Chapter 700 - 342: 3 More Remain

"You two, get back to training when we get back. Han Ruoxi, you need to increase the range of your Superpower. Sun Yang, work on your accuracy.

Teamwork requires everyone to give their all, not make excuses for one another!"

"Alright, you’re right, Captain. I’ll listen to you!"

Sun Yang scratched his head and sank back into his chair, saying no more.

"Captain, you’re always so protective of Sun Yang, and he doesn’t even appreciate it!"

Han Ruoxi muttered, looking down to fiddle with her gloves in an attempt to hide her recent dissatisfaction.

"I don’t protect the useless!"

Li Chang’an said flatly, his gaze shifting to Bai Lin.

"Bai Lin, what’s the status of the mission data? Can we use it to analyze the Insect Race’s tactical patterns?"

"We can. The data collection was very thorough!"

Bai Lin answered while looking at the terminal screen.

"Their reconnaissance point setup is more complex than others we’ve encountered, especially their communication device encryption.

I’ll need time to decrypt the data when we get back. I might be able to find a pattern in their future movements!"

"Good. Make that your top priority when we return."

Li Chang’an nodded, then looked at Shen Qiuyue.

"Qiuyue, what problems did you notice during this mission?"

"Nothing major,"

Shen Qiuyue answered simply, then added,

"It’s just that the reaction time of the Insect Race’s guard units has noticeably improved, especially from the Commander Level individuals.

Their combat abilities are evolving. If we keep using our old tactics, there might be more casualties!"

"You’re right."

Li Chang’an nodded thoughtfully.

"This reconnaissance point is just the beginning. The Insect Race’s actions have clearly become more targeted.

We need to re-evaluate their threat level when we get back!"

Hearing this, Sun Yang couldn’t help but butt in.

"Captain, aren’t you being a little too uptight? No matter how much the Insect Race evolves, they’re still going to get their asses kicked by us. We’re an Insect Hunter Squad! We exist to take them down!"

"Sun Yang, can you use your brain?"

Shen Qiuyue turned her head to look at him, her tone icy.

"The Insect Race doesn’t just rely on brute force. They’re learning, evolving.

If you keep facing them with that attitude, sooner or later you’ll die a miserable death!"

"I... I didn’t say I wasn’t taking it seriously, I just think..."

Sun Yang stopped mid-sentence. Seeing Shen Qiuyue’s expression, he chose to shut up rather than argue.

"Enough. This mission was just the start. It’s only going to get tougher."

Li Chang’an stood up, patting down his gear.

"Back at the base, everyone gets a two-hour break. Then we meet to debrief and plan our next move."

"A meeting in just two hours?"

Han Ruoxi complained.

"Captain, you’re being too harsh on us! At least let me get some sleep!"

"Han Ruoxi, if you think you’re tired, you can apply for a transfer out of the Insect Hunter Squad!"

Li Chang’an’s tone was devoid of any emotion, directly shutting down her complaint.

"No, no, no, I was joking! Captain, don’t take it seriously!"

Han Ruoxi quickly waved her hands, a placating look on her face.

"I’ll be at the meeting! Two hours is enough, I promise to be on time!"

The Insect Hunter Squad returned to the base as it was approaching dawn.

Although the mission was complete, everyone’s expression was grave, especially Li Chang’an’s. He kept his brows furrowed, seemingly still thinking about the problems that had arisen during the mission.

"Captain, should we go to the equipment bay first or head straight back to the dorms?"

Han Ruoxi stood by the landing pad, carrying her Superpower Gloves, and asked lazily, her tone tinged with weariness.

"To the equipment bay first."

Li Chang’an said as he unbuckled his tactical belt.

"All weapons and gear need to be inspected and maintained.

Today’s fight was intense. If anyone’s gear fails, it could get you killed on the next mission!"

"That’s a bit grim, Captain."

Sun Yang shrugged, dragging his Pulse Gun as he followed behind.

"But you’re right, our gear really does need some maintenance.

My Pulse Gun needs some lubricant. It was getting hot near the end!"

"That’s because your rate of fire is too high!"

Shen Qiuyue walked past, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

"If you could be a little more accurate, you wouldn’t need so many rounds!"

"Shen Qiuyue, can you get off my back about my shooting? I successfully provided covering fire, didn’t I?"

Sun Yang retorted, indignant.

"Besides, that was suppressive fire. You understand tactics, right? You should be thanking me!"

"Fine. Next time we’ll let you suppress the Insect Race all by yourself. Let’s see how long you can talk tough then."

Shen Qiuyue replied coldly, her tone without a trace of warmth.

"Knock it off and move!"

Li Chang’an turned and glared at the two, his voice as cold as ice.

"Today’s mission may be complete, but everyone had issues.

When we get back, I want a report from each of you detailing your mistakes. They’re due tomorrow!"

"A report?"

Han Ruoxi practically jumped.

"Captain, that’s too harsh! We just got back from fighting the Insect Race, we haven’t even had a hot drink, and you’re making us write reports? Can’t you cut us some slack?"

"Slack? Sure. Don’t write it, and you’re off the squad."

Li Chang’an’s tone was calm, but every word drove in like a nail.

"The Insect Hunter Squad is not a place for your leisure and entertainment.

Every battle could be our last. Anyone who thinks it’s too tiring can apply to quit at any time!"

"No, no, no... I’ll write it, I’ll write it, okay!"

Han Ruoxi immediately raised both hands in surrender, a helpless look on her face.

"Captain, your words are sharp. They really cut deep."

"It’s not a sharp tongue, it’s an iron one!"

Sun Yang muttered quietly from behind, then was silenced by a death glare from Han Ruoxi.

The group walked into the equipment bay, placing their respective weapons on specialized maintenance benches.

A technician from the bay was already waiting there. A middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties walked over, an e-cigarette dangling from his mouth, and asked lazily,

"Out stirring up trouble again? How much damage to the gear?"

"Nothing major, but it all needs a full inspection."

Li Chang’an handed over his Saw Chain Sword, a hint of seriousness in his voice.

"Especially the Superpower Gloves and the Pulse Gun. Today’s fight was intense. We need them back by morning, so please rush it."

"Yeah, I know the drill with you guys,"

the technician said indistinctly, the e-cigarette still in his mouth.

"Every time you guys come back, you look like you just crawled out of a warzone. Gives me a headache.

Alright, you all go get some rest. I’ll have the gear sent to your dorms first thing in the morning!"

"Thanks."

Li Chang’an nodded, then turned to his squad members and said,

"Let’s assemble in the briefing room. We’re still holding a debrief, so don’t even think about slacking off."

"Captain, why are you such a slave driver?"

Sun Yang followed, dragging his feet with a look of utter despair.

"The mission just ended. Can’t the meeting wait? Can’t you just let me get some sleep first?"

"If you want to sleep so badly, you can die on the battlefield."

Li Chang’an said without turning his head, his tone so hard it was impossible to refute.

"...Fine. You’re the Captain. You call the shots."

Sun Yang pursed his lips and followed at the back of the group, still muttering under his breath.

’What a cold-blooded bastard...’

Before long, the group arrived at the briefing room. Li Chang’an activated the room’s holographic projector, and a tactical map of the Insect Race’s reconnaissance point appeared in mid-air.

Everyone gathered around, and the atmosphere grew serious.

"Bai Lin, start with your analysis."

Li Chang’an stood in front of the projection, his eyes on Bai Lin.

Bai Lin nodded, opened their terminal, and synced the data to the holographic projection.

"Based on this operation, the deployment of the Insect Race’s reconnaissance points is clearly much tighter.

Especially their communications system. It uses a brand-new encryption algorithm, more complex than anything we’ve seen before.

This shows that the Insect Race is evolving—not just physically, but their tactics and technology are improving as well!"

"Tactical improvements? Technology?"

Han Ruoxi frowned.