Chapter 298

The roar of helicopter blades filled the air.

Inside the cabin, team members from various nations sat stiffly. Suddenly, a mutated vulture with a wingspan over three meters swooped toward them, its razor-sharp beak glinting ominously in the sunlight.

"Look out!" someone shouted.

Before the warning fully registered, Aria Bennett had already raised her sniper rifle.

Bang!

The bullet pierced clean through the vulture's skull, sending its massive body plummeting to the ground.

Silence enveloped the cabin.

Every gaze shifted to Aria, their expressions shifting with newfound respect. This petite Eastern girl had just taken down the threat with terrifying precision.

"Team China's marksmanship lives up to its reputation," Captain Drake of the first team said with a strained smile.

Aria holstered her rifle, casually wiping the barrel. "Flattery won't get you anywhere."

"About those zombie virus leads..." Drake lowered his voice. "You've got intel, don't you?"

Aria arched a brow. "Trying to fish for secrets?"

"We'll trade points," Drake gritted out.

Other teams immediately chimed in. "Yeah, we'll pay!"

A lazy smirk curled Aria's lips as she leaned back in her seat. "With your pitiful points?" She waggled a finger. "Not worth our time."

Drake's face darkened.

Miles Sutton bit back a laugh, shoulders shaking. Watching these usually arrogant hotshots get put in their place was downright satisfying.

"Don't be mad," Aria said, blinking innocently. "Friendship first, competition second. But..." Her tone sharpened. "Trade secrets are off the table."

The cabin filled with the sound of teeth grinding.

"Wanna game?" Aria suddenly pulled out her phone, waving it at Miles and their teammates.

"Aria, you legend!" Miles immediately scooted closer. "You got multiplayer working up here?"

"Easy." Her fingers flew across the screen. "Just tweaked the code."

Mason Brooks from the neighboring team gaped. "How the hell—?"

"Want me to show you?" Aria didn't even glance up. "Pay up first."

Mason immediately shoved his phone at her. "Do mine! Dinner's on me later!"

Soon, game sound effects erupted through the cabin as two teams battled it out, leaving others to watch enviously.

"Aria," Mason said between rapid button presses, "ever consider joining my company? Name your salary."

"Pass." Aria executed a flawless pentakill. "I like my current gig."

"Being a celebrity's gotta be boring..." Mason pressed.

Aria's lips curved. "Watching certain people seethe while I game? Now that's entertaining."

She deliberately glanced toward Drake's team, where the fuming captain pretended to sleep.

Mason burst out laughing. "Point taken!"

Sunlight streamed through the windows as the helicopter pressed onward, illuminating Aria's focused profile. A faint smirk played on her lips as she dominated the game.

Some were already regretting their life choices—why hadn't they befriended the Falcon Nation team sooner?