Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

```

Being small has its advantages; a bulky figure absolutely cannot achieve the swift agility needed in close-quarter maneuvering.

"Bang!"

Kicking a bio-soldier off his teammate, Bai E swiftly followed up by plunging a dagger into the assailant's neck.

As a shadow loomed overhead, Bai E had no time to widen the wound and had to release the dagger, rolling sideways to evade the bio-captain's deadly stomp.

But it was enough.

[Using a dagger to strike a vital area, your proficiency with finesse weapons has increased by 5 (+1).]

[You've inflicted 30 points of critical damage! The target is now in a "heavy bleeding" state.]

Another one down!

Bai E's sudden burst out of cover almost instantly broke through the tactical coordination of the four bio-soldiers.

They couldn't win this!

The two still relatively healthy bio-soldiers made their judgement.

Pre-programmed orders began to dictate their decisions, and seeing most of their subordinates downed by the intruder, the dutiful bio-captain turned to flee without a second thought.

Engage the intruder if there's a chance to kill, inform more of your companions if there's not—this was a regulation he had to abide by!

"We can't let him escape!" The teammate with an injured leg wished desperately that he could stand and give chase.

Those who could reach for a gun did so immediately, switching off the safety.

Run if you can't fight?

A glint of cold light flashed in Bai E's eyes, "Don't shoot!"

Bai E kicked the other relatively healthy bio-soldier trying to counter-attack mid-air and while still in the air, he reached behind his back to grab the compound bow he carried, flicking it open with a sharp movement.

Drawing the bow, taking quick aim...

Fire!

"Whoosh!"

The arrow, like a darting fish, flew straight and true, penetrating the unguarded bio-captain's chest!

[Using a ranged weapon you hit the target, dealing 8 points of piercing damage!]

Powered by the Overlimit Drive, the arrow shot by Bai E with all his strength now had a lethality not inferior to a rifle bullet.

Even the robust bodies of the bio-modified couldn't withstand bullets, but a non-fatal hit merely caused a momentary pause in the captain's steps—he stumbled yet continued his escape.

Landing smoothly, Bai E was unhurried as he drew two more arrows from his quiver.

Fire!

[Scatter shot (Double Shot) triggered! Successfully hitting the same target, proficiency with ranged weapons increased by +2.]

[The target took 10 points of piercing damage!]

One arrow struck his back, the other his leg.

The force that accompanied the arrows caused the bio-captain to stumble, nearly falling over.

But the instinct to defy death still drove his movements.

"Whoosh!"

Bai E, without even turning his head, fired another arrow toward the bio-soldier who had just managed to stand up again, the arrow piercing through the soldier's skull, causing him to fall instantly.

Continuing to draw his bow, Bai E aimed at a distant target.

"Whoosh!"

[Scatter shot (Double Shot) triggered! Successfully hitting the same target, proficiency with ranged weapons increased by +2.]

…

[Scatter shot (Double Shot) triggered! Successfully hitting the same target, proficiency with ranged weapons increased by +2.]

…

Bai E approached, reaching the bio-captain who was now a pincushion on the ground, gasping more than breathing, and drew his bow for the last time.

[Ranged weapon hit the critical area, dealing 35 points of fatal damage!]

…

[You have thoroughly killed the target, the battle is over, you've earned 140 combat experience points.]

This was much more exhausting than hunting birds...

Earning the same experience, dealing with these four bio-soldiers was far more troublesome than facing those blood crows before.

But thankfully, they won.

It was just a rather dismal victory.

"Are you alright?"

"My hand's broken..."

"My leg's broken..."

"…"

Shaking his head in resignation, Bai E said, "Just lie down and don't move."

He then waved at Miss Aryan who had been watching from a distance, "Bring over the first-aid kit."

The hailed miss immediately came running with the box, looking at Bai E with sparkling admiration, "You are amazing."

```

["Lucky Strike" energy charge +8.]

Miss Aryan's words were also the sentiment of everyone present.

The battle had completely overturned their prejudice against Bai E for having to "use the back door" to join this elite team due to being "not selected."

This brother's close combat skills might not compare to those of professional tough guys, but he was exponentially more powerful than anyone else present.

Plus, previously intercepting the flock of birds alone, driving to lead everyone out of danger, and now... being able to heal everyone?

How could such a person not be selected? Why should he not be selected?

If he wasn't selected, what about the other fire support members present?

Were the officers blind?

Bai E just lowered his head, carefully checking the injuries every soldier had received in battle.

Their perceptions were not entirely accurate; there were only a few without any hope of recovery. The human skeleton is remarkably sturdy; most had simply suffered temporary fractures from the bio-soldiers' joint locks. It wasn't a big problem.

Dealing with each in turn, it came to AB, who sat alone in the corner against the wall.

"Where are you hurt?"

AB turned away with a cold voice, "I'm fine."

"Fine? Not really."

So stubborn!

Bai E grabbed his hand from his chest and quickly opened his combat suit zipper, subconsciously challenging, "What's more important, your life or your dignity?"

AB was silent, just turning his face to look off down the corridor.

"Zzzzt~"

The vest seemed inflated.

It seemed to have both a front and a back...

"..."

Was AB actually a woman?!

Bai E quickly glanced at her expression but didn't say anything aloud.

This kid's voice was neutral and cold, and the handsome boy haircut with a middle part—how could anyone discern her true gender?

But the priority was to identify the problem, so Bai E directly started to gently press.

"Hiss~" She grimaced, her lips turning white with pain.

"It seems like you've broken a couple of ribs," Bai E quickly assessed the injury, "You're not going to die, but you definitely can't continue to fight. Retreat with... with the guy from earlier."

The soldier with the cracked shinbone's mobility was severely compromised, obviously unable to continue on.

"..." AB bit her lip silently, clearly reluctant.

"I don't have time for counseling. You continuing like this would only hinder our progress. I order you to retreat!"

"..."

"Did you hear me?"

"Yes, Commander!" AB responded instinctively.

["Lucky Strike" energy charge +1.]

Bai E unapologetically accepted the address, with a plan in mind, the team should follow his lead.

"Everyone take a break. The two of you will retreat on your own soon, start the vehicle's engine when you get back, place any medical supplies you might need in an easily accessible spot, and by nightfall... by six o'clock, regardless of the result, I will make sure someone goes back to inform you. If there's no message, it's likely we're all dead.

Take what you need and leave in a vehicle, making sure to inform the officers in the camp about the danger here. By the way, can either of you drive?"

AB shook her head, but the other soldier promptly replied, "Yes."

"Good!" Bai E nodded in relief, "Then that's settled. The rest of you come with me. Let's move on!"

"Yes!"

Without hesitation, everyone acknowledged Bai E's authority.

However, the silence that followed was somewhat heavy, the look in their eyes as they glanced at each other was tinged with sadness.

In the eyes of each, the appearance of the others was somewhat wretched, the brief exchange markedly one-sided in disadvantage.

Without their firearms, these fire support members did indeed have limited capabilities.

Luckily, there were only four enemies; had there been one more, they likely wouldn't have held out until Bai E turned the tide.

Therefore, what about next time?

No need for more, if the same four bio-soldiers came again, their small group would be finished.

They weren't afraid to die, but they were afraid of not completing their mission, afraid of being ineffective.

"Minister, can we confirm our speculation now?" the previously acting commander suddenly asked.

Likok shook his head honestly, dismissing the thought, "No, we need to get closer to the center."

"..."

Bai E's gaze swept over the faces of everyone in the gloomy atmosphere, guessing the worries in their hearts.

"Later, you are responsible for protecting the Minister."

"Huh?" Everyone looked at Bai E, who had spoken, their eyes full of confusion.

Bai E met each of their gazes and said softly, "I'll take care of killing the enemy."