A wingspan of nearly ten meters, a pair of pitch-black wings like those of a fallen angel, their surface gleaming with a metallic sheen, every feather
perfectly simulated, yet
unlike ordinary birds, they didn't shed feathers.
"Well... I've finally become a birdman."
My mouth twitched. I felt inexplicably relieved, yet also inexplicably... helpless.
"Flap~ flap~ flap~"
The enormous wings beat slowly, keeping my body suspended in midair. I was relieved because just a moment ago, I'd thought Tuanzi had activated the virus in my body,
turning me into a dragon again.
And as for the helplessness... well, just like I said.
Damn it, after more than twenty years of evolving in the apocalypse, I'd finally... successfully evolved into a birdman.
The wings obeyed my control. I could feel the airflow moving across my back, through the wings made of black fluid.
They felt like an extra appendage.
The wings were very thin. I knew Tuanzi wouldn't be able to keep them up for long. After all, the nutrients in its body came from me. Even though it was nourishing me now,
the exchange still wasn't proportional.
I controlled the wings and slowly descended to the ground.
My enormous raincoat swept across the road, kicking up a little dust. As I crouched on the ground, the black wings quickly retracted.
By the time I stood up, they'd vanished, leaving only me... and the pack beside me.
"Thanks, Tuanzi... Otherwise, this pack would've been ruined."
The instant my wings had spread, Tuanzi had undone all the straps on the tactical backpack and held onto it so it wouldn't fall.
"Holy crap~"
"Yeah... Let's go find Mengmeng. That girl's so reckless. I'm worried about her out there alone in the dark."
"Holy crap!"
Tuanzi nodded. I took a deep breath and composed myself.