Ark Chess Player.

Chen suddenly had an urge to strangle Hoshiguma, but fortunately, a timely report came through the communicator and saved Hoshiguma's life.

"explain."

Chen picked up the walkie-talkie and turned to listen to his subordinate's report.

Hoshiguma watched Chen's retreating figure, standing quietly in place.

"Commander Hoshiguma, what's the good news? Why are you smiling so happily?"

The officers from the Imperial Guard happened to meet up and, seeing the uncontrollable smile on Hoshiguma's face, subconsciously asked a question.

"Hey, it's not that exaggerated—hey! Old Chen, wait for me!"

Hoshiguma patted the officer on the shoulder, nearly knocking him to the ground, and followed Chen with cheerful steps.

The guard who was inexplicably beaten was buried halfway up the floor, becoming the most seriously injured officer in this operation.

"AL1 team, drive all Reunion Movement members to the designated area. If you encounter any Reunion Movement forces in other areas along the way, you are authorized to eliminate them directly. The Rhodes Island team and Superintendent Swire are nearby and can provide support if necessary by diverting police forces guarding the transportation hub."

"After clearing out the integration movement in the Front Bay area, AO3 team will immediately rest and regroup at the transit station around the Guard Bureau building."

"AU7 Squad, forced the remnants of the Reunion Movement in the Lower Ring area to retreat towards the Guard Bureau. Over."

Special Inspectorate Leader Superintendent Chen methodically assigned tasks; she was not only on the front lines but also the commander of this operation. As for Wei Yanwu? His whereabouts were unknown to the Guard Bureau, and he didn't need to appear at this time.

After exchanging messages, Hoshiguma breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Only the two of us were blown down. What kind of luck do you think we have, Lao Chen?"

“…I’ve always had bad luck.” Chen glanced at her. “I’ve dragged you down with me.”

"No, don't say that. We're going to be family. How can something so small stop us?"

"Shut up," Chen Huijie said, feeling ashamed and indignant.

"Yes."

Hoshiguma raised her hand to her mouth and obediently stood next to Old Chen, looking at her expectantly.

Perhaps it was because Hoshiguma's expression was so innocent that it was impossible to really get angry. Chen looked at her carefully, then stood on tiptoe and ran his hand across Hoshiguma's lips.

"Okay, you can talk now."

"Thank you, Commander Chen! Commander Chen is so kind!"

"Stop talking nonsense. I'll leave this place to you. I'm going to the next outpost with the others... Why are you looking at me like that?" Chen felt a little guilty and didn't dare to meet Hoshiguma's gaze directly, so he slowly turned his head away.

Hoshiguma looked at Old Chen with resentment, while Hannya slammed directly into the floor.

"You mean the next stronghold is the Guard Bureau building? Do you think I don't know what you're thinking, Chen? There's no need for that. We don't need to hide anything from each other. I know you're thinking of me, and I know I'm struggling to even swing my shield right now."

"...I didn't see you as a burden."

"I just think you're getting stubborn again."

Hoshiguma shook her head gently, a helpless smile on her lips. She knew her friend all too well.

"The commander of Reunion is lurking in the Guard Bureau building. According to Rhodes Island's intelligence, he's a rather ruthless guy. Don't underestimate Reunion just because they seem weak on every level. No matter how weak they are, they still managed to take down Chernobog. Moreover, we can't be sure if Reunion has any monsters as trump cards. We can't afford to repeat what happened in the slums."

"I know about this."

Chen lowered her eyes slowly; of course she knew.

Even she couldn't single-handedly deal with the monsters rampaging through Lungmen; she hadn't yet fully mastered the Crimson Sky Sword.

With all this passion, strength, and sword, do you really think you can sweep away the deep-seated problems and restore a bright and clear world to Longmen?

“Look, I just finished speaking and you’ve already hit a dead end again.” Hoshiguma put her hand on Old Chen’s shoulder and said earnestly, “Old Chen, you’re good at everything, beautiful and smart, but you’re just too stubborn. You have a weakness that you know yourself, but you just can’t change it.”

"weakness?"

Chen frowned slightly; she didn't understand what Hoshiguma was talking about.

Hoshiguma looked directly at Chen: "Please don't, don't, don't get caught up in any particular idea. I always have a feeling that you'll become obsessed with discovering something. But I want you to know that nothing is worth risking your life for, except for your present, including my existence."

"...I will take it as advice and accept it."

"Humble acceptance, but utterly unwilling to change?"

"You already know, why are you asking?"

The two looked at each other, and Hoshiguma suddenly reached out and grabbed Chen's messy hair.

Old Chen raised her hand to shake him off, but her gaze lingered on the wound on Hoshiguma's arm, and she held back.

"You messed it up, so you have to help me comb it."

"I'd comb your hair for the rest of my life if you could just come back."

"Really?"

"It's true."

Hoshiguma stopped what she was doing and quickly restored Old Chen's hair to its original state before the other officers came over to join in the fun.

"I will return."

Old Chen said softly, "Even if I really leave, I will see you one last time."

"A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals dwelling there. Water is not sacred for its depth, but for the dragons residing within." Hoshiguma quoted an ancient saying from the Great Yan Dynasty, which she had seen in a martial arts comic. The meaning was exactly as it appeared in the words. She smiled at her friend, "If you want to leave Lungmen, let's go together then. I can't bear to stay in Lungmen without you."

"You finally got promoted to senior inspector, and you're just going to quit like this?"

"Oh dear, it sounds rather jarring coming from a senior superintendent of the Royal Guard."

"Nonsense."

As Chen Huijie spoke, she suddenly felt a sense of relief.

"Are you really not taking me with you this time?"

Hoshiguma asked one last time.

"Rhodes Island's medical team is here. Even if that woman, who doesn't look like a doctor at all, hits you with a hammer a couple of times, get treatment right away. After this mission, there's a ton of work waiting for you in Lungmen. Everyone's working overtime."

"Okay, okay, you must come back safely."

"Then you still need to tell me?"

Chen raised her hand and touched her hair, which Hoshiguma had styled until it shone brightly. She couldn't help but admire how much more capable Hoshiguma was than her.

"I'm still waiting for you to comb my hair for the rest of my life..." she whispered.

"What? Old Chen, I didn't hear you clearly."

"nothing!!"

Chapter 396 Brilliance

The outskirts of the abandoned Chernobog 14 district.

Amiya gazed worriedly in the direction of the ruined city, her hands clenched into fists.

About twenty minutes ago, the Originium particles floating around the ruined city suddenly surged outwards with terrifying force, sweeping away like a landslide and tsunami. Fortunately, Amiya sensed the collision of two strong mental fluctuations in the center of the ruined city in advance and led her team away from the area in time.

The Yeti team, alerted by Amiya, moved away from the ruined city until the gray fog rolled in, at which point they began to flee with all their might.

The scene was far more exaggerated than the previous explosion; the sky was covered by smog, making it almost impossible to see anything.

If you get caught in it, you will inevitably be corroded by highly radioactive Originium particles, and you may even be turned into a stone statue by an uncontrolled explosion.

"Amiya, the Doctor..."

Jessica bandaged her leg wound and went to Amiya's side.

“The Doctor will be alright,” Amiya said firmly, almost blurting it out without hesitation.

Amiya has always believed in the Doctor, and even in this critical moment, she doesn't think anything will happen to him.

Absolutely...

"Amiya? Please respond, Amiya."

A clear female voice came through the communication device, sounding strangely languid.

"Sister Huang?"

Amiya recognized the source of the sound, and her ears perked up unconsciously.

She took the communicator from Meteorite, and Chen Doudou's mood improved slightly.

"Amiya, I can see you! I'm coming down!"

"Get down?"

Amiya blinked, instinctively looking up, but the sky was obscured by a haze formed from Originium particles, making it impossible to see anything. Even using her mental powers, she couldn't perceive anything that high up. Could it be...?

"The Bad Guy?"

"You got it right! As expected of Amiya! Woohoo! Take off!"

"Ah ha ha……"

Amiya smiled awkwardly.

She turned to the team members and reminded them, "Everyone, prepare for the attack."

Before Jessica could even process what Amiya was saying, her ears suddenly perked up, her keen senses activating. Her honed combat instincts made her instinctively draw her pistol, aiming it at the approaching target…

Jessica then realized that this was one of her own and hurriedly put the pistol away.

A crimson shooting star streaked across the gray sky, plummeting downwards at incredible speed, instantly drawing the attention of countless people.

"Shooting star, shooting star, please bless Froststar so she's alright...it hurts so much!"

The Yeti team looked up, and someone instinctively closed their eyes to make a wish, only to be slapped on the head by the person next to them.

"That's a person."

"what?"

What fell from the sky was not a meteorite, but Rhodes Island's elite operator, Blaze.

As the meteor fell to Earth, powerful gusts of air rose from the point of impact, bringing with them scorching hot winds.

Even the Originium Smog was swept up and dispersed, creating a brief clear zone and significantly improving air quality.

"Hey, Amiya!"

A Filin girl with black hair and blue eyes waved to Amiya. Her youthful and beautiful face, and her slender and well-proportioned figure, constantly proclaimed the charm of a young woman. If it weren't for the chainsaw and chainsaw extension module she held in her right hand, she would have attracted countless people to chat with her wherever she went. Her temperament far surpassed her stunning appearance; it was a dignified and elegant beauty, like that of a peony.

"Look what I brought you: a full set of Originium-proof armor, complete with a built-in oxygen circulation system!"

The big cat excitedly approached Amiya, her overly enthusiastic manner causing Jessica, who was standing next to Amiya, to take several steps back.

The Yeti team, on the other hand, looked at her curiously, as if she were some new and exotic species, almost as if they wanted to walk over and ask, "Can you fly?"

"Huang, you've worked hard."

ACE, who had been healed by the medical sorcerer's magic, stepped forward to greet him.

Huang saw his injuries, and the excitement on her face vanished instantly. She asked in a deep voice, "Who did this?"

Huang turned her head and glanced at the Yeti Squad. The air became stuffy, as her magical fluctuations unintentionally heated the environment.

"Huang, calm down. Getting wounded on the battlefield is inevitable. Even if you die, it's just because you're not as skilled as your opponent."

"Elite operator Scout said helplessly, he was also covered in wounds and looked exhausted."

Despite their best efforts, Scout and Team ACE were unable to defeat the Patriot, a monster of such caliber.

The Patriot's might is worthy of the title of Sarkaz among Sarkaz; the nightmare of the northern snowy land is not an empty name.

"Don't say such discouraging things, I don't like to hear them."

Huang pouted unhappily and threw his backpack down heavily.

"The doctor is still inside the ruined city, right? Tell anyone who's going in to rescue him. We have a limited number, so it's on a first-come, first-served basis."

Amiya raised her hand at lightning speed: "I want one."

"I knew you'd say that, so I prepared a special bunny version in advance! Although as the commander you shouldn't be taking risks with us, I'm sure you won't just stay here obediently." Huang rummaged in her backpack, picked up the prepared Amiya special edition protective suit, and stuffed it into Amiya's arms.

"Who else wants it?"

"that……"