Chapter 948

y「This... this sir... 」

y「This... this sir... 」

But we need to keep the line as 【1】 translation.

His expression was grim, the team captain clung tightly to the armor, and he spoke with difficulty.

Translate: "His expression was grim, the team captain tightly clung to the armor, and he spoke with difficulty."

His brain felt like it had crashed, and he didn't know what to do, gulping a mouthful of saliva.

It's too scary.

Translate: "His mind seemed to have crashed, and he didn't know what to do, dry-swallowing a mouthful of saliva."

Although he was in a hurry to slip away, he didn't really look at the battle.

Translate: "Too terrifying."

But just hearing those violent thuds of flesh being smashed, he could imagine what Lin An had done.

Translate: "Although he was eager to slip away, he hadn't really watched the battle."

In just a few seconds, he relied solely on his fists to beat a third-stage mutant to death.

Translate: "But just hearing those violent thuds of flesh being smashed, he could imagine what Lin An had done."

Seeing the long sword on this person's back, even if he were stupid, he could realize that the opponent's strength was probably still being held back.

Translate: "In just a few seconds, he relied solely on his fists to beat a third‑level mutant to death."

Damn it, why are we all awakened, yet some people can be this strong?!

Translate: "Seeing the long sword strapped to this person's back, even if he were stupid he could realize that the other party's strength was probably still being held back."

Facing an opponent of this level, he felt like a mouse seeing a cat, unable to muster any thought of resistance.

Translate: "Damn it, why is everyone an Awakened One, yet some people can be this strong!?"

With this kind of power, could he possibly be killed in a single breath?

Translate: "Facing such a powerful opponent, he was like a mouse seeing a cat, unable to muster any thought of resistance."

Lost in his thoughts, he stammered:

Translate: "With this strength, he could probably blow me to death in a single breath?"

"Th... thanks... you... saved us!"

Translate: "In his muddled thoughts, he stammered:"

He gave a light chuckle.

"Th... thanks... you... saved us!"

Lin An looked at the team captain, who was reluctant to let go, and nodded with interest.

Translate: "He let out a light chuckle."

The other side actually had quite a bit of courage, able to sneak into the monster's lair to steal equipment, and almost succeeded.

Translate: "Lin An looked at the team captain who was reluctant to let go, and nodded with interest."

But that's all there was to it.

Translate: "Actually, they had quite a bit of guts, managing to sneak into the monster's lair to steal equipment, and they almost succeeded."

As for the armor taken by the team captain, he was also curious about it; the equipment's grade would definitely not be lower than epic.

Translate: "But that was all."

It's no wonder that this third-stage mutant had been guarding this place all along.

Translate: "As for the armor the team captain had taken, he was also very curious—its equipment level was definitely not below Epic Tier."

He hadn't expected that this mutant-hunting expedition would also bring an unexpected gain.

Translate: "No wonder this third‑level mutant had been guarding this place all along."

You should know that equipment of this level can be considered rare; normally, only large-scale missions or dungeons would have such gear.

Translate: "He also hadn't expected that this mutant‑hunting trip would actually yield an unexpected gain."

"Hand over the items, and you can leave."

Translate: "You see, equipment of this tier is quite rare; normally it only appears in large‑scale missions or dungeons."

He couldn't be bothered with idle talk.

Translate: "\"Hand over the stuff, and you can leave. \""

Looking at the equipment resembling a medieval knight's armor, Lin An spoke calmly.

Translate: "Too lazy to waste words."

As long as the other party isn't courting death, he generally wouldn't attack survivors indiscriminately; after all, his temperament has always been good.

Translate: "Looking at the equipment resembling a medieval knight's armor, Lin An spoke calmly."

Hearing Lin An demand the equipment, this team captain's face first turned pale, then, somewhat reluctant, he lowered his head to glance at his gear.

Translate: "As long as the other party isn't courting death, he generally won't attack survivors at random; after all, his temperament has always been good."

Heaven knows, he had never even seen the equipment's attributes up to now.

Translate: "Hearing Lin An demand the equipment, the team captain's face first turned pale, then he lowered his head with reluctance and glanced at the gear in his hands."

One could say that this piece of equipment might be the closest he's ever gotten to high-tier gear in his life.

Translate: "Good heavens, he had never even seen the equipment's stats up to now."

My equipment...

Translate: "One could say this piece of equipment might be the closest he has ever come to high‑grade gear in his life."

He wanted to cry but had no tears.

Translate: "My equipment..."

After a while, seeing Lin An gradually show impatience, the man gave a wry smile and, resigned, handed over the equipment.

Translate: "Wanting to cry but having no tears."

If he didn't give it up, he would die; he could feel that Lin An was certainly no pushover.

Translate: "After a moment, seeing Lin An gradually show signs of impatience, the man gave a wry smile and, resigned, handed over the equipment."

If he were to waste a few more words, this mysterious person would probably slap him to death.

Translate: "If he didn't hand it over, it would be death; he could feel that Lin An was certainly no pushover."

No matter how reluctant he was, he could only cup his hands and yield.

Translate: "If he were to waste a few more words, this mysterious person would probably slap him to death."

The only thing he couldn't figure out was who this person was, capable of such strength.

Translate: "No matter how reluctant, he could only clasped his hands and yield it."

His brain raced; not only him, but the few others present also quickly thought in their minds, wondering which top-ranked figure this person might be on the leaderboard.

Translate: "The only thing he couldn't figure out was, he was really curious—just who is this person, able to be this strong?"

After taking the equipment, Lin An didn't hide anything; he openly examined its attributes in front of everyone.

Translate: "His mind raced, and not only him—several others present also quickly pondered in their heads which big shot on the rankings this person before them was."

After a moment, his expression lit up with pleasant surprise.

Translate: "Having taken the equipment, Lin An didn't hide anything, and right before everyone he began to check its stats."

"Blood Rose (Epic-grade armor, chest piece)"

Translate: "After a moment, his expression lit up with pleasant surprise."

"Equipment stats: Vitality +13, Agility -1"

Translate: "\"Blood Rose (Epic Tier Armor, Half Body Armor)\""

"Equipment traits: Reduces piercing damage (except hammers) by 27%, reduces tech weapon damage by 60%, reduces impact-type damage by 27%."

Translate: "\"Equipment stats: Constitution +13, Agility -1\""

"Equipment skill 1: Crimson Impact"

Translate: "\"Equipment traits: Reduces piercing (non‑hammer melee) damage by 27%, reduces tech weapon damage by 60%, reduces impact‑type damage by 27%. \""

"Crimson Impact: After locking onto a target, it delivers a high-speed collision, with collision speed equal to current speed × 2; upon hitting the target, it deals damage equal to Strength + Agility. If it collides along the way, it only deals Strength damage."

Translate: "\"Equipment Skill 1: Blood Impact\""

"Equipment skill 2: Rose"

Translate: "\"Blood Impact: After locking onto a target, it delivers a high‑speed collision at twice the current speed; upon hitting the target it deals Strength + Agility damage. If it collides along the way, it deals only Strength damage. \""

"Rose: During combat, it can absorb enemy blood; upon meeting certain conditions, it can steal one of the enemy's traits, skills, or attributes (limited to flesh and life)."

Translate: "\"Equipment Skill 2: Rose\""

"Note: The Rose's stealing effect can steal at most 1 point from each first-rank enemy, up to 10 times total; from second-rank enemies, 2 points each; from third-rank enemies, 3 points each; and so on."

Translate: "\"Rose: During combat, it can absorb enemy blood; upon meeting certain conditions it can steal one of the opponent's traits, skills, or attributes. (The theft is limited to flesh and life.)\""

"Equipment evaluation: Using the enemy's fresh blood to forge immortality."

Translate: "\"Note: The Rose stealing effect allows a maximum of 1 point per first‑level enemy, up to 10 times total. For second‑level enemies it steals 2 points, for third‑level 3 points, and so on. \""

Not bad equipment.

Translate: "\"Equipment appraisal: With the enemy's fresh blood, forge immortality. \""

After a while, Lin An quickly gave his evaluation.

Translate: "Not bad equipment."

Compared to his own tattered blue armor, this Blood Rose undoubtedly greatly boosted his defense, especially against tech-based weapons.

Translate: "After a moment, Lin An quickly gave his own evaluation."

The huge vitality boost is great, except for the slight deduction in agility.

Translate: "Compared to his tattered blue armor, this Blood Rose undoubtedly greatly boosted his defense, especially against tech‑based weapons."

If an ordinary awakened obtained this armor, just relying on it could let him ignore a whole squad's firepower.

Translate: "The huge Constitution bonus is great, the only downside being a slight Agility penalty."

The Crimson Impact skill serves as a substitute for the Destruction skill; unlike Destruction's single-hit damage, Crimson Impact can damage enemies along its path, and combined with the high-speed effect, it greatly enhances his mobility.

Translate: "If an ordinary Awakened One got this equipment, just relying on this armor would let them ignore a squad's firepower coverage."

Two sections... uh, no, with double casting, four-stage displacement skill, even without using flash, his mobility would become terrifyingly high.

Translate: "The Blood Impact skill can be seen as a substitute for the Destruction skill; unlike Destruction's single‑hit damage, Impact can damage enemies along its path, and combined with the high‑speed effect it also greatly enhances his mobility."

However, these still aren't enough to make Lin An feel anything special; the key lies in this equipment's second skill.

Translate: "Two stages... uh, no—with double casting, a four‑stage displacement skill, even without using Blink his mobility would become quite terrifying."

"Rose stealing..."

Translate: "However, these still aren't enough for Lin An to feel anything special; the key lies in this equipment's second skill."

This skill is clearly suited for large-scale, prolonged combat.

Translate: "Rose stealing..."

"First-rank: steal 10 points; second-rank: steal 20 points;..."

Translate: "This skill is obviously suited for large‑scale, prolonged combat."

Lin An looked at the system explanation, his expression turning strange; just by relying on this skill against a large enemy force, he could even stack up to 30 points of attributes in one go.

Translate: "First‑level steals 10 points, second‑level steals 20..."

Lin An glanced at the system description, his expression oddly shifting. With just this skill, when facing a horde of enemies, he could actually stack up to 30 attribute points all at once.

Translate: "Lin An looked at the system explanation, his expression inexplicably turning strange; relying solely on this skill when facing a large enemy force, he could even stack up to 30 points of attributes in one go."

Death God Crystal and seed steal recovery, rose steal attributes and skills... No wonder, when facing a large number of enemies, he will become so strong it makes your hair stand on end..

Moreover, this piece of equipment is actually quite suitable for Zhang Tie.

If I change to a different set later, this equipment can simply be thrown to Tie Han Han, or given to him whenever needed.

Anyway, that guy only gets stronger the more he fights, and he's best at prolonged battles.

No more thinking.

With a hint of anticipation, Lin An directly replaced his equipment.

His body sank, and a spontaneously arising sense of solidity enveloped his upper body.

Indeed not bad...

After sighing, Lin An's mood inevitably improved considerably.

After glancing at this squad, he didn't say much more, turned and flew away.

Mo Ling and Zhang Tie were still dragging zombies over there, and he also hurried to the next target point.

Just hoping that mutant also guards something, then it would be perfect...

The sound of breaking air gradually faded away.

On half of the building ruins, six Awakened Ones raised their heads, and only after confirming Lin An had truly left did they dazedly glance at each other.

Meanwhile, the squad captain standing aside sighed repeatedly, head down, spiritless.

Days of preparation were wasted, the risks taken were for nothing, and worse, the props they had specially exchanged for this operation were also wasted.

Amid misfortune, a great fortune: we are still alive.

Aside from the teammate knocked unconscious by the aftermath, the whole team actually suffered no harm.

Of course, except for the mental 'trauma'.

"How could this..."

"So strong..."

Peering at the crater on the ground, several people blinked and muttered to themselves.

Even though the event had passed, they still felt as if they were dreaming.

That was third rank, after all...

With envy, even a tone of awe, several people couldn't help but stare blankly in the direction Lin An disappeared.

"You guys say, just now that Awakened One, who exactly was he..."

"Even a third-rank mutant can be killed like this— in this whole apocalypse, we could just walk sideways!?"

He shook his head, hearing his companions' words, the team members all said they couldn't guess.

They hadn't even seen a third rank before, let alone recognize the disguised Lin An.

The squad captain beside them sighed, his face full of resentment:

"Never mind who he is, no matter how strong he is, it's got nothing to do with us..."

Speaking, he beat his chest and stamped his feet:

"Ahhh! My equipment... sigh!"

"Now it's fine— we didn't get the equipment, and we lost a big sum!"

It's not fear of not obtaining, but fear of obtaining and then losing.

Although he also knows that if he took the equipment, he'd probably not escape the mutant's pursuit, still, this feeling of losing a wife makes him truly miserable. Besides, if he himself had good equipment, wouldn't that also mean he had strength? Why act like a mouse, hiding here and there?

The strong remain strong; the weak can't even hold onto an opportunity.

Looking at the captain's worried face, one scarred man's eyes flickered, as if thinking of something, and he suddenly exclaimed:

"Captain! Actually, it's not all a loss!"

"Running into that person isn't necessarily a bad thing!"

"Huh!?"

The squad captain stared blankly, then looked dazedly at his own team members.

The next second, only seeing that team member excitedly open his system panel, he gulped:

"Captain, I just... I just recorded that person's battle footage!"

"I originally just planned to record that monster, preparing to go back and brag..."

Speaking, he opened his own system function, eyes frenzied:

"Captain! We can sell this! We can sell this recording! Sell this news!"

"Just think! A super-strong third rank, a mysterious ultra-powerhouse, battling a third-rank mutant—and killing it in just a few seconds!"

"This is damn explosive!"

"Holy shit, how many people would be interested in this news!"

The remaining squad members, upon hearing the scarred man's words, also became excited, as if thinking of something, and hurriedly gathered together.

Yeah! In the trade channel, the news is very valuable!

Those who saw Lin An's battle were all this shocked; others aren't much better.

Such terrifying strength— I believe every third rank would be interested, unable to resist buying to watch!

Sell it a few more times, and we'll definitely make a killing!

Thinking of this, several people beamed with joy, looking around as the corpse horde, no longer suppressed by third-rank power, gradually closed in, and without hesitation they left directly.

Three hours later, an explosive-title message spread across the Huaxia war zone trade channel.

"Shocking! Live recording! Mysterious third rank, in three seconds single-handedly massacring top-tier mutant!"