The tank's earthy yellow armor darkened quickly as Venom's acidic coating spread across its surface. The roof began to hiss and melt, dripping away like candle wax. Within moments, the entire top was gone, exposing a gruesome sight—four charred skeletons lying within the smoldering remains.
Ding!
Poison Demon Bird (Codename: Little Flower) has killed 4 Freedom Fighters. Gained 40 XP! Current XP: 480/500.
The venom's effects were terrifying—lethal and swift.
Watson, clad in his fiery dragon suit, barely flinched at the carnage. His focus was sharp; time was ticking. He called out to his loyal draconic allies, Fierce 1 and Fierce 2, their monstrous forms shimmering in the sunlight.
"Fierce 1, Fierce 2," Watson commanded, his voice steady and cold, "we've got more work to do. Move out!"
The hum of an engine reached his ears,a desperate, buzzing roar against the silence of death.
"Hm?" Watson cocked his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Trying to run, are we?" He pointed toward the noise. "Fierce 1, Fierce 2.give them a little gentle warning."
Down in the valley, the Freedom Fighters' leader was frantically climbing into a turquoise military truck, flanked by a handful of guards.
"Move it! Move it!" he barked, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Ignite the engine and let's go!"
He could hear the silence outside, where the gunfire had ceased. His stomach churned. The resistance fighters—the ones who'd sworn to stand and fight—were likely all dead.
"Go, go, go!" he screamed, slamming his foot on the accelerator. The truck roared to life, jolting forward. "We're getting out of this hellhole!"
Freedom. It was so close. The dim light at the end of the valley's rocky pass felt like salvation itself. He clenched his teeth, muttering under his breath, "Just meet the reinforcements. Just hold on a little longer, and we'll live. We'll make it."
But freedom wasn't waiting for them.
As the truck burst into the open sunlight, two colossal, serpent-like tails smashed into it from either side.
BOOM!
The impact sent the vehicle skidding. Its front twisted at an unnatural angle, and the truck's momentum carried it forward before flipping violently onto its side.
Ding!
Jackal (Codename: Murderous Tail) has killed 2 Freedom Fighters. Gained 20 XP! Current XP: 500/500.
Ding!
Congratulations, host! You've leveled up! Summon Point +1!
Watson strolled down the slope, boots crunching against the scorched earth. His crimson dragon armor gleamed under the sun, his cape trailing behind him like a shadow of fire. He approached the wreckage, hearing faint cries for help inside the overturned truck.
"Pathetic," he muttered, shaking his head. "If Little Flower or Fierce 2 gets involved, they'll just finish them off faster."
He suddenly remembered something. Among his "big guys," there was a "little one" he hadn't yet summoned.
"System," Watson said, cracking his knuckles. "Release poison dragon bird
A screech echoed through the valley as a sleek, 6-meter-long raven-like creature descended from the sky, its sharp talons clicking against the ground.
"Howling~!"
Watson smiled darkly. "From now on, your name is Raven. Now, let's clean this mess up. Get them out."
Raven stretched out its razor-sharp claws, gripping the front of the military truck with ease.
CRUNCH!
With a sound like tearing steel, Raven peeled back the truck's mangled frame, revealing the survivors inside. A few of them stumbled out, coughing and leaning against the wreckage.
The stench of blood and death overwhelmed them. Their eyes darted around, wide with terror, as the shadow of Fierce 1 and Fierce 2 loomed nearby. Drool dripped from the beasts' snarling mouths.
Watson stepped closer, his boots thudding against the ground. The sight of him, clad in his dragon-scale armor and surrounded by monstrous allies, broke whatever courage they had left.
One survivor, the leader, collapsed to his knees, babbling incoherently.
"%#&@!! You—you're the devil!" he screamed. "Those monsters—they're demons! You've brought hell with you!"
Watson tilted his head, amused. "System, translate that nonsense for me."
Ding! Translating...
"He says you're a demon and that you're working with monsters from hell. Oh, and he's begging for his life."
Watson chuckled. "Cute." He crouched down, looking the leader in the eye. "Anyone here speak English?"
"I do!" the leader stammered, his voice trembling.
"Good." Watson's expression hardened. "Where's Tony Stark?"
"T-Tony Stark isn't here! He's at Base One! This is Base Four!"
"And where is Base One?"
"To the east! I'll take you there! Just let us go!"
Watson stared at him, unamused. "Let you go?" He scoffed. "You and your 'Freedom Fighters' are nothing but terrorists. Hostages, suicide bombs, massacring civilians—you're the reason people like me exist. I don't let scum like you go."
He stood up, cracking his neck. "East, huh? Big deal. I've got Little Flower to track it on the map."
Before the leader could argue, Watson's system chimed in again.
Ding! A large number of armed personnel detected nearby.
Watson grinned, fire dancing in his eyes. "Looks like the fun isn't over yet."