Chapter 28: An Obstruction on the Road

Hong Qiuqiao held two submachine guns, transformed as if she had become a different person. Gone was her previous shyness; her very demeanor now carried a hint of wildness.

Lin Lei was startled by this sudden change.

Li Xueshu snorted, leaned close to Lin Lei’s ear, and whispered, “Did you really think she was just some clueless little girl? Anyone who makes it into the Executive Division’s reserve squad, and is assigned to an investigation like this, can’t possibly be without skills.”

Lin Lei cleared his throat. He had already anticipated something of the sort, but the stark contrast in Hong Qiuqiao’s behavior still left him slightly surprised.

In fact, just the ease with which Hong Qiuqiao wielded two submachine guns as her weapons showed she wasn’t lacking in strength.

Li Xueshu sighed softly, lowering her voice even further: “Actually, the girl’s source energy compatibility isn’t bad at all, and she’s completed plenty of assignments…”

“But unfortunately, her mental state is problematic. That’s why her ‘Enlightenment Serum’ hasn’t been approved yet. Otherwise… she might already be a source energy user.”

Lin Lei nodded in agreement. The dramatic shift in Qiao’er’s demeanor before and after picking up her weapons was a clear sign of psychological issues. For someone like her, becoming a source energy user would be far riskier than for others.

In fact, Lin Lei suspected that her high compatibility with source energy might be related to her mental instability.

Meanwhile, Chen Ning opened a larger black case. In his hand appeared a special black weapon—its thick, black barrel reminiscent of a cannon.

Noticing Lin Lei’s inquisitive gaze, Chen Ning grinned, revealing yellowed teeth. “This is a custom flamethrower. Very effective against low-tier aberrations like corpse-eaters!”

Lin Lei nodded. He’d burned out a corpse-eater nest before and knew all too well the power of fire.

“If everyone’s ready, let’s get started!” Lin Lei, with a long blade strapped to his back and a source energy pistol at his waist, led the way toward the underground tunnel.

The group quickly entered the pitch-black depths below. Thanks to their night-vision goggles, darkness posed no obstacle to their sight.

Not long after, their path was completely blocked by an abandoned subway car.

Lin Lei, holding the source energy radar, cautioned the group quietly, “Careful—inside that subway car, there are eight signals. More than half are red, likely all corpse-eaters!”

“Lin Investigator, let me handle this! One burst of bullets and these monsters are finished!” Qiao’er, eager and armed with her submachine guns, spoke excitedly.

Li Xueshu shook her head, “This isn’t far from the area with the densest source energy readings. Using submachine guns would make too much noise and attract more aberrations. Unless absolutely necessary, don’t use firearms!”

“Oh.” Qiao’er’s face fell with disappointment.

Lin Lei licked his lips, drew his long blade, and glanced at the others. “Then we’ll take them hand-to-hand.”

At his words, Chen Ning and Qiao’er both hesitated.

Chen Ning shook his head, “Lin Investigator, you haven’t fought many corpse-eaters. They may not be strong, but their hides are tough, and they’re skilled in close combat. We’d better see if there’s another way around…”

As the newest investigator, and only a probationary member, Chen Ning was naturally wary of Lin Lei.

Lin Lei shook his head. “Just a few corpse-eaters—no need. You guard the car door… I’ll handle them myself.”

If he killed quickly enough, he wouldn’t make much noise.

With only a handful of corpse-eaters, Lin Lei was confident he could finish them swiftly.

Without waiting for a response, Lin Lei strode into the subway car.

Chen Ning looked helplessly at Li Xueshu. “Li Investigator…”

Li Xueshu shook her head, “It seems he’s confident in his strength. Let him go.”

She had no intention of assisting. In truth, she would intervene if Lin Lei needed help, within reasonable limits. But since he hadn’t requested it, it showed his confidence, and Li Xueshu was curious to see his abilities.

Chen Ning set aside his dark flamethrower, and instead drew a weapon resembling a large segmented blade from his backpack. He sighed, “I’ll go with Lin Investigator. Li Investigator, please guard the entrance.”

The flamethrower was quieter than a submachine gun, but if it set a fire, it could cause even more disturbance.

Inside, the car was shrouded in darkness, cluttered with debris. Yet Lin Lei had already pinpointed the seven or eight monsters huddled in the corner using his source energy radar.

He crept forward, using the piled debris for cover, soon reaching the depths of the car.

Faint breathing echoed in his ears, and at last he saw the monsters curled in the shadows—a dog’s head on a human body, unmistakably corpse-eaters.

None of them looked particularly robust; a few were scorched and blackened, bearing signs of fire. Lin Lei was now certain these were the same creatures he had driven off days earlier.

It was daytime, the time when corpse-eaters slept. They hadn’t even noticed Lin Lei’s approach.

Lin Lei instantly unleashed his full strength, lunging at the corner with his blade.

With a terrifying force, the blade sliced through the air, cleaving into the corpse-eaters.

With a single stroke, one corpse-eater’s head went flying, and two others were severed at the waist.

Not a single scream escaped—the three died in their sleep.

“A fine blade!” Lin Lei couldn’t help but praise it inwardly.

With his strength, his old Tang sword could have delivered such results, but never so smoothly and effortlessly.

To fell three corpse-eaters in one swing caused little noise, but it was enough to rouse the remaining five.

Lin Lei pressed forward.

Slice after slice, two more corpse-eaters, just rising, were cut down.

In less than two seconds, Lin Lei had already dispatched five.

“Woo, woo~!” The last three corpse-eaters uttered pitiful cries, like weeping dogs, and charged at Lin Lei, frenzied.

Lin Lei’s composure never wavered. A chop, a sweep, a thrust—his immense power made short work of the final three.

His movements were swift and precise; the entire fight lasted less than ten seconds. Each strike was fatal, giving the corpse-eaters no chance to cry out or call for help.

Behind him, Chen Ning, who had entered the car, heard the clash of blades and the wails of corpse-eaters. He stared through his night-vision goggles, stunned by the scene before him.

“Lin, Lin Investigator, you finished them all?”

He lowered his blade, his broad face filled with astonishment and awe.

Chen Ning’s expression shifted, and he clicked his tongue as he stepped forward. “Impressive, truly impressive!”

In truth, both he and Qiao’er could have easily dealt with these corpse-eaters if they could freely use their weapons. But to do so with nothing but a blade, in close quarters, and so quickly—that was beyond either of them.

Such was the greatest difference between ordinary humans and source energy users.

Lin Lei’s mental fortitude caught Chen Ning’s attention. No wonder he had joined the Executive Division right after awakening.

Chen Ning could not help but marvel inwardly.