At dusk, the distant sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, emitting its final rays of golden light—the most exquisite hue. The earth basked in its benevolence without offering any reciprocity. People, traffic, the world—all continued their steady rhythm. No one paused to admire its splendor...
Pushing open the rooftop door, a cool breeze swept over the body, evoking a sensation of weightlessness, as if one could take flight. Stepping onto the golden floor, gazing at the empty terrace, a profound serenity enveloped the scene.
"The wind is quite strong; shall I fetch you a coat?" The angel remained as considerate as ever.
"No need; I shall depart soon..." Zhang Jie replied with a gentle smile, shaking her head.
"Oh." The angel fell silent.
The terrace was vast, likely exceeding five hundred square meters. The surrounding barriers were not made of concrete edges but rather tall wire meshes, allowing sunlight to flood the area freely. The lingering glow cast scale-like shadows on the ground. Step by step, she approached the wire mesh, peering down at the bustling crowds below.
Closing her eyes, she grasped the mesh with one hand, savoring the warmth of the sun...
"Jie, you're acting strangely today..." the angel whispered softly, as if afraid to be overheard.
"Is that so?" Zhang Jie's heart was like a tranquil lake.
"Normally, you're so joyful, facing everything with a smile every day, but now you've changed completely. I don't know how to express it—your face still smiles, yet it conveys no joy, only sorrow. What's wrong? Can you tell me? Seeing you like this pains me deeply..." The angel's voice rose slightly.
"Angel..." Zhang Jie sighed, calling her name, "I wish I knew what's happened to me."
No response...
"Ever since I arrived here, one question has plagued me. Can you give me an answer?" Zhang Jie turned around, staring directly at the angel, her expression utterly bewildered.
"Am I still myself?" Zhang Jie asked the angel and herself.
"I don't understand what you're saying..." the angel replied honestly, "Of course, you are you."
"No..." Zhang Jie shook her head gently, her movements extraordinarily tender, "Zhang Jie is indeed Zhang Jie, but she is not me."
"Jie! What's wrong? Don't scare me!" In the angel's eyes, the Zhang Jie before her had gone mad.
"Zhang Jie is fine." Zhang Jie still smiled, "It's just me who is troubled..."
"Aren't you Zhang Jie?" the angel questioned.
"Once, I thought I was, but now I realize I'm not." Zhang Jie turned back, the sun in her view had shrunk a bit, "Here, I have a peaceful life, a job I enjoy, the support of many readers. Most importantly, I have your companionship. I should be euphoric, for this is the life of ordinary people."
"Don't talk nonsense; come, I'll take you back. Take some medicine, get some sleep, and tomorrow you'll be better." The angel extended her arms, approaching Zhang Jie.
Suddenly, Zhang Jie raised her right hand, placing a small scalpel against her neck. The angel froze in place like a statue.
"What are you doing?!" The roar echoed across the empty terrace, "Please don't; why must you ponder these inexplicable questions? Isn't a joyful life enough?"
"I'm truly euphoric..." Zhang Jie's face bore a blissful smile, though the angel, facing away, couldn't see it, "Really, I've obtained things that seem possible only in dreams. Yet, since coming here, my heart questions... Is this me? Is the person with these things still me? Why do I feel grateful when I embrace you? Why am I so delighted walking in the sun? Why does an empty hand bring the utmost bliss..."
"Isn't that wonderful? Why dwell on unnecessary questions?" The angel no longer understood Zhang Jie, or perhaps it was 13.
"You wouldn't comprehend..." Zhang Jie said calmly, "A joy that doesn't belong to me is merely a dream, even if attained. When I gripped the knife, I felt an odd sense of belonging, as if my hands were only complete this way. Though I don't know what happened when I was rushed to the hospital in a coma, something must have reminded me..."
"I don't care if you're Zhang Jie or something else!!!!!" The angel's body trembled, tears streaming down, "I only know that being by your side makes me euphoric. Every minute with you fills me with joy. Your every smile, every gesture, captivates me. Is loving you wrong? Why must I endure this torment? You're torturing me!"
Powerlessly collapsing to the ground, she sobbed like a little girl.
"There's no need to cry; I just want to leave a place that doesn't belong to me." Zhang Jie shed tears, "Thank you for being by my side. As you said, with you, I've been so euphoric. I hope in a world without me, you can still find joy..."
The knife left her neck, gliding before her eyes with the movement of her index finger and thumb. The scalpel flipped in her hand...
"No!!!" The angel raised her trembling hands...
Plunging deep into her own heart, blood spurted from her body, those red droplets turning golden in the sunset. They danced beautifully in the air. Her strength seemed drained, knees buckling involuntarily, head wearily resting against the wire mesh.
After a long while, she remained motionless. Blood dripped from the hilt, drop by drop, to the ground, reminding the angel that Zhang Jie was gone, departed from the world forever...
"Is that your choice?" The serpent asked bewilderedly.
"Ah!!!!" The screams of the first squad echoed through the room, the elevator cameras witnessing their demise. Blood splattered every corner of the room—on the floor, walls, ceiling—all drenched in crimson liquid and fallen bodies.
The clenched fist trembled; the old man was speechless. A hundred lives exchanged for the remnants of ten beasts—a most disastrous deal...
"Position troops at every passage entrance to delay as much as possible..." The old man's voice lacked authority, filled with sorrow.
The troops continued their movements; the "deal" persisted.
The raging beasts burst through the doors, their blood gleaming more vividly under the lights, advancing to one side.
As 1 had anticipated, the narrow passages severely limited their numerical advantage, allowing only one to move at a time, forming a train-like procession. Small squads at the passage entrances could effectively intercept them. But beasts were beasts; those behind trampled the remains of their comrades to continue the attack. Once the black machines drew near, they became a nightmare for humans. The bright war blades were the most efficient slaughter tools, often cleaving bodies and weapons in half with a single stroke, blood spraying the walls on either side. Compared to the machines, human bodies were as fragile as eggs.
Human interceptions were not entirely ineffective; the defenders' sacrifices controlled the beasts' spread. In this labyrinthine research institute, as the lowest-level lab, at least for the next hour, screams would not be heard.
"Notify the special forces; the institute has been breached..." Though reluctant, reliance on foreign warriors was necessary to preserve lives.
"I'll handle intercepting the monsters heading here; otherwise, we won't last until they return." The pearl beside him silently exited the control room.
The old man silently expressed gratitude, but glancing at the waving madman beside him, he could only sigh soundlessly.
The three in battle received the institute's signal...
"Abandon the periphery! Return to the institute! Their assault is too swift!!" 1 shook off the nearby beast.
"13!" 24's concern was only for one person.
"Hey! Everyone, did you get the signal on your computers?" 36's mouth twitched. Reminded by him, the other two noticed the information in the corner of their eyes.
"Run!!!!" The three shouted in unison, fleeing frantically.
"Boom!!!" The ground where they had stood moments ago erupted in a sun-like blaze, the explosion instantly obliterating the densely packed group of beasts.
The pursuing tank units halted, cannon barrels still smoking. The Japanese forces' indiscriminate attack began!
Shells fell like meteors around the three, illuminating the dark forest with massive blasts, the thunderous sounds like falling lightning.
One must admire the Japanese determination to kill their own. Each beast, costing 5 million USD, was destroyed by a single salvo—more than the trio could manage. Why bother with the fight if they had this capability? Just weave through the beasts to take them down. But it wasn't that simple; the damned fools deliberately blocked the trio's path, intent on dragging everyone to death together. Who knew what was in their minds? Struggling to evade the beasts' blockade, amidst the gales from the high-explosive shells, the exhausted trio, like dogs, now scurried like rats toward the entrance...
Standing in the deserted passage, the ceiling lights were somewhat glaring. The distant footsteps grew louder, the noise of metal scraping walls inducing irritability. Breathing steadily to calm herself, a smile hung on Pearl's face. The control room monitors clearly watched Pearl and the approaching beast horde.
"Turn off the monitors, please." Pearl knew those inside could hear.
The old man was puzzled...
"It's best to do as she says; she hates having her full fighting form seen. Otherwise, she'll kill to silence witnesses..." The madman smiled in reminder, but the old man knew he wasn't joking.
Quickly shutting down the external surveillance camera.
Once the beasts appeared in view, there was nothing to fear. The reason she disliked being seen was that Pearl fought unbound by clothing. Gracefully, she removed her maid dress, left in a white bra and underwear. Surprisingly, her thighs were strapped with small daggers.
"Come closer!" Staring at the beasts drawing nearer, Pearl clenched her fists, her slender body instantly bulging with defined muscles—not the explosive type of bodybuilders, but compact, angular muscles matching her petite frame.
The foremost beast was within two meters. Swinging its metal arm, the sharp war blade struck at the stationary girl. The beast's computer couldn't distinguish between genders; the superior's order was to kill all living things, so even mice were enemies after the slaughter.
With a sigh, she spun swiftly, her hand brushing her thigh as a silver dagger fell into her grasp. Her cascading hair danced in the air; in that moment, Pearl was indescribably beautiful. Her raised arm, where the dagger had been, now plunged deep into the beast's red gaze. The cumbersome beast collapsed to the ground.
"One..." Pearl clearly uttered the number. Glancing at the shadows approaching from behind, the battle had to continue.
With a roar, she charged toward the shadows.
Perhaps an illusion, the arm lightly on her face seemed to twitch. Surprised, she looked up at the sleeping person, breathing steady, expression unchanged. It must have been her imagination.
"Are you alright, miss?" The uncle asked with concern.
"I'm fine; I just thought he moved a bit." Looking at 13, Zheng Xian's face bore a happy smile.
"Something's wrong!!!" The computer monitor shouted loudly.
"What happened?" The old man asked sternly.
"A beast has fallen into the B2 ventilation duct!" The monitor's voice trembled.
"What's so strange about that?" The madman asked puzzled.
The old man's face turned ashen, "That passage connects directly to the lab!"