Chapter 45 Large-Scale Mission
As dawn broke, Ruan Ning started the SUV and drove away from the small village that was filled with bloodshed and crime.
She saw in the rearview mirror that the mother and daughter were also stumbling along in a car left behind by those superhumans, carefully following behind at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
Ruan Ning frowned, but neither stopped to drive them away nor sped up to shake them off. She simply maintained her original speed, tacitly accepting their following.
When they arrived at the Dawn Base, there was still a long queue outside the base gate, but the order seemed to be a little better than when Ruan Ning had just arrived. However, the despair and exhaustion that permeated the air were still heavy.
After undergoing a simple check (mainly to check for new injuries and confirm her identity), Ruan Ning was able to enter the base smoothly. Without looking back, she parked her car and walked directly towards her residence.
The mother and daughter's car was directed to the regular entry lane for ordinary citizens, where they underwent more complicated checks and registration.
Later, Ruan Ning would occasionally catch glimpses of the mother and daughter from afar within the base.
They seemed to heed Ruan Ning's words and struggled to find a way to survive in the base.
The mother found a job washing large quantities of dishes in the communal canteen, spending her days soaking in cold water and grease in exchange for meager food rations. The daughter, being young and weak, would sometimes help carry light materials at the city wall repair site, or learn to mend tattered clothes from other women in exchange for a little food.
They lived in an ordinary neighborhood, a crowded, noisy place with appalling sanitation conditions. Their dilapidated car became their temporary "home" and most important possession, parked in a designated area, barely providing shelter from the wind and rain.
Life was undoubtedly tough. Their faces were haggard, and the chilblains and cracks on their hands took a long time to heal in the cold weather. They wore the old, uniform cotton-padded clothes issued by the base, which were not very warm, and huddled in the cold wind.
They remained at the very bottom of the base, exhausting themselves for the most basic survival.
But at least they survived. They escaped the clutches of those thugs, no longer had to endure inhuman humiliation, and were fighting for a glimmer of hope in this cruel apocalypse through their meager labor.
The mother's eyes, though filled with exhaustion, were no longer entirely filled with despair; they held a hint of protection and perseverance.
Once, near the trading area, Ruan Ning saw a daughter carefully breaking apart the few biscuits she had painstakingly saved up and giving them to an even smaller child who was crying from hunger. The mother stood by and watched, not stopping her, but silently pulling her daughter's thin collar tighter.
Ruan Ning glanced at her indifferently and then turned to leave. She neither approached to acknowledge her nor offered any additional assistance.
For her, that night's action was merely a chance occurrence based on her own principles and a subtle resonance. She was not a savior, unable to save all beings. In this apocalyptic world, everyone must find their own path and bear their own destiny.
All she could offer them was a chance to escape immediate danger and enter a relatively orderly environment.
Whether they can truly establish themselves in this difficult world, and whether they can hold onto that glimmer of light that has not yet been extinguished in their hearts, depends on themselves.
Ruan Ning withdrew her gaze and continued walking towards the mission hall.
The mission hall was bustling with noise, even more so than usual.
On the huge electronic bulletin board, an urgent mission message marked with a red border was scrolling:
[Large-Scale Joint Mission: Exploration and Rescue]
Location: Pingzhou City, a neighboring city (approximately 100 kilometers from the base)
Target:
Clear obstacles and threats along the main road leading to Pingzhou City.
Search and rescue efforts are underway to identify any survivors within Pingzhou City.
Collect essential materials (medical equipment, industrial raw materials, scientific research data, etc.) from the designated list.
Scale: Large-scale, requiring collaboration from multiple parties.
Participants: Led by the base's military, all registered superhuman teams and powerful lone wolves are encouraged to participate.
Rewards: Extremely generous! Base score of 500 points, with additional rewards based on contribution. There are also substantial rewards for rescuing survivors and collecting important supplies! Compensation for those killed in action is excellent.
Risk level: Extremely high (expect to encounter large-scale zombie hordes, mutants and unknown dangers).
A large crowd gathered below the announcement, discussing it animatedly.
"Pingzhou City... I heard that the population density there was quite high before the apocalypse, but now it's probably become a zombie abode!"
"The rewards are really tempting, but the risks are too great..."
"With the military leading the way, it should be more reliable, right?"
Ruan Ning stood on the periphery of the crowd, calmly reading the mission details. At that moment, Zhou Min and Lin Yan squeezed through.
"Ruan Ning! Did you see that big mission?" Lin Yan asked, her voice a mix of excitement and worry. "The reward is incredibly generous, but I heard it's very dangerous."
Zhou Min adjusted her glasses, her tone calmer: "Risk and reward go hand in hand. The military organization is large-scale, so the chances of survival are higher than acting alone. Moreover, this is a good opportunity to quickly accumulate points and resources." She looked at Ruan Ning, "What do you think? Should we accept? If the three of us go together and support each other, our survival rate will be even higher."
Ruan Ning didn't answer immediately; her gaze swept across the hall, as if searching for something. Just then, she overheard a conversation among the people nearby:
"Have you heard? The 'Thunderstorm' team has also signed up! Lei Bao is personally leading the team!"
"Tsk, they're quite eager. Looks like they're eyeing the lucrative part of this mission."
"That's normal. Such a large-scale mission will definitely yield substantial rewards. Which strong team wouldn't want a piece of the pie?"
Thunder Leopard!
These two words, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, stirred ripples in Ruan Ning's heart. Her eyes sharpened instantly, and her previously weighing-the-pros and cons was resolved immediately.
“I will accept it,” Ruan Ning said decisively, her voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable force.
Zhou Min and Lin Yan were both somewhat surprised by her quick agreement. Lin Yan even asked directly, "Didn't you used to prefer acting alone? Why are you like this...?"
Ruan Ning interrupted her, her tone calm yet meaningful: "The mission is large-scale and risky, but the opportunities are also great. By following the military and the main force, you might see more and... meet some 'unexpected' people." She deliberately emphasized the word "unexpected" almost imperceptibly.
Zhou Min glanced thoughtfully at Ruan Ning, seemingly sensing something, but didn't say anything. Lin Yan, on the other hand, didn't think much of it and clapped her hands happily: "Then it's settled! The three of us will go together!"
The three arrived at the mission registration desk and signed up for the joint mission as a temporary team. The registrar recorded their information and ability types, and informed them of the meeting time, location, and preliminary action plan.
After leaving the mission hall, Ruan Ning said she needed to prepare alone and parted ways with Zhou Min and Lin Yan. She immediately went to the information exchange and found Lao Dao.
"Is Lei Bao confirmed to participate in the mission in Pingzhou City?" Ruan Ning asked directly.
“Absolutely true.” Old Knife nodded firmly. “The ‘Thunderstorm’ team has officially signed up, with Lei Bao personally leading the team; they’ve practically gone all out. It seems they’re determined to succeed in this mission.” He paused, then lowered his voice, “Miss Ruan, you mean…?”
"Just do your job." Ruan Ning didn't explain, but simply paid another sum of money. "Continue to keep an eye on their movements, especially... whether that mother and daughter will come along." She needed to know if Lin Jiaojiao and Lin Wanyun would also be on this mission. If she could find an opportunity in the chaotic battlefield... a cold glint flashed in Ruan Ning's eyes.
"Understood." Old Dao understood immediately and solemnly accepted the reward.
Back at her residence, Ruan Ning began to make careful preparations.
She inspected all the weapons, sharpened the machete again; took out enough food, water and first-aid medicine from her storage space; prepared a variety of tools that might be needed; and she also carried with her the secondary crystal cores she had previously harvested but had not yet absorbed, just in case.
She knew this mission would be anything but easy. The danger in Pingzhou was real. But more than the zombies on the surface, the "old acquaintances" hidden within the team and the potential opportunities for revenge were her true targets.
“Lei Bao… Lin Jiaojiao… I hope you won’t disappoint me.” Ruan Ning stroked the cold blade, a cold smile curving her lips.
On the morning of the fifth day, the assembly point outside the west gate of the base was bustling with activity, filled with the roar of vehicles and a large crowd. Military vehicles, various modified private cars, and teams of superhumans of different sizes gathered there, creating a tense and solemn atmosphere.
Ruan Ning's team, driving modified off-road vehicles, blended into the large group. Her gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept across the entire area, quickly locking onto the team that was flying the "Thunderstorm" flag, whose members were arrogant, and whose vehicles were also well-modified.
At the very front of the group stood a tall man with an arrogant gaze and faint, flickering electric arcs around his body—this was Lei Bao.
Ruan Ning's mental energy quietly spread over, but she didn't sense any obvious mental fluctuations from Lin Jiaojiao and her daughter. They were probably staying at the base. This made her slightly disappointed, but she quickly reassured herself—it might be more difficult to make a move with Lei Bao by his side.
"Depart!" With a command from the military commander, the massive joint convoy, like a steel torrent, carrying hope, desire, and killing intent, slowly drove away from the Dawn Base and rolled towards Pingzhou City, a hundred kilometers away.
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