Apocalypse Hunter

From the very start, the leader had ducked the arrows flying straight at him, then dropped from a great height without a scratch and run at an extraordinary speed.

Aside from being a "Baptized One," Xia Leng couldn't think of any other explanation for the man's abilities!

And he was a "Hunter-type" Baptized One, at that!

Five years ago, the sudden Black Rain had swept across the globe. It turned 97% of humanity into bloodthirsty walking corpses, while the remaining % of lucky survivors not only kept their willpower but also gained genetic enhancements!

Those lucky survivors who had endured the Black Rain and emerged stronger were known as "Baptized Ones."

People like Xia Leng, who hadn't been caught in the rain, hadn't turned into zombies, and hadn't been enhanced, were known as the lowly dregs of the wasteland.

In this post-apocalyptic world, the rain had utterly destroyed technology, culture, and everything else. Only raw strength could command anything, and this was therefore a world ruled by the Baptized Ones!

The abilities gained by mutated humans varied widely, with perhaps thousands of different branches, but they had gradually been divided into five major categories.

The first category, and the most common among the Baptized Ones, was known as Apocalypse Warriors. They possessed unmatched strength and bones and muscles as tough as steel.

The second category consisted of Baptized Ones known as Apocalypse Hunters. They had extraordinary senses, freakish reflexes, light, nimble bodies, and bizarre attacks that could dazzle the eye, among other abilities.

The third category was a rare type of Baptized One whose brain had mutated. They were known as "Sages."

These "Sages" had no superhuman strength or astonishing speed; they were much like ordinary people.

The only difference was their exceptional intelligence, which let them devise schemes that were almost impossible to unravel. They usually held leadership positions in organizations such as high-level Fortresses and mercenary companies.

The fourth category was the rarest and most powerful type of Baptized One. They possessed extraordinary powers that science couldn't explain, such as controlling the elements or wielding the power of the mind. They were known as Controllers.

The most outstanding Controllers were even powerful enough to cause natural disasters!

It was said that when two rival mercenary companies were fighting over territory, one side had spent a fortune to hire a high-level Controller during a stalemate.

The Controller had caused a huge active volcano to rise out of the ground at the enemy company's headquarters. The scorching lava that spewed forth had swallowed the entire base in an instant, leaving no survivors...

Finally, there was the most controversial and puzzling ability of all: simultaneously useless and somewhat useful. Many people didn't even know they were this type of Baptized One. They were known as Mystic Scholars.

Some Mystic Scholars were simply luckier than ordinary people; some could foresee what was about to happen in a moment of danger and avert disaster; and some were even said to be able to turn back time.

All in all, it was an ability surrounded by all sorts of incredible rumors, though no one had ever witnessed it firsthand.

Apart from this dazzling array of mutated abilities, certain testing organizations had also divided each ability's mastery into different levels.

For example, a first-tier Apocalypse Warrior could easily lift a 100-kilogram weight with one hand, while a second-tier one could lift nearly 00 kilograms.

The higher the tier, the more the user's strength increased exponentially. There were nine tiers in total.

It was said there were even more powerful tiers beyond the ninth, but no one had ever been seen surpassing it.

As for how to advance, rumors spoke of a potion refined from crystal stones. The refining technique was in the hands of high-level mercenary companies, shelters, and other organizations. Out in the wilderness, it was a top-tier commodity that money couldn't buy.

And in a duel between Baptized Ones, the one with the higher tier didn't necessarily have the victory assured.

For example, a fourth-tier warrior might unleash a punch with the terrifying force to lift a thousand-jin weight, but still fail to catch a second-tier Agile Hunter.

Of course, a second-tier Hunter couldn't break through a fifth-tier warrior's defenses, either. In short, the Baptized Ones all had a subtle system of checks and balances.

Judging by his running speed, the leader chasing Xia Leng was a first-tier Agile Hunter.

Though he was only first-tier, in this sparsely populated ruined city, he was like an aristocrat compared to ordinary people like them.

As for why this "aristocrat" would lower himself to compete with ordinary drifters for scraps, the reason was that in cities, towns, Fortresses, and shelters, a first-tier Hunter held a status only slightly above that of a drifter.

But out in the wilderness, he could enjoy the treatment of a king, worshipped by hundreds of ordinary drifters.

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Everyone knew that saying.

That was when the value of one's ability became clear. Even a rare first-tier Controller could enjoy the treatment of a knight within an organization.

Xia Leng watched the Apocalypse Hunter draw ever closer and knew there was no escaping this disaster.

He didn't believe he was some hidden Mystic Scholar, either. Otherwise, how could one misfortune after another have befallen him today...

The bit of strength he had recovered earlier by sucking out the Giant Armor Beetle's brain fluid had been mostly spent in the successive fights. He had slowed down while running so he could save what little strength he had left for the battle.

Xia Leng heard the footsteps and curses of his pursuer drawing closer behind him. By his estimate, the "aristocrat" behind him would catch up in less than ten seconds!

"So this is the day I die, huh? Maybe..."

His right hand reached for the bone dagger at his waist, its blade still smeared with Ghost-Faced Spider venom. If he could inflict even the slightest wound on his opponent, he might turn the tables once again!

Though he knew the odds were slim, simply because his opponent was a Baptized One.

Over the past five years, he had survived the encirclement of a biker gang, attacks by swarms of Man-Eating Sparrows, the betrayal of teammates, and more.

And there was no doubt that his survival skills had steadily improved.

But in the wasteland, bloodline meant everything.

Even if you were a veteran hunter with decades of experience living in the deep mountains before the apocalypse, your marksmanship still couldn't compare to that of a first-tier Apocalypse Hunter with enhanced eyesight.

The world had never been fair, and that was even more true in the wasteland.

"Kid, run for all you're worth! This is your last chance to run, because in a moment, I'll rip the tendons right out of your hands and feet!"

The grim-faced leader chased frantically behind Xia Leng, letting out a bone-chilling cackle to put psychological pressure on his prey.

"Five seconds."

Xia Leng ignored the threats from behind. Judging by the sounds, he silently counted down the time until his pursuer entered his attack range.

He had already glimpsed the crossbow hanging from the leader's waist. The man could have raised it and shot him, but he hadn't.

That was because Apocalypse Hunters had a freakish desire to toy with prey they were certain to catch.

And Xia Leng was taking advantage of his opponent's contempt for him, hoping to catch him off guard with a counterattack!

One second!!

About one meter away!

For a first-tier speed-type Hunter, that distance could be crossed in the blink of an eye!

Xia Leng struck. Without the slightest hesitation, he spun around and swung the venom-tipped dagger through the air!

At the same time, just as he had predicted, the leader charged up behind him within that second and raised his steel blade, bringing it down hard toward Xia Leng's neck with a gust of wind!

But Xia Leng's head start had caught him off guard. No matter how fast he was, having his next move predicted was like running straight into the blade!!

The leader's eyes widened in disbelief as he saw the green glint on the blade in Xia Leng's hand. It was too late to pull back. That was one of the drawbacks of moving too fast...

Shhk~

The dagger smeared with Ghost-Faced Spider venom sliced across the back of the hand gripping his steel blade...