Chapter 51: I Heard You’re Good at Fighting

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: I Heard You’re Good at Fighting

Renee Morgan stepped forward to wake the person, about to ask if he’d heard anything just now, or if anyone had gotten up—maybe those sounds came from someone in their tent handling business in the middle of the night.

Suddenly, a strange noise echoed from the woods not far from the tent, instantly putting her on high alert.

"Lionel, wake up, quick—there’s someone out there." Renee stared at the groggy guy, hauled him upright, forcing him to snap out of it.

Lionel Lincoln jumped in fright, staring at Renee in confusion: "Who?"

Renee yanked him backwards, eyes fixed on the trembling branches just beyond them in the thick night, and shouted toward the tents behind: "Everyone, get up! Someone’s here! Hurry up!"

The squad practically sprang to their feet at once, clambering out of their tents one after another.

Zayed glanced over at Lionel, who was on night watch, his eyes questioning: "Where’s the person?"

Lionel shook his head and blurted out: "No clue!"

Zayed: "?" His chicken?

Renee: "..."

Lionel realized he’d misspoke, hurriedly shaking his head: "Not chicken, I mean I have no clue..."

Zayed stopped looking at him and cast a questioning look at Renee.

Renee pointed toward the woods just a short distance from the tents, but before she could explain, whoever was hiding out there clearly realized they’d been spotted and decided not to bother hiding—swaggering straight out from behind the trees.

There were ten of them in all, each one tall, intimidating, and the most shocking part—they were carrying military knives.

This discovery sent Renee and everyone in Squad One reeling; they rushed back to their tents, grabbed their own military knives, strapping them on.

By now, Miles Yates, Gael Prescott, and Kyle Beckett were fully awake, standing behind Renee, staring at the group with faces full of terror.

Lynn Miller, Wendy Aldridge, and Zara Chapman had all been roused, too; the three stepped behind the group, faces full of panic as they watched the newcomers approach.

"What do we do, what do we do—are they going to kill us?" Zara screamed in terror.

"They won’t. We have survival whistles. If anyone blows theirs, we can all be saved." Wendy gently soothed everyone.

The others glanced at each other—at such a dangerous moment, who should be the one to blow the survival whistle?

Wendy continued softly, her voice reassuring: "Everyone, don’t worry. If it comes to it, I’ll blow my whistle, I’ll help everyone get out safe."

As she spoke, she was already fishing the emergency whistle from her neck, determination gleaming on her face as she looked at all of them.

Lionel was genuinely touched: "Wendy, if things really get dangerous, it’s us guys’ job to protect you girls—you don’t have to do this."

Wendy shook her head, tears glinting in her determined expression: "I’ve already made so many mistakes. It’s time I did something to make up for them."

Renee watched Wendy redeeming herself, inwardly speechless; with Wendy’s temperament, unless she was forced out, she’d absolutely never sacrifice herself for the others’ safety.

"Uh..." Kyle thought of something, awkwardly speaking up: "If you’re gonna blow it, do it now, or later it’ll be too late—we’ll all be wiped out."

Wendy: "..."

Renee: "..." Why does this almost sound funny? ℯℯ𝘭.

It really would be too late now—the strangers were getting closer, reaching the tents fast.

Renee glanced at Zayed beside her, asking quietly: "How many of these guys can your team take down?"

Zayed replied earnestly: "Not a chance."

Renee: "..." Are mercenary teams this useless these days?

Renee looked at the ten hulking men—most looked like boxers, a couple of them were Black, all built over two meters tall. Even if they weren’t fighters, they’d make solid muscle for some shady casino as enforcers.

The strangers jabbered away, completely disregarding Renee and her group.

Renee’s team had retreated to the very back, every eye pretending to be calm, but only looking even more weak and helpless.

Both sides were frozen in a standoff, when suddenly someone from Renee’s squad was shoved out—Kyle, clutching his military knife.

Kyle stumbled forward, standing up looking utterly lost, staring at the huge guy now right in front of him, almost crying: "I—I didn’t mean anything, bro, let’s talk this out..."

The huge man grabbed his collar, lifted him slightly, cocked his head and glared down, spitting out in English: "You got a death wish?"

Kyle’s face went instantly white with fear.

Renee and the others went ghostly pale too; now, even blowing the whistle would be useless—someone was about to get hurt.

Wendy and Zara both screamed, shrinking behind Lynn, motionless in terror.

Zayed and his team exchanged a glance, gripping their military knives tighter, a cold murderous glint flashing in their eyes.

Renee was facing real danger for the first time ever, forcing herself to stay calm, noticing Zayed’s intent, and stepped in front of him.

Zayed stared at the pale arm suddenly in front of him, confused, looking at Renee.

Renee shook her head at him, signaling he shouldn’t act recklessly.

Knowing they couldn’t win, going head-to-head would only make things worse. Even if the other side wasn’t planning to kill them, they wouldn’t show mercy either.

Zayed didn’t know exactly what Renee wanted, but got her meaning and signaled the guys behind him to put their knives away.

The strangers clearly didn’t regard these newbies as any kind of threat; their eyes scanned the group, finally resting on Renee at the front.

Not that they knew Renee, but her looks stood out, she seemed too calm—her contrast with the group behind, all jittery and hesitant, was sharp.

Renee, after keeping Zayed in check, looked at the big man holding Kyle, and spoke calmly: "Don’t hurt our teammate, we can talk this out."

The man held Kyle like a little chick, pale blue eyes radiating danger in the night, and spoke: "Hand over your food, or don’t blame us for getting rough."

Food?

Six of them already had no food left, the others only had half a packet of compressed biscuits. If they gave it up, they’d have nothing left to eat at all.

Squad One started getting restless again—they didn’t want to hand over their food, or else they’d never last to the end.

Wendy huddled behind Lynn, eyeing Renee out front, itching to use her old trick to shove Renee forward. Unfortunately, Renee was already so visible that any move would be noticed immediately.

Seeing Squad One hesitate, Wendy had a new idea, speaking in a delicate, melodramatic tone like a soap opera heroine, concern in her voice: "Renee, are you really going to give them the food?"

Before Renee could answer, the big guy holding Kyle suddenly got excited pointing at Renee: "You’re Renee Morgan? I heard you’re good in a fight?"