Among them were his former comrades and new recruits who had just joined the Thirteenth Division.

Liu Yi looked at them and began to speak, his voice low and serious.

"Cowering and hesitating will only make you weaker."

"The world has already changed. If the Sergeant Major hadn’t taken us in and helped us Awaken and evolve, how many of you here would still be alive today?"

"In this catastrophic invasion by the Alien Zerg Race, no one can remain untouched. The only way to survive is to keep fighting and make yourselves stronger."

"I admit, the Underground Hive is dangerous. You’ll witness unimaginable things and even see grotesque monsters that could shatter your sanity..."

"But if you give up the fight out of fear, what makes you any different from the cowards who fled the battlefield?"

"Maybe now that you’re Awakeners—some of you even Tier One Peak Awakeners—you think you’re strong. You want to go back to the rear lines, live a peaceful life, and stop risking death on these incredibly dangerous missions."

"Fine. I can understand that..."

"But have you considered what good a moment of comfort will actually do you?"

"Forget living well for a few years—in less than six months after leaving the front lines, your Awakening progress will fall completely behind. By the time the Zerg Race pushes the front back to the rear, there will be countless Tier Two Awakeners everywhere..."

"Instead of waiting until you have nowhere left to run, only to be forced back to the battlefield as cannon fodder at gunpoint, I’d say it’s better to keep fighting now while you still can!"

"Today, our Tier Two Corps retook an entire county town with just a handful of us. Maybe next week, or next month, we’ll be defending a whole city! We’ll kill a High-tier Mother Empress and, under the Commander’s leadership, build a sanctuary in this wasteland!"

"But if you back down now, humanity’s hope of defeating the Zerg Race will be extinguished with you!"

"Ask yourselves... is that the ending you really want?!"

"Tell me! Will you be cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong, only coming to your senses when the enemy’s blade is on your neck? Or will you seize the opportunity right in front of you and fight with everything you have?!"

Liu Yi’s furious voice echoed between the apartment buildings, a challenge to every Warrior present.

After a moment, several veteran squad leaders among the Warriors rose to their feet.

"We’ll fight!"

"We’ll fight!"

Seeing his familiar comrades rise, Liu Yi let out a silent sigh of relief and continued.

"Actually, as long as we’re fully equipped, the Underground Hive isn’t that dangerous for the Tier Two Corps. Even up close against the Tier Two Zerg Race, our Corps can still hold its own!"

Liu Yi then picked up a Heavy Machine Gun and fired several rounds into his own chest plate.

The 12.7mm rounds, which could pierce the Outer Armor of a Black Spine Zerg if concentrated on one spot, didn’t even leave a scratch on his Red Tiger Armor.

Instead, the alloy slugs shattered on impact, creating flashes of light as the fragments ricocheted away.

The sight left the Warriors present stunned, unable to hide the envy and desire in their eyes.

Seeing he’d achieved the desired effect, Liu Yi set down the Heavy Machine Gun. He brushed the bullet fragments off his chest with the back of his hand and went on.

"This is your Red Profound Armor, upgraded and modified with the Giant Mandibles of Tier Two Tiger Spine Zergs to create new Battle Armor."

"The Commander has named it the Red Tiger Armor."

"It’s a tough Battle Armor, strong enough to withstand attacks from Tier Two Tiger Spine Zergs. An ordinary Black Spine Zerg can barely leave a scratch on it."

"With this armor, I’d even dare to face a Tier Two Tiger Spine Zerg Swarm bare-handed!"

"Remember, going deep into the Underground Hive isn’t a suicide mission. We will have all the necessary strategies and equipment."

"Besides, the more of the Zerg Race we kill, the stronger we’ll become! We will march to victory over the corpses of our enemies!"

"So now, who wants to join us? Who will become a member of the new Tier Two Corps and fight bravely on the front lines!?"

When he finished, Liu Yi’s sharp gaze swept over the surrounding Warriors, a silent judgment that made them lower their heads in shame.

Most of the Tier One Peak veterans followed their squad leaders, rising and stepping out from the crowd to form neat ranks.

They were from Company 201, the first group to follow Lin Feng, and the very same recruit company that had been abandoned by the Thirteenth Division. Without Lin Feng, they would have ended up in the bellies of Zergs back when the first defensive line fell.

For that very reason, having followed Lin Feng through countless battles, they were his most loyal and devoted soldiers.

And now, stirred by Liu Yi’s passionate speech, they naturally stepped forward to lead by example for the newer Warriors.

Seeing so many people step forward, the other Warriors who had just reached Tier One Awakening also fell in behind the veterans, demonstrating their resolve.

Seeing this, Liu Yi turned and ran over to Lin Feng, who was standing nearby, to report the situation.

Lin Feng had been standing guard beside the black and yellow Zerg Eggs, just in case anything happened to Shen Jie, so he could be ready to react immediately.

Liu Yi’s passionate speech, of course, had been delivered under his watchful eye and with his unspoken approval.

As the future core of his fighting force, the Tier Two Corps needed multiple commanders to help Lin Feng shoulder the burden.

Shen Jie had been a candidate, but he was too young and lacked the mental maturity for the role.

While his strength was more than sufficient, in all other respects he was a lone wolf. He lacked the charisma to lead and, at best, could only command a squad of a few dozen men.

Therefore, someone else had to be found to take on the command responsibilities for the other squads.