The aberrant let out a guttural growl as it clutched the spear embedded in its forehead, yanking it with such force that Fatty was dragged forward like a ragdoll.
Caught off guard, Zhu Jiu had no time to react.
The aberrant's claws swung toward Fatty's throat with lethal intent.
But Fatty, quick-witted in a crisis, didn't pull back. Instead, he surged forward with all his weight, using the momentum of the pull to ram into the aberrant.
"To hell with you, you bastard! Fat Grandpa's going all in!"
"Boom!"
The full-force collision sent the aberrant sprawling to the ground, but it still managed to swipe at Fatty.
Zhu Jiu seized the moment, yanking Fatty aside just as the claws grazed past. In a blur of motion, his blade descended with deadly precision toward the aberrant's neck.
Deprived of the energy orb in its forehead, the aberrant's body had lost much of its resilience.
"Slash!"
A gleaming arc of silver light cut through the air, and the aberrant's head flew high before thudding onto the ground.
Its decapitated body collapsed in a heap, finally motionless.
[Detected: Host has killed an Aberrant. Capturing dark energy...]
[Dark energy successfully captured. Host gains 20 points.]
[First kill of a Tier 1 Aberrant detected. Host receives an additional 50 points.]
[Host is awarded: "Lesser Rejuvenation Pill" x1.]
[Host is awarded: "Dragon-Tiger Pill" x1.]
Zhu Jiu should have been elated. Seventy points and two rare pills were a massive windfall.
But he had no time to celebrate.
His eyes immediately darted to Fatty, who lay sprawled on the ground, his back riddled with claw marks.
The wounds were deep, jagged, and seeping a dark, ominous ichor.
"Dammit," Zhu Jiu muttered, his heart sinking.
The ichor had already begun spreading through Fatty's veins, staining the skin around the wounds with a sickly black hue.
"Ahh, it hurts like hell!" Fatty gritted his teeth, sweat pouring from his face. Despite the agony, his tone remained stubbornly defiant. "Damn beast got a lucky shot."
Zhu Jiu clenched his fists. He knew exactly what this meant: infection.
The claws of ordinary infected carried a deadly contagion, and this aberrant's infection was bound to be even more virulent.
"If we don't treat this immediately, you're going to turn," Zhu Jiu said grimly.
The white-coated woman stepped forward, her voice sharp and urgent. "The infection is spreading fast, but his body seems to have some natural resistance. Likely due to his evolved physiology. I can slow it down."
She produced a small spray bottle from her coat and doused Fatty's wounds.
"Hissssss!"
Fatty let out an ear-piercing scream as the liquid hissed and bubbled on contact with the ichor.
Zhu Jiu, however, noticed the black veins spreading from the wounds slowing down significantly.
"It's working," the woman said, her tone professional but tense. "This will buy him some time, but it's only a temporary measure. At best, we've delayed the infection for half a day. Without further treatment, he'll still succumb."
Half a day.
It wasn't nearly enough time to find a permanent solution.
Without hesitation, Zhu Jiu reached into his system inventory and retrieved the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill, disguising the action as though he had pulled it from his pocket.
He thrust the pill into Fatty's mouth.
"Eat this," he commanded.
Fatty spluttered, instinctively trying to spit it out before pausing.
"Hey, this tastes... kinda good?" he mumbled, surprised. "What did you—oh, wait, the pain's going away!"
Zhu Jiu glanced at the wounds.
The claw marks were healing rapidly, the torn flesh knitting itself back together. The dark veins, though still present, had almost stopped spreading entirely.
"You gave him something potent," the woman observed, her eyes alight with curiosity. "That pill seems to accelerate healing and suppress the infection. Whatever it is, it's impressive. Do you have more? I'd like to study—"
"I don't," Zhu Jiu interrupted, shaking his head. "That was my only one."
He turned to Fatty. "The pill bought you three more days. Make them count."
The woman sighed, but her disappointment was cut short when Zhu Jiu's expression suddenly darkened.
"Get behind me," he ordered.
From the shadows of a nearby alley, two figures emerged.
The werewolf and the muscular man stepped into the dim light, their eyes locked on the aberrant's lifeless body.
Their faces were twisted with greed.
"Well, well, looks like my luck's finally turned," the werewolf sneered, his earlier pretense of camaraderie long gone. "One injured, one exhausted, and a deadweight scientist. The prize is practically mine."
His gaze burned with avarice as it fell on the shattered remains of the aberrant's energy orb.
"The orb. Hand it over, or—"
"You're a genius, Big Bro!" the muscular man interjected with a mocking grin. "Waiting for them to finish off the beast before swooping in... brilliant strategy!"
The werewolf preened under the praise, oblivious to the faint scorn in his companion's tone.
"You want the orb?"
Zhu Jiu rose slowly, his voice calm and devoid of emotion.
He stepped forward, leaving his blades on the ground.
Each step he took seemed to magnify his presence, his body radiating raw, primal power.
[Iron Shirt upgrading...]
[Upgrade successful. Host consumes 10 points.]
[Upgrade successful. Host consumes 10 points.]
[Upgrade successful. Host consumes 10 points.]
With thirty points, Zhu Jiu pushed Iron Shirt to its maximum level.
As the upgrades completed, his physique transformed.
His muscles hardened into unyielding steel, and his skin took on a faint metallic sheen. His body exuded an aura of unshakable might, like an ancient, unstoppable war machine.
Copper Skin, Iron Bones. Impervious to blades and bullets.
The werewolf sneered, baring his fangs. "What are you, some kind of freak? No powers, just fancy tricks. Let's see how tough you really are!"
With a guttural snarl, he lunged.
Under the pale moonlight, he moved like a shadow, his claws glinting as they tore through the air toward Zhu Jiu.
"Clang!"
The claws struck Zhu Jiu's chest—and stopped.
The metallic ring echoed through the street as the werewolf's full-force attack failed to leave more than faint red marks on Zhu Jiu's bronze-like skin.
"That's it?"
Zhu Jiu's voice was cold and filled with disdain.
Before the werewolf could retreat, Zhu Jiu's hand shot out, grabbing his throat in an iron grip.
"You've barked long enough."
With effortless strength, Zhu Jiu hoisted the werewolf into the air.
In a single motion, he spun and slammed the werewolf into the ground with devastating force.
"BOOM!"
The impact shattered the marble pavement, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. Cracks radiated out like a spiderweb.
Standing in the epicenter, Zhu Jiu looked down at the dazed werewolf with eyes like cold steel.
"Die here."
And with those words, his fist descended.