"Are you asking about your companions? Don’t worry, they’re already waiting for you outside. You’ll be seeing them very soon."

After Guardian Chapter finished speaking with a smile, he lifted his foot and stomped on the wound of the player before him.

Meanwhile, Long Ming constantly scanned the distance through his Red Ghost mask.

Just then, he locked onto the top of a building ahead where a figure was lying prone. He immediately raised his M24, pulled the trigger, and fired a single shot.

WHIZ~

The player was killed instantly, without even a chance to react.

Long Ming stowed his M24, switched to a rifle, and silently pushed forward, continuing his sweep.

It was still a long time until nightfall, so Long Ming and the others were in no hurry, taking their time clearing the path ahead.

On the streets, Qin Ye and his group advanced steadily under the protection of their escort.

"You really do get what you pay for. This run is so much easier. At this rate, we’ll probably reach the Observatory Base in no time."

Lu Xu gazed into the distance, his mood cheerful.

Wang Yin replied, his confidence soaring.

"That’s right. It looks like we really have a chance to activate the observatory and complete the mission this time!"

"Let’s not get complacent. We haven’t even made it inside the observatory yet."

Bai Xiu cautioned them.

"What’s there to be afraid of? We hired so many pros this time. We’ll kill anyone who gets in our way!"

Qin Ye was also full of arrogance and confidence, completely forgetting his previously worried expression.

Three kilometers away, on the rooftop of a large building.

A tall young woman in a white, form-fitting combat suit gazed out over the entire base city. Her silver-white hair was coiled up and fastened with an exquisite hairpin. A fox mask covered her face, revealing only a pair of azure eyes and exuding a chilling aura with her every move.

Four people stood by her side. On the far left was a powerfully built man in a khaki combat uniform, holding an assault rifle with sharp eyes. Next to him stood a tall, thin young man with a pale face and thick glasses, holding a pair of military binoculars.

On her right stood a 2.3-meter-tall middle-aged man whose body was like forged steel, clad in heavy body armor and carrying a special metal shield, and a burly, heavily bearded man wielding a Gatling gun.

And behind them stood numerous players from the All Stars Guild, all wearing military body armor, carrying various weapons, and sporting armbands with the insignia of seven multi-colored stars.

"Commander Luo Bing, I’ve spotted a big fish!"

the man with the binoculars reported in surprise.

"What big fish?"

Qian Luobing asked coldly, hearing Jiang Huai’s words.

"An elite team of over twenty people. Most of them are hired escorts, all incredibly skilled. They’re quickly clearing out other players. This group could be a threat to us."

Jiang Huai reported respectfully to Qian Luobing.

"Hmph, and here I was thinking it was something serious. Just a bunch of mercenaries. They’re only good for bullying the weak. What real skills could they have?"

Adika, in his khaki combat uniform, said with disdain.

"Adika, don’t underestimate them."

Eric warned in a deep voice, lowering the metal shield in his hands.

"Hmph. It’s not that I’m underestimating them, you’re all overestimating them. Are you telling me this bunch of mercenaries could be stronger than us elite special-ops soldiers?"

Adika clearly held Long Ming’s group in utter contempt.

Just then, Qian Luobing spoke in a cold voice.

"Wipe them out!"

"Commander Luo Bing, let me go!"

Hearing Qian Luobing’s order, Adika stepped forward to volunteer.

"Go."

Qian Luobing gave the order coolly with a wave of her hand.

"Move out!"

Adika turned and led a few people away.

...

In a narrow alleyway.

A figure darted nimbly into a small, two-story, detached building.

Just then, Long Ming emerged from a nearby corner and walked toward the building.

Soon, he slipped into the building without a sound.

THUD THUD~

The sound of footsteps occasionally came from the second floor.

Long Ming carefully crept up the stairs until he reached the master bedroom door.

Inside, a small, thin man with sallow skin in a gray leather jacket was excitedly using tools to pry open a safe.

Watching this, Long Ming simply leaned against the bedroom doorframe and observed quietly.

The man was so engrossed in his task that he failed to notice someone was behind him.

CLICK!

He had pried the safe open.

When the man saw what was inside, he burst into excited laughter.

"Haha, I’m rich! I’m a goddamn genius!"

"Find something good? You sound happy."

Long Ming asked in a low voice.

"Of course it’s..."

The man froze mid-sentence, startled, and instinctively whipped his head around to look.

"Thanks!"

Long Ming immediately pulled the trigger of his Poison Fang.

PFFT~

With a spray of blood, the man stared at Long Ming resentfully as he collapsed. His body gradually dissolved into motes of light, leaving a backpack behind.

Long Ming walked over to inspect the dropped backpack.

Inside were all kinds of miscellaneous tools. The only thing of value was an old-fashioned revolver.

Long Ming gave a wry laugh. ’I didn’t expect to find rats in this instance, too.’ He then turned his gaze to the safe.

Inside the safe lay a file folder and an exquisite gemstone bracelet.

Long Ming raised his bracer to scan them.

Aquamarine Bracelet

Grade: Red

Unopened File Folder

Description: Chance to contain various documents.

Long Ming looked at the info on his bracer in surprise. ’Not bad loot.’

’If I’m not mistaken, this unopened file folder most likely contains documents.’

’Its value depends on the quality of the documents inside, but since it was with a Red-grade item, it can’t be too bad.’

’But generally speaking, unopened items are more valuable. After all, plenty of people are willing to gamble on the odds.’

Long Ming then used his bracer to transfer the Aquamarine Bracelet to his vault and stuffed the file folder into his backpack.

He then began to search the rest of the building.

...

On the rooftop of a dilapidated building.

An All Stars Guild player holding a high-strength composite bow stared intently at a building up ahead, slowly drawing the bowstring.

Soon, the door of that building swung open slowly.

Feimi poked her head out to scan her surroundings. Seeing no danger, she stepped out and continued to scout ahead.

THWIP!

An arrow shot out in an instant.

Just as Feimi sensed something was wrong...

THWACK!

The arrow struck her squarely in the back of the neck!

Feimi’s eyes flew wide as she collapsed, an indignant look on her face.

...

In the rear area.

Jose clutched his automatic rifle, periodically stopping to scan his surroundings. Once he confirmed there were no anomalies, he continued forward.

Although covering the rear was a relatively easier task, Jose didn’t dare to be careless.

But as he passed a small intersection, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and clamped over his mouth, while another hand grabbed his weapon.

’Damn it!’

Jose jabbed a sharp elbow backward.

But the man behind him gritted his teeth and endured the blow.

Just as Jose was about to counterattack again, another All Stars Guild member in a combat uniform rushed forward and plunged a knife into his heart.

Jose’s pupils dilated instantly, but with his last ounce of strength, he pulled the pin on a grenade attached to his tactical belt.

"Shit, get clear!"

When the two All Stars Guild members saw the pin drop, their faces instantly changed as they turned to run.

BOOM~

A massive explosion erupted.