The 9mm caliber pistol bullet was extremely powerful. A mutant whose jaw was hit was instantly knocked onto its back. Another monster, struck once in the shoulder and once in the abdomen, merely staggered slightly before once again raising its blood-soaked bone blade high, viciously stabbing at the nearest soldier.

　　“Rat-tat-tat-tat—”

　　The sudden delay in gunfire lasted less than two seconds, but for the living, it was enough. In shock, the soldiers quickly turned their guns, unleashing a torrential rain of bullets at the mutant. The creature, trying to leap up again, was riddled with bullets and turned into a human-shaped sieve full of bloody holes.

　　Brian Carter, his face grim, strode silently to the immobile mutant lying on the ground, gripped his dagger tightly, and brought it down hard on the creature’s throat. With the crisp sound of muscle and bone being severed, the terrifying head, now completely lifeless, was finally separated from its body.

　　“For these things, bullets aren’t necessarily fatal. The safest way is to smash their heads and crush their hearts—”

　　Looking at Brian Carter, who was covered in blood, mud, and grime, a burly officer in his forties, with a colonel’s insignia on his shoulder, stepped out from the crowd. With a tone that was both grateful and commanding, he said, “Thank you! Soldier, state your name and unit.”

　　“Private Brian Carter, 16th Combat Squad, 6th Battalion, 75th Infantry Division, Army.”

　　After a brief salute, Brian Carter unceremoniously pulled aside the corpse of a dead soldier from the assault vehicle and picked up the M5G43 submachine gun lying nearby. He quickly asked, “And you? Which unit are you from?”

　　“We are the Asia Division detachment of the 64th Mobile Unit.” The colonel nodded slightly, then asked, “Where is your division headquarters? Can you take us there?”

　　Such simple questions, yet Brian Carter was left stunned.

　　The 64th Mobile Unit was an elite force composed entirely of special operations soldiers, the very essence of the Chinese Army. The selection criteria for this unit were extremely strict, with an acceptance rate of nearly one in ten thousand. Even so, becoming a member of this unit was every soldier’s greatest dream.

　　The word “elite” might only apply to humans. When facing these savage, bloodthirsty, and completely unfamiliar mutant creatures, even the best soldiers had to reassess their new opponents.

　　The soldier who was killed unexpectedly on the assault vehicle was the best example. Clearly, they had no experience fighting these monsters.

　　However, upon learning the other party’s identity, another question arose in Brian Carter’s mind: “Division headquarters? You’re looking for our division headquarters?”

　　The colonel nodded. “We have an important mission and must have the full cooperation of the 75th Infantry Division. As things stand, you are also the only organized federal unit in the area.”

　　“Cooperation… hahahahaha—”

　　Suddenly, a hysterical, bitter laugh burst from Brian Carter’s mouth. “Looks like you really don’t know anything. Division headquarters… the entire 75th Division has been wiped out. There’s no division headquarters left! Honestly, after staying in this damned place for so long, you’re the only normal humans I’ve seen in weeks.”

　　“What did you say?” The colonel’s expression changed. “The 75th Infantry Division has been completely wiped out? Is… is that true?”

　　“Completely wiped out? Hehehehe! At least I was lucky enough to survive, a fortunate survivor.” Looking at the shocked faces around him, Brian Carter gritted his teeth and said urgently and firmly, “If you want to stay alive, you must evacuate this city now.”

Chapter 2: Wounds

　　As he spoke, he slung the M5G43 submachine gun over his shoulder, drew the dagger from under his arm, grabbed the corpse of the dead soldier from the assault vehicle, and prepared to stab it in the throat.

　　“What are you doing? Put him down—now!”

　　Several angry shouts, accompanied by the crisp metallic clatter of bolts being pulled, erupted from beside Brian Carter. Every soldier’s eyes blazed with fury, and without exception, their weapons were all aimed directly at him.

　　“I guessed right. You really haven’t dealt with these monsters before—”

　　Brian Carter sneered, offering no explanation. He simply shook his head, jumped down from the assault vehicle, and suddenly grabbed the dead soldier’s left arm, which was hanging by the door. With a swift motion, he sliced open the sleeve of the combat uniform with his dagger, gripped the dead man’s wrist tightly, and held it high. He shouted sharply, “Open your eyes and look carefully. I have no intention of disrespecting the dead. In a few hours, he’ll get up from here and become a monster just like those things. He’s no longer our comrade, but an aberration—a mutant who, after being infected by the virus, has completely lost himself—”