Chapter 87

A gentle breeze blew past. The air was thick with a strong scent of blood, and the corpses of the zombies emitted a strange and foul odor. After the battle, the three of them were covered in flesh and blood, and the smell was not pleasant. However, fortunately, they were all men and did not pay much attention to such things. If they were women, they would probably have found it unbearable to be covered in blood and stench.

Therefore, not many women survive in the Nightmare Space, but those who do are not to be underestimated!

The problems these women need to overcome are actually more numerous than those faced by men.

"Let's go, the smell here might attract other zombies!" Zhao Futu glanced at the cold head of the Tyrant not far away, took out a piece of clothing to wrap it up, and then carried it on his back.

His intuition told him that this thing might still be useful.

There are some special items in the Nightmare Space. Although they cannot be exchanged for survival points or benefits, they have other uses in this plane.

The other two contractors nodded and left together.

...

In the Nightmare Space, many choose to specialize in firearms or bloodline evolution. The former is easier to achieve higher combat power, while the latter has stronger survival and recovery abilities. Generally speaking, there are more long-range contractors because they do not need to engage in close combat and face less danger. Those who choose close combat usually have a strong heart, as well as high willpower and composure.

However, close combat contractors are more dangerous than long-range enhanced contractors. The reason is simple: they face life-and-death moments much more frequently in close combat than long-range enhanced contractors. Whether facing long-range or close-range enemies, they have experienced the front lines and have certain experience, and their reaction to various emergencies is very quick.

These people, who have experienced many life-and-death situations, have begun to develop some instinctive reactions. They perform more sensitively in the field than other contractors!

On the other hand, long-range enhanced contractors, due to their lack of close combat experience, become dangerous once the enemy gets close. Most long-range enhanced contractors are accustomed to grouping with trusted teammates. They need cover and support! In the Nightmare Space, most 'Rangers,' or lone wolves, have extremely strong close combat abilities!

...

The three left the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and headed towards the Huangpu District.

On the way, the other two introduced themselves. The strong bloodline-enhanced contractor spoke first, nodding and saying, "Wolf bloodline enhancement, codename Prince."

The other person followed, "Firearm enhancement, codename Frog."

Zhao Futu nodded without hesitation and said, "Close combat enhancement, codename Cast."

Hearing this codename, the other two contractors exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a hint of shock. In the previous battle, they almost did not see Zhao Futu draw his sword, meaning that this contractor had not yet shown his true strength! Without the ability to investigate, they could not see Zhao Futu's contractor number, but they instinctively regarded him as a veteran who had entered the space early.

Thus, their eyes showed a bit more reverence!

In the space, veterans are revered. Those who have experienced many story worlds are far beyond what newbies who have just entered the space can contend with!

But!

This time, the mission is a cooperative gold-level main mission. Encountering such a veteran means a higher chance of survival for them.

Shanghai, Huangpu District.

When the three passed by the Oriental Pearl Tower, they were momentarily stunned. The area around the tower had marks of missile and artillery strikes, the streets were thoroughly plowed, and there were many craters. Many buildings had collapsed, and some street entrances were buried under the debris. However, the three were not ordinary people. With the jumping and climbing abilities of contractors, they could easily pass through.

"A war has taken place here!"

After entering the Huangpu District, Zhao Futu couldn't help but draw a cold breath. This place was not a city center at all; it looked like a battlefield bombed by the air force after World War II. The Huangpu District was filled with ruins, and the streets were almost unrecognizable. Steel and concrete were scattered on the ground, and the collapsed buildings contained the remnants of various furniture and appliances that had burned and exploded!

"We should be near Nanjing East Road. The subway station should be over there," Prince, who seemed familiar with the area, pointed and said to the other two.

There was no subway now; the station had long since collapsed.

Zhao Futu checked the Nightmare Mark and confirmed the positions of the other two battlefield commanders. He then said to the other two, "Go there. It's probably the People's Square. Someone is waiting for us there!"

The speed of the contractors was fast, and the three quickly arrived at People's Square.

The square was relatively intact, and two imposing contractors were waiting there. When Zhao Futu and the others appeared, their gazes slowly turned to them, and they nodded slightly. The square was covered in blood, clearly having experienced a fierce battle, but for some reason, Zhao Futu did not see a single zombie corpse, which made him feel a bit eerie!

When the three reached the center of the square, the two waiting veterans immediately focused their gazes on Zhao Futu. One was a young man with a gaunt, stern face, wearing a leather coat and a hood. The other was a sturdy, middle-aged man.

"Tiger," the sturdy, middle-aged man nodded at Zhao Futu, smiled, and said slowly, "We've been waiting for you for a long time."

His words carried a hint of warmth, and his position was special, as if he was slightly guarding the young man beside him. At a glance, Zhao Futu understood that the other party was trying to pull him in, seemingly wary of the young man beside him.

The young man with the hood glanced at Zhao Futu, his gaze sharp like a blade, even more oppressive than the Tyrant. He was gaunt, about 175 cm tall, neither fat nor thin, and looked ordinary, but his aura was strange, with an invisible pressure enveloping the others. His gaze swept over the head on Zhao Futu's back, and he nodded coldly, "A."

The two veterans, one codenamed Tiger, the other codenamed A.

"Let's begin!" The sturdy veteran named Tiger extended a hand and said solemnly to the other two.

The young man named A also extended a hand, placing it on Tiger's palm. Zhao Futu followed suit, placing his hand on top. Then, a wave of energy radiated from the three of them, quickly spreading throughout the entire area.

At the same time!

All contractors within the area received a notification from the Nightmare Space:

"Battlefield commanders Tiger, A, and Cast have issued a battlefield summons! The Nightmare Mark will automatically mark the coordinates of the three battlefield commanders. Other contractors, please head to the battlefield commanders' positions as soon as possible to receive further mission instructions!"

...

When this information was released, Prince and Frog couldn't help but look deeply at Zhao Futu. They originally thought he was just a veteran hiding his strength, but they did not expect him to be a high-ranking battlefield commander! Merit points are much harder to obtain than other benefits. Most contractors earn only 5 to 8 points per battlefield mission. If they do not achieve battlefield or plot turning points, it might take three to five missions to reach the rank of a sergeant.

Apart from that, the only other way is to challenge a high-level battlefield far beyond their own capabilities.

Either way, it was something they needed to take seriously.

When the battlefield summons was transmitted by the Nightmare Mark, all contractors within the area began moving towards People's Square in the Huangpu District. Soon, more than a dozen light points representing contractors appeared within Zhao Futu's Nightmare Mark range. Others were still on their way. To complete the side missions, they needed to reach the position of the battlefield commanders first.

"Let's set up the first teleportation node," Tiger said, glancing at Zhao Futu.

Then, he took out two E-grade soul crystals from his private space and placed them on the ground. A complex and mysterious array had already been carved into the ground, with seven slots. Tiger placed the two E-grade soul crystals in the side slots and said to the other two, "Setting up a teleportation node requires E-grade or higher soul crystals. I only have two, so the rest is up to you."

This action also showed his strength to the others. Being able to collect two E-grade soul crystals in such a short time meant he had already killed two zombies of the level of a Licker (mutant).

The young man codenamed 'A' remained expressionless and took out four E-grade soul crystals, placing them in the slots.

The slots in the mysterious array were almost filled, leaving only the center one. At this moment, both of them looked at Zhao Futu, clearly telling him that he should show his strength as a battlefield commander. These guys were not good, and with only one slot left, even if Zhao Futu took out an E-grade soul crystal, he would still be one step behind them.

So, he directly took out the D-grade soul crystal dropped by the Tyrant and placed it in the center!

The six soul crystals began to rapidly dissolve first, and a mysterious light column rose from the array, showing an energy level of 12%. However, after Zhao Futu's D-grade soul crystal was absorbed, the progress immediately increased from 12% to 20%!

Both of them couldn't help but look at him deeply.