18

The two senior disciples had dark, angry faces as they burst through the door. Alex's mind went blank, and his heartbeat thundered in his ears. He instinctively ran towards the door, but as he took his first step, his ankle was yanked back.

A thin rope had been expertly thrown from the side, wrapping around his ankle and pulling him to the ground."Calm down!" one of the senior disciples shouted, holding a staff against his shoulder.

"Our master told you to stay here. You can't be impulsive!"

"But Brooke—" Alex roared, clawing at the ground as he tried to break free. His body was flooded with anger, and his muscles tensed up.

"We can't act recklessly," the other senior brother said with a grave expression."That creature isn't an ordinary beast; its aura is strange."

Alex's heart pounded, and his fists clenched tightly. His rational mind told him to stay calm, but his anger and anxiety burned fiercely.

"The werewolf intentionally took Brooke in front of us. Is it trying to provoke me into chasing it?"

The night wind blew through the temple, causing the candles to flicker and hiss. Whatever the reason, he wouldn't stand by and do nothing.

Under the starry sky, with the forest's whispers and the swaying branches, Alex gripped his spear tightly, his fingers turning white with the pressure. Standing tall, with a cold and sorrowful look in his eyes, he took a deep breath and then dashed into the darkness.

Alex started walking slowly, as if getting used to the forest. But gradually, he began to walk faster. The medicine's power surged in his body, awakening it. With each step, the forest's essence soaked into his bones, clearing away his heaviness. It felt like the earth was calling him, making his steps lighter and more powerful.

Behind him, the bandages wrapped around his body quietly fell off, like old skin shedding. Among the bandages were shiny metal fragments—the remains of discs that had been embedded in his body. As he ran, they were expelled.

He felt a new lightness, as if the forest had absorbed all his ailments and replaced them with vitality. He suddenly sped up, his steps as steady as a leaping deer, his movements as agile as feathers in the wind. He was no longer just running; he was leaping through the forest, each step cutting through the air.

His body felt like an awakening eagle. With a push of his legs, he leapt over rocks, almost flying as he rushed down the mountain.

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

Outside the school's windows, the floating killer drones hung in the air, motionless as if time had frozen around them. Suddenly, their blinking red lights turned a cold green. The crowd's breathing quickened, and the gamblers watched the inside of the school eagerly, excitement burning like fire in their hearts. Someone couldn't hold back and shouted the long-awaited words:

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The shouts grew louder and combined into a frenzied roar, sweeping through the school like a tsunami in the night. They felt like they were in an ancient Roman coliseum, watching gladiators face their fate, raising their weapons and mercilessly executing the unlucky losers. Death was no longer a fear but a pure celebration.

Dan stood in the center of the school, taking a deep breath as he stared at the figure wrapped in dark alien armor in front of him. The person named Nyx showed no expression, and his eyes under the helmet were cold and frightening. But instead of fear, Dan felt a surge of excitement.

"I've never fought an alien with real weapons before. This is going to be fun!" he thought.

Grinning, Dan swung the chair leg he held, muscles tensed, ready to strike. He believed this blow could smash anything, whether it was a robot or the alien armor in front of him.

"Bang!"

The chair leg hit hard, but Nyx casually raised his hand and caught the blow effortlessly. Dan's arm shook with the impact, as if he had hit unbreakable steel. Then Nyx's fingers closed, and with a crack, Dan's weapon shattered into pieces, falling to the ground like scattered wood chips.

Dan froze, his heart pounding. He wasn't stupid; the enemy in front of him was a monster he couldn't fight against!

He immediately retreated, yelling,"Everyone, run! Run for your life!"

In the next second, he disappeared like a rabbit, not even looking back.

Nyx was stunned.

This was unlike any warrior he'd encountered! Whether alien fighters on the battlefield or Earth's so-called"warrior spirit" fighters, they would usually sacrifice themselves to protect others. But this man...

Caron was also shocked but then started laughing wildly.

"Hahaha! That's more like it!"

Nyx frowned, feeling a surge of anger. He kicked open a classroom door, finding it empty but filled with piled-up desks and chairs.

He kicked open another door, also empty, with neatly placed bodies of villagers in the corner. The air smelled faintly of blood, giving the room an eerie silence.

Nyx finally understood—the cunning villagers had all escaped while Dan was distracting him!

But where could they go?

Caron blinked, looking at the empty classroom, also confused. What was supposed to be a thrilling death match had now turned into a game of hide and seek.

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

A few bewildered chaps staggered into the courtyard, where the night breeze stirred the ashes and half-burnt charcoal. The bonfire had long died out, leaving only a few embers glowing in the red ashes like dying eyes, reflecting the uneasy faces of the crowd.

Caron stood silently, ears ringing with Sebastian's angry shouts and vicious curses. It wasn't like Caron wasn't feeling a bit miffed himself. Was this mess his fault? Did he make everyone scarper? What was he supposed to do, tie up the villagers and cart them off to the slaughterhouse?

Right then, Sebastian appeared. Unlike Caron's bedraggled state, Sebastian looked immaculate in his usual dapper attire. His expensive shoes stepped on the ashes without a speck of dust. But despite his polished appearance, the anger radiating from him was bone-chilling.

However, Caron's eyes were drawn not to Sebastian but to the towering figure beside him.

A hulking, imposing figure, like a steel colossus. In his years of streaming, Caron had seen some tough characters, but he immediately recognized this one—'Mars Canon,' the undefeated champion of the Death Mars Arena.

He was taller than a werewolf, with muscles bulging like steel cables, each one promising destruction. He stood there like an imposing mountain, quietly watching ahead, yet oddly with the smile of a professional manager. Caron couldn't help but think even the self-proclaimed invincible werewolf wouldn't last a round against Mars Canon.

Just then, there was a rustling in the forest.

"Speak of the devil..." Caron thought.

The werewolf walked out leisurely, still in his dapper suit, tie neatly in place, and a cigar in hand, looking as if he'd just returned from a swanky dinner. But what was truly unsettling were the shadows following him.

Two terror wolves, each as tall as a teenager while crouching, flanked him, their fangs gleaming in the moonlight. Behind him stood the cold-faced girl, Brooke, her gaze calm and indifferent as if this had nothing to do with her.

What shocked Caron even more was what the werewolf did next—

He spotted Sebastian and greeted him warmly!

Caron was stunned. Did these two know each other?

The werewolf smiled, pulling a new cigar from his pocket and offering it to Sebastian. Sebastian, who had been glaring, fists clenched, softened slightly at the sight of the cigar. He hesitated a moment before taking it, lighting it, and taking a long drag, though no smoke emerged.

Yet, his anger wasn't completely gone.

"Caron," he snapped,"what am I supposed to do now? I've taken their deposit. Should I return it twice over?"

Mars Canon stood silently, adding to the tension.

Caron, ever the bootlicker, suggested,"Boss, why don't we go to their village and kill them all?"

Sebastian's face darkened, and he slapped Caron hard, calling him an idiot.

"I need a show, a spectacle! What's the fun in killing chickens and dogs? Why would anyone pay good money for your rubbish?"

Caron's heart sank. He sighed, already planning for a future as a miner. But just then, Sebastian, intrigued, asked the werewolf,"Is there anyone here who can match your strength?"

The werewolf frowned,"What, our business isn't hot, and you want to fight me?"

Sebastian's face showed a hint of embarrassment. The werewolf chuckled, puffing on his cigar, eyes glinting with sly amusement.

Seeing his chance, Caron chimed in,"Boss, on a planet like this, you can't expect too much."

Sebastian's face darkened again, and he threw the cigar at Caron, the sparks burning him, but he didn't dare move. He braced for a scolding but...

Silence.

Caron looked up, puzzled, to see Sebastian at the front, staring ahead.

In the darkness, a group of monks in grey robes appeared, silent and still, like they were from an ancient, mysterious sect. The night wind rustled their robes, adding an eerie touch.

Who were they?

Why were they here?

The air grew tense as an unknown storm began to brew...