(Congratulations to "Prologue" for becoming this book's Alliance Leader!)
Although everyone was utterly shocked by Fang Li's slaughter, it also gave them hope.
Originally, the warriors' Steam Guns could only slightly delay the Kabane's advance and were incapable of truly fighting them. But with Fang Li's massacre, the Kabane's assault immediately slowed considerably.
Because he was charging at the very front, nearly every Kabane eventually fixed its sights on Fang Li, roaring as they closed in around him.
If Fang Li had been alone, then even after comprehending Slayer and gaining increased attack and movement speed, he would have been torn to pieces in an instant under the siege of hundreds or thousands of Kabane.
Fortunately, Mumei's covering fire never ceased.
Her precise shots caused every Kabane to stagger just as it reached Fang Li, only to be met by his dagger a moment later, their hearts brutally pierced through.
Mumei seemed to understand that rather than spending effort firing repeatedly at the same spot to pierce a Kabane's heart, it would be more efficient to provide support and let Fang Li finish them off. Thus, she wanted to focus all her energy on supporting him and leave the slaughter to Fang Li.
Of course, with so many Kabane, that plan could not be fully realized.
After all, Fang Li's strength was still limited. If several Kabane attacked him at once, then even if he seized the instant created by Mumei's covering shots to strike, he would inevitably miss one or two.
Those Kabane had to be dealt with by Mumei.
Thus, while Fang Li appeared to be slaughtering his way through the Kabane army with unstoppable force, leaving everyone stunned, the greatest contributor to those results was still Mumei.
The warriors gradually seemed to realize this as well. Though they were still astonished that Fang Li could pierce the Kabane's heart membranes, they took action.
"Everyone!" Kurusu Kunoichi gave the order without hesitation.
"Support that idiot who charged into the monster horde!"
Under Kurusu Kunoichi's command, all the warriors began providing covering fire just like Mumei.
With that, Mumei's burden greatly decreased, and Fang Li's slaughter became smoother still, completely halting the Kabane army.
However, that situation did not last long.
Bang—!
Amid a sound like shattering glass, another Kabane's heart lost its glow, and the hideous monster slowly collapsed.
But at that very instant, Fang Li suddenly stopped.
"Pant... pant... pant..."
Rapid breathing came from Fang Li.
He was gasping for breath.
At that moment, Fang Li's chest heaved violently. The glow in his Ice-Blue Demon Eyes remained, but the hand gripping his dagger was trembling.
Perhaps no one on Earth had ever experienced such a sensation before.
The feeling of killing until one's hands went limp.
That was Fang Li's current state.
Of course, he had not stopped solely because he had killed too much.
The reason Fang Li stopped was obvious as well.
"This is bad!" Kurusu Kunoichi's expression changed as he shouted, "That guy's stamina is almost exhausted!"
Kibito Aragane and the other warriors' expressions changed as well.
As for Fang Li, he continued breathing heavily, struggling to keep hold of his dagger as his Ice-Blue Demon Eyes swept over his surroundings.
"Ah—!"
"Whoa—!"
"Eee—!"
Like ferocious beasts that had driven their prey into a corner, the Kabane's eyes gleamed with savagery as they slowly advanced toward Fang Li step by step.
This time, Fang Li was completely surrounded.
"W-what do we do?" Ikoma was still standing where he was, not having boarded the train. Seeing Fang Li surrounded by the Kabane horde, he urgently shouted at Mumei, "Hurry and think of some—"
Before he could finish, Ikoma fell silent.
Because he saw that Mumei was in the same state.
"Pant... pant... pant..."
Breathing even more raggedly than Fang Li, Mumei's hand gripping her Steam Gun was trembling as well, and her eyes were filled with profound exhaustion.
"Y-you... what's wrong with you?" Ikoma asked uncertainly.
Mumei ignored Ikoma. Supporting her weakened body, she stared at Fang Li, who was surrounded by Kabane, gritted her teeth, and murmured, "Have we reached our limit?"
Yes.
They had reached their limit.
Both Fang Li and Mumei had reached their limits.
"How could this..." Ikoma's expression was exceedingly grim.
Yet Fang Li, trapped amid the monster horde, looked at the slowly approaching Kabane while gasping for breath, his expression remaining extremely calm.
"This is exactly why I prepared an item."
Fang Li reached toward his leg pouch.
However, in the next second, his hand abruptly stopped.
Toot toot toot toot toot—!
Accompanied by a loud train whistle, everyone present froze before immediately brightening with joy.
Then, they saw it.
The steel train that had been parked in the garage finally started up and slowly rolled out.
"Everyone!"
At the front of the Iron Fortress, Yomogawa Ayame leaned half her body out through the opened roof hatch and waved at everyone.
Seeing this, Kurusu Kunoichi turned and shouted to Fang Li, "Get back here! We're retreating!"
Without Kurusu Kunoichi's reminder, Fang Li had already begun moving.
Squeezing out the last shred of strength in his body, Fang Li charged fiercely toward the Iron Fortress.
The surrounding Kabane immediately roared as one and lunged at Fang Li without hesitation.
Bang bang bang bang bang—!
The chaotic gunfire rang out again, knocking down every Kabane that pounced at Fang Li.
Mumei was still the first to fire.
As for the Yotsuyu Clan's warriors, some remained where they were and continued firing to help Fang Li escape, while others fled directly toward the Iron Fortress.
Even so, it was enough.
Under everyone's cover, Fang Li charged forward at full speed.
Just as Fang Li was about to break out of the Kabane encirclement, a hand suddenly grabbed his foot.
"—?!"
Fang Li's heart tightened. He forcefully lowered his head and looked beneath him.
There, a Kabane that had just been knocked to the ground lay on the floor, one hand stretched out and gripping Fang Li's ankle tightly.
"AAAAAAH—!"
With a violent roar, the Kabane lying on the ground opened its jaws and bit down at Fang Li's foot.
Splat—!
Blood splattered.
(Please click! Please recommend! Please bookmark!)