6: Acquired the villa area (2)

Zhang Lei displayed extraordinary bravery in the battle. Wielding his Flame Military Saber, he moved nimbly among the soldiers. Thanks to Li Wei's instruction, his swordsmanship, though still green, was structured and no longer consisted of wild hacking. With every swing, golden-red flames leaped and surged on the blade, and the scorching heat seemed to slow the movements of nearby zombies by a beat. "Sizzle!" The blade, wrapped in flames, easily sliced through the zombies' decayed bodies, often taking only two strikes to eliminate a target with astonishing efficiency. The burning blade was even effective in searing the wounds, preventing too much black blood from splattering. He was like a moving human torch, carving deadly lines of fire across the grim battlefield.

However, when the last zombie in the Villa District fell, and the group conducted a careful search, a heavy sense of oppression spread through the air—in the entire Villa District, comprising sixteen households, not a single living survivor was found! There were only scattered bloodstains, broken doors and windows, and empty rooms silently testifying to the tragedy.

The excitement faded from Zhang Lei's face. Looking at the silent villas before him, his heart felt crushed by a cold boulder. Instinctively, he tightened his grip on the saber hilt, his knuckles turning white from the force. "Is the survival rate... this low?" he murmured softly, his voice carrying a slight, imperceptible tremor. A massive wave of fear and helplessness instantly seized him.

"No! That can't be!" He violently shook his head, as if trying to cast off the terrible thought. His eyes regained their sharp, resolute focus, driven by an almost fanatical belief. "My brother is a Red Alert Commander! I am a Dual-Element Superpower user! We definitely can save them!" This conviction was like a torch in the darkness, supporting his wavering confidence.

The "haul" from the Villa District was quite substantial. Jiang Xin's spirits lifted as he watched the system funds counter jump to "2400." "As expected, the Villa District is different!" he exclaimed. Each household provided an average of 150 funds, three to four times that of ordinary residences.

With the funds secured, Jiang Xin immediately called upon the System in his mind: "Number 1! What are the conditions for unlocking vehicles? How do I operate it?"

Number 1's cold, emotionless electronic voice instantly responded: "Reporting, Commander. When your combat units reach 30 personnel, your military rank will automatically be promoted to Lieutenant Platoon Leader, unlocking vehicle construction authority. Since you have not yet constructed a War Factory, only two basic vehicle options are currently available:

1. armored personnel carrier, Cost: 600 funds.

2. ifv, Cost: 800 funds."

Jiang Xin quickly weighed his options: the current primary needs were transport and some fire support, making the armored personnel carrier more cost-effective. He decisively ordered: "Manufacture 9 Conscripts and 1 Heavy Infantry!" 1400 funds were instantly deducted.

Ten dazzling white lights flashed into existence above the open ground. As the light dissipated, nine physically robust Conscripts, averaging 1.75 to 1.8 meters in height and armed with assault rifles, and one Heavy Infantry carrying an M249 light machine gun and the iconic rocket launcher, stood in neat formation! Their eyes were sharp, and their demeanor was steady.

"Congratulations, Commander, your military rank has been promoted to Lieutenant Platoon Leader!" The System's notification sounded right on time.

Jiang Xin felt the intangible power brought by the promotion and quickly reorganized the troops:

Squad Leader of Squad 3 (Heavy Infantry Chen Hao): Leads the 9 newly summoned Conscripts.

Squad Leader of Squad 1 (Zhang Long): Leads 1 Heavy Infantry (newly summoned), 8 Conscripts (including some veterans), and Riot Trooper Li Wei.

Squad Leader of Squad 2 (Li Ang): Leads Riot Trooper Yang Wen and 8 Conscripts (including some veterans).

Jiang Xin took the position of Platoon Leader himself. At this moment, he commanded exactly thirty battle-hardened, well-equipped Red Alert elites! A sense of control and power welled up within him.

Looking at the remaining 1000 funds, Jiang Xin no longer hesitated: "Manufacture one armored personnel carrier!"

600 funds were instantly deducted. Five minutes later, the space on the open ground in front of the group violently warped like water ripples. Accompanied by a low engine roar and the clang of metal friction, a colossal object slowly materialized from the void, finally solidifying completely!

The ZBL-09 Wheeled armored personnel carrier!

It was like a crouching steel behemoth, its body nearly 8 meters long, its angular armor reflecting a cold, hard glare in the morning light, a heavy mass of 21 tons. On top of the vehicle body, the slender 20mm autocannon was the most prominent feature. Its black muzzle emitted a chilling aura of destruction. A rapid-fire cannon of this caliber could easily tear a zombie in half! Ammunition count: 1000 rounds.

Number 1 indicated that this armored personnel carrier could be upgraded: for every star level gained, the basic ammunition count increases by 50%, and the caliber of the autocannon will also increase by 3.33mm! In its three-star state, the 30mm cannon's power would be greatly enhanced compared to the 20mm version!

The thick Composite Armor on the front of the vehicle could effectively withstand a direct hit from a 12.7mm armor-piercing round. With every star level gained, the armor protection capacity could increase by another 50%, making it a mobile steel fortress.

"Click!" With a soft sound, the driver's door opened. A Sergeant Tank Commander wearing a tank helmet, with steady and capable eyes, swiftly jumped out and executed a sharp, standard military salute toward Jiang Xin: "Reporting, Commander! The Tank Commander reports for duty!" Immediately afterward, the turret hatch also opened, and a Corporal Gunner in the same uniform leaned out and saluted Jiang Xin: "The Gunner reports for duty!"

"Excellent!" Jiang Xin returned the salute, his heart surging. This steel behemoth not only meant powerful firepower and protection, but its spacious rear troop compartment could easily accommodate 10 fully armed soldiers! Adding the four rugged SUVs they had previously secured (G-Wagon, Land Rover, Wrangler Pickup, XT6), transporting their thirty-plus soldiers, plus him and Zhang Lei, was more than enough!

"Attention, all units!" Jiang Xin took a deep breath, his voice booming through the morning mist. "Target—the Commercial Street Gold Store! Board vehicles! Move out!"

Following his command, the soldiers moved quickly and orderly. Heavy Infantrys and Riot Troopers prioritized entering the armored personnel carrier's rear hatch, which resembled a steel throat. The Conscripts divided into four groups and rushed toward their assigned SUVs. The roar of engines sounded one after another, breaking the deadly silence of the community's morning. Zhang Lei took one last look at the Villa District behind him, tightened his grip on the military saber that seemed to still retain the temperature of the flames, and with resolute eyes, pulled open the car door and got into the passenger seat of the Mercedes G-Wagon.