Lightning flashed and thunder roared in the clouds the plane had never crossed.
Flocks of Thunder Eagles beat their steel-like wings, producing a sound deeper than thunder.
These eagles had mutated under radiation from the Restricted Zone. When they were not hunting, they spent the year circling ten thousand meters above the ground in a dormant state.
At such times, they would not attack unless someone intruded into their territory.
Now, among dozens of Thunder Eagles, one opened his eyes in confusion. A human expression appeared on his face, and his gaze sharpened.
"The plane changed course?"
"Impossible. The timed curse should have taken effect. With both pilots dying suddenly, their planned flight path should have taken them straight into the Thunder Eagles."
A low voice came from the Thunder Eagle's beak.
Suddenly, the Thunder Eagle swayed. The humanity vanished from its eyes, and it glanced around in confusion. Finding nothing unusual, it returned to dormancy alongside its companions.
Meanwhile, on the ground directly below.
In the Wilderness, a dark green Jeep covered in horns and speakers stood beside an abandoned highway. Absurd rap music with brazen lyrics blared from inside.
A young man wearing a baseball cap and low-slung, ripped jeans opened his eyes. He had a hooked nose.
First, he bobbed his head to the music twice. Then he switched off the car speakers and jumped straight out through the window. Chewing gum, he shoved his hands into his pockets, leaned against the door, and gazed up at the sky.
"It actually failed. Did something unexpected happen?"
Zhang Qing frowned. "Doesn't that mean I've got another competitor now?"
He casually took out a key. It was a Black Key, identical to the one in Xu Ye's hand apart from its color.
"I wonder who ruined my plans."