Chapter Fifteen: The Mad "Blood Fox"

The night was deep. Beneath the crimson glow of the moon, in a remote village under Biyang’s jurisdiction, a group of black-clad, fully armed men advanced cautiously along the country path, with Lin Lei at their lead.

Before long, a three-story building bathed in dim, yellow light appeared in their line of sight. That was the hiding place of the so-called “Blood Fox.” Though the distance was considerable, Lin Lei caught a faint, metallic scent of blood on the air. His sense of smell was preternaturally sharp at this moment—despite the space between them, he could clearly detect the odor wafting from their target.

But it was not just the scent of blood. Through his [Source Energy Perception], Lin Lei also sensed a surge of source energy emanating outward from the building. The strength of this energy wave far exceeded what an ordinary level-two source user could produce.

“Something’s wrong. Stay alert,” Lin Lei ordered, signaling his team to halt.

The “Blood Fox” had changed identities and retreated to the countryside precisely to avoid detection, so he would certainly keep a low profile. The pervasive stench of blood and leaking source energy, therefore, were highly suspicious.

Everyone stopped as instructed. Beside Lin Lei, a male investigator dressed in the same combat gear volunteered, “Chief Lin, let me use my ability to scout ahead. My gift is perfect for reconnaissance.”

Lin Lei narrowed his eyes and nodded. “Be careful.”

The man smiled, and in the next instant, his body shrank abruptly, transforming into a small bird, which flitted toward the building on fluttering wings. This was another [Flesh Gift]: he could shift his body into various avian forms. Although his gift was not of a high grade and did not grant great strength, it was invaluable for certain investigative missions.

Lin Lei’s own [Shapeshifting] could alter his appearance as well, and becoming other creatures was possible. But the range of sizes he could assume was limited; transforming into monsters like ghouls was easy enough, but if he tried to become a bird, the best he could manage was an ostrich...

In the darkness, Lin Lei watched as the little bird flew into the second floor of the building. Suddenly, a black shadow burst from a room on the upper floor, leaping high into the air like a gust of wind—heading straight for the bird.

“Damn!” Lin Lei realized the danger and immediately raised his silver pistol, firing rapidly.

Everything unfolded in a flash, and in the thick night, only Lin Lei reacted in time.

Muzzle flashes burst in the crimson-tinged darkness. In the same instant, the black figure bared its gruesome jaws, snapping the bird from the air in one bite.

Blood and flesh—far more than the bird’s body could contain—exploded in the sky, blooming like a grotesque flower. There was no need to say it: the investigator was dead beyond hope.

Lin Lei’s bullet arrived a moment too late. It struck the shadow squarely, producing a metallic clang.

“This thing’s body can withstand source energy bullets!” Lin Lei’s lips tightened, but his hand did not falter; he fired several more times in quick succession.

Yet against this shadow, even source energy rounds had little effect.

Meanwhile, startled shouts erupted around him. The rest of the armed team raised their weapons and unleashed a barrage at the shadowy form.

Streams of flame spat from muzzles, illuminating the dark night. The shadow did not retreat or evade; instead, it charged directly into the hail of gunfire.

“Source energy bullets have a high minimum threshold, but that’s all…” Lin Lei muttered, dropping his pistol and drawing a long alloy blade from the bag slung over his shoulder.

He shouted, “Everyone fall back!”

The energy wave from the shadow was not normal—far surpassing level two, no less than a typical level three.

But in terms of speed and explosive power, it was not overwhelming. At least, to Lin Lei, it was not as monstrous as the tier-three giant beast he had faced in the forbidden zone.

With a roaring wind, the shadow closed the distance in the blink of an eye. Yet it did not attack Lin Lei, who had stepped forward to intercept, but instead whirled past him like a hurricane, heading for the only other remaining investigator—a woman.

“With so many people here, and it’s targeting another source user—this is no coincidence…” Lin Lei recalled how quickly it had detected the investigator in bird form. Clearly, this creature’s sensitivity to source energy was extraordinary.

In terms of combat prowess, the woman was stronger, but she was only level one—against a foe of possible third-level strength, escape was her only hope.

“Not on my watch!” Lin Lei did not hesitate. He launched himself forward like a rocket, appearing before the female investigator in a blink.

With a mighty swing, he brought his blade down on the charging shadow.

A harsh metallic clang split the air.

The black figure was sent flying by Lin Lei’s blow, smashing through a tree and slamming heavily to the ground.

“Damn…” The shadow knelt, raising a blood-flushed, ferocious face. Crimson eyes glared fixedly at Lin Lei.

It was a powerfully built man, his skin an unnatural bluish-black. Thick veins writhed across his face, and on either side of his brow, small bloody welts bulged as if about to sprout horns.

He was bare-chested. Lin Lei’s full-force slash had left only a shallow gash across his chest—not even particularly deep.

This man’s flesh had reached a prodigious level of resilience—no wonder bullets could not harm him.

Lin Lei studied the man’s features and raised an eyebrow. “Blood Fox… how did you become like this?”

Though his demeanor differed greatly from the information Lin Lei had received, there was no doubt—this was “Blood Fox.”

“Die! Die!” the Blood Fox screamed, lunging at Lin Lei with wild abandon.

“He’s lost his mind…” Lin Lei frowned, gripping his blade with both hands.

He met the Blood Fox head-on.

Again and again, harsh metallic clashes rang through the air.

The Blood Fox wielded no weapon, but even barehanded he could easily block Lin Lei’s alloy blade.

His body had reached an utterly inhuman toughness.

In terms of sheer strength, Lin Lei was actually stronger, but not by much. The Blood Fox’s defense, however, was on a whole other level.

Even Lin Lei’s full-powered strikes left only thin cuts in the man’s flesh—barely breaking the skin.