Following this steady and methodical ambush pattern, the two cleared the remaining two supply points. Ling Mo tallied 16 kills; Xia Xinyan, 5.

After that first successful ambush, Ling Mo’s confidence—and that fiery masculine spirit—ignited. He focused solely on eliminating targets, caring little else.

Especially since he got to show off in front of Xia Xinyan.

Admittedly, his aim was sharp—barely a shot wasted. His past training clearly paid off.

Xia Xinyan stayed glued to his side, functioning as his personal praise-bot.

To be fair, setting aside his awkwardness around girls, Ling Mo’s raw talent and learning speed were genuinely impressive. With proper guidance, he leveled up fast.

Case in point: after the first ambush, he needed no prompting for the next two. He even began taking initiative. She happily stepped back—observing, occasionally tossing in a compliment.

He handled everything smoothly, no hiccups.

…From her current perspective, that was already solid.

…Was she tooting her own horn?

Eh, whatever. It *was* her past self. A little bragging hurt no one.

After clearing three supply points, nearly an hour had passed. Pingding Mountain still lay ahead, but through the sparse foliage, its summit was visible.

Mainly because the sudden roar of an aircraft engine overhead was impossible to ignore.

A massive transport helicopter.

It hovered above Pingding Mountain, then began a slow descent.

Ling Mo watched a moment, then turned to Xia Xinyan. “What now?”

He recalled her warning: this instance wouldn’t be easy. Since she knew the game better, he’d follow her lead.

Xia Xinyan paused, halting mid-step. “We wait here.”

“Here?” Ling Mo hesitated, scanning the grassy thicket. Great cover—but a hindrance if they needed speed.

“If the chopper’s the extraction point… won’t waiting put us at a disadvantage?”

“Will it leave if we’re late?” he blurted.

“No,” she shook her head. “The instance won’t trap players. If the chopper leaves before full extraction, the system provides alternatives.”

“I see…” Ling Mo fell silent.

Xia Xinyan stared at the helicopter, lost in thought.

*With this much noise… wouldn’t the Island Protection Association react?*

*Their goal is wiping out all players. Would they skip such a perfect ambush?*

Maybe she was overthinking—old endgame instincts kicking in.

Worse, she didn’t know how many players remained. Fewer survivors meant lower difficulty—a mercy for the final few.

Best to observe. If trouble hit the chopper, they’d stay clear.

—Turns out, she was dead right.

As the helicopter dipped toward the treetops, a white streak shot from the woods—straight at the aircraft—then—

BOOM—!!

The blast sheared off the tail rotor. The chopper spiraled into the forest, triggering secondary explosions. The ground trembled beneath them.

Simultaneously, system alerts flashed:

【Bulletin: Extraction helicopter destroyed by the Fresh Meat Protection Association. Evacuation boats en route. Proceed immediately.】

【Bulletin: Fresh Meat Protection Association firepower upgraded. Full-scale island assault imminent.】

【Current Objective: Reach evacuation vessel.】

Deafening blasts erupted from Pingding Mountain, rippling outward.

Ling Mo tensed. “Move?”

“Go!” Xia Xinyan checked her radar and sprinted. “Hurry! Faster is safer!”

This was endgame pressure—forcing survivors into the final push. Classic design.

No choice now. Staying meant becoming the Association’s target—and she knew they wouldn’t be pushovers anymore.

Ling Mo kept pace, guarding her flank, senses sharp.

He didn’t know this game’s quirks, but big-title instincts screamed: climax phase. Difficulty spike guaranteed.

He’d promised to protect Xia Xinyan.

He’d keep that promise.

Even if it cost him his life.

Surprisingly, the route stayed clear. Distance from Pingding Mountain and swift movement kept the Association off their tail—a small mercy.

Too small.

Just before the beach, gunfire cracked. Bullets kicked up dust ahead of Xia Xinyan.

“Down!” She dove behind a tree, returning fire.

Ling Mo dropped into the grass, rifle raised.

Only after the system confirmed *three kills* did she swap mags, step out, and scan warily. “Stay sharp. More could be lurking.”

Ling Mo nodded. “Advance slow. Boarding the boat = safety, right?”

“Mm. Move.” Xia Xinyan fell in behind him, gun sweeping the perimeter.

As the beach came into view, her peripheral vision caught it: multiple figures in pink outfits emerging from the distant woods—all weapons locked on them.

Too many to counter.

No hesitation. Xia Xinyan lunged, tackling Ling Mo flat. “DOWN!”

Gunfire erupted. Dust sprayed around them.

Amid the shots, Ling Mo heard a faint, stifled gasp from above him.

His blood ran cold. “You’re hurt?!”

“…Mm. Just bumped my hand.”

“…”