Dark Moon Era

11th July 2177, Friday.

In the afternoon, the day welcomed a heavy downpour unique to summer. Coupled with rumbling thunder, the endless deluge lasted for 20 over minutes and it almost flooded the battlefield of ruins.

After the rain stopped and the sun shone once more, the water puddles on the ground were like mirrors reflecting the warm light on the bloody battlefield. The battlefield was filled with hot water vapor after that. Mirages appeared above the ground, distorting and shaking the air, making it look surreal.

Tang Ling was sitting on the edge of the Hope Barrier with a lit cigarette in his mouth as he squinted over the puddles on the battlefield.

It felt like it had been ages, but it also felt like yesterday at the same time.

Whenever it rained during the summer, the settlement would also be filled with a large area of puddles, and San San would be the happiest child in the settlement during that time. She would drag Tang Ling with her petite soft hands and splash in the water puddles.

Beneath the water puddles were soft mud, and it felt like little fishes were swimming around her feet whenever she stepped in them.

The puddles were similar to a magical world. There were many harmless bugs, little fishes, and shrimp swimming inside, but as the puddles dried up, they would disappear too just like…San San.

The pain was difficult to bear. If he could wipe his memory clean, it might not be a bad thing either.

Tang Ling took a heavy drag from his cigarette. The rising smoke from his mouth veiled his sadness, but the big, ugly bruise on his chin was still hurting.

The bruise was the result of Dier’s punch three days ago though it was not severe. Tang Ling did not take Dier seriously. At least, that allegedly furious punch of his was not enough for Tang Ling to take him seriously.

“Smoking again?” A figure sat down beside Tang Ling with a helpless gaze. He tried to say something to stop his bad habit of smoking but failed to search for the appropriate words.

Uncle Beard was a veteran warrior who looked after Tang Ling since his first day, and in return, Tang Ling was very generous with him too.

“An hour later, the guys for the night shift will come over. In two more hours, those who were on duty and have also registered for the group mission will be assigned to the hundred-man elite regiment that will be led by ten Purple Moon Warriors and begin the mission,” said Uncle Beard after he took a puff from his cigarette too.

Tang Ling smiled but said nothing. His eyes were staring at that Universal Source Rock that glowed purple.

There were always fierce battles around the Universal Source Rock, and that crevice that reeked of danger was also as eye-catching as ever.

However, the rock and the crevice were not the stars of the show today. There was a garage area around 1 km away from the rock.

Once, the zombies occupied the area, but a while back, the strongest leader among the zombies and the eight elite zombies around it suddenly disappeared. The Hope Barrier decided to seize the chance and liberate the garage area, hoping to list it inside the safety area that could be developed in the future.

The garage area was well preserved and was close to the Universal Source Rock, hence its value was high.

If the Hope Barrier could occupy the area successfully, increasing the defense system and other necessary setups would prevent future attacks. Even if the zombie leader reappeared, it would not be able to cause any significant damage then.

“The strongest bastard is gone and ten Purple Moon Warriors have been deployed together with a hundred-man elite regiment. The danger level of this mission is really low. Moreover, the First Reserved Camp is only tasked to clean up a single corner,” Uncle Beard continued to nag but his expression was heavy. “But I still regret telling you about the mission.” He widened his smile at Tang Ling, but it was devoid of humor.

The conflict between the Fierce Dragon Squad and the Summit Squad was not something prominent in the Hope Barrier, so not even the mentors and instructors of the First Reserved Camp said anything, let alone the higher-ups.

However, it did not stop the conflict from becoming a topic to gossip about, hence adding a dash of color to the iron-blooded life in the Hope Barrier.

Who was Hank Tye? The star of the Hope Barrier!

Many assumed that should Hank break through to become a Purple Moon Warrior, he would surely cause an impact to the top ten strongest captains of the Purple Moon Warriors. He might even replace one of them!

With time, Hank had the potential to ultimately become the strongest challenger to the leader of the Purple Moon, Fei Long.

A person like Hank had been a force to be reckoned with in the Hope Barrier, yet his pride took a dent and lost to the guy in the last place on the ranking list, an unambitious, lazy fool named Tang Ling. How would that not be gossip fodder among the others?

His loss was not just the dented pride of his but was also related to the upcoming group mission.

Hank’s Summit Squad could no longer touch Tang Ling and his squad or do something to them from behind. He might even have to pray that Tang Ling and his squad could return in one piece. Otherwise, the whole Summit Squad would be in deep suspicion.

It was the reason why Dier punched Tang Ling in the face. The Summit Squad was not just provoked, but they might be even forced to protect Tang Ling and his squad because no one could bear the notoriety of harming a comrade-in-arms on the battlefield.

It felt disgusting – as disgusting as eating sh*t!

But, so what? Uncle Beard did not think Tang Ling had gained the upper hand because he should not just look at the present. He must also think of the future and the long run.

It was just a group mission, so what if Tang Ling and his squad gained the upper hand? Tang Ling had to spend at least a year in the First Reserved Camp. Would he be able to make it through?

The upper hand that he got might turn around and bite him on the second day.

Even if he could escape the First Reserved Camp, would he be able to leave Safety Sector No. 17? Tang Ling would forever be traumatized by Hank’s shadow because he had offended the fiercest among the Summit Squad.

As for Tang Ling’s squadmates, those who had a strong family background would not have to worry whilst the others might only suffer a little oppression. Bullying some weaklings with their position and identity might harm the Summit Squad’s reputation.

This stupid kid! Unless he can be stronger than Hank in the future, he’s got trouble coming.

However, Uncle Beard deemed it impossible. In his eyes, Tang Ling was just a sly kid with some quick wits and not some genius. That was why Uncle Beard blamed himself. Due to his kindness, he somehow completely destroyed this kid’s future.

Without a doubt, Tang Ling knew what was going through Uncle Beard’s mind. He smiled as he put his hand over the kind warrior’s shoulder. “Don’t think so much. You’ll be happier that way. Who knows what will happen tomorrow? We might as well just enjoy the moment.”

Was it comfort? It was to a veteran warrior! Those excuses like “I’ll go even if you don’t say anything” or “you are too kind” were all bullsh*t.

Living on the edge of life and death, telling Uncle Beard that he would live in the moment happily might just hit the right spot for the kind warrior.

What a sweet kid . Uncle Beard also put his hand around Tang Ling’s shoulder and said nothing.

Tang Ling then looked at the garage area and asked, “Why is the Summit Squad so eager to take everything in the mission?”

“It’s simple actually. It’s the rule of the battlefield. According to it, everyone has the right to own a third of the spoils that he or she finds. The main targets of the liberating mission are zombies. You might not know this, but the zombies have a higher chance to produce a crystal in them. I’m talking about the zombies near the Universal Source Rock.” Uncle Beard put his cigarette out and looked at Tang Ling with a meaningful gaze.

What he revealed was not written in the books. It was actually a secret shared between the warriors of the Hope Barrier.

A subtle smile appeared on Tang Ling’s face as an extra trace of enthusiasm appeared in his eyes at the garage area.

At the same time, familiar footsteps sounded behind Tang Ling, so he turned around.

Everyone from the Fierce Dragon Squad was walking towards him.