Chapter 56: I See Mutants and Want to Die

Monge walked through the settlement’s streets, a crimson dagger re-blessed by angels fastened at his waist, feeling gloomy.

The mutant residents around him paused and nodded in salute to Monge.

Their bodies bore either thick tumors, festering sores, or parasitic worms writhing beneath their flesh—all without exception had received the Plague Angel’s blessing.

Monge returned each salute in turn.

Watching the residents bear ever more of the blessing, his gloom eased slightly.

Lately, the Four-Armed God Emperor cult’s activities had grown increasingly strange.

On the surface, they fervently recruited followers, but secretly used grotesque monsters to capture residents from the Lower Nest.

No one knew what they intended to do with so many people.

Last time, Monge ventured into the Lower Nest and retrieved the ancient triangular sword from the abandoned Old District Eight.

Back then, the Corpse Guild had spread plague across an entire district, sacrificing the sick; though the ritual was interrupted, the triangular sword had accumulated immense power.

Under the angels’ guidance, Monge, Marquitt, and all the settlement’s mutants received greater blessings.

But Monge knew the sword was merely a key.

A key alone could not bring the true blessing into reality.

They still had to find the “door.”

Yet Monge and Marquitt’s mutants had searched every region under their control—even fought a battle with the green-skinned beastmen lost in the pipes—but still found no trace of the door.

Then the door could only be within the Four-Armed God Emperor cult’s territory.

That was a serious problem.

If they truly clashed with them, Monge knew his chances of victory were slim.

Those bastards weren’t just the surface-level power; deeper shadows in the Lower Nest held even more grotesque, monstrous abominations—the real source of Monge’s dread.

But the angels were growing increasingly desperate.

They constantly reminded Monge and Marquitt:

“It’s coming—the soulless beast that devours all life is nearly here.”

Every time Monge recalled the fragmented visions he’d seen, his blood ran cold:

Sky-obscuring bio-ships, endless waves of insect hordes, terrifying Tyranid titans, towering capillary spires.

“If Lian. If Lu Se—”

Monge paused, realizing it was strange to call the man either Lian or Lu Se.

“If Lian Lu Se were here, it would be better.”

Monge sighed, thinking of the strange man who called himself Lian Lu Se.

He possessed exceptional infiltration skills, formidable strength, and some ability to transport large objects.

If Lian Lu Se could come to the Lower Nest, it would greatly aid Monge and Marquitt’s plans.

Monge had considered going to the Lower Nest to find Lian Lu Se.

But the man likely used a false name, and his face might be fake too—there was no lead to follow.

He’d assumed that, given Lian Lu Se’s heretical nature, he wouldn’t last long in the Lower Nest and would eventually come down to the Base Nest.

Yet so much time had passed, and he still hadn’t appeared.

“Could that guy have been burned alive on a pyre for being too heretical?”

Monge couldn’t help shaking his head.

“Monge, Divine Envoy!”

A mutant with parasitic worms growing from his head hurried toward the settlement’s gate:

“San Yan and the others were coerced by a terrifying outsider and brought to our gate.”

“Our people tried to restrain him, but he punched the plague corpse into dust with one blow.”

“Someone’s causing trouble? One punch turned a plague corpse to dust?”

Monge was startled—the plague corpses bore the Plague Angel’s blessing, their vitality tenacious, yet shattered by a single punch.

This was no mortal power. Four-Armed God Emperor’s mutated monsters?

“He’s waiting outside the gate, refusing to enter—demands to see you and Marquitt.”

“Divine Envoy Monge, you absolutely must not step out—otherwise he might attack—”

“Wait—you say he refuses to enter? He’s just standing outside, waiting for me to come out?”

Monge blinked, a suspicion flashing in his mind.

“Did he say who he is?” Monge asked.

The mutant with worms on his head froze.

“He did say—but the name sounded like a joke.”

“Ha!” Monge’s lips curled into a smile: “Finally.”

Outside the mutant settlement,

the three-eyed mutant trembled beside Zhou Yun.

Other mutants brought chairs, tables, and food for Zhou Yun and Renna.

Zhou Yun didn’t eat—he sat calmly in the chair, waiting for Monge and Marquitt to emerge.

The surrounding mutants stared at Zhou Yun and the wall beside him, trembling.

The wall was smeared with a puddle of rotten meat, pulverized like fireworks exploding against the surface.

It was the plague corpse Zhou Yun had reduced to dust with a single punch.

The three-eyed mutant clenched his teeth, gathered courage, and stepped closer.

Zhou Yun glanced at him, watching him take a deep breath, straighten his back, and say:

“.Father! It’s windy outside—wouldn’t you rather come inside?”

The three-eyed mutant pointed at the settlement’s gate.

Zhou Yun pointed at the puddle of gore on the wall: “You want to become a 2D painting on the wall too?”

The three-eyed mutant’s expression froze; he quickly stepped back: “Father, I withdraw.”

Zhou Yun shook his head, speechless.

Renna’s doe-like, hazy eyes swept over the mutants around her, filled with fear, disgust, and hatred.

She forced down her nausea and edged closer to Zhou Yun, as if seeking safety from him.

“Don’t be afraid—they won’t dare touch you,” Zhou Yun patted her head reassuringly.

“.No, it’s not fear—”

Renna shook her head, whispering:

“I just feel sick seeing mutants—I want them all dead.”

Zhou Yun’s hand halted mid-air.

Renna’s tone was like a child who hated broccoli and wished all broccoli in the world would vanish.

Who had taught her such hatred? How young was she to be this extreme?

Could it be that old bastard Huang Daxiong? You’ve turned such a good child into this—what a brilliant parent you are.

Even if mutants really aren’t good people—

Zhou Yun shook his head.

At that moment, the settlement gate swung open.

A mutant with twisted black horns and a black-red robe stepped out.

The moment he saw Zhou Yun, his eyes lit up.

“Lian Lu Se! You’ve finally come!”

“Couldn’t make it in the Lower Nest?”

Monge laughed twice and strode toward Zhou Yun.

Renna beside Zhou Yun blinked, confused, and asked:

“Lian what?”

“What’s Lu Se?”

“What’s Lian Lu Se?”

How do you add images to the points again?

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(End of Chapter)