Chapter 66: 'C' Grade Mission II
Mai's voice carried a tone of quiet authority as she addressed Xiao Mu. "Little Mu, you'll stay here," she instructed, her gaze softening slightly.
"If anything, unusual happens, immediately hide yourself in the location I showed you earlier. Don't take any risks."
Despite Xiao Mu unexpectedly awakening and unlocking a talent that many yearn for, she was still very young, lacked combat experience and her level was quite low compared to the others. Mai wanted to keep her safe.
Xiao Mu nodded, her young face determined, though there was a hint of worry in his eyes as he watched the team prepare to leave.
Mai then turned to the rest of the group, her expression returning to its usual seriousness.
She cast a glance at the truck, now loaded with ammunition and various weapon boxes.
"Everyone, stay sharp out there. I've prepped the gear and ammo, so there shouldn't be any issues. But if you notice anything out of the ordinary, let me know right away."
She paused, then continued, "Given that I have the most experience among us, I'll take the lead on this team. Ram, you'll be second-in-command since you're the only one with crowd control abilities."
She pointed at Ram and continued, "The mission site isn't far, but given our current means of transport, it'll take about four to five hours to get there."
"We'll likely run into monsters along the way, so be ready to handle them as they come. I'll go over the attack strategy, our route, and other details while we're on the move."
Mai paused for a moment, scanning each face in the group, her eyes sharp and calculating. "But before we head out, I need a detailed account of your combat styles, the weapons you prefer, your individual abilities, skills, and any other vital information."
"I need to know what each of you brings to the table so I can plan accordingly. If there are any special tactics or roles you're used to in a fight, now's the time to speak up."
Liam was the first to step forward, his usual cocky grin in place. "I'm all about close combat, Profession-- Hunter. My specialty is in using Knife skills—they're quick, lethal, and perfect for slicing through that gets too close."
"As for abilities, I've got enhanced reflexes and speed… Well, there are a lot of trap skills that I can use, although it takes time to arrange them."
"I'm also pretty handy with small firearms, but I prefer to get up close and personal."
Ram who was behind, immediately used his spiritual eye to check the attribute of Liam, it's been a while since he checked it last time and was curious about any changes.
[Name: Liam, Age: 20/93]
[Race: Human ]
[Profession: Tier 2 Hunter (97%)]
[Physique: 24.4 ]
[Spirit: 9.4 ]
[Talent: ???]
Ram's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? Why has his evolutionary degree has jumped so fast? It was only at 11% last time I checked," Ram pondered to himself, as he stared at the holographic display before him.
"His physical and spirit attributes have surged. Could this be linked to his latent talent?" The more he looked at it, the more confused he became.
He clearly remembered how lazy this guy can be, "It took him over a year and a half to reach Tier 2, and now he's almost at Tier 3? Did he awaken some powerful ability, like me?"
"How long has it been one month? Since the last time I saw his attribute panel. Did this asshole suddenly stop being lazy or what? And even if he stopped being lazy how can he improve so fast?"
He couldn't pinpoint what had changed, but he suspected it was linked to Liam's talent.
"Everyone assumed his talent was just [E-189 Taunt]. However, since I have identified talents up to 'A' grade and below, then his talent must be above 'A' grade —maybe even S-grade?"
Regaining his composure, Ram stepped forward with Ling'er and Groot on his side.
"As a Spiritual Planter, my combat style's a bit different. I can control plant-based spirits to fight alongside me. Ling'er here helps use mid-range attacks, and together with Thorny, we can create barriers, entangle enemies, or even launch sharp projectiles."
"Groot's good at close-range combat, defense, and strong attacks."
"I am also able to engage in close combat when necessary, and I possess a strong ability to recover my injuries and spiritual power," he paused briefly, then added.
"If I come across any unique spiritual plants, I would be able to utilize them based on their individual properties."
Mai nodded, absorbing the information. "Good. A mix of close combat, long-range, and support—this should work well for our mission. Su Mu, what about you?"
Su Mu, who had been silent, looked up. "Skilled in close combat with high attack power, and proficient in long-range attacks using bows," she said, then fell silent once more.
Mai looked satisfied with the responses; she already had a good idea of how Sid fights.
"Alright. We've got a solid team with a variety of skills. Here's the plan: You two blockheads, Liam and Sid, you'll take the lead as our scouts. Keep us informed of any threats up ahead."
She then turned to Su Mu and said, "You'll be our frontline, handling any enemies that get too close."
Finally, she addressed Ram, "And you, Mr. Rookie, will drive the truck and provide support with your wood spirits when necessary."
"I'll handle the tech support and manage any unexpected challenges we encounter. I'll also coordinate our actions and intervene as needed."
Mai looked around at the group, waiting for any objections. "Any doubts? Speak now."
The group exchanged glances, each member nodding in agreement with Mai's plan. Sid broke the silence, his voice steady. "No doubts here. We're ready."
Mai gave a satisfied nod, then glanced at Xiao Mu one last time. "Remember, stay safe and follow the plan. We'll be back as soon as we can."
Xiao Mu gave a brave smile and a thumbs-up, even though her eyes betrayed her concern. "Good luck, everyone. I'll be waiting here."
With the final checks completed, Mai led the team to the truck. The vehicle, a rugged, heavily modified, and equipped to handle rough terrain and hostile environments.
Its reinforced frame and advanced tech ensured a smooth ride despite the dangers ahead.
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