Chapter 1, Doctor

Boom

Are you the Clean-up Crew?

Damn ... ...

So, what exactly is the sound of footsteps outside about

How is the captain's condition, Beth

Permissions will always be elevated, so do not rush; you are still young, take your time. I only obtained Level 1 permissions at the age of 30, and I have just now advanced to Level 3. You are not yet twenty; as long as you can survive and return, you will surely be able to reach Level 3 faster than I did. So, do not cry... if others see you, it will have a negative impact... So, do not cry... if others see you, it will have a negative impact...

However, Feren was not concerned about their thoughts; he merely lowered the brim of his hat and glanced at the crowd before him. From their attire, it was evident that most of these individuals were seasoned warriors who had experienced battle. Even the young man who had just collapsed in fear was tightly gripping his firearm, showing no intention of letting go. The uniformity of their formation indicated that, despite the suddenness of the situation, these soldiers possessed commendable military qualities. Even the young man who had just collapsed in fear was tightly gripping his firearm, showing no intention of letting go. The uniformity of their formation indicated that, despite the suddenness of the situation, these soldiers possessed commendable military qualities.

Ha... Ha... Ha...

He was a young man, seemingly no more than around 20 years old, wearing a black wide-brimmed hat that obscured much of his face. Unlike most people of this era, this young man was dressed very neatly; he did not wear the leather armor or modified steel armor commonly worn by people of this time. Instead, he was clad in a black suit, complemented by a bright red tie, and draped in a matching trench coat. In his left hand, he carried a pitch-black leather case. His thick black hair fell down, paired with a handsome face, leaving a deep impression. However, unlike most people here, this man appeared to be of East Asian descent.

I am sorry, Captain, it is all my fault. If it were not to save me, you would not have...

Gazing at the scene before them, the survivors were completely stunned. Nevertheless, they still gripped their weapons tightly, aiming at the suddenly appeared target. Their expressions were tense and filled with fear, for no one knew what this inexplicably appeared man intended to do.

You are the only one in the town who has awakened the authority in the field of healing. As long as you are alive, our chances of survival will be higher. However, if you die here, it will only be a matter of time before we become a pile of rotten flesh... At least for now, I am still alive, aren't I

As they gazed at the scene before them, the others were instantly filled with rage. They raised their firearms and pulled the triggers. Accompanied by a series of gunshots, countless rounds of ammunition flew towards the doorway. Such firepower was sufficient to eliminate the majority of the intruders

You may address me as "Doctor"

That is the sound of footsteps

Gazing at the prey before it, the monster let out a low growl once more. It opened its mouth, its two crimson eyes darting back and forth, attempting to locate its quarry. However, just as the monster was about to launch its attack, it suddenly seemed to sense something, abruptly raising its head and looking back.

The footsteps that appeared in the alley were very steady and slow, neither resembling a flight nor a pursuit, but rather akin to a leisurely stroll. However, this only made everyone more cautious; such sounds should not be present here. This is a battlefield, and they are well aware that outside, several energy-absorbing monsters are roaming freely, and these creatures are nearly the natural enemies of all life. Energy-absorbing monsters do not produce such rhythmic footsteps; although they, like zombies, are transformed from humans, the two are vastly different. If zombies can still be referred to as walking dead, then energy-absorbing monsters are merely creatures clad in human skin.

Hearing the girl's cries, the man opened his eyes and with great effort revealed a faint smile. He raised his right hand and gently stroked the girl's small head

Although Ferren had already confirmed their identities through data comparison from the information panel in front of him, he still asked a question. Upon hearing Ferren's inquiry, these individuals appeared even more tense, especially the three men who had aimed their guns at Ferren, who were already prepared to fire. However, Ferren soon saw a girl who had originally been standing behind the group walk forward and extend her hand to stop their further actions. This girl looked quiet and delicate; although she was not particularly beautiful, she possessed a unique charm. According to reason, women with such appearance rarely appear outside of gathering places. They are either captives or slaves, or they possess special abilities. However, judging by the clean and tidy uniform the girl was wearing, it seemed that she belonged to the latter category.

Roar ! ! !

What happened? Who is he?

The captain's bleeding has stopped, but I have no better way. If I want to save him, I must take him back to the town... Only there can better treatment be provided. This is all I can do...

At that moment, the young girl also began to speak

And when the monster's body fell to the ground once more, it had already been completely dismembered. It was as if it were livestock being slaughtered; its body, limbs, and everything else had been severed, and a strong smell of blood wafted through the air, causing nausea

Caution! The situation seems a bit off

At the moment this sound emerged, the monster, which had long been tense, let out a furious roar, and then it turned around and pounced without hesitation towards its rear. However, unfortunately, it was too late

Roar ... ...

Upon hearing his words, the previously somewhat relaxed crowd immediately tensed their bodies. They raised their weapons and cautiously scanned their surroundings. Even the girl who had been crying just moments ago picked up the handgun beside her, expertly assuming a shooting stance. This is the mark that this era has imprinted upon them; in this age, the distinction between survival and death is no longer merely a philosophical question. Combat is also an integral part of their lives. This is the mark that this era has imprinted upon them; in this age, the distinction between survival and death is no longer merely a philosophical question. Combat is also an integral part of their lives

At that moment, suddenly, the footsteps came to a halt, and the next instant, a calm and gentle voice unexpectedly resonated in the ears of everyone present

As the smoke cleared, a gigantic, pitch-black figure appeared before the crowd. Its entire body was shrouded in darkness, with two arms nearly as long as its body gripping the doorframe. A narrow head, resembling that of a jackal, delved into the scene, its crimson eyes emitting an eerie glow as they fixated on the prey before it. Viscous saliva dripped from the gaps between its sharp, hard teeth, exuding a nauseating stench. The previous barrage, akin to a tempest, had inflicted no damage upon the creature before them; its skin, as tough as rubber, bore not a single mark or scar.

Beth looked at the man in front of her with a mournful expression

Hehe, don't cry, silly child

However, unfortunately, it is not all

The more unknown it is, the more it instills fear. As the footsteps draw closer, the breaths of the crowd begin to quicken, and people grip their firearms tightly, straining to listen to the sound of the footsteps. For some reason, everyone feels a suffocating sense of dread, as if this were some ominous omen. They have an inexplicable feeling that the owner of these footsteps poses a danger far greater than the monstrous threat that is right before them

Although the joke made by the man was quite clumsy, the young girl still nodded, then reached out her hand and wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye. At that moment, suddenly, the young man who had been hiding at the door and peering outside lowered his voice and spoke.

It is truly impatient to act without saying a word; this does not conform to the etiquette of civilized individuals

No wonder that elderly man was so anxious to bring them back; such qualities are sufficient to protect the safety of a secondary town from most external threats

A young man lowered his voice to inquire while cautiously peering through the small hole in the iron gate. Not far behind him, a young girl was diligently tending to a man covered in blood. However, the girl's method of treating the wound was quite different from what one might expect; she extended her hand and placed it over the man's gory wound. Soon, a faint green glow began to emanate, and in the next moment, the bloodied wound gradually healed under the embrace of this green light. This seemingly magical scene went completely unnoticed by others, and after the girl withdrew her hand, her complexion appeared a shade paler.

Looking at the monster before them, everyone turned pale, completely at a loss as to what to do. For what they faced was the most terrifying monster in this world, as well as their greatest enemy

Accompanied by this statement, a figure appeared before them

In the aftermath of the "Great Cataclysm," every surviving human possesses abilities akin to those found in "system texts." They discover that a "network system" has been added to their brains, allowing them to communicate and trade information just as they would online. In the world following the Great Cataclysm, telephones and messaging devices have lost their significance, as anyone willing can directly stand before another person and add them as a friend. Subsequently, even if they are thousands of miles apart, they can still contact each other. It is as if they are not in a real world, but rather in a virtual network world.

No! ! ''

Among them, some individuals will awaken system permissions, thereby gaining powers akin to magic or super abilities found in novels. The young girl before me is clearly one of these fortunate individuals

We are members of the Cleansing Squad, may I ask who you are...

However, my authority is only at level 1

Leaning against the sturdy iron door, cradling the assault rifle in his hands, the young man's complexion was exceedingly pale. Nevertheless, he forced himself to remain calm, straining to listen to the sounds coming from the tunnel. Beside him, several fully armed companions also wore serious expressions, gripping their weapons and vigilantly watching their surroundings

Meanwhile, Beth and the others widened their eyes in astonishment. For at that moment, they suddenly heard a sound that should not have been present here.

However, before everyone was ready, suddenly, accompanied by a loud bang, the heavy iron door instantly caved inward and then crashed down. The young man hiding behind the iron door did not even have time to react before he let out a terrible scream, crushed beneath the fallen door. With a "puff" sound, the flesh and blood under the immense pressure burst forth, splattering and tearing, leaving a shocking bright red smear on the ground. The young man hiding behind the iron door did not even have time to react before he let out a terrible scream, crushed beneath the fallen door. With a "puff" sound, the flesh and blood under the immense pressure burst forth, splattering and tearing, leaving a shocking bright red smear on the ground.

So this is where you were hiding...

However, now they are at their wit's end

At this point, Beth bit her lip in frustration. She only possessed the lowest level of network access, and her healing abilities were relatively weak. For now, being able to stop the bleeding of wounds was already the limit of what she could achieve within her permissions

Roar ... ...

The monster's body was still soaring through the air, while its head and neck had already been severed. The silvery blade pierced through the hard skin that even bullets could not penetrate, as if it were a machine, precisely penetrating the flesh, slicing through the trachea, and severing the spine. However, this was not the end; on the contrary, at the moment the blade detached from the monster's body, it seemed to transform into a silver serpent, swiftly coiling around the monster's massive form.

Upon hearing the young girl's inquiry, Ferren first smiled slightly before he began to respond