From yesterday until now, Nanshiriya had been watching the screens nonstop.
The adventurers had explored the second stage of the Frenzy Apocalypse at least fifty or sixty times.
Although every attempt ended in total wipes, the harvest was surprisingly rich. Several new weapons had been discovered.
For example, the sniper rifle.
Its rate of fire was slow, but its range was incredible, its accuracy deadly, and its power immense.
Then there was the squad automatic weapon.
It could load over sixty rounds at once. A bit heavy, sure, but its destructive force made the adventurers grin like madmen.
There were also a few special weapons.
Like the chainsaw. Despite needing fuel and making a lot of noise, the sheer thrill of carving through zombies like vegetables made it irresistible. It was pure, unfiltered brutality, and everyone loved it.
The discovery of these new weapons became one of the adventurers' greatest motivations and sources of joy.
Even Nanshiriya found it unbelievable. These weapons looked like they belonged to an entirely different world, unlike anything known anywhere. She couldn't imagine how Kanzaki Ren's spiritual sea could contain so many bizarre yet exquisite designs.
Of course…
No matter how many weapons they found, none could defeat the Pursuer.
Which was why Wind-Sleeps-In-The-Breeze launched an even more thorough search.
Eight or nine teams spent six to seven hours combing the city and died dozens of times.
Finally…
A breakthrough.
The teams led by Wool Warrior and Braised Pig Trotter fought a grueling battle, losing two members, but they managed to kill a Witch zombie. Nearby, they found an airdrop crate.
Inside was a massive weapon.
The moment Wool Warrior picked it up, information flashed into his mind.
It was an M66 Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher. It had only one rocket, meaning it could be fired only once. But its power… enough to blow apart tank armor.
To test it, the two survivors lured out a Tank zombie.
One shot.
Instant kill.
The monster was blown into chunks.
Everyone watching froze—and then erupted in wild cheers.
"One-shot kill on a Tank?!"
"That's insane!"
"This thing's basically divine equipment!"
"Can this rocket launcher actually drop from the secret realm?"
"If we could bring one of these back to the real world… I don't even dare imagine how broken we'd be. We could walk sideways anywhere!"
"Not sure. The Frenzy Apocalypse hasn't dropped any weapons yet. We'll have to ask the lord about it later!"
"Forget that!"
"This is definitely the Pursuer-killer!"
"No question! With this, we win for sure!"
Despite all the deaths, despite all the time wasted…
The moment the rocket launcher was found, everyone felt it was worth it.
This feeling of unity, of exhausting every effort until a breakthrough appeared, was one of the biggest charms of this secret realm.
Under everyone's excited gaze…
A new assault team formed.
The four members were: Silent Blade, Wind-Sleeps-In-The-Breeze, Blackstone Hammer King, and Angry Chick.
They quickly gathered their gear: sniper rifles, machine guns, Molotovs, homemade explosives, medical items, and then fought their way back to the location of the rocket launcher.
First step: kill the Witch.
A long-range sniper shot.
With enough distance, they had plenty of time to react.
When the Witch rushed closer, they switched to the M249, unloaded sustained fire, and hit her with Molotovs. Without losing a single person, they killed the five-star monster and retrieved the rocket launcher.
Blackstone Hammer King laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Great luck! This time we've got it in the bag!"
Angry Chick yelled, "The Pursuer is dead meat!"
Silent Blade cautioned, "The rocket launcher is powerful, but there's only one shot. We only get one chance."
Wind-Sleeps-In-The-Breeze nodded, expression grave. "The Pursuer is extremely intelligent. Landing that one shot won't be easy. This battle will take real skill. We can't afford mistakes."
After some discussion, they chose Silent Blade as the rocket launcher operator.
Aside from White Crane Hermit, he was the most seasoned adventurer in Miracle City. Naturally the most qualified.
Next, using the terrain as reference, the four devised an even more detailed battle plan.
"Everyone look!"
"Hammer King's team is going for the rocket jump on the Tyrant!"
"They're our last hope!"
"We're counting on you!"
"Do it!"
"You must win!"
Dozens shouted encouragement. Hundreds gathered to watch.
Nanshiriya was among them, secretly rooting for the Pursuer. As a creature born from Kanzaki Ren's power, it was her territory's guardian beast, and she refused to let these adventurers break through the second stage so easily.
…
A deafening crash.
The Pursuer burst through the door.
Wind-Sleeps-In-The-Breeze and Angry Chick opened fire, forming suppressive crossfire.
The Pursuer ignored the bullets—its black coat was reinforced combat gear, and its body had absurd durability—but it still refused to take unnecessary hits. It dodged behind cars and debris, closing the distance rapidly.
"Don't let it get close!"
"If it closes in, we're dead!"
They had fought the flamethrower Pursuer many times.
They knew its attack range: fifteen meters.
As long as they stayed beyond that, they wouldn't be instantly roasted.
They fired while retreating.
They reached a crossroads.
And their ammo ran out.
The Pursuer sensed this and charged. In seconds, it was on top of them. A burst of fire incinerated Angry Chick instantly.
Wind-Sleeps-In-The-Breeze shouted, "Blackstone! Now!"
Blackstone Hammer King was lying on a rooftop to the north, sniper rifle ready. He fired repeatedly at the Pursuer's head.
Too far.
Not accurate enough.
A few rounds hit, but none struck vital points. Still, the momentary distraction worked.
The instant the Pursuer's focus shifted—
Silent Blade sprang from his hiding spot behind the intersection.
Rocket launcher on his shoulder.
Only twenty meters away.
A guaranteed hit.
He seized the moment.
Whoosh.
The rocket fired.
The Pursuer couldn't dodge.
The armor-piercing warhead hit dead-on.
BOOM.
Flames blasted outward.
The Pursuer's coat and flamethrower were obliterated. Blood and flesh scattered everywhere. The hit was perfect.
"They did it!"
"Nothing alive could survive that!"
"Wind-Bro! Hammer King! Chick! Blade! Legends!"
"Amazing!"
"Call the lord! Aya, get Kanzaki Ren out here! He has to see this!"
The crowd erupted.
Nanshiriya's face darkened instantly.
White Crane Hermit nodded. "Impressive. Looks like I won't have to intervene after all."
With Miracle City as their foundation, these young adventurers could surpass his old self one day.
They all thought it was over.
They popped open sodas.
They celebrated.
Then—
From the smoke…
Several tentacles shot out.
They seized Wind-Sleeps-In-The-Breeze and dragged him into the smoke.
A wet tearing sound followed.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Even White Crane Hermit was stunned.
Nanshiriya's eyes widened. Could it be…?
They had celebrated too early.
The rocket had indeed severely injured the Pursuer.
But they underestimated what kind of monster it actually was.
The Pursuer wasn't a standard Type-003 Tyrant. It was a special enhanced model with a parasitic organism grafted onto it, granting terrifying regeneration.
The black coat wasn't just combat armor.
It was a restraint.
And now that it was destroyed…
The Pursuer entered Second Form.
A massive shape lunged from the smoke, faster than before.
In an instant, it reached Silent Blade, who still held the now-empty rocket launcher.
Only then could they see it clearly.
The coat had been blown apart. Most of its body was exposed, covered in grotesque tumors. Its right arm was several times thicker than before. Its left arm writhed with parasitic tendrils.
"Not good!"
Silent Blade tried to draw his gun.
Too slow.
Tentacles wrapped around him.
The Pursuer's right arm smashed down.
Silent Blade's skull burst.
Its power had clearly doubled.
Blackstone Hammer King, the last survivor, trembled. He tried to flee.
Useless.
The Pursuer's speed was overwhelming.
Using its tendrils, it climbed the building in seconds and ripped Blackstone Hammer King apart.
Challenge failed.
A moment ago, everyone was cheering.
Now, they were stunned into horrified silence.
This emotional whiplash was almost too much to handle.