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thINKer: I like how our hero (Chen Liu) keeps meeting ability users stronger than he is. That’s more realistic than being born the most powerful man in the universe.
Yuyu: True.
Challenge Goals
Challenge 1 - Reach 15 votes on NU
Reward - 3 bonus chapters
Current progress - 9 (+4) / 15
The Berserker, enraged by its elusive prey, rallied the dazed horde with a roar, flanked by four nine-star zombies—its “blade-wielding bodyguards.” Zhao Tinglong’s calm was shattered at the sight of the towering, sinewy creature at the school gate, with grotesque bulging veins. No Berserker in Liao City, yet one spawns in this backwater? he thought in dismay, stunned by its over-two-meter frame.
Chen Liu also spotted it. It was far beyond his nine-star Awakened strength. Zhao’s our only shot, he decided, glancing at the officer. Zhao fired a rocket instantly. Boom! The explosion demolished the gate’s guard post, but the Berserker and its nine-stars evaded it, vanishing into the horde. They were too fast. “Fall back! Tighten formation against the vehicles!” Zhao ordered, in anticipation of a deadly battle. The teams retreated, Chen Liu and Zhang Chong to their Jeep, where Yu Na perched on the roof, crossbow ready, joined by a soldier. Three more soldiers bolstered their small squad.
Bullets were useless against the Berserker as it charged at the troops. Zhao discarded his rifle. His right arm suddenly had flames and runes dancing about it. It was his Qilin Arm, a C-rank organ ability, rivalling mythical strength at high levels. Crash! His fist met the Berserker’s, cracking the cement beneath him. The Berserker roared, thrilled by a worthy foe, its eyes hungry. The horde backed off, letting the duel unfold, and swarmed the adventurers. Chen Liu faced a nine-star zombie alone, its speed and strength outmatching his. Last time, we barely survived as a team, he thought, recalling the rooftop fight. His nine-star mental energy sustained his combat intuition longer, paired with refined axe skills. I can do this, he thought, encouraging himself. His aura shifted as he tuned out the chaos, hyper-aware of his surroundings.
They traded blows, deadlocked, but screams signalled their side’s struggle. “Yu Na!” he shouted. From the Jeep, she aimed. Her Eagle Eye locking on. Thwip! The bolt flew; the zombie dodged, but Chen Liu was ready. “Mountain Cleaver!” His axe cleaved its skull in one unstoppable strike, an instant kill. Huff! He gasped, temporarily relieved. But the battle was far from over.