While the members of the Bureau of Anomalous Affairs stationed at the air-raid shelter sanctuary were spurred on and strengthened by Ji Zige’s singing, shouting at the top of their lungs to protect the civilians and Miss Ji Zige while beating the invading abyssal beasts within an inch of their lives, the gymnasium—also serving as a sanctuary—came under attack by abyssal beasts as well.
“Abyssal beasts spotted! Everyone execute Operation Plan One.”
As soon as the highest-ranking officer gave the order, the Bureau members and military personnel stationed at the gymnasium immediately sprang into action, carrying out a defensive operation against the abyssal beasts according to the pre-established plan.
Watching the Bureau members and soldiers already engaged in battle with the abyssal beasts stood a young woman dressed in a stylish yet practical black skirt-and-pants outfit. She had a pair of demonic wings on her back, a heart-tipped tail, beautiful long pink hair, and emerald-green eyes. In her hands, she held a massive iron hammer that the authorities had just given her—its handle towered taller than she was, and its weight was so immense that even a one-star peak superhuman couldn’t lift it. This was the little succubus queen, Zhao Meier.
Turning to the gymnasium’s highest-ranking officer beside her, she asked, “Are you sure you don’t need me to join the fight? If I step in, these pathetic abyssal beasts will be wiped out in minutes without breaking a sweat.”
Glancing down at Zhao Meier, who only came up to his chest, the officer was well aware that as a member of the Free Life Association, her combat abilities far surpassed those of their official personnel. However, he also knew that now was not the right time for her to enter the fray. So he replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Miss Zhao, but it’s not yet your turn to take the field.”
Zhao Meier twirled the massive hammer in her hand before hoisting it onto her shoulder. “Alright, since you say so.”
Just as she finished speaking, something suddenly came to mind, and she looked back at the officer. “Oh, by the way, I still don’t know your name, Uncle. Would you mind telling me?”
Hearing her ask for his name, the officer didn’t overthink it and answered directly. “My name is Cui Dexi. Cui as in the Cui clan of Qinghe, De as in morality, and Xi as in joy.”
“Cui Dexi… Got it. I’ll remember that. Thank you for telling me your name, Uncle Cui.”
Just as Zhao Meier committed Cui Dexi’s name to memory, three two-star peak abyssal beasts suddenly burst out from alleyways and underground, launching a ferocious assault on the first official defensive line outside the gymnasium. Within moments, the frontline showed signs of crumbling under the attack.
Noticing the critical situation unfolding at the frontlines, Zhao Meier immediately set down the massive hammer from her shoulder and looked up at Cui Dexi beside her. At the same time, Cui Dexi also lowered his gaze to meet hers.
Neither of them spoke, but Zhao Meier had already read his intention in his eyes.
The very next second, she grabbed her massive hammer and charged straight toward the position of the first defensive line.
“Die already, you monsters!”
“Watch out!”
Just as a Bureau member on the frontlines was desperately fending off one of the attacking two-star peak abyssal beasts, another beast of the same rank suddenly appeared behind him, opening its massive jaws to tear him to shreds.
But just as the Bureau member shut his eyes, bracing for death, two heavy pounding sounds rang out—thump, thump. Realizing he was still alive, he opened his eyes again.
To his astonishment, the two two-star peak abyssal beasts that had cornered him moments ago were now reduced to two piles of foul-smelling, bloody mush.
“What just happened?”
Still completely baffled, the Bureau member was suddenly pulled back to attention by a wave of cheers erupting around him.
Noticing that everyone was staring in the same direction, he followed their gaze.
And there stood Zhao Meier beside the splattered remains of the two-star peak abyssal beasts, shaking her massive hammer repeatedly to fling off the blood and gore sticking to it. The sight immediately seared itself into the member’s eyes.
It took him less than three seconds to piece together what had happened. Realizing the truth, he joined in the cheering without hesitation.
“Truly remarkable,” Cui Dexi murmured, a faint smile spreading across his face as he watched Zhao Meier at the first defensive line, surrounded by Bureau members and soldiers cheering for her. But then his thoughts drifted to the dilemma their official forces were currently facing, and a hint of melancholy crept into his heart. “If only we had more official personnel as powerful as Miss Zhao. Unfortunately, we still haven’t found a good way to purify those beast crystals.”
…
With a single sword strike, Yan Qi cleaved through a one-star abyssal beast in front of her. After confirming there were no other threats nearby, she lowered her sword and pulled out her phone to check the time.
“An hour and a half already. Another hour and a half, and this three-star abyssal rift that opened up will close on its own. I wonder how much reputation I’ll earn once this crisis is over. I hope it’s enough to pull that beautiful, big-hearted fox-eared big sister out of the gacha pool. Then I can… hehehe~”
Just as Yan Qi was lost in her daydream about enjoying some “brain pillow” moments, her team leader Shen An’an’s voice suddenly rang out from a distance.
“Xiao Qi! Are you done with the abyssal beasts on your side?”
Snapping back to reality at the sound of Shen An’an’s voice, Yan Qi turned and shouted back, “An’an, I’ve cleared all the abyssal beasts over here!”
“Good. Then get back to the defensive line! More abyssal beasts are coming!”
“Got it!”
…
Just as Yan Qi, after being reminded by Shen An’an, returned to the defensive line near the air-raid shelter, Dao Yan—who was tasked with dealing with the three-star abyssal beasts emerging from the rift—was hovering high above, staring down at the fissure below.
“How strange. It’s been over an hour, and no three-star abyssal beast has crawled out of that rift yet. Could it be that they sense how powerful this body of mine is and are too scared to show up? Hah, what am I even thinking? These brainless monsters wouldn’t back down just because I’m stronger than them. Most likely, the boss is about to make an appearance.”
Just as Dao Yan’s mind started wandering wildly due to the prolonged absence of a second wave of three-star abyssal beasts, the rift beneath her suddenly began to quiver violently.
