Under the night sky, the slaughter continued.
Fu Li picked up the AK-47 from the ground. After a simple adjustment, he looked at Mei, who was already scared silly, and made a shushing gesture.
"Don't talk, shh!"
The terrified Mei subconsciously nodded, covering her mouth with both hands, her beautiful eyes filled with horror.
This was the first time she had seen the usually gentle and refined young man in action.
Swift, decisive, and understanding the principle of hit-and-run—these qualities of a warrior were exactly the same as what her father taught her in the way of the sword.
However, in contrast to little Mei's surprise and fear, the more Fu Li observed the situation outside, the more alarmed he became.
At this moment, the chaotic battle outside was extremely fierce, roughly divided into three factions.
The first faction was the kidnappers led by Cocolia. The second was the prisoners they had locked up. But the third faction was somewhat strange.
In terms of numbers, the third faction was the smallest, with only three people. But they were all wearing form-fitting combat armor, which, from the design, belonged to Schicksal.
And although these three were few in number, their strikes were fast, accurate, and ruthless, reaping lives as if a wolf had entered a flock of sheep.
However, judging by their skills, they were only one B-rank Valkyrie and two C-rank Valkyries.
If it were Fu Li in his original body, they wouldn't even be able to break his defense if he stood still and let them hit him. But now, it was he who couldn't break their defenses.
Moreover, for Valkyries to appear here, Fu Li knew without even thinking that their objective must be Raiden Mei.
As someone who had been through a simulation in a Schicksal laboratory once, he naturally knew what awaited a person like Mei if she were to be captured and taken there.
"Mei, listen to me. We have to run now."
There was no time to hesitate. Fu Li grabbed Mei's hand, his expression grave.
If the plot developed as it should, Mei would be rescued here. And an eight-year-old girl, even one who had practiced the way of the sword since childhood, was no match for a Valkyrie.
Therefore, the most likely path was that Cocolia would order the kidnapper who just came in to escape with Mei, and they would end up encountering the Anti-Entropy forces.
So, right now, the Anti-Entropy forces must not be far from here.
"Brother Sounosuke..." Mei gulped and nodded. "I understand. I'll listen to you."
"Good."
Seeing Mei being so obedient, Fu Li also breathed a sigh of relief.
If Mei were as foolish as some female protagonists in movies, then their escape route would surely be fraught with trouble.
[You watched the crowd engaged in a chaotic battle. Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, you immediately pulled Mei out of the wooden cabin and ducked into the small forest.]
[In the forest, you led Mei, weaving through the trees. But due to prolonged malnutrition, you began to feel your body growing heavy.]
[Fortunately, at this moment, you faintly heard the sound of a tree falling.]
"Mei, did you hear that sound just now?"
"Mmh, I heard it. And faintly, there seems to be the sound of machinery."
The sound of machinery?
Although he wasn't sure, Fu Li still felt that the sound of huge machinery and the commotion of destroying the jungle were very likely caused by Anti-Entropy.
Perhaps they, too, had heard news of the Valkyries' arrival, which was why they were making such a big move.
"Mei, put in a little more effort and run towards the sound. It's very likely that your father sent them to pick us up."
"Re... really!"
Hearing these words, a flush appeared on Mei's originally pale face, and her originally stumbling steps also quickened.
With the hope of escaping this place, they were squeezing out every last bit of energy left in their bodies.
However, just then, something crackling with electric sparks shot towards Mei from behind.
Fu Li was alarmed. Without thinking, he immediately tackled Mei to the ground.
"Report, Bailu has found the target. Proceeding with arrest."
"Roger. Bailu, be advised, Anti-Entropy mecha activity detected nearby. Retrieve the host of the Gem of Conquest as soon as possible."
"Understood, over."
Behind them, a D-rank Valkyrie in black combat armor walked out, reporting to her superiors while looking at Mei and Fu Li with a blank expression.
Clearly, the taser-like object from just now was fired by the woman in front of them.
This is Otto's secret unit?
But a D-rank... are they underestimating us because we're two kids?
Looking at the newcomer, Fu Li wiped the spot where he was grazed by the stun-round and shielded Mei behind him.
"Mei, you run first."
"But..."
"No buts. You'll only slow me down here. Go find your father. He will save me."
Fu Li pushed Mei away, raised the AK, and fired a burst at the Valkyrie's head.
But even a D-rank Valkyrie was completely unfazed by such bullets, easily dodging them.
"Heh, little one, give up your pointless resistance."
The Valkyrie cracked her knuckles, a cruel smile appearing on her lips.
As a secret unit, they were best at doing dirty work. Even when facing children, they would strike without hesitation.
Seeing this disparity in strength, Mei gritted her teeth, turned her head, and ran towards the sound of the mechs not far away.
Right now, she couldn't do anything.
All she could do was run faster, and faster still.
As long as she could find her father and ask for help, she could definitely save Brother Sounosuke.
Seeing Mei run away so decisively, the Valkyrie was clearly taken aback.
She obviously knew that if Mei made it to the Anti-Entropy mechs, her mission would be a failure.
Thinking of this, the Valkyrie took a step to pursue, but in the first second, a hail of bullets shot directly at her head.
Although such bullets didn't feel like much when they hit her body, if every single one was aimed at her head, even she had to be careful.
Who told Schicksal armor, apart from the earpiece, to basically never come equipped with a helmet?
"Damn you, little brat! You're asking to die!"
[The Valkyrie decided to kill you first, but with your agility like Pardofelis's, you grazed past her demonic claws several times.]
[Several times, the Valkyrie wanted to bypass you directly and chase after Mei, but whenever this happened, a hail of bullets would be aimed at her head.]
[Being made to look so pathetic by a child, the Valkyrie became thoroughly enraged. Disregarding the danger of being discovered, she used an energy weapon.]
[Your stamina was severely depleted. Coupled with the escape and long-term malnutrition, you were unable to perform more difficult dodging maneuvers.]
[In the end, due to one mistake, your abdomen was hit. You were severely wounded and completely lost the ability to move.]
[You had stalled for enough time for Mei to return to her father's side.]
[And you were choked by the enraged Valkyrie, a gun barrel pressed against your head.]
"Cough cough...! Look at you, Otto's pathetic tool, getting so flustered by an 8-year-old kid."
In the snow, Fu Li looked at the Valkyrie with bloodshot eyes and curled his lips into a mocking smile.
"Be more careful in your next life, Valkyrie!"
Author's note:
ps: I feel that for an 8-year-old kid to fight a D-rank Valkyrie and stall for so long, it should be pretty badass, right?