Chapter 168 – Death Beast Swarm Approaches! Su Bai vs. the Subbeast!

Malene's words caused a deep unease to surge in Dong Feng's heart.

The Contract Master Guild had been placed in the outskirts of Boulder City, right by the city wall. Without hesitation, this S-rank shield warrior unleashed strength fitting of his rank.

He rammed his massive shield into the ground, bent his knees deeply, and—wearing full heavy armor—launched himself toward the city wall.

The wall was so tall he had to push off midway using the stone surface for extra lift.

His agile, explosive movement was utterly at odds with the usual slow and steady image of a heavily armored tank.

But now was no time for admiration.

Outside the city, the roars of the Death Beasts grew louder, fiercer, closer.

"No way…"

Dong Feng stared beyond the wall—and his heart sank completely.

Zhu Jianyuan had leapt up beside him. When he too saw the scene outside, his face went pale.

Boulder City's location had always been considered strategic. Backed by a massive rocky mountain and facing a wide, flat plain, it offered excellent visibility and early warning against Death Beast attacks.

But what they saw now… was unforgettable.

Death Beasts—thousands of them—were stampeding across the plain toward Boulder City like something had driven them insane.

Dust clouds filled the sky. Their stomps and howls merged into a thunderous wave.

It looked like the apocalypse had arrived.

"An assault… by Death Beasts?!"

Dong Feng smashed his palm against the city wall—cracking the massive battlement to powder.

Zhu Jianyuan recognized that outburst, but had no time for jokes.

From down below, Wang Tao's voice rose:

"Look at the sky! The death aura…"

Zhu Jianyuan instinctively glanced up—

And froze.

The swirling vortex of black mist was now stretching downward.

Threadlike streams of death aura—living, writhing—extended toward the incoming Death Beasts.

As each stream connected, the beasts went wild.

Their bodies grew—visibly and rapidly!

"D-rank… C-rank… B-rank?!"

"They're absorbing the death aura!"

He watched in horror as one Death Beast, once D-rank, skyrocketed to B-rank in mere moments!

Its body swelled as it ran. Though clumsy and unstable from the sudden growth—some even tripping mid-sprint—their eyes burned with frenzy.

The death aura was acting like a steroid—mutating and strengthening them in real time!

"This… this shouldn't be possible!"

Zhu Jianyuan's voice trembled.

Everyone knew—Death Beasts were far harder to evolve than human Awakeners.

That was supposed to be common knowledge—earned through years of research.

But now?

That knowledge was being torn to shreds.

"We don't have time for this!"

Dong Feng suddenly grabbed Zhu Jianyuan's shoulder, expression grim.

"Old Zhu, I need your help!"

"At this pace, Boulder City won't last long!"

"You and your people must help us survive this wave!"

Just imagining the Death Beasts rampaging through the city made Dong Feng's scalp go numb.

And thinking about how all this was tied to the Contract Master Guild—filled him with rage.

The Guild had been heavily funded under the assumption that they'd defend the city in times of crisis.

Their presence had even limited Boulder City's standing military strength—unlike Seaside City.

But now?

Not only were they useless in the face of disaster—

They were the cause of it all.

That said, Dong Feng bore no resentment toward Su Bai.

Had Su Bai not exposed the truth, Boulder City might've remained blind to the terrifying Subbeast hiding right under their noses—powerful enough to destroy the entire city with a gesture.

Seeing Dong Feng's desperate eyes, Zhu Jianyuan looked down.

Below, Su Bai stood face-to-face with a towering female monster.

"But…" Zhu Jianyuan whispered, struggling.

Outside the wall, a Death Beast tsunami surged closer.

Inside the city, a monstrous Subbeast stood against humanity's brightest hope—Su Bai.

Defeating that Subbeast was surely the top priority.

But then Zhu Jianyuan looked down again, to the streets of Boulder City—

To the innocent civilians screaming, running, dying.

His teeth clenched.

Could he really stand by and watch the Death Beasts slaughter them all?

There was no time to organize a proper defense.

At the city gates, more and more City Guard soldiers were forming lines, trembling before the approaching wave.

Dong Feng stared at Zhu Jianyuan, eyes full of pleading.

He was this close to falling to his knees.

He knew how important Su Bai was.

But after decades as Boulder City's lord—he refused to see his home destroyed.

Zhu Jianyuan's eyes burned red with frustration, torn between two impossible choices—

When suddenly, Su Bai spoke.

He gently patted his Gyarados on the head and applied healing medicine to its wounds.

"Go on," Su Bai said softly. "Go fight with your friends. I don't need you here."

Then he raised his voice and shouted:

"Lord Zhu! Go—help Boulder City defend against the Death Beasts!"

"And Wang Tao! You too!"

"All of this… I caused it. So I'll handle what's in front of me."

"This monster—she's mine."

Su Bai licked his lips, eyes fixed on the imposing figure of Malene, who stood with arms crossed, watching him like a bored predator.

Zhu Jianyuan stared at Su Bai.

Then he took a deep breath—and jumped down from the wall.

Wang Tao and the others didn't hesitate. They sprinted up the wall and followed.

There was no time to doubt.

No time to hesitate.

All they could do… was trust Su Bai completely.

Malene scoffed as they ran off.

"I thought you were going to give some touching last words."

"But this? This is all?"

"You think you can beat me? You don't understand power."

She towered above him like a living nightmare.

But Su Bai just smirked and said:

"Has anyone ever told you…"

"You look awful?"

"Aren't Subbeasts supposed to grow stronger the more human they look?"

"Which would mean… your race shares the same standards of beauty as us?"

"So if that's true…"

"You must be a damn ugly freak even among Subbeasts."