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“Don’t worry, I’m here.” I did my best to comfort the little girl, even though I was basically shaking at this point. However, I had to stay strong. For Qiaoqiao’s sake!

Lixiang looked up in the direction of the fog, then in a solemn voice, said, “Your Highness, the skies bring ill tidings, I’m afraid this is an omen…”

“And it’s only getting worse as well…” Bitong muttered in disbelief. “Don’t tell me it’s going to reach us as well?”

Who knows… At this point, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen next. I can sure as heck guarantee that mere mortals cannot change the weather like that. At least, I haven’t heard of any technology that can drag souls!

The survivors were equally terrified by the sudden change. No one had the mood for resting anymore, and were already on their feet, raring to leave right this instant and distance themselves from the fog.

With how the sun was blotted in green, the entire city truly looked like a zombie hellscape at this point. The stifling pressure on us was almost unbearable. It would take a truly mad person to maintain his sanity in the face of such despair…

During that previous scuffle with the Scorpid skeletons, the Lans managed to flee from the scene, so we were well and truly the leader of the survivors now.

We had to lead them to the south, where we would either leave, or bump into a roving band of soldiers.

“We have to leave right now. We will head south, and if we’re lucky, we should be able to make it out.” I announced to the survivors before turning to 8931.

“Do you want to come with us? I don’t think there’s any reason for you to stay at this point.” I asked sincerely.”

“No. I intend to stay behind. Our last mission was to rescue the citizens. Seeing as this bridge is going to be a main focal point in that, I have to hold this position.”

“Uncle, are you sure? This place is scary, maybe you should come with us…” Qiaoqiao timidly whispered.

“I’m sorry, but I have to stay.” 8931 then sighed in resignation. “You all have exosuits, so I’m sure ordinary zombies won’t be able to harm you. As long as those Scorpids don’t pop up again, I’m sure the road ahead will only be easier… but the other citizens aren’t the same, they aren’t as fortunate… That’s why I have to stay…”

“3739. 5514. You guys as well?” Bitong suddenly asked the two officers.

“I intend to stay behind.” 3739 tried his best to say that casually. “Since I can’t even go back to the HQ, I want to at least catch a glimpse of our enemy.”

“I’m staying behind too. Even though I really want to go off gallivanting with a bunch of beauties… Truly, unfortunate.” While he might have said that, I couldn’t hear the least bit of regret in his voice.

Seems like they’ve all made up their minds. Even though their HQ and even their Chief is dead…

“I understand. Please be well.” Faced with their unrelenting resolve, I couldn’t help but be touched. For the briefest of moments, I even contemplated staying behind to help them. But I couldn’t do that… I had people I had to protect as well…

“Don’t worry, I’m sure we will see each other in the future too.” In contrast to my gloom, 5514 was just as boisterous as before, as if we weren’t saying our final farewells at all. “I hope the next time we meet, you’ll give me your autograph. And a photo too.”

Perhaps affected by his optimism as well, I happily agreed. “No problem. As many as you want, assuming you’re alive then.”

“Hahaha, there’s no need to assume there. Not while I have the Goddess’s autograph and photograph to look forward to!” 5514 grinned widely underneath his exosuit. “I’ll be sure to burn one copy for him as well…

Burn one copy… I see… So that’s how it is…

Exactly how many have died in this disaster already… Exactly who is so devious as to destroy an entire city like this… And how many more…

If I ever get the chance, I’m going to gouge his heart out and see if the blood running within is as black as its host!

Unfortunately, I didn’t even know who it was we were fighting against…

Having said our farewells to those brave policemen, I swiftly led the survivors southward across the bridge. Gone was the fatigue that had plagued us mere moments ago. In order to escape this hellscape, the survivors seemed to have found their second wind.

I took point this time, swinging away at any zombie I found with my hammer. Our flanks were covered by the two unmanned exosuits controlled by Bitong. Even though they had taken some damage in the last fight, any exposed surfaces did not matter much since there was no pilot inside to begin with. Following closely behind were Qiaoqiao and Lixiang. Like the head of a spear, we slew our way down south.

Whenever we bumped into any survivor, we would stop temporarily to allow them to join our pack. In order to prevent another tragedy, I had the best performing armed survivors handle the rearguard. At the very least, we shouldn’t have another repeat of the past where the survivors simply fled.

In the end, after a good number of delays in order to rescue survivors, we found ourselves at the outskirts around seven in the night. At which point, we stumbled onto what had to be the most shocking sight so far…

Thousands, perhaps even millions of black exosuits stood stock-still ahead. In the middle was a twenty-one meter tall, reddish mobile armor that was equally still..

There were no signs of battle anywhere. No blood, not even scratch marks. It was as if those suits were all empty…

High above, countless green apparitions swam about, their bodies elongating at times, before suddenly contracting into an almost biscuit-like shape. Their mouths were unnaturally wide open as they wailed in agony. However, no matter how hard they seemed to be screaming, we couldn’t hear a word. It was as if they were in an entirely different dimension from us…

“The survivors over there, please remain where you are. It is extremely dangerous here. I repeat, please do not come over… remain where you are…”

At the same time that we spotted the army, they spotted us as well.

Unfortunately, the soldier did not even get to finish his warning before some of the survivors started rushing towards the army.

“It’s the army, we’re saved!”

“Finally! We can get out of this place…”

The survivors rushed forward, completely ignoring those apparitions above. Then… disaster struck…

Shameless Self-promotion

Announcement: I’ve re-opened my Patreon in case anyone wants to sponsor more chapters. Every end of the month, those chapters in early access will be released for free for all to read. If you sponsored a chapter, you will gain permanent early access to these chapters. Essentially, everyone gets more chapters to read, but those who donated get to read earlier. More chapters will then be translated at the start of the month. Explanation on the Patreon itself.

LINK HERE