Chapter 12: Another A-Class Careerist at Yun-Tong High School

In a team of twenty to thirty people, aside from a dozen freshmen careerists from Yun-Tong High School, there were also a number of well-matched, high-ranking careerists, who occasionally paused their march to allow the newcomers to fight against simple monsters and gain experience in their respective professions.

"Send them all packing!" Cai Shengkun, a B-class Gunslinger, was undoubtedly a standout presence in the group. Not only was his fighting power impressive, but the green Elite rifles he wielded and the golden visual effects they produced with each shot also added to his allure.

While two other Yun-Tong High School freshmen careerists struggled against a level 5 Iron Snouted Boar under the guidance of the team's hired guard, Cai Shengkun had already executed consecutive headshots to eliminate two other boars of the same level. His golden radiance made the others envious, everyone except one person.

That person was Leng Bingyue, a peer of Zheng Mu and also an A-class careerist like him. "Are you sure he said he was applying to Sacred Purity University? Hmph, if that were true, wouldn't he be here with us for this rare leveling opportunity? He's probably found a corner to cry in by now!"

If someone else had said such things about his good friend, Cai Shengkun would have immediately retaliated. However, he couldn't bring himself to confront Leng Bingyue, no matter how derisive his words. Faced with such disdain, Cai Shengkun could only awkwardly scratch his head.

"Well, Poker is very determined. He's never been one to give up, and even though I can't contact him right now, I'm sure he wouldn't do something stupid like that."

Leng Bingyue cast a sidelong glance at Cai Shengkun's sheepish demeanor, then brandished a slender short knife and launched an attack against an oncoming monster. "Cold Slash! Wind Slash!" Two swift moves, and three Iron Snouted Boars were instantly frozen in place, only to be shattered into ice fragments by the powerful blade.

Bathed in a golden light, Leng Bingyue's aura grew stronger, signaling that he had leveled up. Liu Lei, the burly team leader responsible for the mission, took note of Leng Bingyue's performance, thinking to himself, "No wonder he's an A-class Gale Swordsman. He has excellent skill control, debuffing abilities, and powerful offensive moves. As long as he doesn't fall along the way, he's bound to become a powerful force in the future."

He couldn't help but think of Yun-Tong High School's other A-class careerist, the Mechanic Zheng Mu. If only Zheng Mu had chosen a different A-class career, he would be much stronger than he was now as a Mechanic. Yun-Tong City could have boasted two A-class careerists in a single year, making a name for themselves and securing more benefits for the city in the major intercity competitions.

Liu Lei shook off these thoughts, focusing on the present. The current situation was already quite favorable; many cities hadn't produced even a single A-class careerist this year, making them far worse off than Yun-Tong City.

"Alright, everyone tighten up the formation and hurry up. We should reach Corpse Town by daybreak. The monsters in Corpse Town are somewhat limited during the day, which will make it easier for us to move around and take action!"

...

"Master Zheng, we are approaching the destination area..."

Optimus Prime's voice came through the radio.

Zheng Mu slowly opened his sleepy eyes and saw a large group of buildings hidden in the dim forest at the horizon. The darkness there seemed deeper and more terrifying than the surrounding area, as if a giant beast with its mouth wide open was lurking, waiting for prey to enter.

Corpse Town, a place with a danger rating not too different from the Poisonous Ruins, but the horror factor was definitely a notch above. Compared to the cat spirits and slimes in the Poisonous Ruins, the monsters here were utterly terrifying. Zombies, ghouls, poisonous insects, spirits, and even low-level ghosts.

If it weren't for the fact that Zheng Mu's two lieutenants were emotionless mechanical beings, he wouldn't dare to include this place in his monster hunting plans.

As Optimus Prime approached Corpse Town, Zheng Mu felt the air becoming colder, and he could see wandering figures on the dark road.

"Roar!!!"

A ferocious roar sounded as Optimus Prime's engine revved.

In the next moment, Zheng Mu saw several disgusting and terrifying zombies rushing towards the vehicle.

[Name: Corpse Poison Mutant]

[Race: Ghost]

[Level: lv15-lv19]

[Skills: Pain Immunity lv2, Hardened lv2, Deadly Poison lv2, Bloodthirsty Pursuit lv1]

These beings could hardly be considered zombies, but rather infected humans who had mutated due to corpse poison.

With several collisions, the mutants lunged as fiercely as they were sent flying away.

However, normal people hit by a speeding Optimus Prime would have been dead for good. Those few Corpse Poison Mutants, on the other hand, twisted their bodies and rolled away in the distance, struggling to lunge back.

"Indeed, even though they aren't zombies, they still possess pain immunity, hardened bodies, and the ability to survive unless their weak points are hit," Zheng Mu muttered.

In the next moment, Licker, who had been motionless on top of the vehicle, suddenly disappeared into the night. A few faint slashing sounds reached Zheng Mu's ears.

Several notifications appeared on Zheng Mu's screen:

[You killed a Corpse Poison Mutant (lv16), gained 141 EXP, and received a green material "Mutated Brain"]

[You killed a Corpse Poison Mutant (lv16), gained 140 EXP]

[You killed a Corpse Poison Mutant (lv15), gained 121 EXP]

With a galloping sound, a metallic, gleaming tongue entered the driver's seat, gently placing a green light ball in Zheng Mu's hand.

Zheng Mu put the item in his backpack with satisfaction, gazing at the pitch-black forest in front of him. He smirked and whispered, "Good children, I'm going to need you to work extra hard from now on..."

(to be continued)