Ghoul Eater

The sharp tail spike pierced the Police Officer's heart, killing him instantly.

As he screamed, anxious voices burst from the radio:

"Liu Feng! Liu Feng!"

"What happened!?"

"He must've run into an Anomaly!"

"Hang on! Teams Two and Three are heading to Baida Plaza, Seventh Street Intersection!"

"..."

Xu Yan crushed the radio underfoot and snapped in disgust, "So noisy!"

Then she looked back at the woman's corpse and sighed. "What a waste of such a fine catch~ But you've ruined my appetite. I can't stomach you now!"

"Never mind. I'll find something fresh~"

With that, she stepped through the blood and emerged from the dark alley.

Police Officers nearby had already rushed to the scene. The moment they saw Xu Yan emerge covered in blood, they drew their guns and aimed at her.

"Damn it!"

"It's an Anomaly!"

"Liu Feng's dead!"

"Fire!"

They pulled their triggers at once.

As gunshots rang out, civilians scattered, screaming in panic.

Yet Xu Yan merely struck a languid pose under the officers' combined fire. She yawned and advanced on them step by step, the Scorpion-Tail Kagune behind her effortlessly blocking most of the bullets. Any shots that happened to strike her body left wounds that healed moments later.

The Police Officers' faces went white.

"What is that thing? A tail?"

"Backup! We need backup!"

"Team Two! Get over here!"

"That woman's a monster!"

"Ah—!"

The Scorpion-Tail Kagune became a sharp spike and pierced a Police Officer in an instant. It lifted him high and held him in front of her as a shield.

"Old Chen!"

"You bastard! I'll kill you!"

"Are the snipers in position?"

"Get the heavy weapons!"

"No! The civilians haven't all evacuated! We have to—"

"Ah—!"

Screams rose one after another. Several Police Officers lay in pools of blood, their fates uncertain.

"We're here!"

Team Two arrived and immediately raised their rifles, launching a fresh attack.

"Liu Qian! Are the Investigation Bureau's people here yet?" a middle-aged man asked Team Two's female captain.

"They're assembling a team. They need more time!" Liu Qian replied.

"Tell them to hurry!" the middle-aged man urged, a cigarette clenched between his teeth. "We can't handle this thing!"

"I already have, but they can't get here yet. We have to hold out a little longer!" Liu Qian gripped her radio as she spoke, her gaze trembling as she watched the woman in the distance.

More than twenty Police Officers had been deployed with rifles and grenades, yet they had failed to do any real damage to her.

For the Police Officers, it was a one-sided slaughter!

That tail spike pierced riot shields and bulletproof vests with ease. Before her, humans were as fragile as ants!

Liu Qian bit her lip, fear spreading wildly through her chest. She had transferred to the Ninghang City Public Security Bureau only a month ago. She never imagined she would face an enemy this formidable so soon!

Damn this rotten world!

"Look what I found~"

Xu Yan's gaze suddenly locked onto Liu Qian at the rear, and an excited smile curled her lips.

"Such perfect food~ One look, and I'm so hungry I can't stand it~"

"You'll be my dinner tonight~"

Before she finished speaking, another Scorpion-Tail Kagune sprouted from her back and tore a Police Officer to pieces. Then she lunged toward Liu Qian!

"She's charging! Liu Qian's the target!"

"Damn it! Stop her!"

"We can't! She's too fast!"

"Aim! Hurry, aim!"

"Ah—!"

"We're no match for her!"

"Run!"

"No! The civilians haven't all evacuated. We can't leave!"

"Somebody save us!"

The Police Officers were trapped in a desperate fight, firing as they retreated. Sweat poured down Liu Qian's face as she shook uncontrollably under Xu Yan's gaze!

"Ah~ Got you!"

Xu Yan swept past the others and charged straight up to Liu Qian.

A chilling smile hung on her face. Saliva slid down her red lips, and her eyes shone with hunger for Liu Qian.

Liu Qian froze, too terrified to move.

"I'll~ take you home~" Xu Yan said with a smile, reaching out to grip Liu Qian's chin. "Then we'll spend a wonderful night together~"

She extended her blood-red tongue. A clear droplet fell from its tip, carrying a strange, sweet scent.

No... no...

Liu Qian's body locked up in terror. She wanted to call for help, but her throat felt blocked, and no sound came out. She knew no one could save her from this monster!

She was trapped!

At that critical moment, a beam of golden light suddenly fell from the sky and slammed into Xu Yan.

"Ah!"

Xu Yan screamed, released Liu Qian, and staggered back.

"What was that?"

"What happened?"

The sudden turn left the Police Officers staring at one another, utterly confused.

Liu Qian looked around in bewilderment. She had no idea what had happened—there had been a flash of gold, and the monster had let go...

Then a crisp metallic clink sounded behind them, accompanied by a cool female voice. "Stand back. Leave her to me."

The Police Officers turned and saw a blonde woman in white-and-gold armor walking toward them.

"Who are you?" they asked.

Xilin gave no answer. She strode steadily toward Xu Yan and made a motion as if drawing a sword.

But no one could see a weapon in her hand. It looked as though she were gripping empty air.

"That really hurt~ You little..."

Xu Yan recovered from the Holy Light's burn and turned toward Xilin.

The instant she saw Xilin clearly, her excitement intensified. "Ah~ You're the perfect food! I'll strip off your armor and eat your flesh, one bite at a time!"

Before she had finished, Xilin broke into a sprint.

Her speed surged. Despite her heavy armor, she reached Xu Yan in an instant. Before anyone could react, the invisible sword of light in her hand fell and cleanly severed one of Xu Yan's arms!

"You—!"

Xu Yan recoiled in shock, retreating rapidly as she stared at her right arm in horror. A faint golden glow covered the stump, suppressing her body's ability to heal.

She couldn't believe she had been wounded.

What was that?

Xu Yan looked up at Xilin, utterly baffled!

There's nothing in her hand. How could she...?

"Hmph~ Interesting~"

Xu Yan gave a cold snort. Her playful smile vanished, replaced by a bone-deep chill. She watched Xilin warily and said, "You really are fascinating!"

Two Scorpion-Tail Kagune shot toward Xilin like arrows.

Xilin neither dodged nor retreated. She merely raised her sword hand and lunged toward Xu Yan again.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

In an instant, the Lightless Sword clashed fiercely with the two Scorpion-Tail Kagune, spraying sparks everywhere!

The two moved too fast for the eye to follow. The Police Officers stared, dumbfounded.

That Female Knight in white-and-gold armor had stood alone against the monster with nothing but her own strength?

And she even seemed to have the upper hand?

She... wasn't an ordinary person either, was she?