Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 361 - 354: Setting Off

Chapter 361: Chapter 354: Setting Off

Two days later, with Shariya still healing in camp, the Advance Team was preparing to set off. The team moved to the armory to pick out the weapons that had been prepared for them.

This was a mission to make an arrest, requiring swift resolution, thus the weapons chosen had to be as lightweight as possible. Considering the universality of weapon ammunition, Luo’er decided to primarily use Soviet firearms, thus standardizing the ammunition.

As a result, under his arrangement, all members were mainly equipped with Soviet weapons that fired 7.62×39mm rifle cartridges. This included two AKM rifles, two RPK machine guns, and a 7.62mm caliber short-barreled rifle as a backup weapon. This arrangement greatly enhanced the Advance Team’s firepower, preventing the team from being continuously suppressed by enemy fire.

Worth mentioning was that, at Yalunte’s request, Wang Xu had managed to acquire a longsword from Earth for him. The sword, made of high-strength metal, was commissioned by the Northern Industry and crafted by a professional swordsmith, complete with necessary rune engravings. Its strength and power were in no way inferior to Arya’s Blade.

Yalunte was thrilled as he drew the longsword. The blade sang out as it was unsheathed. The sword’s design was perfectly balanced, with no extraneous elements and its weight centered around the hilt.

Beautiful and complex runes were precisely engraved on the blade with a laser printer, making this Otherworld-style longsword look like a piece of art. Yalunte seldom used runes in battle, as chanting spells would distract him, but a runic sword might not be bad. Particularly with defense runes, which allowed the sword to handle stronger impacts without being bent or shattered.

"This is your revolver." Li Si, watching Yalunte admire his new longsword, handed him a revolver.

This was a new sidearm for his close-quarters defense. Yalunte also accepted it without hesitation, stuffing it in his hip holster.

After dispatching several enemies in a single stroke using a longsword and revolver combo on the last mission, Yalunte recognized the benefits of this combination. Hence, he decided to make the sword and revolver his standard loadout.

His extensive combat experience came with ruthless pragmatism: To kill an enemy required not only exquisite sword skill but also the use of every dirty trick available. He had no desire for the title of ’Sword Saint,’ seeing it more as a hindrance than an honor.

"Here’s yours!" Li Si handed another revolver to Cheng Ziang.

Without hesitation, Cheng Ziang took it and slipped it into his holster. Ingenious use of his sidearm had saved his life more than once during his military career, this much was certain. And if his master didn’t reject it, why should he?

"And yours!" Li Si said, handing a revolver to Zhuanzhu.

Zhuanzhu rebuffed it with a grimace and decisively said, "I don’t need it!"

"Why not? It’s for your protection!" Li Si responded, taken aback.

"Hmph, only sneaky people use guns to kill their enemies. A true expert..." Zhuanzhu’s words were cut short by a hard kick from Murong.

Zhuanzhu’s words didn’t provoke any anger from Cheng Ziang or Yalunte, rather they found it laughable and absurd. Hu Daoke couldn’t help but grin and said, "Who would have thought that Old Cheng’s main weapons are a long knife and throwing knives?"

Cheng Ziang rolled his eyes, ignoring him. As long as it was Hu Daoke ribbing him, he wouldn’t get angry; anyone else would have gotten a piece of his mind.

Admittedly, when Cheng Ziang first came to the Otherworld, his main weapons were indeed a long knife and throwing knives. Even his sidearm was begrudgingly accepted from Luo’er.

The battle against the Judgement Legion shattered his reality. Against the knight’s rune armor, even bullets were useless, let alone his throwing knives. Moreover, in his confrontation with Dina, his prized knife was broken in two, severely dampening his enthusiasm for bladed weapons. If Yalunte hadn’t covered their retreat, he wouldn’t have been sure if he could make it back.

Since then, Cheng Ziang was open to using any means necessary to defeat his enemies. He no longer rejected firearms and even carried a spare short assault rifle to supplement the team’s firepower.

He still carried a few throwing knives but didn’t pin much hope on their usefulness anymore. Earth’s silencing technology had greatly advanced, reducing gunshot noise to an acceptable level. The sound of Luo’er’s silenced pistol was similar to a person passing gas. Throwing knives would only be necessary under extremely unique circumstances.

"Take it. Many people in the Otherworld use guns. Fighting against them with a knife alone puts you at a disadvantage." Luo’er said genially. By now, Zhuanzhu was considered one of his team, and Luo’er was always friendly to his team members.

"Heard that? The Captain told you to take it!" Murong glared at Zhuanzhu and added.

He didn’t want Luo’er to have to command them, while he had to govern Zhuanzhu. Since Luo’er was the captain, his word should be the standard and didn’t need further interpretation. Thus, he highlighted Luo’er’s status.

Zhuanzhu reluctantly took the revolver, remaining silent with head bowed.

"Alright, everyone check your weapons and gear, then let’s head out. The horses are waiting outside!" Li Si said, getting the team to leave the armory.

"Oh man, we finally get to ride Headquarters’ horses!" Upon seeing the dozen or so fine horses waiting outside the manor, Hu Daoke couldn’t help but express his excitement.

"You guys don’t usually ride?" Hearing his comment, Wu Tairan who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but ask.

"No way, when we first came to the Otherworld, we weren’t even stationed here. The damn Headquarters had nothing, they were just short of telling us, ’We want you to perform the task, but we don’t have money, or supplies, so you figure out how to make money, then go ahead with your mission!’" Hu Daoke said, helplessly.

"Where’s there such a thing?" Li Si heard his words and couldn’t help but give him a look.

"Brother, you probably hadn’t come to the station then, I’m not lying, am I, boss?" Hu Doake looked at Luo’er and said.

"It’s not that exaggerated," Luo’er said with a laugh, "It’s just that preparations were insufficient, so they temporarily hired a horse-drawn carriage for us to travel to Holy Heart City."

"Yeah, a horse carriage, what a lack of dignity." Hu Daoke said, "It’s like what... Like we’re going to fight in the Battle of Kursk, but the Headquarters has assigned us a pushcart to fight the enemy."

Hu Daoke’s words caused everyone to burst into laughter, making Li Si blush in embarrassment. The Battle of Kursk was the largest tank battle in World War II, with the Soviets and Germans deploying over 8000 tanks.

Although Hu Daoke is usually a joker, he seemed overly spirited this time. Perhaps it’s because Murong Squad had just joined the Advance Team; eager to assert his veteran status within the team, it was a normal psychological response.

By now, Wang Xu was waiting for them at the door, impassively listening to Hu Daoke’s complaints.

"Luo’er!" Wang Xu signaled for Luo’er to step forward.

"We have received information that Fu’en and his allies are moving in the direction of Holy Heart City. You head to the Holy Heart City immediately and try to intercept him before he enters the city. Once he’s in the city, it would be troublesome to capture him." Wang Xu said seriously as Luo’er approached him.

"I understand!" Luo’er nodded.

"We will notify you of any updates immediately, so you can adjust your pursuit direction in time according to the intelligence, is that clear?" Wang Xu asked.

"I got it," Luo’er paused, then couldn’t help but ask, "Who’s providing us with the intelligence on Fu’en?"

"You’ll find out when you return." Wang Xu avoided answering his question directly, instead, replying with a promise.

"I see, I will take off then." Luo’er nodded.

"Be careful, and come back soon," Wang Xu said, emotionally patting his shoulder, then , unable to resist, added, "And... your grandfather wants to apologize to you. If possible, visit him when you get back to Earth."

"I know..." Luo’er lowered his head, his tone went down.

"Stay safe, heed the doctor’s advice, don’t use magic again." Wang Xu nagged earnestly.

"Yes!" Luo’er nodded.

Only in front of Luo’er would Wang Xu say so many things not related to work. Luo’er has always held an important place in his heart. He faintly remembered that elf with clear emerald eyes shyly observing the world. The little child could only grab at his trouser leg.

After such incessant reminders, Wang Xu finally closed his mouth at Li Si’s prompt. The group mounted their prepared horses and left the station, heading towards Holy Heart City.

"Boss, you..." Watching Luo’er and the others leave, Li Si seemed hesitant.

"What’s the matter?" Wang Xu turned to look at him.

"It might be a bit presumptuous, but I feel like Luo’er is like your child." Li Si said honestly.

"Of course," Wang Xu said, unable to resist turning his gaze back in the direction where Luo’er disappeared, then he spoke somewhat sorrowfully, "After all, I’ve watched him grow up from childhood!"

Leaving the station, the group galloped on horseback. According to Luo’er’s estimate, as long as they hurried, they should be able to reach Holy Heart City within a week and intercept Fu’en and his group.

According to intelligence from Headquarters, Fu’en might have accomplices. Thus, capturing him might require a certain price. If they struggled to catch him, they could implement Headquarters’ Plan B: eradicating the problem by its root.

Fu’en had already opened an Otherworld Gate once, and they couldn’t assure if he was going to do it again somewhere else. He already had the coordinates connected with their home’s. If he opened it once more, particularly right into the city center, it would entail serious repercussions.