Chapter Forty-Five: Ambush

On the seventh day of their journey into the mountains, Number 4 finally found traces of the Dreamshade Cat.

Yet, what awaited the group was not success, but a long and arduous pursuit.

…

“Damn it, how did it get away again?”

This was already the fifth time they had failed to catch it. Each time they were close to success, the cat would vanish without a sound.

But as Number 4 carefully sensed the lingering aura, he was certain the Dreamshade Cat had been here just two hours ago.

Again, just like this. What was going on with this cat? Could it see their tracks? The group felt utterly dispirited, as though all their strength had nowhere to go, toyed with by their quarry.

“Something’s wrong…” Number 4 suddenly shouted.

“Did you spot the Dreamshade Cat?” Long Yu’s heart leapt, but Number 4’s next words dashed his hopes.

“We’re surrounded. Mutant beasts everywhere—everywhere!” Number 4’s voice trembled, his words nearly incoherent.

“What happened? Calm down and explain,” the group pressed, nervous. Number 4 was no stranger to danger; his panic meant this was no ordinary crisis.

But their own senses were limited—they hadn’t detected anything amiss, not even Long Yu. All they could do was grow anxious.

Number 4 composed himself enough to continue: “About ten kilometers out, mutant beasts from all directions. They’re coming for us. You’ll notice soon enough.”

“They’re strong—many with physical stats over 300, and several in the four or five hundreds.”

This was a dire situation.

Everyone turned to Zhao Yihan, waiting for her command: fight, flee, or continue the mission.

Long Yu, meanwhile, made his own decision—if Zhao Yihan insisted on pressing forward, he would abandon the mission. The objective was important, but survival was more so. They weren’t afraid to die, but Long Yu wasn’t going to throw his life away for nothing.

Luckily, Zhao Yihan was calm and rational. After a brief consideration, she decisively abandoned the mission.

“Retreat. We’ll leave this place. The situation has changed—the mission is over.”

With Zhao Yihan’s order, Long Yu opened a spatial gate—forty kilometers away, the furthest he could manage with the group in tow.

But forty kilometers was still too short compared to the endless mountains. They were still within the range.

Still, it should be enough to break the encirclement. If these mutant beasts could unite, something extraordinary must have happened. As soldiers, Zhao Yihan and the others realized if this was happening globally, the consequences would be catastrophic.

If all mutant beasts joined forces against humanity, how could people survive in this world?

Half a year after the Cataclysm, humanity was still strong on Earth, but they were no longer unchallenged, no longer exalted above all.

In a flash, the group appeared atop a small mountain forty kilometers away, startling birds and beasts into flight.

“What exactly is going on? How did we get surrounded so suddenly?” Questions swirled in everyone’s minds.

But there was no time to ponder.

“Number 4, is it safe here?” Tension showed on every face.

Number 4 said nothing, focused entirely on scanning the surroundings. After a moment, he moved slightly and spoke.

“Nothing detected.”

Relief swept through the group.

They began a methodical retreat.

But as they reached the foot of the hill, the usually calm leopard suddenly grew agitated.

“Something’s not right,” Long Yu said, sensing the tension from the leopard.

“Stop. Something’s happening,” he called out to the others, who were still unaware.

Everyone was puzzled—especially Number 4, who hadn’t sensed anything unusual.

Their doubts were dispelled in an instant—enemies appeared. Several mutant cats charged at them with barely visible speed.

These cats weren’t large—though they were twice the size of their pre-Cataclysm counterparts, compared to the typical post-Cataclysm mutant cats, they remained quite small.

But to judge strength by size alone was a grave mistake in this new world. Since the Cataclysm, the measure of a creature’s power was no longer its species or size, but its aura.

The stronger the physical constitution, the stronger the aura. Of course, physical stats weren’t everything; strength was also measured by abilities, skills, martial techniques, and more. But a creature with great physical stats was never weak.

If your constitution was far inferior, your speed, strength, reactions, and senses would all be outclassed. What use were powerful skills then? If the enemy could crush you with a single blow, what could you display?

As the mutant cats attacked, Zhao Yihan quickly activated Shadowstep, retreating to the rear—her role as healer and controller kept her from close combat.

Number 2, blade in hand crackling with lightning, charged to intercept, with Number 4 close behind.

Number 3, meanwhile, was summoning his Earth Golem, as chunks of soil gathered around him—but it would take time.

At Long Yu’s command, the leopard melted into the shadows, preparing to ambush and strike a fatal blow.

Long Yu himself followed Number 2 and Number 4 into the fray.

His own abilities were somewhat awkward, lacking powerful offensive skills. He could only rely on martial techniques to fight the mutant beasts at close quarters.

Of course, he wasn’t going to hold back with his Beastmastery. After consuming two-thirds of his spiritual energy, Long Yu seized control of two mutant cats charging toward him, turning them against their companions.

He kept his remaining spiritual energy in reserve—there was no telling what dangers might lurk in the wild, and he needed to keep something back for survival.

The traitorous cats each found an opponent, and battle erupted in a chaotic melee.

Number 2’s blade danced like a living thing, arcs of lightning trailing behind it in a beautiful curve.

Three mutant cats circled Number 2, but dared not approach. The body of a felled cat on the ground silently testified to the blade’s lethality—one strike, and with their level of defense, death or grievous injury was certain.

Number 4, however, was having a tough time. His strength was always a bit lacking; under attack from two mutant cats, he could barely go on the offensive. Still, his defense was formidable—holding off the two beasts was no problem.

As for Long Yu, there was little trouble on his end. There had been twelve mutant cats—five were engaged by Numbers 2 and 3, with one already slain by Number 2, two were being controlled by Long Yu, leaving only two left.

Long Yu faced the last two mutant cats, the leopard lurking nearby, ready to pounce.

This battle could be won without Zhao Yihan or Number 3 even having to act.