"Indeed, using the blood of one's closest kin can lure that creature out. But if you plan to face him alone, you don't stand a chance."
Luna Quay watched as Zane Zhuang held a small jar containing some of John Chou's blood. During today's collection, something strange happened: John Chou, less than a hundred days old, didn't cry or fuss—instead, he smiled, his eyes wide open, staring at Zane Zhuang and Victor Fan.
Under the moonlight, the three of them stood beside the field where last night's incident occurred, near Henderson Village. Zane Zhuang opened the jar and placed it inside the shed at the edge of the field.
Luna Quay's gaze never left Zane Zhuang's hands.
"You're a tough one. You didn't turn into a corpse, huh? Still, I bet even standing hurts right now. Your throat must be parched, right?"
Lance Quinn sneered as he spoke. Zane Zhuang ignored him and kept waiting, Victor Fan's words echoing in his mind. He looked at his own hands, which were trembling slightly.
"He's coming."
As Luna Quay finished speaking, a shadow darted across the distant field, reaching the shed in an instant. Eugene Henderson's wounds had vanished. He stared intensely into the shed.
"Eugene, you're here."
Zane Zhuang stood up and walked toward him, step by step.
"Boss, he can't hold out much longer."
Luna Quay still said nothing, but now his gaze was fixed on Eugene Henderson.
"Eugene, are you clear-headed now?"
Zane Zhuang asked. Eugene Henderson got up from the ground, suddenly grinned, and flashed a smile.
Ah Zane, haha, you rascal—where did you get such power?
That one sentence made Zane Zhuang both happy and angry.
So that's it? You pretended to be unconscious—what are you really planning?
With a whoosh, Eugene Henderson appeared before Zane Zhuang, leaped high, and kicked Zane in the neck, sending him crashing to the ground. Eugene rushed straight toward the shed.
Hey, hey, that's too much! I can't put up with this anymore, Boss...
Eugene Henderson grabbed the small jar containing John Chou's blood and grinned wickedly.
"Delicious, just as I thought."
He stuck out his tongue, letting the blood drip onto it bit by bit, then drank it down. Instantly, he burst into wild laughter.
"Ah Zane, in this world, no one can escape their bonds. But now, things are different—I have found the path to freedom. Come, let us together..."
Zane Zhuang stood up, his gaze desolate as he looked at Eugene Henderson. A surge of hostility welled up from deep within.
"You're not Eugene anymore. Monster... Maybe my teacher was right; letting you go might be the best way."
Eugene Henderson burst out laughing and, in an instant, appeared before Zane Zhuang, grabbing him by the neck.
"Why haven't you turned yet, Zane? As my closest friend, you should be like me. And Henderson Village too—they should all follow me. I've done so much for the Hendersons since I was young. Now, I've found a way for the family to live forever. Come, Zane."
With a ripping sound, Eugene Henderson's black fingernails pierced Zane Zhuang's body, then he let go.
Zane Zhuang screamed. Something was invading his body, and his consciousness was nearly gone. His skin peeled off in patches as he lay on the ground in agony.
Eugene Henderson threw his head back and laughed wildly. He looked twisted and deranged.
Suddenly, Zane Zhuang stood up, his mind now clear with memories. There was barely a patch of healthy flesh left on his body.
"Ah Zane, I feel great now. You will too, soon. These two will help you."
Eugene Henderson said, glancing at Luna Quay and Lance Quinn.
"Going back with you is fine, but this guy, and everything in Henderson Village, must come too. I'll give them new life myself."
Eugene Henderson spoke, revealing two sharp fangs.
"Boss, this guy still has feelings."
Luna Quay nodded.
"But those feelings will soon disappear."
Zane Zhuang's lost, hollow eyes turned to Eugene Henderson.
"Eugene, do you remember what you said to me before you left?"
Eugene Henderson turned and looked at Zane Zhuang, smiling.
"I told you to protect the Hendersons, haha, but it doesn't matter anymore. In times like these, what's the point of suffering for all this? Why not join me and pursue freedom..."
With a slap, Zane Zhuang struck Eugene Henderson's cheek.
"Is your pursuit of freedom just abandoning humanity and becoming a beast?"
Eugene Henderson's smile vanished. Suddenly, he plunged a hand into Zane Zhuang's chest.
"If you won't join me, then I don't need to bring you along. Zane, tonight the Hendersons will be reborn."
Zane Zhuang slowly raised a hand and gripped Eugene Henderson's hand.
"Goodbye, Zane. Now I realize we've been on different paths since childhood."
Just as Eugene tried to pull his hand out, he found it was clamped tight inside Zane's body, as if caught in iron pincers.
"You're not Eugene Henderson anymore. My dearest friend—what he asked me to do, I'll do it: protect the Hendersons."
Zane Zhuang screamed, yanked Eugene Henderson's hand out of his body, and threw him aside.
Zane Zhuang staggered backward, his body on the verge of collapse. He crouched, while Eugene Henderson, after landing, instantly attacked him again.
"Suffering every torment, yet unafraid—Ashura..."
Suddenly, black smoke surged from Zane Zhuang's body. A three-faced, six-armed, hideous figure appeared, its six fists smashing toward Eugene Henderson.
"Rest in peace, Eugene."
With a thunderous crash, a bright white light—like daylight—illuminated everything around.
Zane Zhuang's body crackled and slowly began to recover.
"Boss..."
Lance Quinn cried out and floated over. As the white light faded, half of Luna Quay's body began to crack, and Eugene Henderson lay dying nearby.
"Ashura Path."
Luna Quay glared at Zane Zhuang with hostility. Zane had fully recovered and, with an angry expression, looked at Eugene Henderson behind Luna.
"Step aside. My old friend must be freed."
"That won't do. I'll take him back to the Corpse Realm. Leave the rest to us."
A pale blue barrier appeared all around. Lance Quinn crouched at its edge.
"What is that thing, Boss? Ashura Path."
"Looks like we can't settle your anger without a fight. Quinn, stretch the corpse membrane to its limit—at least five layers."
Zane Zhuang exhaled a puff of white breath, raised his head, and with a creak, four arms grew out. With a roar, he charged at Luna Quay.