Chapter 7 - First Battle (1/2)
Scythe Beetles were considered relatively small in size. Neither was their proficiency in battle exceptional; it was probably a notch lower than the Crimson Crowned Beetles.
The reason why they were labelled as the harvester of human flesh was because they had an ability to fly at extremely fast speeds and when coupled with their sharp, sickle-like mandibles, they had an outrageous efficiency in which they lopped off human heads, akin to harvesting wheat!
”Those... Those are the rumoured Scythe Beetles?! This isn't good. Go shut the windows!”
Buzz~ Buzz~
The sight of the Scythe Beetles shuffling before the building, their eyes flas.h.i.+ng with cruelty as though looking for prey, made the scalps of the students present tingle. However, as they were about to rush for the windows, Li Jiayu tapped their shoulders. ”Don't be silly. Scythe Beetles are extremely strong. Do you think a thin layer of gla.s.s can stop a motorcycle from cras.h.i.+ng through? Ludicrous... Just hide under a desk and protect yourself...”
Hearing that, the girls scurried off under the desks and curled up into b.a.l.l.s to hide. Some amongst the boys also exposed a tint of panic. They hesitated for a moment, then eventually ended up crawling under the desks.
Eventually, only five remained next to Li Jiayu. Their statures trembled slightly; their chests heaved and their eyes contained complexed emotions - fear, excitement and also a desire to fight.
In this type of cruel reality, deserters and cowards were abundant. Albeit rare, there also existed brave and unyielding men who would battle even if the odds were against them.
”Go hide, I don't need your help.” Li Jiayu swept his gaze across the five and spoke faintly.
”Li Jiayu, don't look down on others!”
Lin Zhibin, who was at the helm, slapped his own face and forced himself to calm down. Clenching his fists, he screamed.
”If a sissy like you can take up arms against such terrifying monsters, so can I... I am tall and strong and even learnt a little Sanda[1]. How can I let you fend for yourself, alone? What's more, I will protect Zhou Jiamin, so I will not hide! If these monsters want to hurt her, they will have to do it over my dead body!”
”That's right!”
An emaciated boy followed up with an excited yell, ”I... My physique is weak but.. I- I will not be a turtle... I- I want to be a hero! This is already the end of the world. I don't want to be a coward that everyone looks down upon. I want to die a glorious death!”
”Oh? You aren't afraid of death? Do you not feel fear?” Li Jiayu's tone turned a little mild, his eyes flas.h.i.+ng with a little praise. Never would he have expected five brave men to appear. So, maybe they were worth saving once.
”I'm afraid. Of course, I'm afraid... But rather than relying on others and hiding because of fear, I'd much rather gamble and fight for a chance at survival... Since you are so confident, I firmly believe that the insects will be killed!”
Sun Weiwei said. She seemed to have mustered up her courage as her face was flushed red when she crawled out from under a desk. In her hand was a fitter's hammer and she obviously wanted to join the fight.
”Well, now that you've decided, I shall not stop you. However, try not to fight but distract the beetles. Remember to be clever and dodge if you can't handle it.”
Li Jiayu waved his hand at Sun Weiwei and spoke without batting an eyelid, ”You just wet yourself? I smell something strange. Hand over your panties. Those girls who wet themselves as well, hand it over hurry!”
”WHAT?!'”