Summer is marked by the sound of cicadas.
Even though the apocalypse brought perpetual overcast skies, the cicadas didn’t cease their songs. In the deserted nights, they freely released their melodies, letting the sound spread to every corner of the world.
Chu Muge’s attention was entirely on her fire axe. It was her weapon of choice, the key to her survival. Guns were out of the question, they’d reveal her position too easily. She wanted to master the art of assassination. While things might eventually escalate into chaos, silently taking out as many as possible in the early stages would be ideal.
Nightfall came. Ahead, there was firelight, like a beacon. It illuminated her path and guided her steps. All she needed to do was walk silently toward her destination, eliminate her targets quietly, and disappear without a trace.
Gu Yao, on the other hand, was completely focused on a few zombies she was controlling.
They were obedient, standing still under the control of white threads, more disciplined than students listening intently in class. They did whatever Gu Yao commanded, like circling around to flank.
Voices could be heard ahead, a man and a woman, occasionally laughing.
The spot was close to the house. Chu Muge tread carefully. There was no doubt someone like a boss figure resided in the house, perhaps the leader of the raiders. Such figures never patrolled outside. They stayed safe indoors, delegating orders and enjoying the fruits of others’ labor.
That woman Xu Jie from earlier probably wasn't the leader of this place. But what if she wasn't? Who else could command someone with abilities to do their bidding?
Chu Muge already knew the answer: only someone stronger than the powered individual could control them.
Carefully stepping forward, Chu Muge approached the chatting pair. When they were most engrossed in their conversation, she emerged from behind, her axe swinging down on the man’s back, ignoring the woman’s horrified gaze. Without hesitation, she released the axe and sprinted forward, grabbing the woman by the throat before she could scream, choking her until her face turned red as she struggled mid-air.
Gu Yao glanced at the fallen man and summoned her zombie lackeys. They obediently moved forward, one lifting the body’s front and the other its back.
The pair retreated into the shadows. Chu Muge threw the woman onto the ground. Before she could get up, Chu Muge stepped on her chest, applying pressure as the woman opened her mouth to scream. Chu Muge raised a finger to her lips.
“Shh.”
The woman, feeling the pain intensify in her chest, nodded fearfully.
The pressure on her chest eased slightly.
Chu Muge smiled faintly and asked in a soft voice, “How many of you are there?”
“Excluding the four who went out earlier, there are ten left here… including me and…” The woman shifted her gaze nervously toward the nearby corpse, swallowing hard. “So, eight more.”
“Who’s your leader?”
“Wu Liqiang, a bald man. He… he has powers. Don’t act rashly!”
“Oh, powers?” Chu Muge tilted her head, blinking. “What kind?”
“I-I don’t know!” The woman shook her head frantically, speaking rapidly. “I really don’t! I only know he’s strong, even Xu Jie couldn’t beat him…”
Chu Muge didn’t respond.
“I’ve told you everything I know. Please don’t kill me!”
“I won’t kill you.” Chu Muge’s voice was calm, but she didn’t lift her foot.
Faint footsteps approached.
The woman froze, staring at the other figure walking toward her in silence. The person crouched beside her and took her hand.
In the dim light of night, the woman couldn’t make out the newcomer’s face. Before she could react, Gu Yao used her fingernail to prick the woman’s finger, then silently let go and stood up.
What was she doing?
Moments later, the woman found out. A wave of dizziness and nausea struck her out of nowhere. Her body grew feverish, trembling uncontrollably, as her veins bulged under her skin. A guttural scream of pain escaped her lips.
“Hurry! He’s really not here right now.”
The short-haired girl glanced outside, then turned to the bruised young man. “Brother, so… what’s the plan?”
“Listen to me first.” The young man was serious. His split lip still bled, trickling fresh crimson. “When I hit him earlier, I felt it, his body’s as hard as iron. My punch hurt me more than it hurt him.”
“His defense is incredible,” he concluded, pacing the room in search of something. “Based on what those guys boasted, it might be so high that even a powerful slash wouldn’t cut through.”
“I’m even wondering if a bullet would work on him.”
“Diamond skin?” The short-haired girl suddenly thought of something, her eyes lighting up.
The young man stopped, casting her an approving look. “Remember when we used to sneak around watching shows? Doesn’t his power sound just like that?”
The girl’s beautiful face broke into a smile, a stark contrast to his battered one. “I know. The Boys.”
The young man smirked despite his pain, wincing. “Exactly. We will electrocute him.”
The attack came without warning.
Chu Muge had just silently snapped someone’s neck and was about to scan her surroundings when another figure suddenly leaped out from nearby. Wielding a machete, they aimed a vicious strike at Gu Yao, who was behind her.
The attacker had been hiding in the shadows all along. Chu Muge’s pupils contracted in alarm. Without time to think, she acted on instinct, delivering a powerful kick that sent the assailant flying. The impact of their body against a parked car outside set off its alarm system, causing the lights to flash and the siren to wail.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The piercing sound shattered the stillness of the night. Shadows began to move inside the house, and voices rang out. Within moments, several heads appeared in the doorway. Chu Muge blinked, raising her gaze in thought.
Six more.
“There! Over there!”
Someone shouted, staring warily at Chu Muge without making a move.
They were regrouping.
Chu Muge contemplated for a moment before pulling Gu Yao back behind cover. Then, with a casual tone, she called out, “Good evening!”
“Who are you?!”
It was a standoff, neither side daring to close the distance.
Chu Muge cautiously peeked out, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dark. When no long-range weapons came flying her way, she smirked and stepped into full view. “Oh, nothing much. I was just annoyed by you all and decided to wipe you out.”
Straightforward and brutally honest.
One of the men at the front laughed in disbelief but quickly froze when he caught sight of her fully. The girl’s cat-like ears twitched atop her head, seemingly harmless. But paired with her blood-red eyes, she resembled a predator ready to devour its prey.
“She has powers!”
Someone suddenly connected the dots. “Wait, Xu Jie hasn’t come back yet… Don’t tell me…”
The group collectively stepped back.
They had witnessed the strength of powered individuals before and knew they were no match.
“Get the boss!” one of them shouted through gritted teeth.
Chu Muge watched them retreat, then glanced over her shoulder.
Gu Yao had stepped out as well. Quietly, she walked to the nearest corpse and began slicing into it with her nails, as though it were a casual pastime.
She was clearly enjoying herself.