"Pfft…"
A series of houses collapsed, and Zhou Wei lay in the ruins, mouth full of blood, face pale, and an unknown number of ribs fractured. A wound on his chest split open, the faint pulse of his heart visible through the gash.
Across from him, Lucien panted heavily, his injuries almost as severe. The most pressing concern was the war BGM—it was about to end. Once it vanished, Lucien would no longer be Zhou Wei's match. He had to end the fight quickly.
"Whoosh!"
Lucien flashed repeatedly through the air, kukris in both hands like streaks of lightning.
"You forced my hand."
"Exchange for a Blood Burst Pill."
Zhou Wei's face hardened. He spent half of his exchange points and produced a blood-red pill, swallowing it in one gulp.
The Blood Burst Pill temporarily amplifies one's potential and strength at a tremendous cost. Afterwards, most of the user's vital blood is lost, movement becomes severely limited, and foundational cultivation suffers grave damage.
"Not good."
Lucien's sharp instincts detected Zhou Wei's action. In every novel and anime trope, consuming a pill like this meant an enormous spike in power, often allowing the protagonist to turn the tide at a great cost.
Damn it.
Lucien's mind raced. Zhou Wei would soon unleash his full strength, risking severe consequences in return.
Sure enough:
"Ah!"
Zhou Wei roared. His body expanded violently, veins bulging in his bloodshot eyes, purple mist igniting like flames, aura exploding outward like a bomb. The ground shattered within a twenty-meter radius, leaving a massive pit. His short hair bristled, and he glared at Lucien like a predator sizing up prey.
An invisible strike tore toward Lucien. He bent down instinctively, just as the air above him ripped open. Zhou Wei's leg swept through the space, demolishing the houses behind Lucien.
"Crack!"
Zhou Wei didn't relent. Spinning on one leg, he kicked again. The force of the strike was like the air itself resisting. Lucien could only block with his kukri. The next moment, it felt as if a train had collided with him, breaking both his hands, caving in his chest, and sending a spray of blood and foam from his mouth and nose.
"Whoosh…"
After piercing through several houses and leaving a ruined gully, Lucien lay in the rubble, pained, steam rising from his chest and hands. The Beast Titan's regenerative power worked rapidly, but he was clearly outmatched. One more powerful kick, and he could have been killed.
Lucien endured the pain, refusing to linger. Using Geppo, he ascended rapidly into the sky, fleeing for his life.
Dignity? At the brink of death, survival took precedence over pride. To cling stubbornly to life in an unwinnable fight was pure folly.
The gap between them was enormous. Zhou Wei had consumed the Blood Burst Pill, and every strike carried lethal potential. Lucien had no choice but to wait for an opportunity—until Zhou Wei's strength waned.
Being cowardly, insidious, or despicable mattered little. Survival and victory were paramount. He fled decisively, leaving Zhou Wei stunned.
"You dog, don't run if you have the guts!"
Zhou Wei cursed. Unable to fly, he relied on Lingbo Micro Step across the ground, his speed still formidable. Lucien, cautious, climbed over a thousand meters, keeping a safe distance in case Zhou Wei attempted a sudden leap or flight.
Lucien didn't worry about Zhou Wei at all, casually flipping him off before disappearing into the clouds, crossing Wall Rose.
Zhou Wei pursued but stopped at the Wall Rose border. The Blood Burst Pill's effects were fading, and his body began to betray him.
When Lucien disappeared from sight, Zhou Wei collapsed, hands bracing the ground, blood spilling from mouth and nose, staining the earth crimson in moments.
"Zhou Wei, are you alright?!"
Armin and the others arrived on Wall Rose via Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, anxious at the sight of their bloodied comrade.
"Cough… cough…" Zhou Wei raised his head, eyes still on the sky where Lucien had vanished. "He's cunning… I miscalculated."
Even as he spoke, Zhou Wei lost consciousness. The side effects of the Blood Burst Pill began to manifest. For the near future, he would lose most of his vital blood, his movements severely restricted, and his foundation damaged. Without repairing his cultivation, his martial arts progress would be permanently hindered.
The cost had been immense. If Zhou Wei had killed Lucien, the risk would have been justified. But Lucien had only countered two moves and then escaped.
The taste of frustration was bitter.
"Zhou Wei! Zhou Wei!"
Armin and the others called frantically, lifting him up.
Across Wall Sina and Wall Rose, the battlefield was in chaos. Giants roamed freely, overwhelming the legions. Ordinary soldiers struggled to survive, civilians had no escape, and screams filled the air.
"Commander, this isn't working," a Survey Corps soldier shouted, covered in blood from the rampaging Titans.
"Have the soldiers form groups to attract the Titans and buy time for the residents," Erwin commanded, hands clenched, powerless in a way he never had before.
Meanwhile, Lucien, having recovered his broken ribs and wounds, prepared to return. The Beast Titan's regenerative abilities ensured his stamina would recover, though maintaining a human form was taxing. He had attempted Hardening but found it impossible at this stage, leaving that ability for later refinement.