Chapter 415: with translation of chapter title

As night deepened, the distant zombie tide was as still as silent seawater.

Lin An listened with a solemn expression to Colonel Chu's report, then instinctively looked toward the northeast.

Ammunition reserves had dropped by 16%; at this rate, the remaining bullets wouldn't even be enough to kill ordinary zombies.

During the daytime defense battle, too much ammunition was wasted setting up the firepower net.

Especially the dismounted vehicle-mounted heavy machine guns and fire platforms—these two are major consumers.

In the original design, the firepower suppression's high rate of fire meant that while these weapons possessed formidable firepower, their consumption was also enormous.

The only good news is that the zombies will not launch another attack today.

The reason is simple.

In Lin An and Colonel Chu's analysis, they likely inadvertently caused Mo Ling to draw away nearly a hundred thousand zombies that originally belonged to this attack.

But after Mo Ling drew them away, this wave of zombies was like a detached force.

Therefore, with this batch of zombies gone,

Long'an Base's speed of clearing zombies increased significantly.

Under normal circumstances, they should now be in a difficult defense battle.

After all, according to the system's judgment, the base's defending forces consist of fewer than fifty Awakened Ones and over two thousand ordinary players.

Two consecutive waves of zombies plus mutants would be more than enough to overwhelm them.

Just like the preparation time between waves in a tower defense game.

The faster the monsters are eliminated, the more breathing time they gain.

But Lin An didn't feel relieved at all, and ordered the soldiers to tighten their rotations.

Tomorrow's second wave attack is the top priority.

Moreover, what made him most uneasy was that Mo Ling still hadn't returned.

From morning until now, Yun Tian has been out with Mo Ling for a full twelve hours.

Even if he initiated communication, Mo Ling's side seemed to have disappeared.

Usually composed Lin An now even felt anxiety rising in his heart.

Mo Ling's ability is not only key to the plan; the little girl herself is also a team member he values.

If it weren't for the fact that Mo Ling's avatar in the rescue team showed nothing unusual, he would have even thought something had happened to her.

"We can't wait any longer.."

Hidden in the night on the high tower, the flames lit on the city walls were like bright yellow scales on a long dragon.

Just as Lin An planned to take advantage of a gap in the zombie tide to search for Mo Ling, a weary team voice sounded after a long absence:

"Lin An, we've shaken off the Second Level Mutant."

"Let's head back now..."

Hearing the voice, Lin An's heart felt as if a weight had been lifted.

In the team voice, little Mo Ling's voice sounded somewhat heavy.

Is.. something happened?

Northeast of Long'an Base, 95 kilometers away.

A humanoid mech staggered through the fields, carefully avoiding the mutants searching for them.

"Should we go back now?"

Yun Tian asked Mo Ling wearily; his originally pristine mech shell was covered in scorch marks from artillery fire.

Having just reached First Level and then fled with the two of them, they had only barely escaped the Second Level Mutant's pursuit four hours ago.

Although the operation to disperse the zombie tide encountered some setbacks, it overall went smoothly.

"Now.. go back."

Inside the cockpit, Mo Ling hesitated for a moment but then made up her mind to return to the base.

She had thought for a long time, but ultimately decided to inform Lin An.

Yun Lin's precognized vision left her somewhat despairing, yet she could think of no better alternative.

During this period she thought things through clearly.

She had originally intended to stay outside..

What if she stayed outside and didn't return to the base, could she delay the time shown in the vision?

But after thinking it over, she still rejected this "simple" idea.

Leaving aside that Lin An would surely come looking for her if she didn't return for a long time, even if she explained honestly, Lin An would never agree to her doing that.

Furthermore, without her ability, the base's defensive pressure would double.

The precognized vision is bound to happen; she fears that dragging it out further will cause unforeseen mishaps.

After all her thinking, rather than hiding outside, it would be better to return to the base and consult Lin An.

Perhaps with Lin An and Colonel Chu's abilities, they might find a solution.

In the precognized vision, she enters the Spirit Energy Core 36 hours later.

Right now, ten hours have passed, which means that the scene in the vision will not occur within the next 26 hours.

Perhaps there's still time; perhaps Lin An can find a way.

But no matter how Mo Ling thinks, she cannot find a reason why she would need to destroy the Spirit Energy Core.

If the mission fails, Lin An will die, and she will die as well.

Without mentioning why she would "commit suicide," just regarding Lin An, she would rather die herself than let him come to any harm.

"Lin An.."

Mo Ling murmured blankly.

For the first time, she felt fear.

She was afraid Lin An would die.

Actually, in Mo Ling's heart, she had always had something she dared not tell Lin An.

That was during the time in the Amoeba Worm Instance, she actually thought of relying on suicide to transform into a Necromancer Lord, and then help Lin An complete the mission.

But unexpectedly, in the final moments, Zhang Tie, under Colonel Chu's 'guidance', snatched the key first.

She had originally wanted to stay a bit longer with Lin An, then choose the same approach.

Her life was saved by Lin An and Xiong Hanzi, and her sister was also healed by Lin An.

As long as Lin An needs her, she doesn't mind going back.

Amid the sentinels' watch, Yun Tian's mech appeared in everyone's sight.

"He's back!"

"They're back!"

As midnight approached, Lin An, who had been waiting for Mo Ling, immediately noticed the little loli's abnormality.

Without time to think much, amidst the gazes of everyone, he instantly rushed out of the tower and carried the exhausted Mo Ling out.

Upon seeing Lin An, Mo Ling lingered without speaking; the sorrow in her eyes made Lin An's heart suddenly sink.

"What happened!!"

"Why did you only come back now?"

In his questioning, laced with concern, Lin An couldn't help but think rapidly about what situation could cause Mo Ling to behave this way.

Was it that a mutant had been added to the zombie tide's Rear? Or had the number of zombies increased again?

Unexpectedly.

Yun Lin, who had jumped out of the mech, looked at Mo Ling clinging tightly to Lin An, let out a breath, and quickly said with a complex expression:

"During the daytime today."

"I unintentionally activated a skill on Mo Ling and saw some images..."

After a moment's hesitation, Yun Lin solemnly described what she had seen.

With the detailed description, Lin An instantly understood why Mo Ling behaved that way and why she had hesitated to return.

His breathing was heavy.

He looked at Mo Ling in his arms with some disbelief, feeling it somewhat absurd.

The zombie tide army didn't destroy the base; instead, Mo Ling destroyed the spirit energy core?

How could this be possible?

Under a night as dark as ink, Lin An subconsciously turned his gaze toward the distant Core Fortress.

The Core Fortress shrouded in darkness, under the night sky, resembled a ferocious beast.