Chapter 143: Just So-So.jpg

Even if the hunters did not alter the script, the monsters in the virtual battlefield still differed somewhat from those in the original cinematic blueprints. After all, this was a virtual simulation, not reality, and some of these entities did not even have real-world counterparts.

For those with clear logical foundations that existed within the database, their underlying principles could be replicated to a degree of eighty or ninety percent. However, for those with ambiguous logic entirely absent from the database, the system could only simulate their combat power and arbitrarily append attributes.

Take, for instance, the time-reversal monster encountered in the first virtual battlefield. Naturally, the hunters possessed no actual time-reversal technology, so it had to be configured purely like a video game mechanism, while Zhou Shu mainly focused on fighting the minor mobs.

Following that came the Xenomorphs, the Thing, and the Predators. These were relatively straightforward, remaining largely within biological boundaries, and even the mechanics of the Thing posed no significant issues. Consequently, Zhou Shu engaged in "countless battles" with them on solid, realistic terms.

Yet when they reached the battlefield of *Ling Long* (Incarnation), the monsters within grew "real" once more.

As he ran, Zhou Shu observed the creature officially classified by the authorities as a "Type I Genetically Evolved Sustenance-Eater," though the Lighthouse inhabitants referred to it as a "Snake-Dog."

Its shoulder height was roughly over two meters, and its body length spanned more than four meters, making it exceptionally massive.

True to its name, the Snake-Dog possessed a head and long tail akin to a snake, coupled with a canine body. However, its limbs—or rather, its six limbs—resembled human hands, only much larger and far more slender.

Around its neck grew a dozen strip-like appendages resembling hair. Although they looked like locks of hair, they served as its true feeding and communication organs; their tips were not only capable of emitting light, but could also actively twitch under its control.

Its neck area looked somewhat peculiar, with the head pulled tightly inward like a blockhead; in reality, its neck was fully retractable.

When retracted, it was shielded by tough, armored skin, providing formidable defense. When thrust outward suddenly, it could increase the creature's attack range and extend its body length past five meters, though doing so exposed its relatively fragile long neck.

Just like now: spotting a cluster of blue humanoid figures fleeing while a golden humanoid figure approached it, the creature was overcome with excitement.

Compared to the blue figures, the golden figure looked far more appetizing. Thus, it shot its neck forward, attempting to snap up the golden figure in a single bite.

Ordinarily, since the Snake-Dog's neck was extended, Zhou Shu should have targeted the neck. Instead, he bypassed it entirely and delivered a heavy punch straight to the creature's forehead.

It was merely a stray "puppy"—did it really warrant attacking the neck? If he did that, how would he ever handle those colossal mutated Sustenance-Eaters?

Riding the momentum of his sprint, Zhou Shu slammed his fist directly into the Snake-Dog's brow. The creature proved utterly incapable of withstanding such overwhelming force; its head was not only driven back into its neck, but forced entirely down into its torso.

The tremendous impact also sent its entire body flying backward through the air, crashing squarely into the pack of advancing Spine-Worms in its wake and scattering them in all directions.

At this sight, the people who had been fleeing while glancing back over their shoulders were completely dumbfounded. One person even tripped over their own feet and crashed straight into the back of the person ahead, knocking them down.

These were people running at full tilt; the moment a single accident occurred, it triggered a chain reaction.

And so, with a clatter of collisions, a whole group of people sprawled across the ground.

"Ow, my leg!"

"Good lord, was that even human?"

"Don't crush me, get up!"

"Whose backside is planted on my face?!"

Such chaos was typical of the cannon fodder. The elite fighters who had volunteered to cover the rear with resolute determination, however, were a different breed; they managed to maintain their footing. Of course, this might also have had to do with their position at the very back—if anyone was going to trip and crush others, it would be them tumbling into the people ahead.

Even so, despite successfully holding their ground, their agape mouths and expressions of profound shock betrayed their trembling hearts.

Could a human really send a Sustenance-Eater flying with a single punch?

Over on Zhou Shu's side, after sending the Snake-Dog hurtling through the air, it slid along the ground until it struck an obstacle and came to a dead stop, motionless.

It had been killed by a single blow.

Because it had been halted by an impact rather than traveling beyond ninety meters, he easily acquired the creature's bodily attributes.

*Average (adjusting pants... no, curling lips).*jpg

The three foundational attributes averaged around 2.3.

Its physique, however, was absurdly high, reaching a full 4.9.

No wonder ordinary firearms failed to scratch it, requiring full-power electromagnetic sniper rifles and chainsaw blades instead.

He checked his own stats and realized not a single attribute had budged. He felt utterly resigned.

It was simply too weak—referring to the Snake-Dog, of course.

Thus, his attributes remained completely tranquil.

Shrugging, Zhou Shu saw no alternative; it seemed he would have to seek out more formidable Sustenance-Eaters to grind for experience.

Knowing that Sustenance-Eaters possessed regenerative capabilities, but finding that this one failed to boost his stats, his interest plummeted by more than half. Dismissing any concern over when this creature might regenerate, he simply walked toward Mark and the others.

As he approached, a few members of the group instinctively took a step back.

Zhou Shu: "???"

*I literally just killed a monster that could have easily ended your lives, and you're seriously taking a step back?*

If they could read his thoughts, they would undoubtedly have shouted in their minds with trembling brains:

*You also know that monster could easily end our lives! What does that make you, someone who can effortlessly crush that monster?!*

Fortunately, Mark and a few of the elites held their ground. Mark, in particular, as the commander of the Dust-Trackers, bore the responsibility of liaising with Zhou Shu to ensure the survival of his team.

Perceiving their wariness, Zhou Shu took the initiative to speak. "Don't worry. I know Jeff and Erica from your Second Squad, and I even ate the compressed rations they gave me. I'm not your enemy."

Hearing this, the group visibly relaxed a great deal.

Since this person ate compressed rations rather than humans, perhaps he truly wasn't all that dangerous.

Mark nodded steadily at Zhou Shu, then turned to the others. "In that case, let's get out of here first. These creatures never operate alone. Before this one revives, let's grab our supplies and move out immediately."

The Dust-Trackers' primary directive remained retrieving supplies for the Lighthouse.

While the workers hurried to gather the supplies, Mark turned to Zhou Shu and asked for his name with a friendly demeanor.

Extending a hand, Zhou Shu replied, "You can call me Zhou Shu."

"I'm Mark. Thanks for the help just now." Mark reached out and shook Zhou Shu's hand.

Seeing their leader exchange names and shake hands with the stranger, Mark's subordinates felt even more at ease, casting curious glances in his direction.

Zhou Shu's height reached roughly around Mark's brow level, putting him well over one hundred and eighty-five centimeters. His build was sturdy, though lacking Mark's hyper-developed musculature; by comparison, he almost looked delicate.

How on earth had he managed to punch a Snake-Dog to death?

While they sized up Zhou Shu, Zhou Shu was similarly appraising them.

The Lighthouse sorted its populace into Upperers and Dusters via genetic sorting. Putting everything else aside, the few individuals standing before him were all handsome men and gorgeous women, possessing top-tier appearances.

They were only a tiny fraction shy of his own looks.

No wonder that back when he watched the animation, throngs of people clamored to enter the Hall of Dawn with them—regardless of gender.

However, elite Dust-Trackers led busy lives; losing even a single member meant returning with significantly fewer supplies and risking numerous casualties. Consequently, barring exceptional circumstances, they were barred from entering the Hall of Dawn.

At the very least, none of the members of the main protagonist group had ever set foot in the Hall of Dawn.

The purpose of visiting the Hall of Dawn was human propagation, whereas the supplies the Dust-Trackers brought back from the surface formed the foundation of everything else.

Interestingly, the blonde-haired young woman nearby had been there several times, though she was gradually "awakening" to her own humanity, having once wished to die at the hands of her beloved. Had Zhou Shu not appeared this time, she would have perished right here.

Because of Zhou Shu's timely intervention, neither she nor her lover had died.

Whether that was a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.

As the Snake-Dog's corpse began to twitch faintly and the swarm of Spine-Worms prepared to stage a comeback, the workers gathered their loads of supplies and converged on the exit.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! Let's get out of here!" urged Mochen, who possessed a mechanical prosthetic leg.

"Hold on, the door won't open, we need more time!" shouted the crew member desperately hacking the decoder, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead.

Hearing the commotion, Zhou Shu, Mark, and the others hurried over. "What's going on?"

"Captain, decoding is going to take a bit longer," Mochen said hastily.

Mark glanced back at the Snake-Dog, which was struggling back to its feet and shaking its head, followed by the surging tide of Spine-Worms. Frowning, he said, "We don't have time. We—"

"Step aside," Zhou Shu said, walking up to the threshold.

Bearing witness to his display of brute force moments earlier, the people crowding the doorway immediately parted for him.

Mark was about to speak when he saw Zhou Shu drive his fist straight into the seam of the heavy doors.

*Bang!*

With a deafening crash, Zhou Shu's single punch dented the tightly sealed metal doors inward, and he immediately wedged both hands into the indentation.

*Screeech—*

Accompanied by the piercing sound of twisting metal, Zhou Shu forced the doors apart by sheer strength.

Zhou Shu: "Let's move!"

The crowd: ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ