Chapter 0021: [Hunter Squad]

The car rolled along the familiar road. Just over ten hours ago, the [Hound Shelter] had been at full strength.

"Let's head back to the cave and rest first," Qiao Fei said, breaking the silence.

"We don't need to, we—"

Huizi started to speak, but Qiao Fei cut him off. "Haven't you and this kid been awake for days?"

Only then did Ning Fan remember the bet he'd made with Lin Chuan — it felt like a lifetime ago.

Like something from another world entirely.

"Besides," Qiao Fei added quietly, "Dazhuang's body... still hasn't been buried."

Huizi fell silent.

Ning Fan said nothing either.

A short while later, the car pulled up outside the cave.

Dazhuang's body was still propped against the wall, already going stiff.

Ning Fan and Huizi dug a large pit without a word and buried the broad-shouldered man deep in the earth.

"Before you rest, let's take a look at your Spirit Servant," Qiao Fei said, turning to Ning Fan.

She still didn't believe Ning Fan could have obtained a Spirit Servant inside the zone — but curiosity had gotten the better of her. In this world, nothing was truly impossible.

Ning Fan nodded, feeling a flicker of excitement he couldn't quite suppress.

He drew the black blade from his back, closed his eyes, and tried to recall the feeling from when he'd killed Yang Beihai.

Compared to killing Cheng Bin, driving the blade into Yang Beihai hadn't left him as unsettled.

If anything, there had been a sense of release — like he'd avenged his companions.

In that moment, a voice had surfaced in his mind.

"A sword... is not meant to be used like that."

That had to be the Spirit Servant.

But now, under the watchful eyes of Qiao Fei and Huizi, no matter how hard Ning Fan tried to reach for that voice, nothing came.

Five minutes passed.

"Rest up," Qiao Fei said. She didn't show much disappointment. "I'll take the first watch. You two sleep, then swap me out."

Huizi didn't seem particularly interested either. He slouched against the cave wall and closed his eyes.

Ning Fan felt thoroughly embarrassed.

Had it really just been a hallucination?

Like Qiao Fei said — was it truly impossible to obtain a Spirit Servant inside the zone?

Seeing Ning Fan still trying, Qiao Fei thought for a moment, then said gently, "Leave it to fate. Don't force it. Sleep first."

She wouldn't have said that in the past.

But things were different now.

She was the Captain.

Ning Fan was reluctant, but in the end he listened. Without a Spirit Servant and without rest, he'd be dead weight to the team.

He didn't know how much time passed before he finally drifted off.

And in his dreams, the voice returned.

"A sword is meant to dance — not to thrust."

"You're insulting the sword."

"When the time comes, I'll show you properly."

Ning Fan snapped awake, eyes flying open, scanning the cave.

But what reached his ears was Qiao Fei's voice from just outside.

"Chen Wu — do you really have to take it this far?"

Ning Fan turned his head. Huizi was still leaning against the wall, but his eyes were open now, sharp and cold.

"Brother Huizi, who is it?" Ning Fan asked quietly.

"The [Hunter Squad]," Huizi said under his breath. "A Walker team from Zone F32."

Ning Fan tensed immediately.

Running into another Walker team from F32 out here held none of the warmth of meeting hometown folks. Teams clashed over resources in the field all the time.

And right now, the [Hound Shelter] was practically bleeding out — easy pickings.

Most of the team was gone. Captain Lin Chuan was dead. Back in the zone, a bounty had been issued for them — dead or alive, someone would be paid handsomely for bringing them in.

"Heh, Qiao Fei, that's a pretty naive question you're asking."

A low, rough voice drifted in from outside the cave. "Free money just sitting there — if it were you, would you leave it alone?"

"Free money?" Qiao Fei let out a cold snort. "That's how little you think of the [Hound Shelter]?"

"When Lin Chuan was around, I wouldn't have dared cross you," the man said. Then his tone shifted. "But now there's just a pack of strays left. If I'm still scared, I might as well quit being a Walker."

At that, Huizi shot to his feet.

"Chen Wu, you fucking have the memory of a goldfish, don't you?" He was already cursing as he walked toward the cave entrance. "Forgot all about kneeling in front of your daddy here and begging for your life?"

Ning Fan followed him out.

The man called Chen Wu stood about six feet tall — small eyes, small nose, a thoroughly sketchy-looking face.

Five more men stood behind him, none of them looking friendly.

At Huizi's words, Chen Wu's expression darkened immediately.

"Huizi! You're still alive?"

"Why? Are you cursing your old man to die?"

Huizi sneered. "You've got no integrity, you know that? Didn't we have a deal? Every time you see me, you get on your knees and call me daddy. What's the matter — your mom remarrying?"

Chen Wu shook with rage. "Fuck you! Take them all out! Kill every last one of them and we'll collect the bounty!"

The members of the [Hunter Squad] didn't hesitate. Each one activated their Spirit Servant.

But their reaction speed was no match for Qiao Fei.

The moment Chen Wu gave the order, she was already moving.

"Spirit Servant: Flower Dance!"

Her Tang Blade blurred with afterimages as it sliced straight for Chen Wu's throat.

Chen Wu lurched back in alarm. One of his men stepped forward instantly, raising both arms as a shield.

"Spirit Servant: Iron Skin!"

Clang!

The blade bit into his forearms. A spray of blood misted the air.

The man winced and gritted his teeth.

Qiao Fei's expression hardened.

That strike hadn't taken his arms off?

In that split second of hesitation, two of the enemies moved in to flank her.

Huizi was already dealing with his own pair and couldn't spare a glance in her direction.

"Ha! Qiao Fei, your blade's fast, I'll give you that — but you're still a woman. The raw power just isn't there!"

Chen Wu smiled coldly. "If it had been Lin Chuan's Butcher, my brother's arms would be done for."

"Don't you dare use your filthy mouth to say Brother Chuan's name!"

Qiao Fei's eyes burned red. Tang Blade in hand, she danced between the two opponents pressing in on her.

The [Hunter Squad] was nowhere near the [Hound Shelter]'s level — but even a strong tiger struggles against a pack of wolves.

Qiao Fei was holding her own, using her speed to keep pace with three opponents at once.

Huizi wasn't faring as well.

His Spirit Servant was built for ambush. Facing opponents head-on made it difficult to land a clean hit.

Chen Wu stood back with his hands behind him, unhurried — like a cat toying with mice, content to let it play out.

After all, he had genuinely knelt before Huizi and called him "father" once.

If not now, when would he ever get to settle that score?

He'd make Huizi kneel and call him "grandfather" before this was over.

And maybe — just maybe — he'd have a little fun with Qiao Fei afterward.

But just as he was about to open his mouth and gloat, a sudden chill shot up his spine.

"Spirit Servant: Hurricane!"

A seasoned Walker's instincts don't lie. The instant danger registered, he activated his Spirit Servant, riding the gust of wind to leap sideways out of harm's way.

He spun around — and found himself looking at a young, unfamiliar face.

Ning Fan's strike had missed. But without a moment's hesitation, he planted his foot and lunged again.

Chen Wu watched the boy's movements — textbook, mechanical, utterly rigid — and couldn't help a mocking laugh.

"Where did you strays pick up this little pup? Still not weaned off milk — and he's already baring his teeth at me?"