89: Second-tier Ironback Zombie

Outside the supermarket, the group received the signal and quickly got out of the vehicles. Yan Shi let out a low growl as red light surged around him. A majestic, powerful lion king with a mane like burning flames appeared out of thin air, its scorching aura dispelling some of the cold. Li Mu chanted a low spell, and green light flickered beside him. A male Wood Elf Archer, about 1.6 meters tall with a handsome face and four transparent thin wings on his back, appeared elegantly, instantly drawing a verdant energy longbow to its limit.

"Evolvers, clear the way! Everyone else follow! Move fast!" Yan Shi roared, taking the lead to rush into the supermarket entrance. The Flame Lion King let out a soul-shaking roar, and the flames it breathed instantly turned several blocking zombies into charcoal, severed limbs flying as its claws swung. The Wood Elf Archer hovered in mid-air, moving as swift as the wind. Every time he drew his bow, a verdant energy arrow precisely pierced the head of a distant zombie, silent and lethal.

Students holding miniature hand shields and short weapons followed closely behind, working in pairs with tacit coordination. Shield-bearers growled as they rammed, pinning zombies into corners or against shelves to limit their movement; the other person, with sharp eyes, swung a machete or fire axe with the sound of breaking wind, precisely and ruthlessly hacking at the zombies' fragile necks or eye sockets! Students with spears formed small battle arrays back-to-back, their spears thrusting and retracting like poisonous snakes, with every thrust aiming to pierce a skull. Crossbowmen took high positions, holding their breath in concentration. The sound of crossbow bolts leaving strings was constant, and after every shot, someone quickly stepped forward to recover the bolts—to them, every single bolt was precious.

Under the cover of the Flame Lion King's flaming roars and the Wood Elf Archer's precise kills, the team efficiently cleared the obstacles in their path and successfully rushed to the second floor.

"Quick! Collect by zones according to the plan! Prioritize rice, flour, oil, canned goods, and sealed food!" Li Mu commanded calmly. The students immediately scattered like well-trained worker ants, beginning to scavenge the remaining supplies on the shelves in a tense and orderly manner. Several students with strength clearly far exceeding ordinary people (Strength-Enhanced) were particularly prominent; they easily shouldered five or six heavy bags of rice or flour, walking briskly toward the floor below, their heavy footsteps echoing through the empty level.

"Hey! There's milk powder here! The baby products area hasn't been touched much!" a student whispered in pleasant surprise.

"Compressed biscuits! Move them quickly!" another voice rang out.

Brief joy had just begun to spread when a sudden change occurred!

"Roar—!" "Hiss—ow!"

Several even more violent and ear-piercing shrieks suddenly came from the direction of the third-floor staircase! Those sounds were filled with bloodthirsty longing and a sense of power, definitely not something an ordinary zombie could produce!

Everyone's movements stiffened as they looked up in horror!

A massive zombie with skin showing a cold metallic luster was slowly crawling down the stairs! With every step it took, its heavy body made the stairs groan under the weight. Behind it followed several First-Tier Zombies of various forms, but all emitting a dangerous aura! The metallic zombie's cold gaze swept over the crowd with the indifference of a top-tier predator.

"Second-Tier Iron Back! Leave it to me!" Tang Qi's voice rang out like a clap of thunder, instantly dispelling the chill in everyone's hearts. He unhesitatingly claimed the most dangerous enemy for himself. "Other Evolvers, take one each and deal with them!" His figure had already rushed toward the staircase like an arrow from a bow.

Without needing further words, battle intent rose in the eyes of Yan Shi, Li Mu, and the dozen or so other Evolvers as they growled and met their respective targets! They knew very well that the defense of First-Tier Zombies far exceeded that of ordinary zombies, and cold weapons would be ineffective; only Evolvers could stand against them!

Tang Qi's dragon wings unfurled again, and he transformed into a streak of blue lightning gliding at low altitude, pouncing straight toward the dozen or so zombies following closely behind the Iron Back! At the moment he passed over the zombie horde, he suddenly opened his mouth!

"Roar—!!!"

A blue-white Lightning Dragon Breath, far thicker and more violent than before, poured from his mouth like a bursting flood! The violent current instantly submerged the dozen First-Tier Zombies below!

"Crackling—Zzzzt!"

Blinding electrical light flashed, and the smell of charring filled the air! The dozen First-Tier Zombies were like frogs hit by high-voltage electricity, instantly stiffening and falling to the ground, bodies twitching and smoking, having lost all combat capability.

Tang Qi didn't even look at the results. Retracting his dragon wings, his body crashed to the ground like a meteorite, blocking the path of the Second-Tier Ironback Zombie that was radiating a metallic chill! His right leg transformed into a Dragon Claw, and with a whistle that tore through the air, he kicked hard against the Iron Back's chest, which was covered in metallic skin!

Boom! A dull, drum-like heavy sound! The Iron Back's massive body was actually kicked back several steps, crashing into a row of shelves!

"Roar!" The Iron Back let out an angry roar, stabilized itself, and swung a giant fist also covered in metal!

Tang Qi met it without fear, his Dragon Claw meeting the blow! His dragon claws were incredibly sharp, each swing carrying a whistle that tore the air, clawing fiercely at the Iron Back's hard metallic skin!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Screech—!

The ear-piercing sound of metal scraping rang out continuously, accompanied by flying sparks! The Iron Back's defense was indeed astonishing; although Tang Qi's dragon claws could break through, each strike could only leave deep claw marks and could not deliver a fatal blow. After a dozen violent claw strikes, the Iron Back's proud metallic skin was already covered in crisscrossing cracks, like porcelain about to shatter!

"Let's see how much longer you can stay tough!" Lightning flared in Tang Qi's eyes! The blue electric arcs on his dragon claws suddenly became violent and blinding! Every claw swipe was accompanied by the crackling of powerful currents!

"Zzzzt—!"

Violent lightning surged frantically into the Iron Back's body through the claw marks! Under the continuous high-voltage shocks, its metallic skin quickly turned black, distorted, and emitted a charred stench! Its massive body began to twitch and become paralyzed uncontrollably, its movements becoming incredibly slow and stiff, like a rusted machine!

Tang Qi seized the opportunity. His Dragon Claw, carrying lightning condensed to the extreme, was like five red-hot blades as he thrust it fiercely into the charred, fragile crack in the Iron Back's chest and tore outward!

"Riiip—!"

Amidst the tooth-aching sound of tearing metal, the Iron Back's hard chest was actually torn open! Tang Qi's other Dragon Claw was as fast as lightning, precisely slapping toward its head with a fierce grab!

Pfft! A crystal core stained with thick brain matter and shimmering with a faint metallic luster was pulled out. The Iron Back's massive metallic body, as if all its strength had been drained, crashed to the ground, silent and still.