Name: PDF Lightweight Bulletproof Armor
Estimated Value: 1500 credits
Protection Rating: 3
Durability: 45/50
Material: Ceramic-steel composite
Weight: 6.2 kg
---
He then picked up a PDF soldier's automatic rifle.
Name: PDF Standard Automatic Rifle
Estimated Value: ~3500 credits
Weight: 4.5 kg
Vertical Recoil Control: 68
Horizontal Recoil Control: 52
Handling Efficiency: 52
Stability: 53
Accuracy: 60
Hip-fire Stability: 72
Effective Range: 600 m
Muzzle Velocity: 1050
Fire Modes: Fully automatic / Semi-automatic
Rate of Fire: 750
Caliber: 8.9×55mm
Power Output: High
---
This weapon alone was worth 3,500 credits.
Li Qinwu was overjoyed. Without hesitation, he discarded the miscellaneous junk in his possession and equipped the rifle.
One, two, three, four—
Four rifles now hung across his chest. Nearly 20 kilograms of weight pressed down on him, making his breathing heavier.
But he could still carry it.
Climbing to the extraction point was part of the scavenger's survival loop.
"Today is a good day… a good day!"
Laughing to himself, he pulled a fifth rifle from a fallen PDF soldier's body and slung it over himself.
Only then did he remember—the squad leader still had a laser weapon.
In this world, laser weapons were often mocked as "flashlights," but that was only because the Warhammer 40k galaxy contained absurdly powerful weapons everywhere. In reality, lasguns were devastating infantry weapons.
A single power cell could fire around 200 shots. At close range, it could burn through flesh and even punch through thin armor plating. Against unarmored targets, it was lethal.
Far stronger than anything he had used in his original world.
Li Qinwu searched the battlefield for the squad leader's body, eager to finally obtain one.
But the corpse was missing.
Before he could understand what had happened, a sound came from behind him.
He turned.
A pair of bloodshot, furious eyes stared back at him.
The PDF squad leader was still alive—leaning against the trench wall, covered in blood, laser rifle raised.
Li Qinwu froze.
"No way… you're still alive?!"
Fear surged through him instantly.
"I'm not a rebel—don't shoot!"
Before he could finish, the trigger was pulled.
A burning beam struck his chest.
For a moment, Li Qinwu thought he was dead.
But he didn't collapse.
No pain.
Only heat—and the smell of scorched material.
Looking down, he saw the laser had shattered the rifles hanging across his chest, absorbing most of the energy. The remaining force had been blocked by the armor he had just scavenged.
"…What the hell!!"
Rage exploded inside him.
He charged forward, kicking the squad leader hard in the chest and slamming him to the ground. The man was already severely wounded from earlier combat and could not resist.
Li Qinwu stomped down on his hand, forcing the laser weapon loose.
The squad leader screamed.
With practiced efficiency, Li Qinwu seized the weapon, then pressed his dagger to the man's neck.
He hesitated.
In this world, some laser weapons were bound with authorization locks or faction-specific safety systems. He couldn't risk a weapon he couldn't fire in an emergency.
But before he could decide—
A system notification echoed in his mind.
---
Ding! Emergency Mission Triggered
Mission: Rescue Sergeant Rudolph
Sergeant Rudolph is a veteran PDF non-commissioned officer with long service and strong command reputation.
If successfully extracted and returned to the PDF defense line, he can be promoted to Second Lieutenant and company commander.
Mission Objective: Escort Sergeant Rudolph to PDF defensive position
---
Rewards:
Unlock extraction point via Rudolph's clearance
Unlock NPC contact: Rudolph (trade, missions, exchange)
+10 PDF faction favorability
---
Li Qinwu stopped.
His dagger paused inches from the squad leader's throat.
Extraction point unlocked.
A new contact unlocked.
This was huge.
Right now, he only had one known extraction route: a hidden ventilation shaft leading into the Underhive beneath the hive city.
If this mission gave him another extraction path—and a contact—his entire survival strategy would expand.
After a moment of hesitation, he exhaled sharply.
"…Fine."
He grabbed the injured squad leader and hauled him upright.
---
Successful Evacuation
The blade did not fall.
Li Qinwu quickly supported the wounded squad leader and checked his injuries.
The man struggled weakly.
"Traitor… I'll kill you…"
Smack.
"Shut up. I'm not a traitor."
Li Qinwu's tone was sharp.
"I'm just a bottom-level scavenger. I pick battlefield trash. If I was a traitor, you'd already be dead."
The man froze slightly.
Li Qinwu continued, irritated:
"Stay still. If you die here, the rebels will carve you up."
That finally silenced him.
The squad leader's right hand was shattered. His leg was also heavily bleeding from a gunshot wound.
Li Qinwu tore cloth from nearby corpses and wrapped the injuries tightly, improvising a crude tourniquet.
The pain made the man nearly pass out, but he survived.
Now came the problem.
A fully grown man—plus multiple rifles—was impossible to carry on foot.
Then Li Qinwu spotted a small metal transport cart used for trench logistics.
Perfect.
He dragged it over, loaded the rifles into it, then placed the injured squad leader inside.
"Don't move. I'm taking you to the PDF line, then I'm gone."
He began pulling the cart forward.
---
Hours passed.
The weight was unbearable. His arms burned. His breathing grew heavy.
But he didn't stop.
Along the way, the squad leader—Rudolph—slowly regained partial awareness.
He looked at Li Qinwu differently now.
"…Take my identity tag. For my comrade."
Li Qinwu paused, then returned to the trench, retrieved the dog tag from a corpse, and tossed it back.
"You owe me."
They continued.
---
The terrain of Agricultural World 496b was unexpectedly alive.
Green fields stretched across farmland. Forests swayed in the distance. Blue sky above.
A stark contrast to the war-ravaged battlefield below.
But for Li Qinwu, it was just terrain to cross.
His strength slowly improved as he pushed the cart—his body adapting under pressure.
After some time:
Strength increased.
Stamina increased.
---
Eventually, Rudolph lost consciousness from blood loss.
Li Qinwu stopped briefly, ate ration biscuits, drank water, and checked his mental map.
Distance remaining: 2 km to PDF line.
Extraction point: 20 km away.
He groaned.
"This is going to kill me…"
But he kept going.
---
Night fell.
The sky of 496b glittered with stars, while orbital warships drifted silently above like distant gods.
At last, he reached a position less than 300 meters from the PDF defensive line.
Minefields.
Barbed wire.
Watchtowers.
Searchlights.
Soldiers patrolling in the distance.
Li Qinwu stopped the cart.
Ahead—was the final dangerous stretch.
—