Chapter 282 - 150: Annihilation

Chapter 282: Chapter 150: Annihilation

But Xu Mo had already followed up with a second volley!

BANG! BANG!

Two precise, single shots.

The first bullet struck the target’s left shoulder, exploding in a small spray of blood! But the man was shockingly resilient. His body barely faltered from the impact, not even losing his balance as he raised his gun to return fire while still on the move!

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The pistol shots rang out in rapid succession! This was no longer hasty, unaimed fire, but a genuine threat—precisely aimed even while on the move!

Xu Mo dodged to the side and continued to fire.

BANG!

A pistol bullet slammed squarely into Xu Mo’s left side, right over his ribs.

It felt as if he’d been smashed by an invisible sledgehammer, and his entire body staggered! His combat suit was pierced, the edges of the hole charred and curled. Underneath, a searing, blunt pain spread across his skin. It was like a powerful boxer had landed a solid punch on his ribs; the distinct, dull ache made his breath catch and his chest tighten for a moment. But that was it.

The bullet hadn’t penetrated. No bones were broken. He hadn’t even sustained a true injury.

’This is the defense of the Iron Bone Realm!’

His opponent, however, couldn’t take Xu Mo’s return fire so easily.

In the split second that the figure in green froze, stunned that Xu Mo had been shot yet seemed completely unfazed—

BANG!

The AK-47’s third round pierced clean through the man’s right shoulder, the one holding the pistol!

The pistol flew from his grasp, spinning as it landed in the tall grass.

The man finally lost his balance and stumbled to the ground. As he fell, he stared at Xu Mo with a look of pure disbelief—or more accurately, he stared at the spot where the bullet had hit him.

His eyes were filled with horror, confusion, and a vacant bewilderment.

Xu Mo advanced steadily, rifle raised. He pointed the muzzle down at the man in green, who lay in a growing pool of blood. The man was panting heavily, trying to prop himself up with his one good arm.

Only now did Xu Mo get a clear look at his face.

He was a man in his early thirties. Even grievously wounded and drenched in blood, his eyes remained sharp as an eagle’s, showing none of the weakness or pleading a normal person would display when facing death.

’Perhaps he had long ago accepted this outcome, knowing that begging would be useless.’

...

After dealing with the six people in the camp, Xu Mo gathered their bodies and set them ablaze.

As the fire grew, Xu Mo stood several meters away, watching it all with an expressionless face.

He wasn’t a judge, only an avenger. ’As for their stories, their struggles, their desperation...’ Xu Mo didn’t care, nor did he want to know.

’In this wasteland, if you choose to be a Hunter, you must be prepared to become the prey.’

The fire blazed hotter, crackling and popping. Fat sizzled in the intense heat, and bones fractured as they turned to charcoal. Xu Mo watched silently for about two minutes. Once he was certain the blaze wouldn’t spread to the nearby RVs and dry grass, he turned and walked away.

He still had much to do.

Xu Mo walked toward the SUV that had belonged to Messenger 027. He had noticed its number plate, abandoned to the side, after dealing with the six men.

The vehicle was nearly identical to his own—same paint job, same bull bar, same roof rack. The only difference was that this one now sat silently still.

Xu Mo pulled open the door and saw rations, drinking water, medicine, and other supplies issued by Jiang City still on the passenger and rear seats.

’Apparently, I dealt with them before they had a chance to transfer the supplies.’

He opened the trunk. Two 50-liter military-grade jerry cans, full of gasoline, lay inside. They were perfectly sealed and heavy with fuel.

Xu Mo was silent for a moment.

"Thank you," Xu Mo said quietly, unsure if he was speaking to Messenger 027 or to himself.

He lifted out the two jerry cans, then took out enough food to replenish his own consumed rations and set it aside.

As for the camp’s other resources—the four well-equipped RVs, the supplies piled inside them, and the few tents outside—Xu Mo didn’t spare them a second glance.

’Taking just enough fuel and food was sufficient.’

Of course, there was one last thing to do.

Xu Mo walked back to Messenger 027’s SUV and pulled a lighter from his clothes.

CLICK.

This time, the flame fell upon the driver’s seat of the SUV.

After setting the fire, Xu Mo stepped back a few paces. He watched as tongues of flame spread from the seat to the dashboard, licked across the steering wheel, and climbed up to the roof liner. Thick smoke billowed once more, scattering black ash like funeral incense.

’This vehicle carried supplies and hope from Jiang City. It carried the life of Messenger 027. It should not become a war trophy, nor should it be used for any purpose that goes against the Dandelion mission.’

’Destroying it completely was the most thorough, and most dignified, farewell.’

The flames devoured the windshield. Xu Mo stood several meters away, watching with the same blank expression he had worn while watching the bodies burn.

Xu Mo gently pressed his knuckles against his chest.

The flames gradually died down, reducing Messenger 027’s SUV to a charred husk. It stood in stark contrast to his own vehicle, which was still waiting for him. One was dead, the other was ready to move on.

Lugging the jerry cans and supplies, Xu Mo turned and left without looking back.

Back in his own SUV, Xu Mo secured the two jerry cans, stuffed the extra supplies into the remaining space, and started the engine. The familiar, deep roar echoed once more.

The wheels crushed the wild grass as the vehicle headed back the way it had come.