The target of the “ants” was originally the eyes on her back, but the middle-aged woman began to resist violently in her panic.
Her entire body began to metalize, but she forgot that these “ants” had also strengthened their bodies. Under the immense force suppressing her, she had no way to escape except to protect herself.
The leading “ant” felt the middle-aged woman’s body gradually hardening. After trying several angles, he could only touch metal—it seemed there were no weak points left.
In his panic, his withered arm brushed against the woman’s neck. The warmth of the touch confirmed that only this area was still skin; all other organs had turned to steel.
Seizing the last opportunity, he opened his mouth and bit down on her throat.
Before the middle-aged woman could even process what was happening, her eyes widened in shock. The metalization of her body rapidly receded, her throat was torn apart, and blood gushed from her mouth.
Yan Zhichun and Jiang Ruoxue quickly entered the room and helped the fallen Earth Rabbit to his feet. The group hastily reunited with Black Sheep, barely recognizing each other as allies.
“What is this…?” Earth Rabbit stared at the horrifying scene before him—like a pack of beasts tearing into a living person.
“This is the last army,” Yan Zhichun said before glancing at Earth Rabbit and realizing he was in critical condition.
He already had old injuries, and now his body was covered in countless fresh wounds. The massive amount of blood had dyed his fur red, the strands matted and distinct.
“Good…” Earth Rabbit swayed as he leaned against the wall, his bloodstained gray-red face relaxing into a relieved smile. “I was just worried I wouldn’t be able to kill her before I died… Now it’s fine…”
Yan Zhichun sensed that Earth Rabbit wasn’t just physically exhausted—his spirit was drained as well.
When he saw that Sky Rabbit had completely stopped moving, Earth Rabbit’s expression shifted. He took a slow breath, then began coughing up blood violently.
It seemed every breath made him spew more blood, his face now etched with resignation.
“Cough… This is awful…” He clutched his chest, speaking with difficulty. “I was suppressing the urge to breathe this whole time… Now that I’ve relaxed… everything feels wrong…”
Seeing him struggle for air, Yan Zhichun hesitated, unsure how to help.
“Don’t look so worried… Hah…” Earth Rabbit lifted his head. “I was already a dead man… It’s fine…”
Noticing Yan Zhichun’s concern, Jiang Ruoxue stepped forward and gently took Earth Rabbit’s hand.
“Earth Rabbit, you need to understand the logic here…” Jiang Ruoxue murmured. “This is the ‘Land of the End’—even if you stop breathing entirely…”
“No…” Earth Rabbit pulled his hand back, cutting her off. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but leave me be… I don’t want to live anymore…”
“You…” Jiang Ruoxue paused. “Don’t worry, saving you isn’t troublesome…”
“Enough…” Earth Rabbit shook his head. “My plan for life only extended to this moment. After accomplishing everything I set out to do… I don’t know what purpose I’d have, continuing to live in this beast’s skin… What you’re trying to do isn’t salvation for me—it’s a curse.”
He slowly walked out the door, leaving a gruesome bloodied handprint on the frame.
“While I can still move… I want to see Sky Rat’s corpse one last time…” Earth Rabbit said. “Don’t bother with me anymore…”
Watching his tall, desolate figure, Yan Zhichun and Jiang Ruoxue could only shake their heads helplessly.
Meanwhile, the “ants” broke through another door. The two women ran out after the noise, only to find a much larger room ahead—one filled with black hair, obscuring the details inside.
The swarm of “ants” outside seemed to sense something and charged toward the center of the black mass, only to be met with a fierce counterattack. Several had their necks snapped instantly.
……
Earth Dog slowly stood up, listening to the commotion outside before addressing the group inside: “It’s about time. We should move now.”
Xiao Xiao, Lin Qin, Zheng Yingxiong, and the few remaining “Extremists” exchanged uneasy glances.
“What’s your plan?” Xiao Xiao demanded. “We’ve delayed long enough—whatever’s happening outside, we’re probably not needed anymore.”
“Oh? And so what?” Earth Dog replied lazily. “If people can be late to work, why can’t we be late to a rebellion?”
“If the fight outside is already won, what’s the point of us going out?” Xiao Xiao snapped. “And if they’ve lost, we’d just be walking to our deaths.”
“Don’t be so pessimistic…” Earth Dog chuckled. “I have a feeling the battle is just reaching its climax… Now’s the perfect time to strike. If I’m wrong, well, you can all blame me later.”
“You…” Xiao Xiao gritted her teeth. “We’re really unlucky to be stuck with a ‘Zodiac’ like you. I hope you’re not just making excuses for your laziness and cowardice.”
“No need to rush to die…” Earth Dog stretched. “We’ll all get our chance.”
Lin Qin took a deep breath to steady herself before stepping forward. “I genuinely don’t understand—what role are you playing in this rebellion?”
“Me…?” Earth Dog pondered. “Theoretically, I’m supposed to kill Sky Dog.”
“Then why haven’t you?” Lin Qin pressed. “Wouldn’t leaving Sky Dog unchecked cause problems?”
“No… It’s precisely because I know Sky Dog that I changed tactics.” Earth Dog mused. “This is a harmless little gamble. If I win, it’ll be the perfect touch to our plan. If I lose… well, we’ll just be branded cowards who contributed nothing.”
“What…?”
“I’m betting that the more Sky Dog knows, the more cowardly he’ll become.” Earth Dog explained. “I’ve observed this plan from the sidelines—its intricacy is beyond imagination. Tragically, Sky Dog knows even more than I do. He’ll weigh the odds of who’s more likely to win this rebellion.”
Lin Qin’s eyes widened slightly. “I think I get it now…”
“If Sky Dog thinks we’ll win, he’ll abandon his side to save himself—victory without a fight.” Earth Dog said. “But if he believes he can turn the tide and change the outcome, then nothing we do will matter. So I’m willing to bet that in this battle… Sky Dog doesn’t need to be killed.”
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