Chapter 35: Entering

Lin Xinghai stepped out of the vehicle and looked at the building before them along with everyone else.

At first glance, Lin Xinghai realized the Spaceship Research Institute was sturdy and solid.

Basically, the buildings that survived the catastrophe were of excellent quality. Otherwise, they would have collapsed long ago.

The Spaceship Research Institute appeared surprisingly intact from the outside, which was pretty unexpected.

The mercenary team found a relatively open place to gather. Fang Tianhe also dismounted from his mecha.

He looked around and went straight to the point, saying, “Let’s follow the original plan. We will split into two teams here. One team will be led by me personally to head inside and retrieve the energy crystals.”

“The other team is led by Shen Han. If we encounter danger and signal for help, use micro-missiles to blast a passage and come in for a rescue.”

“Those willing to follow me into the Spaceship Research Institute, raise your hands. Of course, I must clarify first that those who go in will certainly face greater danger.”

“The energy crystals inside the research institute are in an unstable state, emitting energy radiation that has interfered with our detectors. Therefore, we know nothing about the situation inside the building.” Fang Tianhe said in a deep voice.

*Swoosh!*

A group of people raised their hands, including Lin Xinghai.

Having spent most of his time in a vehicle since leaving the shelter, Lin Xinghai now relished the opportunity to move around on foot.

As for the danger, Lin Xinghai had thought about it, but he wasn’t worried.

It wasn’t that he was arrogant. How did that saying go again?… If two people encountered a tiger, you didn’t need to run faster than the tiger, just faster than the person next to you.

Regardless, with his Extreme Speed ability, there was no way he would be left behind should the time to flee arise.

Fang Tianhe observed that the majority had raised their hands, but he couldn’t take everyone with him. The current team had only 17 people, and in his estimation, forming a small group of 8 to enter the building would be sufficient.

After a brief contemplation, he selected several individuals, including Roger, Wu Yan, and Xu Haisui. It quickly came down to the last available spot.

After thinking about it, he added Lin Xinghai to the exploration team.

The combat effectiveness of a mercenary was multifaceted, with genetic optimization being just one aspect. After all, weaponry was also crucial, especially firearms.

Given Lin Xinghai’s marksmanship, especially when armed with a Shredder Rifle, his combat effectiveness was not to be underestimated.

After confirming the team composition, Fang Tianhe didn’t delay any further, leading the team straight inside.

Wielding a large saber in his right hand and a hand cannon in his left, he boldly led the way at the forefront.

The others quickly followed and spontaneously formed a defensive formation.

Lin Xinghai had no idea about the defensive formation, but he didn’t need to. All he had to do was follow Roger and stay in the middle of the group.

As a marksman with excellent shooting skills, this was where he was supposed to be.

The team chose not to enter through the main entrance. After all, it was a metal door, and it was very difficult to pry it open.

They opted for the nearest window instead. Without Fang Tianhe’s command, a team member stepped forward, using a vibro-dagger to effortlessly cut out the entire window frame.

Everyone jumped in nimbly, finding themselves in a long, dark corridor, with no indication of where it led.

Fang Tianhe seemed unsurprised by this, promptly activating the illumination system on his combat suit and continuing to lead the way forward.

The others followed suit, using the illumination systems of their combat suits, which relied on luminescent fibers embedded in the fabric for lighting. Consequently, the light they provided was not too strong.

The illumination system, once activated by everyone, assisted with their vision.

The team proceeded forward.

The corridor was long and deathly silent, which gave goosebumps.

At least that was how Lin Xinghai felt, and he even regretted following into this place.

However, now that he was already inside the building, regret was pointless. Lin Xinghai felt he could find something to console his fragile spirit.

For instance, discerning Fang Tianhe’s strength. He had wanted to do it earlier, but he was worried about wasting the free appraisal charges, leading to much hesitation.

Ding!

As Lin Xinghai used the appraisal technique, the corresponding information immediately appeared on the system panel before him.

Name: Fang Tianhe

Constitution: 83 points

Strength: 97 points

Speed: 72 points

Genetic Enhancement Degree: 97%

Level 2 Ability: Sky Fracture (Emits a form of energy with intense cutting properties, which can be affixed to objects to enhance their offensive power.)

Lin Xinghai was a little shocked when he saw Fang Tianhe’s genetic enhancement degree.

Although he knew beforehand that Fang Tianhe’s genetic optimization level had exceeded 90%, he hadn’t expected it to actually reach 97%. That was not far from 100% at all!

With such attributes, even if they encountered advanced zombies, they could bulldoze their way through.

What surprised Lin Xinghai even more was that Fang Tianhe’s ability turned out to be a Level 2 ability. That explained why his ability seemed so powerful.

However, having a Level 2 ability also proved that Fang Tianhe had missed an opportunity to enhance his ability.

Otherwise, 90% of the genetic enhancement degree would theoretically have a Level 3 ability, which was also Lin Xinghai’s goal.

Having a cheat system, Lin Xinghai didn’t have to worry about his chances.

The only thing to worry about would be Blood Essence.

While he was pondering these things, he noticed that Fang Tianhe, who was leading the way up front, had stopped.

He glanced warily and found that he was not in danger, but that there was a fork in the road ahead.

One to the left! One to the right!

“Rog, if it were you, which side would you choose?” Lin Xinghai, feeling the atmosphere was too oppressive, tried to make conversation out of nothing.

“Your question is pointless. In this kind of situation, only the team leader can decide.” Roger said. Seeing the disdainful look Lin Xinghai gave him, he knew exactly what the other was thinking.

He explained irritably, “Don’t think I’m just trying to suck up. Our detectors are useless now, and we can only rely on perception. But our sensory range is too limited; we have to depend on the team leader.”

Hearing this, Lin Xinghai felt a stir in his heart; he had almost forgotten about that.

He quickly closed his eyes and maximized his perception.

Soon, he noticed that deep in the corridor on the left, he felt a faint sense of danger. This feeling was familiar to him. It was… zombies.

At this time, Fang Tianhe also made a choice. He did not choose the safe right side but took the initiative to lead the team to the left side.

Lin Xinghai’s mouth moved, but in the end, he said nothing and followed the team silently.