Chapter 9: Hyperfusion
Zhou Yan's expression was grave, his mind racing at lightning speed. On this floor, after the last wave of combat before the monster descended, only five doors remained unopened. That monster had just smashed through two of them. The room he was in could become the next target at any moment. He needed to make a decision—fast.
Zhou Yan swiftly surveyed the room. It was a standard studio apartment, cramped and narrow. If he were cornered here by that monster, there wouldn't even be enough space to maneuver, let alone evade. He had to get out!
No sooner thought than acted. Zhou Yan moved decisively to the security door. Taking a deep breath, he wrenched the handle and crashed through the door with all his strength.
He burst into the hallway, not looking back as he sprinted toward the emergency exit. The iron door he’d flung open crashed violently into something.
Bang!
Hearing the collision, Zhou Yan—already halfway into the emergency exit—glanced back, and a chill of terror shot through him. A fleeting glimpse was all he needed to grasp the situation.
The thing struck by the door he'd just opened was the monster itself! Had he hesitated even a few seconds longer, he might have found the creature blocking his way.
Every horror film made it clear: when fleeing, nothing is more dangerous than constantly looking back. So Zhou Yan quickly fixed his gaze forward, running even faster, dashing straight down the stairs after entering the emergency exit.
A harsh, screeching noise shattered the air. The bizarre blast made Zhou Yan’s head spin as he ran. He didn’t know it, but if not for his increased “Spirit,” the consequences would have been much worse than a touch of dizziness.
The next moment, rapid, pounding footsteps echoed behind him. Zhou Yan’s senses sharpened; hearing those steps drawing closer, he instantly realized the creature was faster than him.
He had only just rounded the first staircase landing when he looked up. The monstrous, humanoid figure leapt, slicing through the air. In less than a second, it slammed into the wall of the stairway platform with tremendous force.
No—slammed wasn’t quite right. The creature adjusted its posture midair, planting both feet on the wall, cushioning the impact with bent knees, perching on the vertical surface as if crouching horizontally.
At the same time, it lifted its grotesque, vein-covered face to look at Zhou Yan. Its scarlet eyes burned with murderous intent.
Zhou Yan made a snap decision, channeling his ability with a focused thought.
The bat in his hand dissolved into twinkling starlight and vanished. In its place, a shimmering, ornate card materialized before his eyes. At the card’s center, the image of a black bat with golden veins emerged.
[Chaotic Object "Dangerous Bat" has been recorded as a material for the "Ultra Fusion" talent.]
Meanwhile, the monster crouched on the wall, then explosively launched itself toward Zhou Yan with terrifying speed.
In this desperate moment, Zhou Yan’s thoughts raced.
'Ultra Fusion!'
Time seemed to freeze for an instant.
[Activating talent: Ultra Fusion]
[Fusion material: Dangerous Bat]
Starting from the center of Zhou Yan’s brow, brilliant, swirling light erupted, enveloping him completely. The bizarre radiance spun like a nebula. The ghostly image of the Dangerous Bat flashed into existence, merging with Zhou Yan’s form amid the swirling glow.
[Fusion complete]
[Fused Manifestation Form—Ace Slugger]
[In this form, additional Manifestation Durability is consumed: 5 per second]
[Additional attribute bonuses: Physique +15, Acuity +12, Spirit +5]
[Skill unlocked—Super Home Run (costs 50 Manifestation Durability per use)]
Though it seemed to last an eternity, all of this happened in a split second.
As the light faded, Zhou Yan's appearance changed dramatically. His bulky, heavy clothing vanished, replaced by a sleek tracksuit and long pants. In his right hand, he gripped a black metal bat veined with gold.
The airborne monster had no interest in Zhou Yan’s change of appearance. Its only focus was the prey within arm's reach, its eyes gleaming with bloodthirsty excitement.
A blade, sharp as a razor and fused to its right arm, sliced through the air, striking viciously at Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan's gaze was calm as he swiftly raised the bat before him.
Clang!
The monster's blade met Zhou Yan’s bat with a piercing shriek. Using the momentum of its lunge, the monster’s strike was brutally heavy.
Yet, standing at a clear disadvantage, Zhou Yan barely shuddered. With a single-handed grip, he held the bat steady, blocking the powerful attack with ease.
Even the monster’s blood-red eyes flickered with a very human surprise.
"Surprised, are you?" Zhou Yan’s single remaining eye was icy, yet a wild grin curled at his lips.
He knew exactly why he could withstand the blow. His own Physique was "7," and his basic Manifestation bonus was "6." Now, fused in this new form, his Physique gained an extra "15"—a total of "28."
Four times his normal physical strength! Of course he could block it—he had to!
In the next instant, the bat blazed with a crimson light.
Without waiting for the monster to react, Zhou Yan swung the bat with monstrous strength, flinging the creature’s blade aside.
The monster reacted quickly, flipping backward through the air and landing on the steps. But before it could regain its balance, Zhou Yan’s taunting voice sounded nearby.
"It's not over yet!"
A gust of wind—he was already upon it.
Zhou Yan twisted his body, right hand gripping the bat behind his head, poised for a full-powered swing. If not for the missing left hand, the posture would have been textbook perfect.
The monster raised both arms, twin blades slicing the air as it slashed in a cross at Zhou Yan.
But Zhou Yan’s swing was much faster.
The crimson-lit bat lashed out, its overwhelming force and speed shattering the monster’s blades, then following through with a devastating blow to its face.
Super Home Run!
Bang!
The monster’s head exploded on the spot. Pieces of skull flew like a baseball, smashing into the wall with bone-cracking force. The wall splintered, webbed with massive cracks.
The headless corpse collapsed at Zhou Yan’s feet.
Zhou Yan stood gripping the bat, still wreathed in crimson light, holding his follow-through stance after the swing.
He savored the exhilarating, unrestrained strike he’d just made. His lips curled into a wild, exultant grin.
Damn, that felt good!
[You have slain the "War Fiend," gaining 128 Spirit]
[You have obtained "Runic Factor: Physique"]
[You have obtained "Runic Factor: Acuity"]
[You have obtained "Runic Circuit Core: Continuance (1)"]
The notifications interrupting his moment of satisfaction only heightened Zhou Yan’s excitement as he examined his spoils.
Three runes! This haul—a massive windfall!
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