C12 The Painful Chu Yue

Saving him wasn't out of the question, but escaping was already a challenge for me—how could I possibly have the capacity to save him too?

They fought as they retreated until a small river blocked their path. Yet, when they reached the other side, the Infection Beasts hesitated to follow, merely roaring from across the water.

At that point, Zhang Cheng found himself with only one or two companions left. Ho Lan was panting heavily, and Chu Yue, with his backpack, took a moment to rest on a rock.

During their brief respite, Zhang Cheng caught a glimpse of a vast, blurry shadow in the forest. His vision was keen, but being at the first level of inspiration meant he could only make out a vague shape.

Soon after, a series of thuds echoed, causing the rocks to jolt.

Chu Yue turned to Zhang Cheng, who was staring intently, as if he would pop his eyes out to get a better look at the source of the noise.

Following Zhang Cheng's gaze, Chu Yue spotted a massive figure approaching them. Once the Infection Beasts on the other side of the river had scattered, they could see it was a four-meter-tall huge bear, likely a Devouring Period Infection Beast.

But it was too late to run; the huge bear was merely ten meters away. Their only option was to find a way to kill the bear to make their escape.

Chu Yue was the only one capable of such a feat, and even then, it would be a narrow victory. This bear might not be as formidable as the previous snake, but as a Devouring Period Infection Beast, its power was formidable. Chu Yue didn't even understand how he had managed to kill that snake, so he couldn't gauge the extent of his mutation.

After numerous mutations, Chu Yue's mutation was on the verge of reaching Rank 3, unbeknownst to him.

He also kept his abilities hidden from Zhang Cheng and the others. A hunter with more aces up their sleeve is more likely to capture their quarry.

This was precisely why he had managed to stay alive until now!

Zhang Cheng was skeptical that Chu Yue could take down an Infection Beast in the Devouring Period.

At this point, he had lost all will to live.

He was certain he couldn't outrun the huge bear, let alone defeat it!

However, when he looked at Chu Yue, he noticed that Chu Yue didn't share his sense of despair.

"Just give up. All of us together wouldn't stand a chance against this huge bear!"

"Humph!"

"That's not necessarily true. Who says we can't outsmart it if we can't outfight it?"

He said this with a hint of trepidation in his heart, lacking complete confidence.

"But we can't dismiss our abilities without trying first. That's a surefire way to fail!"

"Humph!"

"Then you go try. I'm not ready to die just yet."

Zhang Cheng spoke nonchalantly.

He shot Zhang Cheng a glance and then paid him no further attention.

The huge bear launched an attack, charging over swiftly. The last remaining member of the Cold Night Team didn't even have time to react before being hoisted up.

With a sickening tear, he was ripped to shreds.

"Crunch, crunch, crunch..."

The bear began to stuff the pieces into its mouth and chewed voraciously.

"Ugh..."

Ho Lan started retching; Zhang Cheng was somewhat better off, having witnessed similar horrors before.

Only Chu Yue just furrowed his brow.

"Now's not the time to transform, and I can't let Zhang Cheng and the others discover Chuxue's secret. Defeating this huge bear is going to be quite the challenge!"

"Could you lend me a hand, Zhang Cheng?"

"Don't even think about using me as bait. I doubt I'd make it out alive."

"Tch."

"You flatter yourself thinking I'd use you as bait!"

Chu Yue looked at Zhang Cheng with a hint of scorn.

"I just need you to get Ho Lan to safety first, so I don't have to waste energy protecting you both."

"This..."

Zhang Cheng paused to think, then agreed.

"Fine!"

"I'm not sure if you can hold off this huge bear, but the intel confirms you're no ordinary guy!"

He quickly grabbed Ho Lan's hand and started running away.

"Huh?"

Ho Lan, who had been oblivious to their exchange, was just coming to her senses.

Zhang Cheng grabbed her hand and they dashed off toward the opposite side of the huge bear.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm helping you escape!"

"I don't know you, and we're not close. Why would you take me with you?"

"Do you think I want to? Chu Yue told me to bring you along; he's holding them off for us."

Zhang Cheng spoke with urgency.

Ho Lan glanced back at Chu Yue, then at the huge bear.

"Fine."

Staying would only make her a liability.

Zhang Cheng and Ho Lan ran until they could no longer see the bear, and only then did they stop.

"What's your relationship with Chu Yue that he'd have me take you with me?"

"There's no relationship!"

But she wasn't sure if she had feelings for Chu Yue.

"No relationship, yet he has me take you with me? Don't joke around."

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine!"

"Either way, I've already escaped. But now I can't report back, which is going to be problematic!"

He chuckled and turned to look at Ho Lan.

Ho Lan cautiously stepped back.

"What are you planning? I'm not afraid of you!"

"Nothing. I'm just thinking of a way to report back."

He chuckled again, causing Ho Lan to retreat a few more steps.

Once Chu Yue was sure they were far enough away, he drew his Half Moon Black Ring Blade.

He pointed it at the huge bear as if challenging it.

The bear responded to Chu Yue's provocation by pounding its chest with its paws.

"Roar, roar, roar!"

It was as if it accepted the challenge!

"Mr. Chu Yue, you can defeat this huge bear, right?"

Chuxue's head peeked out from the backpack, her voice timid.

Chu Yue pinched Chuxue's rosy cheek.

"Don't worry, this huge bear is no match for me. Have you forgotten my abilities? It's hard enough getting close to me, let alone defeating me!"

Despite his confident words, Chu Yue knew that to truly defeat the bear, he would need to break free from the constraints of Rank 2 and reach Rank 3.

Breaking through the shackles was a feat achieved by very few, at least among those Chu Yue knew.

As for those who shattered the constraints of a Rank 9 mutation and became Reprobates, they were individuals perched at the apex of this post-apocalyptic world.

Reaching Rank 9 was a milestone few could claim; surpassing it was an even greater challenge!

Becoming a top-tier Reprobate was nearly unthinkable.

"Thud, thud, thud."

The huge bear closed in on Chu Yue in an instant, its massive paws aiming to crush him. A direct hit could flatten him into a pancake!

Chu Yue couldn't afford to take any chances and hastily retreated, narrowly evading the initial assault. That was a close call!

The bear, now visibly enraged, lunged for another embrace. Chu Yue, equally determined, clutched his Half Moon Black Ring Blade tighter and struck at the bear.

"Puff!"

The blade sank into the bear's flesh.

"Roar!"

Withdrawing the blade and somersaulting away, Chu Yue avoided another deadly hug.

The huge bear's eyes blazed crimson as it glared at Chu Yue, its fighting spirit clearly ignited.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

Several exchanges later, the bear's body bore numerous gashes.

Chu Yue wasn't unscathed either; his body was marked with slashes, oozing blood.

The scent of blood only fueled the bear's frenzy.

"Roar!"

It charged at Chu Yue once more.

Chu Yue was starting to flag, his stamina waning.

This was no ordinary foe; he was facing an Infection Beast in its Devouring Period.

Realizing the disparity in their strength, Chu Yue removed his backpack and set it down, cautious not to harm Chuxue during his transformation. He instructed her to wait to the side.

Then, he allowed his body to undergo its grotesque metamorphosis.

Twenty-four rib-like Bone Swords protruded from his torso, a terrifying sight to behold.

Though familiar with this transformation, the concern for Chu Yue's well-being lingered.

Could his body withstand such an immense strain?

Sensing Chuxue's anxiety, Chu Yue managed a strained smile.

"Don't worry, I can handle a bit of pain."

"Don't underestimate your Mr. Chu Yue!"

"Right!"

He responded, his face etched with concern, his fists still clenched tightly.

Chu Yue knew he had to make quick work of the battle; his mutation wouldn't last long.

The longer the fight dragged on, the more his body would suffer.

"Ah!"

Chu Yue launched an offensive, clashing with the huge bear.

It was a test of endurance now; whoever could withstand the onslaught would emerge victorious.

Chu Yue was at a clear disadvantage; humans simply couldn't match a bear's physical prowess.

As the battle wore on, his injuries multiplied, yet, thankfully, none were fatal.

But continuing like this would lead to death from blood loss eventually.

He had no choice but to press on. The bear's strength was several times that of a human, and it was quicker too.

"Huff, huff, huff..."

Chu Yue's breathing grew labored as his ribs cracked under the strain.

The bear was tough to beat.

"..."

Time passed.

Chu Yue's ribs were nearly all shattered.

His body was a canvas of crimson; the sight was horrifying.

"Mr. Chu Yue!"

Tears welled up in Chuxue's eyes.

"It's okay... don't worry. Your Mr. Chu Yue is the strongest. I'll definitely keep you safe!"

With that, he charged back into the fray.

Chu Yue hadn't anticipated the huge bear's formidable strength. Though it had only recently entered the Devouring Period, its natural advantage made it far more powerful than a typical Infection Beast of the same stage.

Despair crept into Chu Yue's heart.

"Bang!"

He was slammed to the ground.

Blood poured from the bear as well.

Its hide was thick, but it was still a creature of flesh and blood. Plus, Chu Yue's medical background gave him knowledge of vital arteries, allowing him to target and slash with lethal precision, leaving the bear's wounds a mangled mess of flesh and fur.

"Roar, roar."

Despite the Infection Beasts' indifference to pain, being manhandled to such an extent still filled them with intense rage!

After two furious roars, the huge bear hoisted Chu Yue off the ground. Just as it was poised to rip him to shreds, Chuxue grabbed a stone and hurled it at the bear.

"Roar."

Her aim was true, striking the bear directly in the eye.

Enraged, the bear slammed Chu Yue to the ground with great force and turned to advance on Chuxue.