The hornet swarm dispersed, leaving four mangled corpses, including Zhong Shan and the high school girl. Nature’s wrath is merciless, Chen Liu thought, shaken by the hornets’ ferocity where zombies and boars had failed. The Brothers Squad, now just Zhong Yong and one other, barely survived. The girl’s vanity cost her life, Chen Liu reflected, her choice to follow Zhong Shan proving fatal. They cremated the bodies with gasoline, abandoned the broken vehicle, and moved on. Zhong Yong, oddly, chose Fu Guo’an’s car over Chen Liu’s or Gao Xiaomei’s. Something’s off, Chen Liu thought, catching Zhong Yong’s hesitation during Zhong Shan’s death—a flicker of suspicion. Did he see something? Chen Liu kept silent, a knot of unease forming.[^1]
Back in Liao City, the squads parted. Chen Liu and Gao Xiaomei planned to merge their teams at the Mission Center tomorrow, moving into the villa district as a four-star team. “Let’s celebrate tomorrow—promotion and villas,” Chen Liu suggested. Gao agreed, her smile masking any ulterior motives. That night, after dinner, Chen Liu grabbed his backpack. “Going out late, Captain?” Zhang Chong teased, hinting at nightlife. “Something to do,” Chen Liu replied, brushing it off. Yu Na jabbed, “Not everyone’s a sleaze like you.” Zhang Chong, roasted again, fell silent. “Might be late. Don’t wait up,” Chen Liu said, slipping into the night. He’s acting weird, Zhang Chong muttered, but Yu Na ignored him, cultivating with her haul of eight- and seven-star crystals, aiming for eight-star Awakened.[^2]
On Liao City’s dark streets, Chen Liu’s mind churned. Gao Xiaomei trapped Zhong Shan with her force field, he suspected, piecing together Zhong Shan’s fatal pause and Gao’s grudge over his harassment and refusal to aid Nightingale. Ruthless, he thought, questioning the merger. Zhong Yong’s choice of Fu’s car screamed suspicion—he’d likely seen Gao’s act. A high-level Awakened holding a grudge is a nightmare, Chen Liu thought, deciding to strike first. At Emerald Complex, he waited by the gate, banking on Zhong Yong’s need to unwind after the mission’s losses. No cameras, no power—perfect, he thought. Four hours passed; no sign. Maybe he stayed in, Chen Liu sighed, ready to leave. Then, Zhong Yong appeared, drunk, clutching a beer bottle. He knows Gao killed his brother, Chen Liu realized, Zhong Yong’s restraint hiding his vengeance. His mistake was avoiding Chen Liu’s car, betraying his suspicion.[^3]
Chen Liu drew the pistol from his backpack, heart pounding. First human kill, he thought, activating combat instinct. His physique steadied the gun, perception locking onto Zhong Yong. Can’t miss. Bang! The bullet pierced Zhong Yong’s skull, a clean headshot. He collapsed, blood pooling, eyes frozen in shock. Chen Liu, fighting nausea, hid the gun and fled. Blocks away, he vomited, clutching a streetlamp. Human blood’s different, he thought, disgust and guilt surging. Wiping his mouth, he steadied, muttering, “My hands are stained. No fear left.” A manic laugh escaped him, his heart hardening. Under the night sky, Chen Liu’s shadow stretched, then vanished—a colder, quieter man emerging.[^4]