The Mutated Snake Scales had formidable defensive power; even the High-Power Rifle in Cong Hujun's hands might not be able to penetrate them. And against such a massive python, even penetrating it would not be fatal. If it wrapped around him, Cong Hujun, whose physical fitness was only a little stronger than an ordinary soldier's, would indeed be in great danger.
"Then thank you, Brother Cong." Although the combat suit's defense was likely still inferior to his own, having it was better than not.
"Haha, no need to thank me. If you hadn't been here on this trip, I probably would've lost my life today." Cong Hujun was still shaken.
A Mutated Green Python that large would normally require an entire squad to take down.
If they were unlucky, losing one or two teammates would be entirely normal.
Yet in Yang Yu's hands, it had taken only a single slash.
"No wonder you dared to volunteer to resist the Monsters at such a young age." Cong Hujun sighed inwardly. He now fully understood the strength of Martial Artists.
Previously, he had only heard about how formidable Martial Artists were, or watched broadcasts of human Martial Artists powerfully slaughtering Monsters.
But none of that was as shocking as experiencing it firsthand.
They began patrolling again.
This time, Yang Yu walked ahead to scout the way, and Cong Hujun no longer had him follow behind.
What a joke. He was the one being protected now.
After several months, the once bustling city district had become much more desolate.
Yang Yu held his War Blade as he walked along what had once been a sidewalk, releasing his Spiritual Force to carefully sense the surrounding area.
However, at this stage, his Mental Force covered only a limited range, roughly several dozen meters in every direction. It was better than nothing and could only prevent sudden attacks.
The two continued deeper for quite a while without seeing any Mutated Creatures or Monsters. It seemed this area had been the territory of that Mutated Green Python.
However, once other Mutated Creatures discovered that this territory was vacant, it was only a matter of time before they occupied it.
That was why patrol squads existed: to ensure the rear remained safe enough.
The two then switched to another area and continued their patrol.
Several minutes later, they arrived somewhere even more desolate.
This area had originally been the largest urban village in eastern Jiangnan City. The living conditions had already been poor, and after its residents moved to centralized resettlement areas in the city center, it had become even more deserted.
Weeds grew everywhere. Rats that had once only dared to appear in sewers could now be seen all around.
However, these rats had merely grown a little larger, becoming roughly the size of rabbits. They were still far from becoming Mutated Creatures. Upon seeing Yang Yu and Cong Hujun, they fled into the sewers, not daring to cause trouble.
Yang Yu had no interest in catching and killing these sewer rats.
If he was going to kill rats, he might as well kill ones mutated into Monsters.
"Little Yang, this area usually has the most rats. Last time, one of our squads nearly got surrounded by a Rat Horde led by a rat the size of a hunting dog. Luckily, they brought plenty of Incendiary Bombs and a powerful heavy machine gun, so they barely managed to escape. That Mutated Rat King was seriously wounded too."
Cong Hujun spoke softly. Although another Rat King was unlikely to be born in such a short time, animals mutated quickly, and rats mutated even faster, so he could not be certain.
Still, he only dared to come this time because he was with Yang Yu. Otherwise, they usually patrolled here as a full squad.
Mutated Rats were extremely dangerous, especially once their numbers reached a certain level.
"It's fine, Big Brother Cong. I'll kill however many rats come." Yang Yu spoke confidently.
"That's true. With your strength, Little Yang, you naturally have nothing to fear from these filthy rats."
As they talked, the two headed deeper into the urban village.
In an unknown corner, a pale yellow rat silently watched Yang Yu and Cong Hujun. Seeing them continue deeper, the small but clever-looking rat immediately turned and jumped into a sewer.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak~"
Deep in the sewer, the pale yellow rat began squeaking at a rat as large as a calf.
The Rat King, practically a giant rat, blinked his tiny eyes and quietly listened to his subordinate's report.
Having already developed a rudimentary intelligence, he showed a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
As the most successfully mutated rat in the entire urban village and tens of kilometers around it, the Rat King previously killed by the patrol squad had actually been his subordinate. He was the true King of this Rat Horde!
After listening to the little rat's squeaking report, the Rat King's massive body crawled out from the shadows.
In the dim sewer, one could vaguely see that this giant Rat King was pale gold all over. Several long whiskers grew from either side of his head, while a pale gold tail several meters long dragged behind him.
Squeak!
A short but highly piercing cry instantly spread through the entire sewer. Before long, Mutated Rats of all sizes began gathering from every direction.
This Rat King, who had already reached the Primary Beast General Level, had developed faint intelligence. The rather intelligent little rat from earlier was also one of his cleverest offspring.
After hearing its cries, the Rat King learned that only two humans had entered this time. Last time, he had nearly tasted the human flesh he had long craved, but his strength had not been as great back then, and there had been many humans. Even his strongest subordinate had been dealt with.
Naturally timid and cautious, he had not shown himself. Instead, he had chosen to continue lying low. After all, he only needed to spend some time absorbing Cosmic Energy each day to steadily grow stronger.
But according to his subordinate's report today, there were only two humans, and his strength had risen greatly recently. He had eaten all the stronger Mutated Creatures nearby, so it was the perfect time to try a different flavor.
At this moment, Yang Yu and Cong Hujun also noticed something was wrong. Black rats that had previously been visible everywhere had vanished completely, and the surroundings were unnaturally quiet.
Sensing the danger, Yang Yu immediately suggested retreating.
Although he did not fear an ordinary Rat Horde's assault, Cong Hujun, who was still within the bounds of an ordinary person, would be in danger if caught in a Rat Tide.
Knowing something was wrong, Cong Hujun said nothing more and chose to follow Yang Yu back.
But before the two could return to the entrance of the urban village, when they had only made it halfway, they suddenly discovered countless black rats pouring in from all directions!
"Rat Tide!"
Cong Hujun cried out in terror and immediately removed an Incendiary Bomb from his person, throwing it toward the rat horde.
"Run!"
Using the Incendiary Bomb as cover, Cong Hujun prepared to pull Yang Yu away.
But these rats were clearly not ordinary rats. The Incendiary Bombs that had previously been able to harm them now had barely any effect.
Cong Hujun's heart immediately tightened when he realized this.
This Incendiary Bomb was one of the latest models, yet it clearly could not keep up with the speed of the animals' mutations.
"Big Brother Cong, follow me!" Yang Yu also noticed this and immediately tucked the shorter Cong Hujun under his arm, charging back in the direction they had come from.
Before Cong Hujun could react, he felt his body go light as he was carried along in High-Speed Movement.
At that moment, the enormous Rat King also revealed himself.
"Squeak, squeak!"
Urgent, hoarse rat cries rang out.
Even more rats rushed forward at once!
Yang Yu was not moving particularly fast at this moment, since he still had to take care of Cong Hujun, an ordinary person.
Even so, he easily left the rat horde behind.
But following the Rat King's two commands—
Larger Mutated Black Rats appeared at once.
At the same time, the Rat King, as large as a calf and pale gold all over, suddenly pursued them from behind.
His speed nearly matched Yang Yu's!
Before you continue