The principle was simple—during time stop, accumulating all strength and poking out with minimal surface area, one finger easily shattered the skull.
Hibiscus half-knelt on the ground gasping for breath, her whole body aching with limbs weak, unable to summon any energy. Obviously making the world freeze was the most magnificent, highest consumption, most essential method of Sands of Time magic. But it had little relation to intensity—according to news reports, Disaster Beasts all possessed super regeneration, some individuals wouldn't die even from headshots.
She carefully glanced at the crystal giant's corpse—fortunately no movement.
If encountering high HP that couldn't be killed in one hit, post-kill regeneration or resurrection, strong defense that couldn't be broken, or being trapped in enclosed spaces—all would be problematic.
Too many limitations, so weak.
The flaws Hibiscus could think of, enemies would definitely extrapolate further. The legendary time magic wasn't as powerful as imagined.
Suddenly the corpse before her twitched once, with such force it almost sat up. The girl immediately tensed, already gripping a mana recovery potion in her hand. At any sign of abnormality, she'd gulp it all down and activate time stop again—wouldn't be done until she dismembered it to prevent resurrection.
She watched helplessly as the corpse's flesh melted and collapsed toward the center, blood, flesh, and bone all converging to reform into a thick blood vessel, lifelike and full of evil nature.
Had Li Tian used Disaster Beast remains? Or had the remains devoured Li Tian? Terrifying to think about.
Hibiscus didn't think much but cleanly picked up the scattered unmarked bills, cash, and bank cards and other valuables on the ground.
Beep!
The system notification sounded in her mind: "Rewards: 30 free attribute points, Regalia Advancement Stone Fragment ×1, 5 lottery draws, 100,000 yuan cash, distributed"—making the girl breathe a sigh of relief. Not because the rewards were generous, but because it confirmed the Storm Gang clearance, including BOSS Li Tian's complete death. The bitter battle was full of twists, and she'd incidentally saved a certain unlucky young miss. A soon-to-be magical girl almost met her end here—nearly dying before accomplishing anything.
Just as Hibiscus was about to pick up the remains and flee, her body stiffened. The system photography she kept active discovered a special Disaster Beast response unit quickly approaching.
Leading was a woman with a beauty mark at her left eye corner, medium-length hair tied in a single ponytail looking neat and efficient. Her gaze was sharp as she held a gun and gestured commands for team members to take positions in suppressive formation. As a young captain who had distinguished herself in several Disaster Beast infection incidents, Jin Yulu was a hero known to everyone in Ningfeng Harbor.
Why did the great hero in citizens' hearts carry the scent of Disaster Beasts?
How peculiar.
Since her magical girl constitution gradually awakened, the other side of the surface world bared its fangs at her. The special attack force protecting citizens now stood opposed to her. Unfortunately no time for sentiment—Hibiscus rolled and hid in the blind spot of a concrete support pillar.
She drew the Colt M2000 pistol from her waist. Having killed through the Storm Gang without firing a single shot was quite ridiculous—compared to magic, the other side should understand guns better.
Besides, given her current exhausted physical state, bullets might be more effective.
Positioning herself behind cover, Hibiscus continued using the omnidirectional camera to explore breakthrough points. Regrettably, all entrances were heavily guarded. The basement easily formed a cornered beast fight. The only reliable place was the garage door—not far from her, but attempting to run there would inevitably expose her to gunfire. The elite unit capable of handling infection incidents was all equipped with large-caliber guns and plenty of heavy firepower. Even at full status she wouldn't dare risk it. If only she had another enhancement potion.
"Hey, guy hiding behind the blue-white load-bearing concrete pillar at 7 o'clock—you don't think that thing can block our firepower, do you?"
Jin Yulu's characteristically cold voice echoed, actually covering her teammates' silent encirclement. They didn't even glance at the remains but gathered toward the living person.
"You clock in for work, I clock out to go home—isn't that good? Why cause casualties?"
"This is to control disasters. If you're an ordinary person, you should come out openly instead of hiding. But everything can be discussed. We're very interested in the Storm Gang matter—perhaps there are common topics. Provided you cooperate."
"How do I cooperate?"
"Raise both hands over your head and come out from cover, then kneel halfway and finally lie on the ground waiting for us to handle you. The court will give you justice."
As they spoke, Jin Yulu and her subordinates drew closer, dozens of infrared beams sweeping over.
"That is, surrender."
"I don't like that word—should be called cooperation."
"I surrender. Don't kill me, I'll confess everything, don't wrong innocent people!" Suddenly a series of shrill shouts made the special attack force slightly stunned. In this gap, several grenades rolled out from behind the concrete pillar.
"Get down!" Before Jin Yulu finished speaking, she discovered none had pins pulled. Her heart cried out in alarm, then a black shadow passed 4 people and attacked her.
Incredibly fast, but she still pulled the trigger by instinct. However, the next moment her right hand was twisted behind her back and her whole body bent.
What inhuman speed!
Suppressing the battle-hardened captain and knocking out four people in one encounter—the black-masked customer's little display silenced the entire scene. Even they who had experienced countless brutal battles could hardly believe a completely human form possessed such powerful strength. They'd encountered a tough opponent—probably wouldn't end well.
After Hibiscus pressed the gun muzzle to Jin Yulu's temple, everyone immediately didn't dare act rashly.
"Do you know what you're doing? Don't be obstinate."
"Stop repeating those old clichés." She hugged the struggling girl tightly and gripped her throat. "Everyone might as well listen to my demands."
"......"
Bang!
Hibiscus fired a warning shot that nearly made dozens of guns pull their triggers, then she said eerily: "Answering with silence is forbidden. The grenades just now proved my sincerity. Let's maintain peace and reduce casualties—simply let this pleasantness continue."
The girl felt ashamed after speaking, thinking how did I become so skilled at playing a villain? All blame the netizens' subtle influence.
Jin Yulu asked through gritted teeth: "State your conditions."
"Take that Disaster Beast remains and follow me. Very good—you're so cooperative, you must love your captain. Just maintain this pace, like tango dancing, quite relaxed isn't it?"
Hibiscus talked more because her Hypnosis Technique was slowly taking effect. With more targets the effect dropped linearly, but increasing speech persuasiveness was easy.
The group proceeded peacefully to the garage entrance, with the crowded and safe street just within reach.
However, at this moment 5 armored vehicles drove up from behind, setting up defensive lines to firmly block the retreat. Harsh sirens wailed continuously, countless deadly weapons aimed.
"Give up. Can you really escape from broad daylight through gunfire?"
"Right, so escaping would be a miracle."
"What are you talking about?" Jin Yulu felt everything today was full of strangeness, especially this guy behind her.
Sands of Time!
The moment Hibiscus used the mana recovery potion, she activated time stop, then grabbed the thick blood vessel under her arm. Sensing briefly, she found no markings—besides, it had been cleaned through Li Tian's fusion. No problem, retreat.
The girl rushed toward another district at a speed surpassing humanity's top sprinters. The gray-white world quickly faded, but it was more than enough for evacuation.
Moments later the magic disappeared, leaving only countless people staring like statues at where the black-masked customer had just been.
It was completely empty.