Finally, with a mournful cry, the mutated bear collapsed to the ground, never to be heard again.
Ning Yu staggered back a few steps, his vision blurring, but he still managed to walk to Li San's side to check on his injuries.
“Captain…” Li San weakly opened his eyes, his voice trembling, “I…I thought I was going to die…”
"Don't speak, I'll take you back." Ning Yu said, carrying Li San on his back.
Back in the group, when they saw Ning Yu carrying Li San back covered in blood, the previously noisy group immediately fell silent.
"Captain! Are you alright!" Mu Xue was the first to react. She rushed forward and supported the swaying Ning Yu, her worry evident in her words.
"I'm fine." Ning Yu shook her head and gently placed Li San on the ground. "He needs treatment."
However, at that moment, Wang Qiang and several team members surrounded them, their eyes filled with hostility.
"Captain, you'd better explain why you're the only one who returned unharmed, while Li San was seriously injured? Did you know there was danger here all along and deliberately send us away, and then..."
"Wang Qiang, what nonsense are you spouting!" Mu Xue retorted angrily, "If it weren't for the captain, Li San would be dead already!"
"Hmph, who knows if it's a show he orchestrated himself?" Wang Qiang sneered, his eyes filled with suspicion and hostility as he looked at Ning Yu.
The other team members remained silent, but their gazes towards Ning Yu became complicated. Suspicion and doubt spread like a plague through the team.
Looking at his former comrades-in-arms, Ning Yu felt a deep sense of powerlessness. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but found his throat dry and unable to utter a single word.
"Captain, you'd better give us a reasonable explanation, otherwise..." Wang Qiang pressed closer, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Ning Yu took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. He slowly took out the blood-stained ore from his pocket and placed it in front of everyone.
"This is the answer."
The blood-stained ore reflected an eerie glow in the dim firelight, as if silently telling a story. Everyone's gaze was drawn to this peculiar ore; confusion, bewilderment, and doubt intertwined in their eyes.
"What is this?" someone couldn't help but ask.
"A rock?" Wang Qiang sneered. "Captain, you're not trying to tell us that this rock can save our lives, are you?"
Ning Yu ignored Wang Qiang's taunts. He simply stared quietly at the ore in his hand, his eyes deep and resolute. He had found this ore at the spot where he fought the mutated bear. The system's information indicated that it was an extremely rare energy ore, containing immense energy. If they could utilize it, it might change their current predicament.
"I know you have many questions right now, and I don't want to explain too much," Ning Yu looked around at everyone, his tone low but full of strength, "I'll just ask you one question: Do you believe me?"
Silence, a long silence.
Within the group, some had shifty eyes, some remained silent with their heads down, and others wore expressions of resentment. Once the seeds of suspicion are sown, they quickly take root and sprout, devouring the original trust completely.
"I believe you." Mu Xue's voice broke the silence. She walked to Ning Yu's side and stood firmly beside him.
Ning Yu turned to look at Mu Xue, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes. He knew how precious Mu Xue's trust was to him at this moment.
"I believe in the captain too!" Li San struggled to stand up, but due to his severe injuries, he fell back to the ground. However, he still said firmly, "If it weren't for the captain, I would be dead by now!"
However, their trust did not earn them the support of others. Wang Qiang sneered, his tone full of sarcasm: "How touching! Too bad, I'm not as naive as you. You think you can make us believe you can solve problems with a broken rock? That's just wishful thinking!"
"Exactly, why should we believe you?"
"Who knows if you're lying to us?"
A chorus of doubts arose, and Ning Yu's expression grew increasingly grim. He clenched his fists, struggling to control his anger. He knew this was not the time to act impulsively; he had to calm down and find a solution.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and gripped the ore tightly in his hand, as if he were holding their future in his grasp. Enduring the pain, he staggered towards the crowd and slowly began to speak: "This ore is..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com