Human nature cannot withstand trials.

Moreover, childhood bonds are precious; it’s hard to form deep connections again as an adult.

Bringing an unfamiliar person into the team so suddenly…

Wang Weihu and the other two shook their heads, feeling uncomfortable about it. They had no idea how long a new member’s adjustment period would take, and some people might not be able to handle their banter and jokes while carrying out missions as the 3A team.

Finding a truly compatible teammate is no easy task.

That’s why, even though healing and support-type ability users wanted to join 3A, Qin Luo refused. As the team captain, he had to be responsible for everyone.

Bai Shu adjusted his glasses and said, “That’s true. I have to give it to Qin-ge for this decision. But healing-type abilities are really amazing—we got to experience them firsthand today.”

Chen Xiaofei flapped his wings excitedly. “It feels great to be full of energy again!”

Even just 20% of their energy was enough for another brutal battle.

Healing abilities really were incredible!

Suddenly, the large screen started displaying the list of casualties. Over ten people had died?

Qin Luo frowned. “We got lucky this time—aside from the three-star mutant animals, we didn’t run into anything above that. So how did so many people die?!”

Their 3A team had been on the last airship, taking on everyone who could board.

Bai Shu glanced at the screen. “There are quite a few from other countries too. The main reason is probably the incoming tsunami—people panicked. Some of the newly formed teams, made up of former civilians, lacked stability and fell apart at the first sign of trouble.”

Panic leads to mistakes.

At least the rookie squads they deployed had followed orders.

Looking at the foreign teams, however, it was utter chaos. They rampaged alongside mutant creatures with no discipline whatsoever. The only reliable ones seemed to be the soldiers from E Country.

Wang Weihu was also surprised by the foreign teams’ combat abilities. “Yeah, I noticed that too. Their command structure is a mess—team members don’t listen to their captains at all.”

Bai Shu analyzed calmly, “I even suspect they never really formed proper squads. Most of them probably act alone, only grouping up when a mission requires it. That means they lack teamwork and coordination. When things go wrong, everyone just looks out for themselves.”

That’s why it had turned into a chaotic mess, with them running around like headless flies. The disorder even led to a spike in casualties among their own squad members.

Chen Xiaofei looked at the screen and recognized some of the names. “Hey, how come it’s not the Jinpeng Squad that died—wait, holy shit!!”

Just as he finished speaking, the names of the Jinpeng Squad members appeared on the list.

Qin Luo was stunned. “Xiaofei, what did you eat?! Poison?!”

Bai Shu was equally shocked. “Your mouth is cursed.”

Wang Weihu looked at Chen Xiaofei seriously. “Next time, don’t say anything bad about our own squad, got it? Or I’ll smack you.”

Chen Xiaofei immediately looked pitiful. “How can you all gang up on me like this?! Even you, Old Wang?! This is so unfair! Hmph, only our little squad leader is nice to me. She’s the best in 3A right now! Hey? Squad leader, you awake?”

He glanced at Qin Luo’s arms and saw Xu Duoduo groggily opening her eyes.

The four of them immediately looked down at her in unison.

Qin Luo grinned. “Wow, thanks to the healer, you woke up fast this time! I thought you’d sleep until we got back to base.”

Bai Shu asked with concern, “Are you feeling okay, squad leader?”

Wang Weihu nodded. “Anywhere uncomfortable? Need some water?”

Chen Xiaofei whined, “Squad leader, you woke up just in time! They were all bullying me!!”

Xu Duoduo blinked, still drowsy and confused. She looked at them, eyes half-lidded, and after a long moment, managed to mumble, “Sleepy.” She even pouted a little, looking aggrieved.

They had woken her up before she’d gotten enough rest.

That startled them.

They immediately started apologizing.

Qin Luo quickly pulled a blanket over her and patted her gently. “Alright, alright, go back to sleep. That was our fault. We won’t disturb you.”

Xu Duoduo was asleep again in three seconds.

Chen Xiaofei, watching, found it fascinating. “She fell asleep way too fast.”

Qin Luo immediately shushed him.

Chen Xiaofei quickly mimed zipping his mouth shut.

Bai Shu whispered, “We can do the same when we’re exhausted. It’s about the same.”

Wang Weihu sighed and turned his attention back to the screen. Then he saw Jin Chuanqiong’s name on the casualty list and was utterly shocked. “Am I seeing things?”

Chen Xiaofei almost jumped up in excitement, but then he remembered the squad leader was still sleeping. Otherwise, he would’ve started singing in celebration. He lowered his voice and said, “This bastard finally got what he deserved! How’d he die? Oh, got killed by a three-star mutant iguana?”

Bai Shu studied the screen and realized it wasn’t that simple. “Two members of Jinpeng Squad survived and are actually pressing charges against Jin Chuanqiong.”

Qin Luo signaled for silence, and they continued watching. Soon, evidence of Jin Chuanqiong’s crimes started playing on the screen—including his act of luring monsters toward 3A.

But before that, he had already betrayed his teammates. His poor command led to their squad being relentlessly chased by mutants. He had abandoned his own teammates, using them as human shields to escape. He had literally survived by stepping over their corpses.

The two surviving members had voluntarily left Jinpeng Squad out of sheer disappointment. Despite the chaos, they managed to survive with help from other squads and made it onto the airship.

Now, they were exposing Jin Chuanqiong’s crimes to the public, hoping everyone would see just how despicable he truly was.

Chen Xiaofei clicked his tongue. “What a shame. I didn’t get to kill him myself.”

Bai Shu said, “He deserved to die. Why do you care?”

It was better if they didn’t dirty their own hands.

Wang Weihu nodded. “Good riddance. Someone like him would’ve just caused more trouble if he lived.”

Qin Luo scowled. “Even in death, he has to be judged. When all his crimes are laid bare, he won’t be called a hero.”

They didn’t want him to taint that word.

The others agreed, though Chen Xiaofei kept muttering about how unsatisfying it was not to kill Jin Chuanqiong personally.

Bai Shu ignored him.

Their airship still had over ten hours of travel time. Below them, massive ice chunks drifted in the ocean—far too large to be natural. But this wasn’t the Arctic.

Even before falling asleep, Chen Xiaofei found those icebergs unnerving. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw towering black waves. In the face of nature, humans truly were insignificant.

On the way back, they encountered extreme weather. The airship shook violently, making it impossible to sleep peacefully.

Everyone was on edge.

But after so many days on this mission, they finally returned safely.

The headquarters went all out this time.

They even organized a welcome ceremony, making them feel like astronauts returning from the moon.

It scared them stiff.