Apocalyptic Gratitude Duck - Chapter 15

A Sonic Attack is a spiritual assault, distinct from physical combat. This attack targets the brain, causing varying degrees of damage with each strike. Just by listening to the sound, one could tell that the Mutated Parrot’s current strength far surpassed Kexin’s, and its physical constitution had already reached Level 2 standards.

Sonic Attacks, however, are a talent skill built upon physical constitution, with their initial level being higher than that of physical constitution. This parrot’s Sonic Attack had already surpassed Level 2.

The opponent’s strength now far exceeded hers!

Kexin had previously endured intense spiritual attacks. Continuous strikes would make her brain ache as if being poked with a wooden stick, causing hallucinations. But after enduring the pain long enough, her willpower only grew stronger, and the effects of the spiritual attacks diminished.

This time, the spiritual attack was weaker than before, still within the range she could withstand. Kexin squeezed her eyes shut, her duck-like feet digging into the ground as she endured the excruciating pain.

A sudden, sharp pain exploded in Qiao Yanyu’s mind. Her face turned pale, and she covered her ears with both hands, nearly fainting.

The stinging pain from the parrot’s cry gradually faded after about three minutes. Qiao Yanyu bit her lower lip, drawing blood. Her mind cleared momentarily before quickly lapsing back into sluggishness as she stared blankly at the Golden Pomelo Fruit ahead.

The nearly ripe Golden Pomelo Fruit suddenly released a more intense fragrance. The moment she caught a whiff, it was like a traveler in the desert who had finally found an oasis, desperate to rush forward and quench their thirst.

Her eyes slowly reddened, every cell in her body roaring with an uncontrollable, insatiable desire.

It smells too good!

Qiao Yanyu completely lost her resistance, greedily inhaling the pomelo’s aroma as she moved toward the fruit.

The buzzing in her ears gradually subsided, but Kexin heard the mutated beasts’ roars grow more frenzied. The pomelo’s fragrance also became increasingly alluring. In her previous life, after her Master’s death, Qiao Yanyu had fortuitously eaten a fruit even rarer than the pomelo, which had given her some resistance to being easily bewitched. But when she looked up, she suddenly realized her Master had left her side.

Ahead was a chaotic battle between zombies and mutated beasts. If her Master went now, he would die!

Kexin’s heart lurched. She quickly vibrated her wings, grabbing the hem of her Master’s clothes and tugging backward.

Qiao Yanyu seemed oblivious to Kexin’s tugs, her gaze fixed in a trance as she continued forward recklessly.

Unable to stop Qiao Yanyu, Kexin found herself caught on the hem of her master’s clothing, swinging back and forth like a duck-shaped ornament.

The dizzying motion made Kexin’s head spin even more. She released her beak and fell from Qiao Yanyu’s clothing, quickly transforming into her combat form. Curling into a ball, she launched herself at her master’s long legs.

The massive impact sent Qiao Yanyu crashing to the ground, a bloody scrape marring her knee. The sharp pain finally brought a momentary clarity to her mind.

When she looked up again, they were less than fifty meters from the battlefield of the Mutated Parrot!

If it weren’t for Kexin, she would already be torn apart by zombies and Mutated Beasts.

Uncertain if her master was fully awake, Kexin positioned herself protectively in front of Qiao Yanyu, anxiously glancing back to guard against sudden attacks from Mutated Beasts.

“I’m alright. We need to retreat quickly.”

Qiao Yanyu took a deep breath, gritting through the pain in her leg as she led Kexin in a swift retreat.

Suddenly, a Giant Spider descended from the sky like a small mountain, its two-meter-tall bulk completely blocking their path.

The Giant Spider’s back was covered in thick, wolf-like fur, and its legs were exceptionally sturdy and glossy black, as hard as thick armor. Each leg was coated in fresh blood, giving it an especially ferocious appearance. Its eight black eyes darted about, then suddenly shot a massive mouthful of dark green venom toward the human and duck.

Kexin’s wings vibrated rapidly, and she flashed past like a swift shadow. In the next instant, the dark green venom was swept up by two swirling vortexes and hurled back toward the Giant Spider.

The venom exploded upon impact, instantly reducing patches of the spider’s fur to a foul-smelling smoke. The Giant Spider let out a piercing scream as a powerful wind howled across its body, tearing up grass and dirt over ten meters to the side and flipping half of its body onto the ground.

Seizing the opportunity, Qiao Yanyu raised her axe without hesitation and hacked viciously at the Giant Spider’s legs. A Level 1 Evolver’s physical prowess far surpassed that of an ordinary person, and her ferocious strength caused the spider’s legs to crack audibly. She snapped three legs in quick succession, sending waves of dust billowing into the air.

Just as Qiao Yanyu and Kexin prepared to deliver another fatal blow, the Giant Spider suddenly righted itself. Ignoring its broken legs, it twisted its head and fled, leaving a trail of billowing dust and dirt in its wake.

Qiao Yanyu: …

Kexin: …

For the first time, the girl and the duck encountered an opponent who fled when it couldn’t win, leaving them bewildered.

When they saw the Giant Spider disappear completely into a nearby crevice, Qiao Yanyu suddenly understood why it had fled. The spider had been lurking nearby, hoping to ambush survivors weakened by the previous battle. It assumed they were exhausted and couldn’t withstand its venom attacks. But instead of scoring an easy victory, it suffered a major setback and had no choice but to flee early.

Living in the Apocalypse for so long had taught them to adapt. After all, some mutated animals had indeed become smarter. By scavenging leftovers, they could survive comfortably, eliminating the need to risk everything in a life-or-death struggle.

Qiao Yanyu calmed her thoughts, found a suitable hiding spot, and looked up at the fruit hanging from the tree. The branches swayed wildly as the vine connecting to the fruit completed its final nutrient transfer, quickly withering and turning yellow. A new round of combat was about to begin. At least four Level 1 Evolvers simultaneously attacked the Mutated Parrot. The flames on the parrot’s Flame Wings burned hotter and hotter, showing no signs of abating.

The low-level zombies had been torn to shreds, their scattered Zombie Crystals carpeting the ground in a thick layer. The mutated beasts lay strewn across the battlefield, their mangled limbs and splattered blood a testament to the slaughter. Even those few capable of challenging the Mutated Parrot had been left grievously wounded by its onslaught.

Uncertain of the Mutated Parrot’s remaining combat capabilities, Qiao Yanyu and Kexin couldn’t afford to act recklessly. One excelled in close combat, the other in ranged attacks. Securing the Golden Pomelo Fruit would require not only flawless coordination but also impeccable timing.

They possessed the coordination, but mastering the timing proved elusive. A moment too late, and the fruit would likely be snatched by the Mutated Parrot. A moment too early, and they’d become embroiled in a futile struggle with the other mutated beasts, exhausting their resources.

Qin Dafei might resort to sacrificing lives to clear a path, crude as that strategy was. But Qiao Yanyu had only Kexin, and she couldn’t ask her to risk her life.

Qiao Yanyu found herself momentarily paralyzed by hesitation, mentally rehearsing countless combat scenarios only to dismantle them one by one. Once they committed, there would be no turning back. They would have to take the risk.

The path of every true powerhouse is paved with thorns, blood, and tears, ultimately blossoming into a flower unique to each individual.

Qiao Yanyu crouched down, her light brown eyes reflecting Kexin’s endearing face. A wave of intense reluctance washed over her; she still couldn’t bear to let Kexin take such risks.

Kexin tilted her head back to look up at her, her dark eyes glistening with resolve and unwavering determination.

Don’t worry, Master. Whatever you desire, I will pursue relentlessly to achieve for you.

Kexin nuzzled her fluffy head against Qiao Yanyu’s palm, trying to comfort her. The warm, sunny scent alone filled her with strength. Only the Master’s departure could plunge her into eternal darkness and loneliness.

Qiao Yanyu swallowed hard, pressed her lips together, and gently rested her forehead against Kexin’s head. She murmured softly, “Stay alive. I need you.”

Only Kexin could sense the slight tremors running through Qiao Yanyu’s body, the quivering at the end of her words, the overwhelming emotion that made it almost impossible for Kexin to breathe.

“Duck!” I’ll live well. You must live well too, Master.

Kexin watched her master anxiously, unsure what to do.

Qiao Yanyu’s eyes reddened slightly as she looked up at the nearly concluded battle. Taking a deep breath, she stroked Kexin’s wings. “Go. I’ll hold off any other Mutated Beasts that try to join the fight. Once I’m free, we’ll take down the Mutated Parrot together. If you find yourself overwhelmed, retreat immediately.”

Kexin nodded vigorously.

The Mutated Parrot had just defeated four Mutated Beasts and blocked another wave of attacks, leaving it exhausted and panting heavily.

The vines on the Golden Pomelo Fruit began to loosen, and the fruit was about to fall from the air. The parrot opened its massive, hooked beak, ready to snatch the fruit and swallow it whole.

Suddenly, a swift white shadow darted past its eyes.

The parrot blinked briefly. When it opened its eyes again, the Golden Pomelo Fruit that had been hanging from the tree was gone.

Its fruit had been stolen!

The Mutated Parrot erupted into a frenzy, letting out a piercing screech that filled the air with a terrifying aura. Its eyes nearly spewed fire as it detected the faintest trace of the fruit’s scent. Without hesitation, it fanned out dozens of Flame Wings across the ground.

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