Chapter 180.1 – Key (23)

◎ I can activate the central hub ◎

As night fell, with dim moonlight, District C26 Fenak fell into a silent stillness.

“Three Grandsons and One Grandpa” dashed along the border but always inexplicably shifted, unable to leave for a long time.

Fan Peng was alternately carried on the back by Xiao Chen and Qiong Mingcheng, and the straight back of Duanmu Qi appeared intermittently in front of them.

Although he had lost his right arm, Fan Peng could still feel the phantom limb’s piercing pain. Fan Peng sweated profusely and smiled reassuringly at his companions, “I remember… when the apocalypse just arrived, you guys carried me like this.”

At the beginning of the apocalypse, Fan Peng lay in bed with a high fever. His mother went out to find medicine and never came back. Outside the bedroom were zombies banging on the door. When he was desperate and ready to die, his childhood friend Duanmu Qi, with Xiao Chen and Qiong Mingcheng, smashed the anti-theft window and broke in.

The three of them were also feverish, but without saying a word, they picked him up and escaped. Xiao Chen’s legs were shaking when he carried him, and Qiong Mingcheng even held a rolling pin. Fan Peng lived in a densely populated old city area, and looking down from the window was full of zombies. They supported each other and fought their way out.

After finally finding a shelter, the four of them collapsed on the ground, each more miserable than the other. The roar of zombies echoed in their ears, and Fan Peng, who still had a persistent fever, thought in a daze, “This damn life is too bitter. If I can survive this, I’ll definitely find a quiet place to sleep.”

However, the world is tough, and even such a simple wish is hard to fulfill. Even though they awakened supernatural abilities, they were not omnipotent. The refuge they found soon fell victim to the zombie tide, forcing Fan Peng to wander, but fortunately, the four of them always stayed together.

Qiong Mingcheng clenched his teeth, patted Fan Peng’s back, and said hoarsely, “Pengzi, you are not allowed to sleep!”

They had been on the run for more than half an hour, experiencing three scene changes. Because he didn’t receive any treatment, Fan Peng’s breath became weaker and weaker.

Fan Peng mumbled, “Brother Chen, let’s discuss something. When we get to District B, let me… share a room with Aqi.”

Xiao Chen suddenly lowered his head, his voice choked, “Okay, I’ll let you.”

Fan Peng’s consciousness was already hazy. District B, ah, after a year of struggle, they finally accumulated enough points to go to District B.

In a vague hallucination, Fan Peng saw the bonfire burning on that night in Huangyuan, and heard Song Ke vividly narrating. She said that people could sunbathe in the sunshine at the Northern Base, the Garden Apartments were given for free, big and beautiful, the three-dimensional subway was easy to get dizzy on, it’s best to sit in the back row for the first time.

What else was there? Oh, remembered… there’s also an underground entertainment space specifically for activities of awakeners, but you have to follow the rules, or else an organization called the “Awakener Department” will take you away and lock you up.

Fan Peng silently grinned, he was sure to follow the rules. In the “Three Grandsons and One Grandpa,” he was the most rule-abiding.

Approaching the Fenak border once again, triggered by an unknown factor, the surrounding scenes rearranged like building blocks, and the four were transported to an unfamiliar place.

“Oh, damn it!” Duanmu Qi abruptly stopped, cursing with red eyes because in front of them, there were pursuers dressed in vulture uniforms.

The black-clad woman with the codename “Blood Bat” squinted her slender eyes, without a word, an invisible kite string slipped from her hand.

“Remember… go to District B for me.”

No one expected that Fan Peng would suddenly slide down from Qiong Mingcheng’s back and forcefully push the three of them, saying, “Go quickly!”

His awakened energy erupted, bravely rushing towards the opponent. Blood Bat raised her wrist, pulled inwards, the kite string tightened, instantly cutting through the skin, severing veins, embedding deeply into flesh and blood. Fan Peng’s robust body was dismembered inch by inch, and the pieces of flesh fell like flower petals.

Those kite strings were finally dyed a blood-like crimson, the attack trajectory revealing no escape.

Fan Peng used death to exchange a glimmer of hope for his companions.

Xiao Chen and Qiong Mingcheng dodged with difficulty, their eyes almost tearing apart, “Pengzi!!”

Duanmu Qi’s heart was twisted like a knife, but he still gritted his teeth and took out the last crystal quickly, swiftly inserting it into the groove.

A flash of light, the camping lamp came into play, and the three were about to escape. The Wolf Spider’s gaze turned cold, lips moving, a phantom of a patterned spider shrouded the camping lamp, spitting out a strong corrosive secretion from its silk sac. Tiny cracks appeared on the surface of the level 4 crystal, and spatial ability faintly fluctuated.

Qiong Mingcheng’s pupils contracted, swinging his knife to shatter the patterned spider. The phantom screamed in agony, and its pincers pierced through his fingernails.

Random teleportation took effect, and the three disappeared on the spot.

The Wolf Spider reported hoarsely, “Two left, continue the pursuit.”

He nonchalantly considered Qiong Mingcheng as good as dead, having been affected by the corrosive toxin of the patterned spider, that guy wouldn’t survive.

Blood Bat retracted her ability, her expression indifferent. “The activation condition for that device is a level 4 crystal. They won’t escape many times.”

Just an ordinary B-level team, how many precious level 4 crystals could they possibly have? They were destined to die sooner or later.

Gazing coldly at Fan Peng’s mutilated corpse, Gustav, who was observing from the sidelines, couldn’t help but frown. The special task force was also mobilized to participate in this siege, and he wasn’t clear about the full details of the mission. However, he felt sincere disgust at working alongside the vultures. These people were cold-blooded and selfish, resorting to any means necessary. Compared to the highly esteemed Azure Phoenix, they were like rats in a gutter, always criticized and despised.

In the “Three Grandsons and One Grandpa,” they fell into an abandoned radiation sinkhole, quickly getting back on their feet.

“No more crystals,” Duanmu Qi said with a solemn expression. “Don’t head towards the border. There’s a domain-type awakener here, we must figure out a way to break through first.”

Xiao Chen wiped his face and saw Qiong Mingcheng on the opposite side seemingly lost in thought. “Mingcheng, what’s wrong?”

“Ah? Nothing,” Qiong Mingcheng replied, clenching his fist behind his back.

After investigating separately, Xiao Chen and Duanmu Qi reunited. “Aqi, there are signs of a battle nearby, like those left by V587.”

Duanmu Qi thought for a moment. “The land should be randomly shifting. Let’s try to stay at the edge; maybe we’ll run into them.”

Xiao Chen nodded. “No time to waste, let’s go.”

Just as the two were about to find Qiong Mingcheng, someone softly called their names from behind, “Aqi, Brother Chen…”

Qiong Mingcheng half of his body melted into the shadows, unmoving, his face unusually pale.

“Mingcheng, come over quickly; let’s leave this place,” Duanmu Qi urged.

Qiong Mingcheng grinned, looking worse than crying. “I might, like Pengzi, not be able to go to District B either.”

Duanmu Qi and Xiao Chen’s expressions froze. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Qiong Mingcheng took a step forward, revealing his entire figure, and in a short time, half of his body had turned into corpse water.

What was initially just a minor wound from piercing his fingernail, the intense corrosion had taken away his life.

Qiong Mingcheng, with tears in his eyes, looked at his dear friends with a smile. “It’s better now. No need to argue. The two of you can share a room.”

“You must, you must strive… to survive.”

The corrosion speed increased rapidly, and the two helplessly watched as Qiong Mingcheng turned into a puddle of corpse water before their eyes.

“No—!!!”

With companions dying one after another, the instantaneous despair overwhelmed Duanmu Qi. He screamed, and thorns uncontrollably slammed into the ground.

Xiao Chen’s chest heaved, tightly holding onto Duanmu Qi’s shoulders. “Aqi, don’t let them down…”

Duanmu Qi clutched the camping lamp, his fingertips trembling. After a long silence, he said, “Let’s go.”

*

Song Ke stood in front of Zhuang Qingyan, facing the siege of five S5 to S6 awakeners alone. She carried two enormous weapons on her back, standing still like a trapped beast. However, her expression remained calm, and although the trapped beast trembled, the awakeners were shocked and speechless.

—S8.

—S8, the powerful attack-type awakener.

—This would be an unprecedented fierce battle.

They were all foreign mercenaries, well aware that, not only the New Asia Alliance but the person in front of them probably represented the world’s highest combat power.

No one dared to take it lightly. The five simultaneously launched their strongest attack abilities, deadly attacks aimed at Song Ke and Zhuang Qingyan. The overlapping brilliance of their abilities made it impossible to open their eyes, instantly engulfing Song Ke’s slender figure.

Five super attacks, a surging tide of energy, enough to level everything, even the strongest defense type awakener would likely be crushed into pieces.

Boom—Boom—!!

The collision of multiple attacks produced an earth-shattering explosion, and dense black smoke rose into the night sky.

“It… it worked!” The awakeners rejoiced, blurting out.

The world’s first S8 level, killed so easily by them?

But in the next second, a faint blue light streaked through the rolling thick smoke. A massive shield appeared out of thin air, rotating rapidly, absorbing all the damage in an instant. The violent explosion subsided abruptly, and the remaining awakened energy crackled.

Then, a fair and beautiful hand extended from the edge, snapped its fingers, and the shield split into numerous arrow feathers, sweeping forward. The five awakeners retreated in a panic, looking at her in disbelief, exclaiming in shock, “How is this possible, no medium transformation?!”

Metal manipulation was universally recognized as a powerful attack-type ability. They had seen awakeners who could transform objects into weapons, but without exception, they required a medium. However, Song Ke was different. It was as if she had transcended this limitation, exhibiting a mesmerizing control over awakened energy. Even without direct contact with objects, the surrounding radiation could be utilized by her to condense into any weapon according to her will.

The smoke cleared, and Song Ke stood in place. She casually patted Zhuang Qingyan’s dusty shirt. “It’s going to get messy; stay back a bit.”

Zhuang Qingyan rubbed Song Ke’s burned back with his fingertips, his eyes darkened. Still, he obediently responded, “I’ll listen to you. Be careful.”

Song Ke moved forward slowly, adjusting her neck and wrists as she walked. “It’s my turn now.”

As soon as she spoke, she effortlessly pulled out a long spear with one hand. Like a cheetah, she swiftly pounced forward. With extreme speed and strength, the opponent had no time to react. The sharp spear had already pierced through the enemy’s throat, blood splattering.

“First one,” Song Ke counted.

A yellow earth ring rose from under her feet, firmly imprisoning her arms, making her unable to move. Song Ke’s foot tapped lightly, quickly stepping forward, and with the explosive power of her waist and abdomen, she bent her knee! Kicked the opponent’s chin! “Crack”—the crisp sound of bones breaking echoed, and broken teeth mixed with half of the tongue fell. The lower half of the person’s face instantly became a bloody mess.

Although Song Ke’s arms were bound, it did not affect her movements. She pivoted on her foot, performing a quick turnaround like a swallow. She leaped into the air and executed a spinning kick! The third person was kicked away, and the sole of her foot suddenly revealed a shiny wolf-tooth knife. She fiercely chopped down! The opponent was cut off from bottom to top, the spine severed, blood and internal organs spurted into the air, dripping down in a mist of blood.

In the blood mist, Song Ke’s expression was icy, her face like a fierce demon.

“Second one,” she continued to count.

Her feet never stopped, and her hands were not idle either. She held a blue blade between her fingertips, cutting back and forth, skillfully carving out a small opening with her powerful ability. Then, she freed up her hand, drew a cold and elegant jagged blade, and with a swift motion, the blade glittered with cold light. Overwhelming with absolute force, the sturdy earth ring crumbled. The earth-element awakener spat out blood from his mouth, and Song Ke, with a swift motion, cut off his head.

“Third one.”

The desperate mercenary turned the surroundings into mud. Song Ke lifted her leg to sweep away the mud, covering everyone’s vision. She hooked the dropped long spear with her toes, kicked it up, and grabbed the collar of one person with her hand. Head down, she pressed it into the muddy ground. The spear tip pierced through his chest.

“Fourth one.”

The awakener with the mangled chin tried to turn and run, but suddenly his mind went blank. Zhuang Qingyan remained calm, and with one stroke, he stabbed into his head.

Blood soaked through the light-colored shirt, and the handsome face revealed a hint of cold ruthlessness.

“Fifth one.” Zhuang Qingyan followed Song Ke in counting.

Shaking off the mud, Song Ke looked at Zhuang Qingyan with a playful smile, as if to say, “You’re dirty too.”

With bodies strewn about and blood forming a river, the five top-level awakeners died on the spot. Who was the hunter? Who was the prey?

Just as a slight smile appeared on Song Ke’s lips, her expression froze in an instant.

A deadly iron chain swooped down, its chilling murderous intent almost tangible. Song Ke shifted her body to dodge, and the chain quickly turned back, heading towards Zhuang Qingyan. Hindered by the heavy mud, Song Ke jumped out without hesitation, throwing herself to protect Zhuang Qingyan. The spikes on the chain grazed her left shoulder, tearing off a layer of flesh.

The S7 teenager from Vulture appeared in place, his emotionless gaze fixed on Song Ke. In standard Alliance language, he said, “You have weaknesses, and those with weaknesses are destined to lose.”

The blood from her shoulder dripped onto Zhuang Qingyan’s jade-like face. Song Ke smiled at him and used her sleeve to wipe away the blood.

She rolled over and stood up. “I won’t lose.”

In the high-altitude starship fleet, an impromptu command meeting was underway.

“At the moment, it seems that Song Ke’s desire to protect the Key is too strong. It’s challenging to interrogate her by bypassing this.”

“She registered as an S7 not long ago. How could she rise so quickly?”

“Could there be a breakthrough in Ning Rong’s research?” someone murmured.

The promotion of S-level awakeners not only relied on accumulated strength but also on opportunities. The average time for each level from S1 to S5 required three to five years. S6 and above levels were even more unpredictable. Song Ke, not being an early awakener, started at S7. Yet, who could easily ascend from S7 to S8 within just a year?

The shadowy figure, “Mr. Gu,” gazed at the ever-changing spiritual weapons in Song Ke’s hands through the screen.

“We can’t let her freely transform. ‘Iron Chain’ will be used to restrain her first. Is ‘Flame’ on its way?”

“It’s on the way and expected to arrive in seventeen minutes and thirty-one seconds.”

Seventeen minutes and thirty-one seconds, roughly the gap between two activations of “Blood-Red Building Blocks.”