Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2069: I am not a top tier lifeform but

The emerald-skinned demonic beast was acutely aware of its directive: eliminate the female human less than five meters away. She held the position of commander for the entirety of Cloud Peak. Her demise would shatter the human offensive, transforming millions of their evolved brethren into sustenance. Among the ten elite comrades who had descended together, only this one had advanced this far. It perceived this achievement as a form of honor. An honor, it felt, to showcase its prowess before the leader...

It channeled nearly all its might, launching a forceful charge, an unyielding assault. The disparity in power between itself and the human female opposite was palpable. A single successful strike would spell the end of everything. Yet, aspirations are fleeting; their realization often proves elusive. A searing pillar of fire erupted, propelling the emerald-skinned demon directly skyward. The intense heat began to scorch its flesh, inducing a roar of pure agony that echoed mightily.

The onslaught did not cease. Another inferno surged from the earth, impacting the airborne demon from a different angle. Then, a third!

Following these three fiery strikes, the surroundings seemed to dissolve. The demon, already blackened and charred, contorted its body desperately in mid-air. Its intention was to maintain an upright posture upon landing, enabling a follow-up attack. However, just as it completed this maneuver, it found itself submerged in a sea of flames beneath its form... a genuine ocean of fire, complete with undulating tides and waves.

Consequently, the emerald-skinned demon was forcefully plunged into this fiery abyss by the cresting, incandescent waves. The creature struggled, exerting its utmost strength, its thrashing appearing monstrous even to onlookers – claw strikes blurred like the wind, churning the very flames around it. Despite its desperate efforts, it could not break free, trapped within, subjected to unimaginable temperatures. After several agonizing seconds, the fiery sea coalesced, transforming into a colossal fireball with the demon at its core.

Initially modest in size, the fireball suddenly expanded exponentially at a critical juncture. Any lesser demon unfortunate enough to be engulfed by this expansion, unless possessing a cultivation level beyond stage eight, would instantly combust into dust. Once it swelled to encompass dozens of meters in diameter, it rapidly contracted, ultimately diminishing into a mere ethereal, unremarkable sheen of red light that adhered to the demon's skin.

The demon plummeted to the ground, thoroughly scorched. It surveyed its surroundings, lifted an arm to its face, and then let out an unearthly howl. Its physical form began to disintegrate, dissolving into wisps of black ash – first its skin and limbs, then its legs, and finally its head. A top-tier emerald-skinned demon monster, vanquished in mere moments.

It was only then that numerous individuals became aware of the... fiery individual who had materialized beside Xia Lei.

"Excellent work, Xiangxue."

Xia Lei regarded the woman who had gradually emerged from her fiery state – the deputy leader of the Chameleon Action Team, a figure even Ye Zhongming held in high regard, possessing the formidable Flame Spirit profession, Zhao Xiangxue.

"Glad to be of service." Zhao Xiangxue, concealed behind an unusual mask, executed a gesture of ancient respect toward Xia Lei, her playful nature evident.

The Chatty Lady, currently a controller of two top-tier lifeforms, though immobile like them, retained control over her eyes and mouth. She had personally witnessed this woman, Xiangxue, dispatch a top-tier lifeform. In the vast expanse of the sky, Yellow Ball indeed exhibited remarkable power, single-handedly engaging six emerald-skinned demons. However, it refrained from delivering killing blows, merely driving them off to maximize the interval for reinforcements to arrive. The Chatty Lady and Black Cat were presently engaged with the remaining three, also incapable of swift eliminations. Who could have predicted that a relatively obscure human woman, unknown to many, would achieve a one-strike kill against a top-tier emerald-skinned demon?

Only Xia Lei, privy to Zhao Xiangxue's true identity, remained entirely unsurprised. Zhao Xiangxue's chosen path was that of a Flame Spirit. When she accompanied Ye Zhongming to the Bright River Feast, she was still in her nascent stage. Now, she had ascended to the status of a top-tier job user, boasting an evolution level of nine stars. In her flame form, she commanded incredibly potent single-target damage. To put it in gaming parlance, she was a long-range DPS mage. Facing a top-tier mage of this caliber unleashing skills indiscriminately rendered any opponent vulnerable. Furthermore, Zhao Xiangxue now occupied the pinnacle in both job and evolution level, equipped with top-tier gear previously bestowed by Ye Zhongming before his departure. Her sudden, explosive display of power, resulting in the demise of an emerald-skinned demon, was therefore entirely logical.

"My initial intention was for you to confront the one Zhongming spoke of. It's a pity it hasn't manifested thus far." Xia Lei's gaze drifted towards the innumerable emerald-skinned demons arrayed before them.

"Perhaps it is orchestrating this very barrier."

Zhao Xiangxue's eyes scanned the vicinity. The sky and scenery remained as they were, yet a subtle, grayish substance was visible, demarcating their current space from the external world. It was evident that the most formidable demonic entity was overseeing this engagement with the express purpose of eliminating key members of the human command structure.

"You've been trailing me." Suddenly, the Talking Lady's voice cut through the air, directed at them.

Zhao Xiangxue glanced at the Talking Lady, then at Xia Lei, offering a subtle smile without a word.

A silence descended upon the Talking Lady as well.

It wasn't clear to her before, but the understanding dawned on her now.

She recalled the bewilderment she felt when Mo Ye and her squad materialized amidst the zombie horde she was handling. That particular area hardly warranted the involvement of Cloud Peak's main combat force.

She remembered a persistent unease, as if unseen eyes were tracking her movements. The earlier hesitation and furtive glance from Yellow Ball also came to mind.

If she still failed to grasp the situation, she wouldn't deserve the title of Talking Lady.

"Your intense desire for freedom is, at times, rather unnerving," Xia Lei stated, waving a hand dismissively. Zhao Xiangxue moved to stand between the Talking Lady and the two emerald-skinned monstrosities, poised for an action whose target remained ambiguous.

The Talking Lady remained quiet.

"You're aware that Zhongming has journeyed to the Cosmic Races. Here at Cloud Peak, I'm treading on fragile ground, terrified of jeopardizing the legacy he established. What kind of reception do you think a woman who squanders resources would receive? As women who share this understanding, you surely grasp my predicament, don't you? Therefore, I must preemptively neutralize any potential threats before they even take root. I know that during Zhongming's tenure, your compliance was unwavering. However, I'm uncertain if your loyalty persists in his absence."

Cloud Peak's current grip on its most formidable beings was tenuous. The most volatile among them was the Speechless Woman, who possessed her life companion, Black Cat. Should two individuals of level nine cultivation cause a disturbance, it would undoubtedly escalate into a grave crisis.

"Since you've already harbored suspicions, any assurances I offer would be futile, wouldn't they?" The Talking Lady met Xia Lei's gaze with a serious expression.

"Indeed," Xia Lei confessed without hesitation.

She then produced two objects from her interdimensional space, one clutched in each hand.

"My apologies for exploiting this moment against you. However, I assure you, once you are fully integrated into Cloud Peak, greater benefits will undoubtedly follow."