Chapter Ninety-Five: The Blade Mantis

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Despite the bitter cold, the group felt not a trace of chill, thanks to the fire pearls they carried. Still, being outside in such weather was far from pleasant, and they waited in tense silence. If not for the threat to their own lives, no one would willingly endure such torment in a place like this.

It was now one in the afternoon. Yang Fan glanced at the azure sky, then at the world around him—snow blanketed everything, yet not a single so-called Zerg had appeared. Li Qiang shuffled over, his expression grim. "What's going on?"

"I don't know, but don't let your guard down," Yang Fan replied, equally uncertain. How could there be no Zerg? The Zerg were not only powerful but also terrifyingly numerous. When they came, it was always dozens, sometimes hundreds at a time. If one ever appeared alone, it was always a high-ranking Zerg.

The Zerg were vicious, devouring even their own kind. Lesser Zerg would never dare approach the higher ranks for fear of being eaten themselves.

Yet here, not a single Zerg was to be seen. Yang Fan was growing uneasy—could this be a safe zone, untouched by the Zerg? If that were true, he’d be utterly humiliated, and worse, his reputation would plummet. People would think he was mad.

With that in mind, he found himself almost wishing the Zerg would descend upon them soon...

By three in the afternoon, still no sign of the Zerg. The wind howled, and many began to feel they’d been duped, crouched in the snow like fools, waiting for some terrifying creature—some mighty Zerg—that had yet to appear. Was this all just a joke?

Many began to think so. But, as is often the way with the Chinese, they remained cautious, preferring to err on the side of believing rather than dismissing the threat. So they waited, however disgruntled.

By five o’clock, even Yang Fan was growing impatient, tempted to leave and hunt down a few Zerg himself, as he noticed the growing discontent on people’s faces.

Just then, someone snapped. He stood up abruptly from the snow, cursing aloud, "What the hell is this? We’ve been played! Screw it, let’s go back to the trucks and rest."

"Exactly! Some terrifying creature, scarier than mutated beasts? Yeah right! Let’s see what it is—come on, let’s have a look!"

More people joined in, swearing and venting their frustration. They were about a few hundred meters away, hidden in the snow. Yang Fan glared at them, restraining his murderous intent and keeping silent. The others watched as well, hiding carefully, waiting to see if the bold ones would be attacked without warning.

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But Yang Fan was disappointed. Li Qiang was disappointed. Many were disappointed. The group simply left, unharmed, and climbed to a nearby rise. They spat several times onto the ground, sitting there sullenly. They weren’t soldiers, just ordinary survivors of the apocalypse, men who had once been local bosses before the world changed.

That explained their impatience. Having once enjoyed the good life, they were fed up with hardship and privation, and such long, anxious waiting drove them to restlessness and rebellion.

"Damn it!" Their leader stood on the rise, taking out a pack of cigarettes and passing them among his men. "Circle up, circle up. I want a light."

Four or five cronies immediately formed a circle, the sound of lighters snapping echoing faintly to the ears of many.

"Bastards," Yang Fan muttered, quelling his urge to kill them. Li Qiang was less restrained, but Yang Fan held him back with a look. Li Qiang spat in disgust but said nothing more, while the soldiers rigidly maintained discipline.

But among those not in the formal army—the system inheritors—some were already restless, ready to give up waiting in the snow. Just as a group prepared to get up, a terrifying sight appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Those four or five men stood atop the rise, about a meter or two high, the snow piled thick atop it. As they huddled there lighting up, right at the edge of the mountain, everyone saw it with their own eyes...

Four beetles, their bodies gleaming with a cold light. Yes, beetles—except these were hundreds of times their normal size, with eight tentacle-like limbs, each shaped like a scythe, serrated edges capable of slicing through steel. Most horrifying of all, each limb ended in a gaping maw, stained with blood.

These beetles looked more like mantises, their bodies a vibrant green. Blade Mantis Bugs—Yang Fan sucked in a sharp breath. He had never expected to encounter Blade Mantis Bugs, the flying Zerg.

A shrill screech split the air.

The four Blade Mantis Bugs emitted a chilling cry. The five men froze in terror, turning to see the grotesque faces and massive compound eyes looming behind them. Their legs gave out. One of the bugs lashed out, its serrated limb burying deep into a man’s body.

Agony, blood, brutality.

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A bloodcurdling scream rang out, echoing across the snow. The crowd watched in horror as the man's face twisted in pain, his features contorted in a rictus of fear and suffering. In moments, the five men were ripped to shreds by the four Blade Mantis Bugs, their bodies mangled beyond recognition.

Everyone was terrified, their courage crumbling.

"Take your positions! Attack!" Yang Fan wasted no words. He knew the Zerg would only grow in number—waiting meant death. They had to strike first. He led the charge, knowing his self-destruction ability gave him an edge. If he could kill just one Blade Mantis Bug, it would inspire the others, proving that these creatures were not invincible.

Only then would they have the will to fight.

The four Blade Mantis Bugs were still feasting, oblivious to the danger approaching. Yang Fan shot forward like lightning, the thunderous crackle of his Thunder Blade flashing with wild energy. He sprinted, activating his Cloak of the Divine, vanishing from sight.

In a blink, he was behind one of the Blade Mantis Bugs and struck with a swift blow.

[-670]

A crimson number floated above the bug’s head, marking the damage dealt.

(The battle begins! The blood is boiling! It’s been a long time since I last asked for votes—current count is 314. For every 100 more, there’ll be an extra chapter. Two chapters today, but if you want three or four, it’s up to you!)