Chapter 33: Black Snake

#Time seemed to stand still.

Lin An once remembered.

People used to say that before death, time would pass very slowly, allowing you to slowly recollect your life, like a scroll.

He originally didn't believe it, but now he does.

Like a substantive mental shockwave distorting space, it slowly and firmly slashed toward his head.

He could even feel the pain at his brow, his scalp slowly splitting open.

The zombies around, smelling the bloody scent, waved their arms in slow motion, looking ridiculous.

The sand and dust carried by the mental power fell grain by grain.

The rumbling sound was stretched and distorted, low and hard to distinguish.

Everything was so slow.

But, a black snake like a flash of lightning suddenly appeared in the center of the scroll.

Its speed was so fast that even Lin An at this moment could not react.

It arrived at the thought!

Puff-

The black snake leapt up, blocking between Lin An and the mental shockforce.

A shockwave capable of cleaving tank armor sank into the black snake's body and vanished instantly.

Like a mud ox entering the sea, it made no sound.

The black snake satisfiedly let out a belch, then wagged its tail toward Lin An as if seeking credit.

Time resumed flowing, like a rushing river continuing to roar.

Lin An's heart shook violently, incredulously staring at the black snake before him.

Too fast.

The speed the black snake just burst with absolutely exceeded the speed of sound limit!

If converted to agility, it is at least over 45 points!

Such speed, even a third-rank mutant cannot achieve!

Hiss-

The snake's tongue flicked slightly, the black snake arched its body.

Lin An actually saw a hint of flattery in its cold pupils.

He also didn't know why he could see emotion from a snake's eyes.

Dry mouth and tongue.

Lin An was at a loss.

What the hell is this?!

It appeared out of nowhere and saved his life.

It even showed a fawning attitude toward him.

Before Lin An could even think, the black snake suddenly turned and stood upright.

In an instant it expanded, from a thin small snake into a four-meter-tall giant python.

Its black scales swallowed the light, like a black hole.

On its sharp snake head were two protruding bumps, as if something wanted to grow out.

The red-clothed girl floating in midair stopped moving.

She remained expressionless, her death-white pupils staring straight at the black snake.

Wariness?

From its reaction, Lin An sensed that this suspected third-rank mutant seemed somewhat fearful of the black snake.

Hiss!

The red-clothed girl stood in midair, her powerful mental power radiating out, tearing apart everything around.

Buzz!

She raised her mutant hand, her pale fingertips aiming at the black giant python.

In Lin An's perception, a mental surge far surpassing the previous bombardment erupted, instantly striking the giant python.

Two beings that clearly looked like monsters began to fight without a word.

This left Lin An utterly puzzled.

The mental shock arrived instantly, yet just like before it vanished upon entering the giant python's body.

The black giant python opened its mouth, staying in place with a mocking air.

Boom!

The next second, its massive body leapt into the air at an impossible angle, appearing before the red-clothed mutant.

Its bloody maw opened wide, swallowing in one gulp.

Zha!

Witnessing the huge mouth swallow.

The red-clothed girl let out a shrill shriek, her voice carrying a mental shock that instantly exploded the heads of zombies within a hundred-meter radius.

Lin An let out a muffled groan, two streams of nosebleed flowing down.

His head felt like it would split, were it not for his will attribute far surpassing that of ordinary Awakened Ones.

This shriek alone could scramble his consciousness.

Besides this.

He could feel that the main target of this piercing screech was actually not him and the surrounding zombies.

But a black giant python.

Lin An gave a bitter laugh, never expecting that he didn't even have the qualifications to watch the battle.

Merely the aftermath of the battle took half his life.

His gaze was solemn, yet many of his doubts were dispelled.

This piercing screech was exactly what he heard last night!

Resentful and shrill, it left a deep impression on him.

What happened last night?

Before Lin An could figure it out.

The black snake showed no mercy; this screech, capable of killing thousands, seemed like mere noise.

It hesitated slightly, yet without hindrance continued to devour the Red-Clothed Mutant.

"Hum."

A slight spatial fluctuation.

To avoid being devoured.

After the Red-Clothed Mutant mysteriously disappeared, it appeared not far away, as if teleporting.

Its aura weakened considerably, and the previously scattered mental power retracted back into its body.

It seems this teleport‑like ability consumes a great deal for her.

The Red-Clothed Mutant stayed in place, and the black giant python did not continue its pursuit.

No one knew what they were waiting for.

The two faced off, and it was unclear why the black giant python, clearly holding the advantage, did not launch another attack.

"Hiss."

The snake's forked tongue flicked out.

During the standoff, the black giant python seemed to be communicating with the red mutant.

A few seconds later, Lin An watched the red‑clothed girl hesitate for a moment, then take off the necklace around her neck and throw it toward the black giant python.

On her youthful face, Lin An saw her emotional fluctuation for the first time.

Resentful, reluctant, yet helpless.

As the necklace was thrown, the central obsidian flashed with a mysterious light that drew Lin An's gaze all the way.

It would be great if he could get it.

Lin An's heart burned hot.

According to the equipment description, the Skullcrusher's Hand will be upgraded to Epic Tier Equipment once the missing parts are fused.

As the name suggests, this equipment has boundless power.

In his past life, Lin An had only heard a bit about it when chatting with the strongest few Awakened Ones.

The power of Epic Tier Equipment can move mountains and seas, capable of bringing a qualitative change in a player's strength.

According to Lin An's guess, the entire Doomsday Game might not have many such pieces of equipment.

Wanting it, wanting it.

Lin An could only stay where he was, daring not to move.

The necklace was thrown at the black giant python.

Although the black snake reached out to save him, even showing an inexplicable attempt to please.

But Lin An would certainly not be narcissistic enough to think that the black snake would definitely not attack him.

A black snake capable of ignoring the mental impact of a Third‑Rank Mutant, with speed comparable to 45 attribute points.

Such strength can be called invincible at this stage.

Lin An asked himself that if this giant python were to strike at him, he couldn't even block a single blow.

Just by that speed alone, he couldn't even react.

Although he didn't know the origin of this black snake that had transformed into a black giant python.

But Lin An could faintly feel that this monster was different from the mutant creatures infected by the zombie virus.

After throwing away the necklace, the red‑clothed girl immediately turned and flew off into the air.

Just.

After Lin An looked in the direction she flew and compared carefully, he was astonished to discover that it was also the city center.

He also didn't know what exactly was in the city center.

Lin An recalled the mountain of corpses he saw upon entering the city.

There too there were traces of Third‑Rank Mutants, and the target was also the city center.

Headache, unease.

The course of this apocalypse is completely different from his memory, making him feel a loss of control.

But in a moment's thought, Lin An suppressed his thoughts.

No matter what changes occur, he must face them.

Futile emotions are useless.

A cold wind rose suddenly; the weather after the apocalypse is changeable.

Lin An waited silently in the pit, watching the black snake that had taken up the necklace swallow it in one gulp.

Regret.

Lin An let out a light sigh.

It seems the black snake's target is also the obsidian on the necklace.

I just don't know why it would intervene to save me.

But no matter what, it seems his hope of completing the equipment has been completely dashed.

Two monsters, he can't oppose either of them.

Giving up the thought of obtaining the obsidian, Lin An felt around his right hand's 【Skullcrusher's Hand】.

What a pity; if he completed this equipment, he would be fully confident in killing the 【Suturer】.

However, the ending is not too bad; at least he managed to survive after encountering a suspected third-rank mutant.

This is already extremely fortunate.

Don't even think about it.

The wounds on his body are gradually healing; with his exceptional physique, his flesh recovery speed is about seven times that of an ordinary person.

Although he cannot regenerate severed limbs, he can quickly heal wounds and repair internal organs.

Like awaiting a verdict.

Up to now, Lin An still doesn't know why the black snake suddenly appeared and then suddenly reached out to save him.

"Pa."

Just as Lin An was speculating uneasily, the black giant python turned back into a slender black snake.

It happily swam to Lin An's feet, then opened its mouth.

The necklace covered in slime was spat out by it as if offering a treasure.

Breathing heavily, Lin An stared fixedly at the black snake and the necklace.

This is!?

In his mind, a young child's voice rang out.

"Fuse... equipment!"