I’m Really Scared
Chapter 32: Crisis?

Three minutes ago, the members of the first squad of the Youhao Brigade arrived on the scene, only to be attacked by a C-level Esper.

It was clearly a flesh-type mutation Esper, covered in scales, with hands and feet transformed into claws, and rough, wrinkled gray skin.

Its face was flat, mouth split to the ears, eyes turned into vertical pupils, nose reduced to two holes, but its ears and hair remained, making it resemble a large humanoid lizard. The uncanny valley effect was extremely strong.

This was a common characteristic of mutation-type Espers.

The higher their level, the deeper the mutation, eventually making them completely inhuman.

This Esper clung to the rooftop, its skin color changing to match the roof, ready to ambush Guan Shan.

The trio didn't notice it at first.

But soon, the opponent chose to strike.

The giant lizard's leg muscles tensed, and it shot forward like a compressed spring, from stillness to high speed in an instant.

Its speed was unbelievable, almost like teleportation, leaving afterimages in the witnesses' vision.

Such speed made it difficult to react, especially in an ambush.

"Swish!"

Gao Ye instinctively drew her sword to block, barely holding off the sharp claws.

"What tremendous force!"

Her heart sank as she could only draw half her blade, the sheath and sword each blocking a claw, trembling under the pressure.

Gao Ye's fair cheek was scratched by the claw tip, leaving a blood trail.

But her blade also pierced into the enemy's palm.

"Hiss—"

The lizard's vertical pupils blinked, its tongue flicked out in a low hiss, a mocking expression on its face.

Gao Ye stared at it, shouting: "Scatter! It's 'Worker Bee Three'! Its ability is 'Lizardification', specializing in high-speed attacks and strong power. Stick to the old rules, Tang Zhi disrupts its thoughts, Chen Yunpeng deploys a 300-meter barrier!"

"I'll hold it off, move carefully, don't let it touch you, or you'll likely die instantly!"

The so-called barrier referred to Chen Yunpeng's ability "Protective Membrane."

As the name suggested, it created an invisible protective layer.

This membrane covered a thousand square meters, only nanometers thick, capable of withstanding about a hundred pounds of force and even soundproofing.

Chen Yunpeng could use it on himself, layering it into a personal shield, or spread it out to protect buildings.

Chen Yunpeng's ability had saved the Special Security Group a lot of expenses.

Deploying a 300-meter barrier meant layering the membrane twice, with some left to protect their group.

Tang Zhi had already hidden somewhere, responding through the earpiece: "One second!"

It meant he would activate his ability in one second.

As they communicated, Worker Bee Three didn't idle, repeatedly retreating and attacking, leaving afterimages in midair, his movements too fast to see clearly.

"Clang! Clang!"

The sound of claws striking the blade was incessant.

Gao Ye focused, counting down the second.

Worker Bee Three's attack suddenly halted, pausing in place, his eyes losing focus as if soulless.

"An opportunity!"

In the next second, Gao Ye took a deep breath, holding her sword, gathering Qi onto the blade, and swung it, releasing a wave of energy.

Sword Technique: Shocking Dragon!

"Swish—Boom!"

The energy wave, three meters high, swept forward like a dragon, crashing through bricks and air, roaring towards the frozen Worker Bee Three.

Gao Ye's ability was not strictly an Esper ability but "Qi."

Qi could be controlled through cultivation, but without talent, it couldn't even be sensed.

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Though officially categorized as a special ability, Gao Ye and others like her who could use Qi often called themselves "Immortals."

Worker Bee Three regained consciousness as the energy wave hit, his expression twisting in pain before turning arrogant and smug.

"Boom—"

Worker Bee Three was hit squarely, falling instantly.

He flipped in midair, claws hooking onto a nearby wall, quickly leaping towards Guan Shan.

—

Hiding in a corner, Tang Zhi released the brief "Synesthesia," opening his eyes with a pained expression, chaotic memories flashing before him.

One scene, fleetingly, showed a dark room with dozens of sleeping children.

"Experiment... preparation..."

Muffled words mixed with noise.

Chen Yunpeng's voice barely came through the earpiece: "Tang Zhi? Tang Zhi! Are you okay?"

Tang Zhi felt a stabbing pain in his head, gasping for breath: "I'm fine... but I seem to have obtained some crucial clues."

—

"Damn!"

After knocking away the C-level Esper, Gao Ye saw its sly smile during the fall and realized she was tricked!

It had feigned weakness to escape her attack range!

Her heart sank, she immediately pursued.

At the other end of the alley, the lizardman, its flesh sliced open, continued running at full speed, hissing and encountering Guan Shan briefly before rushing outside.

Guan Shan hadn't expected the BOSS to ignore him and run outside!

Shen Dinghua... Shen Dinghua was waiting outside!

Though the simulator stated all scenes and objects were simulated, and Guan Shan believed they were fake.

Since they were simulated, they shouldn't harm real people.

The simulator caused environmental damage and could hurt Guan Shan, but it was all directed at him, with no one else around.

That was the logic.

But at this moment, logic didn't matter to Guan Shan!

He only knew that the monster's claws were aimed at Shen Dinghua!

With [Gravity Control] on cooldown, Guan Shan canceled 50kg of gravity, instantly surpassing the alien zombie's speed.

His rapid movement bypassed the alley, the ground, and the hideous monster, seeing the slender girl waiting quietly.

He switched to the boning knife, activating [Butcher's Heart], chasing with all his might.

But the unusual zombie was one step ahead.

Guan Shan raised his knife, but the zombie's claws already touched Shen Dinghua's back.

No...

Guan Shan's pupils contracted, reason shattered, watching the claws inch closer, closer...

Then.

They passed through Shen Dinghua's body without resistance.

Guan Shan was stunned.

No blood, no tearing, the alien zombie's claws passed through, followed by its entire body.

The monster's body and Shen Dinghua's figure merged, then separated smoothly, like clipping.

No... this was probably... clipping? Guan Shan blinked.

The alien zombie landed in the distance, still hissing provocatively at Guan Shan, ignoring Shen Dinghua.

Shen Dinghua, covering her ears, her thin dress fluttering in the wind.

She seemed to hear the noise behind her, softly asking: "Xiao Shan?"