131: Hunter Association

Jiang Xin sat in the command room, a thin report held between his fingers. The report clearly stated: A small group spontaneously formed by eight newly-promoted Evolvers — "Dawns First Light Demon Hunting Squad" — was applying to leave the base, enter the wilderness to hunt zombies, and collect gold, silver, and crystal cores.

"Zhang Long," Jiang Xin gently pushed the report to the edge of the desk, habitually looking toward his capable subordinate standing to the side, "What do you think of this?" Zhang Long was not only his right-hand man, handling the base's complex daily affairs, but also his important strategic advisor.

Zhang Long immediately straightened his back, took the report, and quickly scanned it. His thick black eyebrows furrowed slightly, then relaxed, and a glimmer of keen insight flashed in his eyes: "Commander, this subordinate believes it is feasible!" His voice was steady and logical:

"Firstly, this move can greatly train the actual combat capabilities of civilian Evolvers; eagles that battle the wind and waves cannot be raised in a greenhouse.

Secondly, their initiative to attack, hunt zombies, and collect resources will invisibly reduce the pressure on the base's defense and resource recovery, accelerating our 'capital' accumulation speed.

Thirdly, by venturing deep into the countryside, it is more likely that they will discover and rescue survivors scattered everywhere, strengthening our population base. The benefits are numerous and obvious."

Jiang Xin nodded slightly, his fingers habitually rubbing his chin; this was his signature gesture when thinking. "The benefits exist, but risks coexist. Power needs restraint, and freedom cannot be boundless. If left unchecked, it may lead to chaos, and safety cannot be guaranteed."

Zhang Long clearly had a plan ready, replying: "The Commander's concerns are very correct. This subordinate suggests we could establish a specialized Hunter Association! All civilian Demon Hunting Squads must be forced to register at the Association, with member information, abilities, and the scope of each mission all requiring documentation. The Association will be responsible for issuing some official missions — such as targeted clearing of a certain Zombie Horde, searching for specific supplies, or rescuing survivors in designated areas — and providing corresponding base points, military equipment, and even crystal cores as rewards. This way, it can both guide their direction of action and effectively supervise and control risks."

"Hunter Association..." Jiang Xin chewed on the name, approval showing in his eyes, "This is a good idea! It achieves multiple goals at once. Then, who do you think it would be safe to entrust with the responsibility for this newly established association?"

Zhang Long thought for a moment and then blurted out: "Li Wei and Yang Wen are excellent candidates! Both have solid strength, are already veteran soldiers at the peak of the Second-Tier Evolver level, have sufficient prestige in the military, act with steady maturity, and are fair in handling matters. Having them oversee the Hunter Association will not only be able to hold the line but also convince those arrogant civilian Evolvers."

"Good!" Jiang Xin made the final decision, "We will do as you say! Notify Li Wei and Yang Wen that the Hunter Association is established immediately, and they are fully responsible for formulating the charter, member registration, task issuance, and reward and punishment mechanisms! The first registration file will be this 'Dawns First Light'!"

This awakening storm, ignited by 30,000 crystal cores, lasted for a full three days before settling down. The crowds at the material application center dispersed, leaving behind a huge leap in the base's strength! The goddess of luck seemed to favor Lujiang Base particularly well; supported by a large base number, ordinary Evolvers (with basic enhancements to physique, strength, speed, etc.) emerged like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, numbering over a thousand! As for the Evolvers with higher potential who awakened special abilities, they reached an astonishing figure of over fifty!

Most of this new force (about 70-80%) chose to join the base's regular army, directly belonging to the Evolver Legion commanded by Zhang Lei. Zhang Lei was decisive and immediately carried out a refined reorganization of this growing force:

Elemental Squad: Composed of Evolvers who possess the ability to control natural elements such as water, fire, wind, and thunder; the captain is the powerful Second-Tier water-attribute elemental mage — Air Wing Vice-Captain.

Enhancement/Transformation Squad: Members are mostly those with body enhancement or transformation-type abilities; the captain is the violently strong Green Giant, Lieutenant Colonel, Green Giant ability.

Summoner Squad: Gathered Evolvers who summon various strange creatures to assist in battle; the captain is Chen Xiao, who can summon a Divine Wind Golden Eagle for aerial reconnaissance and strikes.

Another small portion of special ability users with considerable strength and ambition chose the "Dawns First Light" model of Zhu Lingyun, one after another forming their own civilian Demon Hunting Squads. These teams were mostly around 8 to 10 people in size, with complementary abilities and clear goals — to fight in the wilderness in exchange for freedom and wealth.

Among them, in addition to the pioneering "Dawns First Light", another "Sword of Hope Demon Hunting Squad" composed of Hongshan University students also rose to fame, with its core members being two exceptionally talented female Summoners: Polar Ice Bear Summoner Li Xueli and Azure Water Spirit Beast Summoner Yang Yiyu.

In a unit room in the residential area:

"Ahhh! Yu! We really did it! We really became Evolvers!" Li Xueli was as excited as a child, grabbing Yang Yiyu who was sitting on the edge of the bed and shaking her arms vigorously; clear laughter echoed in the small room. Her round face was filled with undisguised excited blushes, and her eyes sparkled with starlight-like brilliance.

Yang Yiyu was a bit dizzy from being shaken, but her face also wore a dreamlike, joyful smile. After the two successfully awakened powerful Supernatural Abilities, they immediately took action, relying on their popularity and appeal in school to win over several Hongshan University alumni who had also awakened and shared the same aspirations, busily forming their own "Sword of Hope" Demon Hunting Squad.

This student army had considerable potential. Li Xueli's Polar Ice Bear displayed astonishing might even before reaching the first tier; the unranked Polar Ice Bear already possessed a height of nearly four meters and a massive body. The Polar Ice Bear also possessed innate skills such as Ice Armor, Ice Bear Roar, and Ice Crystal Attack, making it an integrated offensive and defensive core combat power of the team.

Yang Yiyu's Azure Water Spirit Beast was a powerful Water Spirit, with a crystal-like body composed entirely of water elements; its form was elegant. It not only had the "Water Healing Light" skill to heal teammates but could also release "Water Aura" to boost partners' speed and strength, and it also had skills like "Water Wave Technique" that combined crowd control and damage, making its abilities extremely comprehensive.

Although the other members of the team were slightly inferior, they each had their own strengths: two strength-type Evolvers (male); two speed-type Evolvers (one male, one female); one Flame Blade Supernatural Ability user (male); one Electric Current Shield Supernatural Ability user (male); and one Paladin transformation Supernatural Ability user (male), who could summon a full-body knight's armor, a spirited warhorse, and a spear; his innate skill "Holy Light Protection" could even form a small-range powerful defensive barrier. Coupled with some military firearms opened for exchange by the base, the combat power of this young team could not be underestimated.

"Yeah... it's really like a dream." Yang Yiyu responded softly, but her eyes were a bit unfocused, as if looking through the window toward the distant military zone. A handsome and upright figure, surrounded by divine ice and fire radiance, quietly appeared in her heart — Zhang Lei.

Although it was only a brief contact, that incomparably powerful yet gentle-as-jade temperament had already left an indelible mark in her maiden heart. Since that day, although the two had no further interaction, that girl's innate admiration for strength and the quietly growing feelings became increasingly clear.

Li Xueli keenly captured her best friend's distraction. She smiled mischievously, loosened her arms, and instead jokingly wrapped them around Yang Yiyu's slender waist, her fingers intentionally giving a light pinch on the soft flesh of her waist: "Tsk tsk tsk, Yu~ thinking about your male god Zhang Lei again, right? Look at your absent-minded little look!"

"Ah! Xue! Stop it!" Yang Yiyu was caught off guard and instantly turned bright red, shyly swatting away Li Xueli's mischievous hand, but she did not retort; those lowered eyelashes and slightly flushed earlobes had already betrayed her thoughts.

Li Xueli put away her joking, spoke seriously, her tone carrying concern: "Yu, seriously, if you really care that much... that much about Officer Zhang Lei, why not go report to the troops now? Join the Evolver Legion, and you'll have the chance to see him every day! You don't have to form a Demon Hunting Squad with me."

Yang Yiyu raised her head, the blush on her face not yet faded, but her eyes became exceptionally firm. She took a deep breath, as if having made a great determination, her hands clenched into little fists at her sides: "No! Xue, I won't go!" Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable stubbornness, "I don't want to be a vase that can only look up to him! I want to rely on my own strength to carve out a world in this apocalypse! I want to become stronger, at least to become a Second-Tier Evolver! At that time, I will have the courage, and the qualifications, to stand upright in front of him and tell him my feelings!"

In her heart, Zhang Lei was the guardian god of the base, the perfect embodiment of strength, masculinity, and tenderness, the ice-and-fire war god who hated evil; many survivors in the base who were rescued by him adored him very much, and she did not want the gap between herself and her male god to be so large. What she craved was not attachment, but equality that would allow her to stand side-by-side with him.

Li Xueli looked at the fighting spirit burning in her best friend's eyes and that determination to become stronger for love, a warm current and admiration surging in her heart. She suddenly leaned forward, loudly "kissed" Yang Yiyu on her smooth cheek, and then heroically patted her chest:

"Good! That's ambition! Worthy of being my, Li Xueli's, good sister! Don't worry, with me here, with our 'Sword of Hope' here! We will definitely be able to carve out a great reputation in the wilderness! Let the whole base know the names of us sisters! By then, see who still dares to call us vases! And then openly pursue Officer Zhang Lei."

Yang Yiyu was infected by Li Xueli's enthusiasm, the shyness on her face turning into a bright smile; she nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with longing for the future and trust in their friendship:

"Yeah! I believe it! Let's work hard together!" The two young girls' hands were tightly clasped together, as if holding their own future, full of challenges and hope.