Chapter 438: The Isolated Player
"I think the best approach is to split up," Wu Xiaonan analyzed. "Besides the Kong siblings, they have five other players, two of whom are injured. We have six people here. In terms of numbers and experience, we're at a disadvantage. In a chaotic fight, we'd lose out more."
"Although they said only two are B-rank players, the others might not be weak either. Even with multiple people against one, we might not have the upper hand. Wouldn't one-on-one be too risky?" Miao Yu asked.
"Setting aside traits, they definitely have higher-level items than us. No one can argue that, right?" Wu Xiaonan looked around the room. When no one spoke, she continued, "A single suitable item is enough to control the entire field. Gathering together and then scattering is also a way to reduce risk."
"Of course, I'm not saying we completely separate. Instead, we should stretch the combat distance a bit. The eastern half of the building here is actually a suitable place. The corridors form many intersecting 'mouth' shapes, which are both concealed and open. While we're pinning down the Kong siblings, we can also cover each other."
"This is also a way to deal with Kong Hui," Miao Yu said. "She can control objects to attack. Whether it's due to a trait or an item, places with more narrow obstructions are more beneficial to us."
"The same goes for Kong Cheng," Gan Qing added. "Perhaps with rooms or other things in between, his 'long-range grab' effect will be diminished."
Places with more obstructions were indeed more advantageous for them, but B-rank players weren't just superior in items and traits—even their physical abilities surpassed theirs. One-on-one was inherently a high-risk move. Relying solely on a slight terrain advantage offered no chance of victory.
But the instance wasn't over yet. It was clearly impossible to avoid the Kong siblings and their group for the next few days. Xu Huo listened to their discussion, quickly adjusting the plan in his mind.
"I think this is too risky," Chu Yuan couldn't help but say. "Even if they fall for it, wouldn't there still be one player left over in a one-on-one scenario? Who wants to be unlucky enough to face two?"
"Someone will definitely stay behind to protect that Dr. Deng," Gan Qing said. "Maybe Dr. Deng won't even come over. If we're lucky, one of the Kong siblings might personally guard him."
"What if we target Dr. Deng instead?" Wan Yunrong suggested. "He's just an ordinary person. It wouldn't be hard to control him, and we could use him to negotiate with the Kong siblings."
This proposal gained Gan Qing's approval. The others thought it over and felt it was easier than taking the risk of fighting players head-on, so they wavered a bit.
Xu Huo didn't speak. Even if they were going to use Dr. Deng to threaten the Kong siblings, it would have to be after the first plan was implemented. Otherwise, the situation would become the Kong siblings' group guarding Dr. Deng while they attacked. In that case, even if their numbers doubled, they'd still be walking right into a trap.
"Bang!" A sudden sound came from the corridor. Everyone instinctively held their breath, then saw Ge Pan limping out.
Out of caution, the players didn't make a sound. Ge Pan didn't seem to notice them either. Instead of rushing up, he found a hidden spot to sit down and tend to his wounds.
Soon, two more players chased after him. They were the black-shirted player Xu Huo had seen before and the player with the gelatinous outer coat.
The two were also wary of stirring up dust, so they simply checked the perimeter of this floor.
"He probably ran upstairs," the black-shirted player said. "These plants are all quiet."
The gelatinous coat player nodded. "He killed one of ours. We can't just let it go... Where can he run? The lab is only so big. We'll block him upstairs."
"No rush. Let's wait for Kong Cheng and the others to come down," the black-shirted player said. "They can't escape anyway. Protecting Dr. Deng is the priority."
The two chatted as they walked back through the corridor to the western half of the lab.
After a while, Ge Pan emerged from behind a pile of corpses. He was heading for the elevator but stopped at the door, then turned back toward a certain direction. "Gan Qing?"
Gan Qing stood up. "How did you find me?"
Ge Pan looked relieved. "I was just testing. I caught a few words while fighting with the players near Dr. Deng earlier. You guys weren't exactly quiet either."
"You killed one of theirs just now?" Gan Qing asked.
"An isolated player," Ge Pan added after a pause. "The one with the vacuum cleaner."
Gan Qing smiled slightly. "That's good news for us."
"Have you run into the others?" Ge Pan asked again.
Xu Huo stepped out. "We're all here."
Ge Pan looked at them with surprise. "I was worried about where to find you."
"Same here," Xu Huo said. "After all, we came together. It's better if we stick together."
Chu Yuan knew that Ge Pan was with Mao Wei. He had thought Xu Huo wouldn't willingly show himself, but he didn't expect him to try to bring Ge Pan along.
"Did you really kill the one with the vacuum cleaner?" he pressed.
Ge Pan pulled out the vacuum cleaner in front of everyone.
Everyone present had seen the vacuum cleaner before. Seeing this, Miao Yu said, "You only seem lightly injured. You should be able to help."
"What's your plan?" Ge Pan asked.
Wan Yunrong repeated her earlier proposal, then added, "I figure they'll come looking for us soon. What do you think of this plan?"
"Too dangerous," Ge Pan said bluntly. "I only managed to kill one of their players by sheer luck. The others are probably even stronger. Dr. Deng might even have special items on him. Trying to capture him under the protection of those players... frankly, I'd say one-on-one is more reliable."
"Right now, we have more people, and the Kong siblings have to spare someone to protect Dr. Deng. That's a rare opportunity."
Dr. Deng originally had eight players with him. Two were dead, two had their hands cut off by Xu Huo, and of the remaining six, two were weakened. If the method of splitting up worked, once someone could break free, they could go after Dr. Deng later.
"That's also an option," Xu Huo said. "Let's pick our spots first."
The group took the elevator, planning to go up to the second floor.
Xu Huo and Chu Yuan entered first, followed by Miao Yu and Ge Pan, then Wu Xiaonan, Wan Yunrong, and Gan Qing. Seven people stood in three rows.
When the elevator reached the second floor and the doors just opened, Wu Xiaonan suddenly turned to Xu Huo. "Oh, right. I forgot to give you something."
Xu Huo reached out his hand. Ge Pan, standing in front of him, instinctively moved aside, but when he looked up, he saw that hand change direction mid-air and strike toward him.
Ge Pan tried to dodge, but Miao Yu, standing beside him, blocked him. In that split second of misstep and obstruction, Xu Huo's hand had already landed on his back.
Ge Pan froze in place, completely defenseless. Wu Xiaonan, in front of him, reversed her grip and stabbed a knife into his abdomen!
(Chapter End)