The gaze came swiftly, fleeting in its passage. For the uninitiated, it was merely a glance lasting no more than 0.1 seconds. Yet, for Su Chen, that single second felt interminable.
Its impact fell short of the violence wrought by an earthquake. Many ordinary individuals detected only a hint of peculiarity. Only those endowed with sharp acuity and exceptional talent truly sensed the boundless pressure emanating from that gaze.
Numerous people were left dazed, caught in a trance-like state.
Only Professor Chen brimmed with exhilaration as he exclaimed, "That, my friends, may very well be the 'gaze' of their god. However, it is not a mere biological 'look'; it appears to be a form of scanning and analysis..."
Su Chen remained awestruck.
The power contained within that gaze surpassed his wildest imagination and comprehension. While others remained oblivious to the recent events, he was acutely aware that the Ring of Anowal had collided with that gaze.
The alterations inflicted upon the Ring of Anowal far exceeded his expectations. The dark space resulting from the "paint drop" seemed to possess a storage function, offering some respite to Su Chen's pressing needs. It proved to be a fortuitous occurrence within proximity. However, Su Chen was well aware that the ring had undoubtedly suffered damage, an outcome likely to have repercussions. Regrettably, his current level of understanding was inadequate, rendering him unable to perceive or fathom the extent of those consequences.
Furthermore, he was reasonably certain that Cthulhu had noticed him, as evidenced by the peculiar scrutiny directed their way before being whisked away by the Ring of Anowal. That alone was ample indication of the immense trouble looming ahead.
"I merely cast a glance at you, and you intend to seize me without a moment's hesitation. Does Cthulhu not possess a sense of decorum? Liang Zi is likely doomed," Su Chen mused bitterly.
However, Cthulhu should not have reached Yuanliao City... Otherwise, he would have perished in that very instant.
Just as these thoughts raced through his mind, a few enormous, pitch-black monstrosities emerged in the distant sky, veering toward an unexpected trajectory and converging upon their location.
Su Wenhao, ever vigilant, noticed their approach and recoiled in alarm. Urgently, he pulled Professor Chen, who was gazing skyward, into the safety of their vehicle.
By this time, the convoy had completed its reformation and swiftly resumed its journey, putting some distance between them and the approaching menace. Thankfully, the initial separation between the two parties had been significant. They made the necessary arrangements, and the ebony beasts arrived, circling the area for a brief moment before vanishing into the desolate heavens.
Su Chen observed the retreating silhouette with a perplexed expression, pondering inwardly. "Cthulhu must not have arrived. Even if he intends to assail me, he would likely rely on these servitors and favored ones..."
The immediate crisis averted, the convoy pressed on.
Su Chen remained nestled in the corner of the bus, unrelentingly accumulating energy. Although the Ring of Anowal seemed to possess a storage capacity, he had no intention of depositing everything within it directly. Such an act would be unduly conspicuous. Moreover, having recently accumulated a meager trace of energy, he discreetly slipped the power bank into the ring. His plan was to observe first—the seemingly bottomless and stygian space held a purpose far beyond mere storage. Should he vanish inexplicably after entrusting his belongings for an extended duration, he would merely meet his demise.
The sacrificial ceremony in Midtown appeared to have concluded, as the wails of monsters reverberated from the heart of the city, akin to a midnight carnival. The demons, the macabre protagonists, surged through the streets of the absurd city.
Meanwhile, their convoy had already departed Midtown, forging ahead to join a small contingent of troops within a modest community in the Beicheng District.
Qiao Zheng found himself strangely allied with the bald leader, a camaraderie forged amidst the chaos. He discreetly pointed towards the defeated soldiers who had taken refuge in the community, his voice hushed as he whispered, "I've been following Deputy Battalion Commander Su and the others. We've been acting together, blending in..."
The number of disabled soldiers was not significant, but their presence cast a heavy atmosphere. Several wounded soldiers were placed on the first bus, accompanying Professor Chen and Su Chen. Among them was Battalion Commander Liu Chenye.
Liu Chenye had lost a hand and a leg, but he lacked even a stretcher for support. After receiving treatment, he sat in a wheelchair, his face drained of color, resembling a lifeless gourd. With just a single breath left, it was uncertain how long he would survive.
The soldiers who had escaped from the Yuncheng store watched as their battalion commander was pushed onto the bus, their expressions solemn as they silently saluted.
Liu Chenye wasn't brought up just to rest. Su Wenhao pushed him all the way to the back of the bus where Su Chen was seated. Su Wenhao exchanged a meaningful glance with the bald leader and others before moving to the front of the bus, checking the time. The responsibility of keeping Liu Chenye company was left to Su Chen.
The bus continued its bumpy journey.
Their next destination was to converge with the mixed seven camps located deep within the Beicheng District. From there, they would leave the city via County Road 029. Simultaneously, survivors from all directions of the city were also gathering at various designated locations, dispersing from the city in different directions.
The dim lighting inside the bus cast a faint glow, making Liu Chenye's eyes appear clouded. "Are you Mr. Su?" he asked.
Su Chen looked at Liu Chenye and sighed inwardly. He understood the gravity of the battalion commander's injuries and was relieved to see him still alive. Liu Chenye no longer had a desire to live, but there were still his comrades and fellow fighters to consider.
He admired Liu Chenye's resilience, but the severity of his injuries surpassed what Su Chen's magical modifications could repair. Unless Su Chen could magically create an operating table, there was little he could do other than offer a simple response.
"I've heard Su Wenhao talk about you, from the events at the Yuncheng store up until now," Liu Chenye continued. "You possess extraordinary talents, capable of shaking the flesh and blood giants. You are the most powerful individual I've ever encountered in Yuanliao City. I sincerely thank you. Without your and Mr. Lin's efforts, our mission would have failed long ago. Please rest assured that we will do everything in our power to locate Mr. Lin."
Su Chen nodded in acknowledgement.
Liu Chenye took a deep breath and said, "Su Wenhao may be a bit blunt, and I apologize if he has offended you in any way, Mr. Su."
Su Chen shook his head and replied, "You can speak frankly. Given your current condition, there's no need to beat around the bush with me."
Liu Chenye smiled bitterly. "Alright... to be honest, Lao Su couldn't fully comprehend your abilities. I've heard him discuss it extensively, and I also had a brief conversation with Professor Chen. I had a hunch that your ability might involve enhancing objects and compensating through hunting monsters... It's a power I've never heard of before. So, I wanted to ask, can the objects created by your ability be used by others?"
Su Chen's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "No, only I can utilize my abilities. I can't explain the precise reasons behind it."
Liu Chenye studied Su Chen carefully for a moment, unsure if he truly believed the explanation. He expressed a hint of regret, saying, "I see. That's truly a pity. I had hoped it could alter the entire battlefield situation..."
Su Chen responded with a slight shake of his head, contemplating the future possibilities. Perhaps, in time, he could repair planes, cannons, and even spaceships, enabling him to achieve incredible feats. However, he acknowledged that he was not currently capable of such endeavors.
With sincerity, Su Chen expressed his thoughts, "I understand what you're trying to say, and I, too, have a desire to remain in the army at this stage. There are three reasons for my decision. First, I am determined to find Lin Mo. After all, he saved my life, and he is my friend. I cannot simply disregard him. I must locate him. Second, now that the sacrifice has been completed, staying in the army provides a relatively safe environment to understand the situation and gather information. And third, I require time and space, which are difficult to secure if I were to venture alone. By following the army, I can ensure a level of safety. Since you have likely deduced my abilities, you can also fathom the reasons behind my choice."
Liu Chenye appeared surprised by Su Chen's frankness and commented, "Mr. Su, you're more straightforward and clear than I anticipated. Our next move is to join forces with the Seventh Battalion. They possess considerable firepower, a special team, and a talented group. With numerous skilled individuals from different backgrounds, including certain officials, they are most likely to successfully leave the city. We are accompanying Professor Chen on their departure. As for your concerns, I understand. I have fought the monsters for a considerable period, and they operate differently from us. Human elites and commanders hold no significance for them. They prioritize targeting strength, especially individuals with unique abilities. Dark energy entities, like yourself, hold a high priority in their system due to your heightened capabilities."
Su Chen shook his head, interrupting Liu Chenye's train of thought. "While that is one aspect, there is another factor to consider. Did you sense the lingering gazes from earlier? I'm certain I caught an extended glance. If I were to reveal myself in the near future, I would undoubtedly become the prime target of their attacks. Therefore, I cannot hunt monsters alone, and staying in the army allows me to avoid unnecessary attention."
Liu Chenye's expression changed, and he seemed on the verge of blurting something out but quickly restrained himself. After a moment, he responded thoughtfully, "May I ask why?"
Su Chen chuckled and replied, "Perhaps the Cthulhu wants to apprehend me and crown me as the Mayor of Pressure Village." He couldn't reveal that he had been bitten by a monster and that they had fixated on him, could he?
Taking a deep breath, Liu Chenye pondered for a while before weakly stating, "I understand, Mr. Su. In that case, once we merge with the mixed seven battalions, Su Wenhao and I will relinquish our command and dispatch powers. I will report you as an ordinary talented individual and disguise you as a lower-level talent. This way, you will face less risk and won't become a mere tool used by the military. It will grant you more freedom and allow you to get closer to the frontlines for monster hunting. The large-scale military operations don't heavily rely on lower-level talents like us; we serve as reserves. This arrangement suits you perfectly. You can acquire kills without much effort or exposure. If you need anything, you can come directly to me or Su Wenhao, and we will do our best to accommodate you."
"With your abilities, time, and space manipulation, as well as your arsenal of objects, you can bypass the need for explanation. My soldiers will keep your secret, and Professor Chen will also be discreet. As for the survivors, rest assured. The army is currently burdened with protecting them and has no time to listen to, let alone verify, rumors among ordinary survivors. Moreover, on the escape route, those capable of discerning your situation won't have the time to investigate."
Su Chen nodded, expressing his agreement. "I will take action when necessary. I'm not so foolish as to witness the army and elite individuals from various fields fall victim to the monsters. While my involvement may not be entirely beneficial at this stage, it will undoubtedly lead to dire consequences in the future. You can rest assured that once I act, I will promptly withdraw."
Liu Chenye glanced at Su Chen with gratitude, as if saying what he dared not utter aloud: "Many soldiers speak highly of you and Mr. Lin, and it seems their praise is well-deserved."
"There's nothing remarkable about it; it's simply the best choice," Su Chen humbly replied. "I am genuinely curious, though. Don't you have any aspirations to advance in rank? Professor Chen yearns to see me rise through the ranks in his dreams."
Liu Chenye took a deep breath, contemplating for a moment before weakly responding, "I understand, Mr. Su. Oncewe merge with the mixed seven battalions, Su Wenhao and I will no longer hold command and dispatch powers. I will report you as an ordinary talented individual and disguise you as a lower-level talent. This way, you will face less risk and won't become a mere pawn of the military. It will grant you more freedom and allow you to get closer to the frontlines for monster hunting. The large-scale military operations don't heavily rely on lower-level talents like us; we serve as reserves. This arrangement suits you perfectly. You can acquire kills without much effort or exposure. If you need anything, you can approach me or Su Wenhao directly, and we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs."
"With your abilities, manipulation of time and space, and your collection of objects, you can bypass the need for explanations. My soldiers will keep your secret, and Professor Chen will also maintain discretion. As for the survivors, rest assured. At this stage, the army is fully committed to protecting them, leaving no time to listen to or even discern rumors among ordinary survivors. Moreover, along the escape route, those who could potentially uncover your situation won't have the luxury of time to investigate."
Su Chen nodded, accepting the proposal. "I will take action when the need arises. I'm not foolish enough to witness the army and elite individuals from various fields succumbing to the monsters. While my involvement may not yield significant benefits presently, it undoubtedly invites grave consequences in the future. Rest assured, once I make a move, I will promptly withdraw."
Liu Chenye glanced at Su Chen gratefully, as if silently acknowledging what he couldn't put into words: "Many soldiers regard you and Mr. Lin as remarkable individuals, and it seems their praise is well-founded."
"There's nothing particularly extraordinary about it; it's merely the most logical choice," Su Chen replied modestly. "However, I am genuinely curious. Don't you harbor any aspirations for promotion? In Professor Chen's dreams, he envisions me ascending the ranks."
Liu Chenye took a deep breath, pondering for a moment before responding with a hint of weakness in his voice, "I understand, Mr. Su. Once we merge with the seventh battalions, Su Wenhao and I will relinquish our command and dispatch powers. I will report you as an ordinary talented individual and disguise you as a lower-level talent. This will minimize your risk and prevent you from becoming a mere tool used by the military. It will provide you with more freedom and allow you to get closer to the frontlines for monster hunting. In large-scale military operations, lower-level talents like us have minimal impact; we serve as reserves. This arrangement suits you perfectly. You can achieve kills effortlessly and discreetly. If you require anything, you can directly approach me or Su Wenhao, and we will do our utmost to fulfill your requests."
"With your unique abilities, control over time and space, and your cache of objects, you can bypass the need for explanations. My soldiers will maintain your secrecy, and Professor Chen will also exercise discretion. As for the survivors, rest assured. At this stage, the army is fully committed to protecting them, leaving no time for listening to or verifying rumors among ordinary survivors. Furthermore, along the escape route, those who might uncover your true identity won't have the luxury of time to investigate."
Su Chen nodded, accepting the proposal. "I will act when necessary. I am not foolish enough to witness the annihilation of both the army and elite figures from various backgrounds by the monsters. While my involvement may not yield immediate benefits, it will undoubtedly result in dire consequences in the future. You can trust that once I make my move, I will swiftly withdraw."
Liu Chenye glanced at Su Chen with gratitude, silently acknowledging what he couldn't put into words: "Many soldiers hold you and Mr. Lin in high regard, and it appears their admiration is well-deserved."
"There is nothing remarkably exceptional about it; it is simply the most sensible choice," Su Chen replied modestly. "However, I cannot help but be genuinely curious, why don't you want to take me to the headquarters? Professor Chen must be dreaming of having me there."
Liu Chenye sternly shook his head and replied, "Professor Chen may have wanted to bring you to the General Director for his experiments, but he was mistaken. The situation in Yuanliao City doesn't allow him that opportunity. Once you're at the General Director, you'll be caught up in the scientific research hierarchy, always overshadowed by more critical projects. Even though your abilities are exceptional, there won't be any resources allocated to you until you outperform a missile's devastating impact. The time and space you truly need have slipped away, leaving you with only insignificant survival provisions."
Su Chen pondered for a moment before asking, "Is it because Yuanliao is under blockade?"
"The details elude me at my level, but it's indeed connected," Liu Chenye admitted. "The current situation is dire and extremely unfavorable. Despite what everyone claims about safety, there is no place in Yuanliao City that can truly be called safe. We face severe limitations in terms of resources and manpower. The city resembles a lone boat adrift in a treacherous ocean, taking on water from every side. The people onboard teeter on the edge of extinction, and the available materials are barely sufficient for a potentially unsuccessful repair. The military can only allocate resources in the safest and most predictable manner, seeking immediate certainties. They want ready-made solutions.
"So, Mr. Su, even though your abilities seem to possess limitless possibilities and defy belief, until you demonstrate even greater capabilities, the military cannot afford to invest in you, let alone collaborate. If you leave, you'll become nothing more than a stopgap measure, used inconspicuously. From this perspective, I actually don't want you to go to the General Director or even remain there. Without constraints, there might be more possibilities."
Liu Chenye continued, "But Mr. Su, experts are valuable, and you are a valuable asset as well. I may be weak, but I've already informed Su Wenhao that, in the event of my demise, they should do their utmost to fulfill your needs. They will cooperate with you, aid in your search for Mr. Lin, and ensure your safety.
"This is my small, selfish bet on you.
"So, if you're truly uncertain about resolving the problem or even risking your life, please take advantage of the opportunity to leave. Abandon these people and eliminate the threat as swiftly as possible.
"I lack the ability to plan for the future comprehensively. I can't foresee the considerations of higher-ups. I merely take each step before me and arrange what I believe is right. It's the only thing a dying person can do.
"I hope that every effort I make today will contribute to improving Yuanliao City's war situation in the future."
Su Chen stared at him, at a loss for words, and finally spoke with a hint of jest, "Don't worry, I lack such lofty consciousness. If something feels amiss, I'll run faster than a rabbit."
Liu Chenye glanced at him, mustering a slightly strained smile, then closed his eyes, falling silent.
At that moment, a light flickered ahead of their convoy.
It was the merged Seventh Battalion, which had been patiently waiting.
Finally, they were united.