At Last, They Arrive

The overwhelming surge of electricity unleashed by Xiao Feng was unlike anything Tugu and the others had ever witnessed. Astonished, they watched as the colossal B-rank beast collapsed with a thunderous crash before them, its massive body convulsing violently as it lay sprawled across the barren wasteland.

Xiao Feng leapt down to the ground and called to Kelly, who swiftly drove the jeep over. He retrieved the Black Angel from the vehicle and took careful aim at the beast's eyes, delivering finishing shots.

Only when the monstrous B-rank creature was truly slain did Xiao Feng, weary and spent, lower the formidable upgraded Black Angel.

Nearby, the armed helicopter descended, and Tugu alongside his mech warriors disembarked. Fatigued, Xiao Feng pointed at the fallen beast. "We must extract its magic crystal—bring it back."

Tugu nodded and approached the corpse.

Xiao Feng turned to Kelly. "Let's head back. I'm utterly drained."

Kelly frowned slightly. "Wait. How did you manage to emit such an intense electrical current? I thought your electric mutant ability was similar to mine."

Xiao Feng smiled faintly. "You'll come to understand my true power soon enough. But not yet—not now."

"What's there to hide?"

"You'll find out in time. Now, let's return. The Black Angel's out of ammo. The rest will be up to Tugu and his team."

"Alright…"

With that, Xiao Feng climbed into the jeep, and they drove off.

Left behind, Tugu and his mech warriors stared blankly at the fallen B-rank beast.

...

The 64th Protected Zone had been peaceful for many days. The allied forces had long since been replaced by the X Legion, now responsible for the zone's defense. Their strength far exceeded the previous allied troops; several armored vehicles were stationed at the edges of the zone.

They had received orders to maintain strict vigilance. The vehicles were mere showpieces; inside the former allied barracks, several modified sports cars sat quietly—those very cars once belonging to Kill's crew.

K and his subordinates sat around a drinking table, sharing a convivial moment.

Listening to their praises, K smiled. "The X Legion grows stronger by the day. Our days will only improve. Work hard, and I won't let you down."

"Thank you, Boss…"

"You're too kind, Boss…"

"We'll give it our all…"

Another round of flattery ensued.

Suddenly, the sky was shattered by a sonic boom.

K froze, then ordered his men, "Go see what's happening."

They dropped their bottles and rushed outside. K followed last, stepping out into the camp's open space.

A fighter jet slowly descended from the sky.

K's gaze hardened. The jet bore the allied forces' insignia, and was a cutting-edge model—yet it had eluded the zone's radar defenses and landed safely within the camp.

K barked sharply, "Notify Legion headquarters immediately. Everyone, prepare for combat."

He knew full well that whoever piloted such a sophisticated aircraft was no ordinary foe. Yet the jet made no hostile moves against the zone's defenders. Had it wished, it could have obliterated this small zone within seconds.

Once landed, several figures disembarked. They surveyed the chaotic soldiers with disdain, their faces cold and indifferent. The troops, clutching rifles in nervous readiness, seemed invisible to them.

Armored vehicles rumbled toward the newcomers.

These figures were unmistakably Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Hades—and another formidable entity, a Level 10 mutant known as the Envoy.

Zeus removed his sunglasses, eyeing the X Legion soldiers as though they were mere ants.

When he spotted K emerging slowly from the crowd, a faint smile played on his lips. Though he had never met K in person, he was well acquainted with Kill's dossier; this was the gang's leader.

K watched the imposing figures warily. Their overwhelming auras suggested they could annihilate the 64th Protected Zone's defenses in an instant despite their small number.

Zeus replaced his sunglasses, shielding his eyes from the harsh sunlight. Peering at K, he sneered, "You must be K."

"I am. Who are you?"

"For a man of your stature—a Level 8 mutant—guarding such a small zone, there must be someone important hidden here."

K's expression hardened. "Who are you? What business do you have here?"

"Don't be so tense. We've come for a friend. I'm sure you know exactly where he is. You'd better cooperate and hand him over. If not, don't blame us for being ruthless," Zeus said calmly, yet his words bore an unspoken weight of menace.

K understood their intention instantly—it was for Ares.

He furrowed his brow and asked his men, "Have we notified headquarters?"

His lieutenant's face was grim. "Message sent."

"Good. Prepare for battle," K declared. Then he turned to Zeus. "Since you know, there's no more to say. If you want him, you'll have to tread over our corpses."

Zeus laughed heartily. "Ha! I don't know who gave you such courage, but I promise you'll regret it."

Stepping forward, Zeus was met by K's men moving in unison to shield their leader.

K gripped their arms firmly. "Hold back. He's on a different level than you."

Approaching Zeus, K was met with a smile. "One last chance."

"Enough talk," K said, summoning a flurry of shimmering metal shards that shot toward Zeus with deadly speed.

Though tiny, these shards could perforate him like a sieve at such velocity.

Yet, to their shock, the shards abruptly halted before an invisible barrier—a shimmering wall of water conjured not by Zeus, but by Poseidon.

An unspoken Envoy, leaning on a staff, slowly emerged. Expressionless, he extended his hand toward K.

Startled, K barely reacted before a green light burst from the old man's palm, expanding into a fan-shaped shield enveloping K and all mutants nearby.

Unaware of the old man's intent, K instinctively dodged the light but soon realized it inflicted no harm. Attempting to retaliate, he found his powers utterly nullified.

Bewildered and fearful, K stared at the old man. "Who... who are you? What have you done to me?"

The Envoy smiled faintly. "I've merely restored you to normalcy. No need to fear."

K's face instantly contorted with dread.

Zeus chuckled darkly. "Do you still have any reason to be arrogant now?"

"You... you…"

Not only K, but everyone around him stared at Zeus in disbelief. Their mutant abilities had vanished—a phenomenon they had never before experienced. None knew if their powers could ever return.

This was a nightmare beyond imagining.

Frozen in shock, K had no choice but to roar, "Fire!"

The soldiers and armored vehicles unleashed a torrent of bullets and shells toward Zeus and his companions.

Suddenly, Apollo leapt forward, raising his hands skyward. A half-circular dome of radiant light materialized.

Though Apollo had never acted before, his mutant power stunned all. The shield trapped the attackers within, repelling countless bullets that sparked harmlessly against its surface.

In that moment, K finally understood—these mutants far surpassed Level 8. Their powers were terrifying. The purifying green light, the impenetrable shield—these were beyond comprehension.

Eyes wide, K swallowed hard and urged his now powerless men, "Run!"