Professor Chen's complexion drained of color in an instant. "It's over," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Their ceremony has begun!"
Several soldiers from the martial law supermarket rushed forward, armed with their guns. However, their numbers were meager, barely surpassing the count of the black-scaled monsters that had infiltrated. They charged into the fray, akin to moths drawn to a flame, but their efforts seemed futile. The leading soldier cast a fleeting glance at Su Wenhao, his face etched with uncertainty. "Deputy Battalion Commander, I'll hold them off! You and Professor Chen must find a way..."
A weight settled upon Su Wenhao's countenance as he hastily pulled Professor Chen aside, desperately seeking alternative solutions. If none could be found, their only recourse would be to fight to the death. But such a course of action held little meaning if it failed to ensure the safety of Professor Chen and their own survival. What purpose would be served by sacrificing their lives in a futile battle?
Time was running out, rendering the modification of the Gatling gun an unattainable goal.
Meanwhile, upon witnessing the scene unfold, Su Chen's heart sank, prompting an immediate adjustment to his tactical plan for the transformed heavy machine gun.
The original plan remained intact: a frontal breakthrough with a maximum of a dozen black-scaled monsters in the vanguard. However, given the tremendous size of these creatures, even if a dozen rushed forward simultaneously, only seven of them would pose an immediate threat. Beyond that number, their collective charge would only serve to hinder and impede one another, greatly diminishing the peril they presented.
Calmly analyzing the situation, Su Chen deduced that, bolstered by his battle armor, he could potentially withstand the assault of three to five black-scaled monsters on his own. In the event that the modified heavy machine gun failed to materialize, he would require assistance in neutralizing the remaining two to four monsters.
However, the battle armor had yet to be tested in actual combat, leaving room for the possibility of even greater performance...
With thoughts racing, Su Chen deliberated under the weight of the crisis. His gaze settled upon Lin Mo, standing at his side, as he posed a crucial question. "Can you hold off an attack from two to four black-scaled monsters simultaneously?"
Though Lin Mo had claimed to have slain a black-scaled monster before, Su Chen remained uncertain of his true strength. Yet, there was an undeniable aura of power emanating from Lin Mo, coupled with the fact that he had been chosen as the primary offering by the monsters. This indicated that Lin Mo's prowess was far from ordinary, and he might possess the ability to fend off multiple black-scaled monsters.
Lin Mo, his brow furrowed, responded, "Perhaps... I can... My strength surpasses that of ordinary individuals, and my endurance far exceeds theirs." He paused, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. "Why do you ask?"
Su Chen's gaze turned resolute, his voice cold as he uttered a single phrase. "Together, we might be able to slay them. Let's carve a path of blood!"
Lin Mo's expression shifted, taken aback by Su Chen's audacity and valor. He had known Su Chen to be a talented individual, an adept monster hunter, but he hadn't anticipated such unwavering courage. The proposition to charge headlong into battle, vowing to eliminate the black-scaled monsters, carried with it a veiled threat.
Lin Mo found himself taken aback, his surprise evident. While he acknowledged Su Chen's talent and experience in monster hunting, he hadn't anticipated such unwavering courage and an eagerness to confront the black-scaled monsters head-on, with a determination to eliminate them completely.
In that moment, Lin Mo felt a surge of power welling up within him. If Su Chen dared to fight with such desperation, why should he shrink away?
Though he had been an unassuming individual, even a social outcast, Lin Mo possessed his own ideas, courage, and analytical thinking. Now, in this critical juncture, these qualities emerged fearlessly and resolute.
Recalling Su Chen's words earlier, "I believe you are human because of your eyes," and the recent conversation with Xia Chuwei, a rare smile graced Lin Mo's face as he spoke, "I'm uncertain, but I believe I can give it a try. I have nothing left to lose. Frankly, I no longer fear death. My only fear is becoming a monster. I yearn to live with integrity or die with honor. You and Xia Chuwei are my friends. Regardless of the outcome, I am willing to fight alongside you. Even if it costs me my life, I believe it will be worthwhile."
He clenched his disfigured right fist, reminiscent of a monstrous appendage. "However, while I can suppress the black-scaled monsters, my claws alone may not be enough to penetrate their formidable scale armor. That would be a problem."
"I can sever their scales," Su Chen responded without hesitation, allocating the tasks. "In this way, you can suppress them, and I will execute the decisive blows. We will become a formidable duo, cooperating to the best of our abilities and adapting as needed."
Lin Mo nodded, nerves tingling within him. Time was of the essence, leaving little room for further questions or discussion. At this moment, his only path lay in charging forth and engaging in combat.
Su Wenhao watched the scene unfold, a mix of excitement and deep emotion welling up within him. "Mr. Su, Mr. Lin, my soldiers and I are ready to fight alongside you, even if it means laying down our lives!"
Shaking his head, Su Chen replied, "Deputy Battalion Commander Su, as long as the black-scaled monsters outside don't gather into a unified force, as you mentioned, Lin Mo and I may be able to create an opening. You and your soldiers need not be at the forefront. Your primary objective should be to ensure the safe evacuation of as many survivors as possible."
These words sent shockwaves through Su Wenhao, Professor Chen, and all the soldiers and researchers present.
Even if the monsters outside did not fully encircle them, they would still have to face a dozen or even twenty black-scaled monsters in combat. But failure to dispatch them swiftly would result in a rapid escalation, potentially confronting hundreds of these formidable creatures.
Such a feat required the ability to eliminate the black-scaled monsters in an instant. Even among the ranks of talented individuals, it was considered extraordinary to claim the ability to swiftly kill elongated ghosts. But to eliminate black-scaled monsters in the blink of an eye...
Who did they think they were?
Su Wenhao had initially assumed that Su Chen and Lin Mo would cooperate with the military, but it became apparent that the two of them intended to carve a path through their sheer strength alone.
Was this some kind of joke?
Even among the talented individuals, none would dare to assert that they could single-handedly escape the clutches of encircling black-scaled monsters!
Before the astonished Su Wenhao could formulate a response, Su Chen continued, unperturbed. The screams emanating from the ground floor served as a grim reminder of the pressing time constraints.
The urgency of the situation pressed upon them, prompting Su Chen to swiftly address Xia Chuwei, who appeared lost and uncertain on the opposite side. His voice brimming with determination, he stated, "However, our combat capabilities are inherently limited. Even if we manage to eliminate the black-scaled monsters, it's unlikely we can safeguard everyone. The number of survivors we can save remains uncertain. However, Lin Mo and I have two conditions."
He pointed directly at Xia Chuwei, his gaze unwavering. "First and foremost, you must ensure her safety and allow her to remain with Professor Chen. Secondly, Professor Chen, if we succeed in defeating the monsters today, I demand that you divulge all you know about these creatures."
Without the advantage of heavy weaponry or armored vehicles, the aid fifty soldiers could provide was inherently restricted. In such circumstances, aligning with the military would only burden their efforts. It was better to keep them at a distance, allowing them to safeguard other individuals, such as Xia Chuwei and Professor Chen.
Thus, their plan was to join forces with Lin Mo and forge a path forward, with the military providing support from behind. This was Su Chen's strategy.
Though the survivors were currently succumbing to a high mortality rate, Su Chen recognized that even if they succeeded in their mission, only a small fraction of the people present would survive. The military, despite their best intentions, simply lacked the means and capacity to protect everyone. A significant number of casualties were inevitable, and the best chances of survival lay with those who were heavily guarded.
Acknowledging the inevitability of death, acting recklessly would only lead to further disadvantage. They needed to strategize and divide their efforts. Su Chen, being a regular person, did not wish to exhaust himself needlessly. Therefore, he laid out his demands, seeking the protection of Xia Chuwei and requesting a promise from Professor Chen and Deputy Battalion Commander Su.
Xia Chuwei was rendered speechless, deeply moved by Su Chen's unwavering commitment. She had not expected him to remember their promise and, even in the face of crisis, continue to prioritize her safety.
Lin Mo remained silent, his heart resonating with Su Chen's requests. The bond of friendship between him and Xia Chuwei had not faded, and understanding the world could potentially offer him a chance to reclaim his humanity.
As blood sprayed into the sky, accompanied by agonizing screams, Su Wenhao, despite finding Su Chen and Lin Mo's plan imaginative, found himself with no other choice. Attempting to fight their way out might lead to their deaths, but remaining in their current position guaranteed certain demise. Moreover, if the monsters' sacrificial ritual were to succeed, it would spell disaster for Yuanliao City as a whole.
In this desperate situation, Su Wenhao had no alternative but to try their unconventional approach. Time was scarce, and with each passing second, more people were torn apart by the monsters. He no longer hesitated and declared firmly, "I promise you!"
Professor Chen, though slightly flustered, set aside his doubts about whether Su Chen and Lin Mo, two talented individuals, could fulfill their claims. At this critical moment, he cast aside his secrets and reservations, nodding in agreement.
Su Chen fell silent, taking a resolute step forward. He tapped into the black energy he had accumulated during this period, causing the diamond-shaped armor on his backpack to unfold rapidly, enveloping his entire body in an instant. Clad in this dark and ominous armor, he held his pitch-black seedling knife aloft, exuding an aura of a sinister black-armored executioner emerging from the depths of hell.
Casting a piercing gaze around the room, his eyes eventually settled on Lin Mo. With a cold tone, he uttered, "Let's fight our way out!"