Capítulo 96: Chapter 96: Real Combat Training for New Recruits, Stress Test
The stench of thawed chicken and duck meat, heavy with the smell of blood, quickly attracted a swarm of Red Beetles, poking their heads out from freshly dug holes. These insects, which primarily fed on plants and wood, still required flesh to obtain essential nutrients.
Following Shen Jie and his team's instructions, the recruits opened plastic bags of thawed meat, pouring the bloody water to lure the Red Beetles out of their burrows. This strategy provided an opportunity to shoot them down effectively.
As the Red Beetles crawled up the highway, moving away from their burrows, the first batch of recruits loaded their rifles, aiming at the insects' heads. Over fifty Red Beetles were soon feasting on the blood-soaked soil.
At Shen Jie's command, a volley of gunfire erupted. Many recruits managed to score headshots after a few attempts, securing their first kills. However, some, too nervous, missed their shots, allowing some Red Beetles to scurry back to their holes.
Fortunately, Shen Jie and his team were vigilant, shooting the legs of any retreating Red Beetles, ensuring none escaped. Allowing any to report back would make it much harder to lure them out again, akin to catching crayfish; panic among the Red Beetles had to be contained.
The incapacitated Red Beetles were then given to recruits who hadn't leveled up, allowing them to gain their first experience in killing. Following Lin Feng's plan, the first two days were for every recruit to experience leveling up, safely transitioning past the weakest initial stage.
Once everyone reached at least Lv4 by the next day, they would no longer be babysat, needing to learn to lure and kill insects independently. Whether through teamwork or solo efforts, the choice was theirs.
Shen Jie and the other squad leaders were tasked with handling any sudden Black Spinal Bug swarms. Meanwhile, Lin Feng and Chen Yanyan, stationed in the nearby Flying Wing Vehicle, monitored for potential threats from Blue Wing Bugs or the unlikely appearance of Tier 2 Tiger Bug squads.
Lin Feng was particularly eager for the latter to appear. His Lv19 grenade launcher and Lv20 Flying Tiger Armor were ready and waiting. Unfortunately, since their last encounter, where Qin Hu delivered a crushing blow, there had been no sign of Tiger Bugs on either the highway or the main battlefront.
The queen likely valued her Tier 2 insects too much to risk losing more. They couldn't be mass-produced, relying on the evolution of lower-tier insects, making each one precious. This rarity was why there was such a fierce fight over Tiger Bug corpses, leading to Qin Hu losing a leg.
For humanity, this was a rare piece of good news, as the Tier 2 Tiger Bug, equivalent to a small building, could decisively break stalemates on the front lines. If Tier 2 insects swarmed like Black Spinal Bugs, humanity would stand no chance.
For Lin Feng, however, it was a waiting game. He awaited Tier 2 insects to appear so he could achieve Tier 2 awakening and wield orange-quality equipment, maximizing his replication ability.
Such opportunities were rare and unpredictable.
Meanwhile, the 201st Company's ninety-six recruits had mostly managed to kill one or two Red Beetles after a round. The strengthening effect from the warm energy flowing into their bodies left them ecstatic, eagerly participating in luring and killing more insects.
Seeing the proof of rumors in their strengthened arms, Lin Feng was reminded of his early days in Haicheng, surrounded by insects, killing to grow stronger. It was a nostalgic feeling.
Their upgrades seemed easy now, but if faced with a Black Spinal Bug swarm, it would be a massacre.
Soon, the deaths of hundreds of Red Beetles within a hundred meters attracted the attention of a Black Spinal Bug patrol. Now better equipped, each patrol had over fifty members to handle human platoons. This way, even in skirmishes, the insects could secure some victories, unlike previous encounters where twenty Black Spinal Bugs were wiped out before reaching the humans.
Before the recruits noticed the imminent threat, Shen Jie and the other awakeners, alerted by Lin Feng, used their enhanced vision to spot the approaching swarm a kilometer away—a number larger than typical patrols.
They raised their large-caliber rifles, firing to draw the Black Spinal Bugs closer. Once within five hundred meters, the enhanced recruits finally saw the swarm approaching and were filled with terror.
Though unfamiliar with Black Spinal Bugs in person, they knew from online front-line footage of their terrifying power. Each was like a light tank, beyond the capabilities of regular humans to handle, with ordinary firearms struggling to inflict damage.
Only awakeners with heavy weapons or powerful special abilities could confront them. Even then, their instructors warned that escape was unlikely if surrounded by several Black Spinal Bugs. Now faced with dozens, and only eight squad leaders, the situation seemed dire.
Many recruits considered retreat, even suggesting it to Shen Jie, who sternly observed them. Desertion was the most contemptible and unforgivable offense on the battlefield. His anger, combined with his awakeners' intimidation, silenced the recruits.
"What are you afraid of!"
"Form up, follow your leaders' orders, and keep firing as planned!"
Shen Jie commanded, focusing on building the recruits' courage, more crucial than physical strength.
Especially outside the fortress, without protection, enduring this test would greatly enhance their mental resilience. When the main battle erupted, they could hold their ground against hundreds of Black Spinal Bugs, ensuring continuous firepower at every position.
Under Shen Jie and the squad leaders' guidance, nearly a hundred rifles fired in waves at the approaching swarm, slowing their advance. Though not breaking their defenses, the concentrated fire inflicted minor damage, gradually accumulating to severely wound a few.
As seconds ticked by and death loomed closer, the recruits' initial excitement faded, replaced by the grim reality of battle.
Shen Jie watched, noting each recruit's reactions. There were calm sharpshooters and panicked novices, performances that would shape their future roles.
When the swarm closed within three hundred meters, the Flying Wing Vehicle finally intervened. From the lookout, Lin Feng, seeing no Blue Wing Bugs, aimed the Lv19 grenade launcher at the advancing swarm, unleashing a barrage.
Two seconds later, like a cluster bomb, countless projectiles rained down on the swarm, covering two hundred meters of highway. The deafening explosions stunned the recruits, who couldn't pinpoint the source, assuming it was an aerial bomber.
Only after Shen Jie glanced at the vehicle and confirmed with Lin Feng did the recruits realize the power of their Sergeant Major. It validated rumors from training camp...
At the highway service area, a powerful super-bullet awakener wielded firearms with exponentially amplified power, rivaling artillery!
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