Chapter 233: Desperate Flight
Chapter 233: Desperate Flight
Thud!
As Gao Jing pressed hard on the trigger of the rocket launcher, the dark green weapon spat out a blinding flare. A 66mm rocket shot out instantly from the barrel.
Dragging a long trail of fire, it zipped across the thirty-meter gap and struck the open mandibles of the Skeleton Beetle!
Boom!
The high-explosive warhead’s impact fuse was triggered instantly. An earth-shattering explosion erupted inside the undead creature.
The Skeleton Beetle had just been about to spew flames at Gao Jing. But missing that chance by a mere second or two, it lost the best moment to attack its enemy.
In the U.S. Military’s system, the M72LAW was a light anti-armor weapon. It was mainly used to blast armored vehicles and light tanks. First piercing the armor, then exploding inside—its power was undeniably immense.
Even though the Skeleton Beetle was a high-ranking undead creature, it couldn’t withstand such a blow. Instantly, over half its head, along with part of its body, shattered into pieces. Countless pale bones flew in all directions.
The remaining carcass stumbled forward a few paces by sheer momentum before collapsing completely.
A vast pile of scattered white bones littered the ground.
Dead?
Ling Ling couldn’t believe her eyes. She’d only heard of Skeleton Beetles before; this was the first time she’d seen one. Rumor said they were even more fearsome than Specters—creatures only Shamans or Great Totem Warriors could oppose! And Gao Jing had destroyed one with a single strike.
“Run!”
Gao Jing stuffed the spent tube into his Storage Space and yelled at the stunned archer girl. Though one Skeleton Beetle was down, there were many more up ahead. Plus, hordes of Skeletons and Wraiths were swarming through the Underground Passageway. Several dark Specters moved among them!
Even with three heads and six arms, Gao Jing couldn’t hold back that tide of undead.
He thrust both arms forward. A giant sphere of liquid materialized out of thin air, flying four or five meters forward before crashing down and bursting.
It was highly potent incendiary fuel Gao Jing had stored in his Storage Space, originally meant for fighting Giants. It worked perfectly now.
Click!
He flicked a Zippo lighter and flung it backward without looking. Turning, he ran.
“Run!”
BOOM!
Towering flames erupted behind him. A blast of scorching heat slammed against his back. The fire wall blocked the Underground Passageway, holding back the pursuing undead. But Gao Jing knew very well this was only temporary. Undead like Skeleton Beetles originated underground. They weren’t out of danger yet.
He ran, shoving his backpack into his Storage Space as he sprinted. Simultaneously, he activated the Titan Totem on his back.
In the next instant, Gao Jing’s body swelled tremendously. Muscles bulged, ripping through his leather armor with shredding sounds. Dense cracking noises came from his bones. He lengthened his strides. Within moments, his height surged from 1.85 meters to nearly 4 meters!
His strength and endurance increased vastly. Though his agility decreased slightly, each giant step covered far more ground than before. Effectively, his running sped up.
“Ah!”
Ling Ling’s terrified scream pierced the air. Ahead, on the passage floor, pale skeletal claws were breaking through the earth—a hair-raising sight!
Gao Jing caught up to the archer girl in a few breaths. He bent down, wrapped an arm around her slim waist, scooped her up like a doll, and cradled her against his chest. He was saving her completely, couldn’t just let her die to the undead.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
His combat boots were already shredded, so Gao Jing ran barefoot over the protrusions of skeletal claws. He channeled Battle Qi around his feet—it was like wearing two sets of steel boots. Combined with his weight and the force of his charge, the skeletal handholds shattered to powder beneath his tread.
Shaken but held fast against Gao Jing’s bare chest, Ling Ling felt her fear gradually ebb. She even experienced an unfamiliar sense of security. She felt this powerful man could shield her from any danger. Listening to the drum-like beating of his heart against her ear, a soft blush spread across the archer girl’s pretty face.
As for Gao Jing right then? His mind held only one thought: escape as fast as possible. He heard thunderous crashes from behind—the sound of Skeleton Beetles breaking through the ground! He poured every ounce of his strength into this flight, maximizing his speed and power. Stomping over the carpet of scattered bones, he fled wildly through the shadowy Underground Passageway. Run! Run! Run!
Hot blood surged through his veins; his heart pounded with escalating fury. The whistle of wind roared in his ears, mingling with the mad whispers of the undead. He lost track of how long he ran, how far he went. Only when his Giant Form faded—his Totemic Power utterly spent—was he forced to slow down, exhaustion dragging at every step.
Gao Jing stood gulping lungfuls of air, dark spots flickering at the edges of his vision. He was drenched in sweat and coated in dust; all he wore was a pair of ultra-elastic shorts. His body was utterly drained. But now… silence. No trace of the undead remained. They were clear of danger!
“G-Gao Jing… I… I can run now.” The shy murmur from his arms snapped Gao Jing back to reality. He realized he was still clutching Ling Ling tightly. He quickly set her down. “Sorry.”
Ling Ling shook her head. Her bright eyes glittered like stars in the gloom. “Big Brother Gao Jing.” Standing on tiptoe, she kissed his sweat-streaked cheek. “Thank you for saving me.” Her face flushed deeper after the kiss. It had taken every ounce of her courage. “You’re welcome,” said Gao Jing, feeling an awkward but strangely pleasing thrill. “I need to change first.” The Titan Totem was great, just hard on clothes. Without the Storage Space, it would have been a huge hassle. Quickly changing into a fresh leather armor set and boots, Gao Jing and Ling Ling kept moving.
The Underground Passageway from Senluo Ruins City to Blackwater City only had one fork, leading to Iron Furnace Abyssal City. The different directions meant getting lost wasn’t possible. Safe at last from the Undead Calamity, the two soon reached Blackwater Underground City. They immediately reported the situation to the Yuancheng Alliance. Due to the extreme seriousness of the event, Gao Jing and Ling Ling were held at the Alliance’s branch office by the officer in charge. Their story needed verification.
An Undead Calamity erupting in Senluo Ruins was no minor thing—it threatened several Abyss Cities and Blackwater City itself. It was here that Gao Jing met Zhiqi again.