Chapter 81: Stopping the Monsters from Coming Ashore
S City was extremely dangerous now. Fu Jiu was worried about Lin Jiu going alone, so he decided to go with him.
Lin Jiu had gained the loyalty of the Ruta people, and in the event of danger, they would prioritize Lin Jiu’s safety over their own.
On the way to the airport, Lin Jiu tried to buy a ticket online, but all flights to S City had been canceled. He had no choice but to book a flight to a nearby city and planned to take a taxi to S City from there.
However, when Lin Jiu tried to purchase a ticket, he encountered a problem and couldn’t submit his purchase.
Thinking it was an issue with his phone, Lin Jiu decided to buy the ticket at the airport.
At the self-service ticket machine, he tried again, but still failed.
Lin Jiu: “You try.”
Fu Jiu was able to buy his ticket without any issues.
Lin Jiu tried again, but it still didn’t work.
He had no choice but to go to the ticket counter. The ticket agent carefully examined Lin Jiu’s ID.
“Sorry, your ID has restrictions, so you cannot purchase a ticket.”
Lin Jiu: “What does that mean? Why can’t I buy a ticket?”
The people waiting in line to buy tickets all turned to look at Lin Jiu.
What kind of person gets restricted from buying a ticket? People on a credit blacklist or those with a criminal record!
Ticket agent: “You’ve been banned from leaving City A.”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu: “Can you check the reason?”
Ticket agent: “Sorry.”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu took back his ID and turned to leave.
He thought about calling Si Xu but was worried about distracting him, considering the situation over there.
So he called Shi Shuoqing instead.
Someone needed to oversee the daily training at the Special Security Department. With Lu Yu out of town for a long time and Si Xu now in S City, there was no deputy captain for Team Seven. The only person left was Shi Shuoqing.
As expected, Shi Shuoqing hadn’t gone to S City. Lin Jiu explained the situation about being unable to buy a ticket and asked him for the reason.
Lin Jiu had a suspicion but didn’t want to believe it.
He never thought that one day he would be restricted from traveling.
Shi Shuoqing said, “Special personnel need to apply for travel clearance first. That’s how it is for us, and it’s the same for you. I’ll submit the request for you.”
Lin Jiu was puzzled. When had he suddenly become “special personnel”?
Shi Shuoqing called back quickly, telling Lin Jiu that the Special Security Department had a helicopter that could take him to S City.
Now wasn’t the time to argue, so having a helicopter take him was obviously the best option.
Lin Jiu and Fu Jiu went to the designated location, where someone was waiting to take them.
*
By the time they arrived in S City, it was almost dark.
Two soldiers in raincoats, armed to the teeth, disembarked from the helicopter with them.
Lin Jiu and Fu Jiu, wearing raincoats and boots, holding umbrellas, walked along the desolate streets.
This was once a bustling city, but now there wasn’t a single pedestrian or car in sight. The streets were completely empty, and aside from the sound of the rain, the only other sound was their footsteps.
Lin Jiu stood in the middle of the street, unsure of where to go. He didn’t know where Si Xu was.
He asked the two soldiers behind him, “Do you know where the largest monster is?”
“Mr. Lin, our mission is to protect your safety!”
Lin Jiu: “Then at least take me to the temporary base?”
This time, the two soldiers didn’t refuse and led Lin Jiu and Fu Jiu forward. They remained extremely vigilant, constantly on guard for any movement around them, but the rain was so heavy that even Lin Jiu and Fu Jiu, with their sharp senses, found it difficult to detect anything.
The four of them had been walking through the rain for a while when they heard the sound of a vehicle behind them. Bright headlights pierced through the rain.
The two soldiers stepped forward to stop the vehicle. It was a supply convoy.
A person in a military raincoat jumped out of the vehicle and spoke with the soldiers. After learning that they were delivering supplies to the temporary base, the soldiers requested a ride.
“Who are you? Why are you going to the temporary base?”
With the heavy rain, they had to shout to be heard.
“This is Mr. Lin Jiu, and he’s going to the temporary base to find Captain Si. We are responsible for his safety.”
The name “Lin Jiu” was widely known, and there were few who didn’t recognize it.
The young soldier escorting the supplies snapped to attention and saluted, then opened the door to let them in.
At that moment, a car honked wildly, followed by two loud gunshots. Lin Jiu was startled; it was the first time he had heard gunfire with his own ears, and it was incredibly loud.
Through the curtain of rain, a dark figure rushed out from a side street, slipping on the wet ground, and charged toward Lin Jiu and the others, ready to bite.
The two soldiers immediately raised their guns. The dark figure zigzagged through the rain, dodging the bullets, and pounced toward the young soldier standing on the outer edge!
The umbrella slipped from Lin Jiu’s hand, and a harpoon instantly appeared in his grasp. With a swift and fierce motion, he stabbed the harpoon into the creature’s neck!
This creature was twice the size of the one at the restaurant’s entrance. Its sharp fangs snapped together in the air with a “clack clack” sound, and its razor-sharp front claws dug into the ground as it desperately tried to lunge forward. Lin Jiu planted his feet firmly, standing his ground as he grappled with the beast.
The soldiers opened fire on the creature. It let out a roar and then turned to flee, but its thick tail swung toward them. The group quickly dodged as the creature suddenly counterattacked, its sharp claws slashing toward Lin Jiu’s throat—
“ROAR—!!!”
Fu Jiu, who was standing beside Lin Jiu, suddenly let out a thunderous roar. His body swelled, instantly tearing through his clothes and raincoat. A massive creature, larger than the monster itself, appeared before everyone’s eyes.
It resembled a giant wolf, with gray-white fur, fearsome fangs, and long, razor-sharp claws that swiped at the approaching monster.
The creature let out a screech as it was sent flying. The “giant wolf” leaped after it, and the two beasts clashed in a vicious fight. The monster’s neck was quickly torn open, and it collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
The “giant wolf” walked back with graceful steps. The soldiers by the car instinctively tightened their grip on their guns. This creature was enormous and ferocious, having dispatched the monster with just a few swipes. A single strike could easily tear apart a human.
Lin Jiu looked up at the legendary Ruta creature and extended his hand.
The “giant wolf” lowered its head, closed its fearsome jaws, and pressed its snout into Lin Jiu’s palm in a gesture of affection and submission.
Lin Jiu patted the “giant wolf’s” neck, its fur soft to the touch. “Congratulations, you did it.”
The “giant wolf” gazed at Lin Jiu with glowing eyes, its expression gentle, a stark contrast to its earlier ferocity.
The “giant wolf” glanced at the car door and then at Lin Jiu, as if urging him to get in.
Lin Jiu boarded the vehicle, and the convoy set off again.
The “giant wolf” walked alongside the car like a loyal guard, protecting its master.
*
By the time they arrived at the temporary base, night had fully fallen.
Soldiers guarded the entrance, and when they saw the “giant wolf,” they raised their guns in alarm.
The convoy stopped, and Lin Jiu stepped out, the “giant wolf” following close behind.
Lu Yu hurried out from the base, holding an umbrella. He saw from afar a man walking with a giant creature and was wary, though not as tense as the others.
When they got closer, Lu Yu realized it was Lin Jiu.
“What are you doing here?”
Lin Jiu’s mask was soaked from the rain. “I came to find Si Xu.”
Lu Yu led Lin Jiu into the base, the giant creature following along. Its fur was drenched, water streaming down its belly. It was too large to enter the base.
“Who is this?” Lu Yu asked Lin Jiu.
“Fu Jiu, a new member of Team Seven,” Lin Jiu replied.
Lu Yu looked at the imposing “giant wolf” and thought about the bear in his own team, his eyes filled with envy.
“Si Xu’s luck is unbelievable. How does he always manage to recruit such talented people? It’s infuriating.”
Lu Yu called over a soldier to bring Fu Jiu a set of clothes. The rain was too heavy to leave the “giant wolf” out in it for too long.
The “giant wolf” turned its gaze toward a direction where the sound of gunfire echoed. It let out a low growl and looked back at Lin Jiu.
Lin Jiu seemed to understand its meaning. “Go ahead.”
The “giant wolf” darted off, vanishing into the rain.
The base also served as a temporary command center, and Lin Jiu saw many wounded inside. The battle by the seaside was still ongoing, and the injured were being sent to the base for treatment and recovery.
Lin Jiu: “Where’s Si Xu?”
Lu Yu: “He went out to sea with his team.”
Lin Jiu glanced at him. Lu Yu’s movements were slower than usual, likely due to an injury. Otherwise, with his strength, he wouldn’t be stationed at the rear.
Lin Jiu: “I want to go to the sea to find him.”
Without thinking, Lu Yu rejected him. “No, you can only wait here for him.”
Lin Jiu: “I came here to help him.”
Lu Yu, holding his left abdomen, sat down on a chair. “I know you’re good at close combat, but you won’t be able to fight effectively at sea. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Your safety is the priority. Wait here for him to come back.”
Lin Jiu: “…”
In reality, his close combat abilities were limited on land. He was much more agile in the sea.
Lin Jiu thought for a moment and asked, “Is he intercepting that monster?”
There were reporters present, so Lin Jiu must have seen the news.
Lu Yu’s expression turned serious. “Yes, we absolutely cannot let the monster come ashore. The city is right behind us. Even if we can’t stop it, we must hold it off until the rain stops. By then, we’ll use heavy weapons to eliminate it.”
Lin Jiu said, “After fighting for this long, the enhanced fighters must be exhausted. I’ll bring them some fruit wine.”
Lu Yu: “…”
Lu Yu: “If you want to donate energy wine, I’ll gladly accept it, but someone else will deliver it. You can’t go.”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. A soldier rushed in to report.
“Captain Lu! The monster is nearing the shore! Closer than ever before!”
Lu Yu jumped to his feet, wincing from the pain in his abdomen. “What about the interception boats?”
“No sign of them!”
Lin Jiu turned and ran into the rain.
“Lin Jiu!” Lu Yu chased after him.
*
Lin Jiu raced toward the beach.
It was a brutal battlefield. Soldiers and enhanced fighters were intercepting smaller monsters from reaching the shore.
A row of armored vehicles was parked neatly, with all their gun barrels and cannons aimed at the coast, determined not to let the horde of monsters break through the line of defense.
In the fierce battle by the sea, the most striking figure was the “giant wolf.” With every swipe of its claws, it sent a monster flying, fighting with incredible ferocity.
When the “giant wolf” initially charged into the fray, it terrified many. But once they realized the wolf was helping to fight the monsters, they began to suspect it might be one of the enhanced beings.
With the “giant wolf” joining the battle, the pressure on the coastline eased significantly.
From the shore, you could see the enormous dark shadow in the sea. The bone spurs on its back loomed through the rain like the eerie silhouettes of ghosts. Half of the creature’s body had already emerged from the water.
It had been raining for days, and Lin Jiu didn’t believe that mere manpower could hold off the creature for so long. Clearly, this enormous beast had yet to launch a full attack. Otherwise, not only would the intercepting ships be in danger, but even those onshore might face disaster.
Lu Yu chased after him from behind, frowning deeply when he saw the terrifying shadow.
He shouted, “Lin Jiu! Come back right now!”
Lin Jiu stood still. “Has it made any moves to attack yet?”
Lu Yu pointed at his own abdomen. “I got this hole from its tailbone spikes. It’s not stupid — of course it’ll fight back when hit!”
Lin Jiu glanced at him. “I meant special abilities. Has it used any special abilities?”
Lu Yu looked incredulous. “You’re joking, right? You think this thing has special abilities?”
Lin Jiu said, “Humans can have special abilities, so why wouldn’t mutated sea creatures?”
In the realm of Demon Sea, sea monsters rated three stars or above possess their own unique talents. Faced with such a colossal creature, Lin Jiu wouldn’t be surprised if it had some sort of special power.
Researchers had also speculated that mutated sea creatures could have special abilities, though none had been encountered yet.
Lu Yu’s expression toward Lin Jiu shifted. Was he a prophet or just cursed with bad luck? Earlier, Lin Jiu had warned that mutated sea creatures might come ashore and advised coastal areas to prepare evacuations. Now, here they were, with a sea monster on the verge of landing.
And now he was saying these creatures might have special abilities. Was he really going to be right again?!
Lin Jiu continued, “We can’t let it land. Even if we destroy it, it has to be done at sea. Allowing it to come ashore would be too dangerous. If it truly has some sort of special ability, the consequences could be catastrophic. That said, I don’t think we can destroy it. The best option would be to lure it back into the deep sea, which would resolve the immediate crisis and minimize casualties.”
Lu Yu was silent.
After a moment, he responded, “That’s a good idea… but no one can pull it off.”
If they could have lured the creature away, they would’ve done so long ago. It wouldn’t have dragged on like this.
Lin Jiu said, “I can.”
Lu Yu rubbed his forehead. “Lin Jiu, do you understand how important you are? If something happens to you under my watch, not only will Si Xu not forgive me, but the entire Special Security Division would come down on me.”
Lin Jiu replied, “Then take me to Si Xu. We’ll figure out the details together.”
Lu Yu was still hesitating when a deep, haunting beastly roar echoed from the sea. It felt like it came from the depths of hell, making people dizzy.
Lin Jiu urged, “There’s no time to hesitate! Get me over there!”
Lu Yu gritted his teeth and said, “Fine, I’ll take you personally.”
He ordered his men to prepare a boat and boarded it with Lin Jiu. The “giant wolf,” seeing Lin Jiu getting on the boat, rushed over immediately.
But Lin Jiu couldn’t bring it along. Fu Jiu was suited for combat on land, but it would be of little use at sea.
He left Fu Jiu behind and boarded the boat with Lu Yu, heading toward the monster.
Lu Yu checked the locator and saw that the intercepting ships were on the other side of the creature. They hadn’t given up and were still trying to distract the monster and slow its approach to the shore.
Lu Yu piloted the boat, taking a wide detour before approaching the intercepting ships.
Everyone else was in the thick of battle, so Huang Qi, who had no combat skills, stayed on board to coordinate. He was the first to spot the approaching boat.
At first, he thought it was a supply ship, but as it neared, he realized there were only two people on board, and no supplies.
As it drew closer, Huang Qi thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. Why was Lin Jiu, who was supposed to be in A City, here?!
Lu Yu and Lin Jiu boarded the intercepting ship, seeing only Huang Qion deck, with no sign of the others.
Lin Jiu asked, “Where’s Si Xu?”
Huang Qi was dumbfounded. “The— the captain… he…”
Lin Jiu grew anxious. “What about him?”
Huang Qi stammered, “The captain’s fine! He’s… he’s on the monster!”
Lin Jiu followed Huang Qi’s gaze into the dark, rainy night. He couldn’t see much, just the massive black shadow looming larger and clearer.
Thud!
Someone had just jumped off the enormous shadow and, upon landing, immediately leapt back toward it, leaving behind a footprint with traces of ice on the deck.
Before Lin Jiu could react, a voice came from the cockpit, “Tail attack! Hold on!”
Huang Qi immediately grabbed the deck railing.
Lu Yu gripped the railing with one hand and grabbed Lin Jiu with the other.
Lin Jiu also clung tightly to the railing.
Suddenly, the intercepting ship tilted sharply as a wall of water rose on the left, lifting the ship and hurling it toward the monster’s massive body!
The creature’s body was covered in bone spurs. If they crashed into it, the ship would be impaled like a pincushion.
The sharp spines loomed closer, just about to pierce the ship—
“Captain!!!” Huang Qi shouted desperately.
In an instant, the intercepting ship was lifted and hurled far to the other side of the sea.
Everyone on board was tossed around, disoriented and dazed, when a tremendous boom echoed. Huge waves rippled outward, engulfing the intercepting ship, which bobbed up and down before resurfacing, still afloat on the turbulent sea.
Though Lin Jiu wore a raincoat to keep the seawater out, his hand, gripping the railing, was exposed. When the sea surged over, he felt a piercing pain— the same pain he felt when transforming!
His hand transformed into a siren’s sharp claw, and he clenched his teeth tightly to stop himself from fully changing in front of Lu Yu and Huang Qi.
He quickly retracted his hand, hiding it in his sleeve, and sat back against the deck, breathing heavily.
This creature was massive. No matter how hard Si Xu and the others attacked it, it didn’t seem to feel a thing, making it impossible to hurt it.
Lin Jiu checked the progress of his transformation—still less than halfway. There was no way he could count on getting a mid-level genetic enhancer at this point.
He turned his thoughts to the magic energy bullets. As long as he had those, his magic energy gun would be of use.
Lin Jiu wasn’t sure how powerful the magic energy gun was, but since it consumed magic crystals, he figured it should be quite formidable.
He needed Si Xu’s luck; otherwise, he might waste his opportunity to open a treasure box or get a blind draw.
“Si Xu!” Lin Jiu shouted.
Standing on one of the monster’s bone spurs, Si Xu almost slipped and fell. Did he just hear Lin Jiu’s voice?
“Si Xu—!!!!”
Si Xu was startled. That wasn’t his imagination; it really was Lin Jiu’s voice!
He moved quickly between the gaps in the bone spurs, spotted the interception ship, and used his force ability to push himself off, landing steadily on the deck.
Si Xu walked over quickly. “What are you doing here?!”
Lin Jiu caught his breath, grabbed Si Xu with his now-healed hand, and said, “Give me a number.”
Si Xu frowned.
“Hurry!” Lin Jiu urged.
“Four,” Si Xu said.
Lin Jiu summoned the nine-square grid and randomly opened the fourth treasure chest.
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining x3 powerful healing potions.]
Lin Jiu exclaimed, “No, give me another number!”
“…One,” Si Xu responded, looking more puzzled.
Lin Jiu quickly tapped the first treasure chest.
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining a box of magic energy bullets.]
Lin Jiu: “!!!!!!!!”
Lin Jiu: “Hahahaha, I got it!!!!”
Si Xu: “…”
Lu Yu: “…”
Huang Qi: “…”
Lin Jiu acted like he was searching for something in his coat and pulled out a silver magic energy gun, handing it to Si Xu.
“Here, this is a gun.”
Si Xu felt the weight in his hand and quickly gripped it.
Lin Jiu reached into his coat again and this time pulled out a square box.
“And here are the bullets.”
Si Xu: “…”
Lu Yu: “…”
Huang Qi: “…”
All three of them stared at Lin Jiu’s coat, baffled as to how such large items could fit inside without anyone noticing.
Lin Jiu knew his actions seemed absurd, but the situation was dire, and he had no other choice.
The ship rocked violently. If Lin Jiu dared to stand up now, he’d be rolling into the sea in the next second, so he didn’t take the risk.
“This gun should be powerful enough to hurt the monster. Give it a try,” Lin Jiu suggested.
Si Xu was already fiddling with the gun. Its design was so strange, even sci-fi movies wouldn’t dare portray something like this. Was it really a gun?
As he tried to find where to load the bullets, there was a splash—someone had fallen into the sea.
Without thinking, Huang Qi dove in, expertly swimming as if he had done rescue missions like this many times before.
The one who fell in was Lin Han. Huang Qi wrapped his arm around him, trying hard to swim back to the ship, but the wind and waves made it difficult.
Just then, the voice from the cockpit came again: “Tail attack!!”
The water beneath Lin Han and Huang Qi suddenly rose, forming a massive wall of water once more!
Lin Han’s first reaction was to cast a layer of armor over himself and Huang Qi; otherwise, the bone spurs on the monster’s tail would pierce them in an instant.
The water wall carried them high into the air. They were too far away now, and even Si Xu couldn’t reach them to pull them back.
Si Xu finally found the mechanism, pressing it to reveal a bullet slot!
The ship was almost tilted at a 90-degree angle. Lin Jiu grabbed the railing with one hand and reached out to Si Xu with the other. The ammo box slid across the deck.
“The box!” Lin Jiu shouted in alarm.
Si Xu reached out, and with a firm grip, pulled the box back.
The interception ship crashed into the sea but didn’t capsize, quickly floating back up.
Si Xu loaded a magic energy bullet into the gun as fast as he could, then closed the box and pushed it toward Lin Jiu. “Put it away!”
Lin Jiu grabbed it, and the box instantly disappeared.
Si Xu aimed the gun and fired!
A blue magic energy bullet shot out, exploding on the monster’s massive tail.
“ROARRRR—!!!!”
The enormous beast, which had been lurking underwater, raised its head and howled at the sky.
It was hurt—and enraged.
The massive shadow swung its body toward the interception ship!
“Abandon ship!”
Si Xu shouted, grabbing Lin Jiu and jumping into the sea. The interception ship was smashed to pieces by the monster’s tail!
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu: “!!!!!!!!”
As Lin Jiu was submerged in the sea, a wave of intense pain instantly swept over him.
He broke free from Si Xu’s grip, sinking deeper into the water.
Si Xu was shocked and quickly dove after him.
The sea was pitch black, and Si Xu sensed something rising to the surface. He reached out, grabbing onto a piece of clothing.
It wasn’t Lin Jiu!
—
