Chapter 2834 Let's Make a Bet
Chapter 2834 Let's Make a Bet
It was too late.
Completely too late.
The group worked tirelessly, breaking down ore without a moment's rest, but they simply couldn't keep up. The small hills of discarded material beside them were only growing larger.
"Good work, everyone. Let's take a break. Try to fill your backpacks with as many spirit gemstones as possible. We'll head back to turn in a mission first."
Zaka, nearly numb from sorting, continued breaking down ore even as he listened.
"Huh? Mr. Fang, we're done?"
"We're still a long way from done, but let's wrap up for now. I need to exchange some contribution points."
"Alright, alright..." Zaka said as he packed away the small stool beneath him, stretching his back. A series of popping sounds echoed from his bones.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the desert, in the forest, Wayne and the three mercenary team commanders gathered their subordinates, lying in ambush in an area closer to the entrance of the forest.
The desert was extremely dangerous.
They had suffered a major setback last time and weren't willing to take another risk by heading in again.
Instead, they planned to change their strategy.
If they couldn't fight them head-on, they would simply wait.
Since Mr. Fang had a way to collect spirit gemstones in the forest while avoiding the mutant worms in the desert, there was no point in launching another direct assault.
A tactical shift was in order!
Regardless of how things played out, Mr. Fang would eventually need to transport his ore back to the ship to exchange it for contribution points.
Wayne's team decided to shift their battlefield—setting up an ambush on the only route between the desert and the ship.
They were determined to make their enemies pay!
Behind the concealed team of players, Arkley and his dozen or so subordinates had just arrived to join the group.
Arkley, tall and imposing, came to the large tree where Wayne and his team were lying in ambush, surrounded by his subordinates. He coldly gazed down the narrow path ahead, his tone slightly mocking, "Wayne, was it really necessary to be this cautious?"
Wayne, recalling how he had shared the same thoughts as Arkley not long ago, couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
"Brother, listen to me. The opponent isn't easy to deal with."
"How dangerous can they be?" Arkley scoffed. "Just lure him out. I'll take care of that guy myself. You handle the rest. Once we're done, I want half of the ore field."
"Deal."
Wayne agreed without hesitation.
Arkley nodded, then gestured to his men to take their positions.
They had been lying in ambush for half an hour when a player hurried over and reported, "Boss, a few people have come out of the desert. They're not Wu Xiao and his group; it should be 'Mr. Fang.' They're heading this way, probably intending to return to the ship, but they aren't carrying any materials."
Really...
Wayne and the other mercenary group commanders exchanged looks with each other.
It felt a little strange.
Weren't they supposed to be transporting materials to the ship?
Where was the ore?
Had they packed it all into their backpacks? That didn't seem possible...
"Forget about it, get ready to act."
Wayne signaled for the team to prepare and turned to Arkley, saying, "Arkley, they have a method to enter the desert region without being attacked by the mutant worms. We need to find a way to make them reveal it. Remember, leave some alive."
"Understood."
Hidden within the forest, they watched as Fang Heng and his three companions came into view.
Wayne gave the signal.
"Move!"
In an instant, the players lying in ambush leaped from the trees, surrounding Fang Heng's group in a tight circle.
Fang Heng had long sensed the people ambushing in the forest. However, he felt that their life energy and strength were weak, so he simply walked straight into their trap.
They were probably coming for him, and he knew that it would be resolved sooner or later. It might as well be now.
Fang Heng scanned his surroundings and finally focused his gaze on the leader, Wayne.
"Who are you?"
Wayne sized Fang Heng and his companions up, "Wayne, commander of the mercenary team. May I ask who is 'Mr. Fang'?"
"I am. What's the matter?"
"I'm here to settle a score. You killed Cole and my companions."
Fang Heng raised an eyebrow, confused, "Cole I know, but your companions?"
"They were lured into the desert by you and died at the hands of mutant worms. You must take responsibility for their deaths."
"Oh, I see. Well then, what do you want?"
Fang Heng shrugged, a slight smirk appearing on his face.
He had guessed correctly.
They were indeed here to cause trouble.
It worked out well for him, though.
Zaka and the others were sorting through materials at a very slow pace, and Wu Xiao's team had to keep making trips back and forth to deliver the combat shovels. The gemstone refining still lacked a lot of labor.
Now, people were practically offering themselves as labor!
Since they were here, he could make sure they all stayed as "coolies."
Fang Heng had seemingly vanished, then reappeared in front of him with a sudden burst of speed.
Wayne coldly said, "Cole paid for your life. You're the one responsible for my companions' deaths. If you want to make it right, only you will answer for it. Your companions can leave."
"Hmm, yes, that's fair enough."
Wayne stared intently at Fang Heng's every move, but his pupils suddenly contracted.
Fang Heng had seemingly vanished, then reappeared in front of him with a sudden burst of speed.
*Bang!!!*
Wayne was horrified!
They had been at a safe distance, but in an instant, Fang Heng had closed the gap and appeared right in front of him, shattering his energy shield with a deafening explosion.
The shockwave from the explosion sent Wayne flying backward, but before he could react, a hand gripped him tightly, pinning him in place!
As the shockwave dispersed, Fang Heng held Wayne by the neck and lifted him off the ground, a look of disdain on his face.
"What's the matter? With this level of strength, you think you can cause trouble?"
Not good!
Everything happened so fast that the mercenaries around them only realized their leader was controlled by Fang Heng after the explosion. Their hearts skipped a beat as they quickly raised their guns toward him.
"Everyone, stop!"
Wayne's forehead was drenched in cold sweat.
For some reason, when Fang Heng grabbed him, he completely lost control of his body.
Wayne was certain of one thing.
If the surrounding players fired, Fang Heng wouldn't be harmed, but they would certainly die.
Wu Xiao had said that Fang Heng wasn't as strong as Arkley?
Arkley was indeed formidable, but Wayne now understood that Fang Heng and Arkley followed different paths. Fang Heng's strange movement ability was even more terrifying than Arkley's!
Wayne's heart raced in panic, but he forced himself to stay calm, fixing his gaze on Fang Heng, "What do you want?"
"You want to kill me? I'll give you a chance. If you can't kill me, you'll help me with something."
Wayne gritted his teeth, "Fine!"
The moment Fang Heng released his grip on Wayne's neck, Wayne suddenly regained control of his body. He quickly jumped backward and shouted, "Arkley! What are you waiting for!"
Fang Heng turned toward Wayne's shout and saw a burly middle-aged man step out from the crowd.
Arkley was already a large figure, but now his muscles were bulging, emitting a visible crimson aura. He stared at Fang Heng with intense battle intent in his eyes.