章 65: Hunter and Prey

Nearly fifty people huddled together, yet not one felt the slightest sense of security. Instead, they trembled uncontrollably. Some could only weep, others stared blankly into the void, and a few collapsed onto the ground, unable to stand.

From childhood, they had been taught that men should be strong, that tears solve nothing.

But now...

The sheer terror of the ghouls had shattered the last vestiges of their courage. Some even began to mutter prayers for miracles, despite having never believed in anything before.

And it wasn't just them—Wei Xun's face had gone ashen. The madness that once filled his eyes was gone, replaced by the hollow look of a drowning man, helpless and lost. Haunted by memories, he stiffly turned to look at Chen Feng.

Though Wei Xun had been awed by Chen Feng's power, his confidence wavered in the presence of the ghouls. He began to doubt whether anyone, even Chen Feng, could defeat such monstrous creatures.

"Boss, something feels wrong with these monsters today. I think we should retreat..." Wei Xun's voice trembled as he lowered his head.

"Retreat?" Chen Feng's tone was laced with curiosity.

The ghoul camp was indeed terrifying, and not wanting to take unnecessary risks, Wei Xun continued to explain, "Boss, when we came here before, there weren't nearly this many monsters. It's as if every creature from the tombs have emerged... Our numbers are insufficient. Maybe we should gather more reinforcements..."

"No need." Chen Feng turned around, his voice resolute. "This is the perfect opportunity to wipe them all out. I don't want them causing trouble when we're moving the supplies."

Chen Feng extended his hands, slowly pressing them toward the ground.

"Afraid? If this is all the courage you can muster, I might consider finding someone else to take your place." Power began to radiate from Chen Feng, faint wails of the damned echoing around them, like the cries of tormented souls, unsettling everyone.

"You misunderstand, Boss. That's not what I meant. I just don't want you taking unnecessary risks..." Wei Xun, not daring to defy Chen Feng, quickly lowered his posture and explained.

"For my sake?" Chen Feng gazed ahead, the air around him dropping in temperature as frost formed on his brows. At the same time, two dark fissures appeared beside him, like the eyes of demons, causing everyone's hearts to skip a beat.

Standing to the side, Wei Xun had no idea what was happening. His pupils narrowed to slits, and he suddenly felt an ominous presence.

"I know you're scared, but that's okay because you've never seen my true power..."

Two shadowy figures flickered into existence.

"Now, come forth!" Chen Feng suddenly shouted, slamming his hands down onto the ground.

Boom!

A powerful leg stepped out from the crack, followed by a towering figure. The creature that emerged had a muscular body, gripping a massive bone club. Barbed wires wrapped tightly around its head, revealing a single, crimson eye, devoid of life or mercy—filled only with blasphemy and violence.

From the other crack, another figure appeared, radiating deadly allure. She was clad in a short skirt, a longbow in hand, her presence as cold as ice, yet it couldn't mask the lethal temptation she carried.

Chen Feng didn't spare a glance at the astonished faces around him. He lifted his head, a predatory smile spreading across his lips.

"Nothing can stand in my way. Any obstacle in my path will face only one fate—death." His beast-like teeth gleamed as he spoke, flanked by the Harbinger and the Dark Elf. In that moment, he transcended humanity, becoming something far more terrifying.

---

Noon.

More than a dozen men moved down the road, their muscular arms and fierce expressions making them appear more like beasts than humans compared to those cowering in the air-raid shelter.

Leading the group was Rat, a chicken leg in one hand and a pistol in the other, his back hunched as he swaggered forward.

Wang Yong, a notorious figure in the underworld, had countless enemies, so he kept a band of thugs at his side for protection. Even in these apocalyptic times, these criminals thrived as predators. Aside from the Professionals, they were the most formidable force in the factory.

These men were hardened fighters.

Each one had the strength of an underground boxer, striking with ruthless precision. Every one of them could take on three opponents at once.

Wang Yong was determined to seize control of the air-raid shelter, even if it meant sacrificing a third of his most trusted men.

Rat's expression was grim. The wilderness was full of danger, and though he was a Professional, he had narrowly escaped death multiple times. If he hadn't been quick on his feet, he would have met his end long ago.

The factory offered women and food, but out here, danger lurked around every corner. Rat didn't dare defy Wang Yong, but all his resentment was now directed at the people in the air-raid shelter.

"Hmph! Once I break through that stone gate, I'll pick a few unlucky bastards to vent my anger on!"

Rat had always been the dregs of society, so much so that even migrant workers wouldn't give him a second glance. They earned their living through hard work, making clean money with every penny. But Rat was all talk and no action—too lazy to earn big money, too proud to earn small money, resorting instead to petty theft and dirty deeds.

Eventually, even his family cut ties with him.

Now, with powers others envied, Rat unleashed the darkness in his heart by taking pleasure in tormenting others. His favorite pastime was forcing highly educated people to kneel and bark like dogs—a twisted thrill he never tired of.

A true psychopath.

His mind had long since been twisted beyond repair.

After traveling for some time,

"Brother Rat, we've reached the air-raid shelter, but it looks like there's someone at the entrance," one of his lackeys spoke up.

"Hmm?" Rat frowned, looking ahead. He had expected Wei Xun to be there to greet him, but the next moment, a glint of excitement flashed in his murky eyes.

The entrance to the air-raid shelter was narrow, and standing there was a delicate figure.

A little girl, no more than six years old.

Her eyes were clear, innocent, and captivating, making it impossible for anyone to even think of harming her. Her shiny black hair cascaded lazily over her shoulders, framing a delicate nose and soft lips that exuded a charming luster, like flower petals or pearls, irresistibly inviting one to... savor their sweet taste.

A little girl.

A predatory gleam flashed in Rat's eyes, as if something vile had awakened within him.

The allure of women has endured through the ages, and each man has his own tastes. Rat had no qualms about mature women, nor would he turn away from young maidens...

But... for little girls? He loved them the best of all... He went to jail for assaulting a young girl after all.

Pedophilia.

Rat's mind was deeply twisted. He took perverse pleasure in torturing others, relishing their frantic struggles and agonized screams as he ravaged and broke them...

What motivated him to come here? It was solely Wang Yong's promise of the pair of fifteen-year-old twins from the factory. But now... compared to this succulent little girl in single digits, what were the overripe twins but a subpar reward?

"Hey little miss, come over here!" Rat waved his hand, slowly making his way toward the air-raid shelter.

Since the Apocalypse began, he had never encountered such a cute little girl. Now, with power at his disposal, he could do whatever he wanted. Laws? He couldn't care less about them.

"This time, I'll be a bit gentler; after all, this is a fun new toy..." Rat rubbed his hands and slowly approached the little girl.

The little girl's head rested on the steps, her figure concealed in the shadows. She didn't seem to be afraid of Rat at all; instead, her face was lit up with a bright smile.

Rat didn't think much of it. He put on a deliberately harmless smile and asked, "What are you doing here, little miss? Where are your parents?"

The girl didn't respond, continuing to smile.

"Why aren't you talking? Uncle isn't a bad person. I came here to save you." Rat, thinking she was scared, spun a lie. "Uncle is a good guy, don't be afraid. I won't hurt you..."

The girl's smile widened, but she still didn't speak.

This time, Rat frowned. Something felt off. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the girl hadn't changed her expression at all, apart from the smile. She hadn't even blinked.

In broad daylight, a little girl lay on the ground, motionless, smiling—a scene that felt eerily wrong.

"Is she... slow?" Rat rubbed his neck, a sudden chill running down his spine.

"EaT yOu..."

The girl finally spoke, but instead of the soft, childlike voice he expected, a hoarse, elderly woman's voice emerged.

"Huh?" Rat widened his eyes, thinking he must have misheard. He leaned in and asked, "What did you say?"

"eAt yoU..."

She repeated, but this time, in a deep, male voice.

Panic began to set in. Rat backed away, cold sweat forming on his forehead, his breathing shallow and ragged. The urge to flee overwhelmed him.

A blank face, a bright smile, and shifting voices.

He finally realized something was terribly wrong with the girl. The only thought racing through his mind was to get out of there. The entire situation had turned nightmarish.

"eAt YoU..." The girl slowly lifted her head and blinked. This time, her pupils twisted unnaturally, sliding to the corners of her eyes like a chameleon's.

The words weren't just meant for Rat—they were a chilling threat to all the men surrounding him.

In the next instant, several ashen arms shot out from the darkness, seizing the men with a terrifying grip and yanking them into the shadows.

The speed was so unnervingly swift that none of them had a chance to scream, let alone react.

Time seemed to crawl, the entrance now eerily silent, as if nothing had ever transpired.

"bUrP..."

A grotesque burp echoed through the oppressive stillness.

Moments later, a small head emerged from the shadows, leaning casually against the passage once more. The girl grinned, her gaze fixed ahead as if she were waiting—waiting for someone else to arrive—or perhaps... eagerly anticipating her next victim...