Ascension Progress: 28%
...
Zane collapsed near the corpse of the dog demon, feeling utterly drained after accomplishing his target. The tension release, combined with the excessive expenditure of star essence and physical strength, left him utterly fatigued.
From this battle, Zane had gained some understanding of the Assassin rank, and he even wanted to summarize his experience, but now was not the time.
However, after slaying the dog demon, his ascension progress had only increased by 4 percentage points, which puzzled him.
After all, killing Rex had granted him a full 10 percent increase. Now, to have dispatched a dog demon and only advanced 4 percent was perplexing.
Surely Rex couldn't have been more formidable than the dog demon?
Of course not.
It probably had to do with the ascendancy mechanism of the Avenger rank.
Zane had a hunch about it, and now, the dog demon's death further confirmed his suspicion.
The ascendancy of his awakened rank must be related to vengeance to make sense of it all.
After reporting the successful completion of the mission to the commander, Zane stood up and took out a material recovery kit from his portable tool bag, harvesting the dog demon's eyes.
When dark denizens died, their bodies rapidly decayed, but certain parts or organs remained.
These remnants had special uses. According to Bastion regulations, Ascendants who killed dark denizens had ownership over these remains. They could either utilize them or exchange them with the Bastion for contribution points.
After harvesting the dog demon's eyes, Zane received a message from the commander through his communicator: "Zane, retreat immediately following the established route. The dog pack is leaderless and on the run. Be careful not to bump into any stray ones. I've arranged for personnel to meet you along the retreat path; come back quickly."
"Understood, commander. I'm on my way back."
Ending the communication, Zane departed and began to retreat along the route Lida had designated.
Soon, he saw the lights of the defensive line in the distance.
Just then, a pack of rabid dogs burst out from the bushes, seventeen or eighteen human-faced monsters spreading out to surround Zane.
Zane inwardly cursed his luck, drew his particle combat knife, and readied himself.
At that moment, a flurry of star essence arrows whizzed through the air, striking several rabid dogs.
A gap opened in the pack's formation, and Zane seized the opportunity to break free.
As soon as he escaped the encirclement, frenzied howls sounded behind him. Except for two creatures studded with star essence arrows, motionless, the rest were still in hot pursuit.
Zane gripped his assaulter rifle, turning to fire several shots and force back the two closest rabid dogs.
Then, he heard a shout, and a flash of light caught his eye.
Whirling around, he saw a grey-white elemental lance hurtling straight at him!
Without time to think, Zane stepped back, shifting sideways as the lance grazed past his nose and plunged into the ground, creating a small elemental tempest.
The gust buffeted Zane, pulling at him until he retreated several meters and finally steadied himself.
A Falcon combat vehicle approached from the front, its energy cannon lighting up and unleashing a star essence shell that obliterated the remaining rabid dogs.
"Sorry."
Someone jumped down from the vehicle. Beneath the headlights, Zhou Wang's face bore an insincere smile, "My hand slipped just now, glad you weren't hurt. You don't mind, do you?"
Hand slipped?
Zane wasn't naïve enough to believe that excuse. Staring at the smirking face, he couldn't help but wish he could drive his particle combat knife into Zhou Wang's body.
The man had clearly done it on purpose. Even if an elemental lance might not have killed him, with a pack of rabid dogs on his heels, any distraction could have been lethal.
"Don't be like that, look at me," Zhou Wang said, patting Zane's shoulder apologetically. "I'll buy you a drink to make it up to you when we get back!"
"What's going on?"
At that moment, Lida arrived, aware that as a member of the Raven Squad, she'd have trouble explaining things to Han Shu if something happened to Zane.
Upon her arrival, she sensed the tension.
Zane gave Zhou Wang a deep look and brushed aside his hand on his shoulder.
With a stony expression, he passed by Lida and made his way toward the plaza.
Zhou Wang explained the incident, emphasizing it was a misunderstanding. Then he shook his head, "Commander, these kids today have such tempers. I apologized, and he still gave me attitude, so ungrateful."
Lida eyed him, "Being targeted by a stray shot doesn't sit well with anyone. Zhou Wang, was it really unintentional?"
Zhou Wang laughed, "Why would I do it on purpose? Commander, you don't suspect me, do you? I have no grudge against the kid; why would I harm him?"
Lida nodded, "Alright then."
As the temporary commander turned to leave, she looked back, "I'll take it as an accident this time. But there better not be a next time."
Zhou Wang tensed up, then slowly relaxed.
When Zane returned to the plaza, he found that Han Shu and his team had already come back. The rugged man waved him over as soon as he saw him.
As Zane approached, Han Shu slapped him on the head, "Damn it, kid, where did you run off to? When I told you to stay put, it wasn't an invitation to wander off!"
"Ahem," Lida arrived just in time, "Captain Han, I assigned Zane the task, blame me if you must."
Unexpectedly, another slap came down, "You fool, doing whatever you're told. If something happened to you, how would I explain... explain to your folks."
Now understanding why Han Shu hadn't taken Zane on the rescue, Lida realized the boy had someone looking out for him.
Although Han Shu had slapped him twice, Zane could feel the man's concern.
He smiled, "I can take care of myself. Besides, I just killed a rabid dog leader."
"Oh, feeling proud, are we?" Han Shu raised his hand to slap him again but ultimately let it fall gently, pushing Zane instead, "Get to the medical team for a check-up. Even though I only gave you one lesson, you're still half my student. Don't embarrass me by dying stupidly."
Zane was about to say he didn't need a check-up, but Han Shu's glaring eyes said, "You go, or I'll make you."
With no choice, Zane chuckled awkwardly and left.
Lida stepped aside to the man and whispered, "What's the deal with this kid? He's not a War God rank, is he?"
Han Shu glanced at her, "Don't worry about it, and don't spread it around."
Lida frowned, "Why?"
The rugged man pointed silently skyward.
"Oh, I see," she said.
Han Shu sneered, "You don't get it."
Wham—Lida's foot kicked him squarely in the rear, sending him tumbling to the ground.