Chapter 359: Everyone’s Resolve, the Cleaning Bullet’s Purification

Chapter 359: Chapter 359: Everyone’s Resolve, the Cleaning Bullet’s Purification

In the distance, within the shadows of a tall building.

A man held a viridian Longbow.

With blond hair, green eyes, and a handsome face twisted into a wicked smile, he let out a soft "Tsk."

He shook his head with a hint of regret.

’A shame... They actually predicted it? Such fast reflexes. However...’

The man licked his lips, his eyes burning with the thrill of the hunt.

"The game has only just begun."

His figure flickered, seeming to melt into the wind as he vanished between the buildings.

...

Inside another, relatively intact building.

Justin Brooks finished carefully reading the system’s new, simple, and brutal mission.

His expression turned extremely grim.

He lowered the binoculars in his hands and looked at his teammates beside him—Philip Jensen, Jasper Drake, and the others.

"The new rules... you’ve all seen them. Any thoughts?"

Justin Brooks’s voice was a bit hoarse.

Philip Jensen slammed his fist into the Wall beside him.

He roared, "This damn system! It’s clearly forcing us to kill each other! Does it want to see all of us Players die?! We can’t fall for its trap!"

Jasper Drake calmly analyzed the situation. "Philip Jensen is right. The system’s goal is to create chaos and slaughter. But... the slaughter has likely become unavoidable. Resources, slots for returning, room to survive... Under the pressure of this new mission, conflicts will escalate rapidly. Eventually, Players will be forced to fight in order to return."

His tone shifted, his gaze firm.

"However, our blades must never be aimed at our own people!

To complete the mission, we can only target other Players.

Especially those who attack us first, or Players who are an obvious threat.

We have to stay united if we want to survive this chaos."

Justin Brooks sighed, rubbing his aching temples.

’What has this all come to... A perfectly fine apocalyptic survival scenario has turned into a brutal free-for-all.

Luckily, Level 1 Players weren’t forced into this instance. Otherwise... after we return this time, the Player community will probably suffer a devastating blow.’

He felt a small sense of relief thinking of his lower-Level comrades who were likely still in relatively safe instances.

But that feeling was immediately drowned by the immense pressure of their current situation.

...

In the temporary base of another squad.

Squad leader Dexter Luther surveyed his team members with a grave expression.

Crystal Lynn, Morgan Brooks, and the others.

"Everyone understands the situation."

Dexter Luther’s voice was steady, filled with unquestionable resolve.

"The system wants us in chaos, but we refuse to be chaotic!

Killing each other will only make us die faster!

From now on, our squad must work together as one! We advance and retreat together!

Any signs of a Split or internal strife must be snuffed out in the cradle!

Our enemies are the zombies and other ill-intentioned Players, but never each other!"

Crystal Lynn nodded firmly. "Understood, Captain! We are one unit!"

The other squad members also voiced their agreement. Although there was unease in their eyes, it was overshadowed by their trust in their teammates and their commitment to unity.

However, in this kingdom of death, marked by pillars of light and shrouded by a mission of slaughter, how long could such trust and unity last?

As the temptation of returning home and the threat of death closed in simultaneously, the very bottom line of humanity would face an unprecedented, cruel test.

Every team, every person, stood at a crossroads of fate.

...

Seraphina Sullivan’s eyes were icy. Seizing the moment Sean Chandler temporarily forced back The Yates Ghoul, she once again raised her [Universal Sniper Rifle].

She made a minute adjustment to the barrel, quickly locking onto the enemy’s head, which was writhing as it tried to repair the ghastly damage from Sean Chandler’s attack.

’I refuse to believe you can recover if your body is completely gone!’

With a surge of ruthless determination, she pulled the trigger without hesitation.

WHOOSH—!

A [Space Bullet] shot out silently, precisely hitting the center of The Yates Ghoul’s head.

SPLAT.

An even more thorough and "clean" spherical void replaced what was left of its head and the chaotic mess of tissue within.

The Yates Ghoul’s body froze, its movements ceasing.

However, just as Seraphina Sullivan thought she had finally dealt with this menace, an astonishing scene unfolded!

The headless body, which had lost its entire head, did not fall!

No blood spurted from the stump of its neck. Instead, it was quickly covered and sealed by a viscous substance resembling black ooze.

Immediately after, the viral Energy lingering in the surrounding air and the scattered bits of zombie flesh on the ground were drawn toward the stump as if pulled by an invisible Power!

The black substance on the stump writhed and extended like living tentacles.

At a speed visible to the naked eye, it began to "construct" the beginnings of an even more twisted, inhuman, and ugly tumor-like "head" covered in lumps and cracks!

It was slow, but it was definitely "regenerating"!

"Damn it!" Seraphina Sullivan cursed under her breath, immediately thinking of the two Talents the creature gained after becoming a zombie.

Strengthened by the ’blessing’ of the [God of Viruses].

This thing could no longer be considered a creature in the conventional sense!

’Simple physical destruction, even Space Cutting, won’t work as long as I can’t instantly annihilate all of its viral activity or destroy its core.

It can rely on the recovery Ability of a [Zombie King] and the adaptability of [Virus Evolution] to constantly regenerate, possibly even becoming stronger!

So, to kill it for good, I have to use Purification or Holy-type attacks, or something that specifically counters viruses!’ Seraphina Sullivan quickly pinpointed the key.

But her own Ability system didn’t seem to have any Skills that were a direct counter.

’A Holy attack?

I’m not a Holy Knight or a Priest.

Wait... a Purification-type?’

Seraphina Sullivan’s brow furrowed, and then a spark of inspiration hit her.

She remembered a certain Skill.

’No, wait! I think I actually do have a Purification-type Skill!’

Her eyes suddenly lit up.

’[Clean Bubble]! The Effect of this Skill is "stain removal" and "cleaning." It sounds mundane, but judging by the ’Absolute Purification’ Effect it displays when condensed into a [Clean Bullet], it might have a special counter-effect against filth, viruses, and negative Energy!

Doesn’t that count as... a different kind of Purification?’

At this thought, Seraphina Sullivan’s spirits lifted. She immediately began to channel her [Clean Bubble] Skill, preparing to convert it into a [Clean Bullet] and give the "head-sprouting" Yates Ghoul a "deep cleaning"!

However, her finger had just touched the trigger, and she hadn’t finished condensing the bullet.

"Watch out! Someone’s approaching! They’re fast!"

Sean Chandler’s ears twitched. His keen hearing had caught the sound of something cutting through the air at high speed in the distance—a sound different from the shuffling footsteps of zombies!

He shouted the warning immediately.

Seraphina Sullivan also instantly sensed several presences, radiating clear hostility, rapidly approaching from their rear flank!

She had no choice but to abandon her shot at The Yates Ghoul. She and Sean Chandler spun around, warily facing the source of the sound.