Clark was going to give it a shot. Whether everyone could survive or not depended on the outcome of his actions this time.
However, Michael just stared at him, motionless.
What is this guy up to?
He couldn't believe Clark!
"Go on!" At a critical moment, Don't Cause Conflict, the seemingly inexperienced guy, handed him the flamethrower.
"The fuel inside the gun can only be fired once!" Don't Cause Conflict shouted loudly. He had done what he could, and now it was up to Clark.
Clark took the flamethrower and looked at the C-level zombie. A smile crept across his face.
"500-meter directional move activated, carrying target, C-level zombie!"
Clark immediately used the reward provided by the system.
Since the existing weapons were incapable of killing this creature, he decided to send it directly into the jaws of the sand monster!
Clark transformed into a shadow and appeared right next to the C-level zombie. Their bodies pressed together, and in an instant, they disappeared. When they reappeared, they were just above the massive pincers of the sand monster. Clark promptly threw the still unresponsive C-level zombie down.
At the same time, Clark tossed a dagger with a fine thread wound around it. The dagger skewered into the ground at an angle, and with a strong pull, Clark's body shot toward the nearby ground.
A crisp sound echoed. The C-level zombie, which had intended to resist, failed. Its body was cut in half from the waist, and the lower half had already been devoured.
"Die!" Clark landed safely and raised the flamethrower, aiming directly at the monster's mouth, unleashing a torrent of flames.
The sand monster was in the midst of devouring the C-level zombie, its blood-red tongue exposed and now under the flames.
Sizzle! The barbecue-like sound filled the air. The monster's tongue immediately struggled, spitting out the flesh it had consumed. This scene left everyone stunned.
At the same time, the tiny tentacles that bound everyone retracted, disappearing.
Everyone, as if running for their lives, moved to the side, away from the monstrous creature.
"Not bad!" Emma Kensington praised.
"Hmph, just lucky. I'm just wondering how he managed to do it..." Michael's face looked somewhat unpleasant. As the team leader, he had been rescued by an ordinary person, and that person even had a bit of a grudge against him.
After everyone was saved, they gathered around Michael and Emma Kensington, who had become the backbone of the group.
Looking at the sand monster, struggling for a while and seemingly dead, a slightly burnt tongue exposed, Clark cautiously tried to return to Olivia Turner and the others.
However, at this moment, the monster's tongue twitched, and then, a foul-smelling saliva sprayed directly onto Clark. Afterward, the monster's body directly retracted into the ground, disappearing.
"What is this thing? It's so disgusting!" Clark wiped off the saliva on his body. This saliva was peculiar, ugly, but it dried quickly, leaving no residue or smell.
"Hehe, you're done for!" Michael suddenly chuckled as if he had seen something that made him happy. "This thing marked you. Many monsters have this ability. Once marked, it's like an eternal vendetta. As long as the creature is alive, it will relentlessly pursue and kill you!"
Now, Clark and the crowd were not far apart. Hearing Michael's words, those who had just been saved because of Clark distanced themselves, as if avoiding a plague, unwilling to have any connection with Clark.
Seeing the reactions of the crowd, Michael was quite satisfied. This was the effect he wanted!
Emma Kensington frowned. Although she knew that what Michael said was true, why say these things now? What exactly did Michael want to achieve? Clearly, it wasn't something good.
"Captain, what should we do now?" Someone timidly asked.
"Continue forward. As long as we can reach the Ark before nightfall, everyone will be safe!" Michael intentionally spoke loudly, pointing at Clark. "However, he can't come with us. Otherwise, that monster will be attracted, and we'll all be done for!"
After Michael spoke, Clark immediately felt that everyone's gazes towards him had changed. There was disgust, aversion, exclusion, pity, and various expressions.
"No!" Olivia Turner shouted loudly. "We can't leave him behind. If we abandon him now, it's as good as sending him to his death. You can't do this!"
While speaking, Olivia Turner was already preparing to walk towards Clark.
"Hmph!"
Michael did not show any courtesy to Olivia Turner and directly attacked her abdomen. Olivia Turner angrily glared at him and passed out.
"Lift her up, and let's go!" Michael ordered, not wanting to cause conflicts. He briskly moved forward, a mysterious smile hanging on his lips.
The crowd immediately followed Michael, moving in unison. Human nature was tested most in times like these.
Although Clark had just saved everyone, now, abandoning Clark was the most likely way to survive. Everyone knew how to make the choice.
But, there was an exception!
One person moved in the opposite direction from the crowd, directly walking towards Clark.
"Emma Kensington, have you gone crazy!" Michael stopped in his tracks, shouting at Emma Kensington. This woman was powerful, and he didn't want to lose this combat strength.
"Michael, words are useless. You take them and go; I'll stay behind." Emma Kensington didn't want to argue with Michael, but she had her principles and wouldn't compromise just because of his threats.
"Don't forget your mission!" Michael's tone had a touch of anger.
"I believe with you around, everyone can safely reach their destination!" Emma Kensington spoke with a smile while holding the flamethrower, ready to raise it at any moment.
After a brief gaze between the two, Michael's face twitched a few times, and he turned around to leave.
"Put Olivia Turner down!" Clark shouted loudly.
Michael stopped, but didn't turn around to look at him. He disdainfully said, "We can talk about it if you survive. Don't hide behind women!"
"Put her down!" Clark roared, about to rush over.
Unexpectedly, Emma Kensington stepped in his way. "Believe me, it's more dangerous for her to be with you now!" Emma Kensington looked at Clark without changing her expression.
Clark clenched his fists but ultimately didn't charge forward.
"Why are you staying behind?"
"No reason. I don't want to owe anyone. You helped me earlier, so I'll do my best to help you survive." Emma Kensington spoke casually, but anyone who had just witnessed the sand monster knew that this was a decision that might cost her life.
"Don't worry too much about Olivia Turner; she's with so many people, and he won't do anything openly."