Embers Ad Infinitum

As they looked at each other, Jiang Baimian threw the rocket launcher in her left hand to the ground and did the same to the submachine gun slung around her.

After completing these two matters, she flicked her wrist and unwound the Life Angel necklace around her wrist. She then stuffed the item into her pocket.

This way, Jiang Baimian appeared especially symmetrical.

For this, she specially adjusted the direction of her ponytail and lowered her left arm to keep it in line with her paralyzed right hand. During this process, Jiang Baimian gestured ‘4.’

Therefore, when she did those actions, Shang Jianyao completed a prime replica.

He threw an imaginary grenade launcher to the ground and did the same to the Berserker assault rifle slung around him. Although there was no need, he still swung his wrist a few times before taking off the Six Senses Beads and stuffing them into his pocket.

He didn’t miss combing his hair back and lowering his arms, so much so that it prompted Jiang Baimian into cursing.

Meanwhile, Bai Chen only adjusted the Orange rifle’s position and placed it right down her middle.

Not only did Long Yuehong not make himself symmetrical, but he also flicked out the can opener attached to the T1 mechanical arm. He then stretched his left foot forward and tapped the ground.

He did whatever was convenient to make himself asymmetrical!

The content of the Old Task Force’s Plan 4 was very simple. The core only had one sentence: They would use Long Yuehong as bait to attract the Golden Scale domain assassin with severe symmetry OCD into attacking him. The other three members would seize the opportunity to lock onto the other party and deliver a fatal blow.

In any case, Long Yuehong was wearing the Blackmarsh Iron Snake bionic artificial intelligence armor. Only his T1 mechanical arm was exposed, allowing him to withstand most of the damage.

By the same logic, Bai Chen—who was protected by the Chameleon bionic artificial intelligence armor—could be a secondary choice. Therefore, she didn’t deliberately make herself very symmetrical.

After the Old Task Force members quickly composed themselves, time seemed to freeze. If not for the occasional breeze, the scene appeared like a still photo.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao’s attention was mostly on Long Yuehong, and they only diverted a small portion of their attention to Bai Chen.

Jiang Baimian still had some vigilance for herself, but Shang Jianyao acted like he didn’t care at all. He only inserted his hands into his pockets as if he were an onlooker.

As time passed, Long Yuehong felt highly nervous as if his corresponding nerves would snap at any moment. He was also worried that the enemy would appear at Bai Chen’s side. It’s been so long. Could it be that she had already evacuated when she saw that the situation wasn’t right? Team Leader said that she definitely can’t suppress her symmetry OCD for long. Is she really ‘willing’ to leave and not do anything? I have to watch Little White. In any case, the enemy doesn’t seem to have any especially powerful weapons. As for Awakened abilities, I can’t defend against them…

Why hasn’t she appeared yet? Can she hold it in? Thoughts flashed through Long Yuehong’s mind one after another, making him find time unbearable.

He suddenly had an idea and felt that it was necessary to do something to increase the probability of being attacked lest Little White become the enemy’s main target.

As his thoughts raced, Long Yuehong cast his gaze dozens of meters away.

Another unconscious enemy was lying there.

He might escape the influence and wake up slowly… He’s an Awakened in the Last Man domain. He can read our memories and make modifications that are impossible to guard against… Long Yuehong immediately had an idea. He held the Berserker assault rifle with his bare mechanical arm and quickly approached Welf.

He wanted to take advantage of the other party’s coma to end his life and completely reduce the enemy count by one. At the same time, this could also attract the assassin to attack him.

This was a plan that killed two birds with one stone.

Long Yuehong had just walked more than ten meters when a figure quickly outlined itself behind him.

Xu Lan had yet to leave.

She didn’t want to leave.

This seriously asymmetrical fellow was a thorn in her flesh. She had to do something to vent the anger in her heart.

The ‘displeasure’ accumulated from the previous two reconnaissances and the assassination made her unable to control herself at all. Of course, as an experienced assassin, Xu Lan didn’t act rashly. Instead, she patiently waited for an opportunity.

She wasn’t blind, so she could naturally tell that the target was wearing artificial intelligence armor with outstanding defense. Her two United 202s were most likely unable to harm the other party, and the two high-performance explosives she carried with her might be able to complete the goal of breaking through the defenses. However, it was very easy to implicate herself.

When the time came, it might be a case of going out for wool and coming home shorn.

Amidst the indescribable suffering, Xu Lan saw that not only did Long Yuehong not stay where he was, but he also tried to attack Welf. She couldn’t hold it in any longer and had her brain controlled by anger.

As soon as she appeared, she immediately used an ability on everyone present—Sluggish Reaction!

This reaction only referred to the reaction when one was attacked, but it was enough given the current situation.

Xu Lan didn’t use this ability when she previously attacked Jiang Baimian because she felt that the latter wouldn’t be able to react in time if she ‘concealed’ herself and fired the moment she appeared. There was no need to add such an effect midway.

Furthermore, Welf had previously flipped through her memories in a rush and didn’t have a detailed grasp of the enemy team’s information. Xu Lan was worried that the other party might have the ability or equipment to weaken Sluggish Reaction, exposing her completely before she fired and thus being unable to carry out the subsequent developments. Therefore, it was better to use Invisibility—which allowed for greater error correction—to approach, appear, and fire.

Shang Jianyao, Jiang Baimian, Bai Chen, and Long Yuehong seemed to fall into a slow-motion state in an instant. They clearly saw the enemy appear, but their prepared responses could only be squeezed out bit by bit.

Xu Lan—who was holding two guns—aimed at Long Yuehong. She didn’t care if she could break through Long Yuehong’s defense as she pulled the trigger with slightly red eyes.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The bullets struck the Blackmarsh Iron Snake bionic artificial intelligence armor’s surface, only producing slight cracks.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Xu Lan wasn’t stingy with her bullets and tried to empty the magazine as soon as possible.

Long Yuehong—who was being pushed back by the powerful impact—suddenly ‘came to his senses.’ He then turned around and fired.

His genetic modification was considered relatively mediocre, but it included Enhanced Self Recovery, Increased Immunity, and Increased Reaction Speed.

Increased Reaction Speed!

Amidst the gunfire, Xu Lan’s pupils dilated as she suddenly pounced to the ground. In midair, she quickly concealed herself.

Amidst a plume of dust, Long Yuehong regretfully realized that he had failed to hit the target.

He had also lost track of the enemy.

Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and Bai Chen had already reacted by this time, but they were still a little slow.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Baimian directly shouted, “Finish off the other one first!”

This was to prevent another dangerous enemy from appearing later.

Shang Jianyao responded to her call and rolled to the ground, picking up the Berserker assault rifle he had thrown away.

Jiang Baimian took off a grenade from her belt, pulled out the ring with her teeth, and used her left hand’s strength to throw it at Welf.

Bai Chen raised the Orange rifle.

Xu Lan—who had vented her anger through the previous wave of attacks—was prepared to hide and leave so as to find another opportunity at a later date. However, she saw the Old Task Force members launch an attack at Welf.

Her expression changed a few times before she finally gave up on the idea of using Full-Body Numbness on her enemies.

As the body didn’t include consciousness, Shang Jianyao could also use his Awakened abilities.

When the time came, Xu Lan might not be able to escape if she fell into a certain state.

Finally, Xu Lan took out a bunch of high-performance explosives and threw them at Welf. She wanted to destroy all the possible clues left on her companion!

As she threw out the high-performance explosives, Xu Lan pounced to the ground and hid again.

Rumble!

A gigantic fireball rose as a violent explosion engulfed Welf.

Xu Lan looked back and gritted her teeth. She took a detour and left the area in front of the Holm Fertility Center’s door.

On the way, she vaguely felt a weak flash of light in the surrounding houses.

After returning to the roof first, Xu Lan picked up the tablet computer and realized that its battery had been rapidly drained.

“I have to find a place to charge and seek Doctor’s help,” Xu Lan muttered to herself.

She found the two hidden rings, picked up her backpack, and quickly left.

After she really distanced herself, Xu Lan thoughtfully cast her gaze elsewhere. If I want to complete the mission here, I might have to use Wu Meng’s help. I have to think of a way to use his strength. I won’t hesitate even if I have to break his seal.

…

On the street in front of the Holm Fertility Center.

The Old Task Force members looked at the corpse that had been reduced to countless pieces of flesh and blood, completely helpless.