Perhaps this was fate's cruel jest.
The moment Qin Che stepped out of the car and into Bocheng, a yellow rain began to fall in a light drizzle.
Yet not a single drop touched him.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the rain was being absorbed and broken down by the distorted space surrounding him, forming a natural protective barrier.
"Has it already begun?"
Before he had taken more than a few steps, the drizzle had intensified into a torrential downpour. The yellow rain pounded the concrete, quickly flowing into the sewers through the low-lying areas.
*Wooooo-ooooo-ooooo!*
A piercing alarm blared across the city, freezing Bocheng's shoppers in their tracks. For a moment, they doubted their ears.
"Is that... a blood-red alert?"
"A drill? Or..."
As the crowd voiced their confusion, several manhole covers were blasted into the air by a tremendous force. Simultaneously, car-sized Giant-Eyed Stinking Rats erupted from the sewers.
Their crimson eyes glared hungrily at the surrounding humans, as if they couldn't wait to devour them whole for a satisfying meal.
"Demon Beasts! It's Demon Beasts!"
"The Demon Beasts have appeared! The blood-red alert was real!"
"Run for your lives!"
"Don't block the way! If you don't want to die, run!"
"Mommy! I want my mommy!"
"..."
In an instant, Bocheng seemed to have its order crushed by an invisible giant hand, plunging into utter chaos.
Curses, screams, and desperate cries for help surged like a tidal wave, intertwining into a dense, relentless cacophony that drilled into Qin Che's ears without pause.
The overwhelming noise pressed down on the air like a physical weight, each note radiating unspeakable panic and confusion, allowing him to clearly feel the city's pulse collapsing in an instant.
"Annoying," Qin Che muttered, frowning slightly as he observed the yellow rain around him. A flicker of annoyance unconsciously surfaced in his heart.
"Chaos Domain—Expand!"
With a resonant hum, a gray-white domain instantly erupted from Qin Che's center, expanding outward in all directions.
In mere moments, it had enveloped the entire city of Bocheng!
"Order—Gravity Inversion!"
Sensing the surrounding chaos, Qin Che uttered these words with effortless ease.
In the next instant, the rain that had been drenching Bocheng froze mid-air.
Then, slowly reversing direction, it began to rise, soaring straight toward the clouds above.
Accompanying this bizarre spectacle were the One-Eyed Demon Wolf and Giant-Eyed Stinking Rat, leaping from the underground sewers.
Under the stunned gaze of Bocheng's residents, they gradually detached from the ground, ascending steadily into the sky.
"What... what's happening?"
No one, human or Demon Beast, answered the young man's question, for none knew the answer.
But they all knew one thing: they had been saved!
A wave of euphoric relief washed over them, overwhelming their senses.
"Chaos Vortex—Devour."
Just as the survivors were weeping with joy, celebrating their escape from the Demon Beasts' onslaught, the floating Demon Beasts were suddenly swallowed by a colorless, transparent Chaos Vortex!
Not a trace remained, as if they had never existed in Bocheng at all.
Eerie and mysterious.
In the distance, Zhan Kong, hovering outside Bocheng, stared in disbelief at the scene, utterly speechless with shock.
"Bocheng... who intervened?"
"And that power... it's the Chaos System!"
Zhan Kong, originally named Zu Xingyi, was the second young master of the international Zu Clan. His knowledge and experience far surpassed that of ordinary people, allowing him to quickly recognize the mysterious Chaos Power.
*Could it be that someone powerful was sent here long ago to assist?*
Zhan Kong's mind was in turmoil. What had seemed like the worst possible outcome was now veering in an unexpected direction.
Fortunately, the situation was resolving favorably; otherwise, he would have been held responsible.
However, as Zhan Kong watched the Demon Beasts floating into the air, a new dilemma arose:
*Should I enter Bocheng?*
Judging by the current situation, the mysterious Chaos System expert could handle everything alone.
But if he didn't do something, he'd feel like he was just freeloading.
***
*Thump, thump, thump...*
Meanwhile, Qin Che strode through the clamoring crowd, his footsteps deliberate as he headed toward the Silver Trade Building, the Winged Azure Wolf's current location.
This was the second-highest priority on his mission.
As for Wu Ku, that rat wouldn't escape.
As fellow Victims, Qin Che would find him soon enough.
Since Wu Ku had delivered so much "nourishment" to him, Qin Che would repay him with an even greater offering.
Silver Trade Building.
The Winged Azure Wolf, a minor commander, watched its subordinates float skyward due to the inverted gravity, its mind churning with confusion.
With its limited intelligence, it struggled to comprehend the Chaos System's divine power.
Yet a primal sense of danger, deep within its soul, screamed that something catastrophic was about to happen!
It had to flee the city!
Or die!
However, the frenzy and hatred unleashed by the Frenzy Spring had already consumed its rationality.
Its bloodshot eyes were proof enough.
These humans had slaughtered its wolf cubs. They would pay in blood!
*Awoooooooo!*
The Winged Azure Wolf roared furiously at the sky, black cyclones erupting from its massive maw in a futile attempt to blast its disobedient subordinates from the air.
But Qin Che's Chaos Vortex moved with far greater speed.
Before the Winged Azure Wolf's Demonic Art could strike, the One-Eyed Demon Wolves and Bone-Spike Ferocious Wolves were already devoured by the Chaos Vortex, becoming Qin Che's "nourishment."
In an instant, the Winged Azure Wolf's gaze locked onto Qin Che, who was slowly emerging into view.
*This human is thwarting my plans!*
*He must die!*
The Winged Azure Wolf roared again, its fleshy wings flapping furiously as it charged toward Qin Che, aiming to kill the "weak" human with a single strike.
Yet Qin Che merely glanced up briefly before lowering his gaze again.
*Too weak.*
"Chaos Blade—Pierce."
*Buzz~~*
A faint tremor rippled through the air as hundreds of gray-white blades materialized across the sky. The terrifying destructive power contained within them instantly froze the Winged Azure Wolf in place, even dimming the crimson glow in its eyes.
A primal sense of danger screamed in its mind: *Do not take this blow! You will die!*
Instinctively, it bolted.
But unbeknownst to the Winged Azure Wolf, a pale gray Chaos Mark had appeared on its back. This was an Order Mark, allowing the Chaos Blades to track their target with unerring precision. No matter where the wolf fled, the blades would find and strike it effortlessly—a literal "headlock cheat" in game terms.
*Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!*
The piercing, razor-sharp sound tore through the air, as if the very fabric of space were being ripped apart. Hundreds of Chaos Blades, glowing with an eerie light, rained down like a torrential storm, instantly and accurately piercing the Winged Azure Wolf's body.
The wolf staggered, lowering its head. Crimson droplets of blood dripped from the blade tips as it stared in disbelief at the bone-deep wounds riddling its flesh.
Then, it snapped its gaze toward Qin Che in the distance, its massive beast eyes filled with panic and confusion.
A wave of intense bewilderment surged through its mind: *I'm running as fast as I can, yet the distance between me and that tiny human is shrinking, not growing!*