E-Coli Virus

First-tier E’mo lack eyes and cannot see, while second-tier E’mo have no ears and cannot hear. Though they can instinctively sense life fluctuations, their reactions are always a step slow, making first and second-tier E’mo relatively easy to deal with.

But third-tier E’mo are different. Not only do they have pupils in their eyes, but they also possess six ears, granting them keen reflexes and lightning-fast movements. Combined with their formidable physical strength, which grants them overwhelming offensive and defensive capabilities, a single swipe of their claws can easily kill a second-tier evolved human!

Bald Leader and Second Brother were closing in on nine second-tier E’mo, completely unaware of the ghostly figure emerging from the sewer behind them.

Squelch!

A flash of crimson light—a razor-sharp claw tore a deep gash across Bald Leader’s back, blood gushing out in a torrent.

"Damn it!"

Bald Leader reacted swiftly, rolling forward in a tactical dodge, leaving a trail of stark red blood on the ground.

"Boss!" Fire Man’s eyes blazed with fury, flames erupting from his pupils as he shot a searing blast straight at the ghostly figure.

But it was useless!

The third-tier E’mo was too fast!

In martial arts, speed reigns supreme!

With a flicker, it dodged the flames and reappeared behind Fire Man in an instant, raising its claw high for a killing strike!

Boom!

Just as Fire Man was about to meet his doom, a streak of lightning accompanied by a howling gale rushed in at breakneck speed!

It was Bald Leader!

Ignoring his own injuries, he pushed his speed to the limit, barely managing to slam into the third-tier E’mo and knock it away before its claw could descend on Fire Man.

"Second Brother, I’ll hold it off—you run!!!"

After shoving the E’mo aside, Bald Leader gritted his teeth against the pain and roared at Fire Man.

He had been infected with the E’nan Virus from the wound—there was no time to return for the antidote. All he could do now was buy time for his sworn brother before the mutation took hold!

But unfortunately, Fire Man was a hotheaded fool.

"Boss, what the kind of bullshit are you spouting?"

"Second Brother, you—!" Bald Leader wanted to argue, but the creeping effects of the E’nan Virus forced him to clench his jaw, veins bulging as speech became impossible.

Fire Man stepped forward, flames flickering around him.

"Brothers in life, brothers in death!"

"We swore an oath before the Martial God’s statue—though we weren’t born on the same day, we’ll die on the same day!"

"And now you want me to run? Run my !"

"Those Divine Arms Squad, acting all high and mighty when they didn’t even clean up properly! Sending us stragglers to mop up their mess—treating us like cannon fodder!"

"!"

Fire Man’s curses grew fiercer as his rage burned hotter, the flames around him swelling into an inferno.

With a sudden motion, a hundred blazing fireballs materialized in the air, raining down in a dense barrage toward the ghostly third-tier E’mo!

Even though he knew it wouldn’t work, abandoning his brother to flee alone was something he could never do.

When he was just eight years old, he’d been left to scavenge in the ruins, starving and skeletal.

Just as he lay on a filthy stuffed toy, waiting to die from hunger, it was Bald Leader—just twelve at the time—who had shoved a steaming white bun into his hands.

Even though Bald Leader was starving too, he’d shared his food with a stranger. Like a warm ray of light, he’d illuminated Fire Man’s bleak existence.

Sure, Bald Leader was a thief—but he never let Fire Man steal. Every time he brought back food, he made sure Fire Man ate first.

"I’m a thief, but my little brother isn’t!"

For ten years, they’d survived the apocalypse together, their lives only improving after they both awakened their evolution talents.

And now, Bald Leader expected him to run?

He’d rather die!

Watching the third-tier E’mo weave through the fireballs and close in rapidly, Fire Man suddenly grinned.

"Boss, actually..."

"I’ve got one last trick I’ve never shown you. Today, I’ll prove I’m not a coward!"

"Flames, grant me your power!"

"Super Badass Flame Explosion!!!"

BOOM!!!

A cataclysmic eruption of fire turned the surrounding hundred meters into a sea of flames!

"Second Brother, you’re still so uncultured..."

Bald Leader chuckled bitterly, his pupils shrinking to near-invisibility as his body trembled unnaturally. The mutation could no longer be suppressed.

Summoning the last of his willpower, he locked eyes with the third-tier E’mo struggling to escape the inferno.

"Trying to run? Let’s see if you can handle me too..."

Whoosh!!!

A gale howled, fanning the flames higher!

CRACK!!!

Thunder roared, repelling the evil!

The third-tier E’mo was forced back into the fire, its hardened scales slowly melting under the blistering heat.

But the gap between second and third-tier was like an insurmountable chasm. Even with their all-out assault, the two high-tier evolved humans only managed to inflict superficial wounds—nothing fatal.

Instead, they had only enraged the E’mo further. Defiant against the flames and lightning, it charged straight at the brothers.

But Bald Leader and Fire Man had long since cast aside fear. They exchanged one last smile, closed their eyes, and awaited death.

Pushing a third-tier E’mo this far was a feat they could be proud of!

Yet after waiting for what felt like an eternity, the expected pain of claws tearing through flesh never came.

Hesitantly, Fire Man opened his eyes—only to see the E’mo floating midair, limbs flailing uselessly, unable to exert any force.

And behind it, a stranger in ancient robes hovered effortlessly, a dazzling multicolored necklace around his neck. The man looked mildly surprised, muttering something under his breath—maybe even cursing them out.

Wait—

Boss!

After a brief mental lag, Fire Man whipped his head around in panic, spotting Bald Leader convulsing on the ground, his body twisting grotesquely as patches of fur sprouted from his once-bald scalp.

"BOSS!!!"

His anguished scream echoed through the ruins, drawing the hovering stranger’s gaze.

The man murmured softly, "Elder, those two young men seem to be in dire straits. Should we help?"

Indeed, this was none other than Ye Ancai, who had taken a shortcut straight to the scene.

A moment later, the beaded necklace responded, "Go take a look."