The colossal B-class corrupted lizard, its body riddled with wounds, fled from Black Whale City, soaring rapidly toward the northwest. Yet its speed waned steadily, the relentless assault from Kerry's Magelight Cannon inflicting grievous damage. The frantic flight only worsened its torn flesh, crimson blood streaming profusely.
Alone, it drifted through the sky, dripping blood that fell ever closer to the earth below. Its massive form gradually descended, wings growing heavier with each beat, its vision blurring into a haze. Exhausted and battered, it could no longer lift its wings, and with a thunderous crash, its bulk shattered several buildings in a desolate town as it slammed to the ground. Collapsing amidst the ruins, it breathed dust-laden air and slipped into unconsciousness.
…
Far away in Black Whale City, after hours of cautious vigilance, the X Legion found no further sign of beast attacks. Their anxious hearts finally began to ease.
The dark wilderness reemerged, and without even pausing to eat, Xiao Feng and his comrades busied themselves collecting the magical crystals scattered across craters and barren plains.
Xiao Feng understood all too well the peril of leaving these crystals exposed overnight—monsters had begun devouring the crystals to augment their own strength. If left unattended, the crystals would surely be consumed entirely by other beasts. Thus, all other tasks were set aside in favor of gathering every crystal, regardless of grade.
Pale blue G-class crystals, deep blue F-class, verdant green E-class, fiery orange D-class, and crimson C-class — no crystal was to be abandoned.
Tugging at the hide of a D-class monster, Xiao Feng lamented, "If that B-class corrupted lizard hadn't escaped today, wouldn't we have been ecstatic?"
"Indeed," replied Tudou with a grin. "The price of B-class crystals is staggering, and the demand is insatiable."
"What if your energy stones were replaced by these B-class crystals?"
Tudou chuckled softly. "If my power stones were swapped for B-class crystals, I reckon I could fell a C-class beast with a single punch."
"That's quite an exaggeration…" Xiao Feng replied, extracting a D-class crystal from the beast's belly and tossing it to a nearby mecha warrior. Each soldier bore a large backpack, many already filled to capacity with D-class crystals.
Aside from crystal gatherers, some soldiers solemnly tended to the fallen comrades' bodies—a heart-wrenching task. Every face bore a heavy expression.
Several trucks transported the corpses to a designated site where a large bonfire burned. Excavators had already dug several deep pits. Wrapped in white shrouds, the bodies were carefully laid to rest in these graves.
A robed preacher, clutching a Bible, offered prayers for the departed souls, beseeching their ascent to the heavens.
It was a night etched deeply into the memories of both Black Whale City and the X Legion.
A night destined to remain sleepless.
…
In his chamber, Hei Long paced incessantly. Even with two scantily clad women languishing on his bed, he found no solace. His steed had yet to return. To secure victory in this war, Hei Long had even dispatched his own B-class beast.
Yet, that beast remained unaccounted for. He seized a communicator, calling Duke Luke repeatedly, but was met with silence.
Frustrated, Hei Long flung the device to the ground. "Damn it! A pack of failures! If anything has happened to my steed, Luke, you miserable wretch—I'll make sure you regret it!"
At that moment, one of the women spoke softly, "My lord, you should send someone to verify whether the war has truly ended."
"You speak wisely. There has been no signal from the frontline. I fear something may have befallen Luke and his men."
As Hei Long prepared to open the door and dispatch scouts, a messenger arrived in haste. Upon seeing Hei Long, he dropped to one knee. "Reporting to King Hei Long—I bring news from the front."
Hei Long's face remained impassive. "What of the frontline?"
"King Hei Long, the entire beast tide was vanquished by the X Legion. They are now clearing the battlefield. Duke Luke has been captured alive by Xiao Feng. As for the B-class corrupted lizard, though it escaped, it is gravely wounded. Its fate remains uncertain."
"What? The B-class lizard severely wounded? Who could have inflicted such damage? Its armor, impervious even to missiles, cannot be breached easily."
"My lord, you are correct. Yet, no defense is impenetrable. Weapons such as laser cannons can pierce its hide."
"Hm. Even if laser cannons can breach its armor, they are insufficient to kill it outright."
"Indeed. Xiao Feng battled the B-class lizard for nearly half an hour with his laser cannon without causing severe injury. However, when Kerry appeared wielding an unprecedented laser weapon, the lizard was gravely wounded. Kerry's weapon fired a violet beam, capable of piercing the lizard's wings with a single shot."
"What? A laser that can pierce a B-class lizard's wings? How have I never heard of such a weapon? Are you certain?"
"It is reportedly a new model from Brom Company, capable of continuous firing. It appears no longer reliant on electric power…"
"If I do not witness this with my own eyes, I will not believe it. Arrange vehicles. You and I will return to Black Whale City. I must see firsthand the true might of the X Legion."
The messenger hesitated with concern. "My lord, I can scout on your behalf. You should rest here."
Hei Long clenched his fist tightly, shaking his head. "No, I must see for myself. What manner of anomaly and what weapon has utterly destroyed my beast horde? Damn Xiao Feng and the X Legion—I shall personally see to their complete annihilation."