Cataclysm: The Enhancement Warlock's Rebirth

Inside the residential community.

A red beetle darted out from around the corner of the stairwell, opened its mandibles, and lunged at Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao turned to the side and swung his knife.

The blade sliced ​​through the junction of the insect's head and body, the sound of the neck sheath shattering crisp and clean. The insect's head flew off, bounced twice on the ground, while its body continued to twitch in place.

You have unlocked the monster encyclopedia entry (Red Beetle)

[Kill the Red Beetle, Survival Points +1]

[Red Beetle: An arthropod insect-like creature covered in a red, shell-like exoskeleton, with a tough and highly defensive body. It has six strong, powerful legs on its abdomen; its head possesses sharp, well-developed mouthparts capable of easily tearing flesh and hard objects.]

The red beetle was considered the lowest-level insect beast in my previous life.

However, their numbers are enormous, and they are constantly invading Earth. Once they gather into a large swarm, they can easily destroy a medium-sized city.

For extraordinary individuals, hunting red beetles yields very low rewards; in the later stages, killing 1000 beetles only grants 1 point.

However, in order to prevent the insect infestation from spreading, people have to spend a lot of time cleaning it up, making it a creature that is disliked by both humans and ghosts.

On the other side, Lu Wanwan was surrounded by three insects.

She gripped an iron rod tightly and swung it with great force, keeping the insects at bay, but after a long time, she still couldn't kill a single one.

The iron rod struck the carapace, making a clanging sound.

The insects were repeatedly knocked away, but after landing, they would quickly pounce on them again, fearless of death.

Lu Wanwan subconsciously looked at Jiang Xiao.

Her lips moved as if she wanted to ask for help, but she swallowed the words back.

Jiang Xiao offered no assistance, but simply watched with great interest.

He knew in his heart that as long as one became a superhuman, human physical fitness would naturally improve by a large margin.

Despite her delicate appearance, Lu Wanwan is stronger than the average adult male.

However, she was spoiled since childhood, didn't know how to fight, and didn't know how to exert her strength.

Fortunately, he was a bit naive, but not stupid.

After a brief standoff, Lu Wanwan realized the trick and targeted the insect's legs.

After a few blows, the insect's legs snapped off.

Soon, all three insects had their legs broken and were struggling wildly on the ground.

After the crisis was resolved.

Lu Wanwan rested her hands on her knees, bent over and panting heavily, her forehead covered in fine sweat that clung to her hair and face.

She looked at the Tang sword in Jiang Xiao's hand, her eyes filled with undisguised envy.

If I had a suitable weapon, those attacks wouldn't have been so difficult.

"Not bad, these past few days of meals haven't been wasted." Jiang Xiao walked over and casually chopped down an incapacitated insect.

"They're mine!" Lu Wanwan exclaimed anxiously.

She just killed a bug and received a notification that she had earned "Survival Points +1".

Although she didn't know what the points were for, her intuition told her that they must be something good.

If we save enough, maybe we can free her from Jiang Xiao's control.

"stand at attention."

Jiang Xiao issued commands through the neck ring.

Lu Wanwan's body stood up straight uncontrollably, her legs together, her hands pressed tightly against the seams of her trousers, in a standard standing at attention posture.

Her face flushed instantly; she felt utterly ashamed of the position.

"Don't forget who you are," Jiang Xiao said bluntly. "Everything you have belongs to me."

Lu Wanwan was furious, but dared not speak out.

As she went downstairs, she noticed many people peeping from behind the windows. She wondered how many eyes were watching her now!

Fearing that Jiang Xiao would issue even more humiliating orders, Lu Wanwan had no choice but to whisper "yes."

Jiang Xiao stopped bothering her and, with a swift stroke, finished off the last red beetle.

Points +1.

Once you accumulate 10000 points, you can upgrade your talent ability once.

In addition, you can exchange various powerful items at the altar to enhance your strength. Only by continuously improving your strength can you survive longer in the future hordes of insects.

"Let's go."

Jiang Xiao led Lu Wanwan toward Building 15.

Downstairs, a figure stood at the entrance of the building.

Jiang Xiao raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. The other person was the woman who had escaped from the stairwell earlier.

Qiao Xin also saw him, her body tensed up, and she adopted a defensive posture.

Two men lay at her feet, their hands and feet bound with cable ties and their mouths taped shut, one still and one moving.

Qiao Xin kicked one of them and spoke first: "I've found the culprit who plotted against you."

As she spoke, she tossed a cell phone over.

Jiang Xiao caught it, looked down, and saw that the person in the photo was Lu Wanwan.

He casually tossed his phone behind him.

Lu Wanwan caught it, looked down, and was stunned.

She never expected that she would be secretly photographed while hanging up her clothes.

Only at this moment did she believe that what Jiang Xiao had said before might be true, and that those people really were after her.

Qiao Xin continued to defend herself, shifting all the blame onto others.

It was Liang Yong who instigated the whole thing, saying he instigated Liu Yijun to snatch the person. Luo Feng received the news and, fearing that you were young and impetuous and might harbor resentment and seek revenge, decided to strike first.

He had just dragged me into this as a conscript.

He gave a stern and eloquent speech, exonerating himself completely, as if he had been nothing more than a bystander throughout the entire process.

With his mouth taped shut, Liang Yong couldn't speak. He could only wriggle around on the ground like a maggot, blinking frantically and whimpering.

Jiang Xiao didn't look at him directly, and asked Qiao Xin, "You clearly ran away, so why did you stay? Were you betting I wouldn't kill you?"

Qiao Xin pursed her lips and said, "There's no deep-seated hatred between us. I want to live, and I'm willing to follow you."

She had gone out to check before, and the situation outside the neighborhood was even worse, with red beetles roaming everywhere.

Although he was an extraordinary being, he knew his own limitations.

With her limited skills, she could barely defend herself against a few insects, and would most likely die if surrounded.

Even if they escaped, where could they go? They'd still have to rely on others and band together.

Instead of doing that, it would be better to just subdue the person in front of us.

"The last one to beg for mercy is already dead," Jiang Xiao said.

Qiao Xin's pupils contracted.

She thought that even if Luo Feng couldn't win, he would be able to escape without any problem.

I never expected him to die?

Given Luo Feng's personality, surrendering and begging for mercy would have been a certainty, so why did the other party just kill him?

Could I be next?

Qiao Xin was filled with regret.

She stared intently at Jiang Xiao, her muscles tense, ready to flee at any moment.

"However..." Jiang Xiao changed the subject, "I've changed my mind, you can stay."

The opposing trio of extraordinary individuals established a safe zone in the residential area and recruited a large number of people. Now that two of them are dead, Qiao Xin is the one left to help them manage the people.

This way, you don't have to manage those trivial matters yourself.

Qiao Xin breathed a sigh of relief, her tense body relaxing slightly.

"What should we do with these two?" She pointed to Liang Yong and Song Zizhe on the ground.

Jiang Xiao gave her a look.

Qiao Xin understood.

Her hair suddenly lengthened, several strands intertwined and twisted into a sharp cone, hanging in mid-air, raising its head like a venomous snake, aimed at the two of them.

Just then, Song Zizhe suddenly rolled over.

He had somehow cut the bandage on his wrist, ripped the tape off his mouth, and crawled on the ground, speaking at an astonishing speed:

"Boss, I've been in charge of counting and distributing the supplies in the safe zone these past few days. I've memorized the time each new recruit joined, their name, and their personality traits."

"Spare my life, I have a use for you!"

No nonsense, no begging, just stating the facts and presenting the evidence.

Qiao Xin's hair clip remained suspended in mid-air, without falling.

She looked at Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao raised her eyebrows and looked at the young man wearing glasses on the ground.

Song Zizhe also looked over, his gaze calm, without fear, only waiting.

Jiang Xiao was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Who joined the safe zone yesterday?"

Song Zizhe rattled off seven or eight names almost without pausing, even describing their physical characteristics.

Jiang Xiao turned to Qiao Xin: "Is he right?"

"These things... are not my responsibility."

Qiao Xin felt a little embarrassed.

She can't even remember the names of her colleagues, how could she possibly remember the names of a few new employees?

Jiang Xiao didn't press further, but instructed, "Go and verify this later. If what he said is true, he'll be your deputy and assist in management."

He paused, then continued, "If I mispronounce someone's name..."

He didn't finish speaking.

But when Qiao Xin met his gaze, her heart skipped a beat.

Song Zizhe, on the other hand, was frank and open, neither dodging nor avoiding the issue. He knew that his life was safe.

Qiao Xin nodded, then asked, "What about this one?" She looked at Liang Yong.

Liang Yong groaned on the ground, trying to speak.

Jiang Xiao gestured for Song Zizhe to remove the tape from his mouth.

As soon as the tape was torn off, Liang Yong immediately spoke up: "Brother! I'm useful too! I've killed bugs single-handedly! I'm also a squadron leader, managing about ten men, with strict discipline, and they hit wherever we're told!"

He racked his brains, desperately trying to demonstrate his value.

Jiang Xiao nodded: "Not bad, he's a formidable general."

Liang Yong was overjoyed.

"Did you take this photo?" Jiang Xiao asked.

Liang Yong's eyes flickered for a moment, then his face became sincere: "It was...it was a candid shot I took by chance. I didn't expect Liu Yijun to have such wicked intentions after seeing it. It's common knowledge that he likes married women. Hearing that you, brother, are stubborn, he became interested, and I couldn't stop him!"

After saying that, he slapped himself across the face and turned to Lu Wanwan:

"Sister-in-law, it all started because of me. I was wrong. Please give me a chance. I will definitely serve my brother wholeheartedly from now on."

"Shut up! Don't talk nonsense!" Lu Wanwan's face turned bright red, both angry and ashamed.

Jiang Xiao turned to Song Zizhe: "Whether he's telling the truth or not, you should know best."

Song Zizhe met Jiang Xiao's calm and unfathomable gaze, and he knew that the other party did not believe Liang Yong's words at all.

He realized that this was a test.

"Ah Zhe!" Liang Yong exclaimed anxiously, "Everything I just said is true, isn't it? The boss is asking you a question!"

Song Zizhe lowered his head and remained silent.

Liang Yong was about to say something more when he suddenly coughed up blood.

A sharp cone made of twisted hair pierced through his heart from behind.

He stared wide-eyed at Jiang Xiao in disbelief.

He understood that without Jiang Xiao's authorization, Qiao Xin wouldn't dare to make a move.

Why?

He had already pledged his loyalty, and Song Zizhe hadn't even spoken yet, so why was he sentenced to death?

He couldn't figure it out.

He died without ever receiving an explanation.

-

-

Building 15, Unit 401.

Jiang Xiao looked at the supplies piled up in the room and nodded in satisfaction.

There were boxes of instant noodles, rice, and bottled water, several boxes of medicine and bandages piled up in the corner, as well as knives, sticks, and other items scavenged from various households.

The extraordinary trio did accomplish something.

With these supplies, I can survive for a few months and further improve my strength.

Lu Wanwan sat in the corner, fiddling with the choker around her neck, looking annoyed.

"What are you doing?" Jiang Xiao asked.

Lu Wanwan looked up and pleaded, "Jiang Xiao, could you... take this off?"

When the two of them were together before, she would wear it without a care, since no one else could see it.

But now I've come into contact with so many people.

Qiao Xin, Song Zizhe, and their gathered subordinates.

She always felt that people were looking at her strangely, and that they were all secretly glancing at what was on her neck.

"I promise I won't run away, really. Please pick it, I beg you." She looked at him pleadingly.

"Don't even think about it!"

Jiang Xiao refused decisively.

The neckband is not only a controller, but also a positioner.

He could sense Lu Wanwan's location through a faint connection and wasn't afraid she would run away.

Picked it? Dream on.

He approached, pinched her cheek, and said coldly, "Don't pull any tricks. If I find out you're up to no good..."

Before he could finish speaking, his gaze slid down her face, past her neck, and settled on her ample breasts.

Lu Wanwan felt a chill run down her spine under that gaze, and recalling the rough hands from a few days ago, her chest began to ache faintly.

She shrank back, not daring to say anything more.

Jiang Xiao's heart skipped a beat when he saw her pitiful appearance.

He glanced at the stack of bottled water in the corner and said, "Go take a shower."

Lu Wanwan noticed that his breathing was off and quickly shook her head: "Water is so precious, there's no need to wash. I don't like taking baths."

"Go, I don't want to say it a second time!" Jiang Xiao repeated, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

Lu Wanwan's heart was pounding, and she didn't know what to do.

Outside the window, a beam of light shot into the sky, illuminating the entire night sky.

Jiang Xiao quickly walked to the balcony.

A beam of light shot out from the ground in the distance, soaring straight into the sky, standing out conspicuously in the pitch-black night.

altar!

An altar has respawned in this area?!

Jiang Xiao was both surprised and delighted.

He remembered that there was no altar near his neighborhood in his previous life. Could this be a butterfly effect triggered by his rebirth?

Judging from the location of the beam of light, it should be near the building materials market, about ten kilometers away from the residential area.

Lu Wanwan also came over, looking at the beam of light with curiosity in her eyes.

"What is this?" she asked. "Is it... a gathering signal from an official organization?"

Her tone was filled with longing, as if she hoped someone would come to rescue her.

Jiang Xiao didn't speak, but frowned and pondered for a while.

"I don't know." He feigned ignorance, then decisively made a decision, "Let's go take a look."

"Now?" Lu Wanwan asked in surprise.

It was already dark.

She doesn't go out, but she knows from the sounds she makes that nighttime is when insects are most active.

They had to grope their way through the darkness, and they didn't know how many insects they would encounter along the way.

"Now."

The moonlight is beautiful tonight, and with their superhuman vision, it's more than enough.

Furthermore, the appearance of an altar would inevitably attract a swarm of insects.

The insects would instinctively swarm toward the altar, trying to destroy it.

There are dangers, but there are also opportunities.

They don't need to hunt insects everywhere; they can just guard the altar and kill them, and the points come in very quickly.

Moreover, the initial insect swarms are generally not large in scale, so if you really can't hold them off, you can try to break through.

"Knock knock knock—"

A knock came at the door.

"Brother Jiang," Qiao Xin called from outside.

Jiang Xiao opened the door, and Qiao Xin and Song Zizhe were both standing at the door.

"I was just looking for you guys." Jiang Xiao looked at the beam of light overhead and said, "You saw the commotion, too. I'm about to head over to the apartment complex across the street. What are your thoughts?"

Qiao Xin and Song Zizhe exchanged a glance.

Song Zizhe spoke first: "Brother Jiang, are you coming back?"

Jiang Xiao thought for a moment and said, "This beam of light might be the altar that the system mentioned before. If this thing is beneficial to superhumans, I might live permanently in the neighborhood across the street."

Song Zizhe said almost without hesitation, "Then I'll go with Brother Jiang."

"There are bugs on the road, so I can't guarantee your safety," Jiang Xiao warned.

"I accept my fate of dying on the road."

Song Zizhe's eyes were firm.

He knew in his heart that the only way for ordinary people like himself to survive in the apocalypse was to attach themselves to superhumans.

Although he hadn't spent much time with Jiang Xiao, he could tell that this person was by no means indecisive, nor did he covet power.

After taking over the 15th floor, many tasks were handed over to him and Qiao Xin.

Taking the initiative to go there might help gain the other party's trust and make it easier for me to gradually establish myself and seek development in the future.

Jiang Xiao nodded and looked at Qiao Xin.

Qiao Xin was unsure.

She wanted to go.

But this light caused a huge commotion and would definitely attract all sorts of extraordinary individuals. She was afraid that her own abilities wouldn't be enough to compete.

But on second thought, staying might not be safe either.

With two teammates dead, the safe zone was in a state of panic, and she couldn't possibly keep the situation under control by herself.

After hesitating for a moment, she gritted her teeth and nodded: "I'll go too!"

"Go ask your men if they're willing to go. Prepare the supplies and meet downstairs in ten minutes," Jiang Xiao instructed.

After the two men accepted their orders and left,

Jiang Xiaoli stood by the window, gazing at the pillar of light that shot into the sky in the distance.

In his previous life, he had never established his own territory, which resulted in a severe shortage of intelligence and manpower, ultimately leading to his being besieged by multiple forces.

By the time he belatedly realized the crisis, it was too late to turn the tide.

This time, he will build his own team, reverse fate, and repay blood with blood!

……