Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 1849: Bump into again (2)

While Yang Tuo was clueless about the identity of the newcomers, Helsky recognized them immediately. They had crossed paths before. Though a brief skirmish had occurred within the dark fog conjured by Ye Zhongming, it had been a mere misunderstanding. Since they originated from Earth and shared a mutual foe, Aimusi had previously spared him any trouble.

However, the dynamics had shifted. Helsky was now aligned with Ye Zhongming, marking these individuals as enemies.

The mechanical speedboat—a vessel of mysterious origin—cut through the water with incredible velocity. A single glance told Helsky that his own swimming pace was no match for it.

This realization meant he lost the opportunity to alert Ye Zhongming and the rest of the group.

Helsky understood that a critical decision had to be made right then and there.

Abruptly, he lifted his arm, signaling toward the approaching boat while shouting a few words at the top of his lungs.

"Don't say anything, just follow me."

Just as the speedboat spotted them and veered in their direction, Yang Tuo caught Helsky’s hushed warning.

"It's you?"

"Surprised?" Helsky asked, treading water as he looked up at the woman. "You made it here as well, I see."

"I simply didn't think you possessed the capability to locate this place."

Helsky maintained a smile, though internally he was cursing Aimusi’s entire lineage.

This woman truly had a knack for killing a conversation.

"Heh, hatred has a way of boosting one’s potential significantly. Of course, points provide a similar motivation."

It was undeniable that Helsky was a master of rhetoric. In this regard, Aimusi was like a novice compared to him.

Predictably, when Aimusi and Hawkins heard Helsky’s words, their defensive postures softened noticeably.

Regardless of the circumstances, being fellow Earthlings with a shared grudge created a psychological bond between them.

"It looks like your squad is larger than last time." Helsky forced a strained smile, his gaze flickering with feigned envy and hesitation.

Aimusi stared at him in silence. After a long pause, she commanded, "Wait a moment."

She then turned to whisper with the companions behind her. Their voices were so faint that even with Helsky positioned right beside the boat, he couldn't catch much. He only managed to overhear fragments regarding how he should be handled.

Yang Tuo felt his pulse quicken with anxiety.

Currently, it was just the two of them against six people on the speedboat. Furthermore, Hawkins and Aimusi appeared to possess formidable strength. Should a conflict erupt, the two of them would be overwhelmed.

They could neither flee nor fight. They were left with no choice but to wait.

For experts of their caliber, the sensation of waiting for others to decide their fate was agonizing.

"Do you have eyes on Ye Zhongming’s current location?" The group on the boat seemed to have reached a consensus. Aimusi returned to the bow, questioning Helsky as he floated below.

"Naturally, he’s within this sector of the sea. Surely you know that too? Why else would you be here?" Helsky replied with a skeptical look.

Aimusi let out a cough, looking slightly flustered by the retort, before asking, "What other details do you have?"

Helsky suddenly went quiet, which sent a wave of panic through Yang Tuo. He thought to himself: Brother, you were a total drama king just a second ago. Why have you gone silent now?

"I do possess some very specific information, but I can't find a good reason to share it with you."

Helsky’s reply caused Yang Tuo to break into a cold sweat.

Brother, they hold all the cards! If you talk to them like that, aren't you worried they'll turn violent? Look, I'm a team player, but my loyalty isn't that unshakable if they get pissed off!

"Angry?" Helsky shrugged indifferently. "I'm just being honest. What do I gain by telling you? Your help in killing Ye Zhongming? No, no. While I'm here for vengeance, it isn't my only goal. Between him and me... pardon me, ma'am, no offense intended, but my grudge isn't nearly as deep as yours."

As he spoke, Helsky gestured toward the small corpse cradled in Aimusi’s arms.

A spark of fury ignited in Aimusi’s eyes, but Hawkins placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

"But you still want Ye Zhongming dead, don't you? You wouldn't be in this place otherwise," Hawkins said, crouching at the bow. His demeanor was far more approachable than the abrasive woman next to him.

"You had four teammates before, but now only one remains, and he's a fresh face. You’ve also retreated from that direction. If I’m not mistaken, you found the situation over there impossible to handle, right?"

Hawkins spoke with an air of absolute certainty while observing Helsky.

Instead of a verbal reply, Helsky put on a perfect performance, showing a blend of surprise, slight shame, and a hint of hope.

"Now, if we permit you to join our squad and help you achieve your goal of killing Ye Zhongming for revenge, would that be a fair trade for your intel?"

Helsky looked at Hawkins with a serious expression, while internally screaming: Brother, you really hit the nail on the head!

"But I doubt you'll let me be the one to deal the final blow to Ye Zhongming."

Hawkins gave a small smile. "Certainly not, but you won't have to confront Ye Zhongming head-on either. You'll stay safe and save your strength. Furthermore, you’ll earn... fifty points worth of my friendship."

Helsky appeared to contemplate this for a moment. "I don't require your points, but you must agree to one condition. Don't worry, it won't harm your interests. Besides, the intel I have is of immense value to you. The benefit of my companion and I joining goes far beyond just a few tips."

"What is this condition?" Aimusi asked, her patience wearing thin.

In her mind, they should have just seized the pair for interrogation. However, Hawkins had argued that while the target was on guard, even with six of them, a clean sweep wasn't guaranteed. If a struggle ensued, it might tip off Ye Zhongming, who was likely close by.

Therefore, cooperation was the superior path. Recruiting them would bolster their numbers and provide two extra pieces of cannon fodder for the eventual clash with Ye Zhongming.

"It definitely won't interfere with your goals. Agree to it, and I'll reveal the details, as the condition itself is part of the information."

Hawkins rose, stepped back to consult with Aimusi, Wade, Yaka, and the others once more, and finally gave his consent.

Helsky grinned. "Ye Zhongming isn't flying solo. He currently has five allies with him, along with one of his war beasts. Their collective power is quite formidable. My condition is this: Ye Zhongming is yours, but the woman among his helpers must be turned over to us. In exchange, the two of us will assist you in taking down that war beast."

Five allies? Hawkins and his group were taken aback. That meant Ye Zhongming’s squad consisted of six people and a war beast. Didn't that potentially outweigh their own strength?

Fortunately, they now had these two newcomers to balance the scales.

"It's a deal. Welcome to the team."

In response to Hawkins’ offered hand, Helsky gripped it and vaulted onto the speedboat with a fluid motion, his expression radiating pure joy.