C3 Mutated Doggy

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Yu was at a loss for how to return to the onset of doomsday. The only dubious image in his mind was from the climactic battle of the Apocalypse—the energy pulse that the Abyss Devil unleashed in its final moments. That horrific force had ripped through the surface of Blue Star beneath him. The whole planet was nearly reduced to a funeral offering for the Abyss Devil.

Chen Yu had been directly struck by the energy pulse. Before succumbing to death, he caught a glimpse of a shard flashing before his eyes. "A shard, could it be...? But it's merely a meteorite fragment. Other than its special significance to me, it possesses no magical qualities!" he mused. "If that shard truly had the power to reverse time and space, I wouldn't need to bow before those cosmic civilization elites."

"Moreover... I don't even have that fragment with me now. If the reversal of time and space was indeed caused by the shard, then it should be in my possession!" He shook his head. "It just doesn't add up!"

Chen Yu's mind felt as burdened as if he were carrying the weight of a bull—a knowledge black hole that utterly surpassed his comprehension. Resolutely, he ceased his fruitless speculation and shifted his focus to the present, to confronting the dire crises at the dawn of doomsday, particularly to finding ways to rapidly enhance his own strength.

Previously, it wasn't until the seventh day of the apocalypse, upon hearing the government's emergency broadcast, that Chen Yu realized the critical role of the crystal nucleus. Now, armed with an influx of information and knowledge, he was confident that he would go further, reach higher standings and accomplishments. He was determined to secure a sliver of hope and freedom for Blue Star amidst the encircling predators, rather than resign himself to capitulating to alien powerhouses.

"The task at hand," he resolved, "is to expedite my evolution and unlock the genetic energy pathways within me. Only by doing so can I channel the cosmic energy into my body and cultivate the primal force."

With his deliberations concluded, Chen Yu noticed his parents were unharmed, though still unconscious. He took up pen and paper to leave a message, along with a list of cautions and important notes.

Reassured, he opened the door and stepped back into the hallway.

"Each building in the complex is secured with a main control door, and we have enough power to last two more days. We don't need to worry about zombies getting in from outside for now."

"For safety's sake, we should eliminate all the zombies inside the building first."

"As far as I can recall, there aren't any other survivors in the building besides myself..."

With that thought, Chen Yu's attention quickly shifted to Uncle Lee's room.

He had just encountered Uncle Lee.

Even with a brief look, Chen Yu was absolutely certain that Uncle Lee wasn't infected, but rather a perfectly ordinary human being.

Yet, his previous memories were clear—Chen Yu was the sole survivor!

And on the seventh day of the apocalypse, he had found Uncle Lee's dismembered body in his house.

So, what exactly happened to Uncle Lee?

The image of Uncle Lee's gnawed remains sparked an ominous thought in Chen Yu's mind.

Instinctively tightening his hold on his shield and knife, he cautiously approached Uncle Lee's door.

"If I'm not mistaken, Uncle Lee's son works out of town and seldom visits, which is why Uncle Lee kept a Maltese for company. That Maltese has probably mutated by now!"

As Chen Yu drew nearer, he was convinced of his theory.

He had seen Uncle Lee's Maltese many times before, as Uncle Lee would walk it around the neighborhood every evening.

Despite its small size, the Maltese was notoriously aggressive, barking incessantly at anyone it encountered.

Chen Yu remembered how the neighborhood residents had repeatedly lodged complaints with the local authorities and police.

Lost in thought, Chen Yu found himself standing right outside Uncle Lee's door.

He listened intently but heard nothing unusual from the other side.

As he was about to knock and alert Uncle Lee, a scream pierced the silence.

It was unmistakably Uncle Lee's voice!

Chen Yu's heart sank. Without a moment's hesitation, he kicked the door forcefully.

The door shook with a loud thud, and Chen Yu stumbled back, his foot tingling from the impact.

Dust billowed from the edges of the doorframe, yet the door remained firmly shut.

Alright, Chen Yu had forgotten he was still just a regular guy; there was no way he could kick down a door with a single blow.

In that fleeting moment, Uncle Lee's screams from inside the room had already begun to fade.

Chen Yu's face contorted with distress. He had intended to rescue Uncle Lee, but now it seemed he was too late for anything but to recover his body.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Chen Yu kicked furiously, unconcerned about the racket drawing other zombies.

He was singularly focused on the mutated dog that might be lurking inside.

The apocalypse had only just begun. Whether it was mutated animals or zombies, none had yet evolved into creatures with razor-sharp teeth or iron-like hides. Ordinary steel weapons could still deal them lethal blows.

But give it another two hours for the mutations to complete, and ordinary folks would stand no chance. They'd be throwing their lives away, especially against mutated animals that couldn't be pierced by anything less than high-powered firearms.

At the dawn of doomsday, it wasn't the common zombies that posed the greatest threat to the living; it was the mutated creatures.

These creatures, having undergone grotesque transformations, were exceptionally bloodthirsty, attacking all living beings without discrimination—zombies and humans alike were mere prey to them.

Chen Yu certainly didn't fancy living next door to a mutated canine.

Thud!

With a mighty heave, Chen Yu brought the security door crashing down. Before he could even survey the room, a dark blur lunged straight for his face.

Reacting on pure instinct, Chen Yu rolled aside and, without standing, thrust his shield forward.

Bang!

A powerful impact sent a shock through his arm, and Chen Yu slid backward.

Peering through the narrow gap between the shield and the wall, he finally got a glimpse of the mutated dog.

Now the size of a golden retriever, the beast's fangs glinted ominously as blood and flesh dripped from its maw. Its eyes, a sinister shade of red, exuded a chilling, savage bloodlust.

Anyone else would have been paralyzed with fear at the sight of such a monstrosity.

As soon as Chen Yu caught sight of the Mutated Dog, a wave of tranquility washed over him. After five years of navigating the Apocalypse, he had faced every conceivable peril. A partially evolved Mutated Dog was hardly enough to unsettle his steadfast heart.

"Kill!" Chen Yu bellowed, charging at the beast before it could leap at him.

The Mutated Dog lunged simultaneously, but in a flash, man and beast collided.

With an icy focus, Chen Yu ducked at the moment of impact, evading the dog's assault. His shield slid into place beneath the creature's jaw, and with a surge of strength, he thrust it upward.

The Mutated Dog's incomplete evolution meant its power hadn't peaked. Confronted with the full force of Chen Yu's blow, it was sent soaring into the air.

"Die!" Chen Yu's eyes locked onto the dog's underbelly as he brought the kitchen knife down in a decisive arc.

The blade sliced through flesh, blood gushing forth to drench his face. Chen Yu attempted to extend the gash, but the knife seized up, wedged against bone.

Without hesitation, he released the shield and sidestepped the collapsing body and gnashing teeth of the Mutated Dog.

His evasive maneuver barely complete, Chen Yu drew his western-style chef's knife. Using the rebound from hitting the wall, he spun and pounced, pinning the fallen Mutated Dog beneath him. One hand pressed the dog's head down while the other drove the chef's knife through its jaw at an expertly calculated angle, piercing the skull.

As the blade found its mark, Chen Yu twisted it forcefully. The Mutated Dog's struggles ceased, its body going limp.

A single, lethal strike.