Chapter 14: Embers and Dark Undercurrents

The trampling giant rhino's massive corpse rose like a suddenly formed flesh mountain, blocking part of the B-7 Zone's advance routes and causing the monster tide's assault to stall. The air was saturated with an overwhelming, unbreakable blend of blood, gunpowder smoke, and a weariness that seemed to come from deep within the soul.

The disappearance of "Shadow" and his earth‑shattering instant kill were like a block of ice dropped into boiling water, briefly freezing the battlefield and leaving endless dread and suspicion. Yet the monsters did not retreat; they continued to instinctively batter the crumbling defense line.

Chen Mo suppressed the raging turmoil in his heart; now was not the time to investigate "Shadow." He helped the seriously injured Han Qing to his feet, while Liu Qian's healing white light barely stabilized his injuries.

"Can you still hold on?" Chen Mo's voice was hoarse.

Han Qing coughed up a mouthful of bloodied spit, twisted a grim smile and said, "Can't die… damn, that guy… who the hell is he?"

No one could answer.

"Reinforce the line! Seal the breach!" Chen Mo stopped overthinking and barked the order. He grabbed a blast shield soaked in foul blood, placed it where Han Qing had stood, and each swing of his tactical axe produced a heavy whooshing sound, cutting back the monsters trying to surge through the breach.

Su Yu, supported by Liu Qian, fell back to a safer rear position. Her complexion was pallid, her eyes hollow, and her body still trembled slightly. The earlier sensation of her consciousness being stripped away and flooded by countless raging thoughts left her with lingering dread. She watched Chen Mo's blood‑soaked fighting silhouette, then glanced at her own trembling hands, and an indescribable fear and bewilderment seized her.

The battle continued amid blood and exhaustion. Without the unified command of the leader‑level unit, the monsters' assault grew chaotic, yet their numbers remained massive. Every minute, every second, someone fell, and screams rose and fell in waves.

Chen Mo moved like an inexhaustible killing machine, alternating Energy Shot with his tactical axe, and activating Shadow Step at crucial moments, appearing like a phantom beside the most threatening elite monster to deliver a fatal blow. His level surged rapidly, soon reaching LV8, and he subsequently acquired two new skills: Rapid Healing (LV. 1 Passive), which speeds wound recovery, and Frenzy Roar (LV. 1 Active), which briefly boosts the attack of nearby allies.

Yet individual valor seemed insignificant before the tide of monsters. Multiple points along the line were in distress, ammunition was running low, and the awakened fighters were also reaching the end of their strength.

Just as the line teetered on the brink of collapse—

"Reinforcements! Coming from the east!" From the Watchtower, the observer shouted with his last ounce of strength, his voice a cry of ecstatic joy.

To the east of the shelter, a force composed of armored vehicles, modified trucks, and many awakened fighters surged like a sword, cleaving the monster tide's flank and brutally cutting them down! At the lead armored vehicle stood a towering man wielding a massive sword the size of a door panel; each swing cleared an entire area, his power astonishing.

These were other shelters and lone awakened groups that Zhang Zhen had previously contacted! They finally arrived at the last moment!

The fresh troops' arrival instantly turned the tide. Under the pincer from inside and out, the monster tide began to scatter. The remaining monsters, stripped of coordination, fled in all directions.

When the last mutated hound was slashed to death on the barbed wire, a deafening roar of cheers erupted along the line, and the survivors' relief caused many to collapse, sobbing uncontrollably.

【Area Notice: Event C-07 Beginner Zone "Monster Tide" concluded. Successfully defended Shelter "Number Seven". All participants receive basic rewards: 3000 experience points, 500 system points. Contribution ranking rewards will be settled and distributed later.】

The cold system chime sounded in his ears like celestial music.

The Blood Moon's glow seemed to dim a little.

Chen Mo leaned on his tactical axe, breathing heavily, his body covered in wounds, his combat suit soaked through with blood, indistinguishable whether it was monster blood or his own. He stared at the battlefield strewn with corpses like a hellscape, at the survivors clinging together in tears, feeling little joy, only a heavy fatigue.

The war was over, but those who survived still had to face the scarred aftermath.

"Chen Mo!" Zhang Zhen hurried over with several officers, his own body also drenched in blood, yet his gaze remained sharp. He gave Chen Mo a firm pat on the shoulder, his tone openly admiring and relieved, "Well done! Holding the B-7 Zone, your squad earned great merit! Especially you, and Miss Su Yu…"

His gaze shifted to Su Yu, who was being supported by Liu Qian, and a barely perceptible curiosity flickered in his eyes. Su Yu's final act that caused the monsters to panic and drew elite units' fire clearly did not escape his notice.

Su Yu instinctively averted Zhang Zhen's gaze and lowered her head.

"She's over‑exerted and needs rest," Chen Mo stepped forward, calmly positioning himself in front of Su Yu.

Zhang Zhen gave Chen Mo a deep look, nodded, and said, "Understood. I've already ordered supplies of medicine and food; you all should return to rest. After the contribution rewards are settled, they'll be distributed immediately, including the previously promised independent permissions and intelligence."

"Thank you." Chen Mo said nothing more, signaling his squad members to help each other as they left the blood‑stained battlefield.

Back at the temporary base, everyone was nearly exhausted. Liu Qian busied herself with more meticulous bandaging and treatment for the gravely wounded Han Qing and Zhao Lei, while the others slumped on the ground, barely able to move a finger.

Chen Mo handed a bottle of clean water to Su Yu, who was curled up in the corner, still silent.

"Drink some water."

Su Yu lifted her head, her eyes rimmed red, her voice hoarse, "Chen Mo… am I a monster? At that time, I couldn't control myself… I think… I heard their voices…"

Chen Mo sat beside her, silent for a moment, then said slowly, "You're not a monster. It's just a… a power you haven't fully mastered yet. The pendant your mother gave you, and your status as a 'Observer,' both indicate you're different from others."

He looked into her terrified eyes, his tone firm, "Fear won't solve anything. You need to learn to control it, not be controlled by it. Otherwise, next time it might not be as simple as attracting a trampling giant rhino."

Su Yu's body shivered; she clenched her lip, tears silently sliding down, yet her gaze now held a hint of a determined resolve struggling to break through.

At that moment, a commotion arose outside the base.

Chen Mo frowned and stepped out, seeing the staff officer who had previously delivered weapons now leading a squad of soldiers, confronting several awakened fighters dressed differently from the shelter's uniform. Those awakened fighters clustered around a young man in ornate leather armor, his demeanor haughty.

"What's going on?" Chen Mo asked gravely.

The staff officer, upon seeing Chen Mo, hurried forward and whispered, "Team Leader Chen, they're members of the 'Flame' squad, from Shelter Three, one of the leading forces of this reinforcement. Their commander Luo Heng wants to meet you and Miss Su Yu."

The haughty young man—Luo Heng—glanced past the staff officer, scrutinizing Chen Mo unabashedly, a cryptic smile curling his lips, "So you're Chen Mo? I heard your squad held the B-7 Zone? Not bad. And that woman who can disrupt monsters? Bring her out so I can see."

His tone carried a condescending scrutiny that made everyone uncomfortable.

Chen Mo's eyes instantly hardened, "She needs rest; no visitors."

Luo Heng raised an eyebrow, apparently not expecting Chen Mo to refuse so bluntly. He stepped forward, emanating a LV7 energy ripple with a scorching aura, "Kid, don't be cheeky. Nothing the 'Flame' squad covets is out of reach. That woman's ability would be very useful to us."

The few squad members behind him also showed hostile expressions, their energy ripples subtly locking onto Chen Mo.

The atmosphere instantly became tense as swords drawn.

The staff officer's face changed, trying to smooth things over: "Captain Luo, this isn't Compliance…"

"Rules?" Luo Heng scoffed, "In today's world, strength is the rule!"

Just as the conflict was about to erupt, a cold voice suddenly sounded from behind the crowd:

"The rules of Shelter Seven are not for outsiders to dictate."

Everyone turned, seeing Zhang Zhen already standing not far away, with several officers of steady aura and evident strength behind him. Zhang Zhen's gaze was like a cold blade, sweeping over Luo Heng and the others.

"Luo Heng, take your people back to the base assigned to you. The heroes here are not for you to harass at will."

Luo Heng's expression shifted, showing clear respect for Zhang Zhen. He gave Chen Mo a cold stare, then greedily glanced at the base behind Chen Mo, and snorted, "We'll see."

Having said that, he left with his subordinates, muttering.

Zhang Zhen walked to Chen Mo's side, looked toward the direction Luo Heng departed, and whispered, "Be careful; the 'Flame' squad has a bad reputation, Luo Heng is vengeful, and they have high‑level backing from Shelter Three."

Chen Mo nodded, "Thank you, Director."

Zhang Zhen waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the interior of the base again, as if trying to see through the walls to Su Yu inside, and finally said meaningfully, "Rest well. The real trouble may just be beginning."

The tide's embers had not yet cooled, and the undercurrents of human hearts were already flowing. Su Yu's unique ability was like a bright torch in darkness, able to guide the way yet inevitably attracting moths and wolves.

Chen Mo stared at the sky, its blood‑tinged hue fading yet still oppressive, and clenched his fists.

Power—he needed greater power. Not only to fight the monsters, but to protect, in this peril‑filled apocalypse, the people and secrets he wished to safeguard.

He turned and walked back to the base, his mind already decided. It was time to delve deeper into the potential of Death Echo, and… the few remaining vials of Primordial Blood.