Chapter 184

188. Chapter 188 Trading with the Devil? Have you lost your mind!

The closer they get to the royal court.

The obstacles they encounter grow more numerous.

Countless fearless fairies launch attacks on the special forces squad from all directions.

Even their attacks are like throwing pebble-sized soybeans at a Dragon Earl Giant capable of hooking a giant ao.

Not to mention breaking the skin; even a single hair is hard to injure.

The damage caused can't even compare to a scraping therapy.

The twins Angkes and Marco are indeed the sharpshooters responsible for firepower in the special forces squad.

No matter the size of the fairy attack squad they encounter, they simply crush it all the way.

Powerful magical devices paired with extremely destructive sorcery.

Like an unstoppable mower, they easily reaped the lives of those fairies, showing no mercy.

The vast majority of the dead fairies didn't even know how they died.

They only felt a flash of fire, and their lives were gone.

However, even as piles of corpses fell, unable to be delayed even a second, still few fairies showed fear or retreated.

The fairies came one after another, fearless and relentless, refusing to retreat even in death.

For every fairy that falls, there are countless more.

As long as they still have a breath, they must resist to the end.

They firmly refuse to let the otherworldly 'demons' destroy the beautiful fairy world!

Lin Ke didn't need to participate in the slaughter, clearing obstacles along the way; his hands were unstained with blood, and he didn't personally create any killing karma.

Yet he is also a member of the attacking side, so he cannot be considered pure and spotless.

The slaughter and karma have his share, and it will certainly not be less.

Watching these seemingly familiar scenes unfold, Lin Ke felt a huge surge in his heart, and his emotions fluctuated violently.

Killing and killing are different.

He had to fully operate the Brain Seal Technique, shielding related emotions, entering a state of extreme rationality.

Only then would certain memories, education, and worldviews from his past life not jump out to blame and scold him.

It will not produce all kinds of emotions that wizards consider completely unnecessary.

For example, guilt; for example, shame.

The off-road convoy's speed never dropped even a bit due to the fairies' suicide attacks.

It kept surging forward wildly, its aura arrogant and overbearing.

It drew ever closer to the destination.

According to the intel from the fairy nobles' guide party, combined with the reconnaissance of "Heimao" Betty, the convoy had already approached the 'biochemical factory' where the fairy royalty was undergoing biochemical modification and enhancement.

The resistance they encountered had already shifted from fairy militia to the fairy regular army.

On the feedback from the bionic hummingbirds, one could clearly see that an army of about 20,000 fairies had set up five solid defensive lines on the route the convoy had to take.

7vs20000

In terms of numbers, the seven wizards of the special squad are nowhere near comparable to the 20,000-strong fairy army.

In fact, the ones trembling, shaking, and gritting their teeth in persistence are the 20,000-strong fairy army.

On the special squad's side, the seven wizards, including Lin Ke, are not at all nervous.

Lin Ke isn't nervous because Otis the big shot is there, and he also has five battle-hardened teammates, each of rank two, with him.

The others aren't nervous because, if they wish, they can spend some time, expend some magical equipment reserves, pull out some bottom-of-the-box magical tricks, and wiping out the 20,000-strong fairy army would not be difficult.

However, Otis the big shot is in a hurry and does not want to clash with this fairy army.

"Get ready; we will soon switch to flight mode, ascend at full speed, and leap over the enemy's defensive lines."

Otis the big shot issued the order over the team channel.

The six team members obeyed the order, each making their preparations.

Lin Ke followed the actions of Asande on his left and "Heimao" Betty on his right.

First he fastened his seat belt, then with a thought he activated his innate magical art 'Armored Orchid Battle Armor', donning the armor to complete his transformation.

The four off-road vehicles, which had been in autonomous driving mode, now resembled Transformers.

Click-click sounds rang out as the components of the off-road vehicles began to rotate, fold, and adjust.

In an instant, the four-wheel off-road vehicles turned into small 'jet aircraft'.

This process was like Autobot Bumblebee turning into Decepticon Red Spider, and a Chevrolet Camaro sports car transforming into an F-22 fighter jet.

It was extremely dreamy and extremely cool.

The vehicle, which had merely been hovering a few centimeters above the ground while speeding along, now shot out a super-strong vertical flame jet,

Instantly shifting from horizontal forward motion to a straight vertical ascent,

Within just a few seconds it broke through the forest sea and rose to an altitude above two thousand meters,

The resulting extreme stimulation and its physical pressure and effect were like what Liu Peiqiang and Han Duo duo felt when they first rode the space elevator.

The instantaneous load generated was at least 15 g!

If he had not undergone a life-essence leap and also worn the Armored Orchid Battle Armor to cancel out this huge instantaneous load, Lin Ke would certainly have made a fool of himself on his first experience.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the special squad flew out of the forest sea in an extremely short time, rose to high altitude, and far exceeded the fairy army's attack range.

In the same brief span, it leapt over the five defensive lines and disappeared from the fairy army's sight.

The 20,000-strong fairy army all witnessed this process.

The morale of the vast majority of the fairies directly collapsed.

They had already embraced a resolve to die, coming to block, only to delay this arrogant otherworld "demon" squad.

otherworld "demon" squad

Better: "otherworld "demon" squad". We'll keep double quotes inside? We'll just use single quotes? The Chinese uses 「」 which are Chinese quotation marks. We'll translate to English quotes: maybe use double quotes. We'll output: otherworld "demon" squad.

Now line 61 translation: "They had already embraced a resolve to die, coming to block, only to delay this arrogant otherworld "demon" squad."

They came with a death-defying resolve to intercept, solely to stall this arrogant otherworld "demon" squad.

Let's do each line.

I'll produce translations.

But we must ensure we don't add explanatory words not in source. Keep concise.

Let's go line by line.

They had already resolved to fight to the death, coming to block them, solely to delay this arrogant otherworld "demon" squad.

Translation: They had already embraced a resolve to die, coming to block, only to delay this arrogant otherworld "demon" squad.

We need to keep the comma structure? We'll produce a single line.

As a result, they didn't even manage to touch the enemy's face, let alone see their movements clearly.

Translation: As a result, they didn't even come close to seeing the enemy's face, let alone discern their movements.

But we need to be concise: "As a result, they didn't even see the enemy's face, let alone discern their movements."

They didn't even come close to seeing the enemy's face.

Not to mention engaging in combat.

Translation: Not to mention engaging in battle.

The enemy possesses such terrifying evasion ability, performing it so effortlessly that their combat skill is at least on par, if not superior.

Translation: The enemy possesses such terrifying evasion ability, performing so effortlessly that their combat ability is at least equal, if not superior.

The enemy possesses such terrifying evasion ability, performing so effortlessly that their combat ability is at least equal, if not superior.

With such a huge gap, how should we respond?

Translation: With such a huge gap, how should we respond?

How could this not be hopeless?

Translation: How could it not be despairing?

Pessimism, loss, helplessness—various negative emotions quickly spread among the 20,000 fairies.

Translation: Pessimism, loss, helplessness—various negative emotions quickly spread among the 20,000 fairies.

Many fairies felt that even death would be preferable to this helpless situation.

Translation: Many fairies felt that even death would be far better than this helpless situation.

Wails, sobs, and angry shouts rose and fell one after another.

Translation: Howls, sobs, and curses rose and fell.

It felt as if the sky of the fairy world had collapsed.

Translation: It was as if the sky of the fairy world had collapsed.

The darkest hour had arrived.

Translation: The darkest hour had arrived.

On the special team's side, the flight mode lasted less than five seconds.

Translation: On the Special Forces Squad's side, the Flight Mode lasted less than five seconds.

After leaping over the fairy army's defenses, they quickly exited high-speed mode, lowered their altitude, re-entered the forest, and landed smoothly.

Translation: After leaping over the fairy army's defense line, they quickly withdrew from Extreme Speed Mode, lowered altitude, re-entered the Forest Sea, and landed smoothly.

"Walk, conceal, advance while searching."

Translation: "On foot, concealed, advance while scouting."

Otisi Boss was the first to jump off the reconfigured off-road vehicle and gave the order.

Translation: Otisi Boss jumped first from the reconfigured off-road vehicle and gave the order.

Otisi Boss

The team members immediately complied, quickly forming a spindle-shaped search formation.

Translation: The team members immediately executed, quickly forming a spindle-shaped search formation.

The four off-road vehicles miniaturized, flew into Otisi Boss's hands, and were placed one by one into his pockets.

Translation: The four off-road vehicles miniaturized, flew into Otisi Boss's hand, and were placed one by one into his pocket.

Having a spatial storage magic item is just this awesome.

Translation: Having a spatial storage magical device is just this awesome.

Seeing Lin Ke's slight doubt, Asande explained: "The flight mode consumes too much energy; it can't be sustained for long, so we only use it at critical moments."

Translation: Seeing Lin Ke show a hint of doubt, Asande explained: "The Flight Mode consumes too much energy; it can't be sustained for long, so it's only used at critical moments."

Asande explained

"Hmm."

Translation: "Hmm."

Lin Ke nodded.

Translation: Lin Ke nodded.

He then said, "Why not take out the vehicle right away and switch to flight mode?"

Translation: He just said, why not take out the vehicle at the start and switch to Flight Mode?

If we had done that, we would have already reached the "Biochemical Factory."

Translation: That way, they would have already reached the "Biochemical Factory".

Why would we need to fight our way here?

Translation: Why would they need to fight their way here?

Dragging our feet, wasting time.

Translation: Dragging their feet, wasting time.

It turns out it wasn't durable enough.

Translation: It turned out they lacked endurance.

As expected, no matter what we do, endurance is the key.

Translation: Indeed, no matter what, endurance is the kingly way.

What?

Translation: What?

Why not prepare a few more vehicles and rotate their use?

Translation: Why not prepare several more vehicles and rotate their use?

Be aware that under the world will's suppression in the fairy world, there are actually very few vehicle-type magical items that can still function normally deep behind enemy lines.

Translation: Be aware that under the suppression of the fairy world's world will, usable vehicle-type magical devices deep in enemy territory are actually few.

They must undergo special treatment beforehand to ensure they don't malfunction.

Translation: They all need special treatment beforehand to ensure no malfunctions.

The fact that the special team can equip four of these vehicles already shows they are extremely well-off.

Translation: The Special Forces Squad being able to equip four such vehicles is already a very "wealthy and imposing" display.

The four airborne fortresses can be activated thanks to the blessing of the mage world's world will.

Translation: The four air fortresses can be activated thanks to the blessing of the wizard world's world will.

Initially, a special rune array beneath the teleportation gate covered the forward base and surrounding area; later, it was the Sage Paro who covered the surrounding area.

Translation: Initially, they covered the forward base and surrounding area with a special rune array beneath the teleportation portal; later, they covered the surrounding area with the aid of Paro Sage.

The two chatted while maintaining formation and quickly advancing their search.

Translation: The two chatted while maintaining formation and swiftly scouting ahead.

Soon after, the special team smoothly reached the outskirts of the fairy royal family's "Biochemical Factory."

Translation: Not long after, the Special Forces Squad smoothly reached the outskirts of the fairy royal family's "Biochemical Factory".

After the third prince's order was issued, the "Biochemical Factory" began its evacuation and relocation work.

Translation: After the Third Prince's order was issued, the "Biochemical Factory" began evacuation and transfer work.

They were already busy nonstop, but then they received a report that the front line had failed to stop the otherworld "demon" squad, which had now lost track, prompting the "Biochemical Factory" to stay alert. What had been an orderly evacuation and transfer suddenly became somewhat frantic.

Translation: Originally busy nonstop, they then received a report that the front line had failed to stop the otherworld "demon" squad, which had now lost trace, prompting the "Biochemical Factory" to be on alert. The previously orderly evacuation and transfer work instantly became somewhat frantic.

The scene was chaotic, with no order whatsoever.

Translation: The scene was chaotic, with no order to speak of.

Under the cover of the continuously emitting faint clear light from the two-ring magical item crystal balls, the special team entered stealth mode, took advantage of the chaos to bypass several outer defenses of the "Biochemical Factory," and successfully infiltrated it.

Translation: Under the cover of the 2-Ring Magical Device Crystal Ball continuously emitting a faint clear light, the Special Forces Squad entered stealth mode, took advantage of the chaos to bypass several outer defenses of the "Biochemical Factory", and successfully infiltrated it.

During this time, many fairies walked right past the special team.

Translation: During this, many fairies passed directly by the Special Forces Squad.

Even when they were only a finger's breadth away, almost colliding, they detected nothing unusual.

Translation: Even when they were only a finger's breadth away, almost colliding, they detected no abnormality whatsoever.

Having successfully entered the "Biochemical Factory" interior, Otisi Boss issued the latest order via the team channel:

Translation: Having successfully entered the "Biochemical Factory" interior, Otisi Boss issued the latest order via the team channel:

"Mission change: the original research task is halted; priority is given to preparing the factory's destruction."

Translation: "Mission changed: original research task halted, priority given to preparing the factory's destruction."

Lin Ke heard this and couldn't help but be somewhat taken aback.

Translation: Lin Ke, upon hearing this, couldn't help but feel somewhat startled.

Does this mean they change it just like that?

Translation: Does this mean it changes just like that?

Immediately, he realized that something must have happened that he wasn't aware of.

Translation: Immediately, he realized it must be due to some change he was unaware of.

This is what caused the mission change.

Translation: This is what caused the mission change.

He turned his head to look at Asande beside him, seeing a calm face behind the transparent visor.

Translation: He turned his head to look at Asande beside him, seeing behind the transparent visor a calm face.

Such demeanor confirmed Lin Ke's suspicion.

Translation: Such performance on their part confirmed Lin Ke's speculation.

"What's the situation?"

Translation: "What's the situation?"

Lin Ke, while following the team's actions, asked doubtfully, wanting more information: "Is there something happening that I don't know about?"

Translation: Lin Ke, while following the team's actions, asked doubtfully, wanting more information: "Has something happened that I don't know about?"

Asande, meanwhile, pulled out some highly explosive disposable magical items that still fall short of ultimate weapons from his pocket, handed them to Lin Ke, and calmly replied: "It's not convenient to say now; after a while, you'll naturally understand."

Translation: Asande, meanwhile, pulled out some one-time magical devices with enormous explosive power yet inferior to a superweapon from his pocket, handed them to Lin Ke, and replied lightly: "It's not convenient to say now; after a while, you'll naturally understand."

Saying that, Asande signaled Lin Ke to focus and set up a "time bomb."

Translation: Saying this, Asande gestured for Lin Ke to focus and set up a "Timed Bomb".

Lin Ke then kept silent.

Translation: Lin Ke then kept silent.

After receiving the "bomb," Lin Ke quickly observed the layout and structure of the "Biochemical Factory," calculating how to install it to more efficiently blow the factory sky-high.

Translation: After receiving the "bomb", he quickly observed the layout and structure of the "Biochemical Factory", calculating how to install it to more efficiently blow the factory sky-high.

As he looked, Lin Ke noticed something off.

Translation: Looking and looking, Lin Ke discovered something amiss.

Wherever a spot was suitable for placing the "bomb" for blasting, there were some hornet's nest-like objects tightly attached to it.

Translation: Wherever suitable for installing the "bomb" for blasting, there were some hornet's nest-like objects tightly attached.

Lin Ke carefully removed one of the "hornet's nests," quickly examined it, and discovered that it was actually also a "bomb."

Translation: Lin Ke carefully removed a "hornet's nest", quickly studied it, and found it was actually also a "bomb".

It seems that, after discovering the squad's movements, the high-ranking members of the Fairy Royal Family had already prepared to destroy the "biochemical factory".

Perhaps, they still harbored the idea of blowing them up.

However, the fairy-version "bomb" lacked sufficient power.

It couldn't even match a self-destruct fire thunder of rune-item grade.

Moreover, the one-time magical device Lin Ke obtained from Asande was far beyond that.

Not only Lin Ke noticed this.

Several other team members also noticed it.

Thus, the work of installing the "bombs" suddenly sped up.

One only needed to find a place storing a "hornet's nest", attach a "bomb", and no longer need to expend effort calculating mechanical structure.

During installation, they would also casually destroy the "hornet's nest".

Even if the "hornet's nest" lacked power, it was still capable of exploding.

The accumulated power could still cause considerable damage.

How could the special forces team allow the "hornet's nest" to remain intact, constantly risking detonation by the fairies?

Soon enough, the timed bombs sufficient to completely destroy the entire "biochemical factory" were installed.

Boss Otis estimated the time and made a new decision: "Asande and Lin Ke will stay behind to carry out the original research mission; the rest will follow me, target: the Fairy King's resting place."

This decision was very much in line with the special forces team's style and temperament.

Plan? What plan?

The plan is to improvise!

Boss Otis's troop-splitting order once again exceeded Lin Ke's expectations.

But it also suited Lin Ke's wishes.

He truly did not want to carry out large-scale slaughter, which would make him feel terrible inside.

Staying behind to perform the original research task would be quite good.

Thus, the special forces team split into two groups: one of five set out, the other two remained.

Asande accompanied Lin Ke as they walked past the numerous busy fairies.

They strolled leisurely inside the "biochemical factory", seeking the data room or core laboratory.

The data room was not found, nor the core laboratory.

They only found several production lines for potions that hadn't been moved in time.

After the hasty evacuation and transfer, the potion products from those production lines were almost completely removed.

Only a lot of unmoved raw materials were scattered about, along with a few stray vials of verdant potion in the corners.

Lin Ke did not particularly need the finished products; he valued the raw materials more.

"I'll stand guard; you hurry."

Asande glanced at the slightly excited Lin Ke, raised an eyebrow, uttered a sentence, then turned to stand guard nearby.

Lin Ke took off his backpack, produced a set of miniaturized lab equipment, and activated it normally.

First, he categorized them, taking samples and backups of each raw material, then proceeded with detailed inspection.

While waiting for the test results, Lin Ke did not waste time.

He examined the entire production line from start to finish, estimating its procedures.

Then, based on the raw material types, the inferred procedures, and the residual raw material remnants on the line, he continued his estimates.

With data on various mutation stages of fairies in his mind as reference, Lin Ke quickly reconstructed a material ratio.

He started the production line, added raw materials according to the reconstructed ratio, then sequentially activated the procedures, attempting to synthesize the potion.

Soon, he obtained several vials of potion uniformly verdant.

Compared with the leftover potion product, they were identical in every aspect.

This proved that the material ratio Lin Ke reconstructed was the original ratio used in the fairies' "biochemical factory" production process.

At this point, the test results for the raw materials' properties also came out.

Lin Ke examined closely and discovered that, if the tested properties were correct, the material ratio used in the "biochemical factory" production process contained a completely avoidable flaw.

It was precisely this flaw that amplified the demand for vitality in the biochemical enhancement and strengthening method for boosting fairies' innate abilities, causing large-scale mutations among those fairies who underwent the enhancement.

From various traces, Lin Ke intuitively believed that the flaw in the material ratio was a trap deliberately left by someone.

This trap was not sophisticated; even the Fairy King, whose status approximated that of a fourth‑level sage, failed to notice it.

Moreover, he dared to use it on himself.

This shocked Lin Ke.

No wonder, after being struck down to near death by a single blow from the Paro Sage, he was a false fourth‑level powerhouse.

Ignorance breeds fearlessness!

He did not continue to ponder whether the Fairy King was wise or foolish.

Lin Ke pondered this artificial flaw, wondering which person was responsible.

Lacking intelligence and information as reference, the inner details were, to Lin Ke, like viewing flowers through mist.

But perhaps, for others, there were no secrets.

Lin Ke looked at Asande standing guard nearby, voiced his discovery, then asked: "In the fairy‑world intelligence you command, does such a 'person' exist?"

Asande heard Lin Ke's words, let out a puff of laughter, then burst into loud laughter.

One of his doubts was finally cleared up by Lin Ke's recent discovery.

No wonder, throughout fairy‑world history there had never been a precedent for biochemical alteration.

But under this generation's Fairy King, a relatively systematic method appeared.

It turned out that it was not due to an oversight in the legion's preliminary reconnaissance missing key intelligence, nor was it because the Fairy King privately studied and mastered a certain level of biochemical knowledge.

But what deal did the Fairy King make with the demon sealed within the world barrier, obtaining from the demon the methods of bio-modification and enhancement?

Making a deal with the demon……

Heh heh heh……

Asande thought of this possibility, and laughed even more exaggeratedly.

Only fools make deals with demons.

Utterly foolish, the kind of fool beyond redemption.

Those who have made deals with demons in the myriad worlds have never had a good ending.

Except for the sorcerer.