The game interface, task dispatch module.
After days of cleanup, thanks to the diligent work of Brother Black Blade, the safety index of the area Fang You lived in had increased by 80%.
Only two red-marked spots remained.
It was imaginable that with more Destiny Apostles in his household, Baijiang City might soon be rated as the safest city in the country, or even globally.
One of the red-marked spots was a one-star minor anomaly.
The other, representing the Serpent Mother, had moved several hundred meters from yesterday, and seemed to be getting faster and more active.
"Anomaly: Serpent Mother (Two-star)" [URGENT]
The tasks were all marked with the red word 'URGENT'.
The situation was indeed dire.
He wondered how things were over there now, whether they were being purged or merely surrounded.
He was unaware, unable to know.
He considered whether to go and observe the situation, but given the unclear circumstances and his own limited abilities, getting into danger would not be worth it.
He decided to remain in the rear and provide remote technical support to Brother Black Blade.
Selecting the two-star anomaly mission.
Deploying!
Countdown, 10, 9, 8, 7, ...
...
At the same time, in the overgrown street.
The sun rose in the east, though the sky remained overcast. Glimmers of light fell on the faces of every investigator, including Director Zhou, who also donned a long black trench coat and joined the fray himself.
Every face wore a look of grim determination.
Before them lay terror, the abyss.
Were they afraid? Most investigators were, how could they not be!
But could they retreat?
Could they face a future where they could never hold their heads up high again?
No.
If they could not retreat, then they must press on.
If they did not return, then... at least, someone would remember their names.
"Three hundred meters to the target anomaly."
"Clear out minor anomalies in the surrounding area."
"Fire illumination flares."
"Advance steadily."
Director Zhou commanded with calm authority.
Special Investigator Bai Xue stood nearby, her snow-white long hair flowing in the wind.
Immaculately white.
This was a lingering side effect from her awakening.
Awakening to the embrace of the mystical often came with certain drawbacks; growing a horn or a lump on the neck was not unheard of.
Her only changes were her hair turning white and her eyes becoming unsettling, forcing her to wear sunglasses.
Compared to other Special Investigators, these changes were minimal.
Her awakened abilities were concentrated in her eyes.
Her unnerving gaze fell upon the empty street before her, reflecting not only the giant silhouette shrouded in black mist but also numerous adorable little creatures crawling out from the swollen abdomen of the colossal anomaly.
There were so many!
Bai Xue stepped forward, twirling her spear in a flourish before thrusting it forward, releasing the concentrated life energy.
In her vision, a faint gray outline appeared. The small, backpack-sized 'cute thing' exploded like a balloon.
Popping with a single stab, it was a satisfying sight.
Next, she would poke all these little cuties to death!
A seductive smile flickered across Bai Xue's face.
But Director Zhou stopped her, looking somewhat helpless. "Ms. Bai Xue, save some of your strength. You'll need it more against that big fellow."
"Alright."
Bai Xue reluctantly retracted her spear. Popping balloons like this was so much fun.
However, indeed, she needed to conserve her life energy.
Bai Xue watched as the investigators from the Baijiang branch, armed with prayer beads or talismans, rushed into the smoky areas, pressing, throwing, and smashing.
Upon contact, faint white lights would sometimes emanate. In the unseen world, the minor anomalies writhed, their bodies stretching like noodles under force, then shattering.
Thus, they vanished.
As the investigators systematically purged the anomalies, prayer beads would occasionally run out of power and snap, or talismans would become creased.
They would then be replaced.
The consumption was significant, but this was not the time to lament the cost.
Bai Xue moved a bit further away. She disliked this kind of power, or rather, Special Investigators generally did.
They weren't harmed by this power like the anomalies, but it evoked a deep-seated aversion.
She retreated a short distance and gazed at the distant, colossal black silhouette.
Clearing the way as they advanced.
Anomaly after anomaly was purged, yet no joy appeared on the investigators' faces.
Only pressure!
Increasingly heavy pressure!
Especially as they cleared the area and drew closer to the terrifying black shadow in the distance, the pressure weighing on their hearts grew.
Piercing screams echoed in their ears.
The scene before their eyes began to overlap.
Their hearts pounded, their reason waned, and their faces contorted into expressions that were neither smile nor cry.
Thump—
An investigator slammed his fist into his chest, curled up, and collapsed onto the ground.
Even with the prayer beads and various necklaces and bracelets they wore, they could not withstand the influence of this terrifying anomaly. The investigators had never been this close before!
They couldn't take it anymore!
"Retreat! All those who cannot bear it, fall back!"
In the unseen world,
Here, the black mist was thicker. The Serpent Mother's body writhed, and suddenly, several openings let out piercing shrieks.
"Roar—!"
Waves of sound rippled outward. Pairs of eyes darted up and down, fixing on the distant figures.
Boom—
The black mist suddenly thickened. From the Serpent Mother's massive, bloated lower body, legs suddenly sprouted with a squelching sound, extending to both sides like a centipede's.
It had become incredibly agile, crawling forward rapidly.
It...
"It's evolving!"
Bai Xue charged forward with her spear, meeting the colossal figure head-on. Her white hair billowed as her long spear repeatedly struck the black silhouette.
It hit, but...
Only a tiny splash erupted.
Small holes appeared in the black mist that enveloped the Serpent Mother.
Well, the defense was breached, perhaps equivalent to scratching off a scale.
At this moment, accompanied by a whistling sound, a serpent-like shadow abruptly lengthened and lashed out, extending over ten meters.
It was invisible to the naked eye.
Deeply submerged beneath reality,
It slammed onto the asphalt road with a thunderous roar, sending gravel flying. In the unseen world, dust billowed, stones flew, and the ground cracked open under the impact.
The investigators had long since fallen to the ground.
Those still standing, besides Bai Xue, were only Jiang Tingqiu and two others. Director Zhou was half-standing, squatting as he lit a lamp!
A lamp lit before the Buddha!
The flame flickered, seemingly dispelling the darkness. The hoarse shrieks in their ears softened, and the terrifying black shadow nearby paused, hovering around, seemingly apprehensive of the lamp.
It was working!
As expected of a lamp with decades of history, it was more... than imagined.
"Roar—!"
Gusts of air rolled, deafening their eardrums.
In the unseen world, the terrifying monster's eyes burst with a squelching sound, but the lamp before Director Zhou was simultaneously extinguished.
The lamp was out.
Simultaneously extinguished was his newly ignited hope.
As expected, they still couldn't deal with it.
They could only resort to a last resort.
Director Zhou forced himself to stand but caught sight of a figure approaching in the distance.
Dressed in black.
Wearing a mask.
His sword was already unsheathed.