A deep, guttural growl echoed through the bloodstained corridor.
Zhao Feng and Xiao Yuyan instantly tensed, every muscle on alert. From the shadows at the end of the hallway, a large wolf emerged.
Its size was that of a normal wolf, but its appearance was anything but. Jet-black fur like steel needles bristled along its body, and its glowing red eyes burned like embers straight from hell—eyes filled with a savage thirst for blood. Thick, viscous saliva dripped from its jagged fangs, sizzling as it hit the bloody floor.
Its eyes locked onto them, hunger clear in its gaze—ready to tear into flesh.
Zhao Feng narrowed his eyes and gave Xiao Yuyan a subtle signal.
She nodded without hesitation, fully understanding his intent.
She moved first.
A bluish light surged around her legs—the mark of her Aurora Drive activating. In an instant, her figure vanished from sight.
Her speed blurred the air, surpassing the perception of any ordinary eye.
Even world-class sprinters would appear like sloths compared to her.
But it wasn't just her speed that stunned—it was the calm expression she wore. A faint, confident smile curled on her lips.
She pulled back her small fist, now glowing with a red aura of explosive energy.
Just before she struck, her eyes turned cold as she muttered,
"You disgusting beast."
Then—
BOOM!
A thunderous crash echoed through the corridor as her punch smashed into the wolf's side. The creature was sent flying like a rag doll, slamming into the concrete wall with a sickening crack. Dust exploded into the air, and fractures split across the wall.
The monster's body hung suspended for a second before collapsing to the ground.
Gaping wounds marred its torso. Blood pooled around it.
It didn't even get the chance to scream, much less retaliate.
Dead.
Xiao Yuyan clapped her hands together, brushing off dust. Her chest puffed out proudly as she turned to Zhao Feng with a gaze that practically screamed:
'Come on, praise me!'
Zhao Feng's lip twitched as he let out a sigh.
"Yeah... not bad."
Xiao Yuyan pouted. "What do you mean 'not bad'? That was clearly—"
Ting—!
A metallic clink echoed behind her.
And Zhao Feng had already vanished from sight.
Her expression froze. Reacting instantly, she leapt backward.
From the shadows, another wolf lunged—this one had been lying in wait, hiding in the darkness.
The ambush was flawless… almost.
But Zhao Feng intercepted it.
He reappeared in a flash of lightning, his Stormblade clashing with the beast's claws, sparks flying from the contact.
He slid back, then with a swift wave of his blade—
Whoosh!
A sharp gust of wind sliced through the air, cutting toward the monster.
The wolf tried to dodge, but it was too late.
A deep gash split across its side, blood spraying.
"AUUUGH!" it howled in agony.
Zhao Feng didn't let up.
He transformed into a trail of lightning, darting above the beast's back—
Lightning Phantom!
His body reformed in mid-air, blade poised, and with a cold, emotionless stare—
He drove Stormblade straight into the wolf's skull.
The creature twitched, flailed, then went still.
Its life ended instantly.
[Lv. 1 Low-Rank Mutant Defeated. +5 Evolution Points Earned.]
Zhao Feng exhaled, turning toward Xiao Yuyan, who now stood with her head bowed, guilt all over her face.
"You were careless," he said flatly. "If I wasn't here, you'd be dead."
Xiao Yuyan managed a wry smile. "Thanks…"
She knew she had let her guard down. His sarcastic tone stung—but it wasn't wrong.
She really had been reckless.
———
The stench of blood hung heavy in the air, but Zhao Feng remained composed.
His eyes scanned their surroundings, every sense heightened.
"There are more," he said softly, voice low and serious.
Xiao Yuyan gave a sharp nod, her legs already glowing blue again.
This time, she wouldn't repeat the same mistake.
Their battle had clearly attracted attention.
From the far end of the corridor came another growl, followed by sharp scraping—metallic claws dragging across concrete.
Zhao Feng's eyes narrowed.
Glowing red eyes pierced the darkness—one pair, two… five… eight.
One by one, the monsters emerged, moving as a pack.
They were slightly larger than the last, their fur denser, darker. And their bloodlust was suffocating.
They had caught the scent of humans.
And now, they were ready to feed.
"There's too many of them…" Xiao Yuyan whispered as she moved beside Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng didn't reply.
His grip tightened on the Stormblade, eyes locking onto the hallway window nearby.
Eight pairs of eyes glared from the shadows, the wolves' breath heavy and vile, like bloodthirsty engines revving up.
The hallway was narrow. There was no room for dodging.
Survival chances? Minimal.
"We fight?" Xiao Yuyan asked, her voice uncertain.
Even she wasn't sure they could take all of them at once.
Zhao Feng shook his head. "No. We're getting out."
He grabbed her hand.
"H-Hey!"
He ignored her, gaze locked on the window.
He slashed his blade—whoosh! whoosh! whoosh!—sending arcs of slicing wind toward the wolves.
Just enough to delay them.
Then, with a sharp thrust, he shattered the window with the hilt of his blade.
CRASH!
Xiao Yuyan stared at him in disbelief. "Zhao Feng! We're on the fourth floor!"
Zhao Feng said nothing. He pulled her closer—
And in a single motion, swept her into a princess carry.
"Eh—?!"
They burst through the broken window into the open air.
Xiao Yuyan's heart pounded wildly—not just from the fall, but from the sudden warmth of Zhao Feng's embrace. She could feel his heartbeat so clearly—
Her face turned bright red.
"Y-You…!"
Zhao Feng remained focused.
While in midair, he stomped downward—
BOOM!
Wind exploded beneath his feet like an invisible platform, launching them upward.
With one more burst of force, he crashed through the fifth floor corridor window.
Glass shards flew, slicing his clothes and skin.
But Zhao Feng shielded Xiao Yuyan with his own body—protecting her completely.
Not a single scratch touched her.