Chapter 65: Anomalous Awakening

Zhang Kaitai’s awakening was rapid, yet it caused a massive disturbance. Almost the instant his body began to tremble, he doubled over and collapsed to the ground, emitting a low, guttural roar from his throat.

Everyone’s attention was riveted by his transformation. Given Zhang Kaitai’s status and charisma, it was widely believed that if he awakened a high-level bloodline ability, he would possess the influence to rally more survivors to his side. Had he awakened earlier, the "Awakened Alliance" would never have formed, and Gu Chengfang would not have dared to establish a rival faction; the entire situation might have played out differently.

The crowd watched with bated breath, hopeful that once Zhang successfully awakened, he would reorganize their forces and lead them out of this perilous zone. Only Professor Liu and Yang Weiguo wore expressions of unease—the Professor’s eyes were filled with confusion and deep contemplation, while Yang Weiguo’s face flickered between expectation and sheer panic.

Zhang’s metamorphosis continued. As he hunched over, his body suddenly began to swell. His clothes shredded instantly, exposing skin of a deep bronze hue. Then, to the horror of the onlookers, thick white fur began to sprout from his flesh. It grew with alarming speed, becoming longer and denser as his frame expanded, until he was completely covered in a coat of fur, resembling a beast.

Professor Liu and Yang Weiguo’s expressions grew increasingly grim. Yang opened his mouth several times, as if to speak, but no words came out.

Suddenly, Zhang Kaitai let out an inhuman shriek. A protrusion erupted from the top of his head, and two bloody fissures tore open across his back, presenting a gruesome sight.

By now, few people remained in their immediate vicinity. Though many survivors still clung to the hope of following Zhang, they had grown impatient as the group failed to break through the encirclement. The area was simply too dangerous, with both giant insects and spider-monsters prowling nearby. Ironically, the fleeing crowds had drawn the initial wave of spiders elsewhere, and the two giant insects had ignored this pocket, leaving them in a temporary, fragile sanctuary.

The protrusion on Zhang’s head grew taller and sharper until a bone-like spike pierced through, forming a single horn. Simultaneously, the bloody gashes on his back burst open with two loud thuds, and a pair of massive wings unfurled from the wounds.

Zhang Kaitai had expanded to over three meters in height and a meter in width, finally ceasing his growth. Aside from the faint, lingering traces of human features on his face, he had become a colossal beast.

The spectacle sent the crowd into a frenzy. A single horn, wings, and a body covered in white fur—the scale of this awakening was beyond anything they had ever seen. They had encountered nearly a hundred awakened individuals, but none had ever undergone such a terrifying transformation. Was he even human anymore?

"Ah! That—that’s a Danger-Type! Run! Everyone, run!" Though the Professor and Yang had remained silent, one of Yang’s subordinates suddenly shrieked, seemingly struck by a realization, and bolted.

The soldier had recalled the transformation of Huang Xiaoxue in Dongfeng Town. Having stood near the mushroom fields, he had witnessed her devour a Phantom Mushroom and devolve into a horrific monster. They had begun calling humans who suffered such aberrant, failed awakenings "Danger-Types," signifying extreme lethality. Professor Liu had coined the term, but believing it to be an isolated case, he hadn’t immediately associated Zhang’s condition with it—until that very moment.

The subordinate’s cry shocked the crowd. While the Professor, Yang, and one other veteran of Dongfeng Town understood, the rest were bewildered, scanning their surroundings in fear of some unseen monster.

Professor Liu felt compelled to intervene. While he hadn’t witnessed Huang’s transformation firsthand, the reports confirmed that such individuals lost all reason and became mindless killing machines. If Zhang Kaitai were truly like her, everyone remaining would be in mortal danger.

But before the Professor could speak, Zhang finished his transformation. He threw his head back in a low roar, flapped his wings, and launched himself into the air.

Flight was a coveted ability among the awakened, yet no one envied Zhang. It was clear to all that something was horribly wrong. Zhang was suffused with a violent, savage aura; his eyes were blood-red, and he roared aimlessly, his massive pupils darting across the crowd below as if hunting for prey.

"Everyone, pay attention! Division Commander Zhang’s awakening has failed and resulted in a mutation. He has lost all reason and will be incredibly powerful. Be cautious and prepare to flee!" Professor Liu shouted as Yang Weiguo pulled him back.

Those remaining were Zhang’s loyal inner circle, his old subordinates who held deep affection for him. The Professor’s warning fell on deaf ears; though they knew he had become a monster beyond their comprehension, not one of them could bring themselves to strike at him. They merely stood in place, watching with heavy hearts.

"Go... you... all of you, leave!" Zhang Kaitai’s will was clearly stronger than Huang Xiaoxue’s had been. After taking flight, he forced himself to regain a fleeting moment of clarity. The red in his eyes dimmed to a pale hue, though it was evident he was struggling to hold on.

"Commander, what’s happened to you?"
"Commander, please, wake up!"
"We won’t leave! The city is gone, the troops are gone, our families are gone. If you abandon us now, what meaning is left in our lives? We would rather stay here and face this hellish world with you, or die by your hand, than be eaten by those monsters!"

Hearing their pleas, the crowd broke into sobs. Even the awakened among them felt their confidence shatter, succumbing to the despair of the world.

"Leave! All of you, get out of here!" Zhang’s eyes began to glow crimson once more. Using his final shred of sanity, he let out a garbled, guttural roar. Then, with hands transformed into vicious claws, he snatched a packet of explosives from a nearby soldier’s belt and surged violently into the high sky.