Returning to Protect

In the eyes of contaminated creatures, a solitary Guide was a delectable morsel.

Before long, Dai Qiao was surrounded by all sorts of pitch-black, grotesquely shaped contaminated creatures.

A foul stench emanated from them, their wriggling tentacles leaving trails of stinking slime wherever they crawled.

Dai Qiao showed no fear.

She stood tall, two fingers forming a seal while her other hand rested on the soft sword at her waist. She said coldly, "Do you wish for death?"

Just as she was about to strike, a powerful figure suddenly blocked her path.

It was Ling Feng.

The moment he realized contaminated creatures were swarming in, he had turned back to find Dai Qiao, sensing she was in danger.

Ling Feng held a light-sword, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he glared at the swarm.

Seeing him arrive, Dai Qiao’s hand forming the seal loosened slightly. "Oh, why did you come back?"

"Changed your mind? Do you want to be my contracted Sentinel now?"

In truth, Dai Qiao didn't want to pressure him in this situation, but the Humiliation Points from him were simply too easy to earn.

She shook her head and let out another sigh.

She saw the back of the man before her stiffen, his hand gripping the light-sword until his knuckles cracked.

Ling Feng said nothing, silently fulfilling his duty to protect Dai Qiao—to protect a precious Guide from harm.

He swung his light-sword, sweeping away the grotesque creatures.

Sunlight pierced through the dust, casting a faint silhouette around him.

In an instant, he had slain dozens of contaminated creatures.

Stains began to appear on the blade of the light-sword. Each time he destroyed a creature, the stain grew deeper, turning into cracks that spread across the once-bright blade.

Sentinels would also suffer reverse contamination while destroying contaminated creatures.

This scene played out clearly before Dai Qiao’s eyes.

Her gaze darkened.

Until she had accumulated enough Humiliation Points and recovered her full power, this Sentinel absolutely could not die.

Dai Qiao formed a seal again, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, ready to act. "Get behind me."

At that moment, Ling Feng shook his sword violently, shedding the stains as the blade regained its light.

Dai Qiao stood there, momentarily stunned.

Ling Feng turned his head, a strange emotion flashing in his eyes. "I haven't reached the point where I'm that..."

He choked on his words, unable to finish the sentence with the word "weak."

Finally, he roared in frustration, "Worry about yourself first!"

With that, he threw over a soft, pink sphere that landed with a "thump" on Dai Qiao.

Ling Feng: "This is my spiritual manifestation. It will protect you."

The soft, pink sphere landed on Dai Qiao’s shoulder, affectionately nuzzling against her.

Dai Qiao picked up the small sphere and poked it, watching as it slowly turned from pale pink to red.

Oh, it can even change colors.

Finding it interesting, Dai Qiao poked it twice more.

"Pop!"

The small sphere turned bright red, growing two tentacles to cover its face.

Even though it didn't actually have a face to cover.

So this was the "Little Ling Feng" sphere.

Dai Qiao gave the sphere a squeeze.

On the other side, Ling Feng, who had just finished slaying several creatures, turned bright red. He hurriedly turned back and shouted, "Stop squeezing it!"

Dai Qiao suddenly understood and quietly let go.

She had forgotten that the Sentinel and the spiritual manifestation shared the same senses.

No wonder the Humiliation Points were increasing.

Although Ling Feng was an experienced A-rank Sentinel and highly skilled at dealing with contaminated creatures, he was still overwhelmed by their sheer numbers.

The battle grew increasingly intense, and the human side began to show signs of faltering.

The distant city wall collapsed.

A monster over ten meters tall charged in, its long tongue dragging on the ground, its back covered in pustules. It roared frantically as it lunged forward on all fours!

In the blink of an eye, dozens of Sentinels were struck down.

"Thump!"

The small pink sphere suddenly jumped to the ground and inflated, transforming into a giant hawk. it bowed its head, signaling Dai Qiao to climb on.

She stood still, unmoving.