Chapter 174: Bait

Time stretches infinitely at this moment.

Jiang Yuan can see Mo Shu's finger gently pulling the trigger, can see her eyes reflecting his terrified face, and even seems to smell the disgusting stench of rot and fishiness emanating from the surrounding Spider Humanoids.

—All annihilated.

Those two words suddenly appear, then slam heavily onto Jiang Yuan's heart.

—If he does nothing, everyone will die here.

No!

A surge of fierce unwillingness and fear rockets from his chest straight to the Heavenly Spirit Cover!

"It's not time to give up yet!"

With a roar, Jiang Yuan becomes like ignited dynamite, instantly bursting into astonishing speed.

He grabs Mo Shu's gun‑holding hand and twists her wrist forcefully.

Clang!

The silver pistol flies out of his hand, striking the ground with a crisp sound.

Mo Shu freezes, looking up at Jiang Yuan.

The young man before her, whose eyes are usually restrained and clear, now blaze with unprecedented fire, terrifyingly resolute.

"Captain!"

Jiang Yuan doesn't look at Mo Shu; instead he shouts toward Wang Zhangzhi, who is nearby, frantically spraying his custom rifle, his face as stern as iron.

"I'll be the bait!"

"I'll lure them away! You find a chance to break through!"

The plan is crazy, simple, and direct.

Using one person's life to exchange for a vague breakout window.

"No!"

Wang Zhangzhi doesn't turn his head; his voice comes out of his teeth, carrying undeniable iron‑blood.

"I will never abandon any team member!"

That is his iron rule, a belief etched into his bones.

"Captain! This isn't abandonment, it's the only choice!"

Jiang Yuan's voice becomes hoarse with emotion; he pulls Mo Shu behind him and roars at Wang Zhangzhi's back.

"Sister Mo Shu is already sprained, can't continue high‑intensity combat; if we delay further, we'll all become their food!"

"The 'Purification' plan needs data! The data you carry is ten thousand times more important than my life!"

Wang Zhangzhi grits his teeth.

Data......

Indeed, they risk death to break out, not for mere survival, but to bring back the most critical combat data from the Chicago Nest.

That is the key to activating the 'Purification' plan, the hope to save more cities.

But—

If this means he abandons his teammates......

That always decisive, iron‑blooded man unusually falls into inner conflict.

Without waiting for Wang Zhangzhi's reply.

Jiang Yuan has already decided.

He dashes away, breaking from the main force, then pulls a flare from his Tactical Vest and, without looking, pulls the trigger toward the black sky.

Whoosh—!!

A blinding red pillar shoots upward, emitting an ear‑splitting screech, exploding in the dead silence of the ruins like the brightest lighthouse in the night.

Immediately, Jiang Yuan draws a custom pistol, swaps in a fresh magazine, and pulls the trigger at the nearest Spider Tide.

Rat‑rat‑rat‑rat‑rat!

He stops aiming precisely, instead sprays wildly, using every means to create noise and light, provoking the horde of hellish monsters.

"Come on! Grandsons!"

"Look here!"

The reckless act succeeds.

The Spider Humanoids that had encircled everyone like a steel barrel show a brief stir.

That shrill screech and frantic blaze are the ultimate provocation to them.

Over fifty percent of the monsters abandon the easy prey before them, their scarlet eyes locking onto that lone, mad figure.

They turn, like a breached black torrent, sweeping toward Jiang Yuan alone!

The previously airtight encirclement instantly develops a weak spot large enough for the main force to break through.

Wang Zhangzhi watches that resolute silhouette, watches him willingly face the wave of death; his weather‑worn tiger eyes finally cannot help but redden.

As a commander, at this moment, he must make the most rational, yet most cruel, choice.

A hot tear slides under his protective suit, across the scar on his cheek.

He raises his hand, using all his strength, issuing his most painful command.

"...... All units!"

"Advance!!"

The special forces lift the still‑dazed Mo Shu, follow Wang Zhangzhi, and charge full‑force toward the life‑earned gap.

"No! Jiang Yuan!"

Mo Shu finally reacts, wildly struggling, trying to go back.

The soldiers who could brace her had arms like iron tongs.

She could only desperately turn her head, desperately reach out, and futilely grasp at the air.

In his line of sight, Jiang Yuan's figure was as tiny as sand before the monsters' raging tide.

He was still firing, still retreating, still buying them even a single extra second.

Then.

The black tide swallowed him.

"Jiang Yuan—!!"

A heart‑rending scream tore through Chicago's night sky, bearing endless despair and grief, echoing for a long time.

The monsters' roars, the firearms' bellow, the sound of metal being torn, comrades' cries......

All the sounds were fading away.

Jiang Yuan watched Wang Zhangzhi and Mo Shu successfully break out of the encirclement, their figures disappearing around the corner of the ruins.

On his still somewhat youthful face, a look of satisfaction appeared.

It was worth it.

He turned back.

Ahead lay a sky‑blocking, endless tide of monsters.

Their snarling mouths dripped saliva, and their blood‑red eyes held pure greed and murderous intent.

Any human, faced with such a sight, would be completely devoured by fear.

Jiang Yuan, however, simply exhaled calmly.

He slowly reached his hand toward the Card Bag at his waist.

He had practiced this motion countless times; it was steady and rhythmic.

A Dark Playing Card whose edges flickered with a cold metallic sheen was pinched out by his two fingers.

On the card's face was a black heart, beneath which a cold letter A was printed.

Ace of Spades.

"Come on, scum."

He said softly, the corner of his mouth curving into a crazy yet tragic smile.

"Let's see who goes to hell first!"