[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete":3,"chapter-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-24":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting from the Apocalypse, I Alone Severed Eternity",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2312406,4518,"Chapter 24: Multiple Forces, Bizarre Behavior","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-24",24,"\u003Cp>Flames surged forward like a river of magma, about to engulf Fang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the Firewing Bird had arrived long ago; from high above, it had watched Fang Shi fighting two of its own kind without losing ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing Fang Shi’s strength, it dimmed its surrounding flames and slowly flapped its wings to hide among the buildings nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was gathering its fire energy, planning to strike Fang Shi with a devastating blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the perception of the Firewing Birds, the aura of Fang Shi’s rule-force far surpassed that of any other survivor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an extraordinarily rare delicacy; as long as the prey could be killed, whether by ambush or not didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, in the apocalypse, neither humans nor monsters considered ambush shameful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything goes if it ensures survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Level 4 Firewing Bird before Fang Shi, as a creature that controlled fire, possessed extremely high resistance to fire damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t dodge the flames from its kin, instead lunging with its beak to flank Fang Shi and cut off his escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Fang Shi dared to dodge the flames, the Level 4 Firewing Bird’s attack would strike him down, ending his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this critical situation, Fang Shi felt not the slightest panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the countless crises he’d endured in his rebirth, this attack was merely a minor nuisance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long before he began hunting Firewing Birds, he had simulated every possible scenario in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the extreme, he had even considered being surrounded by ten Firewing Birds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though battle is ever-changing and impossible to predict exhaustively,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he still had a general framework—and with a rough contingency plan, his reaction to sudden situations would always be just a fraction faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t underestimate that fraction; sometimes, that fraction is the difference between life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi took a deep breath, fully activating the Fang Family Breathing Method, and slashed forward with all his strength at the Level 4 Firewing Bird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, as his first burst of force faded and before new power could form, another force spontaneously arose within him to replace the first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This added thirty percent more power to Fang Shi’s strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the combat skill specialty—【Multiple Force】.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never underestimate this thirty percent; no other survivor could achieve it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human muscle structure is inherently limited; no matter how short the interval, a contraction phase is always required, making immediate secondary force impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t mean Fang Shi couldn’t do it—the reason was simple: Fang Shi had long stopped being human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fang Family Breathing Method, invented only after the apocalypse, was naturally far from simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were simple, why hadn’t so many breathing methods before the apocalypse been as miraculous as those after?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All breathing methods invented after the apocalypse, regardless of strength, altered the very essence of human life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, purely through natural human physiology, no amount of training could surpass 18 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even 18 points was the absolute limit of only a handful of individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The breathing method mirrored the life transcendence process after ascension, allowing humans to slightly alter their essence before reaching a rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the second-force technique, normally usable only after first-rank ascension, could now be used even before entering a rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, ordinary people couldn’t use it easily—they required long, grueling training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Fang Shi, it was merely replicating a technique he’d mastered before his rebirth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the alteration to his life essence was slight and he hadn’t formed a full specialty, he couldn’t perfectly reproduce the double-strike of second-force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But under these circumstances, thirty percent was more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden increase in speed left the Level 4 Firewing Bird unable to dodge; under Fang Shi’s immense kinetic force, the entire bird was split apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep gash tore from its shoulder across its chest, exposing its writhing internal organs as blood sprayed through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi didn’t mind the filth of the carcass—he lunged straight at the Firewing Bird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he crushed its internal organs,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he also avoided the flame attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blunt attack triggered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Target received fatal damage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You dealt 12.5 damage to the target.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Target deceased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Extracting target’s soul energy. You gained 120 experience points and 12 survival points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder it was a Level 4 Firewing Bird—the experience was rich: 100 base points plus a 20% level-overcome bonus, totaling 120.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fang Shi wasn’t focused on that—he was focused on another message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are the first player to kill a Level 4 monster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You received a Black Iron Chest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha! So it was true—Fang Shi felt a surge of joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements didn’t slow for a moment as he charged toward the Firewing Bird spitting flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Firewing Bird, having seen Fang Shi slay two of its kind, was terrified—its concern for rule-force vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It flapped its wings wildly and took to the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wished it could grow another pair of wings to flee back to the other world faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi had no ranged attack, so he could only watch helplessly as the third Firewing Bird escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a streak of fire across the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi felt a pang of regret—letting this lone Firewing Bird go now would make it far harder to kill tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment, then decided to end tonight’s hunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, there weren’t many Firewing Birds nearby; the few remaining ones, sensing the death of their kin, likely wouldn’t dare approach tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they weren’t mindless zombies willing to die for rule-force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, with so many treasures in the other world that enhanced bloodline power, all would have been seized by powerful beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they all rushed in like moths to flame, the Firewing Bird clan would have been wiped out long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, Fang Shi had fought for a long time and had used second-force, leaving his muscles exhausted—he needed rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, if something else happened—like zombies evolving into Iron Corpses or ranked otherworldly creatures invading Blue Star—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his incomplete strength might cost him his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the kitchen, Xiao Xi and Zhai Yan huddled by the gas stove, watching the boiling foam in the pot, their saliva dripping helplessly from their lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days— Zhengzheng  three days—they hadn’t eaten a single cooked meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, they thought it was fine; snacks were delicious. Later, they began to feel unwell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human gut bacteria had, over millennia of evolution, adapted to cooked food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prolonged absence of cooked food made the gut bacteria unhappy, secreting substances that ruined appetite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Fang Shi had provided Firewing Bird meat and forced them to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lazy pair could finally eat cooked food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhai Yan, thanks to you finding that small gas canister—I wouldn’t have known how to light the fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Xi leaned against Zhai Yan, unconcerned that Zhai Yan, drenched in sweat all day, reeked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, under the bridge effect of this period, there was even a touch of sweetness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan chuckled smugly. Since the neighborhood’s natural gas pipeline upgrade, gas canisters should’ve been impossible to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their residential area was old; some owners refused to pay for upgrades, naturally creating a market for gas canisters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This canister was found in a room downstairs—Zhai Yan had spotted it during his earlier supply searches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, it was positioned low; otherwise, it would’ve been smashed to the ground by Fang Shi during the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all thanks to Xiao Xi reminding me—I’d forgotten there was a gas canister downstairs. But Xiao Xi, if we don’t keep cutting the meat, won’t that guy get angry when he comes down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhai Yan, they said you’re stubborn, and they were right. In this situation, having food is what matters—not how well you cut the meat. If that demon comes down and sees an empty pot, he’ll be truly furious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan, a simple man, was now thoroughly obedient under Xiao Xi’s training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough talking—I’m starving. I couldn’t even stomach my biscuits today.” Xiao Xi, seeing the pot was ready, pulled away from Zhai Yan, bowl in hand, ready to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you waiting for him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait for what? We cooked two pots—we eat first. He won’t go hungry when he comes down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speak of the devil—he appeared. Just as they were about to ladle the soup, a figure flashed into the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stench of blood, sweat, and zombie fluids instantly overwhelmed the aroma of cooking meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Xi dared not act up anymore, smiling sheepishly: “Big brother, the meat’s cooked—we were just about to serve it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the firelight, Fang Shi still saw Xiao Xi pinch his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt a rare twinge of embarrassment—he’d fought bloody battles, and yes, he was a mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that his strength had improved, he no longer cared about zombies, and since Firewing Birds recognized people by rule-force, he really should wash up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, foul odor was an anomaly source—it could attract enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right now, eating was most important—he’d been starving since his two back-to-back battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good job. I smelled the aroma from far away. I came down right after killing two Firewing Birds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? Two more? This demon’s strength is terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first one might’ve been luck—but two more? That’s pure power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bah, why think so much? No matter what, we can’t beat him—and now we’ve got two more carcasses to clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Xi sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, you’re so powerful—we saw over a dozen people wiped out by Firewing Birds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Yan didn’t overthink it; he looked at Fang Shi with a hint of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi simply picked up the pot, ignoring the searing heat of the meat inside, and used chopsticks to pull out the pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blew on it slightly, then bit into it with his teeth, chewing noisily before swallowing hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right in front of this building—but the corpses were already eaten up by those Firewing Birds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhai Yan spoke, his face suddenly paled; he stared at the bird meat in the pot and found it suddenly tasteless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are plenty of Firewing Birds—it doesn’t have to be this one. Besides, it’s the end of the world now; why be picky? Just don’t eat the organs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi didn’t care at all, even though Xiao Xi and Zhai Yan were poor cooks with limited ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meat of the Firewing Bird itself was incredibly delicious—equal to the finest pre-apocalypse delicacies—and he ate it with relish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Fang Shi’s words, Zhai Yan and the others felt a bit better. Human adaptability was strong; once they smelled the meat, their discomfort faded quickly, and they began serving themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when the meat entered their stomachs, a faint warmth spread from their bellies through their entire bodies, making every muscle tingle pleasantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like soaking in a hot spring, today’s exhaustion vanished entirely, and every ache and pain disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This miraculous change turned them into gluttons; they devoured the meat greedily, nearly wanting to swallow their tongues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway through eating, Xiao Xi suddenly said: “By the way, it’s strange—Hong Yuankai and the others went mad and tried to run out only after they got a key.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fang Shi’s eyes sharpened, and he said seriously: “What key?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1867,"2026-06-20T12:43:33.559Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a7a419e50a0aaef249af4f071114a56b8402abeec831cb5a800f49e9e04954e5","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-25","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-23",109,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-cover.jpg"]