12

On the top floor of the school, the principal and a few teachers were busy treating the injured. The atmosphere was more like a bustling market than a hospital, with the survivors' spirits oddly high after their ordeal.

It's said that when three women get together, it sounds like a hundred ducks quacking. In the corner, it sounded like there were 200 ducks chatting away.

"This morning, I was so mad at my husband. He never helps out, not even if the oil bottle falls over. I was ready to divorce that lazybones, but now all I want to do is go home and cook him a meal," one woman said with a mix of exasperation and tenderness.

"Exactly!" chimed in another woman."Every day, something bad happens to me. Today, a bird pooped on my head; tomorrow, my laundry will blow away. I'd always get angry for half a day, but now I feel like a whining old lady!" Her tone was full of self-mockery.

"Isn't it strange? Normally, I'd be terrified if I saw a wolf. Today, one came this close…" She gestured with her hands,"and I wasn't scared at all!" Her eyes sparkled with surprise and confusion.

"Ladies, keep it down. There are injured people here. Go outside if you want to chat!" a male villager said with a friendly smile. His voice was deep and gentle, trying to calm things down. The women rolled their eyes at him and moved to another room to continue their chatter, leaving him shaking his head in resignation.

Dan lay on a makeshift bed, wrapped like a mummy with bandages around his chest, arms, and legs, yet he still grinned widely. He was loudly bragging about his exploits to the ladies around him, though they averaged around 60 years old.

"Did you see my punch? Sent that beast flying!" he boasted.

In the corner, Alex winced with pain, his arm bandaged up. He felt fortunate to have that special girl nearby. As classmates, she naturally helped him dress his wound. Brooke cleaned Alex's shoulder, feeling a bit frustrated. She had volunteered to change his bandage to avoid awkwardness but realized she'd be overwhelmed with tasks soon.

Lost in thought, she accidentally let some antiseptic drip into his wound, making Alex flinch.

"Does it hurt?" she asked, full of remorse.

"Not at all!" Alex replied with a gentle smile, his heart racing faster than during the battle. A warm, sweet feeling filled his chest."She's so kind!" he thought.

Dan, nearby, watched Brooke bandage Alex with a growing sense of jealousy and bitterness. His eyes never left them, feeling his insides churn with envy.

"Brookie, why didn't you ask if I was in pain?" Dan asked with a cheeky grin.

The girl shot a glance at Dan, her cheeks flushing with a hint of anger."If it weren't for you, Alex wouldn't be hurt. You have some nerve!" She then focused on tending to Alex's wound."Next time, be careful and don't charge in like an idiot!"

"Ugh," Alex blushed, avoiding her gaze, though her hair brushed against his face, filling the air with her fragrance, making him miss her words entirely.

"Silly people are blessed with silly luck," Dan sighed dramatically, feeling a pang of jealousy.

The girl rolled her eyes at Dan, packed up her things, and whispered to Alex,"Come to the classroom later. I brought some snacks, and there's some for you too!" With that, she turned and left.

Dan, with his keen ears, perked up at the mention of snacks, drooling as he shouted after her,"Is there some for me too?" But she didn't even look back.

Alex looked at the pretty bow on his shoulder bandage, feeling conflicted. After a moment, he stood up to leave but then walked over to Dan.

"Dan, do you think the master will come?"

"Mate, I don't know if the master will come, but I know she definitely likes you!" Dan said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Don't say such nonsense!" Alex's face turned bright red as he nervously glanced around, relieved that the girl had already disappeared into the next room.

Dan laughed heartily,"And I know you definitely like her too!" The worries of a young man were written all over his face, easy to spot.

Alex desperately changed the topic,"Dan, seriously, I think I should go notify the master to come!"

"The place is swarming with wolves. Do you think you can get out?" Dan glanced at Alex, thinking the idea was impractical.

"I have a bad feeling..."

As they spoke, three distant, booming chimes rang out in the night sky, marking the start of a new countdown. Everyone rushed to the windows, trembling as if awaiting their fate.

The conman reappeared in the sky."Ready for a game of 'cat and mouse'? It starts in 10 minutes!"

Outside, the air buzzed like a swarm of mosquitoes, coming from all directions. Alex glanced nervously out the window. Dan's face paled as he urged Alex,"Hurry back to the classroom and protect your classmates!"

"What about you?"

"Don't worry, I won't die!" Dan sat up, stretching as if he had fully regained his strength.

Just as Alex reached the door, Dan called out,"Alex, survive!"

---

Outside the school, the sky was filled with swarming flying machines, unlike Earth's drones, but rather metal discs the size of dinner plates, spinning rapidly. These murder machines had metal legs for agile ground movement. With their autonomous intelligence, they sought out attack angles, ready to kill.

Sebastian, a fan of mechanical precision and ruthlessness, watched the scene with satisfaction."These killing machines are perfect. Hundreds of them surrounding the building—it's exhilarating!"

He squinted, his gaze sweeping across the terrified eyes at the classroom windows, smirking."Judging by the odds, everyone thinks this will be a slaughter!"

Caron, stoking the fire in the broadcast, said,"These aerial assassins can easily cut through 5mm iron plates. I saw them turn a fat man into sausage slices—still makes me queasy thinking about it." He added with a sly grin, raising his voice,"And their opponents? A bunch of primitive villagers. What's their weapon? Table legs? Books?"

Caron's comments drew raucous laughter, and he felt pleased with his wit. Yet, deep down, he felt uneasy. These "primitive villagers" had already shown their resilience and cunning.

-----------------

"Quick! Turn the tables over and use anything you can find to block the windows!"

Brooke rushed back into the classroom only to see Little Fly and a few classmates still goggling out the window, curiosity etched on their faces. Furious, she grabbed a broom and yelled,"Do you want to be sitting ducks? Get moving!"

"Women, always terrifying creatures..." Little Fly muttered under his breath as he obediently did as he was told."I'll never get a girlfriend—no matter how pretty. They all turn into terrifying old ladies eventually!"

At that moment, Alex hurried into the classroom, helping to move desks and chairs to block the windows and cover any gaps.

Little Fly glanced at him, seeing him working in silence, nudged him with his elbow,"Hey, did you hear? The game's about to start! Have you thought about where to hide?"

Alex paused, then resolutely said,"Little Fly, if the principal asks, tell him—I went to the temple to get help from the masters."

"What?!" Brooke, who had overheard, looked up in alarm."You're injured! How can you go out?"

Alex shook his head firmly,"This injury is nothing. I fear there will be worse casualties. Most villagers are unarmed. Only the masters can handle these fiends."

"Then call them!" Little Fly slapped his forehead and handed over his phone.

Alex gave a wry smile,"Do you think there's cell signal at the temple?"

Brooke was still worried, frowning.

"But it's so dangerous outside. How will you get there?"

Alex squinted, scanning the scene outside.

"I've noticed that those drones attack anything that moves, so the terror wolves have retreated. They won't be a threat for now."

"Then I'll go with you!" The girl stood firm, blushing but resolute.

Jordan couldn't stay silent any longer, frowning,"Brooke, are you crazy? You can't fight! You're just going to get yourself killed!"

Brooke glared back,"Can't you see he's injured? It's more dangerous for him alone!"

"He's a martial arts expert. If anyone should go, it should be me!" Jordan's voice was dripping with jealousy.

Alex glanced at the two, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face."No need, Brooke and I will manage just fine. We'll be back within the hour."

"Absolutely not!"

Jordan's eyes nearly shot flames, gritting his teeth.

"Fine, then all three of us will go!" He wasn't about to let those two be alone together.

Alex almost laughed out loud but noticed Brooke glaring at him fiercely. Time was tight, so he stopped teasing and grabbed his spear.

"Follow me. I know a secret passage!"

One of the students' favourite pastimes was exploring secret passages around the academy, collecting bird eggs, and catching voles. Familiar with the paths, they quickly slipped through a hidden route and emerged outside the academy walls. Peeking back, they saw the battle already underway.