Volume One Mutation Chapter Seventeen Myth?

Liu Cong lingered in the camp for several more hours, deliberately seeking out a quiet spot to avoid the enthusiastic crowds. Glancing at the nearby mutated wolf corpses, he suddenly recalled the earlier incident when the black fire failed to work as expected. Driven by curiosity, he walked over to the nearest body, letting the black fire flare up in his palm before pressing it against the flesh.

The searing heat of the black fire made the surrounding air shimmer, and as it continued to burn, a faint aroma of roasting meat wafted from the scorched patch of wolf. Unlike before, however, the black fire did not swiftly reduce its target to ashes. Observing closely, Liu Cong finally noticed something strange—a barely perceptible energy flickered within the flesh of the mutated direwolf, and under the black fire’s assault, wisps of black smoke drifted out and quickly dissipated.

Frowning, Liu Cong began to ponder—could this be the primary cause of biological mutation?

He reasoned that the black water of the Pacific’s Dark Sea contained some unique energy. When living creatures came into contact with it, their strength increased dramatically; the longer the exposure, the larger and fiercer the creature grew. However, most beings, after mutating, became uncontrollably bloodthirsty and often lost all reason.

After conducting a few more tests, Liu Cong mentally categorized the mutated creatures: ordinary zombies and smaller mutants who had only brief contact with the black water were relatively easy to deal with—he classified these as Tier 1 mutants. Larger beings, such as the direwolf before him and the giant eagle he had seen earlier, he deemed Tier 2.

Judging by his current power level, Liu Cong realized that without using the Black and White Divine Sword, he was only slightly stronger than a Tier 2 mutant—he could break their defenses but not easily kill them. With the sword, however, he could dispatch Tier 2 mutants effortlessly.

The thought left him a little disheartened—he had once believed himself quite strong, but this battle had stripped him of any arrogance. If defeating a single Tier 2 mutant was so difficult, how powerful must those creatures be, the ones constantly exposed to black water, or those that lived in it entirely?

As he brooded, a commotion erupted in the camp—the convoy transporting civilians had returned. Liu Cong made his way back, where a soldier in special tactical gear approached him.

“You must be Major General Liu. On behalf of the Southern Military District, thank you for your support!” The special forces officer saluted.

“No need to thank me; I’m just doing my duty,” Liu Cong replied with a slight smile. “Let’s focus on getting the civilians to the safe zone. I’ll be returning to G15 as well.”

“Yes, sir!” the soldier responded crisply and returned to the convoy.

Just as Liu Cong was about to leave, someone called out his name. He turned to see Yang Feng jogging over.

“Commander, are you heading back to the G15 Military District?” Yang Feng asked.

“I am. What’s the matter?”

“Sir, once I return to the district, I plan to apply for reassignment to the G15 frontline. I’ll come find you then!” Yang Feng’s eyes were resolute.

“Think carefully—G15 is just as dangerous, and you’ll be facing monsters from the water as well,” Liu Cong warned.

During his days at G15, Liu Cong had learned the purpose behind its establishment. The so-called G15 referred to the former National Route 15, situated along the southeast coast. The G15 defensive line was a precautionary measure, erected to guard against mutated aquatic creatures. Judging by the current rate of the Dark Sea’s expansion, it could engulf the entire Pacific within five years. No one knew how many mutated creatures lurked within, or whether, in the end, some might develop the ability to come ashore.

The nation’s marine surveillance authorities had detected that the eastern coastline would soon enter a period of flooding. The unique property of the Dark Sea—its water forming stagnant masses—forced ocean currents to split and flow around it. As the black water continued to spread, the threat to the coast only grew, raising the likelihood of frequent tsunamis and driving both infected and uninfected creatures ashore.

Yang Feng, however, was unfazed. “A battle is a battle, wherever you fight it. I’m more at ease among soldiers—fighting alongside them feels right.”

After a few more words, the convoy prepared to depart. Yang Feng bade Liu Cong farewell and returned to his vehicle. Watching them go, Liu Cong’s watch beeped.

“Liu Cong, have you finished with your assignment?” Zhang Chu’s tone was grave, hinting at urgent news.

“I just saw the convoy off,” Liu Cong replied.

“Return immediately—there’s an emergency!”

A chill ran through Liu Cong. Zhang Chu held a high position; if he called something urgent, it was certainly no ordinary matter. Without another word, Liu Cong set out at once.

Night had fallen by the time he reached G15. The brightly lit defense line snaked across the landscape like a dragon at rest.

Liu Cong went straight to the command center, where he found Zhang Chu sitting heavily in a chair, his expression somber.

“Uncle Zhang, what’s happened?” he asked, apprehensive.

“Watch this video first,” Zhang Chu said, playing a clip.

The footage showed a massive serpent gliding unhurriedly along the ground. Its entire body gleamed white, stretching over a hundred meters long, covered in thick, pearly scales. As it moved, trees and buildings alike were flattened, the earth gouged with deep, long furrows. The giant white snake looked every bit like a legendary dragon, awe-inspiring and terrifying.

“That—that’s the White Serpent from myth! But it’s enormous!” Liu Cong exclaimed.

Zhang Chu rubbed his temples. “We’re not sure. The footage was taken this afternoon. A low-orbit satellite first spotted the serpent, then the state dispatched a drone to capture these images.”

“The snake is not only immense but incredibly tough. Just keep watching.”

Liu Cong’s heart skipped a beat as he watched the next scene—the drone, flying high above, dropped a bomb onto the giant serpent. The monstrous snake raised its head, flicked its tongue, then opened its jaws wide and swallowed the falling bomb whole. The bomb exploded in its mouth, but aside from a bit of smoke curling from its lips, the snake seemed completely unscathed.

Having swallowed the bomb, the serpent continued forward as if it had merely enjoyed a tasty treat.

“Uncle Zhang, I’ve made some new discoveries regarding these mutated creatures,” Liu Cong said, then recounted his findings from the direwolf carcass.

“You think this serpent contains the same black energy? And that it might be a Tier 3 mutant?” Zhang Chu asked, astonished.

“That’s right,” Liu Cong nodded.

“Why not Tier 4? It’s far larger than that mutated wolf!” Zhang Chu pressed.

Liu Cong managed a wry smile. “Uncle Zhang, even Tier 2 monsters are infused with foreign energy. Tier 3 mutants likely contain even more. I suspect this serpent is Tier 3 because of its incredible defenses—even a bomb detonating in the soft tissues of its mouth left it unharmed, far surpassing the mutated direwolf. As for Tier 4, I can’t say until I’ve actually seen one.”

Zhang Chu thought for a moment, then said, “You should report this directly to the Second Commander.” With that, he dialed the phone.

Liu Cong was surprised to learn that his superior was the Second Commander himself, but he quickly composed his report.

“Comrade Liu Cong, this is an excellent proposal. We’ve never classified these mutated creatures before because we lacked a proper system. If we relied solely on size, our categories would be meaningless. With your ranking, our military deployments will be much more efficient,” the Second Commander said.

“But the current problem is how to deal with this Tier 3 mutated serpent. Its likely target is Safe Zone 16, which houses over ten thousand people. And with rain expected within the next two days, I suspect the serpent may be heading there for that reason.”

“Commander, why not fire a missile at it? Surely a missile is powerful enough to handle a Tier 3 creature?” Liu Cong asked, puzzled.

The Second Commander’s expression turned wry. “Black rain has become a global threat. Rainy countries have long since encountered Tier 2 and Tier 3 mutants. These creatures are not only tough, but they’ve grown cunning. Missiles are easily dodged, and the smarter ones escape into rivers or underground, making them almost impossible to target effectively.”

“Our military assets have been badly depleted by the black rain’s corrosive effects, and we have few reserves left. Missiles are precious—each one expended is one less available. Most Tier 1 mutants are dealt with using conventional means. Only when mutants cluster densely in rain zones do we use a missile, to maximize its effectiveness and casualties.” The Second Commander looked at Liu Cong with hope.

Liu Cong hesitated. “Commander, I can go, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to eliminate it.”

“If you can’t, we’ll have no choice but to use a missile, no matter the cost. That serpent cannot be allowed to grow unchecked.”

“That’s reassuring,” Liu Cong said. “I’m curious, though—how do other countries deal with Tier 3 creatures?”

The Second Commander conferred quietly with someone beside him, then replied, “I’ll send you some videos. You may watch them, but under no circumstances share them. Judging by the serpent’s current speed, it will reach Safe Zone 16 in no more than twenty-six hours. You must set out at once.”

After the call ended, Liu Cong and Zhang Chu watched the footage they’d been sent, their hearts heavy with unease.