Chapter 23

The instincts honed on the battlefield saved Hank's life at a critical moment.

Bang!

As he suddenly lunged to one side, a gunshot rang out from a position a bit further away than the ruins in front of him!

"There he is!"

In an instant, the rebel soldiers on the scene reacted.

Although they did not understand why Qin Ran, who should have been hiding in the ruins in front of them, suddenly appeared there, they knew what to do.

Bang, bang, bang!

The tongues of fire from three assault rifles left Qin Ran no chance to shoot again.

With a quick roll, Qin Ran dove into the ruins on one side.

The sunlight and walls intersected, like sharp knives, dividing the scene into two parts: one bright and warm, the other dark and damp.

Qin Ran crouched in the dark, damp part, his brows furrowed.

Through more detailed observation, he had finally identified the leader of the group, but what he did not expect was that his sniping would fail.

[Shooting: Intuitive Evasion, opponent completely evades, causing 0 damage...]

"Are they truly elite rebels?"

Qin Ran muttered to himself.

He was deeply shocked.

This was the first time Qin Ran had seen someone who could predict danger.

Although he did not know if the other person could always predict it so accurately, even if it happened once in ten times, it was enough to be astonishing.

However, Qin Ran quickly moved again.

No matter how shocked he was, Qin Ran would not forget his goal.

Moreover, he did not believe that the remaining rebel soldiers, apart from the leader, had such abilities.

Qin Ran, hidden in the shadows, once again entered the [Stealth] state.

The coat he had rolled on the ground had already provided the best camouflage for Qin Ran, making him even harder to spot while in [Stealth].

The assembled 'sniper rifle' once again emerged from the shadows.

This time, Qin Ran did not choose the leader but the remaining three soldiers.

These three rebel soldiers had clearly become like startled birds, completely hiding in the ruins, shielding their figures, and scanning left and right, hoping to find Qin Ran.

However, all they saw in their wide eyes were the ruins and the glaring sunlight.

This was a natural battlefield for snipers!

Even the most foolish person understood this.

"Captain!"

Hendel looked at the captain on one side.

Hank clearly understood what his subordinate meant—use heavy weapons or... retreat.

The former was impossible!

Hank was very clear about that.

As for the latter?

Hank was hesitant.

He did not want Saluka to be disappointed in him!

Because Hank knew that once Saluka was disappointed, his value in the other's eyes would plummet, and then... he would be abandoned.

Not to mention being taken away from this battlefield.

This was what Hank did not want to see.

Bang!

Just as Hank was hesitating, the gunshots rang out again.

Hendel, who had just made the suggestion, had his head shattered.

Warm blood and brain matter splattered on Hank's face. Seeing his remaining two subordinates retaliating frantically yet helplessly, the hesitant Hank instantly became clear-headed.

Why did he follow Saluka?

Wasn't it to survive?

And now?

If he continued to stay here, he would be dead. He didn't need to wait for the end of this damned war; he would die in the other's vicious trap!

Yes, it was a vicious trap!

With each shot from Qin Ran, Hank had seen through Qin Ran's true capabilities.

Although his marksmanship was good, it was only slightly better than a new recruit, far from the elite in the military! If it were a real elite, he would have been dead already.

And those dodging and hiding techniques, though commendable, were far inferior to those of a true reconnaissance soldier.

If not for the environment favoring the other side, Hank was sure he could have taken out the opponent before they fired.

Moreover, Hank vaguely felt that this was all a setup!

A setup that deceived Saluka and sent them to their deaths!

A burning sense of humiliation rose in Hank's heart, making him want to flay and disembowel the despicable Qin Ran. But Hank knew what to do now.

Leave this place!

"Machine gunner, provide cover!"

Hank shouted into the radio.

"Y-Yes, Captain!"

The newly appointed machine gunner's slightly timid voice came through the radio to Hank's ears.

This made Hank feel annoyed again.

However, fortunately, the other had already been on his way after receiving his order. As the call ended, Hank soon saw the other's figure.

The other's tactical movements, while carrying a light machine gun and a box of ammunition, were quite good.

And the speed at which he set up the machine gun was among the best Hank had seen in soldiers.

"Not bad!"

Hank, watching all this, finally understood why the other had been able to join his team.

"Retreat!"

Hank waved to the remaining two subordinates.

Immediately, the two rebel soldiers provided covering fire as they retreated.

Hank walked at the rear, believing the despicable opponent would not miss such an opportunity.

Similarly, this was his last chance!

Hank's hand reached for the grenade on his waist.

"Come on!"

Hank gritted his teeth.

He swore to make Qin Ran pay.

Bang, bang, bang!

Dense gunfire rang out, and Hank fell to the ground in excruciating pain. He saw his two subordinates lying in pools of blood and the smile on the face of the newly appointed machine gunner.

A mocking, cat-and-mouse smile.

"How could this be?"

Hank looked at the other in disbelief.

The other's response was a burst of gunfire.

Bang, bang, bang!

The gunfire ceased, and Hank's body was shattered, unrecognizable.

Qin Ran watched the scene in shock.

Instinctively, he aimed the 'sniper rifle' at the machine gunner's position, but there was no sign of the other, only the light machine gun.

A bad feeling rose in Qin Ran's heart.

Without hesitation, Qin Ran immediately left his current position and moved to the next hiding spot.

Qin Ran did not know why the other had fired, but he knew that not only had the rebel soldiers been deceived, but he had also been deceived.

Previously, after he had taken out the original machine gunner, the timid appearance of the assistant had perfectly deceived him.

He had subconsciously assumed the other was harmless and focused all his attention on the remaining rebel soldiers.

He did not expect the other to be the most dangerous one.

Even more dangerous than the rebel leader who had been outmaneuvered!

"Was this the lieutenant's plan?"

Qin Ran speculated as he entered the [Stealth] state.

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Such speculation was baseless, with too many contradictions.

Although he had only spoken to the lieutenant, the other had shown greed and dominance but not any signs of madness or abnormality.

The other had no reason to do this!

"What's really going on?"

Qin Ran's heart was filled with doubt.

However, this did not slow his progress.

A dozen seconds later, Qin Ran reached a new hiding spot and breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he could not see, Qin Ran was sure that the vanished machine gunner had already appeared at his original hiding spot.

From the moment the other disappeared after firing, Qin Ran had had this premonition.

As if to confirm Qin Ran's premonition, a voice came from his original position just as he relaxed—

"Sir, I think we can have a good talk!"

The other's tone was serious and sincere.

However, Qin Ran was not moved and had no intention of responding.

On the contrary, Qin Ran moved again.

The previous scene of the other using the machine gun to mow down three rebel soldiers made Qin Ran extremely cautious.

However, just as Qin Ran moved less than ten meters, footsteps sounded.

Tap, tap, tap!

The footsteps were hurried, indicating the owner was running quickly.

Who else could be in these ruins besides Qin Ran?

The impostor!

Qin Ran called the newly appointed machine gunner this.

The other had powerful tracking skills!

Realizing this, Qin Ran immediately switched his special assembled 'sniper rifle' back to the original assault rifle's burst-fire mode, aimed at the direction of the footsteps, and fired as soon as a figure appeared.

Bang, bang, bang!

The muzzle spat out a tongue of fire.

But all the shots missed!

Without needing to check the combat log, Qin Ran saw clearly that he had only hit a coat.

"Damn!"

Realizing he had been tricked, Qin Ran instinctively turned around.

The hiding spot where Qin Ran was now was a narrow, short corridor with walls made of collapsed cement and rotten wood. Through the gaps, he could clearly see outside, but to enter, one could only come from the direction Qin Ran had fired or behind him.

However, when Qin Ran turned around, he did not see the target.

"I've been tricked!"

Qin Ran immediately understood that the other had thrown the coat not to circle around but to make him turn around.

Because the other had not moved and was waiting for him to turn around.

Qin Ran prepared to turn around again.

But it was too late!

"Hello there, sir!"

The familiar voice made Qin Ran feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, cold from head to toe.