From the Abyss of Stars

26. Tendon Splitting and Bone Breaking (Part 2)

 

"The guard squad is out of contact."

 

Assistant Anna said in a deep voice:

 

"The life signals of security teams A-12 and C-03 have also disappeared. Even the guards with military equipment have been wiped out, which shows that the enemy is coming with determination to root out our humanitarian organization... Should we continue? If we retreat now—"

 

"No! We can't transfer the patients again. Many are bedridden and will die on the way."

 

The professor shook her head:

 

"How is Nurse Nordley doing?"

 

"The White Fang gang has a special Level 4 infected who released a shadow impact that destroyed nearby electronic equipment... Currently, we don't have specific details."

 

"That's really unsettling... Anna, do we have any spare forces left without calling up the third floor?"

 

"Almost none." Assistant Anna checked the information and gave a pessimistic conclusion: "The White Fang gang has too many people. If it weren't for their reluctance to destroy the shelter's facilities with heavy firepower, theoretically, we should have fallen 20 minutes ago."

 

During their conversation, there was an urgent knock on the office door again:

 

"Professor, the first floor is about to fall! Please transfer quickly—Argh! Ugh—"

 

The sound of a blade penetrating flesh abruptly stopped the urging voice, followed by the dull thud of blunt force trauma and the shattering of bones, accompanied by cursing and maniacal laughter.

 

The office fell silent.

 

Despite the enemy being at the door, Assistant Anna saw no trace of panic on the professor's ageless face.

 

"Hmph... how pathetic."

 

The professor was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh:

 

"I thought they would come for my life. To kill me—at least it should be a college graduate, right? But now, Anna, it seems I might die at the hands of a bunch of illiterates and scum."

 

"Professor, we still have time to leave, and the third floor can—"

 

"I won't leave, nor will I activate anything on the third floor. That is... humanity's treasure. I absolutely cannot let it be ruined by a bunch of filthy, insidious bottom-dwellers. If I am to die, then it means the so-called gods have allowed these secrets to be buried with me forever."

 

The professor opened a drawer and took out a handgun. She removed the magazine and, in front of Assistant Anna, loaded two bullets. She handed the gun to Assistant Anna:

 

"I don't have the courage to end myself... Anna, if they break in, I'll leave it to you."

 

Assistant Anna's gaze was complicated. As she instinctively took the gun, she realized how heavy this cold weapon was.

 

For a person's wrist, it was a one-pound iron block, but for a life, it seemed overly light, because it was a one-pound iron block.

 

"I won't shoot... Professor." Anna didn't realize her voice was trembling, her vision blurring slightly: "And I can't possibly shoot you... I'm just a doctor."

 

"Anna, do you remember the teachings from your training?"

 

The professor's gaze softened as she placed her hand on Anna's crystalline hand, gently saying:

 

"This world doesn't just have humans; there are viruses, bacteria, parasites, beasts carrying pathogens, patient zero... Sometimes you have no choice. To prevent disaster, just like tumor removal and cranial surgery, you must bring great pain to the patient, even beyond their limit, to remove the disease."

 

"If you want to save a life, you must be prepared to take another."

 

Bang!

 

The door was heavily struck, and the White Fang gang members were trying to break through this last line of defense.

 

Assistant Anna trembled uncontrollably, no longer maintaining her usual calmness, instead gazing at the professor with tearful eyes, like a child, her lips trembling:

 

"Will you always remember me, Professor?"

 

Thud!

 

The White Fang gang shouted outside the door:

 

"Set up the composite explosives, damn it, blow the door open!"

 

Anna clung to the professor's warm hand like a frightened young beast.

 

"I will."

 

The professor brushed Anna's hair, gently saying:

 

"Those who dedicate themselves to humanitarianism will be remembered by civilization."

 

Outside, the gang members shouted:

 

"Prepare for the blast, clear the area—three!"

 

Anna murmured: "…forever."

 

The professor buried her head in Anna's embrace, the wrinkles at her eyes slowly smoothing out. She closed her eyes, gently stroking her student's hair.

 

"Two!"

 

"Who! Who's there?"

 

Anna, seemingly resolute, stood up, unlocked the safety, and aimed the gun at the professor's forehead, her finger slowly resting on the trigger. The professor, full of compassion, quietly awaited the upcoming events.

 

"One! Argh—what the hell is this! I can't stand!"

 

At the moment the detonation button was pressed, the gang members experienced an unprecedented impact.

 

Beep beep beep—boom!

 

Electrodes activated the detonators, and the plastic-wrapped compound rapidly expanded, releasing a sweeping blast of gas and heat. The powerful kinetic energy instantly tore apart the door structure, melting and distorting it in the high temperature.

 

Time seemed to slow down countless times at this moment. Before the gang members could react, a figure fell with the explosion's sound wave. Flying wood chips, iron scraps, and human bodies had a uniform direction—upwards!

 

Gravitational Inversion!

 

In his gray eyes, golden rings shone as Li Aozi landed heavily. He silently released the inverted gravitational field, using the explosion's momentum to send all the White Fang gang members smashing into the ceiling. Their heads struck the steel dome, necks like swords piercing their skulls or cleanly breaking.

 

Many lost their combat effectiveness instantly, but Li Aozi didn't plan to let go of these experience bags.

 

His psychic power wasn't enough for the remaining kills, so he threw three blades, then retracted the gravitational field. Twelve gang members fell instantly; three of them had their carotid arteries sliced, blood spraying like broken faucets, drenching the walls.

 

"Argh—what kind of devil are you!"

 

The White Fang gang members, disoriented and horrified, looked at Li Aozi.

 

Li Aozi couldn't be bothered to answer; the weak don't deserve a voice. He used the last of his psychic power to re-release the gravitational field, causing the gang members to lose balance again, being sucked into the abyss of the hallway.

 

Gravitational Deflection.

 

Li Aozi stood calmly, watching the gang members desperately grab railings, walls, and metal cabinets but still being dragged down the hallway.

 

This hallway wasn't long, only about 30 meters.

 

"Help!"

 

"Save me!"

 

Their screams just started before they crashed into the wall and door at the end. Thanks to their high levels and health, many didn't die on the spot.

 

"Ha... I'm alive?"

 

A gang member leaned against the wall, struggling to find his balance after the gravity fluctuations. His arms were fractured, his body bruised and battered. He grinned, thinking he was safe, calling to his remaining comrades:

 

"He's out of power, haha, now's the time, get him—"

 

Bang!

 

"Hahaha—who can stop Lord Nomi now!"

 

Before he finished, the door behind him was kicked open. Nomi, swinging her wrench, laughed wildly as she knocked down the gang members, kicking one and smashing another's skull with the wrench. White and red splattered like tofu with chili oil.

 

Clang!

 

"Come on—whether it's those humanitarian scum or outside bandits, I'll crush you all, smash you to pieces!"

 

Red and white covered her patient uniform, and the bandages couldn't hide her twisted, manic smile. The girl's wrench, drenched in the mix, lifted from the skull, her purple eye turning red-black.

 

Just like the ominous sky.