Xiaofeng gazed upon the unfolding scene with a mixture of shock and dread. Had there been but a single Grade E beast, he and the elite operatives armed with their superior equipment might have stood a chance in battle. Yet now, confronted by dozens of these formidable creatures, they faced a peril unlike any before.
Was this the beastly horde the Evil Dragon cultists intended to unleash upon the New City? The thought gnawed at Xiaofeng's mind, though now was hardly the moment for contemplation. Taking his place at the vanguard, he relayed through his comms, "I'll cover your retreat—fall back, quickly!"
After a brief hesitation, the commander concurred, issuing the order: "All personnel, withdraw immediately from the forest to the clearing by the lake. Armed helicopters stand by to engage. Our adversaries are no longer mere cultists—they have become a swarm of Grade E beasts!"
Swiftly, Xiaofeng unclasped the flat case strapped to his back. The colossal Grade E ape wielding a hefty tree trunk steadily advanced toward him.
His hands trembling with urgency, Xiaofeng began assembling his 'Dark Angel' rifle—the sole weapon capable of matching these beasts. Yet the beast's relentless approach unsettled his usually fluid motions.
Meanwhile, the special operatives, concerned for Xiaofeng's safety, began an orderly retreat. Their goal was the lake's open clearing, for only there could the helicopters lock onto the beasts; amid the dense forest, targeting systems faltered and failed.
With a fresh magazine slid home and the bolt drawn back, Xiaofeng stood as the immense ape closed to within three meters. Raising the 'Dark Angel,' he readied himself, just as the beast swung its massive club toward Luo Jin.
"Thud!"—the sound was not gunfire, but the impact of the thick trunk striking Xiaofeng's body. The force hurled him sideways as though struck by an airplane, his body propelled violently to the right.
The ape's strength was terrifying—before it, Xiaofeng felt no more than a fragile puppet. Half his body numbed, he lost count of the cracking bones beneath the assault. Yet clutching the 'Dark Angel' with his right hand, he abruptly fired at the lead beast.
"Boom!" The rifle roared.
But Xiaofeng slammed into the tree trunk with a jarring "thud" and crashed to the ground. The massive ape toppled backward, a gaping bullet hole punched through its protruding forehead by the 'Dark Angel's' relentless fire.
Witnessing their leader's fatal shot to the head, the remaining Grade E apes hesitated, then unleashed a mournful roar, pounding their chests as they charged ferociously at Xiaofeng.
His shot had diverted their attention, buying precious moments for the operatives' retreat.
Though his body was half paralyzed and agony surged through unhealed wounds, Xiaofeng leaned against a tree, sweat pouring down his face. Cradling the 'Dark Angel' in one hand, he took aim and squeezed the trigger.
Beast after beast collapsed before him, but the rifle's magazine held only ten rounds. Ten bullets could not fell the entire swarm, yet each shot granted his battered body more precious time to mend.
After firing the last round, steeling himself against the lingering pain, Xiaofeng rose swiftly, glanced at the map on his wristwatch, and sprinted toward the lakeside.
By then, some special operatives had already burst from the forest, scanning warily into the undergrowth.
Three armed helicopters hovered overhead, their rotors slicing through the air.
All operatives emerged unscathed, their eyes fixed expectantly on a single figure—the man whose sacrifice and courage ensured their safe withdrawal.
"Xiaofeng, Xiaofeng, are you all right?" the commander's voice crackled through the headset.
"I'm fine," Xiaofeng replied breathlessly as he raced forward. "Prepare to engage..."
The apes were terrifyingly swift, perfectly adapted to the forest terrain. In mere seconds, they closed in on Xiaofeng, who now neared the forest's edge, the roar of helicopter rotors ringing in his ears. Gritting his teeth, he pressed onward.
The apes gained ground, inching closer with each stride. Just meters from the clearing and salvation, a massive boulder hurtled from behind, striking Xiaofeng's back with a resounding crack. Darkness flickered before his eyes as he was violently flung forward.
His flight spanned more than ten meters, yet thankfully the clearing lay before him, unimpeded by trees. His momentum carried him fast despite the brutal impact.
Every operative watched in horror as Xiaofeng soared from the forest clutching his weapon. They all knew: without his sacrifice and diversion, none of them would have escaped unscathed.
They had come to see Xiaofeng as their brother. Seeing him battered and flung from the forest ignited a furious roar from the squad, their automatic rifles spitting fire into the jungle.
The commander's gaze hardened. "Helicopters, prepare to open fire on confirmed targets..."
Suddenly, a black ape lunged violently from the forest, eyes blazing crimson, roaring ferociously as it sought to overwhelm the operatives.
Yet a laser cannon mounted on one helicopter fired instantly—"Vzzz"—a beam of searing light struck the beast's chest, toppling it to the ground.
But in the very next moment, a dozen Grade E apes erupted from the forest simultaneously. The spectacle was staggering, freezing the operatives in shocked disbelief, momentarily robbed of their will to resist.
Among them, one ape hurled a massive boulder—not at the fleeing men, but directly at the helicopter fiercely raining death upon them.