Chapter 140: Shadows in the Mist

Chapter 140: Shadows in the Mist

As they discussed their search areas, Jian Qing prepared to board the vehicle. When she turned around, she noticed a tiger-like creature with a metallic exterior accompanying Lu Heng. Intrigued, she asked, "Is that thing alive, or is it a machine?"

Judging by its appearance alone, it was difficult to tell. The mechanical tiger's body was covered in liquid metal, allowing its limbs to move freely.

This situation went beyond the average person's understanding of machinery. Typically, for a robot to move its limbs, there would be visible gears or similar joints. However, this mechanical tiger's exterior revealed no mechanical structure, resembling a living beast with a metallic hide.

On Bluesphere, not only humans could awaken, but other creatures also had the potential for mutation. However, wild beasts wouldn't mutate on their own, so the chances of mutation were relatively low.

Mutated beasts could also gain special abilities. In other words, if a tiger acquired the ability to metallize its skin, it might result in a mechanical tiger like this.

Lu Heng glanced at the mechanical tiger and replied, "It's a machine."

Jian Qing raised her eyebrows and praised, "That's so cool! Did you get it from the Abyssal Battlefield? Next time we meet, tell me how you got such an awesome mechanical beast."

Lu Heng shrugged and said, "Let's talk about it after we complete this mission."

"Let's go!" Jian Qing waved and boarded the vehicle, continuing their journey.

The two tracked vehicles entered the mist and reached a fork in the stream, where they separated, one going left and the other right.

Before the mist obscured their view, Jian Qing waved and shouted, "Hey! If you dare to bring a girl into this place, you better make sure to bring her back safely!"

She was referring to Su Mu Yu.

In fact, it was rare for girls to be included in such dangerous missions. Jian Qing herself had been in a similar situation, as she was usually not assigned to hazardous tasks.

However, since the Abyssal Descent, things had changed a little. Her exceptional talent had been demonstrated in multiple Abyssal Battlefield missions, and her performance had altered her comrades' perceptions.

Moreover, theoretically, her wind attribute ability could be effective against the mist, which was why she was here.

Su Mu Yu's situation was different. She wasn't part of a national task force but had been brought along by Lu Heng.

That's why Jian Qing made that remark.

Lu Heng didn't respond to her statement but merely smiled and waved back.

Just like Jian Qing's presence here, Su Mu Yu also had a crucial role in this operation.

She was currently the strongest Seer within the Daxia territory, or at least one of the strongest. There was no one who could surpass her in terms of perception.

The existence of the mist greatly reduced human visibility, making it dangerous to proceed without a Seer for reconnaissance.

...

Lu Heng's team consisted of ten people, including Su Mu Yu, Lin Zeyu, and Chen Zihan's five-person squad. Additionally, two Metahuman warriors were assigned to them.

Among the ten, Lu Heng was the only one without perception abilities. One of the Seers was Wu Weibing from Chen Zihan's squad, a reconnaissance soldier from the Special Operations Squad who had demonstrated exceptional abilities after awakening.

Lu Heng assigned different tasks to the three Seers. One was responsible for scouting ahead, another for the rear and both flanks, and Su Mu Yu for aerial reconnaissance to ensure nothing was missed.

In fact, if the goal was to improve reconnaissance in the mist, adding more Seers would be even better.

However, with a team of ten, having three Seers was already considered a significant number. To ensure sufficient combat power when encountering Abyssal creatures, they couldn't afford to reduce the number of main combat personnel.

...

The tracked vehicles creaked as they advanced through the rugged terrain, but they managed to maintain stability.

The mechanical tiger followed behind the vehicle, its stride even more steady.

Vehicles with wheels were undoubtedly faster than creatures or machines running on foot when on flat ground.

However, when it came to mountainous terrain, wheels became less effective, and tracks were necessary.

Even tracks could only handle regular mountains; climbing steep slopes was out of the question.

Lin Zeyu sat in the vehicle, swaying as they moved forward. From time to time, he took out his sniper rifle, rested it on the dashboard, and aimed into the mist: "This mist is ridiculous! With only ten meters of visibility, how am I supposed to use my sniper rifle?"

Lu Heng glanced at him and teased, "Now you know why I didn't want to bring you along at first?"

"What? You really didn't want me here? Am I being abandoned? After all my hard work practicing with the gun, who am I doing this for?" Lin Zeyu immediately started complaining.

"Isn't it for yourself?" Lu Heng rolled his eyes.

"Yes, it's for myself, but it also improves the team's combat effectiveness," Lin Zeyu explained, spreading his hands.

"Don't be discouraged. Your Primal Energy Shock Bomb is still useful. That level of energy should be able to disperse the mist."

Lu Heng was just joking with him. In the mist, it was true that sniper rifles were less effective, but machine guns with Advanced Armor-Piercing Bullets could still be deadly.

Lin Zeyu scratched his head and asked, "I've noticed a fatal weakness in my ability enhancement. What if I encounter a Metahuman who can create mist? I'd be helpless against them."

Su Mu Yu pursed her lips and said, "You don't need someone who can create mist; a smoke grenade would do the trick."

Lin Zeyu's eyes widened, and he retorted, "How do you know about this? Have you played CS before?"

"I've seen pigs run," Su Mu Yu replied.

Lin Zeyu's expression turned serious as he asked, "Lu Heng, is there a way to solve this problem?"

Is there a way for me to hit my target with a single shot, even in the mist?"

Lu Heng thought for a moment before replying, "There is a way, but it depends on whether you want to learn this skill."

"What skill?" Lin Zeyu asked eagerly.

"It's a skill that leans towards the perception system and can more or less solve this problem. For example, you can use the Scout Eagle's vision to lock onto the target's position and then take a shot," Lu Heng suggested.

"That's a good idea! I should get a Scout Eagle too!" Lin Zeyu clapped his hands, excited by the idea.

When Su Mu Yu had free time, she would browse the Crystal Core Dark Web for trade information.

She wasn't there to buy crystal cores but to gather skill information through these trade listings.

Typically, the listings would include skill data, allowing her to obtain information about various skills.

As a result, she had become well-informed about the effects of many skills.

After learning about various skills, she also noticed some patterns.

No skill is all-powerful, and no single skill can have every effect.

Perception-based skills usually lack offensive capabilities.

Skills with offensive capabilities typically lack defensive strength.

Occasionally, some skills possess two functions, but the values of these functions are lower than those of skills specialized in one area.

In summary, the practical effectiveness of a skill is directly proportional to its skill level.

A D-Class skill will undoubtedly be weaker than a C-Class skill of the same type.

So, when Lin Zeyu mentioned getting a Scout Eagle, Su Mu Yu spoke up, "Think it through. The Scout Eagle doesn't have invisibility or attack capabilities, and it will be easily spotted by opponents from a distance. Also, you don't have Summoned Vision, so you'll be relying on the Scout Eagle's vision."

Lin Zeyu's eyes widened as he realized the implications.

He finally understood that Su Mu Yu's Scout Eagle was so powerful because it was a combination of multiple skills.

For instance, Su Mu Yu's Scout Eagle had the ability to turn invisible, which was made possible by the skill Invisibility Veil.

Ordinary metahumans couldn't transfer their vision to the Scout Eagle because Summoned Vision was Su Mu Yu's unique talent.

Additionally, a regular Scout Eagle lacked offensive capabilities unless it was upgraded to an Advanced Scout Eagle.

Moreover, a standard Scout Eagle didn't have the ability to carry passengers, as the weight-bearing capability was provided by Su Mu Yu's Skyeye job class.

With this realization, Lin Zeyu suddenly understood that if he were to learn the Scout Eagle skill and use it in front of Su Mu Yu, it would be like trying to teach a master their own trade.

Lin Zeyu, feeling unconvinced, asked, "Lu Heng, is there any skill that has reconnaissance, invisibility, and provides a sniping view?"

The surrounding metahumans couldn't help but stifle their laughter.

Chen Zihan patted his shoulder and said, "Brother, you're asking for too much. If there were such a skill, I'd want it too."

Lin Zeyu argued, "I'm not even asking for offensive capabilities. I just want invisibility and a view. Isn't that a reasonable request?"

"It's actually quite excessive," the others managed to say through their laughter.

However, Lu Heng paused for a moment before saying, "Actually, there is something."

Lin Zeyu's eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly, "Really? What skill is it?"

Lu Heng did know of a skill that could meet his requirements, but it had its drawbacks: "I did see one on the Crystal Core Dark Web called Concealed Eye."

"Really? Then I'll get one when I get back. Are crystal cores with this skill rare?" Lin Zeyu's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"You didn't even ask about its drawbacks," Lu Heng shook his head and chuckled.

"It can turn invisible and provide a view. What more do you need?"

Lin Zeyu felt that these two effects were sufficient, but he turned to ask, "What's the drawback?"

Lu Heng spread his hands and said, "It can't move."

Lin Zeyu's eyes widened in surprise, "How can it be used if it can't move?"

Chen Zihan explained, "Have you played games? This skill is like a Vision Ward, right? So, you have to go and place it."

"Damn! Your description is... so concise and clear," Lin Zeyu exclaimed, finally understanding the skill's effect.

Lu Heng shrugged and said, "Every skill has its strengths and weaknesses. It's normal for a skill to have some drawbacks when it tries to solve two functions like invisibility and providing a view. It's up to you whether you can accept it, but if used well, it's extremely useful."

"Let me think about it... let me think about it..." Lin Zeyu decided to consider it further.

Lu Heng smiled and said, "If I were you, I'd learn this skill."

"Why?" Lin Zeyu asked curiously.

"Snipers are not meant to pursue opponents. If they do, they're walking into a trap. Snipers are usually the ones running away, leaving behind Concealed Eyes to keep track of the opponent's position. This skill is designed for professional snipers," Lu Heng analyzed its usage.

Lin Zeyu nodded in agreement after hearing this, "That makes sense. Combined with Primal Energy Shock Bombs and Black Witchcraft Traps, any close-range metahuman who dares to come after me will regret it."

As they discussed skills, Su Mu Yu suddenly frowned and said, "Shh! Quiet down. I just saw a shadow dart past in front of us."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end