Chapter 10: Counterattack

The stairwell was eerily silent, save for the faint, uneven footsteps of two people ascending.

Zhao Kuo didn't hesitate. In a flash, he stepped out, the spark of his revolver illuminating the darkness. A deafening shot echoed through the corridor.

"What the—" The man named Li-ge didn't even finish his curse before the bullet tore through his skull. Zhao Kuo's Fortune Aura plummeted by 40% in an instant.

Without missing a beat, Zhao Kuo lunged forward, pinning the terrified woman behind Li-ge. She was in her thirties, petite, and—though her face was obscured by darkness—likely unremarkable in appearance.

"P-please, don't kill me!" she stammered, her voice trembling.

She was in shock. The man who had been flirting with her moments ago was now dead, his blood splattered across her face. The warmth and horror of it overwhelmed her fragile nerves. Zhao Kuo even caught the acrid smell of urine.

"What was chasing you?" Zhao Kuo demanded, keeping his gun trained on her while rifling through Li-ge's corpse.

[Loot successful. Obtained: Poisoned Dagger, Damaged Bulletproof Vest, Small Bread, Contaminated Happy Water.]

Four items. The latter two were likely scavenged from the area. Like the woman he'd encountered earlier, Li-ge had only dropped two items upon death. The third had undoubtedly been claimed by Yole, the orchestrator of this twisted game.

The more deaths, the richer the harvest, Zhao Kuo thought grimly.

The woman, now thoroughly terrified, managed to stammer out an answer: "It—it was a monster. Huge, at least three or four meters tall, with a massive cleaver. It's slow, but it can teleport. Someone else was already killed by it—cut in half!"

A slow-moving monster with teleportation abilities? It didn't sound like a spirit but more like a mutated or bioengineered creature.

"I—I told you everything! Please, don't kill me!" she begged, tears streaming down her face.

But Zhao Kuo felt no pity. With a swift motion, he slit her throat with the poisoned dagger. Her body crumpled onto the stairs.

As she clutched her throat, her fear turned to venom. "Y-you'll die… You'll die too…"

"Whether I die or not is none of your concern," Zhao Kuo replied coldly, delivering a final, decisive stab.

In a battle royale, mercy was a liability. Zhao Kuo had steeled himself for this reality from the moment the game began.

After confirming her death, he looted her body. Disappointingly, she only dropped two items:

[Congratulations! Obtained: Fairy Wand, Fruit Knife.]

The Fruit Knife was ordinary, but the Fairy Wand was intriguing:

[Fairy Wand]

[When ignited, it can be thrown as a signal flare, illuminating the area for 3 minutes. Strongly attracts bio-engineered monsters.]

A niche item, but potentially useful in a zombie horde scenario. Better to have it than not.

With three new items added to his inventory, Zhao Kuo felt slightly more prepared. More tools meant better odds of survival—or at least a higher resale value if he made it out alive.

If.

Zhao Kuo didn't let this small victory go to his head. He knew he'd only won due to the element of surprise. If ambushed, he'd be in serious trouble.

Having already searched the lower floors, he prepared to head upstairs. But just then, heavy footsteps echoed from outside the building.

Did the gunshot and the woman's scream attract the monster? Zhao Kuo's heart sank. He crouched by a window, peering into the darkness.

The footsteps grew louder, accompanied by labored breathing. Zhao Kuo held his breath, blending into the shadows.

Unlike spirits, these monsters operated on physical rules. If he hid well enough, they might not detect him. While killing one might yield rewards, Zhao Kuo wasn't willing to take the risk.

Suddenly, a sound like a spoon tapping a glass rang out across the sky.

The safe zone is shrinking!

About half an hour had passed. Zhao Kuo noticed his area was now tinted red, indicating it would soon be outside the safe zone. He needed to move, but the monster outside complicated things.

If I go out now, I'll have to fight.

Zhao Kuo bit his lip, weighing his options. He wasn't one to hesitate, but the situation was far from ideal.

Calmly, he donned the bulletproof vest and applied another drop of eye drops. The monster's form became clear: a towering, four-meter-tall abomination covered in festering sores, wielding a massive cleaver. Its head was encased in a metal sphere, and it clutched a corpse in its other hand.

Suddenly, the monster turned its gaze toward the third floor.

Damn it, it can sense me! Zhao Kuo realized the woman had lied—this thing had visual detection.

Without hesitation, he activated [Fortune Halo] and [Missile of Fortune]. A golden halo shimmered around his fingertips as two black-and-white energy missiles shot from his hands, striking the monster with a deafening explosion. The blast toppled nearby trees, but the monster only staggered back a few steps.

This thing's too strong. I can't take it head-on.

Zhao Kuo immediately activated [Three-Minute Rush], his speed surging as he bolted to the other side of the building and leaped out the window.

Thanks to the [Fortune Halo], Zhao Kuo landed safely without twisting his ankle. After rolling to absorb the impact, he adjusted his posture and sprinted toward the neighborhood entrance.

That thing… I can't deal with it right now. Damn it! Isn't this supposed to be a trial? Why is there such a terrifying monster?! At that moment, Zhao Kuo felt the overwhelming malice emanating from Yole. He definitely wants everyone to die here so he can harvest our items. No doubt about it!

With [Three-Minute Rush] active, Zhao Kuo's speed was astonishing—more than double that of the world's fastest sprinter. In just over ten seconds, he reached the neighborhood entrance like a whirlwind.

Suddenly, a wave of intense danger washed over him.

[Potential Focus!]

Zhao Kuo remained calm, activating the skill immediately. Time around him slowed to a crawl. He turned to see the monstrous figure behind him, its massive cleaver mid-swing.

Teleportation! If I hadn't known about its ability, I'd have been caught off guard. In a way, I owe that woman some thanks.

Under the effects of [Potential Focus], Zhao Kuo easily escaped the neighborhood. As the skill ended, a wave of exhaustion hit him, though it wasn't too severe.

Behind him, the sound of the cleaver slamming into the ground echoed, shattering the pavement and leaving a deep crack.

If that had hit me… Zhao Kuo shuddered at the thought, quickly firing two [Missiles of Fortune] at the monster.

The good news was that while the missiles benefited from his Fortune Aura, they didn't consume it. This was a small comfort.

The monster was forced back a few steps, its body now marked with wounds. But the damage was minimal. Zhao Kuo was stunned. Even with the boost from [Fortune Halo] and Fortune Aura, the missiles were far from weak. If they had hit Gu Shan at full strength, they would have taken half his health. Yet this monster only suffered minor injuries.

The downside of [Three-Minute Rush] was a 30-minute虚弱 state, reducing all his stats by 60%. If the monster chased him now…

Fortunately, his fears were unfounded. The creature seemed bound to the neighborhood, its towering figure stopping at the entrance without pursuing further.

Zhao Kuo finally stopped to catch his breath, relieved that the monster couldn't leave the area. He pulled out the [Small Bread] he'd looted from Li-ge and began eating. The bread increased his maximum health and provided some recovery, making it a useful one-time item. It also helped fill his stomach.

As for the [Contaminated Happy Water], he decided to save it for later resale.

Could I grind the monster down with [Missiles of Fortune] from outside? Zhao Kuo briefly considered the idea but quickly dismissed it. The missiles drained his mental energy, and without a way to replenish it, he needed to conserve his resources. Besides, [Fortune Halo] would soon expire.

Better to use this time to reach the safe zone.

Zhao Kuo pulled out his map and headed toward the safe zone. The three minutes of [Three-Minute Rush] passed quickly, and he was now just two blocks away from the safe zone's edge.

However, the stat reduction from the state was painfully apparent. Zhao Kuo gripped [The Evil One's Revolver] tightly, sticking to dark and secluded paths.

In my current state, encountering another player would be disastrous. These 30 minutes were going to be the hardest.

But without [Three-Minute Rush], escaping the teleporting monster in the neighborhood would have been nearly impossible. That thing is ridiculously overpowered.

Zhao Kuo was grateful for his decisiveness—it had saved him once again.

Soon, however, he faced a new challenge. The only path to the safe zone was a suspension bridge littered with wrecked cars.

Of course. In Battle Royale games, bridge camping is a classic strategy.

Zhao Kuo didn't take any chances. He applied [Qingming Eye Drops] and began scanning the bridge. It was about 1.2 kilometers long, not too extensive, but the car wrecks provided perfect cover for ambushes.

The real danger isn't someone sniping from the other side—it's the campers hiding in the wreckage. One misstep, and I'm done for.

With 18 minutes left until the虚弱 state ended, Zhao Kuo decided to wait for a "lucky" passerby to test the waters. He crouched in the shadows, patiently observing.

It didn't take long. A figure emerged cautiously from the darkness, hugging the edge of the bridge. The person didn't use a flashlight but carried something resembling a camera—likely equipped with night vision.

Smart move. Zhao Kuo stayed hidden, his eyes tracking the figure's movements.

Soon, the car wrecks blocked his line of sight. Realizing he couldn't stay put, Zhao Kuo quietly followed.

1.2 kilometers would normally take about ten minutes to walk, but at this pace, I'll run out of time if I don't move.

Using the [Qingming Eye Drops], Zhao Kuo maintained a steady pace, staying far enough behind to avoid detection. The figure ahead was equally cautious, frequently glancing back. Fortunately, Zhao Kuo's quick reflexes allowed him to hide in time.

Anyone who's made it this far isn't to be underestimated.

Zhao Kuo gripped [The Evil One's Revolver], moving with extreme care. He was grateful for the good night's sleep he'd gotten earlier—it kept him alert and focused.

Soon, both of them reached the midpoint of the bridge. With only seven minutes left until the zone shrank, the figure ahead noticeably quickened their pace. At the same time, they summoned a shield—a defensive item, no doubt.

This guy's careful. Probably worried about getting ambushed. Zhao Kuo resisted the urge to attack. While he could easily kill the player now, doing so would gain him nothing.

He's just a guinea pig. If I treat him as prey, I'll only lose out in the long run.

Sure enough, when the figure was about a quarter of the way from the opposite end of the bridge, a gunshot shattered the silence.

As expected, there was someone else!

In the darkness, a bullet struck the shield of the man ahead, sparking brightly. Zhao Kuo remained hidden, not making a move.

Players with firearms at this stage are no weaklings. Better to let these two fight it out than expose myself.

The man in front was startled by the gunshot, immediately crouching behind his shield. Another shot rang out, hitting the shield again but failing to penetrate.

Relieved, the man began moving cautiously toward the bridge's end. His class was Boxer, and if he could close the distance, his high mobility and burst damage would allow him to take down the sniper.

But after the two shots, the sniper seemed to vanish.

Did they relocate? The man carefully raised a camera above his shield, scanning for potential sniper positions. Finding none, he assumed the sniper had hidden.

This was bad. He was exposed, while the sniper remained concealed. If the sniper flanked him, he'd lose the shield's protection.

I need to cross the bridge quickly!

But moving faster would leave him more vulnerable.

What should I do?!

Zhao Kuo observed the scene, guessing the man's dilemma. If it were him, he wouldn't hesitate—he'd use the car wrecks for cover and close the distance. Once in the sniper's blind spot, he'd gain the strategic advantage.

Firearms are powerful, but ammo is limited. If it's like my revolver, there are restrictions. The Metro World loves balance.

But the man on the bridge lacked the resolve to risk his life.

As he hesitated, another gunshot echoed from a different direction.

The sniper had repositioned.

The bullet struck the man, the impact sending him sprawling. He groaned in pain, shielding himself with the.

But after firing, the sniper fell silent again.

Finally, the man made a decision. He downed a potion, gritted his teeth, and began moving under the cover of car wrecks.

In the darkness, a woman in a black robe watched coldly. She hadn't relocated this time, instead kneeling behind a stone block, her sniper rifle trained on her prey.

Only three bullets left. But one more shot should be enough.

She knew those who'd made it this far would have valuable loot.

Her eyes never left her fleeing target.

The man ran desperately, his shield offering solid protection.

Almost there. Once I'm off the bridge, I can counterattack!

But just as he neared the bridge's end, his foot caught in a bear trap. The searing pain forced a scream from his lips.

At the same time, a gunshot rang out. The bullet pierced the shield's weak point, ending the man's life.

His body collapsed, eyes wide with.

The woman stood up.

Done. One minute until the zone shrinks. No one else should be coming.

Her patience had paid off.

Let's see what these two have. At least the shield looks decent.

She approached the corpse, throwing a dagger to ensure he was dead.

Good. Definitely dead.

Her expression cold, she began looting.

But then, a burst of light cut through the darkness, accompanied by a voice:

"Eat this, grenade!"

The woman froze, momentarily blinded by the sudden flare.

He's not dead? And he has offensive items?!

Without hesitation, she teleported back behind the stone block.

What Zhao Kuo had thrown wasn't a grenade but a [Fairy Wand], its bright light disorienting her.

When the human eye adjusts to darkness, sudden brightness causes temporary blindness. The woman, though quick to react, couldn't see clearly.

She turned to flee!

Trying to run? Zhao Kuo's expression turned grim. He'd played dead for so long, waiting for this moment.

Let the snipe and clam fight; the fisherman profits" (adapted for clarity).He drew his revolver and fired.

His Fortune Aura wasn't full, so this shot was a gamble. There was a tiny chance the bullet would target him instead.

Small, but not zero.

This showed that while Zhao Kuo was cautious, he had a streak of recklessness deep down.

The bullet flew true, homing in on the fleeing woman.

Sensing danger, she turned and fired a shot in return.