NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Red
The missile barrage enraged the giant. Like King Kong scaling the Empire State Building, it stood on the ground, pounding its chest in fury. Yet the attack did little actual damage. Instead, it only made the giant more frenzied. Fortunately, the street it blocked shielded the humans below from the missile explosions.
Xu Shixiong looked up as the thick smoke from the missiles began to clear. The eyeless face of the giant loomed overhead, its terrifying visage fully exposed to everyone. It raised its hands, forming massive fists, as though preparing to crush everything below—including Xu Shixiong and Bai Li, who were directly in its path.
The enormous fists descended with a gale-like force. Xu Shixiong instinctively threw himself over Bai Li, shielding her with his fragile body.
Qin Feng, however, stood tall and unwavering, gripping his gun tightly, his eyes locked onto the rapidly approaching fists. His gaze was resolute, his body refusing to yield.
The fists, like a force of nature, promised to smash everything into the ground. No one moved. It was as if death itself loomed, ready to strike.
Yet, just three meters from Qin Feng's face, the giant's fists came to a sudden halt. The shadow cast by the massive hands swallowed the light around them. Then, as though time had reversed, the fists retracted, and light flooded back onto the ground.
Xu Shixiong, confused, lifted his head. In the fractured moonlight, a colossal figure appeared behind the giant, even larger than the one that had just attacked.
It was a super-colossal giant, its entire body a fiery red, emitting white steam. Its blood-red eyes radiated an ominous depth. The colossal figure had grabbed the attacking giant's shoulders, stopping its motion entirely. Then, with tremendous force, it hurled the giant into the distance, raising a storm of dust and debris.
The super-colossal giant stood still, its intimidating form casting a vast shadow over the entire area. The previously enraged giant scrambled to its feet, but upon seeing the newcomer, it retreated like a frightened gazelle before a lion. The ground trembled as it fled, stirring up clouds of dust until it disappeared from sight, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Xu Shixiong stood up, forcing himself to stay composed as he stared at the super-colossal giant. Bai Li also rose to her feet, her expression showing that she had now encountered the red giant more than once.
"It's him, right?" Bai Li asked quietly.
Xu Shixiong nodded. He recognized the look in the red giant's eyes.
"Hello there," Bai Li said, waving hesitantly at the giant. After all, this wasn't the first time it had saved them.
The red giant remained silent, merely gazing down at them.
Qin Feng, however, was overwhelmed with excitement. He turned to Xu Shixiong, nearly shouting, "Why?! Why doesn't it attack you?"
Xu Shixiong raised his hands, shrugging helplessly. How could he know?
"Look at it! It's protecting you!" Qin Feng said, his voice full of emotion. His suspicions about the Type-A giant had been confirmed—this one was unique. It was the reason he had insisted on bringing Xu Shixiong along.
"Surfer! Surfer! Wuhan ship calling!" The radio crackled to life with a call from the Wuhan ship, using the special operations team's codename.
"Surfer here. Go ahead, Wuhan ship," Bai Li responded immediately.
"The Wuhan ship's weapon system malfunctioned and automatically targeted your area with missiles. Are you all alright?" the Wuhan ship inquired with concern.
"Surfer is secure," Qin Feng interjected to reassure them.
"Attention, Surfer. The Wuhan ship deployed drones to investigate the source of the distress signal. There are no signs of life in the area. Repeat: no survivors detected. You are cleared to withdraw at any time. Repeat: you are cleared to withdraw."
"Withdraw?" Xu Shixiong asked, confused.
The red giant turned away and began walking off, its massive frame fading into the distance. As it left, it only left more questions in Xu Shixiong's mind.
"No signs of life?!" Qin Feng exclaimed, stunned.
The revelation left everyone shaken. The mystery surrounding the red giant and the fate of the distress signal deepened further.
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