134: The Survivor's Fury

Slaughterhouse Canyon.

In stark contrast to the cold silence of the Higher Academy, this place was a hell of scorching heat and death.

"Get down!"

Reno let out a roar, slamming a nearby recruit to the ground. A second later, a beam of searing energy grazed the recruit’s scalp, burning a fist-sized hole in the armor plating behind them.

The young soldier broke down completely, collapsing on the ground with snot and tears streaming down his face.

"Captain! We... we can't get out! You brought us here to die! It was you!"

"Shut up!" Reno's eyes were bloodshot. He leaned out and fired a wild burst of shots, but was immediately pinned down by even more intense crossfire from the opposite cliff wall. "Open fire if you don't want to die!"

Despair, like the shadows of the canyon, loomed over the hearts of the remaining dozen or so soldiers.

Just then, following a crackle of static, a steady, elegant, yet mocking voice came through the public channel, drilling clearly into everyone's helmets.

"Hanhai Trade lapdogs, still breathing?"

Reno jolted. "Who are you?!"

"Who I am doesn't matter." The voice carried a hint of a smile. "What matters is that you should thank your friend, that four-armed piece of trash called Glack. He picked out a nice spot for your graves, didn't he? Good feng shui."

Glack... the name was like a poison-tipped sledgehammer slamming into Reno's heart. Su Li's cold, serious face and her warning that "mercenaries can't be trusted" exploded in his mind.

Regret, anger, humiliation... endless emotions erupted like lava.

"Aaaaaah!"

Reno let out a subhuman roar and punched the twisted steel plate beside him. The sharp edge instantly sliced through his gauntlet, and blood began to flow.

"Captain!"

Just as Reno was about to be consumed by self-reproach, a figure limped over. It was A Yong!

"Slap!"

A crisp slap landed hard on Reno's helmet.

A Yong's chest heaved violently. He pointed at Reno's nose and roared hoarsely, "Wake up! This isn't just your fault! Miss Su Li warned us, but we all underestimated the enemy's shamelessness! Now is not the time for regret!"

He pointed toward the Academy deep within the canyon, blood-red flames burning in his eyes.

"What about the Boss? The Boss is still waiting for our signal! He's still inside!"

The Boss... Chen Feng... These words were like a bucket of ice water, dousing the chaos in Reno's mind. He slowly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes sweeping over his remaining brothers, who were equally filled with despair.

He took a deep breath and stood up unsteadily. The regret and pain in his eyes were replaced by a more terrifying, all-consuming flame.

"Brothers." His voice was low and raspy, yet perfectly clear to everyone.

"You all heard it. We've been betrayed."

"We're not going back."

He paused, then his voice suddenly rose like the roar of a cornered beast. "But! The Boss is still in the lion's den! He put his life in our hands! Even if we die, we're going to punch a hole in the sky for him! Let him know that things have started out here!"

Reno grabbed a tactical tablet that was still functional. He saw the red dots representing the enemy slowly tightening their perimeter, though their offensive had noticeably slowed.

"They're playing with us!" Reno realized instantly. "They want us alive!"

A crazy plan took shape in his mind.

"If they want us alive, we'll give them a grand gift!" He turned and shouted to everyone, "Move all the explosives and high-energy batteries to that assault vehicle! Now!"

The surviving soldiers were stunned at first, but then they understood Reno's intention. The last trace of fear in their eyes was replaced by resolve, and they began to execute the order without a word.

"Captain, are you planning to..." A Yong asked in a low voice.

"Exactly!" Reno's voice was filled with violent glee. "We're charging out! Not to survive, but to make them pay! To send a signal to the Boss! Do you all understand?!"

"Understood!" The remaining dozen or so roared in unison, their voices echoing through the canyon.

Soon, the most battered assault vehicle was converted into a massive remote-controlled bomb filled with energy and fury.

Outside the canyon, J's troops had already formed up, ready to accept a surrender.

"Alright, the game is over." J's lazy voice rang out again. "Put down your weapons, and I might be merciful enough to let you die with some dignity."

Reno watched the approaching enemies and grinned, revealing teeth stained red with blood. Through his throat-mic communicator, he issued the final command, his voice sounding as if it came from the depths of hell:

"Everyone... on my command..."

With all his might, he let out a roar that reached the heavens.

"For Hanhai! Charge!"