Chapter 86: The Dissipating Mist

Fan Li’s almost arrogant tone echoed through the mist, while the monster before him remained motionless, its mouth slightly ajar, two rows of needle-like teeth poised as if not yet ready. Zombies were akin to simple-minded beasts—an indisputable fact. Their brains were crammed with flesh, intestines, and piercing screams. Even the evolved forms, though stronger and capable of manipulating their surroundings and themselves, were not much more intelligent.

The Mist Fiend, with a brain no larger than a pinky tip, could not comprehend what Fan Li was saying—it merely wondered why its food had suddenly run right up to it. Regardless, eating remained the most important thing for a zombie. The Mist Fiend took a step forward, shrinking the distance between them from three meters to two.

Blink.

This was one of the Mist Fiend’s abilities. According to Yang Shuo’s description, when the monster moved, he could not budge; the noise in his ears grew overwhelming, his actions bound by some invisible force, forced to watch helplessly as the creature drew near.

Mist generation, blinking, and a weakened form of intimidation—these were the three abilities possessed by the Mist Fiend.

Fan Li’s muscles tensed; he was surprised by the monster’s display of strength. His katana, soaked in the blood of countless beasts, was now etched with dense crimson patterns. No longer beckoning, he angled the blade downward.

Another step forward.

The Mist Fiend closed the gap again, and Fan Li noticed a crucial detail—each time it used this ability, there was a pause of about a second, making its movement less smooth. Having already prepared to evade, Fan Li now stood perfectly still.

Unlike the survivors the Mist Fiend usually encountered—those trembling in fear, desperate to escape but unable to break free—Fan Li’s expression was calm, without a hint of struggle.

The Mist Fiend could not distinguish between them; it was simply desperate to devour the delectable prey before it.

The final step.

Fan Li saw it clearly—less than two fists apart, the creature’s form rippled like water, then its grotesque head surfaced. Blood-red veins bulged at its temples, and its mouth stretched open at a shocking angle, like a giant serpent, nearly reaching 180 degrees.

Its needle-like teeth sharpened, eyes bulged from their sockets, as if its flesh was about to tear, exposing the skull beneath.

This was its attack—luring prey closer, then blinking to appear right before them.

Humans instinctively fear the unknown. On an empty street, when a hideous, monstrous face suddenly appears, most people would be consumed by absolute terror, frozen in place, unable to move.

Had it been someone else, the Mist Fiend would have enjoyed a fine lunch. Unfortunately, it had encountered Fan Li.

At close range, Fan Li could smell the overwhelming stench. Straightening his waist inch by inch, he readied his katana, the tip pointing upward. As the monster’s maw reached him, he thrust upward, the blade piercing through the Mist Fiend’s mouth.

“If zombies are pigs and dogs, then you mutants are wild boars and hyenas,” Fan Li remarked, critiquing his kill.

The simplest, purest attack brought the most shocking visual impact. The Mist Fiend, after roaming unchecked for so long, evolving from an ordinary zombie to its current form, had hunted countless humans.

Fan Li had been honing his skills all along—this was why he had gained only limited kill points. In a city full of zombies, he had deliberately avoided groups, training against lone ones rather than relying on Ellie or the Butcher.

All knowledge requires accumulation; so does killing.

Compared to previous encounters relying on Ellie and sealed artifacts, this was Fan Li’s first true confrontation with a mutant.

Though mutants had strange abilities, they were still flesh and blood, vulnerable to a blade, and agility could overcome everything. After slicing open the Mist Fiend’s mouth, Fan Li gave it no chance to react. Flexing his arms, muscles taut, he sliced upward along the wound, splitting the creature’s head open, its rotten fluids spilling onto the ground.

[Kill Points +10]

[245/500]

[Found Mist Fiend (remnant), proceed to seal?]

“Seal!”

This was also why Fan Li faced danger alone—so he could claim all the spoils without sharing.

Slaying the Mist Fiend gave Fan Li much insight: mutants were not invincible, and it was not only monsters that could fight them. When humans faced their fear and fought, victory was possible.

A sudden realization struck him—the ability to confront fear was like resistance to terror. While others needed time to adapt, Fan Li had already been able to face zombies for a month and was far ahead on the path of slaughter.

If the apocalypse were truly a game, Fan Li would be the only player with a beta account.

The katana was but an ordinary weapon; if slaying mutants with it could strengthen it, then others using bats, cleavers, or even frying pans to kill mutants could also gain some boost.

As the Mist Fiend vanished, the surrounding fog began to dissipate, revealing the outline of a factory before Fan Li.

He stood at the entrance, the terrain open and zombies plentiful, though few lingered nearby.

Inside the factory, however, was different—a chorus of sounds echoed from within. The number of zombies inside surpassed the original horde beneath his building; among hundreds, there was a high chance a monster had awakened.

Mutants meant not only more kill points but also sealed cards—lifesaving trump cards.

Of course, Fan Li was keenly aware: bravery did not mean recklessness!

He wanted to conquer the factory, but his strength alone was insufficient. Thankfully, he had never been alone from the start.

Fan Li’s gaze was clear, devoid of fear, his expression warm and restrained.

He took out the music box, hesitated for a few seconds, then put it back in his backpack, instead pulling the inverted cross from his collar.

Staring at the factory shrouded in death, he gently tapped his body three times with the pendant, his lips curling into a smile: “Lost lambs wandering in darkness, let me help you find release.”