Chapter 112 - 111: Rule Test

Chapter 112: Chapter 111: Rule Test

[Accept Ryze’s Surrender]

[Evaluation Type: Accepting Surrender]

[Evaluating Risk of This Action]

[Evaluation: White Item Probability 20.1%, Green Item Probability 30.7%, Blue Item Probability 40.285%, Purple Item Probability 9.005%, Risk Level: 95.113%]

????

’Right, right, right. So much for "willing to submit."’

’Then maybe you can explain this whopping 95% risk level?!?’

The risk level was so high that Ye Yun laughed in exasperation.

Any trace of pity that had just welled up in his heart instantly vanished.

’It just goes to show, unless you have an absolute way to control someone, any act of compassion is just asking for trouble. He’d probably surrender and then stab me in the back the first chance he got.’

...

As Ryze watched in despair, the Shelter Entrance was smashed open by a giant hammer.

"Stay back! Let me go! I’ve already surrendered, you can’t kill me."

"I’ll do anything for your leader!"

"You can take whatever you want, just let me live, please!"

Bena looked at Ryze cowering in the corner and shook his head gently.

"Sorry, the Commander’s orders were for your execution."

With that, he raised his laser gun and aimed it at Ryze.

Ryze wanted to say something more, but in the next instant, a red laser beam struck him between the eyebrows.

...

After completing the mission, Bena didn’t leave right away. Instead, he quickly ran in the direction of the exploration team.

He wasn’t doing this because he was bored, but to verify one of Ye Yun’s theories.

He had already experimented with this before: once a shelter was conquered, the bionics that originally belonged to it would immediately enter a masterless state.

What Ye Yun wanted to test now was whether these masterless members could be recruited after their shelter’s leader was executed.

If so, it would open up a lot of strategic possibilities.

Since both sides were moving at a rapid pace, the two teams met in the wasteland in less than an hour.

Upon seeing Bena’s group appear, the other side immediately drew their weapons. The atmosphere instantly grew tense, with both sides ready to fight.

Bena’s heart sank. ’Looks like the Commander’s prediction was wrong this time.’ Just as he was considering whether to attack...

An angry question erupted from the mouth of the burly man in the lead:

"Was it you who attacked our shelter?"

Bena didn’t answer. He just stood there quietly, his gaze cold as he stared at the other man.

’He knew that at this moment, words were useless. Only strength would decide the outcome.’

The atmosphere grew even more tense, as if a fierce battle could break out at any second.

But just then, Bena slowly raised a hand, signaling his team to halt. He took a step forward and said in a low voice,

"We mean you no harm. We just wanted to confirm something."

The burly leader snorted, clearly not believing Bena’s words. He gripped his weapon tightly, staring warily at Bena, ready to attack at any moment.

However, when he saw the exoskeleton Bena was wearing, he didn’t make any rash moves.

He might have been big and brawny, but he wasn’t an idiot.

’Both sides have the same number of people, but their equipment is way better than ours. If a fight breaks out, we’ll be wiped out in just a few rounds.’

Bena took a deep breath. He knew that if he couldn’t resolve this misunderstanding properly, an unnecessary battle would be inevitable.

He spoke calmly,

"Our only target was Ryze. Now that he’s gone, we have no reason to be your enemies."

Bena’s words made the opposing team waver. They exchanged glances, as if discussing the truth of his statement.

Seizing the opportunity, Bena continued, "If you’re willing, we can stop this right now. We can even offer you help."

The burly leader was silent for a moment. Although he didn’t lower his weapon, his gun was no longer aimed at Bena.

Seeing this subtle gesture, Bena breathed a sigh of relief. The situation hadn’t devolved to the worst-case scenario.

The burly man looked at Bena, his tone laced with suspicion.

"What do you mean? You attacked our shelter, and now you’re saying you want to help?"

Bena nodded and explained,

"Our only target was Ryze, and we have already taken care of him.

We don’t want a pointless fight. If you’re willing, you can even join our shelter."

Bena tapped the exoskeleton on his body and said with a smile,

"As you’ve probably noticed, our shelter is very strong."

"Rather than make a pointless sacrifice for a dead man, why not join us?"

The burly man frowned, then looked back at his team, as if seeking their opinions.

After a moment, he turned back to Bena and said,

"We need to consider this. You wait here."

Bena nodded, signaling his own team to remain alert while giving the other group enough space to think.

The burly man turned to the woman beside him.

"Sara, what do you think?"

The woman named Sara frowned slightly. Out of the corner of her eye, she discreetly sized up the people surrounding them, quickly assessing the disparity in their combat strength.

Soon, she sighed softly, a look of dejection on her face.

"What is there to think about?"

"Lanton, we’re no match for them. Even if we wanted to resist, it would just be suicide, wouldn’t it?"

A look of helplessness flashed in Lanton’s eyes. He nodded slightly, his tone tinged with regret.

"If I’d known, I would’ve just run instead of coming back."

Sara gave a wry smile.

"What’s the use of saying that now?"

The two of them made their decision without consulting the three bionics on their team.

They had already noticed an hour earlier that the bionics seemed very different than before. They were unable to even communicate normally, merely following them unresponsive.

In their current state, the three bionics would be useless in a fight. If it came to blows, it would likely be just the two of them.

This was one of the reasons they gave up so readily.

Soon, Lanton faced Bena again, his voice filled with resolve.

"Fine. We accept your proposal. We’re willing to join your shelter."

Hearing Lanton’s decision, Bena let out a breath of relief.

He didn’t want to cause needless casualties. If the problem could be solved peacefully, that was for the best.

"Very good. Welcome aboard." Bena nodded, then continued,

"Of course, your formal induction can only proceed once you arrive at the shelter."

"Until then, I hope you’ll hand over your weapons to ensure there are no misunderstandings between us."