I'd like to thank our new Patreon Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation. I've read up to chapter 50, and it's a truly engaging read. It boasts a 4.4 rating on NovelUpdates. So you know it's going to be good.
Thank you again, Melonpan, for the sponsorship
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The entire Yun City was a battleground between humans and aliens, mostly ending in human failure. Despite outnumbering the aliens significantly, the innate advantages of the alien race far surpassed human combat capabilities. The situation became almost entirely one-sided, leaving unarmed humans to fall prey to the aliens.
The first night brought about a thousand aliens under the cover of Yun City's darkness, and nearly the same number arrived every subsequent day. As the alien numbers increased, humanity dwindled. If this persisted, extinction seemed inevitable.
When would the turning point arrive? Many pondered this question.
Miao Jia, as mentioned by the detective, had shed the police uniform, not to flee alone but due to excessive blood loss. Despite losing all the armed police and officers accompanying him, leaving only one companion with terrible marksmanship and too young, offering little sense of security, Miao Jia saw no reason to turn back halfway through this arduous journey. The road ahead was still to be traveled.
The remaining group gritted their teeth and continued towards the eastern suburbs. Without armed police leading the way, their group stretched longer and eventually dispersed, opting for detours instead of attempting a straight line.
Miao Jia chose to push forward without detours. He knew the significance of the initial straight path, even though his physical training barely met the mark and he lagged behind in climbing and endurance. Yet, unlike the others, he didn't retreat when faced with a dead-end.
Struggling through the thorns and obstacles, Miao Jia led the few remaining individuals through a factory. Suddenly, screams erupted behind them. Miao Jia jolted, shouting, "Run!"
The people behind him dashed ahead, surpassing him within moments. Annoyed but unable to do much, Miao Jia swung his arms desperately. Even in this perilous moment, he refused to abandon the heavy laptop bag slung across his shoulder.
The screams persisted behind him as Miao Jia, out of bullets and lacking armed companions, could only urge both himself and the others to run faster, hoping for salvation.
Gasping for air, Miao Jia felt his chest burning. This sprinting was far swifter than any test he'd faced during graduation. "If they had thrown aliens into my exams, passing wouldn't have been the only concern," he thought wryly.
However, his endurance failed him. His knees weakened, and he stumbled to the ground.
In that moment, confusion engulfed him. The screams faded, replaced by the sound of footsteps. "Am I going to die?" Panic seized Miao Jia. Despite being a police officer, fear of death consumed him.
A forceful grip seized his arm, almost lifting him. "Go back!" a voice commanded.
Miao Jia staggered forward, catching sight of several individuals dressed in digital camouflage racing past him. He glanced back to witness them hurling dark objects at the pursuing aliens.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Deafening blasts followed one after another, engulfing three aliens in massive flames and smoke.
Gasping for breath, eyes stinging from the sudden blaze, Miao Jia turned to see a warehouse beyond a fence not far from the factory's gate.
Finally, they had arrived. Miao Jia clutched his laptop bag tightly, overwhelmed with a mixture of tears and laughter.
As the night passed, Yun City welcomed another dawn.
Tang Xuhai's biological clock woke him, and he opened his eyes, illuminating the time on his wristwatch.
5:30 in the morning.
The flickering light disturbed Fu Shiwu's sleep.
He turned on the flashlight, sat up, and his unruly hair stood up disobediently.
"Pfft!" Tang Xuhai burst into laughter.
Fu Shiwu blinked, still groggy. "What's so funny?"
Tang Xuhai covered his mouth, shaking his head, shoulders trembling with laughter.
"What are you laughing at?!" Fu Shiwu frowned, lacking the intimidation factor of his glasses, but his glare was enough to make others want to tease him.
Tang Xuhai couldn't stop laughing.
Squinting, Fu Shiwu put on his glasses, crossed his arms, and said, "I don't think you've fully recovered today. Maybe hold off on smoking for a couple more days."
Tang Xuhai couldn't laugh anymore; this threat was too effective!
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you," Tang Xuhai said earnestly. "It's just your current look; it's hard not to find it amusing."
That remark was asking for trouble! Fu Shiwu thought, what's so funny about me?
"What's so entertaining about me that you can't stop laughing?" Fu Shiwu gritted his teeth. "Speak up, I'll change it! Right away!"
*Cough* Tang Xuhai cleared his throat. "I think you should keep your hair short in this world's current situation."
His words were vague, but Fu Shiwu understood in an instant. He swiftly reached to touch his hair. Indeed, a tuft on top proudly displayed its arrogance.
Fu Shiwu blushed instantly.
For someone like Fu Shiwu, who paid special attention to appearance, this was almost a fatal blow. He had to wash his hair frequently; otherwise, it would stand like this. He had considered trimming it short, but it didn't fit his image, making him look awkward, like a nerdy bookworm in the school library.
However, conserving water in this shelter meant no extra for washing hair. He didn't want to do that either. His hair had a swirl on top, causing it to stand every time he woke up.
Fu Shiwu felt utterly defeated.
Seeing him despondent, Tang Xuhai realized he might have gone too far. He hurriedly said, "If you wet it a bit, it won't stand as much."
Fu Shiwu looked up, firmly refusing, "That's not feasible! Water is precious now; how can I use it to wash hair!"
"Don't worry," Tang Xuhai reassured, "I'm feeling much better now. I'll go out during the day, fetch some water, and you can use it without concern."
Fu Shiwu didn't believe his assurances. He handed Tang Xuhai a thermometer with a stern look.
Seeing Fu Shiwu's sour mood, Tang Xuhai reluctantly took the thermometer and tucked it under his armpit. Fu Shiwu switched on the light, checking Wen Zhaoming's condition.
Frowning, Fu Shiwu said worriedly, "Wen Zhaoming still hasn't awakened, and his temperature is still high. Based on your condition, he should be fine, right?"
Tang Xuhai smirked, "You can't compare my situation with his. Mine is an old leg injury resurfacing, his is a cold. Can they be the same? Besides, look at my physique and then at his constitution; naturally, my fever will subside faster."
Fu Shiwu glanced at his muscular chest, feeling envy and jealousy.
He sighed, "Perhaps, but even so, we can't let him continue with such a high fever for long; it could damage his brain."
Tang Xuhai furrowed his brows, stood up, squatted beside Fu Shiwu, and observed Wen Zhaoming's pale face, sweating profusely and breathing heavily.
"His breathing is still somewhat strong, no major issues for now," Tang Xuhai calculated, "Without effective medical treatment, all we can do is maintain hydration and temperature reduction through IV fluids."
Standing up, Tang Xuhai caught Fu Shiwu's gaze.
"Today, I need to go out. Empty one bucket from the three we have, I'll bring back some water to physically lower his temperature."
"That's the only option now," Fu Shiwu conceded.
Initially, Fu Shiwu had considered going out himself, but Tang Xuhai, determined to normalize the temperature, overpowered him, even engaging in a brief physical test with him.
Fu Shiwu had to yield to his 'intimidation.' Tang Xuhai ventured out while Fu Shiwu stayed in the shelter.
Tang Xuhai nibbled on a compressed biscuit, drank some water, and confidently headed out with a military knife.
Only three days in darkness, but it had frustrated Tang Xuhai.
He parked the SUV, lightly stretching his body, moving his arms and legs.
Tang Xuhai stared at his right leg. It wasn't his imagination; this leg was genuinely free from any discomfort.
This was impossible.
His right leg had suffered a severe compound fracture, and surgery had removed shattered bone fragments. To aid healing, a steel plate was installed, and the broken bone required immense effort to heal. Though it looked normal, it couldn't endure intense movements. Even regular walking was a painful struggle.
Inside his leg was a steel plate, not his own bone, muscles, or nerves. Naturally, they didn't coexist peacefully, and the most common sensation he felt was pain.
Though this leg forced him to retire from a splendid career, Tang Xuhai didn't want to live as an invalid. He maintained rigorous training, causing occasional protests from his leg.
And now, this leg felt just as it did before the fracture. No, even better!
Tang Xuhai wanted to confirm whether this was reality or an illusion.
He lifted his leg and delivered a swift kick!
*Whoosh* A sound cut through the air as Tang Xuhai's body tilted to one side, leg raised, suspended in the air steadily.
This wasn't an illusion; his leg was completely healed!
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