Su Chen reentered the off-road vehicle, and they resumed their journey. Communication between Wang Li and Su Wenhao was sporadic at best, but they managed to provide general directions.
Meanwhile, Su Wenhao diligently kept an eye out for any signs of Lin Mo's movements. The information Su Chen had obtained through the phone was too vague. While it might have been possible to locate individuals with such limited information before the apocalypse, it proved exceedingly challenging now. The primary focus remained on finding a direction, relying heavily on the military's own efforts.
The main points of contact were Su Wenhao and Wang Li.
Su Chen settled into the vehicle, engrossed in the various tasks he had neglected. Strengthening his body and modifying batteries consumed his attention. The energy unit required for battery modifications varied depending on the model, and Su Chen surmised that the power output would also differ.
Progress in strengthening his body proved sluggish. The level of bodily transformation he sought proved arduous and time-consuming, surpassing his initial expectations. From bone structure and muscle development to organ enhancement, each step presented its own challenges.
Then there was the figurine. Su Chen's curiosity got the better of him, prompting him to infuse it with a unit of energy. He anticipated a transformation, but the outcome left him somewhat disappointed.
Upon infusion, the figurine itself exhibited minimal change, while the beige sailor suit underwent a significant transformation. It morphed into a sleek black ensemble, shedding the appearance of a typical school uniform and exuding a cool aura, accentuating Lihua's performance.
Aside from that alteration, nothing else occurred.
A wry smile tugged at the corners of Su Chen's mouth. After a moment's consideration, he tossed the figurine into the crevice of the Ring of Anova and resumed his magical battery modifications.
They pressed onward toward the opposite end of the battleground.
The military had temporarily abandoned large-scale operations in favor of evacuating as many survivors as possible while preserving their forces. As a result, the military presence scattered in dispersed waves rather than converging. The monsters, too, seemed widely dispersed. Within a hundred-kilometer radius, humans and monsters engaged in guerrilla warfare. Battlefields sprouted everywhere, a constant struggle for survival.
Amidst this chaotic battlefield, Su Chen and his companions embodied the role of outsiders—a solitary off-road vehicle actively seeking the frontlines.
Exiting the immediate combat zone, Su Chen and the others traveled diagonally for over ten kilometers before stumbling upon the second crossfire area.
Here, a complete force of survivors found themselves utterly encircled, teetering on the brink of annihilation under the relentless assault of the seven-headed black scale monster. Death loomed, threatening to wipe them out entirely.
As Su Chen and his team arrived at the battlefield, he wasted no time, already sprinting ahead before the off-road vehicle could even approach. Joe cast a vast expanse of light, illuminating the entire battleground like an ethereal beacon.
Exploiting the brief moment of illumination, Su Chen plunged into the fray. Utilizing the black scale monsters as unwitting accomplices, he methodically dispatched the convoy from multiple directions, swiftly eliminating three of the seven monstrous heads. Only then did the remaining four unite, launching a ferocious assault on Su Chen.
Retreating was not an option; there was no point in running away now.
To minimize potential losses, Su Chen engaged in a fierce battle, skillfully maneuvering through the onslaught. It appeared harrowing, but in reality, it was a calculated dance of danger.
Seven black scale monsters, thirty-five energy units. After deducting the expended energy, Su Chen found himself with a surplus of twenty units. He had struck a fortune. Leaving behind the bewildered gazes of the surviving onlookers, he returned to the off-road vehicle and set off towards the next destination.
Su Chen had contemplated using the magically enhanced heavy machine gun for combat. However, with humans and monsters intermingled on the battlefield, firing indiscriminately would result in a massacre.
The solitary and formidable off-road vehicle rode the billowing waves of dust, etching its indomitable presence into the hearts of countless survivors.
Wang Li, a seasoned scout, possessed astute knowledge. He understood that despite their seemingly dominant position, Su Chen himself became a target for the monsters. Pursuers lingered behind, making it unwise to proceed straightforwardly. Such an approach would only expose their intentions and direction, leading them straight into an enemy trap. Relying on the information provided by Su Wenhao, Wang Li executed a series of deceptive maneuvers while vigilantly monitoring their fuel consumption.
Wang Li shouldered these responsibilities, allowing Su Chen to conserve his mental energy. Regarding route selection and determining the next target for attack, He Xuanheng eagerly contributed his sharp intellect. He possessed a keen mind and, unlike Old Liu, who struggled to find his place, provided valuable insights and ideas. Together, they formed a collaborative partnership, sharing thoughts with Wang Li.
In a sense, Su Chen relished the advantages of being part of a team. Crucially, the team centered around him. Regardless, he understood the need to contribute his fair share. Occasionally, he took the time to acknowledge their efforts, demonstrating his comprehension and maintaining a harmonious atmosphere.
In human relationships, reciprocity is key.
Apart from close relatives, few individuals willingly extend help without expecting something in return.
The effectiveness of their coordinated attacks began to manifest. The energy units Su Chen had previously depleted in Lianhua Village were steadily replenishing. Even the magical modifications on the charging devices, which had remained empty, now gradually regained their power.
Simultaneously, the aftermath of the battles yielded a wealth of supplies from the fallen survivors. Su Chen diligently collected these provisions into the Ring of Anova, realizing that scavenging proved more expedient than mining resources himself. The circle of Anova became increasingly abundant with food and essential items.
Su Chen also successfully wielded a heavy machine gun, its magical enhancements delivering an exhilarating shooting experience. Bullets streaked through the air like fiery trails, explosively shattering the impervious scales of the formidable black scale monsters, leaving gaping wounds in their flesh. However, each shot demanded an exorbitant amount of energy, surpassing the consumption of his pistol. Ammunition was rapidly depleted. After this single usage, Su Chen decided to reserve it as a last resort, prepared to confront more intricate and perilous situations in the future.
As time passed, the number of monsters grew while the population of survivors and military personnel in the area dwindled. For nearly half a day, Su Chen engaged in relentless battles, repeatedly launching attacks and claiming lives. During this time, he suffered bites from two pitch-black monsters in close proximity. However, with the off-road vehicle's fuel running dangerously low and Wang Li having exhausted the spare gasoline, they relied on the abilities of a soil manipulator and He Xuanheng to narrowly escape. Changing course, they headed straight for the nearest highway gas station.
Wang Li had confirmed this location as a temporary gathering point for survivors—a safe haven where they could replenish their fuel supply. Su Chen and his team circled the area cautiously, gradually drawing nearer.
The gas station lay dozens of kilometers away from Yuanliao City. In the desolate darkness, only the crimson lightning cut through the endless sky. Distant echoes of screams and gunfire from the deranged world grew faint, barely audible.
True to rumors, numerous survivors had congregated at this site. Though military presence was scarce, a multitude of civilians and their vehicles enveloped the roadside station. Su Chen's inconspicuous off-road vehicle blended with the surroundings.
While news about the survivors remained restricted, even within the fragmented military, the mention of Su Chen and his off-road vehicle spread like wildfire. Within the chaos of this vast retreat battlefield, their lone campaign against the black scale monsters had earned them a reputation among various fleeing factions. Whispers circulated, dubbing the indomitable off-road vehicle a "monster killer."
Thus, Su Chen parked his vehicle discreetly at the outskirts of the highway, drawing the attention of some nearby soldiers.