Chapter Twenty-One: Sniper

This is an analysis and understanding of human nature. By doing this, not only will those holding guns hesitate to shoot at us, but we also gain the ability to feign weakness to the enemy. When they let their guard down, we can strike hard, and in this way, we can acquire weapons and ammunition.

“There are just over fifty minutes left until the three-hour mark. We need to find a Green Team squad within forty minutes and eliminate them.” I gestured with a finger across my throat.

Everyone nodded with deep agreement. Since we’ve chosen to conserve our limited bullets, it means we must hurry to find a target and knock them out, or else, the outcome will be that only five out of our ten will remain.

In truth, I’m gambling, and so are my teammates. They gamble on their trust in me, while I gamble on whether we’ll encounter another squad.

During this process, we not only have to avoid the unarmed drifters but also be wary of ambushes.

The first armory has already been emptied. The unarmed have banded together. Staying within this area to guard against both these people and the gun-wielding squads, who are like frightened birds, is far too difficult; it’s much easier to go somewhere new, among “strangers,” to strike.

In the blink of an eye, another half hour passed. Along the way, we encountered neither squads with guns nor those who missed out at the armory. The team began to grow restless.

“Everyone, be careful. We’re not far from the second armory now. Since we haven’t met anyone for so long, it means we’re close to stumbling upon them.” I was feeling a bit anxious myself, but as the leader of the squad, I had to stay calm. If I cracked first, the team would fall apart.

Still, I knew we were probably not far from others now. Yet, you never know—if we fail to find someone to strike before time runs out, we’re doomed to fail.

Upon hearing me, the girls who had wanted to complain held their breath. We continued with our split formation: I led the five unarmed at the front, while the five with guns hid a hundred meters behind.

This dispersed approach was great for confusing opponents, leaving them uncertain of our true strength.

Those behind were our baiters; we were the bait. Whether a fish bites depends on luck.

“Stop!” A loud shout startled three girls in the squad.

But the corners of my mouth curled up ever so slightly. Finally, someone had taken the bait.

We all stopped. Seven people emerged from the bushes—five men and two women, each armed, and wearing Green Team uniforms.

“Don’t shoot. Can’t we just leave?” I feigned annoyance.

“Why are there only five of you left?” With his side in control, the leader of the Green Team asked us gently.

“Ah!” I sighed deeply, piquing their curiosity.

“Our squad originally had ten, seven men and three women. At the first armory, five were eliminated fighting for guns. Now just these few battered survivors remain—two men and three women. What can we do? Just wander and enjoy the scenery until time’s up and someone escorts us out.” I sighed long and hard, my tone full of frustration and unwillingness.

“Oh, so that’s how it is.” The leading man glanced at the three delicate girls in our team, a smile playing on his lips.

“Well, we’ll be on our way then.” I waved and prepared to leave.

“Hey? Who said you could go?” The leader aimed his gun at us, seemingly fascinated by his power over our “life and death.”

“So you mean to keep us here? Fine, go ahead—shoot.” My words stunned not just them but my teammates as well, who couldn’t quite fathom why I said that.

Of course, I wouldn’t just throw myself away. I was saying this to lower their suspicion.

“Go on, shoot. I’d like to see how many bullets you waste on us.”

“Run!” Without waiting for their reaction, I gave the command for our pre-planned scattered escape.

“Shoot us! I don’t believe you can kill us all. If any of us survive your shots, you’ll be in trouble—they’ll shout and draw everyone here.” I stood my ground, not running.

“Why aren’t you running?” The leader asked, puzzled.

I acted exasperated: “I wasn’t planning to compete anymore—just wanted to wander, enjoy the view, and chat up girls. But you won’t let us go, so what’s the point of running?”

My bold move shut down all their questions.

By then, my teammates had scattered far. Maybe they hadn’t really intended to shoot, or perhaps our movements were too quick for them to react. Once they realized, everyone had already gotten a good distance away, making it hard for these poor marksmen to eliminate us all. Considering what I’d just said, they were indeed worried about being followed.

“We were hoping for some company along the way, but look at you… Fine, hurry and catch up with your teammates. Don’t let them call for help, alright?” The leader started bargaining.

I glanced in the direction one girl had run, then at the gun pointed at me, pretending to be annoyed: “If not for wanting to chat with the girls a bit more, I’d have fought you already.”

“I swear I’ll never call another squad to look for you and won’t reveal your location to anyone. I’ll make sure my teammates do the same. If I fail, may I be hit by a car when I leave.” I made a venomous oath, though it meant nothing to me.

Of course, I wouldn’t tell other squads. This was our chosen target—I’d only inform my own.

Seeing me swear so fiercely, and glancing repeatedly in the girl’s direction, they probably thought I was desperate to catch up with her.

“Alright, hurry and go. Don’t let the girl get away,” one of the men chuckled knowingly.

“Thanks, brother. It’s just a game—no need to be so serious. If you win the game but lose the beauty, it’s not worth it.” I said, and the others nodded thoughtfully.

Then I dashed toward the girl.

“Wait for me!”

My impatience made them burst out laughing.

Turning my back, the corners of my mouth lifted. I wondered if I had a knack for being a villain.

Soon, I regrouped the squad, asked one of the girls for her rifle, and led the sharpshooter girls around to the back of the enemy’s hiding place.

“We’re almost out of time. Settle this in three minutes, leave in five.”

“I’ll assign the kill targets. You two take the man in the center, you two take the man on the left, the rest are mine.”

“Aim first. Once you’ve got them, say so. I’ll count to three, then we fire together. Remember, we only get one shot at this.” I whispered.

The girls swallowed nervously, gripping their rifles tight.

“Aimed.”

“Ready.”

“Got him.”

“Set.”

Once all four confirmed, I whispered, “One—two—three, fire!”

Bang! Five bullets exploded at once.

The shots instantly alerted the others, but compared to the bullets, their reaction was slow.

My bullet eliminated the leader, but the two girls aiming for the center missed and instead took out the two girls in their team. Those aiming for the left missed entirely.

“Again!” I urged the girls still watching the results.

Bang! I shifted my aim and took out the lucky man in the center.