In the abandoned bunker, due to the desert climate, the inside wasn't as damp as one might expect.
Charlie crouched low, moving past a pile of sand and stones, while old wooden beams supported the precarious tunnel. It seemed like the slightest disturbance could cause the entire bunker to collapse.
But the fact that it had withstood missile bombardment showed just how well-constructed this refuge was.
"Since this is a bunker, it must connect to the Ten Rings' camp inside the valley," said old Steve behind him.
Charlie nodded, "Yes, but this bunker has been abandoned for too long. The deeper sections might have collapsed. If we want to use it to get into the camp, we may need to dig our way through."
Hearing this, old Steve looked worried. "Without a map, digging blindly could be dangerous. If we dig in the wrong place, we'll be discovered easily."
"Don't worry about that. Once we get into the camp, I'll be able to figure out where Tony is just by taking a look."
"Just by looking?"
Old Steve didn't understand what Charlie meant.
"The noise from digging won't be small," Steve said, "and Tony once told me that the Ten Rings have at least 300 armed men, not to mention the women, children, and elderly. That means there are almost a thousand people in the valley, and they have eyes and ears everywhere. If we show our heads, they'll spot us immediately."
Charlie turned around and smiled. "Trust me, I have a plan."
With that, they reached the end of the tunnel.
Ahead of them was a wall of rubble, leaving no gaps.
Charlie moved forward to start clearing the stones. "Let's get to work!"
Old Steve watched for a moment before joining in to help.
As they worked, they chatted.
"Are you sure they won't find us here? That big lizard has a pretty good sense of smell," old Steve pointed out.
Charlie easily lifted a multi-ton boulder. "I'm guessing they won't waste their time looking for us. We're not a big threat. All they have to do is guard the camp, and they'll win easily."
Old Steve struggled with a smaller rock, pausing to stretch his back and wipe sweat from his brow.
"If I were them, I'd just ask the Ten Rings' leader. They'd quickly figure out there's a bunker here and capture you already," he said, breathing heavily.
Steve's age was starting to catch up with him, though he was still much stronger than an ordinary person. Moving these rocks wasn't too difficult for him. But the lack of oxygen in the enclosed space made the task more exhausting.
Charlie noticed and tapped the spider emblem on his chest, activating his nanotech suit's oxygen system to release fresh air.
"Too bad they're not you," Charlie replied. "The leader of the Ten Rings is probably already dead, and those villains are too mentally unstable to think that far ahead. That's our advantage."
Steve took a deep breath, feeling the improvement. "Peter's suit has this function too. Tony designed it for him."
He glanced at Charlie's back. "Can you grow four metal spider legs?"
"No, my suit is just a damaged version."
"Do your eyes turn red?"
"Nope."
"Does your webbing have hundreds of different modes?"
"My webs aren't artificial."
"Wow, natural webbing. That's cool."
"Stop talking. I know you're trying to slack off."
"Cough, you caught me."
Three hours later, old Steve was completely exhausted.
"I'm done. Help me with my back, will ya?"
He turned around, resting his hands against the wall.
Charlie, seeing his awkward posture, didn't hesitate to refuse.
"That's a terrible excuse. Back in the day, you could keep going all day."
Steve's face darkened. "I couldn't even do that 20 years ago."
"Fine, take a break. I'll handle the rest."
Charlie checked the time. "It's already nighttime."
Most of the rubble had been cleared, and they were nearly through.
He kicked up the shield and started digging upwards.
Crack, crack, crack~~
The sharp edges of the shield sliced through the stone and concrete like butter.
In no time, Charlie had dug a five-meter-deep hole in the ceiling.
Puff~
Suddenly, a foul stench filled the tunnel. Charlie quickly leaped back, leaving old Steve to scream in horror.
"No!! Ugh, you dug into a cesspit!!"
"Sorry, I'll try another spot. Hold on."
"I can't hold on! Ugh~~"
Old Steve collapsed into the filth, eyes rolling back as he retched uncontrollably, his body convulsing.
"Well, looks like he's a goner," Charlie said, closing his eyes in brief mourning for three seconds before moving about 20 meters away to dig again.
Crack, crack~~
Boom!
Outside the valley, the ground near the ammunition depot collapsed with a loud crash. The nearby armed guards immediately cried out in alarm.
"What was that?"
"It looks like a person."
The guards quickly aimed their weapons at the hole, but a second later, they were knocked out by a flying shield.
"Ahh!!"
"We're under attack!!"
Rat-tat-tat~~
Gunfire lit up the night as a barrage of bullets chased after the red-and-blue figure leaping from the hole.
Clang, clang, clang~~
Charlie darted through the camp, using the shield to deflect the relentless gunfire. Sparks flew as the shield bounced bullets back into the ammunition depot, triggering a massive explosion.
Boom, boom, boom~~
Explosions tore through the camp, bullets flying everywhere as the raging fire consumed everything in its path. Makeshift shelters were blown apart, and chaos engulfed the camp.
"No!!"
"Ahh!"
"Fall back!!"
At the cave entrance, Norman swooped down on his glider, the green flames from its thrusters lighting up the night as he shot toward Charlie.
"Ha-ha-ha, Charlie, I've been waiting for you!"
Grinning wickedly, Norman's glider unleashed a torrent of gunfire, ignoring the presence of the Ten Rings' men.
Rat-tat~~
Clang, clang, clang~
The shield sparked as it deflected the bullets, sending them flying into the already panicked crowd. Screams echoed, and blood splattered across the ground.
Boom!
Suddenly, a stray bullet struck the flight system of Norman's glider, sending it spiraling out of control, trailing smoke.
"Oh no, my luck just ran out," Norman muttered, still trying to maintain his elegance before crashing into the inferno with a loud crash.
"Charlie Parker!!"
Next, Lizard Parker charged out of the cave, his face twisted in rage. He ignored the bullets flying around him as he sprinted forward, instinctively raising his arm to protect his face.
This time, he wasn't going to let the shield hit him in the face again.
Seeing this, Charlie twisted his body into a perfect bowling stance, sending the shield spinning like a wheel at lightning speed, sparks flying as it skidded across the ground.
Whoosh~
The sharp shield sliced cleanly between Lizard Parker's legs, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.
"Oh no!!!"
A piercing scream echoed through the night as Lizard Parker's pupils dilated in shock. He dropped to his knees, clutching his crotch, his face contorted in unbearable pain.
It hurts.
It hurts so much.