Fatal Shot
chapter-278

After Number 37 arrived, Nightingale, who was inside the pavilion, spoke coldly again. "Good. Everyone arrived within the stipulated time. Otherwise, some of you might have been eliminated! The reason we assembled all of you here today is because of an unexpected situation. We cannot go ahead with our initial plan. That is why, after the three of us instructors had a discussion, we decided to use a group battle to determine which one of you will be qualified to advance through this mission!"

"Group battle? Qualify to advance?"

Upon hearing the news, everyone seemed shocked. The current mission had only reached the second night. Based on the initial three-day time period, they still had a little more than one day left. So why was it necessary to decide things with one group battle?

"Also, advance? Advance to what? Directly obtain the qualifications to change profession into a special agent?"

Not only Big Pineapple frowned at this; even Feng Luo and Number 37 frowned.

Only September Night Rain, who stood behind Nightingale, lightened up after hearing those words. His face showed an uncontainable joy. "Special Agent qualification?" asked Nightingale with a cold sneer. "Do you think that winning just a single battle would mean that he or she would possess the qualifications to join the Federation's special agent bureaus?"

Haruko, who had remained silent, finally spoke, her tone very sharp and cold. "It's not a direct qualification to become a Special Agent. It's just the qualification to take part in the next round of selection. As for who will be able to be qualified to become a Special Agent, ultimately this is based on the initial rules. We will look at your results in the battle as well as your points obtained back in Dongsang City before making a decision!" However, her tone wasn't as nauseating as Nightingale's tone.

"To be qualified for the next round of the selection. This sounds useless, doesn't it?" Big Pineapple grumbled.

It was certainly a useless reward since he and Phoenix had enough points to get them into the top 15 without any problems! And the reward for those ranked from the fifth to 15th was that they were qualified to take part in the next Special Agent selection. As such, the reward was basically useless—except for those who were ranked outside the top 15. Then it would be extremely attractive!

As such, Number 74's eyes seemed to be beaming. He had already taken out a syringe that looked like an Enhancement Potion from his backpack with great enthusiasm and determination!

"Apart from the qualification, the winner of the group battle will also obtain examination points as rewards. In regard to how many points, that depends on your performance in the battle!"

Examination points! Compared to the former reward, the latter one was much better. Examination points decided the final rankings of the players, and the top five ranked players would be qualified to change their profession to the hidden profession called "Special Agent!"

"In terms of a group battle, we have four. Even if their two teams combined together, they would have only three. There's really no need to consider who's going to win in the end!"

Big Pineapple looked very excited, while Phoenix also seemed quite happy. They were all still quite confident in their strength, and with the numerical advantage, there was no way they were going to lose.

Feng Luo, however, frowned. The Number 37 Fire Manipulator also looked very sullen, as if he had thought of something.

"Due to the numerical imbalance, the members of my team will combine with Hunting Tiger's team," said Nightingale with a cold smile. "At the same time, the two of us will also join the team. Naturally, Sakura will also partake in the battle."

"What?! That's unfair!" Big Pineapple said. He was dumbfounded. Phoenix's expression also changed entirely.

It was most certainly unfair. Feng Luo's group of three had experienced both the Special Agent Instructor's strength before. There was no doubt that even if the three of them were to work together and just attack one of them, they might still lose.

And now, the enemy camp had two of these NPC instructors. Although they also had Haruko, at most, she would only be able to nullify one of them! Then the other one, by working with the other three players, would easily suppress and even defeat them.

"What do you mean unfair?" said Nightingale. "They've always been my team members, and this has always been part of the original exam, even if no accident were to occur!"

"But your expression sure is interesting!" said Big Pineapple.

"Relax," Nightingale said, mocking Big Pineapple as he sneered at him. "Me and Hunting Tiger will not use our full strength. Moreover, after taking a certain amount of damage, we will admit defeat and exit the battle. That is, of course, if you are strong enough to deal enough damage to us!"

Big Pineapple gritted his teeth and said in a whisper, "Motherf*cker. I want to blow his head off!"

Nightingale's expression suddenly became serious and cold. It was as if he was able to hear Big Pineapple's suppressed voice even in the heavy rain.

However, at that time, the previously silent Hunting Tiger spoke. "The battle range will be limited to this platform. Nobody can go into the areas below the forest; those who do will be eliminated! Everyone will be separated at the beginning of the group battle, which means that the people on your left, as well as your right, will be your enemy!"

"Apart from that," Nightingale added coldly while intentionally staring at Big Pineapple. "Since it hasn't reached the third day, there's no rule to prevent killings for this final test, just like before! Everyone's starting position will be decided by the bullet at your feet. Every bullet will have a direction carved on it."

Seeing Big Pineapple staring right back at him without cowering, Nightingale sneered without making a sound. After that, he took a magazine out from his tactical vest! "Don't suspect that I've done anything. The bullets within this magazine were loaded by Haruko. I'm only responsible for selecting the person! So the first bullet belongs to you, Number 24!"

Nightingale's finger flicked the top of the magazine, and a yellow bullet glowed under the flickering light of the fire. It flew and dropped into the hands of September Night Rain, who was beside him.

"Number 24?"

Upon hearing the Number, the reaction of all seven players was different. The Light Armor Warrior seemed to know this already. He did not look surprised and only stared at the magazine in Nightingale's hands, eager to know his position.

As for Feng Luo, Big Pineapple, Phoenix, and the Flame Manipulator, they showed a cold and playful smile.

Because… Number 24! That was one of the people who dominated the top ten rankings in the beginning before having their points deducted! Moreover, Number 24 was the one who had maintained the second-place rank!

"So, September Night Rain is Number 24…"

Even Feng Luo's eyes seemed to laugh. No wonder September Night Rain looked forward to the group battle. It was because his points had been deducted, and now, his rank had dropped to double digits.

As for Phoenix and Number 37, they also sneered because they had also paid attention and remembered the players who were ranked higher. Only Big Pineapple continued to stare at the magazine held in Nightingale's hands with some nervousness. After all, although his defense was amazing, his attack was too weak; if he didn't get a good position, it was highly probable that he would have a tough battle in his hands!

Among all of the players, only the Scout player with the black dagger who wore the tactical goggles showed no expression. Although he walked over, his body still remained in the shadow.

Finally, Nightingale spoke again. "Next is you, Number 99!"

However, this time, his middle finger holding the bullet spun the bullet with great force before flicking it out.

The bullet actually spun in the air and flew quickly toward Feng Luo's chest.

However, the bullet missed! The moment his middle finger moved, Feng Luo had already moved sideways.

Thud!

The bullet hit the wood pillar of the pavilion behind Feng Luo. Moreover, it actually sunk into the pillar and did not drop to the ground!

However, as Feng Luo moved sideways, this allowed September Night Rain to see Feng Luo's appearance. And the moment he saw Feng Luo's face clearly, September Night Rain's gaze and expression changed as he clenched the bullet in his hands tightly. "It's you?"