Chapter 23: Class Division

Chapter 23: Class Division

"You guys—"

The blond-haired boy widened his eyes in shock, but before he could say anything, his companions dashed away, even faster than before.

Looking again at the expressionless girl in front of him, her pretty face now seemed more terrifying than the convicts behind him.

"This... this is just a test, don't mess around, the instructors are watching us!" he stuttered, stepping back continuously.

Seizing an opening, he suddenly bolted in the other direction, but before he could take two steps, he was kicked into a tree, shaking the entire tree.

"You..."

A gush of blood spurted out as he clutched his painfully throbbing chest, looking at the girl approaching him with anger and fear. He wanted to run, but even breathing felt like a luxury at this moment.

He regretted provoking this formidable girl!

Yi Yi squatted down, her gaze piercing as she looked at him. "Does it hurt? Should I call the instructor for you?"

After speaking, she glanced behind, "Oh, when the convicts catch up, you won't be able to run in this condition."

Hearing her words, the blond-haired boy's pupils shrank, realizing the convicts were still in pursuit. This wasn't an ordinary test; getting caught could mean death!

Desperate, the blond-haired boy wildly waved his arms, hoping the instructor would notice him sooner. Zero points were better than losing his life; after all, he had already taken down a convict and surely wouldn't score zero.

"I'm a clean freak; I can't stand dirty stuff in my eyes, got it?" Yi Yi glanced at him calmly.

The blond-haired boy frantically nodded, wanting to promise he'd never cross her path again, but before he could speak, another wave of pain surged in his throat, blurring his vision.

Yi Yi ignored him, believing in the adage: if violence doesn't solve your problem, you're not using enough of it. Arguing with fools is a waste of time and energy.

The gunfire intensified nearby. Yi Yi quickly headed in that direction, encountering many terrified students escaping, as if being chased by some monstrous beast.

A girl, panting heavily, stopped her and warned, "Don't go there... those people have guns..."

"What happened?" Yi Yi frowned.

The girl gasped for air, then looked towards the fire, "Some students' guns were stolen by the convicts. Now, they're trying to kidnap us for negotiation. Tu Yue, obsessed with scoring points, is trying to take them all out, completely disregarding the lives of the kidnapped."

Before the girl could finish, Yi Yi, having guessed the situation, continued running towards the fire.

Everyone must have rushed to score points but retreated upon discovering the armed convicts. Tu Yue's aggressive actions surely provoked the convicts, leading to ongoing gunfire.

The convicts' hideout was less than a kilometer from the beach. The sparse trees offered little cover, making them easily visible except in darkness. But with the fire raging, even the few remaining trees were ablaze.

The gunfire grew closer, and soon Yi Yi saw a short-haired girl running towards her with a heavy machine gun, blood smeared on her face and arms.

As she was about to speak, Yi Yi suddenly tackled her to the ground.

The spot where Tu Yue had been was just shot through by a sniper rifle.

Yi Yi pointed towards the 12 o'clock direction, and they both crawled forward, finding a large rock for cover, out of the sniper's line of sight.

Clearly, the convicts had done more than just steal a few guns. Sometimes, it's not the enemies but the mindless teammates who are the most dangerous.

"Is there anyone left in that direction?" she asked, eyeing the ongoing gunfire.

Tu Yue, lips pressed tightly, pulled out a stack of gauze from her bag and tightly wrapped it around her gunshot wound on the abdomen, revealing a bloody hole on her left side.

"It's Chi Zhou, he too wanted to wipe out that nest. But someone startled the convicts with gunfire, and my position was compromised. I had to retreat quickly, I don't know his status."

She then bandaged a wound on her thigh to prevent excessive blood loss or infection.

Yi Yi realized this was why she preferred to work alone. With a group, one might not die, but surely end up maimed, unable to control every member's thoughts and actions.

"You won't score zero even if you call for an instructor now," she said, staring at the bloodied figure.

Leaning against the rock, the other woman loaded her gun with a weary hand, managing a faint smile, "The word 'surrender' doesn't exist in my world."

Exchanging glances, Yi Yi didn't respond but readied her M965, aiming at the sniper's last known location and fired.

A loud boom resonated, and 300 meters away, the bushes erupted, signaling a hit. Yi Yi then discarded her coat, tossing it to the left front.

"With a 'whoosh', the coat was pierced and fell to the ground."

Sensing the movement of her target, she quickly adjusted her aim and fired again.

A loud explosion kicked up dust at another location. Series of explosions followed nearby, and even the distant gunfire seemed to quiet down a bit.

Convinced her target couldn't have survived, Yi Yi glanced at Tu Yue once more before shouldering her rifle and hurrying towards Zhou Chi.

"Why isn't the enemy fleeing? They must be after the points. This round is their only chance to surpass me. These people are ruthlessly competitive, completely disregarding their own lives."

When the gunfire grew closer, she crawled forward, barely making out a large, injured man crashing out of a cabin.

She raised her rifle, aiming at the man's head. With a 'swoosh', the man collapsed rigidly.

"Sorry about this. It might seem like kill-stealing, but there's no place for courtesy in the arena."

Just as she approached the cabin, she felt a chill from behind and immediately spun around, kicking sideways. Her shin felt like it struck steel, and she stumbled back several steps.

She saw a thin man emerge from behind, his face twisted in a sleazy smile.

"Hehe, pretty strong for a little lady. Wonder if you're this energetic in bed."

Despite his words, he rubbed his sore arm, clearly affected by her previous attack.

Yi Yi, glaring fiercely, retorted, "You call yourself a man, barking like a scrawny dog?"

His face twisted at her contempt, as if those were the words he couldn't bear the most. In a burst of anger, he executed a high sweeping blow to her head.

Yi Yi had deliberately provoked him, knowing well that losing control in a fight invites mistakes and vulnerabilities.

She leaned back to dodge and countered with a low sweep and a backhand punch. The man was shrewd, not engaging directly but mixing offense and defense, striking her left arm with a swift elbow. Simultaneously, he took a heavy punch to the face.

Both were injured at the same time. Seizing the moment his vision blurred, Yi Yi spun and landed a kick to his chest. The man flew back several meters, clutched his chest, and stiffened, a bullet hole suddenly appearing in his head.

Yi Yi continued to fire two shots at his head. "When you can use a gun, always use a gun. Only resort to fists and feet when guns are of no use."

"These people must not have eaten for days, yet their stamina is still so strong. This is the difference in physical fitness and willpower. That's why all those tests by the instructors are just basic; in real danger, it's the willpower that sustains you."

"At that moment, over a dozen half-naked convicts armed with guns suddenly emerged near the cabin, their eyes gleaming fiercely as they encircled her, clearly lying in wait for an unsuspecting prey."

"Damn it! This brat's got some nerve, even killed Skinny Monkey. I'll be the first to deal with her!" a convict with a mantis tattoo cursed, glaring at her.

The others also ogled the girl without restraint, their eyes almost glowing green. Having been in prison so long, where even the mosquitoes were male, they were thrilled to encounter such a fresh-looking girl, ready to indulge even if it meant death.

"Too bad, we let that other woman escape. Could've had an extra one to play with," a scruffy bearded brute commented with a lecherous grin.

Suddenly, two men stepped out of the cabin. A large man, blood oozing from his forehead, held a gun to Zhou Chi's head. His complexion was off, either due to injury or some other reason, as he menacingly focused on Yi Yi. "Drop your gun, or I'll kill him!"

The surrounding crowd laughed sinisterly. They felt they didn't need their boss to handle these few youngsters; they were enough. Despite the girl’s evident skills, they believed their numbers and guns would overpower her.

Yi Yi glanced at the hostage, her expression unchanged. "You’ve captured him, what's that got to do with me?"

Zhou Chi showed no emotion, seemingly agreeing with her. Unnoticed by others, his bound hands held a small pistol pressed against the large man's abdomen.

"Stop pretending, if you weren't here to save him, why come here to die?" another brute aimed his gun at her. "Throw your stuff over, or we’ll shoot you both!"

"Yeah! Drop the gun, or you'll regret it!"

Fearing a sudden attack, the man holding Zhou Chi slowly backed into the crowd, sweat pouring down his forehead. In reality, his gun was empty, a ruse by Zhou Chi to catch the others off guard.

At that moment, Yi Yi suddenly kicked the nearest brute, rolled on the ground, and used a fallen man as a shield. The muzzle of her machine gun spewed fire towards the group.

"Ratatat—"

"Those caught off guard were instantly shot, while those who reacted swiftly tried to return fire, only to hit the dead man Yi Yi had lifted as a shield."

"Seeing this, the others hastily sought cover, but with nowhere to hide, many fell under the relentless sweep of the machine gun before they could escape."

"Just then, an explosion created a huge crater beside Yi Yi. She was thrown to the ground, blood streaming down her forehead, as she looked up at the figure wielding a heavy machine gun approaching her."

"The man was neither fat nor thin, and unlike the others, he was neatly dressed in a prison uniform, without a speck of dust. Casually pulling out a grenade, he threw it towards her."

"Yi Yi rolled away, the grenade exploding on the other side. As the machine gun fired relentlessly, she couldn't dodge in time and was hit several times in the arm. She barely managed to shield her vital parts with a corpse."

"The man, cold-eyed, advanced step by step with his machine gun. Just then, a cold breeze signaled an attack from behind. He swiftly sidestepped and blocked an incoming punch, his machine gun shattered by the blow, barely an inch from his face."

"Recognizing the young attacker who had previously raided his base, the man’s eyes flashed with fury. He kicked out, but his opponent dodged, and they engaged in a fierce melee."

"Yi Yi raised her pistol, aiming at the man. The two figures moved blurringly fast. Suddenly, Zhou Chi faltered and was kicked away. The man seized the opportunity to viciously punch the fallen person."

"Several gunshots 'bang, bang, bang' echoed as if they were the only sounds on the entire island."

"The man stiffly turned his head, then collapsed straight to the ground."

"Bang, bang, bang', Yi Yi fired several more shots. Unsurprisingly, this man was the leader of the infant trafficking ring, a wolf in sheep's clothing. Such a person deserved a fate worse than being torn apart by horses."

"Unsure if any more convicts were around, she searched the area single-handedly with her gun, and then found several tied-up students whimpering in a corner."

"She used her knife to cut the wires binding them. Perhaps out of embarrassment, they merely thanked her, their hearts still racing, before quickly running away."

"In Yi Yi’s eyes, everyone had the potential to improve. Looking at their now stable emotions, no longer as tearful and sniveling as in the beginning, it was clear that the training was about building everyone's endurance and adaptability."

"If one day you can face a brush with death without changing your expression, that is the mental fortitude a true officer should possess."

"Stepping out of the cabin, she saw several boys hastily picking up their guns and running away, as if afraid of other convicts lurking nearby."

"Yi Yi glanced at Zhou Chi, who still lay motionless, remembering how he had taken a kick to cooperate with her, likely sustaining serious injuries."

"When she approached him, he was still conscious but seemed unable to stand."

"Pleasure working with you."

"She extended her uninjured right hand."

"Gazing at her bloodstained hand, Zhou Chi hesitated before slowly lifting his heavily bruised arm."

"However, she suddenly withdrew her hand, having spotted something, and fired at another body on the ground that wasn't quite dead."

"His eyelids drooping, Zhou Chi, clutching his shattered ribs, forced himself to sit up."

"There's probably one more person missing, but given our condition, the odds aren't in our favor. It's not worth the risk."

"Yi Yi shouldered her rifle and, holding her injured arm, prepared to leave. Turning around, she noticed Zhou Chi still sitting motionless, his movements clearly restricted."

"After a moment's thought, she briskly walked over, grabbed his arm, and effortlessly hoisted him onto her shoulder, striding towards Tu Yue's location."

"Carried in this manner for the first time, Zhou Chi wore an odd expression, 'Just drop me somewhere secluded.'"

"Yi Yi hadn't expected his competitive spirit to be so strong; staying behind alone to face numerous convicts for the sake of points, and another who, despite being shot several times and losing blood, refused to call for the instructor. Each seemed more driven than the next."

"But she wasn't much better off herself: a broken arm with a gunshot wound, two fractured ribs, and numerous external injuries."

"All they had to do now was to make it through till dawn."

"Based on the numbers, the gap between them shouldn't be too large; she still expected to be at the top of the overall rankings."

"She noticed Tu Yue still hiding behind a rock, evidently afraid to move and risk further blood loss."

"After setting him down, she leaned against a rock and silently started drinking a pack of soy milk."

"In the silent darkness, the three sat in different directions. Tu Yue turned his head and glanced at her arm, 'Do you need that bandaged?'"

"Yi Yi looked at her gunshot wound, which had bled profusely. She declined any help, took out some gauze from her bag, and started bandaging herself, waiting for daylight."

"You guys really are risking your lives for points," Tu Yue said, looking up quietly at the moon."

"Knowing the convicts were armed, yet charging in recklessly one after another. If that's not risking your lives, what is?"

"However, she felt a tinge of frustration. If it weren't for some fool who alerted the convicts, she could have blown up a bunch with one shot, significantly increasing her score and avoiding the loss of so many points."

"This was just the first test; next time, she was determined not to lose to Yi Yi and Zhou Chi."

"'That comment should be directed at yourself.'"

"Yi Yi tossed over two cans of coconut juice."

"Tu Yue caught them, pulled the tabs, and gulped down a few sips. Her pale complexion didn't improve, but she needed the energy to stay awake until dawn."

"'Got any more?' she turned to ask Yi Yi."

"The latter paused, then suddenly stood up and disappeared into the darkness."

"Soon, she returned, single-handedly tossing over seven or eight freshly picked coconuts."

"Yi Yi punched open a coconut and began to drink; coconut water is rich in vitamins and sugars, clinically used as a nutritional supplement, though in special circumstances."

"'Thank you.'"

"Tu Yue also smashed open a coconut and started drinking, her leg injury making movement difficult, otherwise she wouldn't have needed Yi Yi's help."

"Zhou Chi silently cracked open a coconut to hydrate himself, then picked up a branch and used a strip of cloth to stabilize his dislocated left arm. With his right hand, he efficiently reloaded his empty magazine with fresh rounds."

"The night was exceedingly quiet, with only the sound of the sea breeze."

"Time trickled by, and as a sliver of dawn appeared on the horizon, the sound of a helicopter grew clearer, eventually hovering above them."

"Several soldiers jumped down and helped the injured onto the helicopter."

"Perhaps her resilience had increased; unlike before, Yi Yi didn't faint but remained conscious as the medics administered first aid."

"Only advanced medical technology could have saved them from months in casts."

"Back in the school infirmary, it was filled with injured students, but she didn't see Wan Hua, who likely had no external injuries."

"She was awakened the next afternoon by a commotion."

"'Don't you know what you did? If it weren't for you, Xi Cheng wouldn't have been captured. You just want to eliminate us all, so you can advance to an S-level student. Someone with your moral decay, even if graduated, would be a disaster!'"

"'I don't know what you're talking about. I ran away because I was scared, it's human instinct. Besides, you all ran later too, what right do you have to judge me?'"

"Yi Yi propped herself up with one arm and was immediately cushioned with a pillow. Wan Hua handed her a warm towel and recounted the grievances among the students."

"Yi Yi already knew about this, so she just sat there, silently brushing her teeth, while Tu Yue, in the next bed, was awake too, absorbed in a book about firearm disassembly, unaffected by the chaos in the infirmary."

"'You have the nerve to say that? If you hadn't fired your gun and alerted the convicts, they wouldn't have discovered us, and we wouldn't have had to run. People like you are the scourge and tumor of the interstellar community. The chaos in the Zhe Star government is because of too many selfish people like you, leading to its decay.' The short girl glared at her accuser, her anger unabated."

"The girl being verbally attacked stood calmly, unfazed by the accusations, responding with a cold laugh, 'If you all think I'm wrong, then go tell the instructor. Let him expel me. You just want to use Xi Cheng to eliminate rivals. My rank is above yours; if I'm expelled, you can advance to an S-level student.'"

"Seeing her retort, the short girl responded with a laugh tinged with sarcasm, sweeping her gaze over her, 'There's plenty of time ahead. If you're so capable, make sure you don't cross paths with me in future tests.'"

"The girl who had been at a disadvantage glared at Hui Xin, resentful. No matter how much she defended herself, she couldn't erase the fact that she had fired rashly. Everyone knew she had been trying to eliminate them, using underhanded tactics. If Xi Cheng hadn't been eliminated, it wouldn't have been her turn to advance to an S-level student."

"Amid the clamor in the infirmary, Yi Yi found out the class rankings were already out. She was first overall, with only a ten-point gap with Zhou Chi."

"There were only twenty S-level students, thirty A-level, and fifty B-level."

"Fortunately, this time there were no fatalities among the students, though there were many seriously injured and several eliminated."

"Hui Xin was at the bottom of the S-level students. Had Xi Cheng not been eliminated, she wouldn't have made it."

"Xi Cheng's abilities weren't poor; after all, she had the courage to lure the convicts alone. It was just this time she was betrayed. Such is reality, where teammates can be more dangerous than enemies."

"Wan Hua whispered, 'I heard the Zhe Star government is in chaos again, even their planetary leader was killed. Hui Xin is the daughter of a Zhe Star general, but she's illegitimate, so she was sent here. Her sister married into royalty on another planet.'"

"While eating her rice, Yi Yi glanced at her, 'You seem to know a lot about her?'"

"Peeling a banana, Wan Hua's mouth curved, 'My dad is the head of the Interstellar News Agency. I have all the gossip you could want.'"

"As she spoke, her expression suddenly dimmed. She knew every detail about the interstellar community, except the whereabouts of her own sister. How ironic."

"'Has the instructor issued any new directives?' Yi Yi smoothly changed the subject."

"Wan Hua nodded, 'The instructor said we'll begin joint training in three days. Everyone should go to their dorms according to their key cards. The points on the cards can also be exchanged for food in the cafeteria. S-level students get a thousand points monthly, A-level only five hundred. You're first, so you have a private dorm. Wonder how big it is.'"

"With this, Yi Yi confirmed she could move her arm freely and began packing her clothes to check out her dorm."

"She was mainly concerned about Xiao Bai's whereabouts."

"Unlike the large communal dorms, her room was in another building, closer to the cafeteria and training hall. On the third floor, her key card opened a spacious, eighty-square-meter dorm."

"The room was fully furnished in warm tones, complete with various foods in the fridge and a cleaning service. She just had to press a button on the remote, and a cleaner would come to tidy up and restock food supplies."

"For a dorm, it was indeed luxurious. But if she couldn't maintain her first place in the next test, this place would no longer be hers."

"Activating the detection feature on her watch, she meticulously scanned her surroundings to ensure there were no surveillance devices before accessing the dark web."

"Still, no one had accepted the job."

"She had provided the address, but the lack of response suggested that something was wrong with the location, making it too risky for anyone to accept the task."

"At the cafeteria that evening, despite having ample points, she still chose the two-point meals grown with polluted water. She then asked Wan Hua if she had any information about Zhi Ya Village on Lan Star."

"Wan Hua put down her chopsticks and sneakily made a trip to the restroom, returning as if nothing had happened."

"'We've been here for a month, so you might not know, but Zhi Ya Village's region has been occupied by another government. There's a fierce territorial dispute going on. Lan Star is always like this; it's either one place or another in conflict. Even my dad's company's war correspondents can't get in now.'"

"As she spoke, she stuffed a mouthful of rice, 'Why do you suddenly ask? You're not planning a trip there, are you? I must warn you, never go to Lan Star. My dad said some people there are in cahoots with human traffickers from Huang Star, kidnapping aliens. It's terrifying.'"

"'You know about Huang Star, right? It's full of human traffickers. Once you're in, there's no getting out alive. Lan Star is closest to Huang Star, so you better not go there!' Wan Hua advised earnestly."

"Yi Yi sipped her soup expressionlessly, 'Why would I go to a place like that.'"