There weren't too many people left in the wasteland, and even fewer Evolutionaries.
So, when a mysterious powerhouse capable of killing an Ironwing Bird in a single strike appeared, all three major factions immediately took notice.
No one dared ignore an Evolutionary who could easily place in the top ten of the Hunting Rankings—not Doomsday Floaters, and not the other two companies either.
In the southern section of the western mountains, within a snow-covered range, the Burning Flame Company's forward forces were stationed.
At this moment, a battle had just ended. The air still reeked of gunpowder.
A swarm of mutant beasts had been cleared out by the company's troops. Soldiers dressed in dark green winter uniforms busied themselves cleaning the battlefield.
At the front stood the higher-ups of the Burning Flame Company. Leading them was a pale-faced, sharp-featured man, who was currently using an old-world telescope to gaze into the distant mountains.
Through the lens, fractured peaks emerged one after another.
"Pass down the order—rest here for fifteen minutes, then continue advancing," the man rasped, lowering the scope. "We're already behind the Grey Mountain Group in progress. We must catch up."
"Yes, sir!"
The officer in charge of the regiment saluted and departed swiftly. A moment later, a runner sprinted in with urgency:
"Latest intel! An unidentified A-rank Evolutionary has entered the Great Western Continent!"
"What?" Several Burning Flame directors froze. Evolutionary danger rankings were a system created by Doomsday Floaters to classify individuals.
It was roughly based on combat record, assigning levels to indicate their threat.
The CEO snatched the fresh report and scanned it quickly, his expression shifting.
The details were sparse.
It only mentioned that three hunters had witnessed a mysterious powerhouse killing an Ironwing Bird in one blow—possibly through some form of long-range ability.
"Keep a close watch! Find out his movements!" the man ordered decisively.
An A-ranker wasn't a direct threat to the company, but was not to be underestimated. At the very least, unnecessary conflict should be avoided.
And if the chance arose, such a figure might even be recruited.
"A-rank?"
In the northern mountains, within the ruins of an old-world facility, Grey Mountain Group Evolutionaries were busy hauling away intact weaponry.
Brand-new heavy mortars were being loaded onto refitted snow-crawlers.
The chairman of the Grey Mountain Group's board, a towering middle-aged man with gray hair, put down the report and turned to one of his directors.
"What do you make of it?"
"The intel should be accurate. We'll need to monitor carefully. One A-rank won't sway the balance, but if Burning Flame Company recruits him, it could tip things.
"Still, Floating Doomsday will surely send their own people. They won't ignore this. For now, let's wait and see."
"Fine."
The chairman nodded, then glanced at the darkening skies. In a booming voice he commanded:
"The weather's changing. Make camp here!"
Moments later, a fierce blizzard swept over the ridges.
…
The storm had struck suddenly. Even though Lin Tuo had noticed it early thanks to his "Full-Map Vision" and moved to shelter, he and Hua Xi were still lashed by its edge.
In a wind-shielded hollow, the two sat together, finishing a warm meal before discarding their tins.
"The snow's easing. Let's move." Lin Tuo adjusted his mask and rose.
"Okay." Hua Xi hugged her rifle tight, following.
They were now deep within the mountains, working off the intel's red-marked "danger zones"—areas prowled by high-grade mutant beasts.
That explained why they hadn't crossed many others. The few hunters they'd glimpsed at a distance avoided contact.
"…I swear someone's watching us," Hua Xi muttered after a while, scanning warily.
"You're right. They are," Lin Tuo replied calmly, never breaking stride. "But they're far. Doomsday Floaters operatives."
Hua Xi blinked. "Them? Then what do we do? Should we warn them off?"
"No need."
His tone was flat, eyes locked on a strange serpent writhing under the snow ahead. His body tensed. "Just keep watch."
…
Elsewhere, at the edge of a frozen forest, several hunters dispatched by Floating Doomsday observed through scopes.
One of them stiffened as the small figure suddenly turned, gazing straight toward them.
Then—
"The Snow Python's down already? That fast?!"
They stared at their notes in disbelief, pages filled with Lin Tuo's "record"—lists of slain beasts and corresponding points.
"He's only targeting high-threat mutants. Doesn't bother with common ones. Doesn't even loot the corpses. What is he after?"
"I don't care what he's after. I just want to see the higher-ups' faces when this record gets sent back…"
Another spoke grimly: "They'll have to reclassify him."
One hunter peeled away to deliver the record. The rest continued trailing.
Time passed. Sunset bled into night.
Darkness amplified danger. Most hunters retreated before dusk.
But that evening, the "Hunter's Lodge" was packed. The atmosphere was odd.
By the fireside, Evolutionaries leafed through the latest intel.
Every face tightened.
"S-rank? No way… How many years since we last saw someone rated S?"
"I saw them earlier today! A tall one in strange clothes, and a small one with a rifle on her back…"
"…I ran into them too. Nearly picked a fight…" a man muttered, paling.
An S-rank Evolutionary.
A-rank meant rare power. But S-rank? Only a handful existed in the entire wasteland. Even among the three powers, such individuals could sit comfortably on the board.
"…But the list tops out at S. Who knows if he's beyond even that…"
"Check the Hunting Rankings! The guy's already second place, 851 points! He's about to overtake Lone Wolf! And he's only been here half a day!"
At the reminder, everyone's eyes snapped to the board.
Lone Wolf still sat first, but his lead was crumbling.
Second place was occupied by a scarlet "?"—the mysterious newcomer.
"At this pace, by tomorrow noon, Lone Wolf will fall," someone whispered, stealing a glance at the armored figure drinking silently in the corner.
The room grew taut.
That figure stood, slung his weapon over his shoulder, and without a word pushed into the snowy night.
The door slammed. A gust of snow hissed in the fire, releasing a soft crackle.
The room's air thickened.
…
By dawn, hunters stirred awake, gearing up.
That was when the door banged open.
A scout strode in, cold-eyed, and tossed words to the receptionist:
"Latest intel. Lone Wolf is dead."
…
The hunters had misjudged.
Before noon could arrive, the top hunter had already fallen—slain while battling beasts in a red zone.
Some claimed he was ambushed while seeking the mysterious man.
Others said he'd burned out hunting monsters all night.
No one knew the truth.
His name soon faded.
By morning, before Lin Tuo's second record even arrived, he had already claimed the top spot on the Hunting Rankings.
He himself was unaware.
And if he knew, he wouldn't have cared.
His only thought was—
"…Why are all three factions converging on me?"
…
Lin Tuo had noticed through his true body's Full-Map Vision: Burning Flame Company in the south, Grey Mountain Group in the north, and Doomsday Floaters hunters in the center were all shifting toward him.
Their lines were closing into a ring.
He didn't realize it yet, but his strength had shattered the balance.
The three powers, who had an unspoken truce, now moved in eerie unison—to snuff out the intruding predator before he could challenge them for relics.
"…They want me gone? Out of fear I'll compete?"
Even without the details, Lin Tuo could guess.
"They're coming! You can't beat that many! Too many guns!" Hua Xi's face drained of color.
A perfect trap—enemies on three sides, beasts ahead.
Even Lin Tuo couldn't withstand thousands of rifles. And she… she would die too.
"Then we won't fight. We'll hide," Lin Tuo said calmly.
"Hide? How?!"
"Like this. Come here." He pulled her close, tucking her head against his chest. "Hold tight. Don't let go. If you fall, I might not catch you."
"…What?" she blinked, stunned.
"Hold on. I'll take you flying."
He smiled faintly as the armies poured in from the ridges.
Then his eyes dimmed—his consciousness shifting back to his true body.
"Switch."
…
Lishan Dojo, study room.
Lin Tuo stood over the Sand Table, reaching down to pluck his avatar and Hua Xi into his palm.
"In normal terms, no escape. But I can fly."
He exhaled toward the miniature mountains and lifted his hand.
…
On the Great Western Continent, as the Burning Flame Company, Grey Mountain Group, and Doomsday Floaters finally sealed their trap, their faces froze.
A sudden blizzard swept the ridges, blanketing the valley.
Through the gale, two dark specks streaked upward.
Seconds later, the storm vanished.
On the snowy plain below, not a trace of Lin Tuo remained.
The mountains fell silent.
Then came the cry:
"Target… target is gone!!"