrying a great sword on his back.

Hearing the name 'Olympus Defense Group,' at least half of the members of the 13th Reconnaissance Squad showed surprised expressions; it was a powerhouse military contractor ranked second in the industry.

Even formidable entities like the Merman Brothers Consortium, considered tough rivals by the executive manager Hanna Gagar, only qualified to be utterly defeated in front of Olympus Defense Group.

The difference in comprehensive strength between each of the top ten industry leaders meant absolute domination.

"My name is Blake, number 78, designated by the Joint Defense Committee as the captain of the 13th Reconnaissance Squad. I'm a B-level Dark Elemental Psychic, an archer, a gunsmith responsible for guarding the alchemy storage device. You can put all your tactical supply boxes with me."

The tall, thin Black man was the last to introduce himself, concluding his introduction with a gesture, showing off a wide-band ring he wore on his right middle finger.

The capacity of an alchemy storage device is calculated based on the volume of storage space. The metal tactical supply boxes issued at registration have a volume of about 0.864 cubic meters, enough to hold six people's supply boxes, which means this ring-type space system alchemy storage device has at least five cubic meters of space.

Based on the market value of alchemy storage devices, one cubic meter is worth one hundred million Star Yuan, with a 50% price increase at ten times the base value and a 100% price increase at a hundred times.

With over fifty reconnaissance squads in a camp and each squad requiring a space system alchemy storage device, the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee setting up six reconnaissance camps means over 300 devices are needed, totaling about 160 billion Star Yuan in value.

Good grief, that's enough to take down 16 Metallic Dragons.

Only the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee could afford such massive expenditures, most likely having used strategic reserves from one or even several sovereign countries.

Otherwise, where would one gather so many space system alchemy storage devices, especially those with a capacity over four cubic meters?

The man known as No. 75, Andy Brian, wore a puzzled expression before suddenly pausing as if he'd just remembered something. He exclaimed in surprise, "'Dark Arrow'? 'Dark Arrow' sir, is that you?"

Dark Arrow? Harmful Dark Arrow?

Chen Fei and Hanna Gagar looked simultaneously at No. 78, the B-level Dark Elemental Psychic, Blake, who did indeed fit the profile.

"Yes, it's me!"

No. 78, the tall, thin Black captain nodded his head, not denying it.

"Sir, please sign this for me!"

The chubby Seventh Rank Earth Mage, No. 75 Andy Brian, dashed into his dormitory then stumbled back out, holding a small notebook and a pen.

"Alright!"

The tall, thin Black captain, Blake, looked genuinely embarrassed.

Finding a fan here was quite unexpected for him.

"Sir, I'm 'Taishan'!"

The chubby Earth Mage stood with his belly out, still buzzing with excitement.

When did the bloody Tarzan become so fat? Middle age, hard to control oneself!

"Oh, oh, nice meeting you!"

The tall, thin Black captain was bewildered; he had no idea which 'Taishan' this chubby fan really was.

In this world, there were at least eight or ten well-known individuals nicknamed or codenamed 'Taishan,' not to mention the countless more if one looked further back in time.

Honestly, this "Taishan" was no better than a "Rookie"!

This was indeed very embarrassing.

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, we will enter through Entrance 13. Aside from personal belongings, essential food, medicine, and drinking water, as well as weapons and ammunition, put everything else into the tactical supply boxes. There's a supply point on the east side of the camp where you can replenish your needs. Before departure, I will collect everyone's supply boxes.

Is that understood by all?"

The tall, thin Black captain, No. 78 Blake, again showed off his ring-type space system storage device.

"Understood!"

Everyone responded in unison.

The next morning came early.

Chen Fei had gathered his things neatly, dressed in a black-grey python-patterned tactical camouflage suit, his large backpack in tow, weapons slung, and carrying a fully packed metal tactical supply box outside his dormitory.

The tactical Band-Aid, Pure Light Sparrow Xiao Jiu, stood atop the box, chirping incessantly.

For others, the bird's chirping seemed somewhat agonizing, indeed fearing that Second Rank Light-based Spell.

Thus, everyone prepared a pair of sunglasses, which baffled the personnel at the supply point.

In a pitch-dark cavern, wearing sunglasses would surely render one blind.

So… what was this inconceivable new practice?

A transport helicopter carried the 13th Reconnaissance Squad near the Entrance 13, which appeared as a thin, long crack plunging straight down into the earth.

Although no person was near the entrance, it was equipped with lights, cameras, and various sensors, closely monitored remotely to catch any disturbance.

"Couldn't you choose another weapon? Must you use this antique?"

Hanna Gagar finally couldn't help but complain after another glance at the modern high replica AK-47 in Chen Fei's hands.

While everyone else carried the latest model of personal weapons with either strong penetration, large coverage, or terrible destructive power, Chen Fei alone clung to an almost hundred-year-old relic. Was he planning to go hunting like Squadron Leader Chekhov?

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