Chapter 184
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Chapter 184: The Second Batch
Just as everyone gathered during break time to admire the set of high-end weapons, the training room’s announcement suddenly blared.
Not only in Team 25’s training room, but every room in the entire training area, even the showers and restrooms, heard the announcement at the same time:
“Now broadcasting an important notice: After five days of examination, the quarantine for the first exploration team has ended, and they show no signs of anomalies or contamination.
“Their success proves that the extraordinary beasts outside the city are not invincible. Though they are indeed very dangerous, we humans, our superpowered individuals, still have the ability to fight back.
“Therefore, the council has passed a resolution today to award the First-Class Hope Medal to the five members of the first exploration team: ‘Nian,’ ‘Bomb Man,’ ‘Quick Sand,’ ‘Vine,’ and ‘Gecko.’ Their names will be remembered in the history of Hope City.
“Furthermore, due to their success, the Exploration Plan will continue. Below is the list of teams selected for the second batch of exploration, using the captains’ code names as temporary identifiers. Please relay this information among the selected superpowered individuals. The following teams are listed according to their original rankings:
“Former Team 8 [Ink Drench], Team Twelve [Crusher], Team Thirteen [White Stone], Team Seventeen [Gale], Team 25 [Fresnel], Team 32 [Tower]…”
Upon hearing their team was selected, the members of the Fresnel team, who had gathered together, were not as happy as they had imagined.
It seemed that everyone wanted to be chosen, yet at the same time, they seemed hesitant.
Undoubtedly, not all teams are as powerful and well-rounded as Nian’s sixth squad.
Similarly, just because they were able to return safely did not guarantee that these selected teams in the second batch would return unharmed.
Being selected is indeed a form of recognition, but it could also be a death sentence.
No one clearly heard the rest of the announcement, and ultimately, Fresnel was the first to speak amidst the silence:
“This is exactly what we wanted. If there are no beast tides in the near future, the second exploration is expected to begin in mid-October. After all, the research institutes need time to process the samples brought back by the first exploration team.
“This time may not be long or short, but one thing is clear: the harder we train now, the more likely we are to survive when we head outside the city.
“That’s all I have to say; let’s keep pushing ourselves.”
Fresnel clapped his hands to signal that he had nothing more to say.
Seeing that no one objected or reacted otherwise, he turned and headed to his dedicated training area.
With enhancements to his vision equipment, Fresnel could now control the thickness of his beam of light better than before.
He compressed the focusing ability from four hundred meters down to the size of a pencil, continuously attempting to break through during this period.
He knew that outside the city, the team would inevitably face the night, and even if he activated his powers at their fullest on a clear moonlit night, he would only be a large flashlight.
This is an inherent flaw of his ability that is nearly impossible to compensate for.
If that glowing superpowered individual were stronger, Fresnel might have chosen them, but unfortunately, there are no “ifs.”
This understanding drove him to continuously strengthen and train, striving for his daytime self to match the strength of two or even three teammates.
This way, they could conserve stamina and fight with more energy at night when they lacked his main offensive power.
Now, Hope City is waiting for a beast tide.
According to the past average cycle of beast tides, one is expected to appear within the next half month.
After this beast tide, the second batch of exploration teams will depart from Hope City.
This arrangement primarily aims to avoid the embarrassing and dangerous situation of superhero teams encountering a beast tide.
Without the help of city walls and the city defense army, it would be challenging for a single team of superpowered individuals to survive amid a raging beast tide, even if forty percent of the beasts are only First Level extraordinary beasts.
“He’s quite strong-willed.”
Upon hearing Fulan’s report, Lin Qingliu felt a genuine respect for Luke, who was, in a sense, an adversary.
At least his convictions were not mere words; he was truly a formidable individual who dared to take drastic measures.
“Master, what are your thoughts? Do you intend to…”
As Lin Qingliu fell into deep thought, Fulan suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu; indeed, it was reminiscent of the time she had been observing Shi Jin.
The master had pondered for a while then, and that Shi Jin had become a believer, or rather, a member of the Holy Fire Meow Meow Cult.
“I’m still considering… I must admit, his character is indeed rare, and… I also owe a debt of gratitude to his father.”
Lin Qingliu spoke openly about his thoughts, not hiding them from Fulan.
Although Fulan’s intelligence was nearly on par with humans, like those in [Skydome], she was not truly human.
Thus, Lin Qingliu sometimes sought Fulan’s perspective on certain issues, as her viewpoint was inherently different.
“Huh? Are you really going to do that? I feel like that guy harbors some hostility towards us.”
Fulan sat obediently on the desk, softly murmuring.
Lin Qingliu, however, dismissed her concern and calmly replied:
“He harbors hostility towards this world. At least I’m willing to tell him the truth. Even if he seeks revenge, it won’t be directed at us.”
“Alright, Fulan understands! So what should I do now? Should I go hunting in the wild again?”
Hearing Fulan’s question, Lin Qingliu’s mouth twitched; this abstract little kitten really enjoyed rummaging through trash cans…
Since returning from the last hunting trip, Lin Qingliu had asked Fulan what she had learned, and this cat had demonstrated twenty common methods of dealing with household waste in the clinic for her master.
If Lin Qingliu hadn’t strictly prohibited it, Fulan could even mimic the mixed smell of semi-rotting and fermenting waste.
“Fulan, hunting in the wild is not the goal; the goal is to level up…
“Have you felt like you’re on the verge of a breakthrough after training for so long?”
Fulan thought carefully for a moment before answering:
“I can sense a barrier, but I can’t think of a way to break through it.
“My imitations still seem to be superficial…”
“Hmm, it’s good that you realize that. Go find a way; for this, you must rely on yourself.”
Fulan nodded and skillfully leaped onto the windowsill, preparing to jump down.
“Wait, take this with you.”
Lin Qingliu suddenly called out to her.
Fulan turned her head and saw her master pulling out a pendant from a jar that was somewhat enigmatic.
“Here, a gift for you.”
