Chapter 24: The Pinnacle of Ambush

Bai Feng crept quietly forward, relying on his eyes to identify the type of beast lurking ahead.

“It’s an Ironfoot Beetle. Not much offensive power, but its defense is formidable. Its weakness lies in the abdomen close to the ground. Now that it’s hiding in a pit, attacking that spot will be difficult. If we go in head-on, we’ll need armor-piercing rounds, which are costly and would damage the valuable shell.”

“There’s a blind spot about ten meters from its hiding place. Ou Youning, you can set a directional impact bomb there. Then Bai Feng will lure the Ironfoot Beetle over, and the shock to its abdomen should deal fatal damage. Bai Feng, you must retreat quickly when the bomb explodes. Wen Lei and I will cover the flanks. Mr. Ren, you and Han Yu wait in the car. Any objections?”

Zheng Tian considered for a moment and began to assign roles.

The entire process matched Ren Chong’s memories perfectly.

It seemed seamless, but it was actually just a case of brute force overpowering any strategy—a recipe for disaster.

“Wait, I have a suggestion.”

Unexpectedly, as everyone prepared to act, Ren Chong spoke up.

Zheng Tian paused, unsure of his intent. “Mr. Ren, do you have anything to add?”

Ren Chong opened his equipment bag, revealing four training-grade batteries and a magnetic storm dust grenade worth fifty contribution points.

He handed the grenade to Ou Youning.

Ou Youning, recognizing its value, stared in confusion as he accepted the level-three bomb worth nearly half his possessions. “Mr. Ren, what’s this for?”

Ren Chong smiled. “Just hold onto it.”

Ou Youning protested, “It’s unnecessary. We’re just dealing with an Ironfoot Beetle. Including its chip, it’s worth at most three contribution points. Blowing it up with this treasure is like using a cannon to kill a mosquito! My mini directional impact bomb costs only a few coins, so there’s actually a profit.”

Ren Chong didn’t waste time explaining. Before events unfolded, he couldn’t say much anyway. Sensing the group’s excessive deference toward him, Ren Chong decided to use it to his advantage, setting his face sternly. “Just take it. You don’t have to use it—just in case.”

Ou Youning relented. “Alright… fine.”

Ren Chong then turned to Zheng Tian, adopting a consultative tone. “I have some ideas. Would you let me handle the details of the ambush?”

Zheng Tian was taken aback.

Frankly, Ren Chong’s proposal didn’t align with the scavenger team’s code of conduct. He wasn’t a formal member, nor did he possess proven strength. This was his first group operation—he hadn’t even passed the trial phase. The day seemed smooth, but the scavenger team danced daily with death in the wilds; a single misstep could mean annihilation. Strict discipline was their lifeline.

Mistakes meant casualties.

Zheng Tian was the sole commander, and letting someone she’d only met that day take charge was tantamount to risking everyone’s lives.

Yet—

Zheng Tian smiled and agreed, “Alright.”

Ren Chong rearranged the ambush formation.

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Like moving chess pieces, Ren Chong positioned Wen Lei at the location where the Bladewing Mantis would appear. Wen Lei’s previous demise was due to exposing his back to the creature. Facing it head-on, his heavy armor might withstand a blow.

This time, Ren Chong wouldn’t be a bystander. He planned to aim ahead of time, unleashing firepower at the Bladewing’s approach.

He had no marksmanship to speak of. With the Bladewing’s agility, a single feint would render his reflexes useless; even aiming would be impossible.

But that didn’t matter. He only needed to empty a magazine at the moment it appeared, spraying bullets to create a zone of fire—accuracy wasn’t important, only coverage, enough to provide Wen Lei with some protection.

This would also limit the Bladewing Mantis’s possible directions.

There was an eighty percent chance it would move to the spot Ren Chong intended.

If it went straight, Ou Youning, waiting at a vantage point, could throw the magnetic storm dust grenade—with over fifty percent chance it would explode within two meters of the Bladewing.

Ren Chong repositioned Bai Feng as well.

Although a tier-one operative was like an ant before a tier-three Bladewing Mantis, with proper use, the team could influence its movements.

He adjusted Zheng Tian’s position too.

If, after the explosion, the Bladewing still rushed toward Bai Feng, Zheng Tian, an experienced gunner, would have a chance to target the soft tissue at the back of its head.

That was the counterattack Ren Chong had conjured from nothing.

Except for Chen Han Yu, he maximized everyone’s contribution—including his own.

He didn’t explain the logic behind his arrangements.

Fortunately, Zheng Tian’s support kept the others obedient despite their doubts.

Time ticked by.

Under Bai Feng’s lure, the Ironfoot Beetle was about to crawl past the ambush point.

Ou Youning’s finger hovered over the remote trigger.

In two seconds, as the beetle passed over the bomb, he would detonate it.

Everyone’s attention was fixed on the Ironfoot Beetle, apart from Ren Chong, who lowered the car window and aimed his machine gun at the spot behind Wen Lei.

Ou Youning pressed the trigger—detonation!

A violent tremor erupted beneath the Ironfoot Beetle, dirt and sand spraying everywhere.

The beetle was instantly flipped, landing on its back.

Seeing their objective achieved, the others relaxed slightly.

Ren Chong’s heart was pounding.

Life and death would be decided now!

Inside the car, a red indicator light flashed, followed by a piercing alarm.

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Chen Han Yu glanced at the electronic map, her face draining of color.

Warning voices sounded through everyone’s communicators, sending chills through their hearts.

Energy level index: 370 to 650!

Tier-three beast!

Hyper-reactive!

It was the Bladewing Mantis!

A wave of dread washed over everyone, chilling them to the bone.

It was over.

Ren Chong didn’t even glance at the sensor’s readings. Instead, he shouted into the communicator, “It’s the Bladewing Mantis! Don’t panic! Don’t run! Running means certain death! Wen Lei, turn around and raise your shield immediately! Ou Youning! Pull the safety on the magnetic storm grenade! Throw it down the slope toward the bushes!”

Nearly paralyzed by terror, desperate to flee, the group was suddenly steadied by Ren Chong’s calm and orderly instructions.

Zheng Tian’s team members felt an inexplicable surge of hope.

In a flash, they recalled the magnetic storm grenade, and the seemingly pointless arrangements Ren Chong had made beforehand.

Could it be…

Either way, facing the Bladewing Mantis, running was death—might as well fight!

The next instant, from a hundred meters away, a green shadow flashed like lightning, hurtling straight at Wen Lei, who had raised his shield.

Exactly as Ren Chong had predicted.

Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!

Seated in the car, Ren Chong gripped his machine gun, unleashing a torrent of bullets at the predetermined spot.

The Bladewing Mantis was too fast.

He couldn’t aim precisely.

But it didn’t matter.

The barrage fell like a waterfall, forming a curtain of bullets across the Bladewing’s path to Wen Lei.

It was as if the Bladewing Mantis willingly stepped into the fire.

Hit after hit!

Sparks flew, metal rang.

…………………………

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