29: Chapter 29 Steel Torrent

The fluorescent tubes in the underground garage cast a deathly pale light, making everyone's faces look like those of the deceased.

Commander Lin Dong knelt on one knee beside the base vehicle, his left hand pressed against the cold metal hull, while his right hand gripped the Type 54 imitation pistol seized from the prisoners. The barrel was still hot; he had fired the last shot just now—hitting that Strength-type Esper square in the right knee.

"Base deployment progress at 67%... 68%..." a mechanical electronic voice echoed in his mind, but Commander Lin Dong was in no mood to listen.

Li Na lay on the concrete floor three meters away, her hands clutching her left shoulder as dark red blood welled up between her fingers. The blood pooled beneath her, slowly flowing toward a lower patch of ground. Her lips had begun to turn white, a classic symptom of excessive blood loss.

"Don't move," Commander Lin Dong said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping toward the garage entrance.

Over there, the gang of prisoners was retreating. His shot had hit their leader, and they had momentarily lost their nerve. But knowing men like them, they wouldn't just give up. They would either regroup for another charge or block the exit to wear them down to death.

"Boss..." Li Na's voice was as weak as a mosquito's buzz, "Am I... am I going to die?"

"You won't die," Commander Lin Dong stood up and quickly walked over to crouch by her side. "I've seen soldiers lose twice as much blood as you and still be full of life."

That was a lie. In his twelve years in the army, he had seen too many comrades die from excessive blood loss. But he had to say it now.

A panel automatically popped up in the upper right corner of his vision:

[Target: Li Na]

[Status: Severe blood loss, blood pressure 70/40, heart rate 138 bpm, continuing to drop]

[Remaining survival time: 18-25 minutes (based on current rate of blood loss)]

[Emergency treatment plan: Compression to stop bleeding + blood transfusion (requires over 800ml of matching blood type)]

Eighteen minutes.

Commander Lin Dong took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He had learned battlefield first aid in the Reconnaissance Company and knew what was most important in this situation—it wasn't panic or shouting, it was following the steps.

He pulled the tactical scarf from Li Na's neck, folded it into layers to press against the wound, and then grabbed her hand to hold it there. "Press hard. Don't let go until I tell you to."

Li Na nodded, tears dripping down her face.

Commander Lin Dong stood up, his gaze sweeping over the remaining three people: two were college students he had rescued on the road, a male named Zhang Lei and a female named Wang Xue, who were currently shivering behind a scrapped Jetta; the other was the Communications Soldier, Xiao Zhao, who had just run over from the power distribution room deep in the garage, holding half a roll of filthy gauze.

"This is all I could find," Xiao Zhao panted heavily. "The medical kit was stolen by those bastards."

Commander Lin Dong took the gauze; it felt rough and was covered in dust. Using it for bandaging would definitely cause an infection. But he had no choice now.

"You two," he pointed at the two college students. "Come here. Hold her head and talk to her. Don't let her fall asleep."

Zhang Lei and Wang Xue moved over tremulously, looking at Li Na in the pool of blood with utter helplessness.

"What... what should we say?" Wang Xue's voice was shaking.

"Anything. Recite the multiplication table, sing the national anthem, or curse your counselor. Just keep her conscious." Commander Lin Dong walked toward the base vehicle without looking back.

[Base deployment progress: 81%... 82%...]

Too slow.

At this rate, it would take at least another fifteen minutes to fully deploy. Li Na only had eighteen minutes left.

Commander Lin Dong stared at the silver-gray heavy truck, feeling for the first time how "heartless" the system could be. base vehicle deployment was irreversible and could not be accelerated; that was an ironclad rule written into the system.

But when had he, Commander Lin Dong, ever followed the rules?

He went around to the rear of the base vehicle, where there was a display screen flickering with dense data:

[Main Reactor: Offline]

[Power System: External Power Source (Mains)]

[Armor System: Not Activated]

[Weapon System: Not Activated]

[Construction System: Deploying (87%)]

Commander Lin Dong stared at the "External Power Source" line for three seconds, then turned and ran toward the power distribution room.

The power distribution room was at the deepest part of the garage, right next to the ventilation shaft. That was where Xiao Zhao had found the gauze earlier.

Commander Lin Dong pushed open the door, and a musty smell hit him. Several toolboxes were scattered on the floor, and rows of electric meters and circuit breakers lined the wall. He scanned the numbers on the main meter:

[Current Load: 47kW]

[Maximum Load: 120kW]

The base vehicle was connected to the municipal power line, and the 47kW load already accounted for nearly 40% of the garage's total capacity. This was why the deployment speed was only 60% of the "standard speed"—insufficient power.

Commander Lin Dong's finger slid across the row of circuit breakers, his gaze stopping on three switches labeled "backup generator."

Garages usually had backup generators in case of power failure. This was especially true for underground garages in military Barracks, where it was necessary to ensure vehicles could start at any time during war. If he could connect this generator...

He pulled the first switch—no reaction. The second—no reaction. The moment he pulled the third, a low roar echoed from the depths of the garage, like a sleeping giant being awakened.

[System Prompt: Backup power source detected, power +80kW]

[Base deployment progress accelerating: 91%... 93%...]

Three minutes.

At this speed, the base vehicle would be fully deployed in three minutes.

Commander Lin Dong rushed out of the power distribution room and was met by Xiao Zhao's terrified gaze: "Boss! They're coming back!"

At the garage entrance, over a dozen flashlight beams were swaying. The prisoners hadn't left; they were regrouping, preparing for a final stand.

Commander Lin Dong ran back to Li Na's side, knelt down, and stared into her eyes. "Listen, hold on for three more minutes. In three minutes, I'll have a way to save you."

Li Na was already unable to speak; she only blinked her eyes.

"You two," Commander Lin Dong looked at the college students. "Drag her back, behind that humvee. No matter what happens, don't come out."

Zhang Lei wanted to say something but was forced back by Commander Lin Dong's gaze. The two of them hoisted Li Na up and stumbled toward the depths of the garage.

Commander Lin Dong stood up, pulled the Type 95 from his waist, and checked the magazine—11 rounds left. He then pulled the last grenade from his tactical vest and gripped it in his hand.

"Boss, I'm with you." Xiao Zhao stood behind him, still holding that roll of dirty gauze, but his eyes were remarkably firm.

Commander Lin Dong glanced at him. A Communications Soldier wasn't combat personnel, but at this moment, his gaze reminded Commander Lin Dong of the New recruits he had trained.

"Take this." Commander Lin Dong handed him the pistol. "Hide behind that jeep. If anyone gets past me, shoot."

Xiao Zhao took the gun, his hands shaking, but he nodded vigorously.

Commander Lin Dong turned around and faced the garage entrance, standing there alone.

Behind him, the silver-gray steel beast was completing its final transformation.

Chapter 3: Flesh and Steel

The gang of prisoners consisted of about twenty people.

Commander Lin Dong estimated the exact number to be twenty-three—he had killed two and wounded one just now, leaving this many. About seven or eight of them had guns, while the rest held machetes, steel pipes, and two harpoons from who-knows-where.

The Strength-type Esper was being supported by two men as he walked at the front. His right knee had been shattered by Commander Lin Dong's shot, and his entire leg hung at a bizarre angle, but the expression on his face wasn't one of pain, but of frenzied rage.

"Kill him for me!" he roared. "Seize that vehicle! It's mine!"

Commander Lin Dong didn't fire.

He was waiting.

Waiting for these people to enter the optimal killing range.

Fifty meters. Forty meters. Thirty-five meters. The flashlight beams became increasingly blinding, and he could see their faces clearly—there were desperadoes, junkies, and ordinary people who had been coerced. But at this moment, they were all the same.

Thirty meters.

Commander Lin Dong pulled the safety pin of the grenade and threw it with all his might.

The grenade traced a parabola and landed accurately in the densest part of the crowd.

"Get down!"

The gang of prisoners instantly fell into chaos. But it was too late.

Boom!

The fire from the explosion illuminated the entire garage entrance as shrapnel shrieked and flew in all directions. Three people fell instantly, their screams drowned out by the echo of the blast.

Commander Lin Dong seized this opportunity to sprint forward, firing as he ran.

With the first shot, a bandit who was about to raise his gun had his forehead bloom with blood.

With the second shot, another bandit who had reached for a grenade was hit in the chest.

Third shot, fourth shot, fifth shot—

The Type 95 ran empty. Commander Lin Dong tossed it aside and pulled a tactical knife from his thigh, his entire body already crashing into the chaotic crowd.

This was his most familiar domain—close-quarters combat.

Sidestepping and sliding, the knife tip pierced between a bandit's ribs, straight into the kidney; spinning and elbowing, he smashed another's nose bridge; crouching and sweeping his leg, he tripped a third person and then slit their throat with a single stroke.

In three seconds, three people were down.

The remaining bandits finally reacted and began to retreat or raise their guns. But Commander Lin Dong had already pressed into their ranks; firing would hit their own people, and for a moment, the gunmen didn't know what to do.

The Strength-type Esper furiously pushed away the two people supporting him and lunged toward Commander Lin Dong like a cannonball using his one good leg. Even with a crippled leg, his speed was still startlingly fast—the data on the panel showed [Burst Speed: 11m/s].

Commander Lin Dong didn't meet him head-on.

He dodged to the side and simultaneously stuck out a foot to trip him. The Esper was already off-balance due to his single leg, and this trip sent him crashing face-first onto the concrete floor. Before he could turn over, Commander Lin Dong had already pinned him down, his left hand firmly pressing his neck while the tactical knife was held against the back of his head.

"Nobody move!"

This roar brought the entire scene to an instant standstill.

The bandits held their guns but didn't dare pull the triggers. Their boss was under the opponent's knife.

"You motherfucker... if you have the guts... kill me..." the Esper growled from between his teeth as he lay on the cold ground.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Commander Lin Dong did not answer.

His gaze passed over those people and looked into the depths of the garage.

There, the silver-gray base vehicle finally completed its final transformation.

【System Prompt: Base deployment complete.】

【Enter initial construction mode?】

At the same time, another message popped up:

【Enemy unit detected in close proximity. Activate emergency defense protocol?】

Commander Lin Dong almost gritted his teeth as he squeezed out one word: "Yes."

The next second, a dull mechanical roar came from the depths of the garage.

On the side of the deployed base vehicle, an armor plate slowly slid open, revealing a pitch-black gun barrel.

【Defensive machine gun turret: Deploying.】

【Targeting...】

【Lock complete.】

Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat—

The 12.7mm caliber heavy machine gun began to roar.

The ammunition belt shimmered with the luster of death under the moonlight.

In the first round of burst fire, the three bandits standing at the very front were cut in half at the waist.

The power of the heavy machine gun rounds was far beyond the imagination of ordinary people—it was not "piercing," but "shredding."

In front of the 12.7mm bullets, human bodies were like paper; flesh flew, and bone fragments splattered everywhere.

The remaining bandits completely collapsed.

Some dropped their guns and ran, some collapsed on the ground incontinent, and some crawled frantically into the darkness.

That Strength-type Esper lay under Commander Lin Dong, trembling all over, unable to say a word.

Commander Lin Dong let him go, stood up, and made a gesture towards the direction of the machine gun turret.

The firing stopped.

The garage fell into a deathly silence, with only the howling wind in the ventilation ducts and the groans of the dying.

Commander Lin Dong looked down at the Esper under his feet, and the panel popped up automatically:

【Target: Liu Biao】

【Level: Lv.5】

【Supernatural Ability: Strength Enhancement (Strength × 3 in burst state)】

【Current Status: Seriously injured (comminuted fracture of the right knee joint), fearful】

"You said just now that this vehicle is yours?" Commander Lin Dong's voice was calm, as if he were asking about the weather today.

Liu Biao did not speak.

Commander Lin Dong raised his foot and stepped on his shattered knee.

"Ah—" The scream echoed in the empty garage.

"I'm asking you a question."

"No... no... it's not mine... it's yours... it's yours..." Liu Biao was in so much pain that his tears and snot smeared his face; where was his arrogance from just a moment ago?

Commander Lin Dong moved his foot away and looked toward the garage entrance.

Those bandits who ran away had already disappeared into the night, and the remaining few were paralyzed on the ground, shaking like chaff.

"Xiao Zhao."

The Communications Soldier poked his head out from behind the jeep, his gun still shaking in his hand.

"Tie up those who are alive, search them, and find medical supplies."

Commander Lin Dong turned and walked towards the depths of the garage, then stopped after two steps, "Also, make them tell me Li Na's blood type. Whoever gets it right gets to live."

Li Na lay behind the hummer vehicle, her face as white as paper.

Two college students were guarding her; Wang Xue was crying, and Zhang Lei was clumsily bandaging the wound with that roll of dirty gauze.

Commander Lin Dong crouched down and lifted Li Na's eyelid.

Her pupils had already begun to dilate.

【Remaining survival time: 2-3 minutes】

Damn.

He stood up abruptly and ran toward the base vehicle that had just deployed.

【Red Alert Outpost Base: Initial Stage】

【Building List: power plant (under construction), Barracks (to be built), Ore Refinery (to be built), War Factory (to be built)...】

【Resources: Energy Points 500, Ore 0】

【Special Building: Medical Tent (requires 100 Energy Points, immediate completion)】

Medical Tent.

Commander Lin Dong clicked 【Build】 without hesitation.

【Building a Medical Tent requires 100 Energy Points. Confirm?】

【Confirm.】

【Building... Estimated completion time: 30 seconds】

Thirty seconds.

Commander Lin Dong stared fixedly at the void in front of him, where a virtual countdown was ticking.

This was his first time truly operating this system, his first time feeling what it meant to "race against time."

Twenty-five seconds. Twenty seconds.

He looked back at Li Na's direction.

Wang Xue was crying out something, and Zhang Lei was performing CPR.

Fifteen seconds. Ten seconds.

"Faster... hurry..." For the first time, Commander Lin Dong felt powerless in battle.

He could take on ten at once, he could remain calm in the face of danger, but if he couldn't save a soldier who blocked a bullet for him, none of that mattered.

Five seconds. Three seconds. One second.

【Medical Tent construction complete.】

In the open space in the corner of the garage, the air suddenly twisted.

Silvery-white light gushed from the ground, as if an invisible brush were sketching in the void.

First came a circular base, then six support pillars, and finally a huge white tent—it appeared out of thin air, just like that, as if it had been there from the beginning.

Commander Lin Dong rushed to Li Na, scooped her up, and dashed into the tent.

The inside was much larger than it looked from the outside.

Four hospital beds were neatly arranged, and medical equipment was complete—ECG monitor, ventilator, IV stand, and even an X-ray machine.

A figure in a white lab coat was organizing instruments in the corner.

【Medic: Lv.4】

【Status: Standby】

【Specialty: Battlefield First Aid, Surgery, Blood Typing】

"Type AB blood, blood loss approximately 1500ml, gunshot wound to the shoulder, through-and-through, no major blood vessels damaged."

Commander Lin Dong placed Li Na on the hospital bed, speaking extremely fast.

The medic nodded, turned, took two bags of plasma from the refrigerator, and hung them on the IV stand.

When the needle pierced Li Na's arm, her fingers twitched.

Commander Lin Dong leaned against the wall, watching the numbers on the monitor begin to recover.

Her heart rate dropped from 140 to 130, and her blood pressure rose from 70/40 to 85/50.

She's alive.

He closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

Twenty minutes later.

Commander Lin Dong sat on the steps at the entrance of the medical tent, clutching a cigarette in his hand—he didn't know which bandit it had been scavenged from; it was already crumpled out of shape.

He didn't light it, just smelling the tobacco, letting himself recover from the exhaustion as the adrenaline faded.

Footsteps came from behind.

Xiao Zhao walked over and crouched down beside him.

"Boss, the count is done."

"Speak."

"Eight killed, eleven ran away, four captured alive."

Xiao Zhao handed over a notebook, "Things scavenged: five pistols, seventy-three rounds of ammunition; a pile of machetes and steel pipes; about twenty thousand in cash; and this."

He handed over a transparent plastic bag containing a few crystals the size of a fingernail.

The crystals had a faint red luster, looking exceptionally eerie in the dim garage.

Commander Lin Dong took it, and the panel immediately popped up a prompt:

【Unknown energy crystal detected.】

【Name: Primary crystal core (produced by Mutant)】

【Usage: Can be used as Energy Point replenishment (+50 each), or for unit advancement.】

【Note: Extracted from unknown mutated organism, contains unstable energy.】

Commander Lin Dong stared at the crystals for a few seconds, then put them in his pocket.

"What about those alive ones?"

"According to your instructions, I asked for their blood type. One of them is Type AB; I've already drawn 400cc, enough for Li Na to use for a while."

Xiao Zhao paused, "What about the other three...?"

Commander Lin Dong stood up and walked toward the corner of the garage.

The four prisoners were tied together in a string, crouching at the base of the wall.

Seeing Commander Lin Dong approach, they all shrank back.

He crouched down and looked at the one on the very end—a young man in his early twenties, his face still carrying childishness, his eyes full of fear.

"How old are you?"

"Nin... nineteen..."

"What did you do before the apocalypse?"

"Stu... student... junior year..."

Commander Lin Dong was silent for a few seconds, then stood up and said to Xiao Zhao: "Untie him and let him go."

Xiao Zhao was stunned for a moment, but still followed orders.

The young man looked at Commander Lin Dong in disbelief, and after the ropes were loosened, he scrambled away.

Commander Lin Dong looked at the remaining three people.

A middle-aged man, a burly bald man, and a thin man wearing glasses—the latter was sizing him up with a strange look.

"You, what are you looking at?" Commander Lin Dong asked.

The Man with Glasses pushed up the crooked glasses on the bridge of his nose: "I'm wondering who you are. Military training, individual combat capability, and... that."

He pointed his chin toward the medical tent in the depths of the garage and the base vehicle that had already been deployed.

"That's not important."

Commander Lin Dong crouched in front of him, "What's important is that from now on, you are my prisoner. You answer whatever I ask. Understand?"

The Man with Glasses nodded.

"What's the background of your boss?"

"Liu Biao? He came out of prison. He was sentenced to seven years for intentional injury three years ago. When the apocalypse broke out, the prison was in chaos. He led a group of people out, recruited people along the way, and it became like this."

The Man with Glasses spoke at a steady pace, with clear logic, "He was the first to awaken his Supernatural Ability; his strength skyrocketed, and no one could beat him."

"Where is your stronghold?"

"Three kilometers to the north, an abandoned logistics park. There are warehouses, walls, and a batch of food that hasn't been shipped out."

The Man with Glasses paused, "But there shouldn't be many people left now; Liu Biao brought everyone who could fight out with him."

Commander Lin Dong stared at him for a few seconds, stood up, and said to Xiao Zhao: "Keep these two tied up. This one..."

He pointed to the Man with Glasses, "Bring him to see me."

He turned and walked toward the base vehicle, and behind him came the sound of the Man with Glasses being dragged up from the ground by Xiao Zhao.

After a few steps, Commander Lin Dong suddenly stopped and looked back in the direction of the garage entrance.

In the night, something was flashing in the eastern sky.

It wasn't stars, but rhythmic light—three long, two short; three long, two short.

That was the color of a military signal flare.

【End of Chapter】