Chapter 29: Breaking the Deadlock!

The elite mercenaries selected for this mission all possess a genetic optimization level of at least 40%, with some reaching as high as 50%. With their combat prowess combined with high-tech equipment, they can easily hold their own against four or five ordinary zombies, or even intermediate ones. However, if advanced zombies—whose physical capabilities surpass their own—were to appear, holding the line would be far more difficult.

If they could eliminate the advanced zombies, they might not be able to turn the tide of battle entirely, but they would certainly be able to stabilize the defensive line. It is no exaggeration to say that the advanced zombies are the key to breaking the deadlock. Yet, achieving this is incredibly difficult, as evidenced by Roger's grim, ashen complexion.

In fact, Roger’s focus had never been on the ordinary zombies. Aside from five incendiary rounds, his magazine was loaded entirely with armor-piercing bullets, intended to eliminate these advanced threats as quickly as possible. Since the close-quarters combat began, he had fired five shots but only managed to wound three advanced zombies, failing to kill a single one. This was not due to poor marksmanship, but the environment itself.

Advanced zombies possess extremely keen senses; they detect danger almost instantly and dodge immediately. Under normal circumstances, Roger could rely on his extensive experience to predict their movement and land a fatal shot. But now, these advanced zombies were hiding within the hordes, using the ordinary zombies as meat shields. Even if Roger could predict their evasive maneuvers, the armor-piercing rounds would lose too much kinetic energy after passing through the bodies of the ordinary zombies to penetrate the skulls of the advanced ones. This was the core issue.

Lin Xinghai noticed this after a brief observation. His brows furrowed tightly; the situation was exceptionally tricky. Even if he were to expend blood energy to boost his marksmanship proficiency, it would be of little use, as the problem was not accuracy, but the insufficient power of the armor-piercing rounds.

He watched as Roger gritted his teeth and raised his rifle again. The target, an advanced zombie, sensed the danger immediately. It moved rapidly, muscles taut, ready to leap and dodge. Lin Xinghai could even discern the subtle shifts in the creature's body, predicting that it was about to dodge to the right. He could even map out its likely trajectory with high precision.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him, and his eyes lit up. After quickly swapping his magazine for armor-piercing rounds, he kept a close watch on every move made by both Roger and the advanced zombie. The moment he saw Roger about to pull the trigger, he fired without hesitation.

Bang! Bang!

Two gunshots rang out in rapid succession! The advanced zombie had used its companions as cover to dodge Roger's shot, but it was struck in the head. Its entire right ear was blown off, and a large patch of skin was torn away, exposing the skull beneath. If the bullet had been just a centimeter or two to the left, it wouldn't have just lost an ear—it would have been a clean headshot.

This was the result of Lin Xinghai’s shot. If one could judge the zombie's path and fire at the exact moment it committed to its dodge, it would be impossible for the creature to escape. The challenge was that he and Roger had to be perfectly synchronized, as the window of opportunity was fleeting. Such coordination wouldn't be difficult given time to practice, but they didn't even have five minutes, let alone half an hour.

"Sigh, I figured as much," Lin Xinghai whispered, opening his system interface. He spent six points of blood energy to raise his marksmanship proficiency to 70%. Without time to synchronize, he would have to compensate with superior skill.

Roger looked over, noticing the wound on the zombie. He knew that shot hadn't come from his own weapon due to the angle. By tracking the trajectory, he quickly realized it was Lin Xinghai, and he instantly grasped the young man's intent. Roger, previously anxious, felt a surge of joy. Lin Xinghai’s approach was undoubtedly the most practical solution. The previous attempt had almost succeeded; all they lacked was a little bit of tacit coordination.

"How do you need me to coordinate?" Roger asked urgently. His sudden question left many around him confused.

"No need!" Lin Xinghai shook his head. "Just keep your current rhythm, and I’ll be sure to hit the target."

Hearing the confidence in Lin Xinghai’s voice, and recalling the incredible speed at which his marksmanship had improved, Roger felt a renewed sense of vigor. "Alright!"

He locked onto the next target, focused his breathing, calmed his mind, and maintained his rhythm—aiming and firing.

Bang! Bang!

This time, the two shots rang out almost simultaneously. As the advanced zombie attempted to dodge, its head exploded like a watermelon. Roger clenched his fist in triumph. Lin Xinghai had not let him down; he had successfully seized the split-second window to finish the target.

With the method established, the rest became much easier. The two followed the same pattern, picking out the advanced zombies hiding within the horde and eliminating them one by one. Although their coordination occasionally faltered, it did not affect the overall outcome.

There had been eighteen advanced zombies in this wave. With Lin Xinghai and Roger working in tandem, ten were killed in just one minute. The remaining eight suddenly began to retreat, their eyes filled with terror.

"These zombies seem to possess higher intelligence than ordinary animals," Lin Xinghai remarked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Kill them!" The other mercenaries, witnessing this, felt their morale soar. The frustration they had been bottling up finally erupted.