Chapter 86: How Hard Are You? |
"Ahhh—!!!"
The hydraulic liftgate let out a deep groan as the steel plate gripped by his hand started to deform.
"Courting death!"
Daluo let out a muffled roar, immediately recognizing the unusual nature of his opponent’s ability. His eyes burned with ferocity as he tossed aside his machine gun, raised his Steel-Slaying Greatsword, and drove it forcefully into the gap of the liftgate!
Clang!
A massive force erupted, slicing off a corner of the liftgate along with the greatsword's edge. The Bearded Brute's gaze hardened—he seemed to have sensed danger. His hands suddenly let go, then clamped together, trapping the sword’s blade between his palms.
Sparks flew violently, accompanied by a piercing screech.
"What immense strength!" The Bearded Brute sneered. With one hand forming a claw, he grasped the sword’s spine, flipped midair, and dropped toward the ground while dragging the Steel-Slaying Greatsword along the side of the liftgate’s gap.
His intention was clear—he was trying to use the sword’s own sharpness to carve through the liftgate’s connection points!
Daluo hadn’t expected the enemy to have not only a body as tough as iron but also such agility and skilled combat techniques. With this sudden pull, he was momentarily caught off guard, and the sword blade was being wrenched downward.
"Argh—!"
Veins bulged on Daluo’s forehead as he roared, summoning all his strength to yank the Steel-Slaying Greatsword free from the Bearded Brute's vice-like grip!
"Scorpion!"
The Bearded Brute shouted.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Several scorpion-like whips suddenly lashed out, hooking onto the slightly opened hydraulic liftgate.
"Use the tow hook to pull it open! I’ll go to the front—make sure they don’t escape!"
"Got it, Boss!"
The Thin Monkey, who had been scouting earlier, had scorpion-like appendages on his back, which latched onto the liftgate. Meanwhile, several nimble subordinates quickly secured metal tow hooks to the gap, preparing to use vehicles to tear it open.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of rapid footsteps echoed from the train's rooftop.
Luo Shasha glanced up and immediately grabbed the walkie-talkie to warn Chen Sixuan.
"Chen-jiejie, be careful! Someone's coming from the front!"
In Carriage No. 1, Chen Sixuan was focused on the flashing train lights. The pattern—three short, three long, three short—was unmistakable.
Morse code!
Realizing someone was sending an SOS, she immediately reached for her gun and rushed toward the driver’s cabin, worried that the enemy would try to sabotage the train.
Bang!
Just as she stepped inside, the Bearded Brute suddenly descended from above, landing outside the cockpit window. With both hands, he grabbed the armored grille and bent one of the bars apart with brute strength, creating a hole the size of a bowl.
His blackened metal hand gleamed as he peered inside at the pale-faced Chen Sixuan.
Grinning wickedly, he taunted, "Where do you think you're running, little girl? Come play with Uncle. I'm real tough."
Then, his metallic fist shot toward the cockpit window!
"Ahhh!"
Chen Sixuan stumbled back in fear, a chill running down her spine.
"Break it open!"
The Bearded Brute roared, thrusting his fist forward. The armored grilles might keep monsters out, but this windshield? He didn’t think it would hold for a second.
But just as his fingertips were about to make contact with the glass—
He stopped.
"...Huh?"
The Bearded Brute's pupils trembled violently.
His entire body was frozen in place!
The expected sound of shattering glass never came.
Chen Sixuan, slowly lowering her trembling hands, was stunned to see the Bearded Brute locked in fear.
Then—behind her—came a familiar voice.
"Old man... just how hard are you?"
Chen Sixuan whipped around, her eyes lighting up with joy.
Standing in the carriage hallway, eyes glowing eerily, hair flowing despite no wind, exuding an aura of overwhelming killing intent—
Who else could it be but KIKI?!
"You... you...!!!"
The Bearded Brute’s pupils shrank to pinpoints.
Not only was he completely immobilized—even his voice and breath were stilled!
A terrifying ability!
In just a fraction of a second, a bone-chilling fear surged through his heart!
Buzz!
KIKI flicked her hand.
The Bearded Brute was suddenly hurled like a black iron cannonball, smashing straight into an oncoming military jeep.
CRASH!
The sheer force caved the jeep into a C-shape, its tires exploding, the entire vehicle sent flying.
"KIKI?!" Chen Sixuan gasped.
"Chen-jiejie, hurry!"
KIKI’s expression was ice-cold, her glowing white eyes sharper than ever. A powerful surge of evolutionary energy radiated from her.
She pointed toward Carriage No. 1, where lights continued to flash.
"Save Lin Xian!"
"Got it!"
KIKI’s sudden arrival had pulled Chen Sixuan back from the brink of despair.
With renewed determination, she nodded and sprinted toward Carriage No. 1.
KIKI turned around, eyes flashing at the sight of bandits climbing onto the train.
"So damn annoying!"
As the bandits scrambled to loot,
a shockwave erupted from the train’s center like a sweeping typhoon.
BOOM!!!
Everyone within range—bandits near the train, raiders on the flatbed trailers, even nearby parked vehicles—
were all blasted away!
The shockwave kicked up clouds of snow, rolling outward like a tidal wave.
"AHHH!"
"Ughhh—!"
"What the hell?!"
Countless screams and wails filled the air.
Near the train’s front, the wrecked cars skidded across the snowy ground. Amidst the flames, the Bearded Brute staggered to his feet, looking utterly battered.
His metallic skin was now riddled with deep, bloody wounds, flesh and bone exposed.
Wiping the blood trickling from his nose and mouth, he stared at the girl in utter disbelief.
"Sh*t... she's insane..."
"Boss, that girl is really strong!"
"Tch. So what if she’s an Ability User? One freak can’t change anything. This train is stranded—it’s just a matter of time before we crack it open and feast on the prize!"
"Yeah, but—wait—holy sh*t!"
SLAP!
The Bearded Brute smacked his underling.
"Who the f*** are you cursing at?!"
His lackey, eyes wide with terror, pointed to the sky behind him.
"N-No, Boss! T-There's a—MONSTER!!!"
SCREEEEEE—!!!
A bone-rattling screech tore through the air, shaking the ground and snow.
The Bearded Brute felt a chill down his spine.
Slowly, he turned around—
But before he could even register what was happening, a massive black shadow descended upon him.
A second later—his body, along with over a dozen others, was obliterated into a splatter of blood and gore.
On the Infinite Train—
Luo Shasha and Daluo barely caught their breath before KIKI ran over.
"Daluo! Shasha! Close the windows—NOW!"
Before they could react—
BOOM! CRASH!
A terrifying sound filled the air.
Followed by—the horrifying sound of something... dragging bodies away.
"AHHH!"
"RUN!!!"
"What the hell is THAT?!?!"
"LOOK UP! IT’S IN THE SKY!!!"
Shasha’s eyes darted outside—
Giant, writhing shadows loomed over the train.
Her voice trembled.
"W-What the hell is that?!"
KIKI’s voice was grim.
"Tentacles."
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