In the apocalypse, I hoarded goods and handed over my storage space to the government.

Shortly after, the doors to the testing center slid open again.

Mo Yun walked in.

He was wearing a dark gray Awakener Headquarters standard combat uniform.

"Brother Su."

Mo Yun walked up to Su Ran, his gaze quickly sweeping over the room full of novel equipment, a barely perceptible flicker of emotion flashing in his eyes, before he looked at Su Ran.

"Did you suddenly call me here because there's an urgent mission at the front?"

"It's not urgent, but it has to be done."

Su Ran gestured for Director Zhou to wait a moment, then turned to Mo Yun and got straight to the point.

"My plan is to send us all to the front lines and see the blood."

Mo Yun was clearly taken aback.

He instinctively thought he had misheard.

Go to the front lines?

As one of the actual operational managers of the Global Awakeners Headquarters, his daily task list is so long it stretches from the Kunlun base all the way down the mountain.

The tasks include reviewing and approving the allocation of supplies in each war zone, tracking changes in Awakened's points, and compiling and reporting emergency battle reports.

His value lies in the keyboard and communicator.

"Brother Su, I am very clear about my own abilities."

Mo Yun paused for two seconds before speaking.

"At least for now, apart from fourth-order mutated creatures, I don't think there are any other opponents for me on the surface."

My poison-based ability, after multiple optimizations by the Academy of Sciences, has seen a qualitative leap in both its range and erosion efficiency.

He paused, then added,

"Moreover, Brother Su, the coordination work at headquarters cannot be done without people."

Su Ran looked at him, not immediately refuting him, but simply asked,

"Old Mo, what do you think is the most essential quality of a top-tier warrior?"

Mo Yun paused for a moment, then immediately spoke up.

"Powerful superpowers, accurate judgment, and outstanding mental fortitude."

"That's right, none of them can be missing!"

Su Ran interrupted him, "Superpower level is the foundation, judgment and mental fortitude are the soft skills."

But there's one thing you can't learn by sitting in front of a screen, watching countless battle reports, or listening to countless tactical instructors.

"What?"

"The instinct to unleash all one's advantages, even beyond the norm, on a real, ever-changing battlefield."

Su Ran's voice wasn't loud, but it struck straight to the heart.

"Strength is one part, but how to apply that strength on the battlefield is another part."

Your poison mist has a wide range and strong corrosiveness, but how do you control the pace of its coverage when faced with hundreds or thousands of low-level zombie hordes that are fearless of death?

If a fast, third-tier agile mutant beast suddenly leaps out and attacks you, what would your first reaction be: to strengthen your defense, dodge, or gamble by exchanging a more lethal poison for a more dangerous attack?

Mo Yun opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

These issues have been discussed by the tactical instructors and have been addressed in simulation training.

However, the instructors teach theory, while the data models used in simulation training are fixed.

In a real battlefield, there are endless variables. Enemy attacks don't follow the script, your comrades' movements can be unexpected, the loose stones under your feet can make you slip, and a sudden burst of supernatural power can disrupt all plans.

"Moreover, and most importantly, the evolution of mutated creatures is always fraught with uncertainty."

Su Ran's gaze narrowed slightly.

"Today you're facing a third-tier poisonous toad that spews acid, but tomorrow you might run into a mutated shadow leopard that can briefly become invisible and specializes in neurotoxins."

Books and training won't teach you how to deal with "new tricks" you've never seen before.

"Only by memorizing on the battlefield with one's body can one truly develop the ability to cope with unknown crises."

It has honed a 'vigilance' and 'response' that are ingrained in one's bones.

Mo Yun fell silent.

He's a smart man; he understands the principles Su Ran is talking about.

The feeling of being in charge of the central system for a long time, controlling the overall situation and driving the operation of a huge system, is very much in line with the part of his personality that "pursues rigor and clear logic".

To some extent, this also made him subconsciously avoid the more direct and intuitive combat on the front lines.

"So, my work at headquarters..."

Mo Yun still asked the question, as it was his most pressing concern.

"Handover".

Su Ran spoke with absolute certainty, without the slightest hesitation.

"You're not the only dispatcher. Headquarters' processes are well-established, and the General Staff has enough personnel to fill the gap."

He stepped forward and looked directly into Mo Yun's eyes.

"Old Mo, you are a poison master among one in ten thousand, an awakened one who will be able to single-handedly defend a city in the future."

Not someone who stays at headquarters making decisions about personnel and resources.

"What the country lacks is a top-notch combat force that can fight its way out of a zombie horde and defend key points at critical moments."

Instead of having another strategist sitting in an office, directing operations from a screen.

These words were very straightforward, but Mo Yun understood them.

Su Ran wasn't denying his value, but rather redefining his future.

His battlefield is not in the data stream, but in the smoke and blood.

Mo Yun in the office is "qualified".

But what Su Ran wanted was "excellence".

"……I see."

Mo Yun took a deep breath and nodded, asking, "When do we depart?"

"Let's pick out some gear first and see if there's anything we like."

Su Ran turned around and looked at the new weapons on display, saying without reservation, "We can't go empty-handed."

Just as the two were about to search through all the samples in the testing center, a loud, somewhat hurried footstep came from the other end of the corridor.

"Xiao Su! Xiao Mo! I heard you're here?"

The person arrived before the voice.

Academician Wei Jianguo rushed in like a gust of wind.

The old man's eyes were wide open, and he was full of energy.

Two young researchers carrying recording tablets followed beside him, and they had to jog to keep up with his pace.

"Old Wei."

Su Ran and Mo Yun spoke at the same time.

"Stop with the fluff."

Wei Jianguo waved his hand, but his eyes were fixed on Su Ran.

"Real-world testing is the best standard! Xiao Su, don't be picky, bring them all! You have unlimited space anyway, they won't take up much room!"

He turned to look at Mo Yun, his smile widening.

"Little Mo! I have something good for you! It's not here!"

Wei Jianguo turned and walked out.

"Advisor Su, you should come too!"

Su Ran and Mo Yun exchanged a glance.

Mo Yun raised an eyebrow slightly.

Su Ran had already started to catch up.

"Walk."

……

Director Zhou Tong was a little confused, but still followed behind deftly.

The group passed through several alloy doors that required both iris and palm print verification, and entered deeper underground.

"Professor Wei, where are we going?" Mo Yun asked.

"I'll go pick up your goods."

Wei Jianguo didn't turn his head, his tone excited.

"During the first test of the Cheng Ying mech, we noticed the issue that poison-type abilities could dissolve the inside of the mech."

And after the first practical test, I had the team officially launch the project!

"They're going to give Mo Yun a tactical mech?!"

Su Ran looked at Wei Jianguo, raising an eyebrow slightly, "Has the compatibility issue with the Cheng Ying mecha been resolved?"

He turned his head, and his eyes behind his glasses shone with an alarming brightness.

"You think those old guys at the Academy of Sciences are just sitting around doing nothing? If there's a problem, we have to solve it!"

"you……"

Mo Yun was stunned.

"Xiao Mo, this wasn't just researched for you alone."

Wei Jianguo walked quickly, and his words were equally blunt.

"Different superhumans have completely different mental synchronization rates, energy feedback patterns, and even their needs for the life support systems inside the mechs!"

Ye Xiaozi's strength is purely physical, making him a natural fit. But what about other paths?

Surely top-tier awakened individuals can't just be used as infantry, right?

He abruptly pushed open a heavy hatch marked "Prototype Unit B-07".

Inside was a smaller, independent hangar than the outer testing area. Under the cold lights, a humanoid mech stood silently.

It is thinner than Ye Xiao's "Cheng Ying" and has more streamlined lines. It is covered with a deep matte dark green coating.

"Tactical Mech - Bone-Eroding Series"

Wei Jianguo patted the cold, metallic leg hard; the metal emitted a dull thud.

"A prototype specifically developed for use with toxic and corrosive energies."

The coating is a three-layer composite structure: an inner anti-corrosion etching nano-coating, a middle energy buffer gel, and an outer conventional armor.

The internal life support system operates independently, and it features built-in micro molecular sieves and directional adsorption arrays!

He turned to Mo Yun, his eyes shining.

"Xiao Mo, when you release poisonous mist, it spreads outward from your body through your energy field, right?"

The energy feedback nodes and conduction pathways of "Bone Erosion" are designed by reversing this process!

In theory, you could release your superpowers directly while piloting a mech via neural connections!

Mo Yun walked up to the mecha and reached out to touch its cool, dark green outer shell.

He applied slight pressure with his fingertips, as if trying to feel the texture of the special coating.

"...Can its critical internal components withstand the corrosion I'm applying?"

Mo Yun asked, his voice steady, but his questions were very detailed.

"The core conductive components use the 'Star Etching Alloy' that Institute 01 just broke through, which is made using crystal nuclei."

Wei Jianguo patted his chest, his tone resolute.

"We tested the supernatural condensed venom you left at the Academy of Sciences, and it is completely effective against it!"

Of course, ultimately, the battlefield will be the ultimate test!

He seemed to suddenly remember something, and abruptly turned to Su Ran.

"Advisor Su! We haven't found a suitable mecha deployment solution for your spatial ability yet."

but!

"Bring me all your individual equipment! Consider it helping this old man collect comprehensive combat data!"

Before Su Ran could answer, Wei Jianguo had already pressed a red button on the wall.

An entire side wall of the hangar silently slid open, revealing a dazzling array of equipment racks behind it.

The "Falcon"-III Tier 3 Crystal Energy Sniper Rifle is equipped with intelligent fire control and energy trajectory correction, with an effective range of 2,000 meters and is specifically designed to penetrate heavy armor.

The "Bee Sting" is a portable crystal core ray generator that outputs high energy in a short time and can burn through the bone armor of early-stage Tier 3 mutated beasts, using crystal cores as its energy source.

The "Immovable King" single-soldier energy shield has extremely high instantaneous impact resistance, capable of withstanding a frontal attack from a peak third-tier opponent...

Wei Jianguo swiped his finger quickly across the tablet, projecting the corresponding equipment information and 3D models into the air.

He piled everything onto Su Ran.

Su Ran stood there, looking at the equipment that was clearly the last remaining stock, and her lips twitched slightly.

"Old Wei, I don't need a sniper rifle; its range isn't as accurate as my mental coverage. And that ray generator is useless to me either..."

"Just bring it!"

Wei Jianguo glared, then immediately took down a Tier 3 crystal core sniper rifle and handed it to Su Ran.

"The battlefield is ever-changing! What if we need to provide long-range fire support for Ye or Xiao Mo?"

He paused, lowered his voice, and his tone became earnest.

"What if you really run into a tough opponent and need to temporarily delay and create time for retreat?"

These things are your source of confidence!

This is the greatest support that everyone at Institute 01 can give to the frontline fighters!

The old scientist's eyes were burning and his gaze unwavering.

Looking into those eyes, Su Ran swallowed back the refusal that was on the tip of her tongue.

He nodded, said nothing more, reached out and took the heavy "Falcon" sniper rifle, and with a flick of his wrist, the weapon disappeared from his side.

"Okay, I'll take them all."

Wei Jianguo's face immediately broke into a smile, and he beckoned to the researcher beside him.

"Quickly, move everything over here! Leave nothing behind that you can take with you!"

Over the next ten minutes, various firearms, grenades, shield generators, and even two spare lightweight exoskeleton kits were brought to Su Ran.

Su Ran remained expressionless, accepting each package as if it were a delivery, looking at it and then taking it in. The infinite space was like a bottomless pit, accepting all who came.

Mo Yun had already circled the "Bone-Eating" mech several times, his gaze becoming increasingly focused.

"Xiao Mo, try logging in!" Wei Jianguo called out.

Mo Yun nodded and walked to the front of the mecha.

He raised his hand and placed it on a slightly recessed palm print recognition area on the mecha's chest.

With a deep hum, the mech's chest slowly opened, revealing the sleek cockpit inside. It wasn't as spacious as Ye Xiao's, but more ergonomically designed.

Mo Yun nimbly climbed inside.

The moment the hatch closed, the "wings" on the back of the mecha slightly unfurled, and a dark golden light shone from the joints, flowing over the dark green paint.

The internal sensing system has made a preliminary connection with Mo Yun's nervous system.

The mecha swayed slightly before regaining its footing.

The holographic screen in the cockpit lit up, displaying Mo Yun's own physiological data stream and the status of the mecha's various systems; everything was normal.

A strange feeling came over me.

He could vaguely perceive every inch of the mecha's outer shell, especially those specially designed energy conduction nodes, which seemed to be an extension of his own limbs.

"Initial synchronization rate: 87%!"

The researchers monitoring nearby excitedly reported the numbers and gave further instructions.

"Commissioner Mo Yun, please unleash your supernatural power."

Mo Yun nodded in agreement, and his supernatural power began to gather in his palm.

"Energy feedback channel preheating complete, corrosion resistance test... stable!"

Wei Jianguo exclaimed excitedly, slapping his thigh hard.

"It's done! The result is even better than expected! Xiao Mo, how does it feel?"

Beneath the mecha's visor, Mo Yun controlled its movements, his voice, also tinged with excitement, coming through the speaker.

"Professor Wei, I'm fine. It's a strange feeling."

"That's right!"

Wei Jianguo laughed loudly, "Once we get to the battlefield, use it to its full potential! Bring back the data at its maximum!"