The dim sky was torn apart by a massive rift stretching endlessly across the horizon. Emerging from it were colossal flying vessels, their appearance reminiscent of sailboats but magnified to an extraordinary scale. Constructed from cold steel, they loomed over the Earth with an oppressive presence.
And there wasn't just one.
Lin Qun stood on the ground, gazing into the distance, where the entire sky shimmered with their presence. These enormous "sailboats" hovered across the skies of Shanghai, while explosions erupted farther away, a continuous line of fire lighting up the horizon.
The rumbling sounds of destruction echoed everywhere.
Nearby, the Dragon City Imperial View residential area was in chaos. Moments ago, people had gathered downstairs, but now they retreated in panic.
"They're here! It's war! A civilization invasion!"
"Run! Run!"
Fan Wenchuan and his group also retreated. He dragged along the B-rank talent awakener he had "invited" for protection. "Look! One of them is heading our way!"
Lin Qun also began to fall back.
The military had arrived, but not at Dragon City Imperial View. Here, there were only a few patrolling police officers.
From the gigantic "sailboat" hovering above them, dense silver landing crafts descended like raindrops, spreading across the entire area. One of them was heading directly for their location!
As more words appeared in Lin Qun's vision, he was bombarded with information:
[The Bacatan civilization has initiated priority landing. Their designated landing zones are: Shanghai, San Diego…]
[The above areas are now locked.]
What does "area locked" mean? Lin Qun had no time to ponder. The once static projections on his retina now scrolled rapidly, revealing more information:
[One of the participating civilizations, the Feathered People, has spent one million contribution points to purchase priority landing rights for this global battlefield…]
[Participating civilizations…]
Multiple civilizations had spent millions of points to secure an early advantage. The military had only just entered the city, but the Bacatan civilization's troops already occupied Shanghai. They were prepared, thoroughly prepared.
One landing craft sped overhead without landing, flying low over Dragon City Imperial View. From its underside, five heavy figures crashed to the ground with a deafening thud.
They were Bacatan beings.
These creatures had bizarre forms, standing over two meters tall. Their lower bodies resembled spider-like structures, while their upper bodies were humanoid, upright, and wearing masks. Each wielded an oversized rifle. Upon landing, they immediately spread out, opening fire with wild abandon.
Their weapons resembled human thermal firearms. Several nearby police officers tried to resist but were instantly mowed down. The Bakatans moved with terrifying speed, advancing and killing with reckless precision. Their mask-covered faces emitted maniacal laughter-like howls as if relishing the slaughter.
Terror-stricken, everyone around Lin Qun fled in desperation, crying and screaming. Even those with awakened abilities froze, their powers forgotten in the face of such carnage.
One Bacatan being charged toward Building 7, where Lin Qun and Fan Wenchuan's group were located. Earlier united, the group now panicked, crowding the building's entrance, shoving and trampling each other in a futile attempt to escape. Fan Wenchuan, once the center of their flattery, was pushed outside.
Fan Wenchuan's face turned pale. He grabbed a black-clad young man beside him, pleading desperately, "You're a B-rank awakener! Go kill them! I've given you everything you asked for—just fight!"
Hiding behind a flowerbed, Lin Qun dared not make a sound. He watched as the Bacatan approached, its massive rifle sweeping through the elderly stragglers at the rear, killing them instantly. Among the dead were familiar faces, elderly neighbors who used to greet him during their evening walks.
Now they lay lifeless.
At that moment, someone stood up—a self-proclaimed E-rank awakener, wielding a steel bar he had found. He roared, "Damn it! Why are we running? There are so many of us, all with abilities! Are we really afraid of this bastard? This is a war of civilizations, and we're all warriors! I'm an E-rank awakener!"
His shout rallied some of the smarter ones, who stopped retreating and began preparing to fight back. Dragon City Imperial View was large, with many residents. The five monsters had spread out, leaving them isolated. Attacking as a group seemed like their only chance.
Lin Qun's eyes narrowed as he considered joining the fight. Fleeing wasn't an option; their best chance lay in overwhelming the enemy.
But the Bacatan creature was now less than ten meters away, beyond Lin Qun's skill range. He couldn't act yet—his abilities required a distraction.
The E-rank man made the first move, waiting for the creature to reload before lunging at it. But the Bacatan, seeing him approach, casually discarded its weapon, grabbed the steel bar, and, with its other hand, seized the man.
The strength disparity was overwhelming. The man screamed in terror as the Bacatan ripped him in half, spraying blood and viscera everywhere.
The creature's laughter echoed as it reveled in the slaughter, its inhuman strength and brutality unmatched. Even awakened individuals couldn't withstand its raw power.
The ground was soaked in blood, and the Dragon City Imperial View was filled with the anguished cries of terror. Lin Qun, still crouching in his hiding spot, waited for the right moment.
Finally, the Bacatan entered his range. The system confirmed it: its physique was below 16 points. A headshot was possible.
This was it.
Lin Qun activated his skill.