Yu Song fired, bullets sparking across the creature's glowing hide, slowing it just enough for Ruihuang to stagger up beside him. Together, they laid down suppressive fire while the others scrambled to drag Fang Yuxi to her feet.
The creature's eyes glowed like burning coals, fixed on Qingran even as bullets slammed into its flesh. It knew. She was the one who had burned its nest.
She sprinted backward, matching her squad's retreat, flames spiraling from her hands to form a temporary barrier of fire. The beast barreled through, shrieking as it burst past, unhindered by the flames.
"Lingquan!" she barked. "Routes?"
[South access corridor, five hundred meters ahead. It connects to a vertical shaft that leads back to the main hall.]
"Then we run."
The squad tore down the corridor, boots hammering against metal. Behind them, the creature pursued with thunderous strides, every impact denting the steel floor.
