Chapter 198: A Disagreement Arises
The crowd erupted in a flurry of chatter, with people discussing the matter animatedly.
They gathered in groups of three or five, a large number of people, making it a noisy and chaotic scene.
Some people worried, "Is this safe? What if we can't get out?"
"Yeah! What if we really get trapped?" another person chimed in.
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces showed worry. They all looked at the mysterious entrance, a sense of fear rising in their hearts.
After all, their previous experiences had taught them that this place was full of danger and unknowns.
If they get trapped again, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Another person chimed in, "Yeah...we just escaped from that terrifying place."
Everyone was still shaken, seemingly vividly recalling their experience of being trapped in a maze at The Nineteenth Institute.
Some people started complaining: "This is terrible! I almost thought I was going to be trapped there forever."
Some people anxiously asked, "Can we really trust this place? Could it be another trap?"
"I don't want to go… I have claustrophobia."
Among this group, some were not ordinarySoldiers.
They used to live in the Underground City, but they were all low-level Ability Users living in poverty who chose to join such a dangerous raiding team because the promised rewards and food were very tempting.
When they were recruited into this team, they did not hesitate to leave Underground City and join the battle against the alien beasts.
This decision is mostly made out of necessity or helplessness.
These people have such diverse backgrounds!
Some were street thugs, some were white-collar workers, and some were unemployed...
Their personalities also vary; some are lively and cheerful, some are taciturn, and some are short-tempered.
Such a group of people gathered together is truly a mixed bag.
Due to their different experiences and personalities, their obedience and discipline are relatively low, which poses a considerable challenge to the team.
The defensive Ability User is a typical example of this.
He is stubborn, often self-righteous, and always skeptical of the team's instructions.
This gave Chu Bai a real headache.
He listened indifferently to the other party's explanation of the plan to enter the space, without feeling the slightest fluctuation in his heart.
He knew that relying on others was not a long-term solution; only by relying on his own strength could he truly escape his predicament.
So he rejected the suggestion without hesitation: "No need, I believe I can find a way out."
After all, it's hard to feel at ease entrusting your fate to someone else.
Moreover, for a capable and determined person, self-reliance is the most reliable option.
" Zhang Sen, what do you mean by this? Are you going to leave the group and act alone?" Chu Baiasked, frowning and sounding somewhat displeased.
Since meeting Zhang Sen, they have gone through many hardships together.
But recently, Chu Bai has increasingly sensedthe ambition hidden deep within Zhang Sen'sheart.
This ambition made him suspicious and wary of Zhang Sen's behavior.
A hint of displeasure flashed in Zhang Sen's eyes, as if a long-suppressed emotion had finally found an outlet and burst forth all at once.
He raised his head and looked directly at Chu Bai, his eyes filled with a mixture of displeasure and determination that was impossible to ignore.
His tone carried a hint of stubbornness and confidence, as if he were full of confidence in his decision.
" Captain Chu, my thoughts have never changed.I said it back at The Nineteenth Institute: we would go our separate ways after we graduated. That has never changed."
His voice, though deep, was full of power, as if he were expressing his determination to Chu Bai.
He glanced around, his gaze settling on a fewAbility Users. "I have my own way of leaving here, without relying on anyone. Your plan sounds feasible, but I'm confident in my abilities, and acting alone is more efficient for me."
Zhang Sen's performance on the battlefield, while not 100% perfect, was definitely among the best of the Ability Users.
The few Ability Users whose eyes lingered on him were people who trusted or supported him.
Upon hearing this, Chu Bai frowned slightly. He knew very well that in this situation, teamwork was far more important than individual heroism.
But he also understands Zhang Sen's thoughts—trusting others is indeed a difficult thing when you are hovering on the edge of life and death.
Chu Bai tried to persuade him in a gentler tone, "Zhang Sen, we all know you are exceptionally capable, but this is not a battle for one person. The enemy we face is unknown and powerful, and fighting alone will only increase unnecessary risks. We have already lost many comrades, and I don't want to see any more teammates sacrificed needlessly."
He paused, observing Zhang Sen's reaction, then added, "Furthermore, our plan for entering space is to better utilize resources and avoid unnecessary conflicts. If you'd like, we can work together to develop a more detailed plan to maximize the effectiveness of your defenses. We are a team, and everyone is an indispensable part."
Zhang Sen remained silent for a moment, his eyes flashing with hesitation and contemplation.
He clenched his teeth tightly, as if he were having a fierce internal debate with himself.
Time ticked by, and the air around them grew heavy and tense.
Finally, he took a deep breath, as if he had made a difficult decision.
Weiwei lowered his head, sighed, and a hint of helplessness and compromise appeared in his eyes.
He said in a low voice, "Alright, I'll listen to you. But I promise that if I find things aren't going well, I'll take the action I think is most appropriate."
His gaze was fixed firmly on the other person, revealing an unwavering determination.
These words were like a ray of dawn, breaking the oppressive atmosphere.
The others breathed a sigh of relief, and a relieved smile appeared on their faces.
They knew that this was the best possible outcome.
Although Zhang Sen did not entirely agree, he was willing to listen to the team's opinions and remain vigilant.
Chu Bai nodded, indicating his understanding. "This is your right, and it's also everyone's bottom line. As long as we can support each other and overcome this difficult time together, that's the best outcome."
He extended his hand, and Zhang Sen hesitated for a moment before finally shaking Chu Bai's hand, symbolically reaching a temporary consensus.
Yu Miaomiao watched this scene calmly without interrupting, because it wasn't Squad's business and it was none of her concern.
Soon, Yu Miaomiao began testing the space's capacity.
Her gaze was focused on He Liang The Shadow Evasion's Li Yi attempts to maintain control over him and the other Mercenaries without affecting his condition.
The purpose of doing this is very clear—to save space to the maximum extent possible and to reserve more places for the Soldiers who will be entering the space soon.
After some attempts, Yu Miaomiao successfully did it.
This means she can avoid interfering with He Liang Under the premise of Shadow Evasion, he simultaneously controls all personnel within the space.
This discovery delighted her because it meant she could use space resources more effectively, providing greater convenience for subsequent operations.
However, despite some progress, the issue of space capacity still plagues Yu Miaomiao.
Based on previous experience, the maximum number of people the space can accommodate remains thirty.
This limitation is clearly insufficient for large-scale operations, but under the current circumstances, Yu Miaomiao can only try his best to adapt to and optimize the use of this limited space resource.
In the coming period, Yu Miaomiao will continue to focus on the issue of space capacity and look for possible ways to improve it.
At the same time, she will also discuss with other members how to better coordinate actions to ensure that everyone can play their part and complete the task.