Bai Wen asked, "What's your name? And who are you people?"
The Invisibility User gasped weakly, "I... I'm Huifei. We... we're survivors from Pi County, heading... heading to BY City."
Bai Wen continued, "Is there anything we can do to help you?"
Huifei paused, struggling to speak, "If possible... please kill me. I won't survive anyway. But spare the others, okay? They're just ordinary people—they pose no threat to you!"
Bai Wen studied Huifei. An Invisibility User would make an excellent scout—it'd be a shame to let her die. He quietly asked SCV, "Any way to save her?"
SCV replied, "Certainly. Just upgrade your CMC Armor with the Medic Healing Module. It'll cost 25 units of High-energy Gas."
Checking his Vespene Gas reserves—exactly 25 units—Bai Wen sighed and said to Huifei, "If I can save you, what will you give me in return?"
"D-don't... comfort me. My injuries... are too severe. I... won't make it..." Huifei didn't believe him.
"If I say I can, then I can. We have advanced weapons—what's a little healing?" Bai Wen acted like it was no trouble at all.
"Then... it depends on what you want. In my state... what could I possibly offer? Unless... you want my body?" Having brushed death, Huifei feared nothing now.
"I need your ability. After saving you, you'll work for me long-term as my enforcer. Deal?"
"If that's all... then sure..." Huifei murmured weakly, her mind already fading. She didn't actually believe Bai Wen could save her, thinking he was just offering false hope in her final moments.
Bai Wen immediately ordered SCV, "Upgrade my CMC Armor and install the Medic Healing Module!"
"Affirmative, Commander!"
The process was invisible to outsiders—even Bai Wen didn't see how SCV modified the armor. But within a minute, subtle changes appeared on his suit.
Dropping his C-14, Bai Wen's right arm armor split open, revealing a green emitter that projected a beam of Healing Light onto Huifei's wound.
Miraculously, the injury—a clean through-and-through shot—healed instantly, leaving no scar. It even seemed to replenish her lost blood.
Huifei froze in disbelief, unable to process what had just happened.
Bai Wen then strode toward the burly man clutching his leg and groaning in pain.
Though pale-faced and terrified by the towering figures in Exoskeleton Armor, the man hadn't completely broken down. Spotting Bai Wen, he shrieked, "Y-you... how dare you attack us! Do you even know who we are?"
Bai Wen's interest piqued. Smirking, he taunted, "Oh? Do enlighten us. Who are you, and why should we be afraid?"
The burly man immediately shouted, "We're from the Zuo Mountain Safe Zone in S City! Our safe zone has over twenty Ability Users. Killing you would be as easy as squashing an ant! If you know what's good for you, release me now! Otherwise, the retaliation from our safe zone will be more than you can bear!"
Bai Wen blinked. These men were likely part of Long Er's group—were there still remnants nearby?
He chuckled and said, "How about you tell me all about your safe zone? As a trade-off, I can leave your corpse intact!"
"You bastard—ah!" The man tried to continue cursing, but Bai Wen shot him in the leg.
"Ah! You—" He attempted to shout again, only for Bai Wen to shoot him in the arm.
The excruciating pain made the man scream shrilly, and he finally relented.
Hearing the truth shocked Bai Wen. The so-called Zuo Mountain Safe Zone was actually S City's maximum-security prison. After the virus outbreak, the inmates gained freedom. Due to the prison's unique structure, they suffered minimal losses and even awakened over a dozen Ability Users—Long Er being one of them.
No wonder they all had shaved heads and looked vicious, completely devoid of morals—they were all scum.
In the aftermath of the outbreak, they steadily expanded, gathering survivors and growing into a formidable force. Not long ago, they wiped out the Black Cloud Zone, acquiring a large arsenal of weapons and equipment, further boosting their strength.
Their strongest leader was called Eagle Lord, with ten elite enforcers under him. Long Er was the second-in-command, a Level 2 Ability User, while the top enforcer, Diao Da, was already a 3-Star Level Ability User—extremely powerful.
The safe zone housed over 1,200 people, with 500 armed forces—all ruthless murderers.
"What's wrong? Scared now? Weren't you acting tough earlier? If you know what's good for you, patch me up right now! Maybe I'll be merciful and spare your lives if I'm in a good—"
Bang! His forehead was blown open by Bai Wen's gunshot.
"Dispose of the body and sweep the battlefield. Search thoroughly—check if they have any Crystals in their vehicles!" Bai Wen ordered his men to clean up while abandoning his plan to head to BY City today. The appearance of these men had put him on edge. He decided to thoroughly scout the surrounding area first and only proceed once safety was confirmed.
The Marine Corpsmen swiftly cleared the battlefield. Huifei, now fully recovered, slowly stood up, taking tentative steps with an expression of disbelief. It was nothing short of miraculous—just being bathed in that light had not only healed her wounds but also restored her vitality. Was this man some kind of super healer?
Hearing Bai Wen emphasize the search for Crystals, she curiously asked, "Crystals? Do you need a lot of Zombie Crystals?"
Bai Wen nodded at her.
After a moment of thought, Huifei hesitantly said, "I might know a place with many Crystals—though I'm not sure if they're Zombie Crystals."
"What did you say?" Bai Wen's eyes lit up.
"In Pi County—the sewer connected to the air-raid shelter where we hid. I discovered it during an exploration!" Huifei explained.
"Take me there now!" Bai Wen immediately jumped up. This news was too important for him. If there really was a Crystal Mine there, it would solve his major energy shortage problem!
Having the Marine Corpsmen escort the four people back first, Bai Wen pulled Huifei into a vehicle and drove to Pizhou County, finding the Sewer she had mentioned.
When Bai Wen saw the countless Crystal Ores growing on the walls throughout the Sewer, even with his normally indifferent temperament, he couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement in his heart!
(End of chapter)