Chapter Twenty-Four: The Invitation

At this point, stopping the assault would only allow these humanoid creatures to harm even more people. Therefore, the attack had to continue relentlessly.

Even if they tried to retreat now, there was no way they could outrun the pursuit of such creatures. Their very appearance made it clear they were designed specifically for combat in the wild.

Thus, the only option was to do everything possible to destroy it and minimize further losses.

Moreover, Zhang Desen now realized that when he struck the raised spot at the back of the creature’s neck with his pulse rifle earlier, it might have been some sort of restraining device. Damaging it had only made the creature more frenzied.

At the same time, Zhang Desen considered that these humanoid creatures were likely equipped with devices continuously transmitting real-time information back to the headquarters of the Terrorfolk.

Without delay, Zhang Desen activated his portable signal jammer, steadily increasing its strength. Though he had previously turned it on, it had later been switched off; now, he powered it up again.

Seeing the situation grow critical, Zhang Desen was about to fire his pulse rifle once more when the leader of the surrounding group ordered his people:

“Release the arrows, now!”

In an instant, a torrential rain of arrows flew toward the humanoid creature, embedding themselves all over its body.

Howling in agony, the creature desperately tore the arrows from its flesh, its pain driving it into an even greater frenzy. In its rage, it hurled the extracted arrows back at its attackers.

Witnessing this, Zhang Desen realized that while his pulse rifle had indeed wounded the creature, it could not kill it outright. The arrows, though perhaps less powerful than his pulse weapon, had hampered its movements significantly by remaining lodged in its body.

But the creature could still pull out the arrows—what if something else could be used, something it couldn’t remove, to immobilize it before it could be destroyed?

With this thought, Zhang Desen disengaged the safety on his pulse rifle and slung it over his shoulder, then took up his Type 95 assault rifle.

He quickly clicked off the safety, took aim at the creature’s left knee, and opened fire.

With the staccato burst of gunfire, bullets struck the back of the creature’s knee. It howled in pain, its left leg collapsing beneath it.

The creature immediately turned to glare at Zhang Desen, its eyes ablaze with fury. It was powerless to extract the bullets from its ruined knee, and now, unable to stand, it hated Zhang Desen all the more for this treacherous attack.

Swiftly, the creature seized a massive stone with its still-functional left hand, intent on hurling it at Zhang Desen.

But Zhang Desen would not let it succeed. He raised his Type 95 and fired another burst, this time at the creature's left elbow.

A fresh volley of gunfire rang out. The creature’s left arm was struck at the joint, rendering it useless. The boulder it had lifted slipped from its grasp, crashing down onto its own head, leaving it dazed and reeling.

Seizing the opportunity, one of the group rushed forward, drawing his sword and slashing at the creature’s carotid artery.

Although the creature’s injuries had weakened it, the sudden threat to its life drove it into a rage. Pivoting on its uninjured right leg, it narrowly dodged a lethal blow. Though the strike did not hit a vital spot, it still inflicted a grievous wound.

Enraged by the pain, the creature lashed out with its right fist—still able to move despite having been hit earlier by the pulse rifle—and sent the attacker flying.

Seeing this, Zhang Desen fired another burst at its right knee. Once more, the gunfire echoed, and the creature's other leg was struck.

With a tortured howl, the creature finally lost the ability to rise. Zhang Desen pressed his advantage, sweeping fire across the creature’s head.

After a relentless barrage, the humanoid creature finally succumbed and died. The group, having at last prevailed, breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Now, aside from Zhang Desen, only twenty of the group remained. Zhang Desen addressed them at once:

“This is no time to relax. Burn it, now!”

The survivors immediately obeyed. They doused the corpse in oil and set it ablaze.

Within the raging flames, the creature’s body was gradually reduced to ash. At that moment, the leader of the group approached Zhang Desen, clasped his hands in gratitude, and said:

“Thank you, noble warrior, for your help. Might you be the famed Hero in Strange Garb?”

Zhang Desen replied, “I am. What is it?”

The leader brightened. “Ah, greetings, great hero. I am the captain of guards in the Liu Family’s household. By order of Master Liu, I came into the mountains to find you. I’m glad we have finally met tonight.”

Zhang Desen asked, “What does Master Liu want with me?”

Before the conversation could continue, the communicator on Zhang Desen’s left wrist buzzed. He checked it—and was instantly alarmed.

It turned out that the drone circling overhead had sent an alert: an unidentified flying object was approaching their location.

Zhang Desen immediately realized that the Terrorfolk might be coming to investigate the fate of their creature. He shouted to those nearby:

“Stop everything! Everyone, hide in the woods now. No matter what you see or hear, make not a single sound. Hurry!”

Though they did not understand what was happening, everyone obeyed without hesitation.

They quickly gathered their things and, following Zhang Desen, concealed themselves in the nearby undergrowth, awaiting what might happen next.

Soon after they hid, an unidentified flying object appeared overhead. Zhang Desen recognized it at once—it was the same craft that had previously been searching for Young Master Zhao and his companions.

Tension gripped everyone. Aside from Zhang Desen, none of them had ever seen such a thing, and their terror only deepened.

The craft descended slowly, landing next to the still-burning corpse of the creature.

Its hatch opened, and out stepped the Director of Intelligence of the Terrorfolk’s Aomei Empire and his entourage.

This sight made everyone except Zhang Desen even more anxious, for in their eyes, these Terrorfolk resembled demons or monsters.

The Terrorfolk began to converse in their own language as they inspected the scene.

Zhang Desen quietly activated his camera and audio recorder, capturing everything for later translation.

The Director of Intelligence and his party were visibly shocked at the fate of their bioweapon—they had not expected such a defeat.

A trembling assistant turned to the Director and said, “Director, sir, this is impossible! How could our bioweapon end up like this?”

The Director’s expression darkened. After a pause, he said, “Regardless of what you think, this has happened before your very eyes. Everyone, spread out and investigate the scene. Technical staff, examine the remains for any valuable clues. I will personally inspect everything. Move out!”

“Yes, sir!”

The more the Terrorfolk examined the site, the more incredulous they became. Yet one fact was undeniable: their bioweapon had been utterly destroyed. They simply could not accept it.

But there was no time to dwell on their shock. They continued swiftly with their original plan.