Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1058 - 723: Lone Shadow

Although Gu Lan's squad successfully repelled the assault and ensured "Ashes" remained safe,

their "Anvil" Mecha hadsustained damage from stray projectiles during the recent interception. The shield energy was critically low, and Gu Lan's own Mecha was flashing minor structural integrity warnings due to operating beyond its limits.

More significantly, their objective had been thwarted; they were successfully cornered, and their progress in searching the area was severely impeded.

Almost concurrently, Rose's and Kuang Xin's squads encountered similar harassment and containment tactics—though the enemy's approach against them was even more deliberate.

Rather than direct confrontation, the adversaries expertly utilized the terrain and surroundings to create disturbances, retard their advance, and attempt to lure them into pre-established ambush zones.

"They're buying time, aiming to separate us and wear us down," Rose quickly discerned the enemy's strategy, her expression etched with concern.

While dispersing into smaller groups had indeed broadened their search radius, it simultaneously presented the enemy with opportunities to eliminate them individually.

Furthermore, the menace posed by these "Faceless" adversaries was far more substantial than initially anticipated.

Had Gu Lan not risked his Mecha's existence to execute that daring rescue just moments ago, "Ashes" might very well have been eliminated from the match already.

With each passing second, an escalating sense of pressure bore down on both squads.

As "Hunters," their mandate was to actively locate and neutralize the opposition. Yet, within this arena that was evidently the enemy's domain, every single movement felt perilous, like treading on razor-sharp edges.

The game of hunt-or-be-hunted, unfolding within the metallic labyrinth of the Silent Graveyard, was rapidly turning unfavorable for the "Hunters."

"What's our next move?"

"We cannot let them dictate our tempo," Rose's voice, transmitted over the comms, held an uncharacteristic firmness. "The rules inherently disadvantage us 'Hunters,' but the map itself provides us with distinct advantages—the relay points. By successfully establishing and securing all four primary relay points, we can progressively illuminate the entire map and activate the detection network across this Silent Graveyard. Once that is achieved, if they persist in attempting to hide, they will find nowhere left to escape!"

"However," Gu Lan interjected, voicing his apprehension, "establishing a relay point requires considerable time. Then, during the stabilization phase following activation, a contingent must remain to defend it, otherwise, it becomes an easy target for destruction. With only five members in our team, if we spread out to guard four separate points, we risk being picked off one by one."

"We don't need to hold all points simultaneously," Rose stated, bringing up the tactical display. "We can employ a 'leapfrog' strategy. First, we will consolidate our forces to rapidly capture and activate the two relay points nearest to our current position: C7 and D3. Following that, we will divide—one element will remain at C7, serving as an advanced outpost and a mobile response unit, while the other proceeds to capture the more distant B5 and A8 points. As long as all four points are successfully activated, even if we cannot maintain control of them for an extended duration, the map-illuminating effect will persist for a period—sufficient time for us to pinpoint their primary operational zones."

"That approach holds potential, but it remains exceedingly perilous," the support Mech Pilot, known as "Ashes," contributed. "The enemy will undoubtedly commit their full strength to attacking any relay points we attempt to activate or have just brought online."

"Precisely why speed is paramount, and our defenses must be formidable," Rose declared, surveying her team. "Kuang Xin and Gu Lan—you will accompany me. We shall form the rapid assault team, responsible for activation and the initial securing of the points. "Ashes" and "Anvil," you will serve as the support and later defense contingent. Once we activate a point, you will advance swiftly, erect defensive structures, and hold the crucial nodes."

The initial phase of the plan commenced with relative ease.

Leveraging their exceptional coordination and superior mobility, Rose, Kuang Xin, and Gu Lan swiftly secured the C7 relay point.

The activation sequence proceeded without incident. A segment of the map flared to life, detection waves radiated outward, and for the moment, no sign of the Ghost Walkers could be detected.

However, just as "Ashes" and "Anvil" reached C7 to assume defensive duties and Rose's team was preparing to advance towards their next objective, point D3, an assault was launched once more.

This time, the attack was not directed at the personnel, but rather at the recently activated C7 relay installation itself!

Several custom-built electromagnetic pulse bombs were launched from a considerable distance, arcing through the air. Although they missed direct impacts, the intense EMP surge generated by their detonations in proximity instantly crippled the relay's stable functioning. The illuminated map segment flickered erratically, and its visible range began to contract.

"They're attempting to prevent us from illuminating the map!" "Ashes" immediately moved to commence repairs and bolster the relay's protective measures.

Concurrently, while en route to D3, Rose's squad found themselves engulfed in a maelstrom of intense suppression fire.The Ghost Walkers had evidently anticipated their strategic objective, setting up numerous traps and ambushes along the vital pathways. Despite the trio managing to blast through using their individual prowess and successfully engaging point D3, Gu Lan’s Mecha sustained heavy damage from pre-planted explosives during the breakthrough. Its maneuverability plummeted, forcing him to retreat to C7 to link up with "Ashes" and "Anvil," shifting to a defensive posture. Rose and Kuang Xin then pressed onward towards the more remote point B5. On this occasion, the opposition's interception was even more ferocious. The Faceless, personally commanding two squadmates, engaged in a fierce close-quarters combat with Rose and Kuang Xin in the vicinity of B5. Their goal was unmistakably clear: to prevent the activation of B5, whatever the price. The confrontation was savage. In an effort to shield Rose as she attempted to activate the mechanism, Kuang Xin employed his Mecha as a bulwark, absorbing numerous fatal surprise assaults from the Faceless. His Mecha endured grievous damage, and at the precise instant B5 was triumphantly activated, an additional Ghost Walker associate attacked from the side, impaling his power core with a Spiritual Cutting Blade. His Mecha plummeted earthward in a deafening descent, and he was subsequently disqualified from the match. Although Rose had managed to activate B5, her own Mecha was heavily battered, with virtually no power remaining. She was incapable of proceeding to the final point A8 solo, and had no choice but to adhere to the strategy—fall back to the comparatively secure C7/D3 zone, consolidate with Gu Lan and the others, and brace for the last stand. Nevertheless, maintaining control of the points proved considerably more challenging than they had initially conceived.