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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Tang Xuhai's car raced along the side of the main road, addressing the other two: "To conserve ammunition, they only got two heavy machine guns as firepower positions at the construction site now. Defense along the edges is manned by soldiers. We'll maneuver along the side and, as before in the parking lot incident, slow down, then Fu Shiwu, you'll come and halt the car. Remember, make sure the car blocks the front of the site. When the time comes, both of you attack if you can, otherwise, focus on self-preservation."
Fu Shiwu nodded nervously, "Got it."
Wen Zhaoming swallowed and added, "Understood."
The car wreck site, transformed into a makeshift fortification, had held firm for six days and nights—an incredibly surprising feat.
Initially, there were significant casualties among the soldiers in the first few days. However, since the sudden mutation within the army, the intensity of combat had significantly decreased. Despite dwindling ammunition, the camp's officers decided to hold position near the eastern suburb storage center. Several soldiers in the camp unexpectedly gained immense strength, seemingly possessing inexhaustible energy. Armed with military knives and improvised weapons, they staunchly defended the line for three additional days.
Two machine guns formed a crossfire, with the mutants on both sides slipping through the gaps.
Though these dozens of mutated soldiers became extraordinarily strong suddenly, they were not invulnerable. Inevitably, they suffered injuries and fatigue. After several rotations, the defending soldiers were on the verge of collapse.
Just then, amidst the crossfire, a bright black off-road vehicle appeared!
The commanding officer on the fortifications grew tense and anxious. Since this area had become a battleground between humans and aliens, most private car owners chose to detour back—how many of them survived was uncertain. A small fraction attempted to rush through seeking refuge with the army but ultimately failed to cross the battlefield.
Passing through the battlefield while the two forces clashed was nothing short of an absurd, wildly reckless act.
Even if the opposition were civilians, the military couldn't halt fire to allow them to approach, as doing so would not only fail to save them but also risk breaching the defensive line. Despite their reluctance, none of these soldiers were that foolish.
The commanding officer thought it was another tragedy waiting to happen, but the car didn't charge directly into the crossfire. Instead, it navigated through blind spots in the gunfire and, thereafter, a stunning scene unfolded.
The car door swung open, and a man in combat gear leaped out, rolling a few times to dissipate the momentum before engaging the approaching aliens.
The mutated soldiers on this side felt they were already formidable. Yet, this man seemed to transcend limits; in his hands, the aliens were utterly powerless, either swiftly dispatched or decapitated.
Meanwhile, the black off-road vehicle, slowing down, plowed straight toward a small mound formed by various vehicles and stopped steadily with a swift skid.
The man in combat gear fought several aliens alone, but despite his prowess, he couldn't intercept all the aliens approaching from his direction.
The soldiers stationed above the fortifications watched the aliens about to continue the battle but were surprised to see a wall of fire suddenly erupting in front of the black off-road vehicle.
Caught off guard, the aliens rushed into the flames.
"Sizzle!!!" The aliens wailed; their hairless bodies, when exposed to the intense heat, swiftly turned into living torches.
The fear of fire seemed innate to most creatures. The wall of flames blocked their path, preventing any of the aliens from crossing. The soldiers defending this area suddenly felt the pressure ease, taking a moment to rest and recuperate amidst vigilance.
"That guy is amazing," a soldier, leaning against the abandoned car body, watched Tang Xuhai effortlessly dispatching the aliens, amazed.
"Look at his moves; he's probably military," another soldier squinted, observing Tang Xuhai's techniques, "This kind of combat technique is exclusive to special forces."
"Combat technique?" The soldier looked astonished at this veteran.
"Of course, those folks are trained specifically for small-area combat, even undertaking secretive missions unknown to the public. Naturally, they learn combat techniques," the veteran boasted cryptically, reveling in these obscure legends, two years senior to the soldier who just enlisted.
"In today's world, it seems like only those skilled in combat techniques can shine, huh?" The soldier admired Tang Xuhai, realizing that even as mutated soldiers, they couldn't match his skills.
"Who knows now? Maybe these combat techniques might spread beyond their circle," the veteran's eyes dimmed, "Besides, it's all honed skills. Perhaps, one could figure out equally effective killing techniques. Damn these aliens!"
While these two soldiers discussed Tang Xuhai's prowess, an inexplicable event occurred below with the black off-road vehicle. Massive fireballs shot out from the car windows, crossing the wall of fire and aimed at the charging aliens.
One fireball struck an alien, instantly igniting into flames, consuming the creature's flesh.
The alien abruptly halted, attempting to evade, but the fireball seemed guided, relentlessly pursuing.
For a moment, the wails of the aliens intermingled with the sound of flames burning fiercely. The odor of roasted flesh wafted towards the soldiers, leaving them visibly shaken.
"What's this?!" The veteran's gaze grew intense.
The commanding officer rushed over, locking eyes with him, incredulously asking, "Did you see that?!"
"I saw it clearly; those fireballs even curved and chased, like guided missiles." His expression was solemn.
"Yeah," the commander's face looked unusual but revealed undeniable excitement. "I never expected to witness an esper myself!"
"Commander, don't get too excited, okay?" The veteran chuckled. "Haven't there been reports saying that recently, anyone who's had a fever due to an illness, as long as they didn't die, might likely have esper abilities after the fever subsides?"
"But haven't those few with fevers still not recovered by now?" The commander waved dismissively. "Seeing it with your own eyes is invigorating. These people are our hope!" The commander, excited and relieved, gazed at the roof of the SUV.
In no time, news spread through the position about an esper capable of spewing fire nearby. The soldiers grew excited, rushing to this half-side area to witness this fire-spewing esper.
This event injected a shot of adrenaline into these exhausted soldiers' hearts, igniting immense energy within them. Each soldier felt they could easily endure another three days and nights of combat against the aliens.
Fueled by this passion, the aliens were consecutively eliminated, creating a brief moment of temporary clearance.
Seizing the opportunity, Tang Xuhai, wielding Dragonbone twin knives, retreated towards the SUV.
"How are you two? Are you injured?" Tang Xuhai scanned the two with his eyes.
"We're fine, no injuries," Fu Shiwu shook his head. He turned to Wen Zhaoming in the back seat, saying, "Zhaoming might be a bit drained."
Wen Zhaoming, his face slightly pale, leaned against the back seat, with a wry smile. "It's the first time I've used this ability extensively; I overextended myself."
Tang Xuhai nodded. "Alright, be mindful of your abilities. It's best not to exhaust yourself."
Wen Zhaoming nodded.
"Are you getting in the car?" Fu Shiwu asked.
"No, I'll go up and communicate with the soldiers here," Tang Xuhai said.
Before he climbed up, using some wreckage as cover to flip over, the vehicle at the edge suddenly moved.
In a short while, the car had been overturned, and a few soldiers emerged to move the sedan away.
A military officer with three stars on his shoulder came out jogging, and once he reached Tang Xuhai, he lifted his hand in a salute.
Tang Xuhai reflexively returned the salute.
After the exchange, the officer lowered his hand, chuckling, "I suspected you were a soldier."
"Retired," Tang Xuhai nodded.
"No need for unnecessary chatter. Drive your vehicle in," the officer nodded, making space as the soldiers moved the second obstructing vehicle slightly. "Hurry up, these aliens might come back at any time."
"Thank you!" Tang Xuhai nodded in gratitude and then got into the car.
Fu Shiwu had already climbed to the passenger seat, leaving the driver's seat empty for him.
Tang Xuhai maneuvered the car through a narrow passage between the car's rear and the adjacent high-rise wall.
After they passed, the officer instructed the soldiers to seal off this edge crevice.
Tang Xuhai sighed in relief, thinking they might have had to abandon the car, which would have made things difficult with Wen Zhaoming. Thankfully, the soldiers helped create a gap for them.
Instead of parking near these defenses, Tang Xuhai drove a distance away, avoiding inconveniencing the soldiers with the SUV.
Rather than departing immediately, he stopped the car under the ceasefire and approached the approaching officer, intending to discuss the situation with him.
The officer informed him that their ammunition could endure for a while longer; currently, they relied entirely on those soldiers with mutated physical conditions to persist.
"Can I meet that esper who can use fire?" The officer's eyes gleamed with fervor as he looked at Tang Xuhai.
"Of course, but he might be a bit exhausted from using this ability for the first time," Tang Xuhai nodded, leading the officer towards the car.
At this moment, Fu Shiwu also descended from the car. Out of courtesy, he felt he should personally express his gratitude to the officer.
Just then, from the high-rise buildings on both sides, the aliens suddenly broke through the glass and lunged towards the commander and Tang Xuhai!
These aliens were incredibly astute. Several of them obviously couldn't breach Tang Xuhai's defenses directly and deemed his threat too significant. Therefore, they managed to circumvent the high-rises' inner sides and directly crossed the works on the road, attacking the people on this side.
"Be careful!"
"Commander!"
Tang Xuhai's pupils suddenly contracted, experiencing a moment of blankness. His twin knives were stashed beneath the driver's seat since he was driving, not on his person. Yet, instinctively, his hand moved towards the military knife strapped to his leg.
These aliens had schemed for a long time; several of them displayed a surrounding momentum that made it impossible for the commander and Tang Xuhai to evade. There seemed to be only one dead-end path!
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