The scene instantly descended into chaos. Many of the “Human-Level” members hadn’t yet grasped what was happening when they saw a group of “Human-Level” individuals spring into action.
They lunged at the fallen Earth Rat. Four pinned down his limbs while one shoved a “Tao” into his mouth. At the same time, Human Monkey pulled out two pens from her pocket and brutally stabbed them into his eye sockets.
Screams erupted, blood splattered, and the pens sank deep into Earth Rat’s eye sockets.
He had no idea that half of the “Human-Level” members standing before him were “rebels.” Caught off guard, he lost his vision in an instant.
Though these “Zodiacs” had gathered lazily to destroy the door, for the rebels, this was now a life-or-death moment. The killing intent on both sides was not equal—Human Monkey and her allies struck without hesitation.
“Mmmph!!!” Earth Rat thrashed violently, throwing off the assailants.
Human Monkey had planned to pull out the pens and stab his neck next, but that chance was gone.
Rolling to the side, she quickly shouted at the stunned Zodiacs, “Earth Rat is a **rebel**! He can’t be left alive!”
“Wha—?”
The declaration sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Human Pig, who had knocked Earth Rat down earlier, scrambled to his feet. “Damn right!! I knew that bastard was a traitor all along!!”
Aunt Tong stared blankly at the obese Human Pig, struck by an odd sense of familiarity. But how could he be Human Pig?
Except for Earth Tiger’s students, all the Zodiacs were plunged into momentary confusion, unsure who was truly on their side.
The only active “Earth-Level” member, a lean, bespectacled Earth Monkey, remained motionless, his expression unreadable.
Seeing no one follow his lead, Human Pig stomped forward, raising his meaty fist to strike the writhing Earth Rat.
“Rot in Hell, you traitor!!”
*Thwack.*
Before the punch landed, Earth Monkey seized his wrist.
Earth Monkey’s grip tightened—Human Pig’s wrist felt unnaturally hard, like diamond. Despite his flabby appearance, his muscles were honed to perfection.
“What’s the hold-up…?” Human Pig grunted.
“Hold on. No one moves without my say,” Earth Monkey replied coldly.
Human Pig gulped. “So we just let this traitor live?”
“Not yet.” Earth Monkey narrowed his eyes. “I can’t trust anyone right now. If I’m wrong about you, I’ll apologize personally.”
“Oh…” Human Pig nodded vaguely, slowly retracting his fist—but his eyes never left Earth Monkey.
*Why did this “intelligent” Zodiac have to show up now?*
Earth Monkey turned to a nearby “Human-Level” member. “Clear the ‘Tao’ from Earth Rat’s mouth. I want to hear him speak. The rest of you—stay put.”
“Y-Yes, sir!” The subordinate hurried to obey.
Human Pig’s eyes darted around, scrambling for a plan.
Earth Monkey fixed him with a cold stare. “Earlier, you yelled, *’Xiao Chan, run!’* What did that mean?”
“Uh…” Human Pig froze—he hadn’t prepped for this.
“And how did you know Earth Rat was a traitor just because he tried to kill a ‘Participant’?” Earth Monkey pressed.
“I—”
The back-to-back questions rooted Human Pig in place.
Human Monkey wiped blood off her pen, assessing the situation. She had no clue who this Human Pig was, but anyone acting now had to be an ally, right?
She stepped forward, keeping her tone neutral. “Earth Monkey, with all due respect, the reason might be—”
“*I wasn’t asking you*,” Earth Monkey cut in icily. “You’ll get your turn.”
Human Monkey stiffened, exchanging tense glances with her “classmates” before falling silent.
Earth Monkey had seized control—but in a way, that was good. If he insisted on an investigation, it would buy time for the battle raging below.
Earth Monkey turned back to Human Pig. “Answer me.”
“Ahaha…” Human Pig scratched his head with a dumb grin. “Well, y’see… there’s actually a special unit handling this ‘rebellion.’ We Zodiacs hired some ‘Participants’…”
Earth Monkey frowned at the vague reply, adjusting his glasses. “You’re saying *they* were hired by *you*?”
“Exactly!” Human Pig slapped his thigh. “Almost a big misunderstanding!”
“One last question.” Earth Monkey’s voice turned razor-sharp. “Who is your teacher? *When* were these people hired?”
“I…” Human Pig hesitated, then leaned in conspiratorially. “That’s… kinda classified. Maybe I should whisper it…”
Earth Monkey nodded. “Fine.”
Knowing this might be his last chance, Human Pig inched closer, deliberately slow—
Before he could speak, Earth Rat finally spat out the last “Tao” and screamed:
“*He’s lying!!*”
Earth Monkey’s face darkened—but Human Pig was faster. He slammed his forehead into Earth Monkey’s temple with a brutal headbutt.
*CRACK!*
The impact sent Earth Monkey’s glasses flying. Human Pig howled, clutching his own throbbing skull as both stumbled back.
Seizing the moment, Earth Tiger’s students lunged again.
Hidden behind the door, a few “Extremists” identified their enemies and unleashed their “Echoes” at Earth Monkey.
The battlefield erupted anew. Some “Human-Level” Zodiacs, still clueless about friend or foe, were tackled by their own allies mid-confusion.
Aunt Tong rushed to Human Pig’s side in a panic. “*Old Lü?!* What the hell are you doing?! Since when are you a Zodiac?!”
“Dang it!! That hurt like hell!!” Old Lü roared, clutching his head. “Xiao Chan, get back inside the door!! I’ll hold them off!!”
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