A total of nine people emerged on both sides of the road. Five of them were armed with guns, while the others carried makeshift weapons. Three had Colt 19911 pistols, one had a Type 54 pistol, and one had a bolt-action rifle.
Leading them was a gloomy, thin man, while the others were dressed in brown work clothes.
Two of them aimed their pistols at the off-road vehicle, while the other two targeted Dirk and Arnold.
In the distance, a man with a bolt-action rifle was concealed behind the door of a scrapped car. The barrel was worn, but his shooting stance was professional, though there were no signs of formal training.
Incorporating their clothing, Dirk instantly surmised that the people before him were likely from a shooting range or club members. His heart sank, and he slowly stood up, arms extended outward, knees slightly bent, ready to react at any moment, identifying the enemy's weapons within two seconds and reacting were basic military skills.
"Boss, you really shouldn't underestimate this move. Another group of idiots taking the bait," Dirk remarked.
The man with a Type 54 pistol extinguished his cigarette and cast a contemptuous glance at Dirk, then turned to the leader and said, "Stop babbling. Keep an eye on that big guy. If he dares to move, shoot him."
He looked at Arnold, whose imposing 1.9-meter tall frame alone was intimidating enough.
"Tell your people to get out of the car, no more nonsense."
"And you, don't even think about moving. Do you think I can't tell you're a soldier?" Dirk's heart sank as he realized the leader was extremely cautious, with his Colt never leaving Dirk's forehead.
What should he do? He had initially planned to get closer to snatch the gun when the time was right, but it seemed very difficult to accomplish now. He regretted his rashness in attempting to save people by getting out of the car, which had given these thugs an opportunity.
However, he didn't notice Arnold, standing beside him, wearing an odd and nonchalant expression.
"Damn it, don't think I won't shoot. Put your hands on your head!"
Arnold's nonchalance irritated the man aiming at him. The man with a prominent forehead, appearing to be of Southeast Asian descent, swung his pistol and kicked Arnold's back, but he remained unfazed.
Internal team communication.
"Clark, why don't you let me go up there and crush them?"
"These are just a few pests; I could kill them in a second."
"Dirk hasn't seen us in action yet; he's probably still nervous."
Clark chuckled softly, indeed. Dirk had only witnessed Bernard using his powers; he had never seen any awakened individuals use their abilities.
When he regained his senses, all the problems would be resolved. In his mind, he had no concept of the awakened's powers and might even believe that Arnold was the strongest in the team.
So, when facing armed thugs, he instinctively perceived a significant threat. After all, the flesh and blood body couldn't possibly withstand bullets.
Clark glanced at Dirk outside and casually said, "Dirk hasn't had any contact with the outside world since the outbreak of the apocalypse. I hope this experience will make him more alert."
In his previous life, Clark had seen this "fishing" trick many times, and many powerful awakened individuals had fallen for it.
"Also, don't blame him too much. If I weren't here, you would have gotten out of the car too, wouldn't you?" Arnold awkwardly laughed. He really didn't think much of these people.
Guns? Perhaps in the eyes of ordinary people, they were deadly weapons. But in Clark's, or even in Arnold's eyes, the firearms these people held were more like toys. Unless they aimed directly at his forehead, they might manage to hurt him. With his bear transformation, these small-caliber bullets felt more like scratching an itch.
Inside the car, Sandra remained indifferent, sleeping with her eyes closed, while Clifford looked a bit anxious, huddled in the car.
Clark was very powerful in Arnold's eyes, but he couldn't help feeling some fear as he looked at the people outside the car with guns. After all, those were guns... Clark might be fast, but he couldn't outspeed bullets. He couldn't help but wear a worried expression and frequently glance at Clark.
"Arnold, wait a bit before you make a move. I hope this situation leaves a lasting impression on him and he gets a taste of human nature in the apocalypse," Clark said.
"Alright, Clark! Do you want me to put on a show?"
Clark didn't reply and simply closed his eyes to rest. He had yet to tell Arnold one thing: there was an awakened individual hiding among these people. Indeed, their squad was strong, and at the current stage, only third-tier mutants posed a threat to him. But what about the future? Players' strengths would inevitably increase, and even the zombies would gradually mutate. Arnold was too impulsive, and Clark intended to make him more cautious.
In the apocalypse, threats weren't just limited to zombies; often, humans could be the ones who wanted to kill you.
"Get that pretty boy inside to come down. Trying to play dead, huh?" Scarface, aiming at the off-road vehicle, pounded on the car window and loudly cursed at Clark, who had his eyes closed inside.
Another person, near the car door opened by Arnold, yanked Clifford out and dragged him to the ground.
"No... please, don't kill me!"
Clifford, pulled out of the car, clasped his hands to his head, curled up on the ground, begging for mercy.
This is bad, it's really bad now. Dirk watched as his comrade was pulled out of the car, with Clark held at gunpoint, and he felt a deep sense of anger and frustration. Even Arnold, who was standing next to him, seemed frozen in place.
Fists clenched. It's all my fault! Viola was being humiliated, and I felt utterly powerless. It's so similar. Why? Why am I so powerless!
The leader looked at the people controlled inside the car and then walked straight up to Dirk.
Bang!
He kicked Dirk's knee fiercely, causing Dirk's legs to give way.
Of all the people present, only Dirk seemed to pose a threat and carried himself like a soldier. As for Arnold? The big guy had lost a hand and was probably too shocked to react. The pretty boy inside the car was pretending to be dead, and the little girl and Clifford seemed utterly harmless.
"I told you to kneel, got it?"
"You want to resist, don't you? You think I don't know you want to grab the gun? I'll shoot your companion right now!"
"Boss, I should just kill this guy."
"Damn it, this useless guy still wants to play dead? Such a softie!"
The gun-wielder who had Clark at gunpoint cursed and grumbled while taking off the safety.
Seeing the situation, Dirk bitterly smiled. He knew that if he didn't give up resistance and kneel down, they would truly shoot Clark to establish dominance.
A man's pride was a precious thing; it was about dignity. If Clark wasn't under threat, he would rather die than kneel down. It was humiliation, despair. Dirk slowly sank to his knees.
"Arnold!" Clark instantly opened his eyes, intense killing intent flashing in the depths of his gaze.
Dirk had experienced enough by now, but if these people intended to humiliate his brother, he wouldn't let them continue to degrade Dirk.
Damn it, he became stronger to protect the people he wanted to protect, to ensure that they could live well. If, in the name of further toughening up Dirk, he allowed his brother to be humiliated and lose his dignity, then he would be a fool! No matter who they were, even a king, they wouldn't make his brother kneel!
"Kill them! Leave no one alive!"
"Got it, Clark!"
Arnold, who had previously seemed frozen in place, suddenly displayed a cruel smile. Although he had only acted for less than half a minute, he was still a bit annoyed.
"What kind of crap is this, daring to insult my boss? Arnold will have to beat the crap out of you."
The road beneath his feet suddenly cracked. He instantly erupted with speed beyond human limits, reaching Dirk's side.
Bang! His right hand slapped down, crushing the head of the man holding the Type 54 directly. The 1.7-meter-tall man's head was smashed, his height reduced to less than half a meter, and brain matter mixed with blood sprayed everywhere. It was brutal and ruthless.
Arnold's sudden burst of violence shocked everyone, and instinctively, all of them turned their guns towards the two and opened fire.
Bang, bang, bang!
Gunfire erupted like continuous firecrackers. In an instant, Arnold reacted and positioned himself in front of Dirk. Blood splattered all around.
Dirk's eyes widened with a mixture of anger and shock as Arnold had shielded him and took all the bullets for him.
"Arnold!"
He instinctively held onto Arnold's back, his eyes brimming with tears. Arnold, who had shielded him from all the bullets, had been shot multiple times.
"Hey, hey."
Before he could fully process what had happened, Arnold suddenly turned his head and grinned at Dirk.
"Buddy, don't be afraid, it's just a little itch."
The whole scene fell into an eerie silence.