Chapter 309 – 「Chaotic Region」

Chaotic Region.

This was a wonderland located east of Tianfeng City.

This wonderland was quite similar to the Red Soil Wasteland – both were habitats for various types of Phantom Demons while maintaining environments relatively suitable for human activity.

However, within the industry, this wonderland was far more renowned than the Red Soil Wasteland.

The reason was simple: it was significantly more dangerous.

Although the environments were similar, both the quantity and Rank of Phantom Demons in the Chaotic Region far surpassed those in the Red Soil Wasteland.

In the Red Soil Wasteland, Phantom Demons with strength comparable to One-Star and Two-Star Professionals were most common, while those matching Three-Star Professionals were relatively scarce. Only a handful had evolved into Hazardous Species, resulting in this wonderland being rated only C-Rank.

In the Chaotic Region, however, Phantom Demons with strength equivalent to Three-Star Professionals were as common as dogs. Lower-rank Phantom Demon mutants from failed evolutions, if not exactly everywhere, were certainly not rare. Those successfully evolved into Hazardous Species numbered in the double digits, causing these Hazardous Species to each claim territory as kings within the Chaotic Region, engaging in constant battles that dramatically increased the danger level compared to the Red Soil Wasteland.

An A-Rank wonderland – this was the Chaotic Region.

Tianfeng City’s higher-ups even believed it could potentially escalate to an S-Rank wonderland at any time.

This was because the numerous Hazardous Species in the Chaotic Region constantly fought and killed each other, plundering blood sustenance and continuously accumulating power in pursuit of further evolution.

So far, many Hazardous Species in the Chaotic Region had attempted evolution, though most failed, ultimately becoming mutants and losing any possibility of further advancement.

Yet, if this situation continued, the Chaotic Region would inevitably successfully produce Nightmare Species eventually.

Once that happened, the Chaotic Region housing Nightmare Species would likely be upgraded to an S-Rank wonderland, becoming a deadly perilous land with danger levels comparable to the Venomous Insect Cave.

To prevent this scenario, Tianfeng City consistently maintained over a dozen A-Rank difficulty missions, most of which involved Professionals exterminating specific Hazardous Species in the Chaotic Region that were nearing evolution conditions, aiming to prevent the birth of Nightmare Species as much as possible.

Today, one such mission had been accepted by 『Azure Mercury』.

Yes.

Su Ming’s group ultimately chose not to go to the Red Soil Wasteland, instead coming to the Chaotic Region – similar in environment but with danger levels increased by more than one grade.

There was no alternative – the Red Soil Wasteland’s Rank was too low, with missions involving it generally not very difficult. Only one or two missions reached A-Rank difficulty, and completing them proved quite troublesome and time-consuming, forcing Su Ming to abandon the Red Soil Wasteland option.

As an A-Rank wonderland, the Chaotic Region theoretically only saw activity from A-Rank teams. Even B-Rank teams coming here had to exercise extreme caution, otherwise facing certain annihilation.

As for teams below B-Rank, they basically never ventured here.

Most teams below B-Rank lacked Upper-Rank Professionals.

Teams without Upper-Rank Professionals entering the Chaotic Region – where lower-rank Phantom Demons with strength comparable to Three-Star Professionals were as common as dogs – amounted to nothing but suicide.

Yet today, this A-Rank wonderland welcomed a small E-Rank team that had been established for less than a month.”Rumble…”

The off-road vehicle drove into this dangerous area, kicking up clouds of dust as it entered this extraordinary realm.

“Roar…”

“Roar…”

The unrestrained engine roar and tire sounds seemed to have attracted the attention of nearby Phantom Demons, with fierce roars occasionally echoing through the air.

The people in the vehicle paid no mind, calmly stepping out with their weapons and equipment. They slammed the car doors shut and set foot on the land of the Chaotic Region.

“It’s been so long since our last mission, I feel so excited.”

Feng Qing’er’s slightly exhilarated voice rang out.

The lively young beauty had shed her usual playful and cute casual clothes, replacing them with form-fitting combat attire. A weapon hung at her waist, and a pouch was strapped to her thigh, making her resemble a beautiful special agent. Though not particularly heroic, she possessed a delicate beauty that surpassed her usual appearance.

“Don’t get careless. We’ve only just recovered, and our bodies haven’t warmed up yet.”

Mu Yan stood beside Feng Qing’er, her pretty face cold and stern, emanating an icy aura. Surprisingly, her outfit was quite bold – leather jacket and pants that hugged her figure even more tightly than Feng Qing’er’s, accentuating the curvaceous physique of this ice queen that had attracted countless hungry gazes back in the city.

“That’s right, Sister Qing’er, be careful. This is an A-class extraordinary realm after all.”

Tong Xinyao seemed somewhat nervous, her small hands tightly clutching Chi Qian’s cloak hem. Her timid appearance was enough to evoke overwhelming sympathy.

Especially since the young girl wore robes reminiscent of a mage, with long sleeves and flowing hem, making her appear like a nimble spirit that caught people’s attention.

In contrast, Chi Qian remained with her long Sword on her back and cloak draped over her shoulders, maintaining the weary appearance of a ronin. Compared to the others, she lacked their striking beauty but carried an additional air of mystery.

Chi Qian scanned their surroundings before sighing after a moment.

“Choosing an A-class extraordinary realm for our first mission?”

She had to admit, this decision had taken even herself by surprise.

Back when 『Crimson』 was at its peak, Chi Qian had only led a team here once before never returning.

『Crimson』 was merely a B-class team. While not completely unqualified to operate in A-class extraordinary realms, their movements here could only be described as walking on thin ice, never able to act recklessly.

That previous time, Chi Qian had only dared to operate here because she was executing an A-class mission with a five-member team composed entirely of Upper-Rank Professionals.

Even then, they had been surrounded by Phantom Demon hordes multiple times, fighting continuously for three days and three nights without a moment’s rest before finally breaking through the encirclement to complete their mission and return to Tianfeng City.

After that experience, Chi Qian understood exactly how dangerous A-class extraordinary realms were. She had deliberately avoided missions in such places many times since, only accepting A-class realm missions when absolutely necessary. Each such mission had involved varying degrees of risk that could only be described as heart-pounding.For Azure Mercury’s first mission, they actually chose an A-rank wonderland as the location and accepted an A-rank difficulty task, which made Chi Qian feel quite heavy-hearted.

If she didn’t know about Su Ming’s unfathomable abilities and that Little Hai’er was accompanying them, Chi Qian would never have agreed to this decision.

It was far too dangerous.

“I understand your concerns.”

Su Ming was the last to step out of the off-road vehicle, as if arriving fashionably late. His attire was no different from usual, and he didn’t even carry a single weapon, looking as if he had come for a leisurely outing as he slowly walked up from behind.

Looking at the four beauties of varying styles and sizes before him, Su Ming inexplicably felt cheerful and said:

“Don’t worry. If anything unexpected really happens, we’ll just escape. In that regard, I do have some tricks up my sleeve.”

Su Ming wasn’t arrogant enough to believe that Azure Mercury could freely come and go in an A-rank wonderland with their current strength.

Although there were no Nightmare Species here, there were mutated Hazardous Species—and more than one at that.

The strength of Hazardous Species generally falls between that of Four-Star and Five-Star Professionals, with some exceptional ones comparable to Five-Star Professionals. Let alone their mutated forms—beings second only to Nightmare Species—they could absolutely rival ordinary Six-Star Professionals.

Hazardous Species that Four-Star Professionals can barely handle and only Five-Star Professionals are capable of subduing—when these evolve unsuccessfully into mutated forms, they essentially become half-Nightmare Species. It’s not at all surprising that they possess strength at the Six-Star Professional level.

With more than one such existence in this Chaotic Region, Su Ming wasn’t foolish enough to think he could move about freely here.

But he truly didn’t lack means of escape. Many of the Extraordinary Items in his backpack had miraculous escape effects. While they might not guarantee mission completion, they could ensure everyone’s safety.

Since that was the case, why hold back?

Just go for it!

“I haven’t even witnessed your capabilities yet.”

Su Ming’s gaze swept over the beauties before him one by one as he smiled and said:

“You should all show me what you can do in front of your Commander, shouldn’t you?”

Su Ming’s words made the girls exchange glances before they nodded one after another.

“That’s fine. Letting you see our specific strengths would indeed help with the team’s future operations.”

Chi Qian nodded in agreement with this reasoning.

“Hehe, don’t be scared by me, Commander~”

Feng Qing’er even blinked playfully at Su Ming.

“Do… do I have to too?”

As the only junior Professional in the team, Tong Xinyao felt quite apprehensive.

“Just do your best.”

Mu Yan said calmly to Tong Xinyao, offering some comfort.

Seeing this, Su Ming finally took out his Terminal from his pocket with a smile and pulled up a map from it.

“Alright, everyone come take a look.”

Su Ming called out, gathering the girls around him.

Seeing that Su Ming was getting down to business, the group of beauties didn’t delay and quickly surrounded him.

Su Ming displayed the map before all the women and began explaining:

“As you all already know, the mission we accepted is A-rank difficulty. The objective is to eliminate a Hazardous Species on the verge of evolution in this Chaotic Region, preventing the possibility of a Nightmare Species appearing in this wonderland.”Su Ming pointed to a corner of the map.

“According to the intelligence provided by the Professional Center, the Hazardous Species about to evolve is inhabiting this area.”

In other words, that was the destination for Su Ming and his group’s current mission.

“Due to its impending evolution, that Hazardous Species seems to have become exceptionally cautious. It has stopped fighting with other Hazardous Species-led groups recently and has consolidated its forces, gathering all the Phantom Demons under its command in this area for close protection.”

“So, the defense in that area is now impregnable. If we want to deal with that Hazardous Species, we must break through these multiple layers of defense and reach the central area.”

“This mission is quite challenging. The Professional Center even believes that only an A-rank team leading a large hundred-person team could possibly succeed.”

“Our strength is certainly not inferior to the elites of large teams, but with our limited numbers, honestly speaking, breaking into a Phantom Demon group’s stronghold would indeed be very difficult.”

Su Ming immediately gave everyone heavy pressure, making them furrow their brows.

Both Chi Qian and Mu Yan simultaneously spoke up to ask.

“How strong are the Phantom Demon forces under that Hazardous Species?”

“What’s their approximate number? And their specific strength?”

The two mature and steady older sisters asked the most crucial questions.

Su Ming answered truthfully.

The Professional Center had already issued investigation missions, conducted preliminary reconnaissance, and handed the intelligence to the 『Azure Mercury』 team executing this mission.

Therefore, Su Ming, who had memorized the intelligence, directly answered this question.

“The number of Phantom Demons under that Hazardous Species’ command is at least over ten thousand, and none of them are weak. They’re all lower-level Phantom Demons comparable to Trolls and Swamp Demons in Rank, with considerable strength. Among them, there even appear to be several hundred mutated lower-level Phantom Demons.”

This was astonishing data.

“O-over ten thousand? And all of them are at the level of Trolls?”

Tong Xinyao became frightened.

Phantom Demons like Trolls and Swamp Demons are already among the best of lower-level Phantom Demons, comparable to Three-Star Professionals.

That Hazardous Species commanding a Phantom Demon Legion with over ten thousand of such Phantom Demons was simply terrifying.

Lower-level Phantom Demons at the one-star or two-star level simply couldn’t survive in such a group.

They were either devoured as blood sustenance by stronger demons or abandoned, never considered as combat forces by higher-level Phantom Demons.

Thus, a legion of over ten thousand lower-level Phantom Demons comparable to Three-Star Professionals gathered together still possessed tremendous deterrence.

Even Su Ming had been astonished when he first learned about this.

To be reasonable, Su Ming hadn’t encountered such numbers and quality of Phantom Demon armies even during the Huaming Campaign.

The defense line he was responsible for was relatively rearward, where powerful Phantom Demons were mostly blocked by the front lines. Only stragglers reached his defense line, and even if their numbers were considerable, their quality couldn’t reach such high levels.

Unlike here, where just any Hazardous Species-led group could have such terrifying scale.

It could only be said that this was indeed a wonderland assimilated by the environment of the Spirit Demon Abyss. Only this level of wonderland could casually produce Phantom Demon armies of such scale.

And this was just one group among the many in the Chaotic Region wonderland.If one were to consider the entire Phantom Demon race, there are countless wonders like the Chaotic Region, not to mention the Spirit Demon Abyss on the other side of the Chaos Demon Cave.

There, lower-level Phantom Demons are nothing more than swarms of insignificant minions, their status barely differing from that of ants or locusts.

Su Ming had long heard this saying, but it was only at this moment that he gained a deeper understanding of it.

“No wonder humanity has always been at a disadvantage against Phantom Demons, even being considered a vulnerable group.”

Su Ming sighed inwardly.

(End of Chapter)