Rat Tide Approaching

Mutated Green Python scales had formidable defensive power; even Cong Hujun's High-Power Rifle might not pierce them. And against such a massive python, even piercing it would not be fatal. If it coiled around him, Cong Hujun, whose Physical Fitness was only slightly better than an ordinary Soldier's, would indeed be in great danger.

"Then thank you, Big Brother Cong." Although the Combat Suit's defense was probably still inferior to his own, having one was better than having none.

"Haha, no need to thank me. If you hadn't been here this time, I'd probably have 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 perfectly normal.

Yet in Yang Yu's hands, it had taken only a single slash.

"No wonder he dared volunteer to fight Monsters at such a young age." Cong Hujun sighed inwardly. He had now truly understood the strength of a Martial Artist.

Before this, he had only heard how powerful Martial Artists were, or watched broadcasts of human Martial Artists slaughtering Monsters with overwhelming force.

But none of that compared to 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 far more desolate.

Yang Yu gripped his War Blade as he walked along what had once been a sidewalk, releasing his Spiritual Force to carefully sense the surroundings.

However, the range his Spiritual Force could cover was limited at this stage, only extending several dozen meters in every direction. It was better than nothing and could at least guard against sudden attacks.

The two continued deeper for quite a while without spotting any Mutated Creatures or Monsters. It seemed this area had been the territory of that Mutated Green Python just now.

But once other Mutated Creatures discovered that this territory had been left vacant, it was only a matter of time before they occupied it.

That was the purpose of patrol teams: to ensure that the rear area remained sufficiently safe.

So the two switched to another area and continued their patrol.

Several minutes later, they arrived somewhere even more desolate.

This area had once been the largest Urban Village on the eastern side of Jiangnan City. The living conditions had already been poor, and after its residents moved to centralized resettlement sites in the city center, it became even more abandoned.

Weeds grew everywhere. Rats that had once only dared scurry through sewers could now be seen all around.

However, these rats had merely grown somewhat larger, about the size of rabbits, and were still far from becoming Mutated Creatures. When they saw Yang Yu and Cong Hujun, they fled into the sewers without daring to cause trouble.

Yang Yu had no interest in hunting down these gutter rats.

If he was going to kill rats, he would kill those that had mutated into Monsters.

"Little Yang, this area usually has the most rats. The last time one of our squads came here, they were nearly surrounded by a Rat Horde led by a rat the size of a hunting dog. Fortunately, they had brought plenty of Incendiary Bombs and a powerful Heavy Machine Gun, so they barely managed to escape. That Mutated Rat King was badly wounded too."

Cong Hujun spoke quietly. Although it was unlikely that another Rat King would Give Birth in such a short time, animals mutated quickly, and rats mutated even faster, so he could not be certain.

He had only dared come this time because he was with Yang Yu. Otherwise, they normally patrolled this place as a full squad.

Mutated Rats were dangerous, especially when their numbers reached a certain scale.

"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."

The two chatted as they headed deeper into the Urban Village.

In an unnoticed corner, a pale yellow rat silently watched Yang Yu and Cong Hujun. After seeing them continue deeper, the small but clever-looking rat immediately turned and jumped into a sewer.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak~"

Deep in the sewers, the pale yellow rat began squeaking at a rat as large as a calf.

The Rat King, a rat gigantic enough to be called monstrous, blinked its tiny eyes and quietly listened to its Subordinate's report.

Having already developed rudimentary intelligence, a thoughtful glint flashed through its eyes.

As the most successfully mutated rat in the entire Urban Village and throughout the surrounding Tens of Kilometers, the Rat King that had previously been killed by the patrol team had actually been its Subordinate. It was the true King of this Rat Horde!

After listening to the little rat's squeaky report, the enormous Rat King crawled out of the shadows.

In the dim sewers, one could vaguely see that the giant Rat King was pale gold all over. Several long whiskers grew from both sides of its head, while a pale gold tail several meters long dragged behind it.

"Squeak!"

A short but highly penetrating cry instantly echoed through the entire sewer. Before long, Mutated Rats of all sizes began rushing in from every direction.

This Rat King, which had already reached the Primary Beast General Level, had developed faint intelligence. The clever little rat from earlier was also one of its smartest offspring.

After hearing its report, the Rat King learned that only two humans had entered this time. Last time, it had nearly tasted the human flesh it had long craved, but its strength had not been as great as it was now, and there had been many people. Its strongest Subordinate had also been dealt with.

Naturally timid and cautious, it had not revealed itself and had instead chosen to continue lying low. After all, it only needed to spend some time each day absorbing Cosmic Energy to keep growing stronger.

But according to its Subordinate's report today, there were only two humans, and its strength had recently surged considerably. It 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 that something was wrong. Black rats that had previously been 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 realm of ordinary people, would be in danger if he fell into a Rat Tide.

Knowing that something was wrong, Cong Hujun said nothing and chose to follow Yang Yu back.

But before they could return to the Urban Village entrance, when they had only made it halfway, they suddenly discovered massive numbers of black rats flooding toward them from every direction!

"Rat Tide!"

Cong Hujun cried out in terror, immediately removing an Incendiary Bomb from his person and throwing it at the Rat Horde.

"Run!"

Using the Incendiary Bomb for cover, Cong Hujun prepared to pull Yang Yu away.

But this Rat Horde was clearly no ordinary group of rats. The Incendiary Bombs that had once been able to harm them now had barely any effect.

The moment Cong Hujun realized this, his heart tightened.

This Incendiary Bomb had been newly developed, yet it was clearly unable to keep pace with the animals' mutation speed.

"Big Brother Cong, come with me!" Yang Yu noticed it too and immediately tucked the shorter Cong Hujun under his arm before charging back the way they had come.

Before Cong Hujun could react, he felt his body lift as he was carried along at high speed.

At that moment, the massive Rat King also revealed itself.

"Squeak, squeak!"

Urgent, hoarse rat cries rang out.

Even more rats immediately surged forward!

Yang Yu was not moving especially fast at this moment, since he still had to look after Cong Hujun, an ordinary person.

Even so, he easily threw off the Rat Horde behind them.

But after the Rat King issued two commands,

larger Mutated Black Rats suddenly appeared.

At the same time, the calf-sized Rat King, pale gold all over, lunged after them from behind.

Its speed nearly matched Yang Yu's!