"There's no turning back!" A resolute glint flashed in Ning Yu's eyes as he roared into the communicator, "Everyone, target the supply zone! Advance in defensive formation! Even if it costs us our lives, we must get the resources!"

The team members knew the situation was critical; rather than waiting to die, they decided to fight back. They gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes gleaming with a fearless determination.

"yes!"

Ning Yu took the lead, wielding his Tang sword, and once again charged at the giant monster. Although his attacks couldn't inflict fatal damage, they did draw its attention, buying time for the other team members.

Mu Xue, wielding a laser gun, fired continuously during the monster's lulls in its attacks, accurately hitting its vulnerable spots such as the eyes and mouth. The other team members also performed their duties, working together seamlessly to defend against the monster's attacks.

However, as time went on, the mysterious creatures' attacks became increasingly fierce, and they seemed to have realized the squad's intentions, so they began to change tactics.

"roar--!"

A sharp roar ripped through the passage, followed by several more enormous figures emerging from its depths. They attacked the team simultaneously from multiple directions, their sharp claws gleaming with a chilling light, sending shivers down the spines of those present.

"Damn it! Where did they come from?!"

"Captain, we're surrounded!"

The team members were immediately plunged into a fierce battle. They stood back to back, forming a defensive circle, desperately resisting attacks from all directions. However, under the combined pressure of numbers and strength, their defenses began to crumble.

"Ning Yu, watch out!"

Suddenly, Mu Xue's exclamation made Ning Yu's heart sink. He turned his head sharply, his pupils contracting abruptly...

A much larger monster had somehow circled behind Ning Yu, its gaping maw and sharp fangs piercing his back like daggers.

At the critical moment, Mu Xue's figure flashed past like lightning. Without hesitation, she pushed Ning Yu away, but she didn't have time to dodge and was violently knocked away by the monster, crashing heavily against the wall.

"Mu Xue!" Ning Yu's eyes widened in horror, his heart feeling as if it had been squeezed tightly.

He leaped to Mu Xue's side and saw that her face was pale, a trace of blood was spilling from the corner of her mouth, and her breath was weak.

"Cough cough..." Mu Xue opened her eyes with difficulty, looked at Ning Yu, and forced a weak smile. "I'm fine... You... It's good that you're alright..."

"Don't speak!" Ning Yu's eyes reddened, and he quickly took out a healing potion from his pocket and injected it into Mu Xue's body.

"Captain, we can't hold on any longer!" a team member shouted anxiously.

"Retreat! Retreat immediately!" Ning Yu made a decisive decision and ordered a retreat.

The team members fought and retreated, covering Ning Yu and Mu Xue's evacuation from the passage.

Back on the ground, looking at the few remaining team members and the meager resources, Ning Yu was filled with bitterness and self-blame. He knew he had miscalculated this operation.

He underestimated the strength of those mysterious creatures and overestimated the capabilities of his own team. More importantly, in his pursuit of resources, he placed his team members in dangerous situations, even causing Mu Xue to be seriously injured while protecting him.

“Captain, we…” A team member hesitated, his face filled with exhaustion and confusion.

Ning Yu fell silent. He knew what his teammates wanted to ask, but he didn't know how to answer.

"Captain, our losses this time are too great..." another team member's voice was low and hoarse.

Ning Yu raised his head and looked at the familiar faces. They had once been full of trust and admiration for him, but at this moment, he saw a trace of doubt and wavering in their eyes.

"I..." Ning Yu opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

"Shouldn't we..."

"Enough!"

Ning Yu suddenly stood up, interrupting his teammates. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger and grief in his heart, "I will give everyone an explanation!"

After saying that, he turned and walked towards his room, leaving the team members standing there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

"The captain..."

"Shh-"

Inside the room, Ning Yu slammed his fist on the table. The wooden table creaked under the weight and finally collapsed with a crash. The scattered documents and blueprints seemed to silently mock the failure of his mission.

"Cough cough..." Ning Yu clutched his chest and coughed violently. The injury Mu Xue had sustained to save him felt like a huge boulder, weighing heavily on his heart and making it hard for him to breathe.

He was well aware of the risks of this operation. But he desperately needed those resources; his power needed to grow and expand. Only in this way could he survive in this cruel apocalypse and protect those he wanted to protect.

“But…” Ning Yu leaned weakly against the wall, the questioning looks in his teammates’ eyes flashing through his mind. Those eyes that were once full of trust and admiration for him were now shrouded in shadow, making him feel extremely frustrated and confused.

"Knock knock knock—"

There was a soft knock on the door. Ning Yu forced himself to stay awake and said, "Come in."

"Captain, are you alright?" It was Liu Qiang, who was in charge of logistics. He looked at the mess in the room and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

"I'm fine." Ning Yu shook his head and asked, "How's the situation in the team?"

“Everyone’s in a bad mood,” Liu Qiang sighed. “The losses from this operation were too great, and some people…” He paused, as if choosing his words carefully, “…some people don’t quite understand your decision.”

Ning Yu fell silent. He knew what Liu Qiang hadn't said. The failure of this operation had already affected his prestige, and some dissenting voices had emerged within the team, which made him feel very frustrated.

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