The butterfly's appearance was far too beautiful, and because of that, those standing on guard gradually let down their vigilance.
One of the team members even stretched out his hand, wanting the butterfly—flying closer and closer—to land on his palm so he could admire it up close.
The butterfly did land. But the moment that man touched it, his whole body was instantly frozen into a block of ice.
To freeze a grown man solid in an instant—this freezing power was even more terrifying than Ling Jiang's ability. Such a dangerous creature shocked everyone, and Brother Zhang immediately shouted, "Do not touch the butterflies! Do not touch them!"
But Brother Zhang's warning came too late. Several others had already stretched out their hands, and as they glanced toward him in confusion, the butterflies settled onto their palms.
Moments later, those team members also turned into ice statues.
Watching his own people freeze like that left Brother Zhang grief-stricken. The others quickly realized the danger as well. Everyone gripped their guns tightly, and at Brother Zhang's command, they opened fire on the butterflies.
Yet despite their large size and seemingly clumsy flight, the butterflies were nimble, dodging the bullets with startling agility.
Perhaps the gunfire triggered their defensive instinct, for as the butterflies rose higher into the air, under the glare of the lamps overhead, fine dust began to drift down. Looking closer at its source, they saw—it was the butterflies themselves.
Lao Gao's face paled. "Powder? They've got powder on them? What kind of powder? What happens if we breathe it in? They're flying so high, that dust will fall on all of us!"
Brother Zhang barked, "Spread out! Keep away from the powder!"
Luckily, inhalation was not a problem. After eating that mutated chicken for supper, they had all suited up properly. Every inch of their bodies was wrapped tight. Their faces and eyes were covered as well. The only skin left exposed were the hands holding their guns. Even if there was a reaction, it would show there first. But after waiting for a while, nothing seemed to happen.
Just when everyone thought the dust was harmless, they realized they had celebrated too soon.
The hands exposed outside slowly began losing sensation. At first, they thought it was just the cold numbing them. But when they tried to move their fingers, they found they could not. Frost gathered over their skin, then spread, until their hands turned to solid ice.
One after another, every fighter's hands froze stiff, leaving them panicked.
Without hands, how could they fire their guns at the butterflies?
And worse, they realized another truth. Direct contact with the butterfly froze someone instantly. Contact with the powder froze them gradually. Either way, they would end up as ice statues. How could they possibly fight or defend themselves like this?
While everyone else was horrified by the newborn butterflies, Lan Jin's thoughts ran in another direction. She realized that no matter whether it happened instantly or slowly, the freezing worked from the outside in, not the inside out. Which meant—if the ice could be melted away, the person's body might still be intact.
Especially considering the cold weather. Everyone was dressed in heavy layers. As long as the freezing did not reach deep inside, they might survive long enough.
The idea struck Lan Jin like lightning, and she immediately wanted to test it.
Lan Jin glanced up at the butterflies, then whispered to Brother Zhang, "Brother Zhang, come here. Careful, do not let them notice."
Brother Zhang trusted that Lan Jin had thought of something. He glanced at the butterflies circling above, then slowly moved over. Because Lan Jin had been so frightened earlier, she had instinctively kept their small group well apart from the others. That distance turned out to be a blessing, since her group's hands had not been touched by the drifting powder.
As soon as Brother Zhang reached them, Lan Jin spoke quickly to Lao Gao. "Try melting the ice on Brother Zhang's hands with your ability. If his hands are still there, then the others might be saved too. If we melt their ice carefully, they might still be alive. It is freezing out here, but everyone is wrapped up thick. They can last a while."
Brother Zhang's eyes lit up. He stretched his hands toward Lao Gao and said urgently, "Yes. Try it now. If it does not work, I only lose my hands. But if it does work, then the others still have hope of living."
Lao Gao's expression grew serious. He raised his hand, preparing to summon flame, but Lan Jin stopped him quickly. "Small fire. Just a little. If you use high heat, the ice will crack too fast and tear the hands apart. Use gentle fire, melt it slowly, so the hands stay whole."
Lan Jin knew Brother Zhang was desperate, but some things could not be rushed. She said firmly, "Brother Zhang, listen to me. Rushing will only ruin it."
Though anxious, Brother Zhang nodded. "Fine. Do it."
Lao Gao summoned the faintest flame he could, careful not to draw the butterflies' attention, and began slowly thawing the ice around Brother Zhang's hands.
Watching, Huang Jinghe whispered, "Sister Lan, isn't warm water better for melting ice? Wouldn't that be faster?"
Lan Jin snapped quietly, "Where am I supposed to get warm water now? Do you want to boil some right here? Small fire works fine, and it is safer." She paused, then added, "But for those frozen solid, yes, we will need warm water later. Small fire won't last long enough, and neither will Lao Gao's energy."
The group kept as quiet as possible. Bit by bit, the ice melted away. Finally, Brother Zhang's fingers emerged. They were unbroken, though completely numb. He could not feel a thing at first, but when Lao Gao's warmth continued to seep into them, sensation slowly returned, and he could move again.
That proved Lan Jin's reasoning correct. His hands were safe. The others' hands could be saved too. And those frozen solid—their bodies might still be saved as well.
Excitement surged through Brother Zhang. There was no need to rely on Lao Gao alone, either. Their team had another fire-type ability user.
Brother Zhang's gaze shifted, and everyone followed it. Their eyes landed on Su Qinghe, standing a short distance away behind Lan Jin's group.
Su Qinghe, who had stayed cowering at the very back this entire time.
Through all the waves of mutant beasts, whether powered or powerless, everyone had fought tooth and nail to defend their lives and comrades. Everyone—except Su Qinghe. Though clearly awakened with an ability, he had hidden further back than even the frightened Lan Jin.
Now, seeing all eyes on him, Su Qinghe froze in place, utterly dumbfounded.
And truly, it was strange. Very strange.