[Special Challenge: Tame Modified Zombie: S-level. Kill Modified Zombie: A-level. Drive Modified Zombie Away: B-level. Time limit sixty minutes, Accept/Decline]
"So it’s this kind of special method, that’s pretty good... scaring myself."
Zhang Su initially wondered what the special way was, turns out the reward level is decided based on the method of completion. This looks more humane compared to previous challenge tasks.
This way allows for more flexible choices, preventing the loss of better rewards due to opting for easier methods for safety and ending up completing the challenge with high difficulty.
That being said, Zhang Su looked at the S-level he’s never completed before, feeling a bit anxious.
Even without the challenge task, Zhang Su really wants to tame 004, otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought Program No. 1 along, but he estimates the chances of success are slim.
Program No. 1 requires a process for so-called communication, and this process is key.
But now is not the time to think about how to complete the challenge because less than fifty seconds remain to decide whether to accept or not.
"If I don’t accept, is there any special punishment?"
Zhang Su tried conducting a communication in his mind, but after half a minute, as usual, he received no response.
"Alright then, it’s something we were going to do anyway, why abandon it... accept!"
His thoughts changed in his mind, and the subtitles transformed.
[Special Challenge Accepted, Timer Starts: 00:59:59]
Space-time lock state returned to normal, Zhang Su continued operating the cipher lock, unable to stop thinking about how to create a suitable environment for Program No. 1 to communicate.
Everyone except Zhang Su was in position; the four operating the tank were on high alert, forty or so others stood by the vehicle aiming their guns into the distance, Tan Huajun hid in a corner with a rocket launcher, 003 was driven under the vehicle, with only the last neck restraint connected to the current, due to the lack of sprayed pheromones, it lazily sat in the barren field.
"Hey!"
Zhang Su jumped off the vehicle, grabbing the iron chain, standing beside the box truck, Program No. 1 stood not far away nearby, accompanied and cared for by Zheng Xinyu and several core members.
"How to operate... let’s see as we go."
Zhang Su pondered internally; he hasn’t engaged yet, completely unaware of the situation. Perhaps the challenge is less difficult than imagined, anything is possible.
An unspoken standoff, nobody spoke; in the cold climate, the single-eye aiming people’s sweat trickled down their foreheads, rolling hot white breath swirled, wisps of fog rose from the hats on some people’s heads, imagining the hot blood surging inside every person.
Even those meeting 004 for the first time felt a huge pressure from its extraordinary body ratio!
"It’s afraid of the Fire-breathing Zombie!"
Zhang Su spoke.
With super-vision, he could clearly see the bizarre vertical long pupils of 004. Since the pupils are not monochrome like typical zombies, he could still discern where its gaze was focused.
Not the tank, nor 003, not even the rocket launcher, but the fiery figure within the box truck beside him!
"It seems this guy can really sense danger!"
Chen Hanzhou propped the gun on his mechanical prosthetic, visibly excited, rare among those eager to try, the strange energy within fueling his fighting spirit.
"It appears the experience of catching fire at the Cyan Dragon Corps left it an indelible shadow!"
"Let me try."
Clang.
Zhang Su pulled the iron chain, and within a moment, a dramatic change occurred!
When the steel plate in front of the Fire-breathing Zombie was lifted, flames about to burst forth, 004 moved!
"Fire!"
Zhang Su reacted the fastest, he had always been watching 004 closely. Although the white fog couldn’t cover such a distant range, he had become accustomed to using subtle muscle movements to anticipate, issuing the command the instant 004’s legs exerted force.
Releasing the iron chain, closing the gate, a ball of fire rolled from the opening of the cargo box then extinguished in the air.
004’s previous caution lulled Zhang Su into complacency; he never expected 004 to suddenly go berserk, the tall, large-bodied figure leapt from afar. The challenge task was directly cast aside, tame, kill, or drive away, can there really be a choice?
Is there a possibility that winning itself is difficult, and to what extent can one achieve, just do your best!
Bang, bang...
Da da da, da da da...
Two tanks fired almost simultaneously; the powerful recoil made the tanks tremble, the tracer shell tail streaked a graceful light arc across the dim sky, rushing towards 004 at incredible speed.
Bullets were similarly unwilling to lag behind, forty plus guns fired together, even if it couldn’t compare to the grandeur of the anti-air systems, it still formed a bullet curtain veering towards 004.
With such firepower, even the assault of tens of thousands of ordinary zombies can be stopped for a moment, even a hundred big ones can find it hard to step over a thunder pool, provided the shell doesn’t start a fire...
If the simultaneous rifle volley and shell discharge were tremendously awe-inspiring, then 004 dodging amid the fireline was astonishingly admirable, too bad it was the enemy!
Amidst rising smoke, a black shadow agilely flitted, 004 side jumped, its lanky figure traversing motion paths beyond human understanding, successfully dodging two shells, like a scene in a dramatic series...
Crash!
The shell exploded on the farmhouse yard at the foot of the hill in the village behind, raising a dust and debris cloud, bricks flew dozens of meters away.
Zhang Su stared laser-focused at 004, despite its stunning performance, he could still feel its agility wasn’t as sharp as back with the Cyan Dragon Corps, its speed had decreased, that meant its strength too likely followed suit!
Severe injuries not healing is one aspect, back then 004 was engulfed in flames, its combat power greatly augmented, under such reductions and augmentations, naturally incomparable.
Yet even weakened—the opponent’s fighting prowess—is not something ordinary people can contend with, still exceedingly formidable!
Pop, pop, pop, pop...
Bullets rained down, leaving a path of craters in the dry barren field, the dust trail tracing the path of 004’s side jump, smoke billowing, scenes matching those in war blockbusters manifest in reality.
Da da da, da da da...
Appearing to be sweeping fire, actually, everyone was engaging in two or three round burst shooting; this shooting style is more conducive to targeting while saving ammunition.
dismissed attacks from the Small Skinny Monkeys, appearing rather poised, dodging firearm attacks swiftly with leaps, simultaneously nearing a range of forty to fifty meters, but it seemed to dread the Fire-breathing Zombie, retreating to over a hundred meters after a feint!
Bang!
As 004 leaped high again, another flickering firelight manifested, Tan Huajun seized the opportunity to launch a rocket, streaking light illuminated the faces of all, darting towards 004’s imminent landing spot.
Boom!
"Damn! Hit it, haha..."
The crowd cheered loudly, ceasing fire, the rocket accurately struck 004, a puff of black smoke and dust arose.
Has the intense battle ended just like that?
"That bastard took one from Sister Pang and its spirit flew beyond!"
"Thought it was more impressive, but well, not much stronger than ordinary zombies, haha!"
"Would be good if it really could kill it..."
Zhang Su couldn’t help but think, getting A is okay, it’s already better than B.
Yet the next second, everyone was left stunned because that slender figure unexpectedly emerged from the black smoke.