"The (defenses) are breached…"
"It can't be killed! That thing—"
Below the steel wall, panic erupted as the crow mutant descended. Civilians who'd hoped to escape now fled back into the city, driven by a single instinct: survive, no matter the cost.
The mutant ignored the scattering prey; its virus-corrupted brain carried one command from Lu Qiu: destroy the steel.
"Ugh-GAA!"
A shuddering cry, and the city echoed with answering roars—zombies, hundreds strong, now rallied by the mutant's call.
"Help me!"
"Stay back!"
The undead horde surged, drawn to the panicked civilians. A soldier collapsed on the shattered wall, his rifle emptied into the mutant's scarlet hide. Bullets bounced harmlessly off its muscle-plated skin, each impact a cruel reminder of human frailty.
"N-no…" The soldier's voice trembled, fear freezing his trigger finger. His last cartridge clicked empty, leaving him defenseless before the creature's six compound eyes—cold, insectile, hungry.
He drew his sidearm, muzzle pressed to his temple. Better a quick death than being torn apart.
But as the mutant's jaws closed, a blaze of fire erupted, searing its skull.
"Live."
A voice like ice water, sharp and clear. The soldier's eyes widened: there stood Major Su Le, uniform billowing, flames dancing on his palms, the Federation's silver eagle insignia gleaming on his chest.
"Major Su…!" Hope surged through the man, despair crumbling. Su Le—one of the Federation's strongest psychics, a legend of fire and fury.
"Fight for your comrades," Su Le's gaze bored into him, "or die a coward."
The soldier hesitated, then clenched his empty rifle. Around them, survivors rallied at the sight of their champion, reloading with shaking hands. If he stands, we stand.
"Ugh-GAAAA!"
The mutant soared skyward, head smoking from Su Le's flames. But Su Le didn't flinch, flames rising to meet it, a human inferno challenging the monster's reign.
"Fall."
With a snap of his fingers, Su Le summoned a sunburst of plasma. The mutant screeched as flames devoured its wings, its massive form collapsing in a blaze that lit the night like dawn. When it exploded, 碎肉 (shredded flesh) and embers rained down, a grotesque parody of fireworks.
Yet the creature refused to die. Its decapitated head, still snarling, hurtled at Su Le—only to detonate, spraying black feathers that weren't feathers at all. Needle-like tendrils burrowed into nearby civilians, twisting them into thrashing horrors.
Su Le's flame barrier incinerated most, but one fragment pierced his palm, unnoticed amid the chaos. Blood dripped onto the wall, mixing with ash.
"Secure the perimeter! Evacuate the wounded!" Su Le barked, voice steady, hiding the ache. Soldiers rushed to obey, comforted by his unbroken stance—their invincible shield against the dark.
But Su Le knew the truth: this was no victory. The mutant's "feathers" were viral spores, a parting gift from its creator. And somewhere in the shadows, 那双猩红的眼睛 (those scarlet eyes) watched, calculating.
...
Lu Qiu lounged on the hospital roof, smirking at the distant inferno.
"Quite the show," he murmured, unconcerned by the mutant's demise. Its death had gifted him something far more valuable:
Gene Sequence Captured: Pyrokinesis (Class A)
Bonus: 20,000 Despair Points + Incomplete Blacklight Virus Sample
"Major Su Le," Lu Qiu purred, rising to leave, "even gods bleed when pricked."
His laughter faded into the night, crimson eyes lingering on the wall where Su Le stood, unaware of the virus now creeping through his veins. The battle for the city was lost, but the war had just begun—a war between those who clung to hope… and the man who fed on its ruin.
Let them cheer for their hero. Let them believe in dawn.
Lu Qiu knew better. In the end, even the brightest flames flicker and die…
…especially when someone like him is there to smother them.