Chapter 36: A Hellish Scene
Yet Ron and the other members of the Hunter Mercenary Team couldn't help but smile. These battle‑hardened maniacs, having faced countless near‑deaths, seemed to relish the prospect.
A slight mercenary code-named "Skinny Monkey," known for his scouting prowess, stepped forward. "Young Master, let me handle this—I love doing this sort of thing," he volunteered eagerly.The mercenaries burst into hearty laughter.
Derek, feeling understood, quickly said, "You're the one."Obeying orders, Skinny Monkey cheerfully grabbed a set of keys from a table. First, he unlocked the iron cage that held the women. Oddly enough, even though the cage was open, the women didn't dare run. Then, Skinny Monkey attached a lead rope to a zombie and walked it into the cage. He began by unsealing the zombie's gag. Suddenly, the zombie gaped open its mouth, eager to bite him. But Skinny Monkey skillfully dodged from a safe distance, leaving the zombie no chance to strike.
"Plop."Unexpectedly, one of the bodyguards behind Derek couldn't stand the sight any longer. He rushed to Derek on his knees."Master Derek, this is too cruel—why not let them be?" the guard pleaded, kowtowing three times, begging for mercy.He simply couldn't bear to witness the impending brutality. He recalled what his mother once said about kindness.
At this, Derek's expression darkened immediately. One of the bodyguards then stepped forward to pull the kneeling guard up."Sorry, Young Master. His name is Wang Dahou. He was newly recruited after that guy died last night—he has enormous strength, but his brain isn't all there. Please don't quarrel with him," the man explained desperately as he tried to help Wang Dahou, who remained motionless on his knees."Oh? So you're teaching me how to work?" Derek's eyes turned venomously cold like a coiled snake as he glared at the guard."Master, I dare not—my apologies," the guard quickly apologized and returned to his group, leaving Wang Dahou still kneeling and murmuring, "Please spare them, Master."Derek roared with laughter, "Hahaha! It's been ages since anyone dared challenge my authority!"
Then, the guard known as Black Ape—renowned for his brute strength and capable of single-handedly carrying the heaviest firepower of the Hunter Mercenary Team—stomped a fist onto Wang Dahou's head.Unexpectedly, the kneeling Wang Dahou grabbed Black Ape's fist and pushed him away."Oh," Black Ape muttered, feeling his pride wounded as he struggled against the force.Ron observed silently, a trace of surprise in his eyes.Though Black Ape had lost the power struggle, he gained a glimpse of Wang Dahou's true strength. Ron didn't press the advantage; instead, he said, "Send two more men to help me take him down."
One of two strong mercenaries then stepped forward. Known as "Bear" for his short temper and penchant for torturing enemies before killing them, and the other as "Crocodile," a melee specialist who savored biting off chunks of his enemy's flesh, both came out as if on cue.Even in jest, they recognized that Wang Dahou's power was impressive.Ron sighed. "Wang Dahou has potential, but he's destined to perish eventually."Yet, what use is potential? The Li family never lacked potential—they only wanted obedient dogs.
The three mercenaries surrounded Wang Dahou. He pleaded desperately, "Please, Master, have mercy—please, spare them!"Then, all three launched a coordinated takedown, using combat grappling techniques unique to the battlefield to restrain his limbs and head. Despite his massive strength, Wang Dahou could not break free from three top‑tier mercenaries.They pinned him to the ground; Black Ape delivered three crushing punches to his face, each blow sounding with a dull thud as his face burst open and blood flowed profusely.
"Stop killing him," Derek suddenly interjected.Everyone stared in shock—this was not a word typically spoken by Master Derek."Isn't he trying to protect those women? Then let him watch as they die," Derek said with a twisted smile.Black Ape couldn't help but admire Derek's cold ruthlessness. "Only a true Master could do this," he said.Then Black Ape forcefully dragged Wang Dahou's face toward the iron cage and propped him up so that he couldn't close his eyes.Wang Dahou wailed in agony but couldn't shut his eyes, forced to witness the impending horror inside the cage.
"Skinny Monkey! What are you waiting for? Close the cage and let the zombies in!" Derek ordered.Obeying, Skinny Monkey quickly began unfastening the restraints on a zombie. As the shackles fell away, the zombie stirred vigorously.Finally, once its leg irons were off, the zombie lunged at Skinny Monkey. With nimble evasions, Skinny Monkey dodged and escaped the cage, slamming it shut behind him.
The zombies grew furious. Their pent-up rage from being confined—and provoked all day—erupted. They pounded relentlessly against the cage. But the sturdy cage held.Since the cage wouldn't budge, the zombies vented their anger on the remaining dozen or so women inside.Even as a ferocious zombie stormed into the cage and bit a woman's neck, she offered no resistance—seemingly devoid of sensation or will. In moments, that poor woman was reduced to half a body.Wang Dahou could only watch in horror as the zombie feasted, emitting pitiful cries. He tried to shut his eyes, but it was no use—Black Ape held his eyelids open so that he was forced to witness.Within minutes, more zombies attacked and feasted on another woman. One after another, with each victim, the mercenaries and even Derek, seated on a sofa, burst into harsh, gleeful laughter. The scene was grotesquely thrilling.
In fact, after the last woman was devoured, Derek trembled so much he even wet himself.Then the surviving zombies began battering the cage again. After absorbing enough energy, they pounded the cage until it creaked ominously.Derek was startled—but once he realized the cage still wouldn't give way, he exhaled in relief.Then he was inspired: "You! Stuff that Wang Dahou into the cage. He's strong—let's see who's tougher, him or the zombies!"