Ch 74: Metal Domain

It was a smooth, cold world. The ground was exceptionally hard; because it was made of metal, walking on it produced a dull “thud-thud” sound.

Metal crystals stood all around. They were the original form of metal in nature, varying in size and color, but all gleaming with a metallic luster, looking like works of art.

“What’s going on…?”

A moment ago, Yin Lie and his group were examining the hotel’s perimeter; now they were inside, but there was no sign of the hotel in the area.

“It’s a Domain.”

Xiao Xu’s face was grim. Being able to simultaneously pull four Special Grade Ability Users into a Domain, and currently being unable to see the Domain’s boundaries, all indicated that the Domain’s Master was incredibly powerful.

“Zombies can use Domains?! Or does he actually have accomplices!”

Yin Lie couldn’t believe Xiao Xu’s judgment. He thought the Domain before them was more likely the work of a human traitor playing tricks.

“Don’t panic. Even a Domain is powerless against absolute strength.”

Ning Chuhe was confident. Facing four Special Grade Ability Users, whether they were human or zombie, she didn’t think they had any chance of winning.

“Let’s move forward. The Domain will have boundaries; the four of us working together should be able to break through quickly.”

Hua Ranqiu had already started moving forward, but suddenly her brow furrowed. It was a warning of a life-threatening danger, and she instinctively placed her hands in front of her chest, ready to unleash her Special Ability at any moment.

“Thud-thud…”

The footsteps of a fifth person echoed through the Metal Domain, steady and leisurely, as if they were just a tourist within the Domain.

From behind the metal crystals, the other four saw a pale young man emerge. Except for his crimson eyes, he looked like an ordinary human.

Hua Ranqiu’s fingertips moved rapidly; the grayish-black musical notes were exceptionally harsh, flying towards Ji Chuan’s body in a flash. A sepulchral howl echoed through the silent Domain.

Without pausing, Ji Chuan continued to walk forward unhurriedly, ignoring Hua Ranqiu’s attack.

Yin Lie’s arm muscles bulged as he made a hammering motion. A burning giant hammer appeared above Ji Chuan’s head. The metal crystals all reflected the blazing light. Although the Domain was vast, everyone felt the temperature rising sharply.

But to Yin Lie’s surprise, the hammer’s flames quickly disappeared, and the hammer itself shrank until it was the size of a nail. Ji Chuan caught it with his hand, lightly tossed it to the ground, and the former giant hammer became a fragment in the Metal Domain.

Several purple vines firmly bound Ji Chuan’s lower legs. The vines were like living creatures, their poisonous thorns constantly tightening, like a giant python trying to strangle its prey.

But before the vines could climb to Ji Chuan’s knees, they turned to ash in an instant blaze of fire.

A large tree suddenly sprouted from the ground of the Metal Domain, as if completing millions of years of growth in an instant. The tree enveloped Ji Chuan, releasing neurotoxins to turn him into the tree’s nourishment.

Seeing the giant tree stop growing and a quiet scene before him, Xiao Xu finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he merged with the giant tree, the deadly poison would cause the target to instantly lose consciousness, making further resistance impossible.

“Captain Xiao succeeded! You’re the best!”

Hua Ranqiu was relieved. After seeing that her Special Ability didn’t affect Ji Chuan at all, the crisis in her heart made her very scared.

“Is it a little early to celebrate?”

A low voice sounded behind Xiao Xu. Before he could turn to check, Xiao Xu felt a sharp pain in his chest and back.

He lowered his head to check the source of the pain, only to see countless thin metal spikes piercing his chest, as if a metal sea urchin had grown in his chest cavity.

This injury also pierced his heart. Even though Ning Chuhe had released her Healing Ability at the fastest speed, it was already too late. Xiao Xu could only accept death; the Healing Ability was useless.

Ning Chuhe quickly condensed sharp stones and bombarded Ji Chuan continuously. The stones hitting Ji Chuan’s body made a “clanging” sound, like striking a metal wall.

A cloud of dust rose around Ji Chuan. The sharp stones were like loose earth clods; the only effect was the dust obscuring the target’s vision.

“Your attack is so crude…”

It was Ji Chuan’s disdainful voice.

To Ning Chuhe’s shock, she saw the stones in the air dissipate completely, even though she hadn’t stopped attacking.

She discovered the reason for the attack’s dissipation.

A severe pain shot through her upper arm. Her brain, to protect her, didn’t immediately transmit the intense pain.

With two dull thuds, Ning Chuhe saw her arms fall to the ground, and blood began to spread on the floor.

Her eyes twitched violently. She had never tried releasing her Special Ability without using her hands. She wanted to scream, but the intense pain made her voice hoarse and trembling.

Snot and saliva flowed from her face, because the current pain exceeded all her past pain experiences.

Just as she was thinking about how to reattach her arms, she felt her perspective changing.

From top to bottom, swaying.

It turned out that her head had been swiftly severed by a metal blade that appeared in the air.

The world went dark.

“Don’t resist. I’ll give you a quick death, otherwise it will be very painful.”

Ji Chuan looked at the two remaining people. Hua Ranqiu was already sitting paralyzed on the ground. Although she was a Special Grade Ability User and the Combat Team Captain of the Esper Base—a position envied by countless people—

she only awakened a Special Grade weakening ability; she was just a high-level support, and most kills relied on her teammates.

Yin Lie’s attacks could be easily neutralized by the zombie before them, and her weakening seemed to have no effect at all.

Hua Ranqiu’s despair grew. She didn’t want to die.

Before the Apocalypse, she was just a clerk at a music store. During the Apocalypse, she awakened a Special Ability, hoping to seek refuge at the Esper Base. Unexpectedly, her ability level was high, and she became the Combat Team Captain.

She had only casually used her ability in each battle, and the enemies were helpless and easily eliminated by her teammates.

Many people praised, envied, and admired her. She discovered that she was incredibly excellent.

But why was it like this now? Shouldn’t every battle end with the enemy struggling in pain after her music, then falling to the ground?

If she had another chance, she wouldn’t go to the Esper Base to be a Captain. What was the use of other people’s praise and admiration?

Even if she were just an ordinary team member, she wouldn’t face such danger today.

She just wanted to survive…

The Shadow Needle pierced her brain. Hua Ranqiu closed her eyes and fell.

Yin Lie’s burly body trembled slightly. Looking into Ji Chuan’s eyes, he knew he had no chance of survival.

“Monster, die!…”

But before he could finish shouting, the light of life faded from his eyes.