The Iron Hook Man revealed his weapon, and his expression turned even grimmer. He cast a cold, sweeping glance around the room, muttering under his breath, “I’m not sure what kind of creature you are, but the fact that you understand distraction tactics means you must have some intelligence, right? So, you should be able to understand what I’m saying now.”
He leaped gracefully to the ground, landing with a practiced ease, and began to walk slowly into the room. “Come on out. Maybe I won’t kill you. Honestly, I’m not a fan of using violence if I can avoid it.”
As he spoke, the iron hook in his hand swayed lightly with his movements, and the bloodstains smeared on it seemed to flow like liquid.
The second floor was a restaurant, decorated in a classic style. But after a year of abandonment, it had become a haven for termites. The walls, pillars, and even the tables and chairs bore the markings of their destruction, riddled with empty holes. Every step on the wooden floorboards resulted in a creaking “creak-creak” sound, as if the floor might collapse at any moment.
But the Iron Hook Man paid no attention to the floor beneath him. The hollow space of the upper floor echoed with the sound of his boots pressing against the wood. From the moment he stepped onto the second floor, only his own movements had broken the silence.
It was as if he were the only person on the entire floor.
Even so, his movements appeared casual, and his voice brimmed with confidence. “I know you’re here. And as soon as you move, I’ll know exactly where you are.” His slow, deliberate footsteps, paired with the teeth-grating creaking of the wood, seemed to intensify the oppressive atmosphere. “But let’s not waste any more time, shall we? You could make the choice to walk out on your own, and honestly, your chances of survival would be much higher. Who knows? I might even become your next master.”
As he spoke, the Iron Hook Man arrived at the center of the restaurant.
Fixing his gaze forward, his eyes scanned from left to right. However, in that instant, his pupils suddenly contracted, and an arm shot back and upward with startling force.
“Clang!”
The sound of a metallic collision rang out like a thunderclap, sending a cascade of wood shavings raining down from all around the room. The tables and chairs wobbled slightly as though shaken by a sudden earthquake.
Behind the Iron Hook Man, a massive figure had appeared without a sound…
Xiao Bai’s eyes were blood red, and one sharp claw was pressed firmly against the iron hook.
A flash of murderous intent flickered in its panda eyes. Its furry paw tensed, exerting greater pressure on the weapon.
“Click, click, click…”
The floor beneath the Iron Hook Man’s feet groaned in protest. He bent his knees slightly, a low chuckle escaping his lips. “Smart, very smart… I get it. You’re moving in sync with my steps to get closer to me, aren’t you? That level of intelligence is rare among creatures like you. However…” He tilted his head, his tone turning thoughtful. “More intriguing than your intelligence is this-how exactly did your master manage to tame you?”
As he finished speaking, a muffled grunt erupted from his chest, and his body straightened abruptly.
“MeGu…”
Xiao Bai growled lowly, narrowing its bloodshot eyes. Then, it inhaled deeply, taking in air like a bellows.
With this single breath, Xiao Bai’s body began to swell. Its muscles inflated, and the floorboards creaked and split beneath its feet. As its size grew, so too did its strength, radiating an oppressive force.
The Iron Hook Man, still facing away from Xiao Bai, could sense the light above him dimming as the creature’s shadow engulfed him. His arm began to tremble uncontrollably, and his iron hook was forced downward by the sheer weight pressing upon it.
At this point, the clash became a pure contest of strength. Any attempt to make an extra move would grant the opponent an opening to strike. Even Xiao Bai, supporting itself sturdily on its hind legs, had its left paw braced firmly against the ground. Its heavy rear paws alone pinned the Iron Hook Man down like an immovable boulder.
“Crack!”
The floor cracked again under the pressure, and the Iron Hook Man’s expression darkened with growing seriousness.
“So, you’ve already evolved to this level…” he murmured, his eyes narrowing. “To survive in the city this long without drawing the attention of a Senior Zombie, you must have some kind of relationship with humans, huh? Interesting. What I want isn’t all that different from situations like this… Seeing you now just makes me even more eager to claim what’s there. Not just me-my entire group… That thing we’re after is as vital to us as survival itself. So…”
The Iron Hook Man’s face flushed an angry red as he spoke. Meanwhile, the iron hook in his hand was now forced above his head, the tip teetering dangerously close to piercing his own skull. But as his face continued to twist and change color, something else began shifting-his arm was undergoing a transformation.
“Pop, pop, pop…”
Bulging muscles strained against the fabric of his sleeve, which was already torn to its limits. But what made the sight truly disturbing wasn’t the muscle growth-it was the transformation of his hand. 𝔯₳ỒᛒËꞩ
The previously thin and bony fingers of the Iron Hook Man suddenly seemed to swell, as if injected with a surge of blood. Blood vessels, dark purple and grotesque, bulged out from beneath his skin, wriggling like worms as they crept along the back of his hand and up his arm. His skin, which had been pale moments ago, now radiated an unnerving redness, as though it had just been pulled from scalding hot water.
“Huff… Huff…”
The Iron Hook Man panted heavily, his arm emitting faint, visible wisps of steam with each exhale.
“Clink, clink…”
The iron hook in his hand quivered slightly before starting to rise, inch by inch, against the weight bearing down on it.
“MeGu!”
Xiao Bai’s massive hind paws began to lose traction, sliding backward across the floor. But almost instantly, razor-sharp claws erupted from its paw pads, anchoring themselves deep into the wooden boards with a sound like splinters cracking under pressure.
“Even a mutation beast…” The Iron Hook Man’s shoulder and upper back made loud “pop, pop” sounds as grotesque bulges began to form beneath his clothing. At a glance, it was as if horrifying growths were erupting from his body, threatening to tear through his skin. His neck and the right side of his face were now entirely swollen, riddled with protruding blood vessels, making what was once a cold and commanding appearance thoroughly monstrous. His right eye narrowed into a sliver, glowing faintly with a menacing Red Glimmer as it flickered open and shut.
“Get out of my way!”
The Iron Hook Man suddenly arched his upper body backward, causing Xiao Bai to lose its paw hold and stumble forward, its claws missing their target. The panda’s weight drove its bulk straight toward the Iron Hook Man’s abdomen like a falling boulder.
Yet in that critical moment, the Iron Hook Man twisted his body to the side with incredible agility. He swung his iron hook fluidly as he flipped, aiming its razor-sharp edge directly at Xiao Bai’s throat.
Xiao Bai reacted instantly. In a blur of motion, it pushed off with its powerful hind legs, leaping deftly backward to evade the attack. But the moment its front paws touched the ground, a Dark Shadow darted toward it at lightning speed.
The Iron Hook Man’s right leg had also swollen grotesquely, with muscles and veins threatening to burst from his skin. The entire right half of his body had transformed into an almost unrecognizable monstrosity, far removed from its former human shape.
“I told you, don’t force me to use violence.”
His reddened eye fixed on Xiao Bai, and the iron hook swung decisively towards Xiao Bai’s head…
“What a pity, after all, it’s a National Treasure…”