Chapter 73

Standing hundreds of meters tall, Jin Gang’s body was covered entirely in black muscle; his eyes were hidden deep within thick fur, making them hard to discern when looked up at, but the bursts of rage emanating from within left Ye Nan and the others in no doubt—he was furious.

Kenneth glanced at the people beside him, at the trembling, retreating expedition team, then at the mercenaries in black tactical gear, rifles in hand; he couldn’t believe they could defeat this giant ape. The only thing giving him any confidence was that they still had five shoulder-fired rocket launchers and one grenade launcher—at least, they had enough ammunition.

Kenneth and Ed stood shoulder to shoulder, watching the approaching gorilla with tension, and whispered: “Do you think you can do it?”

“No confidence,” Ed shook his head, suddenly transported back to the days when he fought side by side with bullets flying—he’d thought those days were over, yet here they were again.

“Looks like that kid finally realized his mistake,” Ed glanced at him, saw him cuddling with Ellie, and instantly grew furious.

“If it weren’t for the employer’s orders, I’d have tossed this damn brat aside long ago—go to hell, you little shit.”

“If we all strike his legs at once, could your strength knock him down?” Kenneth asked again, his expression growing calmer.

The more dangerous the situation, the less you can afford to panic—that was his rule in life.

This time, Ed didn’t shake his head—he nodded. “Yes.”

Kenneth turned to Ye Nan. “Mr. Ye, we’re going to strike the ape’s legs simultaneously, knock him down, and then you retreat.”

“Retreat? Why?” Ye Nan asked, puzzled.

“Because we lack stronger support. With only the weapons we have, we can’t defeat it. I don’t know why the satellite railgun didn’t harm it, but clearly, with our current strength, we can’t kill it.”

“So for your safety, you should withdraw first—we’ll hold the rear.”

“Yes, let’s go—this monster is too terrifying,” Jack rushed forward, his face twisted with fear.

Paul also approached, pale-faced. “We leave—this place is more dangerous than outside.”

Ye Nan didn’t answer them. He paused, then recounted what Simila had told him: “There’s a special substance covering this monster’s skin—it’s what blocked the satellite railgun’s attack. But according to Simila’s scan, this substance has already peeled off due to the previous strikes.”

“Meaning a second strike will be enough to kill it. The railgun’s recharge time is thirty minutes. If we can hold out for half an hour, it’s dead for sure.”

“Thirty minutes!” Kenneth fell silent, then said, “Then we fight while retreating. But Mr. Ye, please leave this area for now—the battlefield belongs to us mercenaries.”

“Don’t underestimate me,” Ye Nan smirked strangely. “I’m no military expert, but my strength isn’t to be trifled with.”

He turned to Ellie and said softly: “You leave for now—this is a man’s battlefield.”

“Ye Nan, don’t act like a child,” Ellie said gently, her eyes filled with worry.

“This isn’t childishness,” Ye Nan smiled faintly. He didn’t bother explaining her doubt—instead, he punched a nearby stone slab, shattering it into pieces.

“My physical condition is no worse than a special forces soldier’s.”

“Alright,” Ellie said, her expression darkening. Seeing she couldn’t change his mind, she gave up.

“Don’t worry—I won’t get hurt. I’ll protect myself,” Ye Nan patted his chest, then shrugged off his heavy expedition suit, instantly feeling lighter.

“I can’t beat it, but I can run.”

“I’ll protect him,” Ed, who had remained silent since Ellie arrived, finally spoke. His aura was heavy with gloom.

“I beg you,” Ellie clasped her hands together, pleadingly looking at Ed, then gazed longingly at Ye Nan before slowly walking away.

“For you, I’d give up my life,” Ed whispered silently in his heart, watching Ellie’s retreating figure grow dimmer.

"Do you really have to look down on me so much?" Ye Nan watched Ellie leave, forcing a bitter smile, increasingly aware of the limitations of this body—“Too small. When will I ever grow up?”

Roar… Jin Gang’s footsteps drew closer. Each stride covered dozens of meters; his massive feet struck the ground, causing the earth to tremble.

“Twenty-three minutes until the satellite recharges. We have to stall it for twenty-three minutes—keep it from chasing us,” Ye Nan said, glancing at his watch.

“Here,” Ed pulled out an earpiece and handed it to Ye Nan. “This is our mercenary internal comms. Since you insist on fighting with us, you deserve it. Remember—don’t die. Don’t make Ellie sad.”

“First worry about yourself—I still need to claim the Satan Mercenary Group. If you die, my plan’s ruined,” Ye Nan muttered as he put on the earpiece, immediately hearing chaotic voices inside.

“Hold for twenty-three minutes. After that, the satellite railgun will recharge. Everyone, synchronize your timers.”

“2:23:41.”

“Good. Prepare for attack,” Kenneth said, watching Jin Gang draw nearer, his own nerves tightening.

He’d fought enemy special forces, slaughtered forest tribes, allied with traitorous groups and betrayed them in turn—but never had he faced anything as terrifying as this. The power gap was too vast—he had no certainty of victory. The only hope now was the satellite railgun.

While they spoke, Jin Gang’s body slowly entered attack range. Drawn by the offering, he’d arrived only to smell the tribe’s blood—this contradiction enraged him. The beam from the sky had angered him further. He vented all his fury upon these tiny insects before him.

“Entered range—launch grenades, launch rockets,” Kenneth ordered the moment Jin Gang entered firing distance.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Five missiles struck Jin Gang’s right leg in rapid succession, five explosions roaring in unison. The air filled with the stench of nitric acid—but Ye Nan’s pulse quickened: beneath it, he caught a faint trace of blood. He knew—Jin Gang was wounded.