The Creatures that We Are

Bang, bang—

Liao Liao had chosen “Charge” last turn, so she could make two shots this round. In an instant, a bullet entered the parrot’s head and chest, leaving two bleeding holes. The parrot didn’t even get to shriek in pain before it died and fell to the ground. The few gray feathers flying in the air were its only parting words.

“Parry![1]” Dr. Jia shouted in a gut-wrenching tone.

Trapped within his movement range, he could only watch from two meters away as his companion fell. He collapsed to his knees, tears streaming. "Parry, I got you killed. Such a terrible fate! After all these years together, I have to watch you go first..."

His grief twisted into rage as he glared at Liao Liao. "Bastard! I'm coming for you!"

Liao Liao exhaled softly. The parrot had died before whatever medicine could take effect—one major threat eliminated.

Qin You, unmoved by Void's death, felt his spirits lift at the parrot's demise. He raised his arms toward Gao Yang. "Ground Thorns!"

Energy surged beneath Gao Yang's feet. Green sprouts erupted from the ground, transforming in seconds into three-meter spears that struck from all angles like a forest of thorns.

Trapped within his movement range and unable to use his Talents, Gao Yang twisted and weaved. Despite his impressive evasion, three thorns found their mark—one through his calf, another slicing his side, and a third carving deep into his back.

Five seconds later, the thorns vanished as if they'd never existed. Gao Yang remained motionless, silent despite the blood soaking his clothes. Only the red bar above his head betrayed his condition, now depleted by a quarter.

Damn! Qin You was dissatisfied. He had thought the move would at least decrease Gao Yang’s hit points by half even if it didn’t manage to kill Gao Yang. It surprised him how far Gao Yang managed to go by simply dodging alone. That showed how high the young man’s Agility was.

Qin You’s turn was over. It was Dr. Jia’s turn.

Dr. Jia chose to attack Sir Jiang this time. He wailed as he ran toward Sir Jiang, about to give Sir Jiang a punch.

For this turn, Sir Jiang chose to protect himself with his Talent. Spatial displacement allowed him to perfectly dodge Dr. Jia. Dr. Jia didn’t even make him lose a hair before rushing back, still crying.

For Nico’s turn, he chose to give up his action again. Sitting where he was, he spouted off the same religious nonsense.

The third turn ended. The gray barrier descended, muffling all sound.

Gao Yang pressed his hand against his bleeding side. His gaze drifted to the stone pillar's carved face. Though the black and white eyes had dimmed and the features continued to blur, they remained far from smooth.

Then Gao Yang noticed that Dr. Jia had stopped wailing.

He asked lowly after a pause, “You were acting?”

“What else?” Dr. Jia turned to glance at Gao Yang. “It’s just a damn bird. If it died, it died.”

"But you do care about it."

Dr. Jia shifted uncomfortably. "I moved its brain and heart ages ago, gave it a resurrection pill too. It'll be fine. If not, I'll clone it."

"What did you feed it?"

"Just a mud ball I made." Dr. Jia shrugged. "This bathrobe doesn't even have pockets. What else could I have? But they didn't know that. A convincing show about secret medicine would draw their attention, divert some attacks. Buy you another turn."

Gao Yang nodded with appreciation. The genius had played it perfectly. If Liao Liao's God of Firearms had targeted him instead, even glancing hits would have weakened him for Qin You's assault. The cumulative damage would have been devastating.

"Thanks."

"Save it. I die if you die." Dr. Jia's voice was matter-of-fact. "You're on your own now. Think you can manage?"

"Of course."

Gao Yang spoke with a confidence he didn't entirely feel. His composure was partly performance—a tool to unsettle Liao Liao. The more nervous she became, the more her expressions betrayed her thoughts.

Thus, Gao Yang had to make her as nervous as possible. Then she would reveal more information through her microexpressions, allowing Gao Yang to better predict her strategy.

For the earlier turn, Gao Yang hadn’t been certain that Sir Jiang would choose to protect himself, but through the gray barrier, he had seen a certainty in Liao Liao’s expression as she talked to Sir Jiang. Liao Liao must have made a key decision, which was very likely her betting on Gao Yang killing Sir Jiang.

Gao Yang had to admit it was a gamble. If Sir Jiang hadn’t chosen to protect himself but instead come after Gao Yang, Gao Yang would’ve died.

But he had to gamble. He must make every step surely and accurately, and he couldn’t even waste a step. Only then would he get out of here alive.

“Lost lamb, give up on struggling. Blindly resisting God’s will will not prove yourself to be unique. Foolishness and pride are both original sins…”

Nico continued to drone like an annoying fly.

Gao Yang ignored him and concentrated on strategizing. A minute later, Gao Yang made up his mind.

Through the gray barrier, he waved at Qin You.

The three surviving enemies immediately took notice. Qin You’s face darkened. He wasn’t sure what Gao Yang was up to.

Gao Yang met Qin You’s eyes and curled his lips upward. He pointed at Qin You before making a slicing motion across his neck. Even a fool could tell what the gesture meant.

Next turn, I’m going to kill you.

1. Dr. Jia’s name for the parrot, 英武, meaning bright and brave, is a pun for the Mandarin word for parrot, yingwu. ☜

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