Chapter 253: Human-Faced Spider Demon Descendant, You've Been Marked!

「Are you an 'Ox'? Or a 'Horse'? 」

Qin Shi sheathed his blade and turned around; under the effect of the 【Insight】 achievement, the short-haired woman possessed neither high value nor any foreign-race aura.

「Cough cough, I'm the captain, 'Hard Life'. 」

The short-haired woman introduced herself, worried that the boss had gone overboard with the killing and might do her in as well.

Such things had happened before; most clients of the Support Team came from great clans and noble families.

Those free-spending, life-loving big shots rarely existed among normal people.

For example, the Ying Clan was renowned throughout Dongxia for their astonishing "Sowing Complex," with both men and women leading rather chaotic private lives.

Among the First Sequence inheritors of this generation, there was also one named Ying Mi who liked to keep catamites.

His unrestrained and wanton conduct made the young masters of the Imperial Capital feel ashamed.

As for the rumor that he was "so ruthless he'd cut down his own people," it originated from the Yang Clan of Hongzhou.

It was unknown whether they had inherited Yang Shuai's love of fighting in armor and personally charging into battle, but the Yang Clan descendants revered martial valor and were extremely fierce.

Every year they held a grand "Four Seasons Grand Hunt" to select and promote the clan's elite.

It was said that many Yang Clan descendants, after bathing in blood, would go berserk and display terrifying combat power.

They had once created a black history in the "Mercenary World" of slicing up the enemy while simultaneously inflicting heavy casualties on their own teammates.

This made Yang Clan descendants once listed as the most unwelcome clients.

「How did you get in here? This is a martial law zone; apart from the warriors of Baiyang Bi Lei Cheng and 'Servant Soldiers' with passes, no one else can enter. 」

Qin Shi walked over slowly and asked curiously.

He had previously wondered how Ying Huang could guarantee that the Support Team could provide supplies and assistance in time.

That was on a chaotic frontline battlefield!

「We belong to Xuanyang Heavy Industry. 」

The short-haired woman held her breath; although the youth before her had bright eyes and sparse brows, appearing sunny and approachable.

But having just witnessed him draw his blade and slash countless Xu Kong Beasts, clearing the field in less than ten seconds.

The short-haired woman found it hard to regard him as a "harmless minor high school student."

That sense of danger was about to overflow from her heart!

「Xuanyang Heavy Industry is a defense contractor recognized by the military, and often participates in War Corps deployments.

So its employees basically all have compliant permits to enter and exit the battlefield.

I'm a P9 of Xuanyang Heavy Industry! Boss! 」

Qin Shi nodded, his face showing sudden realization.

Lin Yunqing had explained to him the position distinctions of super consortiums and giant corporations.

Generally speaking, they were mainly divided into "Technical Positions" and "Management Positions."

Newly joined graduates usually fell into the P4 (Junior Engineer) or P5 (Intermediate Engineer) levels.

Only after accumulating three to five years of work experience could they get a chance to be promoted to P6 (Senior Engineer).

As for the "P9" mentioned by the short-haired woman, it referred to "Senior Expert," a core member of the company.

One had to personally participate in several large projects and perform excellently to possibly rise up.

Judging by the short-haired woman's age, at most around twenty-five or twenty-six, she actually sat steadily in Xuanyang Heavy Industry's P9 position.

Qin Shi narrowed his eyes; there were only two possibilities: either the other party was very strong, or had very strong backing.

「What about her? Spiritual Path? 」

Qin Shi raised his chin and looked toward the blindfolded Watermelon Head.

「Codename 'Ama', reporting to the boss! 」

Watermelon Head immediately stood straight upon hearing the voice, causing violent trembling of her chest, curves so exaggerated that Qin Shi couldn't help but let his gaze linger two more seconds.

Also of the Spiritual Path, Teacher Lin was far behind, having only a pair of long legs.

「Ama is a P8 (Senior Expert), graduated from Southwest United Spiritual Ability Department, her idol is your Senior Sister, Miss Yu Weiwei. 」

The short-haired woman introduced efficiently:

「Her specialties are 'Analysis' and 'Resonance'. She can impose a mental link, allowing both parties to share perception, and capture the exact aura of enemy units for analysis. 」

A common employment direction for the Spiritual Path, "Strategic Intelligence Officer"!

Qin Shi nodded, his gaze returning to the short-haired woman.

The latter hurriedly explained the details:

「I belong to the Assault Trooper, trait 'Divine Martial', temporarily boosting Qi Life Force and enhancing combat level; the longer I fight an enemy, the more I can discover their flaws and weaknesses. 」

Qin Shi raised his eyebrows, interest showing in his eyes.

This trait of the short-haired woman was indeed rare.

An important basis for the Martial Path to measure both sides' practical combat level was the so-called "Combat Talent."

In the process of life-and-death slaughter, it was by no means that the side with higher Qi Life Force value had a greater probability of victory.

Determined by a series of factors such as inherited comprehension, tempering of the mortal body, and grasp of battle opportunities.

The short-haired woman's "Divine Martial" trait could actually automatically capture the flaws and weaknesses of strong enemies based on the duration of combat.

What was the difference between this and cheating!

Qin Shi protested inwardly, expressing strong condemnation!

No wonder Jiang Shijie of the Seventh War Corps' Wind Scythe Sequence Army, upon learning his trait was "Amplification," showed a look of incredulous surprise.

Compared to the short-haired woman's "mechanism-type trait," the effect of Amplification indeed couldn't make it to the table, appearing quite ordinary.

「You came at just the right time. 」

After finishing learning about the Support Team, Qin Shi smiled and said:

"There are quite a few contamination samples at this substation; I can't carry them all by myself."

Turn into a bag-carrying errand girl?

The short-haired woman gritted her teeth secretly, really wanting to retort loudly that she was a Senior Expert of Xu Yang Heavy Industry, had seen all kinds of storms and waves, and had cut down all kinds of Vassal Creatures!

How could she accept being a human backpack!

"How about it?"

Qin Shi cast a strange look over.

"Okay, Boss! My physical test scores have never dropped since childhood; loaded cross-country is a piece of cake!"

The short-haired woman nimbly stowed her Double Blades, proactively shouldered the Tactical Backpack, and following Qin Shi's instructions, packed the high-value contamination samples properly.

……

……

"The energy reaction at the substation has disappeared."

In the center area of the Contamination Zone, neatly uniform building clusters spread everywhere; among them, the most eye-catching was none other than that Administrative Building.

At its top hung a Golden Vertical Pupil containing distortion and Chaos, like a huge lighthouse, illuminating the land for a hundred li around.

That was the Chaos Great Demon's projection in the Material World!

"Are there mice slipping into the Outer Area again? Must be Baiyang Bi Lei Cheng's exploration teams."

That Golden Vertical Pupil flickered, transmitting a massive Consciousness, almost letting that mental storm shatter the already unstable space Structure.

As if a giant python sliding through a narrow Cave, scales grinding against earth and stone, making the entire Material World totter on the verge of collapse and disintegration.

"Let the Claws and Teeth of the outer defense line deal with them. Same Kind killing each other can please the Great Venerable."

The hunched figure in the Administrative Building prostrated on the Floor; it was like a soft-bodied organism that had its Spine pulled out, draped in a luxurious black robe, listening to the Golden Vertical Pupil's "instructions."

Only Vassal Creatures serving as "Priests" can withstand the Great Demon's mental storm and understand its meaning from within it.

"As you command!"

In the Conference Room of the Administrative Building, everyone clearly heard the Sacrificial Chief's order; they all stopped their actions one after another.

That oval Long Table that could seat a dozen people displayed several flesh-and-blood bodies arranged like a meal spread.

Looking closely, one would discover they were living humans, seemingly dead not long ago, their faces still frozen with pain and fear.

Limbs and organ tissues all bore gnawing marks to varying degrees; only the heads and hearts remained intact.

Obviously, a normal "feeding" was taking place here.

"These Veterans taste too awful."

A humanoid Vassal said with a grin.

"I need fresh blood, fresh life."

These Vassal Creatures contaminated by Chaos had humanoid Body Shapes, but their Skin surfaces were covered in fine, stiff bristles, black and hard; under their wide robes grew several pairs of Jointed Limbs.

"Pompeii, you want to hunt again? Restrain yourself! The Priest said the war is still within controllable limits; our side cannot actively raise the intensity.

Continuing the stalemate with humans benefits us.

Moreover, tonight is the Black Moon Night; the Nest is hatching a large number of Leaders; you should accept the Divine Blessing."

The "Elder" burying his head enjoying a fresh tender heart spoke.

Compared to Pompeii's younger body, the Elder's face was more aged, his Life Force Fluctuation also weaker.

The heart was bitten open like meticulously prepared foie gras; the Essence contained in the blood flowed into his body, and the Elder, like a withered tree moistened by Sweet Rain, revealed an intoxicated expression.

"Humans are extremely cunning. They are adept at using Bait to lure and assassinate our clan's elites before they have fully deployed.

They call it 'fishing.' Pompeii, your future is vast; you need to learn caution."

Pompeii, two meters tall, covered in black armor, swung four pairs of Jointed Limbs, sharp as knives, tearing the Xu Kong, shredding the "dinner" to pieces.

"No! Uncle, I yearn to kill humans with my own hands, hear their wails, rather than sit in the Office waiting for food to be served; it's too boring!

I'll rush back before the Nest spawns!"

Pompeii retracted four pairs of Jointed Limbs; they were like slender sharp swords shrinking back into the body, the loose robes like a greatcoat covering the external features that differed from humans.

The Elder spoke no more; Human-faced Spiders in the Vassal sequence count as mid-tier; they are born with Life Value exceeding Thirty Points, and constantly use feeding to Transform.

The stronger the "food," the more it can make oneself Evolve.

Pompeii is the outstanding youth of the Human-Faced Spider Clan, has already crossed the Full-time Stage; future Achievements are limitless.

"This war, we are destined to become the new generation's fertilizer.

Humans use us to train troops; are we not doing the same?

Only in incessant slaughter and struggle can more powerful Overlords be born, existences sitting atop the Food Chain."

The Elder chewed the tender meat, letting out a hoarse laugh.

The rest chimed in one after another, starting to eat frenziedly, as if this was the last meal before death.

……

……

"Clearance complete."

Qin Shi let out a long breath; scorching humid heat released through the opening and closing of Pores, steaming into long ribbons winding around the Surroundings.

The Perfect Grade Electric Shock Military Saber returned to its Black Scabbard also emitted a cheerful sound, as if it had eaten its fill, incomparably satisfied.

"Xiao Gao, Xiao Zhao can come in now."

Through Watermelon Head Ama's Mental Link, Qin Shi contacted the sentries on guard, the tense Gao Pao and Zhao Su.

"Brother Qin, is it really you?"

The two were startled upon suddenly hearing Qin Shi's voice, thinking they had been heavily contaminated.

"Mm. Assemble at the Doorway, then recover the contamination samples, then set out for the next stop."

Qin Shi was still unsatisfied, perhaps because he was being watched by the 【Celestial Being】; as he slew a juvenile Xu Kong Beast, his Qi Life Force circulated ever more swiftly.

Pop!

As if a water bubble had been punctured, he completely broke through the Third Dimension.

The Crystal State of his mortal body's hundred bones was now firmly stabilized; every inch of flesh was like jade, glowing with a moist luster.

This change spread from inside out, gradually shedding the "mortal" form, making Qin Shi seem like an "Ancient Immortal Sage" stepping out of mythology.

"Captain."

The blindfolded Watermelon Head could not see Qin Shi, but in her perception, the spiritual radiance emanating from this young Boss had become so intense it was impossible to look at directly.

"Does our Boss really have a need for 'Support'?"

Watermelon Head Ama really wanted to remove her blindfold and take a look to see if that young Boss had three heads and six arms.

She had been employed at Xu Yang Heavy Industry for several years and had never met such an employer.

"Ama, cleaning up the battlefield is also very important work."

"We cannot slight logistics!"

The short-haired woman, carrying two bulging tactical backpacks full of gear, spoke as she set them down with a thud.

At the doorway of the Bian Dian Zhan, seeing the two great "Dharma Protectors" behind Qin Shi, Gao Pao and Zhao Su were dumbfounded.

Where did these two girls come from?

One had a youthful face with a domineering figure; the other had long legs and a seductive waist.

"A Support Team hired by the family, compliant and legal, with credentials."

Qin Shi briefly introduced both parties, then asked Gao Pao for two cans of Energy Liquid, gulping them down with his head tilted back to replenish his expended Physical Ability.

"As expected of a direct descendant of a great Family!"

Gao Pao and Zhao Su exchanged glances, once again confirming that Qin Shi's Origin was extraordinary, that he could even afford an expensive Support Team.

He might be the first-priority Inheritor, the "Young Master" who would take over the family business in the future!

"Boss, the second wave of the Black Moon Night tide is coming."

The blindfolded Watermelon Head's two eyebrows were tightly furrowed, as if in some pain.

Under her perception, the tremors caused by the huge Black Moon hanging in the sky grew increasingly violent.

Invisible Gravity pulled terrifying energy flows, scattering radiance containing distortion and Chaos into every Corner.

"This place is fifteen kilometers from the Outpost Base; you can rest."

The greatest effect of the Pollution Zone on normal humans was not the harassment of Vassal Creatures, but the deeper one went, the higher the overlap with the Netherworld, and then one would suffer Erosion and influence.

"Don't worry about the beast tide of Black Moon Night."

Qin Shi planted the Perfect Grade Electric Shock Military Saber in the ground and said lightly:

"Rest here, adjust yourselves, lest your Flesh Vitality or Mental Spirituality boil over excessively."

As a P9 of Xu Yang Heavy Industry, the short-haired woman had originally wanted to suggest to Qin Shi that they not hurry on the road but head straight for the Outpost Base to complete sample collection and return home early.

But the knife-wielding youth stood there, inexplicably giving a strong sense of Safety.

After resting about Twenty Minutes, the Pioneer Squad and Gao Pao and Zhao Su had all adjusted their conditions to their best.

Led by Qin Shi at the forefront, they headed straight for the Outpost Base.

Along the way they encountered no obstacles; occasionally a few low-level Vassal Creatures appeared, and Gao Pao and Zhao Su, eager to show themselves, were Responsible for dealing with them.

But when everyone arrived at the Outpost Base, Qin Shi suddenly stopped his Footsteps, and then the blindfolded Watermelon Head Ama showed a look of terror.

"Danger! It's a Demon Spawn!"

Accompanied by her cry, thick black clouds hanging low over the four wilds shifted, and a rolling pitch-black lightning bolt shot forth, striking the ground!

A thunderous roar like thunder reverberated wildly, stimulating everyone's eardrums!

Amidst flying and rolling dust, Pompeii, nearly two meters tall and covered in black armor, slowly emerged, becoming clear bit by bit from a shadowy outline.

Its handsome face suddenly opened several Compound Eyes, staring fixedly at the short-haired woman behind Qin Shi.

"You didn't even realize I am the strongest one in the team?"

Qin Shi as usual planted his military saber in the ground, his hand gripping the dark red hilt.

"Xiao Gao, does the Combat Manual say this kind of Vassal sample is worth more?"

He asked.

(Chapter End)