Chen Nuo had already stood up, radiating confidence. He took a fierce drag from his cigarette, then ground the half-smoked butt under his foot. He pointed at the Professor and John Sterling, who had joined forces in the distance. "Comrades! Seven against two! Who says we can't win? Let's get 'em!"
This time, surprisingly, it was the Sea Monster who responded first.
The Sea Monster also rose, glaring at Chen Nuo. "You're spouting nonsense, but we have no choice but to fight to the death! I'm warning you, though—if you try any more tricks, I'll drag you to hell with me, even if it means we both die!"
"Sigh... Let's fight. There's no other option," Bonfrey said, getting to his feet.
Golden Bird struggled up. Though one foot was crippled, he managed to stand and nodded.
The Son of the Sun finally nodded as well. "Alright. You're a strange little fellow... but now isn't the time for that. If we fail, we all die here together. If we win and get out, I have a lot of questions for you!"
"Okay," Chen Nuo agreed.
Just then, Vanel tugged at Chen Nuo's sleeve. "Quick, look!"
In the distance, John Sterling descended from mid-air, landing on the ground. The Professor stood before him. As John Sterling landed, the Professor suddenly bent his knees and knelt directly in front of him.
Having transformed into a monster over two meters tall, the kneeling Professor's head was now only level with John Sterling's.
John Sterling seemed to study the Professor for a moment, then placed a hand on his head.
"Hahahaha! What an interesting bouquet of flavors! Let's see... the Power of Gold... the frenzied power of Body Techniques... Oh, this delicious spiritual power... Ah, and even the bloodline power of the ancient gods... Quite intriguing! So many different powers layered together. Truly delicious."
"I get the feeling he's talking about us," Vanel sighed.
"Be more confident. Drop the 'get the feeling'," Chen Nuo replied. "Don't panic! Hold steady, we can win! Seven against two!"
John Sterling suddenly burst into hearty laughter. His palm, now sharp as a blade, sliced through the Professor's head!
SWISH! Blood and white brain matter sprayed out, but John Sterling deftly deflected it before thrusting his hand into the Professor's skull.
A multi-colored mass of light flowed from the Professor, along John Sterling's arm, and into his body. John Sterling let out a sigh of pure satisfaction. "Delicious. Truly delicious stuff..."
The Professor, his head split open, remained kneeling rigidly, offering no resistance. His body, however, began to transform. The terrifying monstrous form shrank as its power was absorbed, gradually reverting to a human shape—thin, frail, his muscles withered.
Finally, with a THUD, the Professor collapsed, his body almost completely desiccated, like a mummy.
John Sterling sighed contentedly, then brought his hand to his face and licked it twice. "A most satisfactory appetizer before the main course!"
As he spoke, his entire body trembled slightly. Everyone clearly felt John Sterling's aura strengthen a notch!
Vanel and Chen Nuo exchanged a look.
Vanel said, "Alright, save it. I know what you're going to say... It's seven against one now, right?"
"...Right," Chen Nuo said with a perfectly straight face. "Our enemies have started fighting among themselves! This is to our advantage!"
"What else can we do? Do you have a better idea than fighting with confidence?" Chen Nuo retorted, full of self-assurance.
As John Sterling's aura intensified, he began to laugh triumphantly, then bellowed, "Deliciousness is indeed best when layered! My delectable morsels, let the feast begin!"
With that, the man suddenly raised his hands. Countless streams of black qi erupted from his palms, surging towards the pyramid.
Just as everyone tensed, the black qi shot through the archways on all four sides of the pyramid, flowing directly into its interior, completely bypassing the group standing on its steps.
"What is that...?"
"How the hell should I know! Something feels very wrong!"
From within the pyramid, a series of rustling sounds began to emanate...
Followed by footsteps!
Soon, figures began to emerge one by one from the archways at the pyramid's base!
Inside the pyramid, the cooled grease in the pits within the halls shattered!
All the zombies buried in the pits climbed out!
These zombies filed out from the archways, quickly massing on the ground at the pyramid's base, even beginning to form ranks.
The Desert Fox and Black Bee Mercenaries from the first and second exploration teams! And those Steel Fire Mercenaries captured during this current expedition!
Besides these familiar uniforms, there were many unfamiliar figures.
There were also zombies of explorers from unknown eras, some in various military uniforms, others in tattered expedition gear.
There were even a few squads of soldiers in the uniforms of unknown nations.
Then came some wild beasts from the rainforest—jaguars, crocodiles...
But what astonished everyone most was the final group to emerge: column after column of Maya warriors, armed with spears and bows!
Heaven only knew how many years these individuals had been sealed in the pits of grease!
On the ground below, a massive, dark throng had formed.
Humans and beasts!
Modern firearms and traditional weapons...
A quick count suggested at least five or six hundred of them!
Everyone's expression was grim, and Vanel shot Chen Nuo a fierce glare.
"Seven against one, was it?! Now it's seven against how many?!"
"......" Chen Nuo remained calm. "Don't panic!! Our foolish enemy has dispersed his strength among numerous puppets! Dividing his power will only weaken him! We can win!"
Vanel rolled his eyes. You're certainly good at making things up!
"So, what's the battle plan? Are we just going to charge in blindly?" the Son of the Sun asked, frowning.
Though the Son of the Sun had asked the question, everyone instinctively turned to look at a certain young rascal.
Meeting their gazes, Chen Nuo chuckled and scratched his head. "I have a bold idea!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed drastically. Please, no!!!
"Son of the Sun, you take on John Sterling..."
"Kid! Are you trying to get me killed on our first outing together?" the Son of the Sun protested indignantly. "I can't beat him! If I could, I'd have won ages ago!"
"If you can't beat him, you can't. What are you so proud about?" Chen Nuo retorted.
"I... Am I being proud?" the Son of the Sun stammered.
"...Then Vanel and I will handle these minions. Everyone else, help the Son of the Sun against John Sterling!" Chen Nuo said quickly. "Vanel and I will draw the minions away! You guys figure out how to kill that John Sterling! Concentrate all your efforts on him!"
"Why split our forces?" Bonfrey frowned. "We..."
"John Sterling is the key!" Chen Nuo cut in. "Defeat him, and it's over! If we get bogged down by these minions, we'll all be worn down and killed! Focusing all our strength on John Sterling is crucial! We just need to take him out!"
"Then why don't *you* go fight John Sterling?" Golden Bird demanded angrily.
"Fine, let's switch! You think you can handle these hundreds of hostiles?!" Chen Nuo sneered.
Golden Bird fell silent.
Having lost most of their Special Abilities, the sight of the densely packed horde, bristling with blades and gun barrels, made their scalps tingle.
Fighting hundreds of them seemed impossible.
"If there's no better plan, then let's move!" Chen Nuo stated coldly, looking down.
On the ground, John Sterling's zombie army had finished forming up. The front ranks were already beginning to ascend the pyramid steps.
"Go!! Son of the Sun, lead the others down the side of the pyramid! Go take down John Sterling's tower! Vanel and I will handle this zombie army!!"
The charge of the zombies was not accompanied by the battle cries of a human army.
They simply ran, wildly and in utter silence. The sight was profoundly eerie.
The Son of the Sun had already led the others quickly around to the side of the pyramid, while Chen Nuo and Vanel stood their ground. Chen Nuo even picked up a few stones and tossed them down at the approaching horde.
"What's our move?" Vanel asked, clearly baffled by Chen Nuo's strategy.
"Wait. Draw their attention a bit more. They're still a few hundred meters away," Chen Nuo said calmly.
From the side, the Son of the Sun and his group had swiftly descended the pyramid and were now circling around, heading towards John Sterling, who stood far off amidst the ruins of the city.
Chen Nuo squinted, watching the zombie army surging up the pyramid. They were now less than a hundred meters away.
He yanked Vanel hard. "Run!"
"What?"
"Run!"
"Didn't you say you had a way to deal with..."
Chen Nuo didn't answer, already turning and sprinting up the pyramid. He dove into an archway, disappearing into the pyramid's interior.
"Sukabule!!!" Vanel cursed loudly.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The zombie mercenaries within range had opened fire.
Several bullets struck the steps near Vanel, sending stone chips flying. He instantly shut his mouth, turned, and chased after Chen Nuo.
As Vanel charged into the archway, he saw Chen Nuo already standing there, an old-fashioned submachine gun in each hand, evidently scavenged from one of the pits.
Vanel roared and rushed to Chen Nuo's side. "Give me one!"
Instead, Chen Nuo shoved a flat iron flask into Vanel's hands.
"What's this?"
"For you. A buff!"
"???" Vanel was taken aback. He unscrewed the cap, and a potent aroma hit his nostrils. His eyes blazed, and he immediately tipped the flask to his lips.
GULP! GULP! GULP! GULP...
He drained it in one go.
"Vodka! Where did you get this?"
"Found it in a pit, on one of the zombie mercenaries. Don't worry. At worst, it's expired. It won't kill you!"
Vanel's face turned a dangerous shade of red. "You—!"
Before Vanel could get the curse out, Chen Nuo roared, raising his submachine guns and spraying bullets towards the archway entrance.
RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT...
After a few bursts, several of the foremost zombie mercenaries who had charged into the archway were riddled with bullets and collapsed. Chen Nuo shoved Vanel. "Go get a gun! I'll cover you!!!"
The vodka coursing through his veins, Vanel's blood boiled. With a mighty "URAAA!!!!!" he charged forward.
He executed a tactical roll, coming up with a gun in hand. After an expert check, he dropped into a kneeling position at the archway entrance and began firing out.
Gunfire erupted continuously. As the zombie mercenaries outside returned fire, Vanel shifted positions, grabbing two more guns and several magazines from the ground.
"Grenades! Don't forget the grenades!!" Chen Nuo yelled, providing covering fire.
"Got it!" Vanel yelled back.
He quickly unfastened a tactical belt laden with several grenades and tossed it to Chen Nuo. Chen Nuo caught it, slung it over his shoulder, emptied the magazines of his submachine guns, then turned and bolted.
Vanel was smarter this time. Hearing Chen Nuo's gunfire cease behind him, he immediately turned and fled without hesitation, terrified of being tricked by that bastard again.