Volume One: The Apocalypse Descends. Chapter 5: Riot Gear and a Pseudo-Penta-Kill

After observing the three insect carcasses once more to ensure there were no items or equipment to be scavenged, Xiang Chenguang resumed his journey home.

He was anxious to confirm his family's safety. Moreover, the commotion caused by his final strike had been substantial; if he wasn't careful, it might attract the attention of other monsters. He resolved that when he had time later, he would carefully dissect the monster carcasses to see if they contained legendary crystals or beast cores.

Xiang Chenguang lived in an old residential complex on Fuqian Street. Though called a "complex," it was essentially a courtyard comprised of several aging apartment buildings.

The door to the security office at the entrance was wide open. Old Qin, the guard on duty, was nowhere to be seen; all Xiang Chenguang found was a pool of blood. His heart sank—it was clear that creatures from another world had invaded their complex, and things looked grim for Old Qin.

He scanned the entrance area but found no other alien monsters. Instead, he spotted a set of anti-riot gear tucked away in the corner of the security office, including a helmet, a transparent shield, a capture pole, and a baton. Under normal circumstances, Old Qin was the only guard on duty, and this equipment was merely decorative; Xiang Chenguang had never seen him touch any of it.

For Xiang Chenguang, however, it was perfect. Since the apocalypse began less than half an hour ago, he had already fought two skirmishes, using a cement block, a trash can, and an iron railing as improvised weapons. While effective, they were cumbersome and unsuitable for regular use.

The anti-riot baton resting on the rack was ideal. At about 1.6 meters in length with a rubberized grip, it felt substantial and well-balanced. Given his augmented strength, he estimated that the insects he had encountered so far would be incapacitated, if not killed, by a single solid blow. The transparent shield was equally useful; based on the creatures he had seen, they would be unable to damage it. He tested the shield, finding it lightweight and capable of covering most of his body.

Stepping out of the security office, Xiang Chenguang was no longer empty-handed. With the shield in his left hand and the baton in his right, he headed toward Unit 2, Building 3. The complex consisted of only eight six-story buildings. Each building was divided into two units, with each unit sharing a stairwell and four households per floor. There were no elevators in these old buildings.

Just as he left the security office, a shrill, piercing scream echoed from one of the floors in Unit 2, Building 1. His expression darkened, and he quickened his pace toward Building 3.

The layout of the complex was simple: a straight concrete path led from the main gate, with the eight buildings arranged neatly along the left side. Xiang Chenguang lived on the third floor of Building 3, Unit 2. What alarmed him further was a sharp, grating sound echoing from the stairwell of his own unit—it sounded like something sharp scraping against a metal security door.

It appeared his building had also been breached. He could only hope his mother hadn't left the apartment when the apocalypse started; the thought of the alternative was unbearable.

Discarding caution, Xiang Chenguang dashed into the stairwell. The grating sound grew clearer, likely originating from the second or third floor. He took the stairs two at a time, reaching the landing of the second floor, where he saw a scattering of shoes. It was now certain the sound came from the second floor—a monster was trying to break into one of the apartments.

Seeing no other traces of blood or battle on his way back, he felt a sliver of relief. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he held the shield before him and raised the baton, keeping it poised to strike. He crept toward the second floor.

Even though he moved quietly, the scraping sound ceased, replaced by the faint, skittering sound of footsteps on the floor. The monster had likely detected his arrival and, abandoning the door, was coming for him.

Xiang Chenguang remained calm. As he reached within a few steps of the second floor, he saw wood fragments scattered on the landing. Suddenly, a massive centipede lunged from the hallway to his right. It was about three meters long, its upper body reared up to reveal a bright yellow underbelly and a dense array of legs. After observing him for a heartbeat, it lunged, its massive mandibles parting to reveal dripping venom. Seeing the curved fangs, which were thicker than a child's arm, he knew a bite would be lethal.

Xiang Chenguang braced himself and slammed the shield forward with a muffled thud. The impact sent the centipede's upper body reeling back into the wall. Ignoring the numbness in his left arm, he surged forward and swung the baton at the creature's head.

The powerful blow missed as the centipede skittered sideways against the wall. His baton struck the concrete with a dull thud, sending a jolt of vibration through his arm. Fortunately, the rubber baton absorbed the shock; a steel pipe or wooden club might have been jarred from his grip.

Xiang Chenguang retreated to the stairs leading to the third floor, taking the high ground. The centipede, refusing to let its prey escape, scurried toward him. Changing tactics, it kept its body low and lunged for his legs. Xiang Chenguang dropped his shield to block the bite, then brought the baton down with a crushing force, severing the creature's body in two.

The two halves thrashed on the floor, still alive. Xiang Chenguang delivered another savage blow, smashing the creature's bright red head into pulp. A system notification chimed in his mind, confirming the kill.

Since the beginning of the apocalypse, he had slain five alien insects. Though the intervals were long, he counted it as a "pseudo-pentakill."