Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Pinning Mission, Black Spine Zerg Reconnaissance Squad

News of Lin Feng’s status as a Superpower Bullet Awakener had only been registered by the recruitment office two hours ago. Besides internal personnel from the Administration Bureau, few others knew.

Meanwhile, the Enhanced People and Awakeners who had been recruited much earlier had already been waiting for a long time.

They looked upon Lin Feng and the others, who had arrived so late, with hostility and naturally didn’t view them favorably.

Fortunately, before the two sides could interact, Han Yuxin stepped in to explain:

"This crisis of the army being surrounded by the Swarm was discovered by this very Mr. Lin. Not only did he escape the Swarm’s pursuit, but he also brought back crucial information, allowing all of us to prepare in advance."

"After a short rest, Mr. Lin has immediately joined us for this diversionary mission."

"Furthermore, Mr. Lin is a powerful Awakener. His Superpower..."

As she spoke, Han Yuxin looked at Lin Feng. Seeing him nod, she continued her introduction:

"Mr. Lin’s Superpower is none other than the very rare and extremely powerful Superpower Bullet!"

"With him here, we won’t just complete the mission successfully; we’ll also be able to minimize casualties."

When she finished, the displeased expressions on many of the participants’ faces began to soften. The way they looked at Lin Feng started to change.

The resentment simmering in the crowd gradually dissipated.

Lin Feng gave Han Yuxin at the door a meaningful look. ’As expected, the internal staff are competent. She resolved so much conflict with just a few sentences. And she’d done it link by link, transforming him from a latecomer holding everyone up into the key figure who would save them all. But Lin Feng wasn’t interested in any of that.’

There were also people who weren’t impressed by this.

The five Awakeners at the head of the crowd glanced at the newly arrived Lin Feng for a moment before turning back to urge things along.

"Alright, is that everyone? Just tell us the specifics so we can get going."

Han Yuxin nodded, accepted the mission briefing from a colleague, and began her explanation:

"This time, we’re responsible for harassing the enemy’s flank. A new Mother Empress has appeared. It’s relatively weak, commanding just over ten thousand Black Spine Zergs. They’re marching rapidly north, trying to cut off the 13th Infantry Division’s retreat from Hai City North and complete an encirclement with the main Zerg force."

"The actual rescue mission will be handled by the garrison. Our job is simply to conduct diversionary-harassment from the edge of the Swarm’s operational area. We need to eliminate as many Zerg Race Reconnaissance Squads as we can and disrupt the Mother Empress’s decision-making."

"Our current assignment is the diversionary mission at the far end of the Jianghai Expressway. It should last about seven to eight hours. If smaller Swarms press the attack, retreat immediately."

"Specific positions will be assigned based on the mission’s outcome and your individual combat performance."

"Lieutenant Qin will be in command and will direct our specific tactics."

With that, Han Yuxin handed the briefing to Qin Hu, who was walking out of the hotel.

Lin Feng was a bit surprised. ’So Qin Hu hadn’t returned to his unit; he’d stayed behind. It was probably a reward from the higher-ups for the successful rescue mission—a bit of preferential treatment. He wouldn’t have to fight on the front lines and could take a minor mission in the rear instead.’

And that seemed to be the case. Qin Hu took the briefing, glanced over it, and announced they would be departing in fifteen minutes.

Then he glanced at Lin Feng at the back of the crowd and got into a military jeep.

Everyone then dispersed, returning to their own vehicles.

Lin Feng followed Qin Hu to the jeep. Leaning against the passenger-side window, he pulled out the expensive cigarettes Hu Fei had given him, opened the pack, and offered one over.

"Smoke?"

Recognizing Lin Feng—the man he’d escaped death with—Qin Hu took a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. He looked at the young man and spoke calmly: 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"You should be resting. What are you doing getting mixed up in this commotion?"

"With the Superpower you’ve Awakened, you have no need to wade into these muddy waters. Come with me. You can stay behind our lines and just shoot. As for your compensation, you can name your price."

"Your power is more complex than you think. The people at the front-line Research Institute would be very interested. They know how to make you stronger, how to unlock your full potential."

Lin Feng shook his head. He preferred his freedom.

"I’m used to a lax lifestyle; I can’t stand being tied down by strict rules. You know what I was doing the day before the apocalypse started?"

"Fighting a battle of wits with my company. All I wanted was to get my severance pay so I could quit and lie around at home for a few months."

"By the way, I never properly thanked you, Brother Qin, for getting us out of Hai City. I found a couple packs of good cigarettes along the way. I don’t smoke, so you take them."

As he said this, Lin Feng pulled two more packs of expensive cigarettes from his pocket and tossed them onto the car seat, along with the one he’d just opened.

’It wasn’t like he paid for them. They were all looted from the villa.’

"I hope this mission goes smoothly."

Qin Hu glanced at the cigarettes, then nodded at Lin Feng.

"Right. Just follow my orders when the time comes."

After the small talk, Lin Feng bid farewell to Qin Hu and headed back to his own vehicle.

As he was passing the hotel’s temporary office, Han Yuxin specifically called him over. She handed over his and Liu Yueqi’s enlistment rewards, then produced two tactical helmets with night-vision functionality.

"These are for the drivers—every vehicle has one. I figured you two might need a pair."

Lin Feng nodded his thanks, took the gear, and put it on. Through his right eye, he could see heat signatures displayed on the dark gray screen.

As for the enlistment rewards, it was a two-person share: two crates of cans, 120 in total, and four barrels of gasoline, for 100 liters.

Lin Feng only took the gasoline, leaving the cans in storage for the time being. Hu Fei had already arranged to have the RV’s tank filled, and Lin Feng had other plans for these four barrels of gasoline.

As for Liu Yueqi’s share of the enlistment rewards, she left it for Lin Feng to handle. She had to say goodbye to her aunt before they departed.