Chapter 110 - 102: Tang Mo’s Strength
Chapter 110: Chapter 102: Tang Mo’s Strength
The footsteps from the dark forest drew nearer. They no longer needed to crane their necks to see; the heavy THUD of each step reached their ears, one after another.
Each colossal thump felt like it was stomping on their hearts, leaving them breathless.
A dozen or so women, children, and elderly people huddled together tightly, not saying a word, their bodies trembling slightly.
Mao Tou’s mother, Lin Wan, was one of the three superpower users. For the sake of the group, she couldn’t stay by his side. She entrusted her son to a woman nearby, then gritted her teeth and took her position at the front, shielding the others.
Though little Mao Tou didn’t know what was happening, children are keenly aware of the atmosphere. He could clearly sense the approaching danger.
With his mother gone from his side, Mao Tou’s small hands gripped tightly onto the collar of the woman holding him. His eyes were fixed on Lin Wan, terrified she might disappear.
Tang Mo walked over to Mao Tou and pinched his thin little cheek.
"Don’t be afraid. Auntie Tang Mo will protect you."
As soon as Tang Mo finished speaking, Zhou Jian, Uncle He, Wang Er, and the others all looked at her.
Tang Mo was currently ranked 18th on the leaderboards. Unfortunately, after their initial surprise, their expressions filled with pity.
’What good was 18th place? Too bad she’s just a Space Ability User.’
At a time like this, if even a user ranked 38th or 48th were here, they might have been saved.
What use was a Space Ability User in a life-or-death crisis like this?
"Look! What is that?"
A behemoth emerged from the jungle, and those with sharp eyes could already make out what it was.
As the terrifying creature drew closer, a three-meter-tall black bear appeared before them.
Everyone knew how formidable a bear’s fighting prowess was, especially when that bear was also a mutant beast.
"It’s over. It’s all over."
Wang Er’s eyes glazed over. Forget about their current group of the old, weak, and helpless; even back when he was in his squad, their only option upon encountering an Intermediate Beast like this was to run.
"There’s no escape. I’m really going to meet my end here this time."
Tang Mo’s dagger had been poisoned. By now, Wang Er’s entire arm had turned black. Forget running; with his blood loss, he could barely even stand.
Run?
They couldn’t run. The only ones here who could get away were Tang Mo and Zhou Jian.
Tang Mo didn’t run because she felt it was unnecessary.
As for why Zhou Jian didn’t run, that was a mystery.
Tang Mo quickly recalled the names at the top of the leaderboards. ’I really don’t remember ever seeing the name Zhou Jian.’
"Can you beat it?" Tang Mo tapped Zhou Jian’s shoulder.
"I can’t," Zhou Jian answered honestly, his expression grim.
"Well then, how about you step back a bit?"
Tang Mo took out Wind Breaker. It was time for her to stretch her legs. It had been a while since she’d faced such a big challenge, and it felt like every battle-crazed cell in her body was suddenly surging to her head.
She occasionally ran into Intermediate Beasts, but there were strong and weak ones among them. This bear was clearly a king among Intermediate Beasts.
"You... aren’t you a Space Ability User?"
Zhou Jian had originally planned to risk his life to buy whatever time he could. As a soldier, he valued his commitments above all else.
Besides, he had a certain special attachment to Yunshui Town.
People didn’t know the attribute values of others on the leaderboards, but the fact that this dark horse, Tang Mo, was of the Space System had been plastered all over the Alliance Daily for a whole day, so everyone knew.
"Anyway, since you can’t beat it, why not let me give it a shot? Who knows, even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes, right?"
Tang Mo had already rolled up her sleeves.
’Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes...’
Zhou Jian looked at Tang Mo as if she were some kind of freak. ’Why does it feel like she’s looking at that bear with... eager anticipation?’
He silently took a step back, ceding the stage to Tang Mo.
The bear was now less than 200 meters away from the group. Tang Mo gripped Wind Breaker in her hand.
Although this Intermediate Beast looked like a bear, its strength and intelligence far surpassed that of any normal bear.
Just as humans had grown stronger through mutation, so had the bears.
Since her opponent this time was a bear, Tang Mo did not make the first move.
She was waiting for the bear to move, to find an opening in its actions. That would give her the highest chance of winning.
Soon, the bear charged, raising a massive paw and swiping heavily at Tang Mo.
The mutated bear’s claws were long and black. A swipe to the face could tear it to shreds.
The swipe was incredibly powerful, kicking up a gust of wind.
By now, Tang Mo’s spiritual power was more than sufficient to enhance several parts of her body at once.
Tang Mo enhanced her eyes, both arms, and both legs with her spiritual power. With a flash of movement, she dodged the bear’s swipe with ease.
The bear’s paw hit nothing but air, and Tang Mo was already behind it.
By the time the bear turned around, Tang Mo’s blade was already cleaving toward its eye.
A bear’s weaknesses were its poor eyesight and slow movements. As for its body, Tang Mo really didn’t know of any other vulnerable spots.
"Don’t tell me she can actually beat this thing..."
Uncle He, watching from behind the other superpower users at the front of the crowd, stared wide-eyed. He had originally thought Zhou Jian would be their lifeline.
He never expected their savior to be the very person who had given him five Crystal Cores to propose a partnership.
Tang Mo’s strike was blocked by the bear’s raised arm. The blow, thrown with all her might, landed squarely on the bear’s forearm.
No blood...
Tang Mo looked closely. The blade hadn’t even penetrated deep into the bear’s flesh.
The bear’s defense was too strong. Strength was Tang Mo’s weak point; it was difficult for her to even break through its defense.
While Tang Mo was still contemplating her next move, the bear’s next attack arrived.
Caught off guard for a moment, Tang Mo was swatted away, landing hard on her back.
’Pain. So much pain. It feels like my ribs are broken.’
The bear walked toward Tang Mo, one step at a time...
"Let’s go! We’ll buy as much time as we can!"
Lin Wan shouted and charged forward, and the other two superpower users followed without the slightest hesitation.
They didn’t run, because their families were here.
And Tang Mo hadn’t run because of them; now, they absolutely could not stand by and watch her die.
This was the simple honesty of the people from Yunshui Town; they had their own philosophy for how to live.
However, the real reason Tang Mo had stayed wasn’t to save them—or at least, that wasn’t the main reason.
The main reason Tang Mo had stayed was that this bear was the strongest opponent she had ever encountered, and she was eager to test her skills against it.
It was just a shame she had failed.
But getting thrown around was nothing to Tang Mo. After all, she had invested heavily in her Life Force.
Dusting herself off, she stood up. Tang Mo’s mind had already figured out how to deal with the bear-shaped tank in front of her.