The Shattered Balance, the Dangerous 'Hospital'

[Late Night, Day Four, County Hospital Entrance]

Dark clouds completely blotted out the moonlight, plunging the streets of Chang Sheng County into deathly silence. The halos of the streetlamps were kneaded into blurs by the Gray Fog. Only the occasional sound of dragging vines echoed through the empty streets and alleys, like someone tiptoeing through the darkness.

Chen Kong stood at the mouth of the alley opposite the County Hospital, his expression grave as he stared at the empty hospital gates.

Tonight's operation was dangerous. Chen Kong had known that the moment he decided to act tonight.

The danger came not only from the unknown County Hospital before them, but also from Chang Sheng County's unusual "curfew."

"Is everyone ready?"

In response to Chen Kong's question, Mi Yao nodded and switched the Game Console to Night Vision Mode.

Before long, green dots appeared across the game screen, outlining the hospital in front of them.

"My Star Energy Disruptor is already active. Any 'surveillance' within a fifty-meter radius will fail."

"But I'm not sure how long it'll last. We need to move quickly."

Vivian's Smart Machine eyes flickered with scanning beams as she pointed toward the construction fence on the hospital's western side.

"There's a gap there. The construction crew left it temporarily, and it isn't guarded."

"But my scans show energy signatures from three 'monsters' behind the fence. They're different from the ones we encountered before—their energy fluctuations are purer."

"Whatever they are, we'll force our way through first."

Chen Kong took a deep breath and charged out of the alley first.

The three of them moved swiftly through the darkness. Their tactical boots made only faint sounds against the ground.

The gap in the construction fence was larger than expected, wide enough for one person to slip through sideways.