Chapter 34: First Blood, First Drop
Team Seven moved deeper into the eastern forest, their confidence building with each step. The first kill had been clean, efficient, proof that their training translated to real combat. But Lin Feng kept his focus sharp, his Analysis Protocol constantly scanning for threats.
They'd walked another two hundred meters when Chen Hao raised his fist—the signal for contact.
"Movement ahead," he whispered through the comm. "Forty meters, looks like another Rabbit Beast."
Lin Feng activated enhanced scanning mode.
Analysis Protocol: Target acquisition in progress.
Contact confirmed: Tier 1 Rabbit Beast, range 38 meters bearing 067 degrees.
Energy signature: 102 units (slightly above average).
Current behavior: Territorial patrolling, high alertness state.
Threat assessment: Moderate-High - not distracted like previous target.
Success probability: 71% (reduced due to higher alertness).
Seventy-one percent. Still above their engagement threshold, but closer to the line. This beast wasn't feeding or distracted—it was actively patrolling its territory, which meant it would detect them faster and react more aggressively.
"Same as before?" Li Xin asked.
"Modified approach," Lin Feng said. "This one's more alert. We need to control the engagement location. Chen Hao draws it toward that cluster of trees at ten o'clock—the narrow spacing will limit its jump range. Everyone else sets up ambush positions."
The team moved silently into position. It took three minutes of careful positioning, but when they were ready, the beast was surrounded without knowing it.
Chen Hao emerged from cover with a deliberate sound—not a roar this time, but the scrape of metal on stone. The Rabbit Beast's head snapped toward the noise, ears erect, muscles tensing.
Analysis Protocol: Beast aggression triggered. Attack pattern Alpha-2 predicted. Engagement initiated.
The fight lasted forty-three seconds. The beast was faster, more aggressive, and managed to land a glancing blow on Wang Min's Swift Shadow before Li Xin's finishing strike took it down. But the outcome was never in doubt—Team Seven's coordination was too precise, their tactics too refined.
When the second Rabbit Beast dissolved into light, three items remained:
One Colorless-tier Chaos Crystal.
One White-tier energy core.
One White-tier leg component.
"Better drops," Chen Hao observed, picking up the items. "The VR data said Tier 1 beasts had a thirty percent drop rate. We're two for two with equipment."
"Small sample size," Lin Feng cautioned, but he was pleased. Two successful hunts, two equipment drops, zero serious injuries. They were exceeding expectations.
Analysis Protocol: Combat statistics updated.
Engagement two: 43 seconds duration, 247 units total energy expenditure.
Total mission statistics: 2 beasts defeated, 80 seconds total combat time, 469 units combined expenditure across both fights.
Drop collection: 3 Colorless Chaos Crystals, 2 White-tier components (energy core, leg component), 1 White-tier energy capacitor (from first fight).
Team efficiency: 87.3% average across both engagements.
Wang Min examined her mecha where the beast's claw had scraped across it. "Tang Yue, can you help?"
"Of course." Tang Yue moved forward, her Healing Light's energy wrapping around the damaged area. The scratches sealed within seconds. "You're good."
"Thanks." Wang Min flexed her arm, testing the repair. "That hurt more than I expected."
"Feedback through synchronization," Lin Feng explained. "Damage to your mecha translates to pain signals. Not real physical damage, but your brain interprets it that way."
"Lovely," Wang Min muttered.
Li Xin held up the White-tier leg component, examining it in the filtered sunlight. The component was sleek, more refined than the Colorless-tier equipment most students started with. Installing it would provide a noticeable boost to movement speed and agility.
"Who takes this?" he asked, looking at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng opened his mouth to suggest they follow the same pooling strategy, but Chen Hao spoke first.
"Lin Feng should have it," his roommate said firmly. "His coordination is what's keeping us alive. Better mobility means he can position better, which means better tactics."
"Agreed," Tang Yue added. "Your Analysis Protocol is our advantage. Making you more effective makes all of us more effective."
Wang Min nodded. "You earned it. Your calls kept me from taking worse damage."
Li Xin frowned, his grip tightening on the component. "He already has White-tier leg components from the academy distribution. This would be an upgrade for any of the rest of us."
There was an edge in his voice—not quite the arrogance from their early team days, but a hint of the old resentment. Li Xin was ranked second in the entire academy, a Tier 1 pilot with exceptional combat ability. Having the team leader consistently receive resources while he fought on the front lines clearly bothered him.
"Li Xin," Chen Hao said carefully. "I get it. You're doing the heavy lifting in combat. But coordination is what's making that heavy lifting successful. First fight, you landed the killing blow because Lin Feng told you exactly when the beast would be vulnerable. Second fight, same thing."
"I could have figured that out myself," Li Xin shot back. "I'm not incompetent."
"Nobody said you were," Lin Feng interjected. "You're an excellent fighter. But this isn't about individual skill—it's about team effectiveness. The Analysis Protocol gives us an advantage, and enhancing my mobility enhances that advantage for everyone."
Li Xin stared at him, jaw tight. The tension stretched between them, and Lin Feng could see the internal battle playing out. Pride versus pragmatism. Individual achievement versus team success.
Analysis Protocol: Social dynamics analysis.
Li Xin status: Elevated stress, hierarchical displacement concerns, pride threatened by perceived secondary role.
Risk assessment: 23% probability of team cohesion degradation if not addressed.
Recommendation: Acknowledge contribution, provide validation, reframe resource distribution as tactical optimization rather than personal reward.
"Your combat contribution is vital," Lin Feng said, choosing his words carefully. "Without your damage output, my tactics would be useless. But think about it tactically—would you rather have slightly better legs, or have me able to position faster to give you better openings? Which one increases our overall success rate?"
The question hung in the air. Lin Feng could see Li Xin processing it, his tactical mind working through the logic despite his emotional resistance.
"Vote," Wang Min suggested quietly. "We're a team. Let the team decide."
"Fine," Li Xin said, though his tone suggested it wasn't fine at all. "Vote."
Chen Hao raised his hand immediately. "Lin Feng."
"Lin Feng," Tang Yue agreed.
"Lin Feng," Wang Min added.
Three votes out of four. The decision was made even without Li Xin's input or Lin Feng's self-vote.
Li Xin's expression was carefully neutral as he handed the component to Lin Feng. "Hope it helps with the coordination," he said, the words technically supportive but carrying an undertone of frustration.
"It will," Lin Feng said, accepting the component. "And when we find assault-type specific drops, you get priority. Deal?"
Li Xin's expression softened slightly. "Deal."
The tension eased, though Lin Feng knew it wasn't fully resolved. Li Xin was a proud fighter being asked to play a supporting role to someone else's coordination system. That would always create friction, no matter how logical the distribution was.
Analysis Protocol: Team dynamics note logged.
Priority monitoring: Li Xin's engagement and morale.
Recommendation: Provide frequent validation of combat contributions, ensure visible credit for his role.
Lin Feng examined the White-tier leg component. It was more sophisticated than his current equipment—smoother lines, denser energy patterns visible in its structure, clearly superior craftsmanship. Installing it would replace one of his existing White-tier leg components, providing enhanced speed and maneuverability.
But installation would have to wait until they returned to the outpost. Merging equipment with a soul mecha was a delicate process that required relative safety and time. Doing it in the middle of hostile territory would leave him vulnerable.
"I'll install it after we extract," Lin Feng said, storing the component in the dimensional storage all pilots had access to. "For now, we have three Chaos Crystals, one energy core, and this leg component. Good haul for two hunts."
"Better than most teams get their first time out," Tang Yue agreed. "I've heard stories of teams spending entire six-hour windows and only getting one or two drops."
"We're coordinated," Chen Hao said proudly. "That makes a difference."
They reorganized their formation and continued deeper into the forest. The dual suns had moved slightly across the purple sky, their combined light creating new shadow patterns through the canopy. Lin Feng checked his communicator—they'd been in the Land of Origin for thirty-seven minutes. First check-in was at 1000 hours, just over an hour away.
Analysis Protocol: Mission progress assessment.
Time elapsed: 37 minutes.
Beasts defeated: 2.
Equipment acquired: Substantial (above average for first deployment).
Energy status: All team members above 80%.
Injuries: Minor, all repaired.
Team morale: Positive with minor internal tension (manageable).
Recommendation: Continue current approach. Target 2-3 additional hunts before first check-in.
The forest was growing on Lin Feng. The alien beauty of it, the way everything seemed more vibrant and alive than Earth's ecology. The flowers that glowed with bioluminescence even in daylight. The trees that seemed to lean toward the suns, their leaves tracking the light. The sounds of creatures moving through the underbrush, living their lives in a dimension humans barely understood.
It was dangerous, yes. Deadly, absolutely. But also magnificent.
"Contact," Wang Min's voice cut through his thoughts. "Multiple signatures, northeast, about sixty meters."
Lin Feng activated scanning mode.
Analysis Protocol: Multiple targets detected.
Contact one: Tier 1 Rabbit Beast, range 58 meters.
Contact two: Tier 1 Rabbit Beast, range 61 meters.
Contact three: Tier 1 energy signature, stationary, elevated position—likely Scorpion Beast.
Warning: Multiple simultaneous threats detected.
Threat assessment: High. Current team has not trained for multi-beast engagement in Land of Origin conditions.
Recommendation: Observe and avoid. Do not engage multiple targets without further preparation.
"Multiple beasts," Lin Feng reported. "Two Rabbit Beasts close together, possibly mated pair. Plus what looks like a Scorpion Beast in a territorial position nearby."
"Can we take them?" Li Xin asked. There was eagerness in his voice—the thrill of successful combat making him hungry for more.
"No," Lin Feng said firmly. "We've only practiced against single targets. Taking on multiple beasts simultaneously is a different skill set. We observe, we learn, but we don't engage."
"We could handle it," Li Xin pressed. "Two successful hunts already. We're working well together."
"Two successful hunts against single, isolated targets," Lin Feng countered. "Multiple beasts can coordinate, can support each other, can create tactical situations we haven't prepared for. The VR data shows that grouped beasts are three times as dangerous as single ones."
Analysis Protocol: Multi-target engagement simulation.
Team Seven vs 2x Tier 1 Rabbit Beasts + 1x Tier 1 Scorpion Beast.
Success probability: 43% (below engagement threshold).
Estimated casualties: 67% chance of at least one serious injury.
Energy expenditure: 520-670 units (would leave team below 50% capacity).
Recommendation: AVOID. Risk/reward ratio unfavorable.
"Success probability is forty-three percent," Lin Feng said, sharing the Analysis Protocol's assessment. "Below our threshold, with high injury probability. We stick to the plan—conservative hunting, single targets."
Li Xin looked like he wanted to argue, but Chen Hao spoke first. "Lin Feng's right. We're doing well because we're being smart, not because we're taking risks. Let's not get overconfident after two fights."
"Fine," Li Xin muttered, backing down.
They circled around the multiple beast location, giving it a wide berth. As they passed, Lin Feng caught a glimpse of the two Rabbit Beasts—they were indeed larger than the ones they'd fought, moving together in a way that suggested coordination. Hunting them would have been significantly more dangerous.
Analysis Protocol: Threat avoidance successful. Team discipline maintained despite individual pressure for engagement. Leadership effectiveness: Positive.
They moved parallel to the outpost boundary for another twenty minutes, scanning for suitable targets. The forest was full of life—they detected energy signatures constantly, most too weak to be threats, some too strong to engage, a few in the optimal range but poorly positioned for safe engagement.
Finally, they found their third target.
Another Tier 1 Rabbit Beast, this one young based on its energy signature—only 89 units, below average for the species. It was investigating something near a fallen tree, distracted and vulnerable.
"This one's good," Lin Feng confirmed. "Younger, distracted, isolated. Standard approach."
The third hunt went even smoother than the first two. The beast went down in thirty-four seconds with zero damage to any team member. The drops were modest—just one Colorless-tier Chaos Crystal—but the execution had been nearly perfect.
Analysis Protocol: Combat statistics updated.
Total beasts defeated: 3.
Average engagement time: 38 seconds.
Total combat duration: 114 seconds (less than 2 minutes of actual fighting in 58 minutes of deployment).
Team energy expenditure: 663 units combined (average 83% remaining capacity).
Efficiency rating: 91.2% (exceptional for first deployment).
Zero serious injuries maintained.
As they collected the single crystal, Chen Hao laughed. "We're getting good at this."
"Don't get cocky," Lin Feng warned, but he couldn't help smiling. They were exceeding every metric he'd hoped for. Three successful hunts, multiple equipment drops, perfect coordination, and everyone was still healthy.
His communicator buzzed. 0955 hours. Five minutes until their first check-in.
"Time for check-in," Lin Feng announced. "We'll move back toward the boundary line, find a safe position, and report our status."
They retreated to within one hundred meters of the outpost walls, positioning themselves in a small clearing where the sightlines were good and ambush was unlikely. Lin Feng activated the communicator's check-in function.
"Forward Outpost Delta, this is Team Seven checking in," he reported.
"Team Seven, confirm your status," a voice responded immediately.
"Team Seven, all five members accounted for and functional. No serious injuries. We've engaged three Tier 1 targets, all successful terminations. Currently positioned at coordinates—" he read off their location from the map, "—energy levels at eighty-three percent average across team members."
There was a pause. "Team Seven, confirm three successful engagements in first hour?"
"Confirmed. Three Tier 1 Rabbit Beasts, all within authorized eastern forest sector."
"Impressive for first deployment. Maintain caution—overconfidence kills more students than bad luck. Next check-in at 1200 hours. Stay safe, Team Seven."
"Understood. Team Seven out."
Lin Feng deactivated the communicator and looked at his team. They were all smiling now, the successful check-in validating their performance. Even Li Xin looked pleased, his earlier frustration forgotten in the satisfaction of exceeding expectations.
"We have four more hours," Lin Feng said. "Energy levels are good, no injuries, and we're operating well within our capabilities. I suggest we continue the current approach—conservative hunting, single targets, maintain our discipline."
"Agreed," Chen Hao said.
"Works for me," Wang Min added.
"Let's do it," Li Xin said, the competitive fire back in his eyes but directed at the beasts rather than at Lin Feng.
Tang Yue smiled. "I'm ready. And everyone stays healthy, which makes my job easy."
They moved back into the forest, five students who'd proven they could survive in the Land of Origin. Lin Feng stored the new leg component carefully in his dimensional storage, knowing that installing it later would make him more effective, would help him coordinate even better.
The component represented more than just improved equipment. It represented trust—his team voting to enhance his capabilities because they believed his coordination made them all stronger. Even Li Xin's protest had been about fairness, not about doubting Lin Feng's value.
Analysis Protocol: Mission status—Exceptional.
First hour objectives exceeded.
Team cohesion maintained despite minor tensions.
Resource acquisition above average.
Zero casualties maintained.
Recommendation: Continue current methodology. Do not deviate from successful approach.
The purple sky stretched overhead. The dual suns cast their strange shadows. And somewhere in the forest, more beasts waited to be hunted by a team that was learning, growing, and exceeding every expectation.
Lin Feng's first deployment to the Land of Origin was going better than he'd dared to hope.
But he kept his Analysis Protocol's warning in mind: They still had four hours to go. A lot could change in four hours.