Chapter Eight: The Mutated Blackback (Third Update) Please Vote and Add to Favorites

“Sigh…” Liang Jing let out a breath. Along the way, he had encountered very few mutant creatures; even the usually abundant mutant mosquitoes had scarcely appeared. At this rate, how would he ever reach a strength level of fifteen? The life essence (that pale light) gained from killing these low-level mutants was already having little effect on strengthening his body, and now, with so few mutants left, it seemed they had all hidden themselves away. Perhaps the mutant mosquitoes were still accustomed to coming out only at night to hunt, or perhaps they knew their mortality rate rose sharply when running into humans during the day.

He shook his head, unwilling to believe there were truly so few mutant monsters. It seemed safe now—at least, relatively so for Liang Jing—but he knew the number of mutated creatures in the world far exceeded the billions of humans, and by a considerable margin. Just think: how many mosquitoes were there in the world before? How many rats? How many cockroaches and the like? Especially insects, and even more so in the oceans, which were more than twice the size of the land.

Even mutant mosquitoes alone could pose a significant threat to ordinary people, not to mention mutant rats or mutant spiders, which regular humans couldn't possibly handle—unless they were armed with guns. The environment for human survival would only become harsher from here on out.

Especially once these creatures developed a measure of intelligence—they might not forget the harm humans, the world’s former rulers, had inflicted upon them. That was hatred! This was why, even when facing their natural enemies, many mutant creatures would turn and attack humans together.

“Help!”

“Run! That monster is catching up!”

“Ah, I twisted my ankle—wait for me…”

The cries immediately drew Liang Jing’s attention. He looked up to see several young men climbing over the retractable metal gate of a factory. One of them had twisted his ankle, but managed to make it over; all of them had parched lips and pallid faces. They wore the same kind of clothing—yellow and black, of coarse fabric that looked tough and hard to soil.

A dog-like howl came from inside a workshop.

Bang, crash, clang—the sound of something heavy repeatedly battering a rolling shutter door reached their ears. The young men had come out by a small side gate, now locked behind them.

The man who had fallen was calling out, but the others glanced back at the factory with conflicted expressions, as if dreading something terrifying inside. At last, gritting their teeth, they pressed on, running without even noticing Liang Jing standing nearby. The last of them, a sturdy-looking young man, hesitated, then rushed back to help the one who had fallen. At that moment—

Boom!

The rolling shutter’s metal was smashed through by a mutant beast, its hideous head jutting out. It was clear the barrier wouldn’t hold it much longer.

“Please, help me! Don’t leave me behind! Chen Gong, Liu Yuji, Zhang Huke, save me!” The man on the ground, perhaps out of fear or pain, struggled again and again to rise, only to collapse each time, utterly powerless, on the verge of despair.

The sturdy youth had already reached him, grabbing him under the arms to help him up, only to find his legs were useless—he would collapse without support. Clearly, this wasn’t just a twisted ankle; the man had gone weak with terror. With no other choice, the sturdy youth gritted his teeth, hoisted the injured man onto his back, and prepared to run for it together.

Crash… creak!

Another howl. The mutant beast inside the workshop finally tore through the rolling shutter, bursting out in a frenzy. Its body, the size of a bull calf, surged with powerful muscles. Black fur, streaked with yellow, shimmered with an eerie light. Four fangs jutted from its maw, dripping viscous saliva, as it charged at the two lagging behind.

Thud, thud… thud…

The monster closed in rapidly.

“Zhang Huke, go! Leave me, or none of us will escape! Go!” The man on Zhang Huke’s back glanced over his shoulder, his face turning deathly pale. He knew that in their current state, they couldn’t outrun the beast—they’d all be killed and devoured. Guilt and desperation filled his heart as he urged Zhang Huke to put him down and save himself.

Zhang Huke understood, but kept running, struggle evident in his eyes. Just then, a figure dashed forward like a leopard.

It was Liang Jing, who had just been complaining about the lack of mutant monsters. Now, faced with such a sizeable beast, how could he let the opportunity slip by? Besides, seeing the two young men’s loyalty to each other stirred something in him—he had to step in. This was quite different from how he’d treated that elegant, sophisticated Madam Huang not long ago. Gripping his short blade tightly, his powerful legs drove him forward at full speed. The warrior’s boots scraped forcefully against the concrete, leaving visible marks as he sprinted toward the four-legged mutant dog, activating his Basic Insight.

“Mutant Blackback Hound: Common (white), Level 9. Mutated from a blackback hound. Strong, fierce, with sharp claws and fangs, exceedingly vicious.”

Seeing it was only a common-grade monster, Liang Jing felt reassured. He had fought level 11 elite (green) monsters head-on before; a level 9 didn’t faze him. Still, he couldn’t help wishing it were a bit more powerful.

The mutant blackback hound, seeing this human dare charge at it, took it as a challenge and roared with rage. With a deep, menacing growl, it ignored the slow-moving Zhang Huke and his companion, pivoted, and leapt at Liang Jing. Its oily fur rippled over bulging muscles, radiating raw power.

Whoosh…

As the mutant hound lunged at him, Liang Jing’s excitement grew. He didn’t dodge; instead, he dropped his center of gravity and gripped his short blade even tighter. His feet picked up speed, propelling him even faster.

The hound, seeing this human neither flee nor evade, grew ever more bloodthirsty and ecstatic—this weakling was rushing to his own death.

The two sides were about to collide head-on. Zhang Huke and his companion, who had stopped to watch, couldn’t help but shut their eyes—this man was a good person! He was sacrificing himself to save them; they couldn’t bear to watch him be torn apart by the mutant beast.

Bang!

Just as the two were about to crash together, Liang Jing’s body dropped low, his left shoulder striking the mutant hound’s throat from below. The charging beast was knocked off-balance, three paws lifting from the ground. In that instant—

Slash!

A flash of steel—Liang Jing’s short blade plunged into the mutant hound’s neck. Against a monster of this level, the weapon was more than adequate. Blood spurted like a ruptured pipe, drenching Liang Jing despite his quick withdrawal—he was instantly covered head to toe.

And it was black dog’s blood!

Liang Jing immediately leapt back, letting the beast struggle on and await its death.

Meanwhile, Zhang Huke, who had rushed over with a steel pipe to help, was stunned by the scene. Once he recovered, his honest, warm-hearted nature made him want to check if Liang Jing was unharmed, perhaps even to offer further help—though in reality, facing a mutant beast of such power, he would’ve only been throwing his life away.

But just then, the dying mutant hound, in a final burst of ferocity, lunged at the stunned Zhang Huke. A beast’s bloodlust and savagery are beyond human comparison—it will not stop attacking, even in death.

But as it sprang, a large hand clamped down on its neck, slamming it to the ground. Liang Jing’s entire body pressed atop the beast, pinning it down and preventing another attack.

Soaked in hot, stinking blood, Liang Jing ignored the stunned onlookers. The mutant hound was strong, but no match for his own strength. It thrashed, but Liang Jing’s hold was unbreakable; at last, it stiffened and lay still—dead.

A white glow, several times larger than that from a mutant spider, slipped unseen into Liang Jing’s body. He let out a quiet breath of relief.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

A new arrival seeking support—please vote and add to your collection…