Wen Yu looked around. All the Level 2 professionists were silent.
"Heh, yeah, you’re right, you’re right!" Wen Yu turned his head, forcefully concealing the rage in his eyes. As the anger gradually ebbed, a deep sense of powerlessness followed. They had hit the nail on the head. In fact, some of them here weren’t even worthy of cannon fodder. Bringing them along is utterly pointless!
"Who else thinks this way?" Wen Yu’s cold voice echoed through the cave.
Then, one hand after another was raised.
All the Level 2 professionists except for Monkey and Sun Ruixing!
The Touch of Greed in Wen Yu’s hand slowly lengthened, and a surging killing intent burst forth!
But what he met were twelve pairs of resolute eyes.
"You’re not afraid to die? Not afraid? You’re afraid of the Demon Fiends, but not of me?" Wen Yu shouted furiously at everyone.
"We’re scared. We’re scared to die, and that’s why we raised our hands!" To Wen Yu’s surprise, it was Sun Aotian who responded.
"Brother Wen Yu, of course we’re afraid you’ll kill us, but we fear despair even more! Every time you say it’s time to move out, we know someone will die. Who will it be? Definitely not you Third-level professionists! You have healing potions, you have strength, but what do we have?
"We have nothing. Nothing but waiting for death to come, over and over!
"Every time we set out, we wonder, ’How many will die this time? Who’s next?’
"Brother Wen Yu, do you understand that feeling? The only reason we’re still alive is luck! If the Demon Fiends had charged our way, we wouldn’t be here!
"It’s like someone’s pointing a gun at my head, and I don’t know if there’s a bullet in it! Hearing the CLICK. CLICK. of the empty chamber, every time we’re attacked, I’m shaking!
"Death isn’t scary; waiting for death—that’s terrifying.
"Sorry, our courage has already been worn away..."
Watching Sun Aotian, his eyes filled with tears and despair, Wen Yu suddenly felt all of this was meaningless.
Different levels, different thoughts. He was thinking about how to complete the mission, while these Level 2 professionists were simply trying to figure out how to stay alive! The apocalypse is often even crueler to the weak.
"Forget it. Let it be." With a sigh, Wen Yu withdrew his Touch of Greed.
He turned to Jiang Wentao.
"Leave some food for them."
With that said, Wen Yu immediately went to a quiet corner to rest.
"Thank you..." A wave of thank yous arose.
They had chosen to entrust their lives to Wen Yu and the others. Such is the tragedy of the weak! Lacking the ability to control their own fate, they can only passively accept the outcome. And yet, in the eyes of stronger beings, isn’t Wen Yu also a weakling?
Night enveloped them. Under the silent sky, a few lonely figures wandered through the swirling yellow sand: Wen Yu, Jiang Wentao, Chu Ziling, William, Monkey, and Sun Ruixing, plus the Fourth Prince in William’s arms. Seven people in total. This was all that remained of the escort team.
The reduction in numbers didn’t mean a lighter burden. In fact, as long as they were carrying the Fourth Prince, their load wouldn’t ease. The group’s speed remained within a range the prince could tolerate. Though slow, their pace was resolute.
After the earlier turmoil with the other professionists, the atmosphere among the remaining few had become unusually grave.
"Thank you. You did well. You didn’t turn the butcher’s knife on the weak." It was William who spoke.
Wen Yu snorted. "It’s not because of any virtue or anything. It’s just that I’m afraid killing those pathetic creatures would dirty my hands!"
William replied with conviction, "No, that’s not it. You know why. You’re not a good person, but at least you’re human!"
Wen Yu remained silent. Truthfully, even he had to admit, facing those pairs of desperate eyes, his heart had trembled. They were right. To them, the Demon Fiends Wen Yu could easily kill were insurmountable enemies! With this in mind, why were they still pushing themselves to continue? What was the point? Bringing them along didn’t increase the team’s combat power; on the contrary, it just sent these people to their deaths repeatedly! This is meaningless to me! I can treat them as cannon fodder, but they won’t see themselves that way! People are inherently selfish; everyone’s thoughts are different!
"Enough talk. I know what kind of person I am. Let’s keep moving," Wen Yu said loudly to the remaining members of the group.
Chu Ziling came over and said comfortingly to Wen Yu, "Well, it’s not such a bad thing. Without them, the battlefield will be a bit cleaner!"
Hearing Chu Ziling’s teasing, Wen Yu clapped him on the shoulder. "Without them, the pressure on us will only be greater!"
"Stop messing around." Chu Ziling laughed and gave Wen Yu a light shove. "As if they were of any use anyway."
Wen Yu just smiled faintly without saying anything. "By the way, Big Brother Sun, why did you come along too?"
This puzzled Wen Yu. Monkey’s strength couldn’t be gauged by physical attributes alone, so it was natural for him to come. But Sun Ruixing was different. With a physical constitution of around 30 points, Sun Ruixing constantly faced the threat of death.
Sun Ruixing gave a faint smile. "I thought I’d come along and see. Maybe there’s something I can do to help."
Wen Yu looked at Sun Ruixing intently and nodded. In Sun Ruixing’s eyes, Wen Yu saw determination. Sun Ruixing had long since disregarded life and death! Just like everyone currently escorting the Fourth Prince!
"Your character truly earns my admiration. If you ever get the chance, come find me in London. I’ll recommend you to the Knight Association." William looked earnestly at Sun Ruixing, but his words triggered a burst of laughter from everyone.
"Knights? The Knight Association... you’re telling me it still exists after the apocalypse?" Chu Ziling teased William.
"It exists. Wherever there are Knights, there is a Knight Association," William said seriously. Then, his tone shifted. "To use a saying from you Chinese nationals, not only is your humble servant here the current chairman of the Knight Association, but Big Brother Sun is also our first member and our vice-chairman!"
"Oh, give it a rest! I’m a Chinese swordsman!" Amidst the laughter, Sun Ruixing retorted good-naturedly.
In this perilous environment, everyone’s bonds quickly strengthened.
"Alright, enough messing around. There are some Demon Bastards up ahead. Let’s go slaughter them!" In the distance, several shadowy figures could be vaguely seen.