Chapter 120: Arrival of a Formidable Foe

The boss dropped countless crystals. Through his sniper scope, Wu Hua could see them clearly: several blue, purple, and green pieces of equipment, and even several S-grade crystals of various colors. Yet, 1860’s health bar remained stagnant. He no longer had the strength to call out, and with the blizzard raging, he simply sent a text message to his receiver: "Brother, come down. You pick first; leave the rest for me."

These few brief words allowed Wu Hua to sense the caliber of a person like 1860. Even when driven by self-interest, he was not like those who would lose all sense of proportion; he knew his limits. At the very least, such composure was a hallmark of a true expert.

Wu Hua nodded and began to walk down slowly, rifle in hand. Just then, a low, rumbling sound emerged, and the snowy ground began to tremble once more.

1860 cursed inwardly, "Damn it, what kind of boss is coming now? We’re going to die here for sure today."

It was not a boss, however, but the elevator. Even more unexpectedly, the person standing on the platform was not a reinforcement, but an old rival, and she was alone.

When Wu Hua saw who it was, his expression darkened.

Dressed in strange, ornate silver armor, with eyes like a Persian cat and an air of calm elegance, the newcomer was none other than Azure Starry Sky.

The crunching of her floral-patterned boots against the snow sounded even more terrifying to 1860 than the heavy footsteps of a boss, for he now possessed no strength to resist.

Azure Starry Sky scanned the surroundings. When her gaze fell upon the pile of equipment dropped by the boss, a flicker of surprise crossed her face.

She stood silently in the wind and snow for a long time before walking over to 1860, speaking slowly: "Your guild coordinated very well just now. Better than our company. Those few Technicians must have been at least level 30, right?"

1860 was silent for a long moment, then a trace of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "To receive your praise is truly a rarity."

Azure Starry Sky looked at him: "Because you have earned the right."

1860 replied: "I understand one thing now. Being an enemy of the Blue Company is indeed unwise. But if I don't oppose you, the outcome is even worse."

Azure Starry Sky said nothing, not even shifting her feet.

Lying on the ground, 1860 chuckled: "I didn't expect you to have planted a mole in my team. Otherwise, how could you know so clearly what happened up here? And given my strength, there’s no way you could have tracked me. You calculated the time perfectly—the moment the boss appeared, you took the elevator up to snatch the loot. You were too confident. You didn't expect us to have already finished off the boss."

Azure Starry Sky remained silent; silence often signifies consent.

1860 continued: "Don't worry. Once I respawn, I will root out your mole. Whatever you do to me, I will pay back to your mole a hundredfold."

Azure Starry Sky said coldly: "I won't kill you."

1860 sneered: "Hypocrite!"

"I definitely want the equipment and the pioneer points," Azure Starry Sky said, "but when I say I won't kill you, I mean it. As a guild leader, you should know that credibility is paramount."

1860 sneered again: "Am I afraid of your guild?"

"You're mistaken," Azure Starry Sky said calmly. "I'm not sparing you because of them; I'm sparing you because you are simply no match for me."

1860 shook his head: "Your strength is your confidence; your weakness is your overconfidence."

Azure Starry Sky seemed incapable of anger: "I know you have always held yourself in high regard and dislike being looked down upon. So, I can stand here and wait. I will wait until your HP and stamina have fully recovered, and then I will kill you. It’s only a matter of wasting a little more time."

Her words were chilling, but it was precisely this coldness that shook 1860. He knew that Azure Starry Sky never lied. The Blue Company was arrogant and domineering, but the reason they dared to be so was because they had a super-leader like her.

A cold wind whipped past, and the snow intensified.

Ignoring 1860, Azure Starry Sky turned slowly and walked toward Wu Hua in the distance.

Wu Hua walked toward her, rifle in hand. They stopped just twenty meters apart, standing opposite each other in the freezing gale.

"Long time no see," Azure Starry Sky greeted him first.

Wu Hua replied: "It’s been over half a month."

Azure Starry Sky looked down at Wu Hua’s "Star of Finland" and his Navy SEAL tactical gear: "It seems you’ve had quite a productive half-month. Your strength has clearly improved. I suppose losing a level last time was a blessing in disguise."

Wu Hua laughed: "I have your six subordinates to thank for that, for letting me test my rifle on them. Since I ran into you, if you head back, please tell them I appreciate them providing my gun with such a pleasant 'first time.' It’s just a pity that the gun couldn't determine whether they were still true virgins or not."

A flicker of irritation crossed Azure Starry Sky’s eyes. The remark was incredibly rude, but her expression remained calm; one must never lose composure in the face of a dangerous enemy.

She slowly drew her blue energy greatsword and looked at Wu Hua coldly: "Do you know what I admire most about you?"

Wu Hua asked: "What is it?"

"Your audacity. You aren't afraid of death!" With that, she charged forward, sword in hand.

"Bang!"

Wu Hua would not let her get close this time. He raised his rifle and fired a blind shot.

"Ding!" Just like on the hillside, a bright electrical spark flared as her armor absorbed the blow.

But unlike before, the immense firepower of the Star of Finland far exceeded that of a green-grade AUG.

A damage value floated above Azure Starry Sky’s head: -2811. Unable to withstand the sheer force of the impact, she slid backward across the snow for seven or eight meters.

Wu Hua took the opportunity to activate his newly upgraded "Precision Calculation." Level: 39. HP: 4739/7550.

"You've improved quite a bit," Wu Hua said with surprise. It was clear that Azure Starry Sky was wearing a full set of silver-grade armor, which was why even the blue-grade Star of Finland’s power had been mitigated so significantly. No wonder the green-grade AUG hadn't even scratched her last time.

However, things were different now. Though the Star of Finland was blue-grade, its 10,000-joule muzzle energy was nothing to scoff at.

A look of shock appeared in Azure Starry Sky’s eyes: "You're not bad yourself."

Of course he wasn't bad. Wu Hua only needed two more shots to finish her. Last time, she had used superior equipment to suppress him; this time, Wu Hua was doing the same to her. It seemed that in the world of equipment, there is no "best," only "better."

Azure Starry Sky had never imagined that after only half a month, Wu Hua would have become this much stronger. If he wasn't eliminated, he would be a source of endless trouble in the future.

She performed a series of front flips, then leaped high into the air. Her energy sword brought with it a gust of wind as she descended, white currents of air surging around the blade.

Thunder Leap Strike!

"Bang!"

The Star of Finland spat its fury toward the sky.

"Ding!"

-2820!

Azure Starry Sky fell like a kite with a broken string, collapsing into a snowbank, motionless.

Wu Hua’s shot had been a stroke of sheer luck; the bullet had struck her in a most critical and sensitive spot. He estimated that the pain must have caused her to cramp up, as she remained unable to climb back to her feet for a long time.

Wu Hua did not rush to finish her off. He knew that Azure Starry Sky wouldn't die that easily. If a super-expert like her could be taken out just like that, how could she be the leader of the Blue Company?

In the distance, 1860, still lying on the ground, witnessed the scene. He was beyond astonished. Wu Hua had swatted Azure Starry Sky down as if she were a pigeon, leaving her unable to rise. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed it. He quietly pulled out a pocket camera; he had to record this duel, even if only to sell it on the forums and make a small profit.