Reality.
It's now 9:40 in the morning, past the time when the mall should have opened.
But the entire commercial street has been cordoned off with police tape. Special forces stand guard at the blockade, forming an impenetrable wall of flesh.
Outside this wall, Lv Shang, dressed in traditional attire, dials a number: "Is this the X City Prevention Center? This is Lv Shang. I'd like to inquire why our mall has been sealed off?"
As a comprehensive department store, Lvshi Mall has dominated the entire commercial street since its construction over forty years ago, undergoing several expansions. At present, it's like a feudal lord reigning over the entire area. However, at 3 a.m. today, this street was suddenly sealed off, causing Lvshi Mall's stocks to plummet to their limit as soon as the market opened at 9 a.m.
The staff patiently replies, "This is according to headquarters' orders. For the safety of the citizens, we had to temporarily seal it off. The specific duration of the blockade is yet to be determined."
Lv Shang was awakened at three in the morning and despite exhausting all his connections, has yet to receive results. He has been busy until now, and his temper has become particularly volatile: "Orders?! How much tax have I paid over the years! You're dismissing me with just one order?! In X City, how much of X GDP has my Lv Group supported? How many jobs? Twenty years ago, when Lvshi Mall's headquarters wanted to relocate, you weren't like this!"
The most glorious period for Lvshi Mall was probably twenty years ago. Since the appearance of the slaughterhouse in X City, the permanent population has dwindled. The entire department store has become increasingly desolate.
Unfortunately, Lv Shang spent a considerable amount of money years ago, being optimistic about the future, buying land, and renovating the mall. This caused Lvshi Mall's development outside of X City to be mediocre.
Now nearly seventy, Lv Shang's only daughter disappeared over twenty years ago, and he has passed his prime.
His nephew supports him, "Uncle, don't get angry."
As they speak, there is suddenly a deafening roar from above!
In the distance, the glass of the department store shatters inch by inch, and amidst the billowing smoke and dust, bursts of fiery light appear.
Lv Shang widens his eyes. After a brief shock, he suddenly drops his cane and rushes forward, wailing loudly, "Don't stop me! My mall—my mall!"
The Harbingers rushing to X City from the outside knit their brows, dialing headquarters: "There's a phenomenon of fusion between the inner and outer worlds. Requesting emergency evacuation citywide!"
...
...
White flames leap from Tang's blade, dancing fiercely.
The blade cuts through the air elegantly, severing several menacing tentacles, which fall to the ground, oozing black blood.
Huang Chen's standard issue Tang Blade uses an inward edge, which is more difficult to wield than an outward one. The benefit is that it creates wounds that are harder to heal.
Compared to slicing open bloodlines, the wounds caused by Huang Chen are more akin to jagged tears.
In close combat, 01 has no weapon, only his hands. Yet, when his hands clash with the blade, there is a resounding clang.
The blade plunges deep into 01's palm. In just a few minutes, 01's body is covered in wounds.
The regeneration speed of his flesh has noticeably slowed down. These flesh and blood squirm, accelerated by the power of time, hasten their decay.
One face on 01's body constantly alternates between old and young, like the changing of seasons.
The surrounding buildings have completely collapsed, and terrifying cracks appear on the ground.
Under the red blood moon, the collision is swift and fierce.
"Not bad, much stronger than last time," 01's laughter is frivolous. "Finally, it's not so boring."
His body expands abnormally, breaking free from the constraints of his clothing. Strands of black flesh spread over his body, forming new bones and muscles. Limbs fall to the ground, dripping with black fluid.
01 is truly worthy of his code name "Hound." From a distance, he looks like a black giant dog crawling on the ground, its head split open, lined with menacing teeth.
But 01 is much uglier than a dog, and he just stands there, towering over everything like a two-story building.
This makes everything in front of him seem insignificant.
With a roar, 01's huge claws swipe towards Tang Xunan.
Although he is massive, his movements are lightning-fast. His talent for teleportation makes his movements ghostly, more like a lurking jackal. If prey caught his attention, a single misstep could result in a broken throat.
No wonder some people regard S-class Pollutants as "gods."
Before them, humans truly seem like ants.
The dragon wings behind Tang Xunan unfold, dodging the blow. Huang Chen's blade leaves a long wound on 01's side, but it seems merely superficial compared to his massive frame.
01 sneers, "Looks like this is all you've got? Is this humanity's only S-class Harbinger?"
"Number 10, give up, you're just a tool being used. Those incompetent weaklings, they've morally enslaved you, and yet they're full of suspicion towards you!
"They're simply not worthy!"
Three dogs brought from the Hound Base suddenly howl like wolves.
They are guarding a life capsule, where Number 9 Ye Liangshan is.
Gong Weibin is tied up on the roadside, unsure whether to howl along or not.
He has thought about escaping, but as soon as he moves, the surrounding dogs snarl at him, forcing him to cower.
Without weapons, 01's body is his best weapon and strongest defense.
The dripping black liquid is like molten lava, possessing a scorching and corrosive heat. The surrounding high-rise buildings are almost leveled by the two.
With a palm strike, he aims for Tang Xunan's body.
The internal force formed by the palm wind feels like a mountain pressing down. 01's palm is particularly huge, seeming to blot out the sky. The surface of his arm is like boiling hot water, bubbling with viscous bubbles.
Pitch-black dragon scales emerge from Tang Xunan's body.
Faced with this almost certain death blow, he does not flee.
"Hound—"
Tang Xunan finally speaks, dropping his blade.
A white light illuminates the dark night. Initially faint, it quickly intensifies, shattering the darkness like a thunderbolt.
Bai Ze, in a semi-comatose state, struggles to open his eyes.
His fingers tremble slightly as he murmurs, "Captain... don't..."
The pupils in Tang Xunan's eyes turn into vertical lines at that moment, "This has always been my own choice."
A dragon's roar seems to come from the horizon.
But it's clearly right beside them.
A black dog with white bone spurs and a black dragon.
No more words are needed.
The two monsters, like beasts, tear at each other. All their accumulated strength is for the sole purpose of delivering the other into death's embrace.
Unlock exclusive early access to 100s of Chapters before anyone else by becoming a valued member of my Patreon community.
As a cherished member of our Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5:
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public. (You can find all the novels I'm translating HERE.)
- Your name will be prominently featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10:
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20:
- You get to recommend an abandoned Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
