Chapter 16: Mutated Lizards

Fang Chong watched warily above, discerning trouble from the footsteps echoing. In the current world, aside from zombies, mutated creatures posed the greatest threat.

Facing dozens of zombies descending from above wouldn't make Fang Chong flinch, but encountering mutated creatures was a different story. Fang Chong had learned about the terror of mutated creatures from the survival manual of the apocalypse, and even the weakest among them had strength not less than level ten.

Despite Fang Chong's current strength equivalent to five people, giving him a speed advantage against zombies, this advantage would be nullified against mutated creatures. Slow-reacting mutated creatures were undoubtedly massive, heavily armored monsters. If Fang Chong were to encounter them now, they would overpower him without a fight.

However, mutated creatures able to enter the stairwell probably had smaller sizes, but their speed remained a concern.

In the instant Fang Chong felt the possibility of encountering mutated creatures, strategies began racing through his mind.

"Thud." The footsteps drew nearer, and Fang Chong understood that running was not a viable option. Outside, in open areas, he might be even more vulnerable to mutated creatures. Fang Chong's current hope was that the mutated creatures appearing wouldn't be too formidable.

"Mutated lizard."

Fang Chong's breathing became heavy as he looked up from the stairwell's railing, and a leg covered in scales entered his field of view. Last night, when learning about mutated creatures, Fang Chong had listened attentively because these creatures were more terrifying than zombies in the future.

In urban areas, mutated rats, mutated cats, and mutated dogs were the most likely to appear. However, due to varied human preferences, encountering strange creatures wasn't uncommon. Among them were often pets that people had kept at home, and the chameleon was just one example.

Seeing the leg covered in scales, Fang Chong's heart indeed gave a pronounced thump, pounding intensely.

As the mutated lizard slowly descended, the entire creature came into view before Fang Chong. It measured over three meters in length, with a body as thick as a water bucket. Observing its mouth stained with blood streaks and its crimson eyes filled with a ferocious expression, Fang Chong realized that encountering mutated creatures in reality was far more terrifying than described in the survival manual.

"Shouldn't exceed ten meters in length; it's probably a recently evolved mutated lizard," Fang Chong muttered. Initially nervous, he surprisingly calmed down as danger approached step by step. After regaining composure, his mind continuously analyzed the mutated lizard.

Information from the survival manual he had read the previous night now proved beneficial. As soon as Fang Chong identified the mutated lizard, related details flooded his mind. According to the data, if the mutated lizard's length did not exceed three meters, it belonged to the first tier. Its strength was comparable to that of ten adults, and with the protection of scales, its defense could reach a staggering level fifteen.

Reviewing this information, Fang Chong couldn't help but inhale sharply. Just a few days ago, creatures like this lizard were small, measuring only twenty to thirty centimeters in length. A casual kick would have been enough to end their lives. Now, they had transformed into monstrous beings with the strength of over a thousand kilograms.

Fortunately, Fang Chong now possessed the blade 'Silent Annihilation,' making it possible to deal with mutated creatures below level twenty. However, the mutated lizard itself had twice the strength of Fang Chong. The odds were evenly matched.

"If I can avoid getting hit by the mutated lizard, there's a chance to win," Fang Chong took two steps forward slowly. Many actions were restricted on the stairs, but the platform at the corner of the stairs was different. With walls on two sides, it could provide some obstruction to the mutated lizard's attacks.

"Hiss."

Fang Chong's bold move seemed to anger the mutated lizard. Its basin-sized mouth opened wide, emitting a sharp and ear-piercing scream. Its fist-sized eyes remained vigilant, focused on the knife in Fang Chong's hand.

Mutated creatures possessed a certain level of intelligence, and the knife in Fang Chong's hand might have given it a sense of danger.

"Hiss."

The mutated lizard let out another hiss. Simultaneously, its three-meter-long body shifted to the side, and a tail over two meters long swiftly swept towards Fang Chong.

"Thud."

As the mutated lizard swept its tail, Fang Chong had already initiated a swift movement – a crouch that narrowly avoided the tail attack. The mutated lizard, possessing over a thousand kilograms of strength, struck the railing of the stairs with its tail, producing intense sounds.

The seemingly sturdy iron railing was bent out of shape and teetered dangerously after being struck.

"If that strength had hit me, I might not be able to get up now," Fang Chong, though mentally prepared, was still surprised by the extraordinary force on display.

However, the space in the stairwell was too confined for the mutated lizard to unleash a full-force attack on Fang Chong. After retracting its tail, the mutated lizard made another sweeping motion, cracking the opposite wall of the stairwell.

"Hiss."

Missing two consecutive strikes and witnessing Fang Chong charging towards it, the mutated lizard became even more aggressive. Unable to retract its tail in time, it roared in anger and, lifting its head, opened its massive mouth, ready to bite Fang Chong.

"A perfect opportunity." After dodging the lizard's tail attack by crouching, Fang Chong swiftly moved away from the original spot, channeling the strength into his legs. When the mutated lizard swung its tail for the second time, attempting to attack him, Fang Chong seized the chance. With a jump reaching three meters in height, he not only evaded the lizard's second attack but also utilized the leap's momentum to charge towards the mutated lizard.

As Fang Chong had anticipated, the tail, used as a weapon, didn't retract in time. The only available attacking option for the mutated lizard was its mouth.

What Fang Chong most desired was about to unfold. As the mutated lizard's mouth approached Fang Chong, a black light flashed, piercing directly into the lizard's mouth. Fang Chong had anticipated the lizard's move; during his leap, he positioned Silent Annihilation with its blade facing down. When the lizard's mouth was about to close in on him, Fang Chong threw Silent Annihilation. It transformed into a black streak of light, penetrating the lizard's mouth effortlessly.

With Fang Chong's strength exceeding 500 kilograms, the already sharp Silent Annihilation effortlessly embedded itself in the mutated lizard's mouth.

"Hiss."

The mutated lizard, struck by Fang Chong's powerful blow, experienced intense pain, escalating its already aggressive temperament to the extreme.

"Die."

Realizing that the mutated lizard couldn't spit out the knife, Fang Chong's body soared high. Instead of landing on the flat ground, he utilized the force of descent to precisely step on the mutated lizard's head. The tremendous strength closed the lizard's open mouth.

"Hiss."

Already suffering from the inserted blade in its mouth, the mutated lizard endured even more discomfort when Fang Chong's descending foot landed squarely on its head. The entire blade was now embedded completely in the lizard's throat and mouth.

The severe agony caused the mutated lizard to lose complete control. Its five-meter-long body, including the tail, rolled uncontrollably in the stairwell, crashing repeatedly.

PS: please collect it, thank youPS: please collect it, thank you!PS: please collect it, thank you!

PS: please collect it, thank you!