C32 Masked Woman

"The Devil Cave Monster is strong, but its speed is a mystery," Zhang Ze mused as he kept his gaze fixed on the creature. He strategized internally, "I need to leverage my speed to win."

With that thought, Zhang Ze darted to the side, successfully drawing the monster's attention and pursuit. Spotting a lamppost ahead, he charged toward it. The monster, hot on his heels, reached out to snatch at his back.

Lu Kai, observing the fight, was filled with concern. A successful strike from the monster could mean a shredded back for Zhang Ze.

But then, Zhang Ze picked up the pace. His feet tapped rapidly against the pole, and with the help of speed and inertia, he began to walk up the lamppost!

The Devil Cave Monster, missing its target, barreled past and ended up at the base of the pole.

"Now's my chance!" Zhang Ze, now high above the ground, executed a backward somersault off the pole. Like a predatory eagle, he plummeted down, aiming a crushing punch at the monster's head.

The beast couldn't evade in time and took the full force of Zhang Ze's blow. He could feel the creature's skull cave under his fist. Its eyeballs popped out, and dark green blood gushed forth.

The monster turned, fixing Zhang Ze with its remaining eye in a deathly glare. It reached out, attempting a final strike, but its strength was fading. Its legs buckled, and it collapsed.

Zhang Ze exhaled deeply, his back slick with sweat. The punch had been a gamble; had the monster anticipated his move and countered, he would have been defenseless in mid-air.

Returning to Lu Kai, he received his friend's enthusiastic praise: "You defeated the Devil Cave Monster—amazing!"

Yet Zhang Ze's expression was anything but relieved. His right hand trembled subtly, his joints ached fiercely, and even making a fist was a struggle.

"The flesh of these Devil Cave Monsters is incredibly tough. Even though I managed to break its bones, my fist took a beating," Zhang Ze lamented as he eyed the remaining three creatures, his heart growing heavier with each passing moment. The challenge of slaying just one was daunting enough; facing three more seemed insurmountable.

To his astonishment, the trio of Devil Cave Monsters, upon witnessing their ally's demise at Zhang Ze's hands, showed no sign of rage. Instead, they began to dance in place, almost as if they were celebrating the death of their peer.

Suddenly, one of the monsters leaped towards Zhang Ze, its gaping maw dripping with viscous saliva, as if it found him particularly appetizing.

"Today, it's do or die!" Zhang Ze clenched his jaw, assuming a battle-ready stance once more. Unsure if he could triumph over another Devil Cave Monster, he was nonetheless resolute in his determination to cling to life.

"I must survive!" he affirmed, his eyes ablaze with unwavering resolve.

With a fierce determination to fight to the end, Zhang Ze braced himself for the confrontation. But then, out of nowhere, a dark figure caught his eye.

A woman clad in a sleek black suit appeared before him.

Her raven hair danced in the breeze, her face obscured by a black cloth save for her striking eyes.

The woman's figure was exceptional, her long, shapely legs particularly eye-catching. Yet, Zhang Ze had no time for admiration; he was simply astounded to find another human being in the Fallen District.

Her speed was breathtaking, closing the distance to the Devil Cave Monster in a mere blink.

The creature sensed her approach and let out a shriek, swinging a fist in retaliation, only to hit nothing but air.

With a swift sidestep to the right, the woman spun and delivered a powerful kick straight to the monster's face, sending it hurtling through the air.

Zhang Ze's eyes widened in shock. The force behind the woman's kick was colossal, easily over two thousand pounds!

"This woman is incredible!" he marveled silently.

After dispatching the Devil Cave Monster, the woman stood tall and imposing before Zhang Ze and Lu Kai, her cold gaze sweeping over them, yet she remained silent.

From a distance, an off-road vehicle roared towards them. The woman's voice cut through the tension, "Grab your friend and get in the car, now!"

Zhang Ze nodded, turned, and helped Lu Kai to his feet.

Just then, a car pulled up beside them. A young man with sunglasses leaned out from the window and yelled, "Get in, quick! Another swarm of Devil Cave Monsters is headed this way!"

The woman took the passenger seat while Zhang Ze and Lu Kai climbed into the car. The man with sunglasses floored the accelerator, and the SUV belched black smoke as it sped toward Tianfeng City.

The warning from the man in sunglasses proved true. They hadn't gone far when a cacophony erupted behind them!

Zhang Ze looked back to see at least thirty Devil Cave Monsters in hot pursuit!

Seeing this through the rearview mirror, Sunglasses Man said to the woman beside him, "Boss, we can't draw this horde to the city walls. If those monsters breach Tianfeng City, we're in deep trouble."

The woman paused, then turned to Zhang Ze, "Under the back seat, there's a duffel bag. Open it and toss all the flash grenades behind us to fend off those creatures!"

Without hesitation, Zhang Ze acted. Sure enough, he found a worn duffel bag under the seat. Inside were grenades, flash bombs, and an assortment of explosives!

Zhang Ze couldn't help but wonder, "Who is this woman? And how does she have access to such an arsenal?"

He quickly retrieved the flash bombs, pulled the pins, and hurled them out one after another. The intense white light flashed repeatedly, sending the Devil Cave Monsters into disarray.

The tactic was effective; the monsters stopped their chase.

"We've finally shaken them off!" Sunglasses Man said, visibly relieved. Looking at Zhang Ze and Lu Kai in the rearview mirror, he asked, "What on earth did you two do to attract such a crowd of Devil Cave Monsters?"

Before Zhang Ze could answer, Lu Kai interjected, "We did nothing out of the ordinary. We were just trying to visit our ancestral graves back home. We never anticipated encountering Devil Cave Monsters. Thank you for rescuing us."

The woman's gaze lingered on Zhang Ze's reflection in the rearview mirror. After a moment, she inquired, "What's your name?"