Chapter 43: The Arrogant Harbinger

Chen Yi stood at the entrance of the cabin, glaring at the heavily armed men not far away. His instincts told him these people harbored no good intentions.

Lu Kai stood beside him, feeling a similar unease.
“Chen, what do you make of this?”
Chen Yi narrowed his eyes, speaking in a low voice, “Looks like they’re trouble.”
“But we can’t act rashly now. We need to find out what they’re after first.”
He raised his hand, signaling everyone to return to the cabin. Then, turning to the team member standing at the rear, he murmured, “There’s another passage out of this ship. Go quickly and inform Hu—tell all non-combatants to hide in a secure spot.”
“Also, organize people to guard their supplies warehouse. No outsiders allowed near it! If you hear gunfire, shoot to kill!”
The team member nodded and vanished swiftly into the darkness.

Chen Yi then looked at Lu Kai. “Find a concealed spot, get your sniper rifle ready, and await my orders.”
“Yes!”
Lu Kai nodded, immediately searching for a suitable hiding place. He unstrapped his gear and began assembling his sniper rifle with practiced ease.

Seeing Lu Kai’s professionalism, Chen Yi felt somewhat reassured. Ever since he discovered Lu Kai’s talent for sniping, Chen Yi had specifically handed him the sniper rifle captured from Iron Wolf.

Once everything was set, Chen Yi stepped out again. By now, the enemy warship had drawn near. Though only a frigate, it could easily hold one hundred and twenty men—meaning the enemy had at least a hundred weapons.

“Who are you?”
Chen Yi was the first to speak.

The men opposite fell silent for a moment, then a tall man stared coldly at Chen Yi and shouted through a loudspeaker, “We are from the Enlightened Organization. This area is now under our jurisdiction.”

“If you don’t want trouble, you’d better obey.”

“The Enlightened?”
“What kind of organization is that?”
A thousand questions raced through Chen Yi’s mind. Even in his previous life, he had never heard of such a group. It seemed there were things in this area he hadn’t witnessed last time around.

However, since the enemy showed no intention to attack yet, Chen Yi didn’t plan to start a firefight either.

After all, in terms of equipment, they certainly couldn’t match the military. If not absolutely necessary, Chen Yi had no intention of making enemies; otherwise, there would be more bloodshed and sacrifice.

“So, who’s your commander? Perhaps we can talk.”

For the moment, Chen Yi adopted a reasonably friendly demeanor. Yet the other side seemed hesitant; soon, a tall, stern-faced man stepped forward.

He fixed Chen Yi with an intimidating gaze and spoke in a deep voice, “I’m the captain of the Enlightened Organization. Call me Radar.”

“We’re here today to ensure the security of this area.”

Chen Yi’s eyes narrowed slightly. He knew this was not just about ‘regional security.’ Calculating possible strategies, he kept his tone even, “Radar, is there anything we can help with?”

Radar smirked coldly, his gaze sweeping over the people behind Chen Yi. “Help? Of course.”

“We’re short on supplies. If you hand over half of yours, maybe we’ll let you off.”

Chen Yi’s fist tightened, murderous intent rising within him.

“Hand over our supplies?”
“We’re all just trying to survive. There’s no need to make things harder for us.”

Chen Yi smiled, his tone edged with coldness.

Radar stared back, undisguised contempt in his eyes. He laughed lightly, “Enough talk! This is the apocalypse, not a marketplace for bargaining.”

“If you won’t cooperate, don’t blame us for using force.”

Chen Yi kept up his smile, but a chill flickered in his gaze. “It seems there’s nothing left to discuss.”

The next instant, he darted backward, shouting, “Prepare for battle!”

Radar’s face darkened with rage. “Open fire! Kill these fools!”

Gunfire erupted, bullets raining down on them.

Chen Yi quickly ducked behind cover, shouting across the chaos, “Everyone, take cover!”

Lu Kai, hidden some distance away, took aim, his finger gently squeezing the trigger. Bang! A bullet zipped toward the enemy, striking an Enlightened member’s shoulder and spraying blood.

Radar, furious, roared, “Suppress them! Wipe them out!”

Chen Yi pressed against his barricade, watching the battlefield through a gap. The Enlightened Organization’s firepower was fierce, bullets shattering obstacles and sending splinters flying.

“Lu, the target is their leader, Radar. Do you have a shot?” Chen Yi asked hurriedly over the limited radio.

Lu Kai’s tense voice replied, “I see him. Locking in now!”

Radar, meanwhile, was anxiously surveying the scene. He was injured, with several men escorting him in retreat.

Lu Kai took a deep breath, his eyes fixed unblinking through the sniper scope. To make a lethal shot, he had to wait for the perfect moment.

But Radar was surrounded by guards, and the enemy seemed to have their own sniper waiting. One mistake, and he could miss and expose himself.

“What now… If I fail, the whole team could be wiped out.”

Lu Kai pondered, then caught a sudden inspiration—he devised a two-stage shooting plan.

“Chen, get ready. I’m about to act.”

Lu Kai shifted slightly, finding the optimal angle through the scope.

“Understood. Be careful,” Chen Yi replied firmly, eyes locked on the unfolding battle, ready to risk everything at a moment’s notice.

Bang!

The first shot rang out. Lu Kai deliberately aimed slightly off, the bullet embedding itself in the stone wall beside Radar.

As expected, Radar and his guards tightened their formation, trying to shield the wounded as they retreated.

“Damn sniper! Where is he?”
Radar shouted in fury, signaling his men to heighten their vigilance.

He realized he could no longer remain in such an exposed position.

In that instant, Lu Kai swiftly adjusted his scope and squeezed the trigger without hesitation.

Bang!

The second shot ripped through the air. The bullet struck Radar’s forehead with deadly precision. His head snapped back and he collapsed instantly.

His guards were caught off guard, stunned as Radar’s blood splattered across the ground.

“The boss is down!”

The Enlightened soldiers cried out in panic, their ranks thrown into chaos.

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Yi leapt from cover, leading a handful of agile fighters in a counterattack against the Enlightened.

“Charge! While they’re confused, take them down!”

Meanwhile, Lu Kai glanced at his position and the bullet trail left by a shot that had nearly hit him. He gulped for air.

Had he hesitated even a fraction of a second, his life would have been forfeit.