Corpse-Eating Ghoul

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

As he screamed, frantic voices burst from the radio:

"Liu Feng! Liu Feng!"

"What happened!?"

"He must have run into an anomaly!"

"Hold on! Squads Two and Three are heading to Seventh Street Intersection at Baida Plaza!"

"..."

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

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

"Oh well. Time to find something fresh~"

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

By then, nearby Police Officers had reached the scene. The moment they saw Xu Yan come out 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 in every direction, screaming in panic.

Yet Xu Yan merely stood there with a languid air as several Police Officers fired at her. She yawned and advanced on them step by step. The Scorpion-Tail Kagune behind her formed an almost perfect defense, easily blocking most of the bullets. Even when a stray round struck her body, the wound healed moments later.

The Police Officers' faces went deathly pale.

"What is that thing? A tail?"

"Backup! We need backup!"

"Squad 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. Then it hoisted 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?"

"Use heavy weapons!"

"We can't! The civilians haven't all been evacuated! We have to—"

"Ah—!"

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

"We're here!"

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

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

"They're gathering personnel. They need a little more time!" Liu Qian replied.

"Tell them to hurry!" the middle-aged man urged around the cigarette in his mouth. "We can't handle this thing!"

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

Even with more than twenty Police Officers armed with rifles and grenades, they had failed to do any meaningful damage to her.

For the Police Officers, though, 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 as fear spread wildly through her. She had transferred to the Ninghang City Public Security Bureau only a month ago. She had never imagined she would face such a terrifying enemy so soon!

Damn it! What a rotten world!

"Well, look what I've found~"

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

"Such perfect food~ One look at you, and I'm starving~"

"You'll be tonight's dinner~"

Before she finished speaking, another Scorpion-Tail Kagune grew from her back and tore a Police Officer's body to pieces. Then she sprang forward, closing rapidly on Liu Qian!

"She's coming! She's after Liu Qian!"

"Damn it! Stop her!"

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

"Aim! Hurry up and aim!"

"Ah—!"

"We're no match for her!"

"Run!"

"We can't! The civilians aren't all out yet!"

"Someone save us!"

The Police Officers were trapped in a desperate fight, firing as they retreated. Liu Qian, the target of Xu Yan's hunger, broke out in a cold sweat and could not stop trembling!

"Ah~ Got you!"

Xu Yan darted past the crowd and straight up to Liu Qian.

A chilling smile spread across her face. Saliva ran down her red lips, and her eyes burned with hunger for Liu Qian.

The sight froze Liu Qian in place. She had no idea what to do.

"I'll take you home~" Xu Yan smiled, reached out, and gripped Liu Qian's chin. "Then we'll spend a wonderful night together~"

She stuck out her blood-red tongue. Clear droplets fell from its tip, giving off a strange, sweet scent.

No... no...

Liu Qian was paralyzed with fear. 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 baffled.

Liu Qian looked around in confusion. She did not know what had just happened—she had only seen a flash of golden light before the monster let go...

Then a crisp metallic clang sounded behind them, followed by a cool female voice. "Fall back. Leave her to me."

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

"Who are you?" they asked.

Xilin did not answer. She walked steadily toward Xu Yan and made a motion as though drawing a sword.

Yet no one saw a weapon in her hand. She seemed to be gripping empty air.

"That really hurt~ You little..."

Xu Yan recovered from the Holy Light's burn and turned her gaze to Xilin.

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

Before she could finish, Xilin broke from a walk into a charge.

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 swept down and cleanly severed one of Xu Yan's arms!

"You—!"

Xu Yan recoiled in shock. As she retreated, she stared in horror at her right arm. A faint golden glow clung to the stump, suppressing her body's ability to heal.

She actually hurt me?

What was that?

Xu Yan looked up at Xilin in the distance, utterly bewildered!

Her hands are empty. 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!"

No sooner had she spoken than both Scorpion-Tail Kagune shot toward Xilin like arrows.

Xilin neither dodged nor retreated. She raised her sword and charged Xu Yan again.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

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

The two moved faster than the eye could follow. The Police Officers stared, dumbfounded, their eyes wide.

That female knight in white-and-gold armor was holding the monster back single-handedly?

Was she even gaining the upper hand?

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