Chapter 18: The Cement Gorilla and an Unforeseen Encounter

“We’ve arrived.”

Lin Xi touched down, gently setting Bai Li on the ground.

The instant Lin Xi released her, Bai Li’s body seemed to lose all power, and she sank to the ground.

“Eh!? Bai Li, are you alright?”

“…I’m fine, my legs are just a little weak…”

Bai Li struggled to keep her voice from trembling, forcing herself to stand.

The unexpected princess carry had delivered a considerable shock to her system. Though it lasted merely tens of seconds, it had been more than enough.

Even now, Bai Li’s mind replayed the sensations: the unexpected softness of leaning against Lin Xi, the focused curve of Lin Xi’s profile as she flew, and the close, intoxicating scent of peonies that emanated from her.

It could be said that since her awakening until this moment, the impact Lin Xi had just delivered ranked as one of the most significant, perhaps even the most potent.

As for why it was considered ‘impact’ rather than ‘healing,’ one could only say that extremes often reverse; an excessive amount of healing energy could, paradoxically, overwhelm and become destructive.

To be capable of inflicting such profound ‘harm’ upon her, it was truly worthy of Shio Kaze!

Observing Bai Li, who possessed an ability that enhanced her physical prowess yet now appeared as delicate as a sickly maiden, Lin Xi couldn’t help but muse, ‘How utterly adorable Bai Li is!’

She had merely employed a small trick, yet the usually cool and collected Bai Li had transformed into this state. The sheer contrast was so striking that Bai Li’s typically unapproachable aura instantly crumbled, transforming her into a delicate, soft, and seemingly frail maiden, easily swayed.

One could say the white-haired, red-eyed girl often embodied two extremes: a cool, aloof persona and a sickly, vulnerable one. Currently, Bai Li occupied both to some extent, and her charm (primarily directed at Lin Xi) was simply off the charts.

That being said, Lin Xi herself was a glass cannon, as her own mascot had dubbed her, so she too found herself flushing with a belated, intense shyness after the princess carry.

“…Ahem! In any case, where was the anomalous beast?”

Those moments just now had already consumed a fair bit of time. Although there were predicted alerts from the otherworld concentration index detection department and corresponding evacuation measures, some people inevitably wouldn’t have time to escape.

[“According to detection intel, the target appears to have an appearance similar to a gorilla, but its body surface is covered in a thick layer of cement, presumed to be a defensive type.”]

Lin Xi read the message on her phone, simultaneously utilizing her [Sensory Manipulation Magic] to enhance her vision and meticulously scan the vicinity.

This area was an active construction site, replete with various half-built structures and a vast quantity of unused rebar, concrete, and other building materials. If the intelligence proved true, then it was entirely possible that the cement gorilla anomalous beast could leverage those materials as both weapons and armor.

One must remember, a significant divide exists between being unarmed and armed; if an anomalous beast could wield weapons, it would prove an exceptionally troublesome entity, both directly and indirectly. After all, a primary distinction between humans and beasts lies in the mastery of tool use.

Furthermore, it was likely a berserk anomalous beast, acting without any consideration for consequences.

“Life signs nearby… Found it!”

Relying on her enhanced senses, Lin Xi swiftly pinpointed a specific corner of the construction site. However, contrary to her initial assumption, besides the anomalous beast’s reaction, which was clearly several times larger than that of a normal person, there were other individuals present.

“Damn it! We need to hurry!”

Realizing the imminent danger, Lin Xi promptly pulled Bai Li and rushed towards the anomalous beast’s location.

“…You wretched anomalous beast, taste my power!”

A familiar voice rang out, followed immediately by the unmistakable sound of glass shattering.

Purple liquid, pouring from a glass bottle, splashed onto the cement gorilla, instantly producing corrosive sounds and plumes of smoke.

“Roar! Roar! Roar!!”

Seemingly because its body beneath the cement shell was being corroded, the gorilla let out a painful, guttural roar, while the young woman standing not far in front of it merely smiled triumphantly.

“Hmph! Now you know how powerful I am, right?”

From the very tone, one could deduce it was a certain D-class innate ability user by the name of Tian Yuxin.

“Hmm? Weren’t only we dispatched to deal with this?”

Upon seeing Tian Yuxin, Lin Xi reconfirmed the mission assignment; indeed, only she and Bai Li were tasked with handling this gorilla.

So why, then, was Tian Yuxin here?

“Who’s there? …Tsk.”

Naturally, Tian Yuxin clicked her tongue in clear displeasure upon seeing Lin Xi and Bai Li.

Ignoring her obvious annoyance, Lin Xi addressed her directly:

“Miss Tian Yuxin, this area is currently designated as a dangerous zone. Non-support personnel are not permitted to enter without authorization.”

“…I am well aware of that, but I just happened to encounter this anomalous beast. There’s no reason to simply ignore it, is there?”

Faced with Lin Xi, whose tone had become notably official, Tian Yuxin’s demeanor softened slightly as she began to explain her actions.

In short, she had just been assigned to patrol nearby with her Weichangzhe (TL Note: An organization, presumably a government or supernatural task force.) instructor. She had merely happened to hear some commotion emanating from the construction site, and her instructor was occupied treating injured individuals, so she took it upon herself to rush in.

“You… that’s hardly commendable behavior…”

After listening to Tian Yuxin’s explanation, Lin Xi couldn’t help but rub her forehead.

For a new student, who had barely encountered an anomalous beast, to attempt to resolve the situation alone was an exceedingly perilous act. Not only newcomers, but even seasoned veterans would not rashly act alone, lest they encounter danger and perish on the spot. Furthermore, Tian Yuxin’s innate ability was not combat-oriented; before it developed, she was essentially an unarmed ordinary person, which was no different from offering herself up for sacrifice.

“What’s the problem? Haven’t I already defeated that anomalous beast now?”

“I’m telling you, these two matters cannot be conflated as one—”

Before Lin Xi could finish her sentence, her enhanced senses detected an immediate danger. She instinctively launched herself away from her current position.

The next moment, the very spot she had occupied was brutally pockmarked by a volley of stone projectiles, solidified from cement, leaving several small craters in the hard ground.

Undoubtedly, if these stone projectiles had struck Lin Xi, even if they didn’t tear gaping holes through her body, she would undoubtedly suffer severe internal hemorrhaging.

“Nuh-roar! Roar! Roar!!”

The gorilla let out an even louder, more deafening roar than before. The portions previously corroded by the acidic liquid had now vanished, replaced by several menacing spikes of solidified cement, while a dangerous, inky aura began to emanate from its form.

As if knowing precisely who had inflicted harm upon it moments before, the cement gorilla immediately fixated on Tian Yuxin, who stood not far away, and charged at her with berserk fury.

“Ugh!?”

Watching the rapidly approaching gorilla, Tian Yuxin was momentarily at a loss, the vial of corrosive agent in her hand slipped from her grasp, tumbling to the ground.

At this critical, thousand-junctures moment, a sharp “Bang!” echoed, and a gaping hole was instantly blasted into the cement gorilla’s hardened shell, sending blood spurting forth.

“Come, I’ll be your opponent.”