Mysterious Man!

A large formation of armed transport helicopters flew over North Ridge City, causing panic among the citizens.

The helicopters seemed to have a clear destination—they were headed for South Weir.

The South Weir building was still undergoing repairs and renovations, and the mess left behind by the previous battle had not yet been fully restored.

Aside from construction workers, only Queen Bee's people remained in all of South Weir.

The helicopters hovered directly above South Weir.

"004's mind-control ability is limited. She cannot simultaneously control an excessive number of people, so 004 will establish a set of behavioral patterns and have those under her control act according to those patterns in a loop."

"Even so, 004 must still expend a great deal of mental energy maintaining her vast psychic network. Therefore, 004 requires longer sleep than ordinary people."

"Current observations show that 004 can remain active for five hours each day. She remains in deep sleep for the rest of the time."

"While 004 is asleep, she can still issue orders to her derivatives, 004-1, but her main body cannot act."

"It is currently impossible to determine whether 004 is asleep. If the target is found awake, beware of any liquid that may come into contact with you."

"004 can mix her venom into any liquid."

"If you are injured during the mission, evacuate immediately. I repeat, evacuate immediately. If you do not evacuate, we will consider the injured person to have been controlled by 004."

"And designate them as 004-1, then execute them."

"This operation prioritizes capture and containment. Any 004-1 encountered may be executed on sight. I repeat, they may be executed on sight."

"Additionally, SRW Number 002—the Fishman—may appear during this operation."

"The estimated number may exceed 200. Number 002 possesses extreme speed and abilities beyond human capacity. Its claws can cut through concrete and rock."

"At the same time, the target can locate prey by emitting a certain kind of cry."

"However, its head is its weakness. A bullet to the head can kill Number 002. If conditions permit, contain one 002-1 with vital signs intact."

"This containment operation is codenamed: Operation Bee Catch."

"This is humanity's first official confrontation with monsters. I wish you a safe return, comrades."

Zhang Jinsong looked over the fully armed Nine-Tailed Fox soldiers aboard the helicopter and waved his hand. "Split into four squadrons and infiltrate. I'll lead one squadron. The rest, follow your squadron leaders closely."

"If a squadron leader shows signs of possible mind control, the deputy leader will immediately assume temporary command."

"Now, containment begins."

Rope ladders began dropping from the helicopters, and the Nine-Tailed Fox soldiers rapidly slid down onto the roof of the South Weir building.

This was the scale of an entire brigade.

It consisted of four squadrons.

Each squadron had eighty men.

Three hundred and twenty in total.

They set up ropes on the rooftop, then descended by zipline, smashing through the windows with a single kick and entering the building.

"This is Nine-Tailed Fox 01-2 Squadron. I am the squadron leader. We have successfully entered the hive. Over."

"Continue advancing. Keep thermal imaging and night vision on. SRW Number 003—the Invisible Man—may also be inside the hive."

"Proceed with caution. Over."

The four teams entered South Weir from all four sides of the building and began searching from the top floor.

The top floor was an expansive open space.

The group advanced cautiously. Before long, they found a red velvet lounge chair.

A sleeping blonde woman lay flat on the chair.

The blonde woman's hands were gaunt, nothing but skin and bone.

Upon spotting the target, Zhang Jinsong immediately activated his communicator. "This is Nine-Tailed Fox 01-1 Squadron. I am the commander."

"Target confirmed. I repeat, target confirmed."

"004 has entered a sleeping state. Begin containment immediately. The remaining squadrons will assist and stay alert for potential threats. Over."

Crackle...

"This is Nine-Tailed Fox 01-3 Squadron. I am the squadron leader. A large number of 004-1 are confirmed to be rapidly approaching the target. Permission to fire?"

"Granted."

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

A barrage of gunfire suddenly rang out in the darkness. Against the well-stocked Nine-Tailed Fox squadron, those women could not get close at all.

They charged forward with knives in hand, only to be instantly killed the moment they appeared!

"This is Nine-Tailed Fox 01-3 Squadron. All 004-1 have been confirmed eliminated. Over."

"Maintain vigilance."

As he spoke, Zhang Jinsong walked directly toward the blonde woman.

The soldiers around him all raised their guns and aimed at the blonde woman. At that moment, she suddenly woke up.

Zhang Jinsong swiftly stepped back.

Queen Bee stretched lazily, then looked at Zhang Jinsong with a flirtatious smile. "So many people came looking for little old me. I'm truly flattered."

"What are you doing?"

"Could it be that you intend to shoot a weak woman who can't even tie up a chicken?"

Zhang Jinsong and the others froze at the sight. Their eyes unconsciously became hazy, as though they had been exposed to some kind of biological pheromone.

The pheromone made the woman before them seem incomparably beautiful, like a fairy from a dream, nearly causing them all to fall under her spell in an instant.

Fortunately, the people behind them snapped them out of it in time. Otherwise, they would likely have immediately fallen into a state of infatuation.

"Calling command. This is Nine-Tailed Fox Brigade 01. I am Commander Zhang Jinsong. 004 has awakened. The target has displayed no aggressive behavior. Negotiation may be possible."

"But... tch, should we negotiate?"

"No negotiation necessary. Proceed directly with containment."

After receiving the reply over the communicator, Zhang Jinsong gave a hand signal.

"Continue containment."

A group of Nine-Tailed Fox soldiers slowly stepped forward with stun guns and tranquilizer guns. Queen Bee hurriedly backed away at the sight.

Damn it!

These people were professionals. Ordinary Worker Bees couldn't even get near them!

Needles?

No, they're too far away.

They had kept a distance from Queen Bee the entire time, and judging by their gear, they were armed to the teeth!

Queen Bee had no way to make a move!

More importantly, why had these people come to capture her without any warning from her Worker Bees in power?

At that moment, Queen Bee realized that quite a few of her Worker Bees had lost contact.

Their consciousnesses must have fallen asleep!

That fish isn't here either!

Queen Bee's main body had almost no combat ability. Faced with this sudden ambush and encirclement, she had no way to deal with them!

Bang! Bang!

Several tranquilizer rounds came flying in first. If the tranquilizers worked, there would be no need to use the stun guns.

Their mission was to capture her alive. Stun guns could cause the target to go into shock and die, so they were a backup measure.

Two tranquilizer darts shot toward her, but at that moment, a silver Silk Thread flashed through the dark space!

Slap!

The two tranquilizer darts were instantly pierced by the Silk Thread and stopped dead in midair!

Both sides were startled by the sight!

"What?"

Before they could react!

The next second, a black figure suddenly stepped out of the darkness.

Zhang Jinsong immediately raised his gun and aimed at the man!

He was a man in a black suit, wearing a white mask over his face. Countless threads were wrapped around his hands!

Looking at the guns pointed at him, the man waved his hand!

All of a sudden, Zhang Jinsong felt a chill brush across his neck!

"Commander, beside you!"

Zhang Jinsong froze at the warning. There was nothing beside him.

But from the others' perspective, the thermal imager detected four heat signatures at that moment!

Judging from their shapes, they appeared to be four men. They seemed to be holding cold weapons resembling Tang sabers, arranged in a square formation around Zhang Jinsong's neck!

The moment Zhang Jinsong made a move, a line of blood appeared directly on his neck!

That cutting sensation!

"For your own safety, you'd better not move."

"Nice to meet you. You may call me Aus Kate."

Number 006: Puppet Master (Spider)