A Pack of Rebellious Souls: Break Their Bones!

Title: "The Red Sun of the Forsaken City"

The crimson sun hung high in the sky, its fiery rays distorting the air in a scorching haze. The relentless waves of heat, along with the carnivorous fungus, swept through the city, unbridled and invasive, claiming every corner. On the dark green streets, choked with the relentless spread of the fungus, chaos and ruin had become the city's permanent palette.

Though people had begun to adapt to the searing temperatures after the second month, and had learned methods of survival, the streets remained largely empty. Very few dared to venture outside. But today was different.

From the heart of the city, the roar of an engine reverberated through the air, drawing hidden eyes to the source of the disturbance. On either side of the street, figures flickered in the windows, eyes straining to see what approached.

A large truck with a battered, open-top design rumbled down the street, its cargo visibly altered—dozens of armed warriors filled the back, both men and women of varying ages. Most wore bulletproof vests, clutched handguns and rifles, while others brandished the crude weapons of survival—meat cleavers, fire axes.

"Old Zhou, turn the damn AC lower, why the hell is it still so hot?" A young man, his rifle slung across his shoulder, whined loudly, directing his irritation at an older, middle-aged man sitting in the front.

"We've already set it as low as it goes, Captain..." Zhou's voice trembled under the weight of exhaustion, his forehead beading with sweat, his body weak, as though pushed beyond its limits. His spirit felt the crushing weight of the city's oppressive system, a system that reduced people like him to tools—nothing more than disposable objects in the power struggle between the powerful and the powerless.

The resentment bubbling in Zhou's chest never showed in his face—only the bitter resignation of someone who had long since abandoned the idea of resistance.

The Captain sneered at him, his gaze filled with disdain. "You're a useless old fool! How the hell did I get stuck with you?!" He spat out, flicking his cigarette away.

A woman beside them, her face marked with fatigue, murmured bitterly, "It's because our contribution points are too low. Our team's rank is pathetic."

"Are you saying I'm not capable enough?" The Captain glared at her, and the woman quickly lowered her head, trembling. "No, Captain! I didn't mean it like that!"

"Humph!" He snorted, a cruel smile twisting his lips as he casually toyed with the woman's arm, tormenting her with his dominance. The woman winced but had no choice but to smile and endure.

"Things will be different after today," the Captain continued, a gleam of hope in his eyes. "We're going to make a killing. Double contribution points today! If we bring back one, we get double the points. We'll climb the ranks fast—no more living like this!"

He paused, sweeping his gaze over his team. "Move quickly, everyone. We're here to eat, not to waste time. And I don't want any trouble from our own. Get it done fast!"

The woman in his arms whispered anxiously, "Captain, I heard the Jinling commander is making a move, organizing a citywide rescue today... What if we run into them?"

The Captain's laugh was cold and merciless. "Kill them! What 'rescue'? Anyone who gets in my way will die."

"But... what if we can't win?" she asked softly, lowering her gaze.

"Then we'll use hostages!" He sneered. "We'll either kill them or swap them. Either way, we'll bring as many as we can. They're just people like us. They're afraid of dying too!"

"Don't worry," he added, eyes gleaming. "They won't dare to fight us head-on. They're just another bunch of weaklings."

As the truck neared its destination, the driver slowed, signaling the team to prepare. "We've arrived. Two neighborhoods, the target's in between. It's close enough to both sides."

The Captain nodded. "Everyone, get ready. Let's make it quick. We don't want to give the rescue team any chance to interfere."

"Same rules as always—bring at least one person back per head. If you want more, bring back two!" He barked, as the others gathered their weapons and moved to the back of the truck.

"Zhou, stay here and keep watch."

Zhou's voice was faint as he weakly asked, "Can I stay behind? I'll stay with him..."

The Captain glared at him with disgust. "Useless old man! Get a grip, or you'll just slow us down! You'll never climb the ranks with that weak attitude. If you don't pull yourself together, you'll die a dog's death!"

Zhou lowered his head in shame, unable to speak further.

As the team disembarked and headed toward the residential buildings, the sounds of screams and gunfire soon filled the air. By the time the team returned, it was clear that they had been successful. Their captives were a mix of men, women, and children, all bound tightly with ropes, injured, and bleeding.

The Captain, however, looked pleased with the spoils. He had a line of thirty or more prisoners in tow, all of them stumbling behind him like cattle. Zhou, watching from afar, couldn't help but feign enthusiasm. "Great haul, Captain! You really did it!"

The Captain nodded coldly. His eyes swept over the defeated crowd, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "These are just tools. If they try to fight, we'll break them. If they want to die, so be it. They're just obstacles on my path."

But even as the team prepared to transport their captives back, the air suddenly shifted. The driver's voice cracked with disbelief.

"Captain, look! What is that in the sky?"

The Captain snapped his gaze upward. In the distance, an enormous red, humanoid creature circled above them—a towering figure with crimson skin, at least three meters tall. The beast's eyes burned with cold malice as it hovered like a giant bird of prey, its ominous presence filling the sky with dread.

The Captain's heart skipped a beat. "Damn it... It's a Marauder!" he muttered, his voice low, yet filled with both fear and anger.

"Everyone, get ready. The real battle starts now..."