Hysterical Black Rat Leader

Xilin had always suspected that the Black Rat Leader possessed something that allowed it to undergo such transformations. Mutation was one thing, but there was usually a stabilization period after a mutation. Yet, this Black Rat, having undergone a second mutation not long after its previous one, and with such successful results – its intelligence and combat prowess seemingly enhanced by hundreds of years of evolutionary accumulation – was unheard of.

Between a strong, hundreds-of-years-old rat and a one-year-old rat, who was more cunning? The answer was obvious.

When Xilin had previously examined the traces left by this Black Rat, he discovered a strange substance within its cells. Or rather, it was possible that the Black Rat harbored something within its body that stimulated the cells in various parts of its body to produce strengthening agents.

It wasn't until this Black Rat appeared that Xilin clearly sensed a special signal emanating from its body. That signal made the chip within Xilin's body incredibly excited, as if it had found a kindred spirit.

The massive Black Rat Leader's two pairs of incisors were like scythes, and it emitted a hissing sound unlike that of a rat. It had previously sensed Xilin's presence but hadn't immediately attacked. It felt that this human gave it a peculiar sensation – a faint sense of danger, yet also the allure of a fine meal. Perhaps consuming this human would benefit its evolution. After enduring for so long, it finally decided to strike.

The Black Rat vanished from its spot, reappearing before Xilin the next moment. Xilin's reaction was not slow either. His gun and backpack were already set aside; he was ready to respond bare-handed.

His solidified body collided with the Black Rat, producing dull thuds. In the instant the Black Rat's claws swept past, Xilin sprang up and kicked its cervical spine.

Bang!

The Black Rat's cervical spine didn't break, but its head and upper body were flung sideways by the force. The stone wall where it impacted caved in, and fragments of crushed rock fell.

The rock on the cave wall was like tofu under the Black Rat's claws. The entrance expanded under the Black Rat's constant impacts, sending rock debris flying.

After so many encounters, Xilin already knew the location of that thing within the Black Rat.

Whoosh--

Two rat claws were flung towards the Black Rat's blood-red eyes. The Black Rat closed its eyes and tilted its head slightly. The two rat claws Xilin threw struck below the Black Rat's eye corners, not even scratching its skin. However, the rat claws, used as projectiles, were merely a diversion. Xilin's next target was its ears.

The moment the Black Rat closed its eyes, Xilin simultaneously threw two more rat claws, aiming for the Black Rat's ears on both sides. With such speed and force, if they had truly penetrated its ears, even if the auricles were tough, the inner ear and nerves deep within the ear canal would have been damaged.

This Big Black Rat also knew the consequences of being hit. So, while closing its eyes and tilting its head to dodge the first two rat claws, the Black Rat raised its forelimbs, its sharp claws blocking the incoming projectiles.

This was the moment!

Xilin leaped sideways, flying under the Black Rat's forelimbs. His solidified arm penetrated its abdomen, and at the same time, his arm acted like a magnet, drawing out the object within the Black Rat's belly before quickly retracting and jumping away. The entire process took but an instant.

It was a fist-sized, crystal-white sphere, emitting a hazy white glow in the darkness. Holding the White Ball, Xilin could clearly feel the immense energy emanating from it. However, now was not the time to study the White Ball. After obtaining the item, Xilin quickly retreated. Only a fool would engage this behemoth in a head-on fight.

The wound on the Black Rat's abdomen caused by Xilin's arm did not bleed much; it began to heal immediately. However, the healing was not as effective as when the White Ball was present; the healing speed was comparatively slower.

Sensing that the White Ball had been taken, the Black Rat went mad. Its bloodshot eyes turned even more crimson, and it let out an enraged roar. Its two pairs of scythe-like incisors gleamed with peak rage and killing intent.

It could disregard revenge, disregard the lives of other Black Rats, but it could not lose this White Ball. All its reliance, all its opportunities, stemmed from this White Ball!

The Black Rat chased Xilin like a madman. With every step it took, its long, sharp claws tore up large chunks of the cave floor. The Black Rat didn't even bother to turn corners, charging in a straight line along the shortest path, demonstrating its urgency. Many parts of the cave were destroyed, and the cave began to collapse along the routes taken by the Black Rat and Xilin.

The cave route Xilin chose had almost no other Action Personnel. Furthermore, the commotion caused by the Black Rat was immense. Nearby Action Personnel also became alert. Sensing the cave becoming unstable, they all began to quickly retreat to the surface...

Xilin had long formed a clear and complete map of the cave network in his mind, knowing exactly which forked path to take and when. His escape route passed through most of the caves, including the place where he had dealt with those hidden Assassins. The cave collapse buried the last traces.

The longer it dragged on, the more the Black Rat felt its weakness from being separated from the White Ball, becoming increasingly agitated. But unfortunately, the human who took its possession was also very fast. As it ran, the Black Rat let out a long howl, not like a rat, but more like those ancient beasts.

This roar shook the entire underground cave network, and even the Action Personnel fighting the Black Rats on the ground could hear it clearly.

It was like a mournful howl in the cold wind, or the demonic sound of a Asura passing through hell. At this moment, the Action Personnel and researchers who heard this sound felt a chilling dread.

What kind of creature could make such a sound? And under what circumstances and state of mind did it let out such a hysterical howl?

As this sound rang out, all the Black Rats on the ground, whether they were fighting the Action Team, lurking somewhere in the base waiting for an opportunity to attack, or those who were almost breaking through the last layer of defense in the base's central area, all stopped what they were doing and converged underground. They were indifferent even when the Action Personnel fired at them.

"Notify the team members underground who haven't come up to evacuate the caves quickly! Everyone on the ground, maintain high alert!!" Huoding roared into the Communicator. Although he didn't know what had happened, judging by the sound, the leader was clearly coming.

Somewhere in the underground caves, a team was moving forward. They had lost contact with the ground, and their Communicators had no signal. However, seeing that the caves were becoming increasingly unstable, the team leader decided to leave first, as it would be a pity to be buried here. Especially after hearing that terrifying howl, their decision to evacuate was further solidified.

"Team Leader, we have a signal!!" a Team Member shouted joyfully.

The closer they got to the surface and further away from the Black Rat Leader's location, the more the retained signal receivers they had installed worked. It wasn't just this team; all the Action Personnel evacuating underground also found that their Communicators had a signal.

"All Action Personnel underground, evacuate to the surface immediately! Evacuate to the surface immediately!"

Huoding's voice came through the Communicator, filled with urgency.

"Withdraw!!"

The Team Leader immediately gave the order.

But before they could take two steps, they felt a vibration approaching from a distance.

"Alert!"

All the Team Members raised their guns, ready to fire. But they all knew that with such vibrations, the number of Black Rats was definitely not something they could handle.

Retreat? It was useless. This cave was very long, and even if they ran with all their might now, it would only consume their energy and delay the time of their collision.

When they first entered the underground caves, they hadn't encountered such a large number of Black Rats. Now, it seemed like the Black Rats were rushing towards them in a concentrated mass. Moreover, the sound of their movement was undisguised, unlike their stealthy attacks before.

Saqi was also a member of this team. He no longer cared about wiping the sweat from his forehead. He recalled everything he had experienced since he grew up, his past dreams, and his ambitious arrival at Qiyao... Did he regret it? He asked himself.

He didn't know, he really didn't know. There was nothing else in his mind now, except for the feeling he had when he was young, looking at the golden medal with a military emblem in his father's study. Perhaps, from that moment on, he had an Obsession: to one day get one for himself, not with his father's name on it, but with his own, Saqi.

The Black Rats were getting closer, and the Team Members could already smell the disgusting odor in the air.

"For Glory!"

"For Glory!!"

The Team Members shouted this with the Team Leader, then gripped their guns tightly.