Chapter 175 - 117: The Choice

Chapter 175: Chapter 117: The Choice

The roar of helicopter engines occasionally tore through the dead silence hanging over the Red Star Industrial Zone. Xu Mo’s life continued in its usual rhythm: observing, recording, and training. Spurred on by the *Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training*, the qi and blood within him churned like a ceaseless undercurrent, constantly washing over his muscles and bones. The barrier to the Iron Bone Realm felt increasingly thin, as if just waiting for the right opportunity to be broken at once.

Over the past few days, new call signs had begun to appear sporadically on the encrypted walkie-talkie channel. They were the newcomers, here for the rotation, joining the "chat group" of this frontline position.

The veterans, naturally, were most concerned about the safety of the rotation process. The newcomers’ replies were largely consistent: the helicopter would first use overwhelming firepower to clear the zombies around a fortress, carving out a relatively safe area. Then, the Observer would quickly ascend or descend via the helicopter’s rope ladder. The process, though dangerous, was reasonably safe as long as they coordinated well. Hearing this, the tense atmosphere on the channel seemed to ease a bit.

On the sixth day, during his routine workout, Xu Mo deliberately turned the volume on his walkie-talkie up a few notches. Judging by the resupply schedule, today should be the day for F-Zone to receive its supplies. He split his focus, one part of his mind on the surging feeling of qi and blood circulating through his muscles and fascia, the other keeping an ear out for any stir on the channel.

However, the walkie-talkie mostly carried the same old idle chatter. There wasn’t a whisper of specific news about F-Zone’s resupply or personnel rotation. Xu Mo didn’t grow impatient. He simply waited, as patient as a predator in hiding. He knew that what was coming would come. Beneath calm waters, the undercurrents are often the most violent.

Around noon, while Xu Mo was eating a self-heating meal packet, a voice utterly different from any of the Observers suddenly cut in. The unfamiliar call sign, spoken in an urgent, static-filled voice, instantly shattered the channel’s usual monotony.

"Calling, calling any unit that can hear me. This is the Sharp Sword Superpower Squad, I am Captain Lu Chuan. Repeat, this is the Sharp Sword Squad. We are being pursued by a Level-Two zombie, position unknown. Requesting fire support from any nearby fortresses if possible. Repeat, requesting fire support."

The call for help was repeated twice, the voice strained with ragged gasps and tremors from a frantic run. In the background, there were the sounds of chaotic, heavy footsteps, and an unsettling sizzle, like potent acid eating through something.

"A Level-Two zombie..."

Xu Mo froze mid-chew. Though he had long suspected it and was mentally prepared, when the Sharp Sword Squad’s urgent plea for help crackled over the radio, his heart still plummeted. He was immediately flooded with a complex, indescribable emotion.

’So it was true. The anomaly in F-Zone, the missing Observer... none of it was a baseless rumor.’

The channel fell silent for a beat, broken by A-02’s voice—steady, but with a noticeably faster cadence. "Sharp Sword Squad, this is Frontline Command Node A-02. Report your exact position."

Lu Chuan’s voice came back over the radio, filled with frustration and urgency, "Position is unconfirmed. Our gear was corroded by that monster’s venom—the map and locator are destroyed. I don’t know what sector we’re in."

’A venom-spitting zombie?’ Xu Mo’s brow furrowed. He hadn’t expected the Level-Two mutated zombie hunting the Sharp Sword Squad to be this type. ’A projectile attack with highly corrosive venom... that would certainly explain how an Observer, relatively safe inside their fortress, could have met with a fatal accident.’

A-02 obviously realized the gravity of the situation and immediately changed tack. "Describe your surroundings. Any distinct buildings, landmarks, or terrain features."

Lu Chuan’s description came in ragged bursts as he sprinted, his words interspersed with increasingly harsh gasps and clipped shouts of warning from his teammates. "We’re... next to a cluster of abandoned factory buildings. To our right, there’s a tall cooling tower, the top is broken. To the left... a row of low-slung warehouses, red paint peeling off in sheets. Across the open space ahead... I think... I think I can see a fortress. Can’t make out the designation number."

Behind his words, the crisp CRACK of several rifle shots could be clearly heard, along with the zombie’s signature, savage roar. Clearly, their pursuer was closing in. The squad was fighting a running retreat, and their situation was critical.

"All fortress personnel, listen up." A-02’s voice shifted, taking on an unquestionable tone of command. "Keep your eyes on your sectors. If you spot the Sharp Sword Squad or anything matching Captain Lu Chuan’s description, report immediately. Prioritizing your own safety, provide any and all possible support. I repeat: if you see anything, report immediately."

Observers from every fortress chimed in with acknowledgements. The channel flooded with calls of "Roger that" and "Understood," before the atmosphere stretched taut to its breaking point. Then, most fell silent. All that remained was the emergency communication between Lu Chuan and A-02, and the background static that screamed of a life-or-death pursuit.

"Captain, Zhou’s leg got hit! It’s corroding fast!" a young, tearful voice cried out.

"Shut up! Conserve your energy!" a gruff voice barked.

"Leave me! Captain, you guys have to go!" The voice identified as Zhou’s struggled out, weak but desperate.

"Cut the crap," a sharp, furious female voice snapped, accompanied by the faint hum of surging energy.