Chapter 30

With the threat of the high-level zombies gone, all the mercenaries burst into action.

The first to switch from defense to offense was Wu Yan, the second squad leader, who was at the forefront.

He held a large shield, which had always been used as a defensive weapon.

However, when he activated the power device on the back of the shield, this massive shield became almost like a construction hammer, smashing forward with great force.

The zombies in front were all crushed, their bones broken.

Of course, when the shield was briefly released, some zombies took the opportunity to attack Wu Yan.

But a layer of earthy yellow light suddenly enveloped Wu Yan's body, and his bulging muscles became as hard as rock, directly withstanding these attacks.

Clearly, this was a defensive ability, and its defensive effect was not weak.

Wu Yan, of course, would not just take the hits. He immediately retracted the large shield, allowing the power device to recharge for the next strike.

If Wu Yan's attacks and defenses were all grand and sweeping, then Xu Haishui, the third squad leader, was somewhat special.

To be precise, his ability was somewhat special.

After using his ability, Xu Haishui not only became taller and stronger, but his body also grew black fur.

Even his facial features changed, making him look somewhat like a... standing giant wolf.

At this moment, Lin Xinghai finally understood why the other's eyes were like those of a wild wolf.

It turned out that his ability was to transform into a werewolf.

After transforming into a werewolf, Xu Haishui's physical attributes were greatly enhanced.

His weapons were also extraordinary, a pair of claws that also had an electric shock function. Any zombie touched by the claws would convulse, and the next moment, the claws would slice through, severing their heads.

"Abilities are really a good thing!" Lin Xinghai couldn't help but say, while also becoming more eager to know what his own ability would be.

At this moment, Qin Yang, who was in the driver's seat, replied, "Yes! If you awaken an ability, you can become a squad leader."

"Uh! Awakening an ability can make you a squad leader? No other conditions are needed, like reaching a certain level of strength?" Lin Xinghai was somewhat curious.

"No, after awakening an ability, your strength will greatly increase, and the mercenary group will also allocate more resources to you, so your strength will eventually improve," Qin Yang explained.

"For example, Xu Haishui's gene optimization level is only 50%, and many elite members are stronger than him."

"But he's lucky! He awakened an ability, and it's a very rare transformation ability, turning into a werewolf."

"After transforming into a werewolf, his combat power is almost on par with someone with an 80% gene optimization level," Qin Yang said enviously.

Lin Xinghai listened, his face showing a hint of surprise, but that was all.

In fact, he didn't have a clear concept of what rare abilities were.

"What about Wu Yan? What is his ability?" Lin Xinghai asked.

"Captain Wu Yan's ability is petrification. After releasing the ability, his skin becomes as hard as rock, and even mid-level zombies can't break through his defense."

"However, the leader said that this ability is like adding a fixed defense, which is good in the early stages but doesn't improve with strength. If this ability can't be further enhanced, it will likely become less useful later on," Qin Yang said.

"Abilities can be enhanced?" Lin Xinghai was somewhat surprised.

"Yep!" Qin Yang nodded and said, "At gene optimization levels of 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100%, there's a chance to awaken an ability. If someone awakens an ability, there's a certain probability that the ability can be enhanced. So, the earlier you awaken an ability, the better."

Lin Xinghai's heart stirred. Since he could choose to awaken an ability at 30% gene optimization through the system, he imagined that at 60%, he could also choose to enhance his ability, rather than relying on luck like others.

This made him excited but also a bit melancholic, because with the system's nature, the amount of blood qi required would certainly not be small.

After a brief conversation, the two quickly shifted their attention back to the battlefield, firing to assist.

At this point, the front line was quite stable. Without the threat of high-level zombies and with the collective burst of the mercenaries, the battle situation was almost reversed.

It's worth noting that the other mercenaries, although not as strong as these two squad leaders, were by no means weak, especially with their equipment advantages.

The cold weapons of this era were not simply made of steel; they all had some technological elements.

The most common were high-frequency oscillation or electric shock functions, greatly increasing the weapons' power.

Even though they were few in number, their overall combat power could match the zombie horde.

With Lin Xinghai and others providing support from behind, the front line not only stabilized but also became a meat grinder, continuously reaping the lives of the zombies.

At this point, the zombie horde had no chance of turning the tide. If they didn't retreat, they would likely be completely annihilated.

Therefore, Lin Xinghai's attention shifted to the distant battlefield.

The situation there could be described as earth-shattering. Wherever the battle raged, streets cracked and buildings collapsed.

At this moment, Fang Tian, controlling the Sky Splitter mecha, held a massive oscillating blade, continuously engaging in hard clashes with the Iron Armor Zombie.

Chen Han, controlling the Frost Sky mecha, held an electromagnetic railgun, constantly looking for opportunities to fire, suppressing the Iron Armor Zombie with firepower.

The steel-like keratin layer on the Iron Armor Zombie's body was already cracked in many places, and several areas were even pierced through.

Even its aura had weakened, no longer as bloodthirsty and brutal as before. Its attacks had become hesitant.

"Tsk! It's going much smoother over there. I estimate it will be over in a minute at most," Lin Xinghai remarked.

Even if he hadn't found a way to deal with high-level zombies, the mercenaries could hold out until the two leaders returned to provide support.

"Eliminating the Iron Armor Zombie shouldn't take a minute. Look, the Frost Sky mecha, Deputy Leader Chen Han, is about to use his ability," Qin Yang said.

Lin Xinghai looked over and saw that the Frost Sky mecha was raising its electromagnetic railgun to aim.

However, unlike before, the electromagnetic railgun was not only surrounded by electric sparks but also enveloped in a layer of cold air, even forming frost.

"What is this?" Lin Xinghai asked.

"Deputy Leader Chen Han's ability, 'Frost Sky,' can freeze enemies from a distance. Now, with the mecha's enhancement, the ability's power has reached a new level," Qin Yang explained.

As Qin Yang finished speaking, the Frost Sky mecha fired.

Under normal circumstances, the trajectory of an electromagnetic railgun bullet is too fast to be seen with the naked eye, but this time, a white trail appeared in the air where the bullet passed.

Lin Xinghai looked closely and was somewhat shocked to find that this white trail was actually formed by the bullet freezing the moisture in the air as it passed.