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

Martin nodded, remaining outwardly calm, but simply ran his hand over the gun.

It has an excellent texture and a flawless fluid design.

"Sir. First and second-tier prey are boring; I want to earn more points."

Martin stood up, slung his gun over his shoulder, and met the lieutenant's gaze.

"I want to sign up for the Red Zone mission: to eliminate Tier 3 mutated creatures."

Upon hearing this, several survivors who were receiving supplies nearby gasped in shock, staring at him as if he were a dead man.

"Quite the boast, aiming to fight a Tier 3 mutated beast right off the bat?"

Old Zhao paused, looked Martin up and down, and sneered.

"Third-tier beasts have thick hides and flesh, and once they start moving, their speed is so fast that even their afterimages are not visible."

If you don't focus fire on its vital points, a Tier 2 rifle won't even break through its defenses; it will only enrage it and tear you to shreds.

"Do we still want to go now?"

"I served in the military and know tactical infiltration. As long as the Great Xia forces lead the way, I'm not afraid to die."

Martin licked his chapped lips and offered his impeccable reason.

He stared intently at Old Zhao, his eyes revealing fervor and longing.

"I want to go to the Great Xia Underground City!"

I need Chinese citizenship!

My wife and daughter need heating and clean water!

Old Zhao's sharp gaze lingered on Martin's face for a full three seconds.

"Everyone who comes here thinks that way. You've got guts."

He turned to the side and pointed to the tent on the left.

"Go to Shed Number Seven. They're forming a mixed squad to hunt down the third-tier mutated beasts."

"Want to join the Great Xia nationality? Survive first."

"Thank you, sir."

Martin saluted and turned to walk toward Shed 7.

The moment he turned around, his fervor vanished, and his eyes began to show rationality.

"The first step towards getting closer has been successful."

Martin wrapped his collar tighter in the snowstorm, secretly making plans in his mind.

Only by directly contacting the officers leading the team from Great Xia and participating in such high-risk missions could he find out exactly how many low- to mid-level Awakened individuals Great Xia had planted in its ranks, and thus discover Great Xia's true strength.

But he wasn't stupid. Richard, that fool, was asking for trouble by trying to use the Great Xia's weaknesses to negotiate.

God may have weaknesses, but they must not be discovered by humans!

Martin, however, didn't want to die alongside fools; he wanted to pave the way for his own future.

"Richard, your stupidity might fetch me a good price, in exchange for true Great Xia citizenship that truly belongs to me..."

He tightened the strap of his gun, composed himself, and continued walking outside.

The wind and snow intensified.

Martin lifted the curtain of tent number seven.

Inside the tent sat seven or eight burly white men with high noses and deep-set eyes, all of them wiping their guns.

As Martin entered, several wary glances swept over him simultaneously.

In the corner sat a Great Xia officer wearing a tactical helmet.

"New here?" the officer asked, his voice hoarse.

"Yes. Sign up for the mission to hunt down Tier 3 enemies."

Martin stepped forward and revealed his background.

The officer finally raised his head, his eyes as cold as ice.

"Find a seat. We'll break camp at 4 p.m. sharp this afternoon, 30 kilometers outside the defensive line."

Target: Tier 3 Mutant Shadow Leopard.

The officer casually tossed a crystal core pellet he had been playing with into the ammunition box.

"My name is Chen Wu, and I am the captain of this team."

There are two rules: First, obey orders. Second, don't blame me if you die.

Martin nodded, silently found an empty seat, and began skillfully disassembling the Crystal Energy Rifle.

His movements were extremely fast, but his peripheral vision remained fixed on Chen Wu.

An awakened one? Or a battle-hardened veteran?

He couldn't see through it.

Perhaps only in actual combat can we truly be certain.