Chapter Seven: Satan’s Encirclement—A Desperate Escape from Death

"What do you mean by before? Focus on fighting the monsters. This time, we're dealing with invisible and camouflaged Satans, making it impossible for humans to tell them apart," Mingchuan grumbled in dissatisfaction, seemingly missing the hidden implication in the words.

Mingchuan’s team searched the entire building but found no survivors—though they did eliminate a dozen or so "Imitator" Satans. Refusing to give up, they continued their search through each building in the city, but not a single survivor was found.

By then, they returned to the original building to regroup. Just as Mingchuan and the others were preparing to report in and head back to base, a sudden commotion erupted overhead.

Looking up, they saw their aircraft departing from the rooftop. The twin G380 machine guns mounted on the plane began to strafe, unleashing a barrage of deafening gunfire, and soon after, the bodies of numerous Satans rained down.

Sensing trouble, Mingchuan quickly radioed Instructor Anthony. "Captain Anthony, what happened? Why are there so many Satan corpses?" Instructor Anthony replied anxiously, "Just after you left the building, a number of Satans sneaked up and ambushed me and the pilot. We've been infected by the virus, but the symptoms haven't set in yet. We have to return to base immediately to receive the antidote. I'll call in another aircraft to pick you up. Hold out until then."

"That's easy for you to say, but it looks like we're surrounded by Satans," Colt said, his voice trembling as he pointed at the massive horde of corpses before them.

The others lifted their heads as well, and indeed, they were surrounded. The previously unseen wave of Satans had finally appeared.

This time, however, the number of "Venom" Satans was several times higher. They spat potent acid in unison, flooding several streets with the corrosive substance.

"This is bad. It seems the Satans sent out false information to lure us here with the promise of survivors, all so they could wipe us out," Mingchuan muttered to himself, analyzing their predicament and weighing their next move.

But the Satans had no intention of giving them time to think. One after another, they rushed forward, intent on annihilating the team. Mingchuan and Colt, unable to attack from a distance, dodged left and right, evading the acid-scorched craters as they charged forward to slay the "Venom" Satans, ensuring their jaws would never open again.

Wenxin, Thomson, George, and Winchester were able to fight at range. The four of them stood back-to-back in a circle, guarding against attacks from behind. Wenxin and Thomson targeted the Satans that drew too close.

George found himself facing a new variant of Satan. "This is so annoying—why are these Satans carrying riot shields and wearing military uniforms?" Winchester was covering him and replied calmly, "Probably because they were once soldiers or police infected by the virus. But they don't seem that tough—I'm landing headshots every time."

"Unfair! Why can you kill them but I can't? My shots only knock them back," George protested.

"That's because my Hawkeye rifle is rated eight stars for attack power, while your Heavybreaker is only seven and a half," Winchester explained.

"Who cares about that? Think of a way out—how are we supposed to break through this damned Satan encirclement?" George shouted desperately.

"Quiet, quiet! Stop yelling. Relax, I just contacted Anthony’s adjutant, Tina. She said she'll have a V220 transport waiting for us on the beach at the southeastern edge of Taekilda. As long as we get there in twenty minutes, we'll make it."

"Twenty minutes? Are you all joking? We're neck-deep in Satans right now!"

"No joke. Earlier, I swiped a few miniature black hole bombs from the armory. All we have to do is toss a couple onto every street but the southeast, and we’re good," Mingchuan said with a self-satisfied grin.

"Then what are we waiting for? Go, go, go!" George shouted anxiously.

With the bombs thrown, all the Satans and corpses—except those in the southeastern direction—were sucked into the miniature black holes.

Fighting their way through, Mingchuan and the others finally reached the extraction point.

———Author’s Note———
The New Year is here! Wishing all readers a smooth and successful year ahead. May every student be accepted into their dream school and be free of homework. May every adult get a raise, a promotion, and success in their careers, with loving partners by their side. May every elder live to a hundred, surrounded by filial children.