Chapter 54: The Heroic Death Flower (Part 2)

Volume 1 “Year of Calamity”

Xun Lili’s underestimation of the Advanced Mutant was extremely irrational, and she was about to pay a heavy price for her recklessness! As Xun Lili charged toward the approaching Mutant Zombie while dragging her high-tech saber, the mutant simultaneously launched an attack against her.

The Mutant Zombie hurled a Black Energy Ball through the air while simultaneously covering its body with a Black Shield. Xun Lili had witnessed the explosive power of the energy ball before, but having charged too rapidly, she found it difficult to evade in that moment. At this critical juncture, Nie Chong overtook her from behind and positioned himself as a shield in front of her. The next instant, an energy ball with force comparable to a 100mm mortar exploded before them, the resulting shockwave sending both flying backward until they crashed into a building alongside the road.

Xun Lili fared relatively better, as Nie Chong had absorbed nearly the entire explosion; she only suffered some concussive effects and mild dizziness. Nie Chong, however, was in dire straits. Although his Full-Coverage Exoskeleton Armor was incredibly sturdy, the shockwave from the blast still inflicted considerable damage to his internal organs. Crimson blood trickled from his ears, nose, and mouth, though the Full-Coverage Armor’s faceplate concealed this from view.

After taking such a hit, Nie Chong temporarily lost his ability to move. He opened his faceplate to reveal a pallid complexion, laboriously raised his arm, and aimed his Laser Rapid-Fire Cannon at the Mutant Zombie hovering outside. Meanwhile, the zombies closest to Longjiang Town had already begun slowly infiltrating the town.

From his hiding spot inside the Escape Pod, Liu Pengyu witnessed the moment Nie Chong was blasted with stark clarity. His team leader and that girl Xun Lili were now in uncertain condition, while the Mutant Zombie appeared completely unscathed. This sight deeply distressed Liu Pengyu, who regarded Nie Chong as an elder brother. Yet he knew that emerging now would be futile, especially since the weapons he possessed were incapable of harming that Mutated Creature.

What could he do? Was he to simply watch his team leader die? Could he truly offer no assistance at all? Wait—there might still be a chance! Liu Pengyu suddenly recalled something. He swiftly removed the backpack from his shoulders, pulled out a block of C4 Plastic Explosive, and retrieved two Nuclear Batteries glowing with a faint light from a side pocket.

Demolition was a mandatory skill for every Special Forces Team member. Moreover, Liu Pengyu was an exceptionally diligent learner who consistently studied explosive materials. Among the vast array of explosive weapons, one type known as the Tactical Nuclear Bomb stood out as particularly astonishing. Unlike strategic nuclear weapons, small tactical nuclear devices, while lacking world-ending destructive power, surpassed conventional bombs by countless times within a limited radius.

There are two methods to initiate a nuclear explosion: the gun-type method and the implosion method. The implosion method is significantly more powerful and efficient in utilizing nuclear material, but Liu Pengyu was no nuclear physics expert and lacked the equipment to construct a tactical nuclear bomb using implosion. However, the gun-type method was relatively simpler to execute, and he could still attempt it.The bullet method essentially involves separating two subcritical masses of enriched nuclear fission material. Upon detonation, one piece is propelled to collide with the other, causing the two subcritical volumes of nuclear fission material to merge into a single supercritical mass, thereby triggering an explosion. The basic operational principle involves using an external explosive charge to force the two nuclear materials to collide. As for the nuclear material, Liu Pengyu had it readily available. Before they set out, Nie Chong, as a precaution, had specifically instructed him to bring two nuclear energy batteries.

Following the theory, Liu Pengyu quickly assembled a homemade small tactical nuclear bomb. First, he used tape to bind the two nuclear batteries together. Then, taking advantage of C4’s moldable state, he encased the two batteries within it. Finally, he inserted an electronic detonator and a remote triggering device into the outer layer of C4. Thus, a simple, homemade small tactical nuclear bomb was born!

As for its actual destructive power, or even whether it would produce a nuclear explosion, that remained unknown. But for now, this was all Liu Pengyu could do. If successful, given the power of a small nuclear weapon, he believed it would absolutely reduce that mutant zombie to ashes. However, how could he detonate the bomb without harming his own people? This dilemma troubled Liu Pengyu greatly.

“If it succeeds, everything within a two-hundred-meter radius will be leveled.” Just as Liu Pengyu was pondering how to use this homemade nuclear bomb, a woman’s faint voice sounded from within the escape pod. Following the sound, he saw that it was the female officer who had fainted earlier, now regaining consciousness.

“You know the destructive power of this thing?” Liu Pengyu looked at Ye Rong, who was half-lying on the steel plate, with some surprise. He only knew the theory and had never witnessed an actual nuclear explosion.

Ye Rong struggled to sit up, but her weakened body made it quite difficult. She had no choice but to lie back down and said, “Scientists at the base conducted experiments in this area. Using the bullet method to detonate two energy rods, the blast radius can reach two hundred meters. But that’s not the most terrifying part. The most terrifying aspects are the light and thermal radiation, which extend over a kilometer! Fortunately, our nuclear batteries are clean energy sources. When detonated via the bullet method, the utilization rate of the nuclear material isn’t high, so the gamma radiation isn’t particularly strong.”

This knowledge was something Ye Rong had learned during her training at Kunlun Base, and it was also one of the mandatory courses for every officer at Kunlun Base.

With such immense destructive power, especially the terrifying light and thermal radiation, which were equally lethal, and the detonator’s maximum remote detonation distance being only one hundred meters, it seemed that to detonate this small nuclear bomb, someone would have to sacrifice themselves. A touch of solemn resolve appeared on Liu Pengyu’s originally resolute face. Just as Nie Chong had been prepared to sacrifice himself to hold off the mutant zombie, Liu Pengyu was also ready to sacrifice himself.

“Comrade Sergeant, don’t rush to sacrifice yourself just yet. Hear me out first. This escape pod can completely withstand a nuclear explosion of this yield. So, you can set up the bomb, return here, and then detonate it.” Ye Rong immediately saw through Liu Pengyu’s intention and spoke up to dissuade him. This sergeant’s fearlessness in the face of death was indeed admirable, but there was no need for a pointless sacrifice.

“Thank you, Lieutenant. I’ll go inform the captain right now!” With that, Liu Pengyu was about to rush outside, but before he could take a step, Ye Rong called him back again.”Let me finish! Your squad leader is wearing Lieutenant Colonel Li’s armor, right? There’s a communicator over there—you can contact him!” Although Ye Rong didn’t know the exact situation outside, the officer’s behavior suggested they were facing a powerful enemy; otherwise, he wouldn’t have assembled an Improvised Tactical Nuclear Bomb.

Without wasting words, under Ye Rong’s guidance, Liu Pengyu quickly activated the communicator and began calling Nie Chong.

“Squad leader! Respond if you can hear me!”

“This is Nie Chong!” Nie Chong was momentarily startled by the sudden call but immediately recognized Liu Pengyu’s voice.

“Squad leader, I’ve assembled a nuclear bomb with massive destructive power. You need to return to the Escape Pod immediately. We’ll detonate it then—it should take out that Mutant Zombie!” Liu Pengyu relayed everything as quickly as possible, then grabbed his light machine gun and moved to the Escape Pod entrance to observe the outside.

Not far away, in mid-air, the winged Mutant Zombie was hurling Black Energy Balls into a building. Fortunately, Nie Chong and Xun Lili weren’t sitting ducks—they had already evacuated the area, using the rising dust as cover to stealthily make their way toward the Escape Pod. Soon, two figures emerged in the distance.

“Squad leader, hurry!” Liu Pengyu roared, charging out of the Escape Pod with the machine gun in one hand and the homemade nuclear bomb in the other. His plan was to place the bomb as close to the Mutant Zombie as possible while Nie Chong and the others entered the pod.

The idea was sound, but reality was cruel. Liu Pengyu’s shout not only alerted Nie Chong and Xun Lili but also drew the Mutant Zombie’s attention. Interpreting the human’s loud cries as a provocation, the creature screeched and swiftly flew toward him.

With a few powerful flaps of its massive bat-like wings, the Mutant Zombie overtook Nie Chong and Xun Lili, reaching Liu Pengyu in an instant. The big man barely managed to fire a few rounds from his machine gun before the mutant descended behind him. As Liu Pengyu tried to turn, a searing pain erupted in his chest—a blood-soaked brown Claw had pierced through from his abdomen, emerging from his torso.

“Pengyu!” Nie Chong’s eyes widened in horror at the sudden turn of events. He roared, gripping his Saber, and sprinted toward the scene.

Having struck its target, the Mutant Zombie wasn’t about to let anyone interfere. It beat its wings and soared into the air, carrying Liu Pengyu’s body dozens of meters high. It intended to devour their companion right before their eyes!

Though impaled, with lungs and ribs irreparably damaged, Liu Pengyu’s heart remained untouched—buying him precious moments before certain death. Gazing down at his squad leader and Xun Lili, who had reached the Escape Pod, he coughed up blood and mustered all his strength to shout.

“Squad leader! Remember to burn a pack of Soft Zhonghua for me!”

After this final cry, Liu Pengyu painfully turned his head to glare at the Mutant Zombie behind him, his eyes filled with the fierce resolve of one facing death without fear.”I… fucking… damn… your grandmother!” Liu Pengyu cursed loudly with his final words, pressing the detonator without hesitation!

A blinding white flash erupted, followed by a muffled explosion in mid-air. The tremendous shockwave, mixed with scorching flames, instantly swept through everything in its path. Buildings within a two-hundred-meter radius were completely flattened by the powerful blast. Even more terrifying, the thermal radiation from the explosion continued to ravage more distant areas like tidal waves. The rising smoke and dust seemed to commemorate the soldier who feared no death, blossoming into a dazzling yet tragic flower of death.

Nie Chong activated his Full-Coverage Exoskeleton Armor’s thrusters at maximum power, managing to pull both Xun Lili and himself into the escape pod at the last moment before sealing the hatch. The shockwave sent the heavy escape pod tumbling like a ball on the ground, rolling nearly fifty meters before finally coming to a stop. Everyone inside was thrown into disarray, with Zhou Xiaoxiao and Ye Rong knocked unconscious again from the massive impact.

An Sheng, who was rushing toward Longjiang in his Rapid State, witnessed the explosion in the town. The massive mushroom cloud rising from the blast resembled the destructive power of a nuclear weapon. This made An Sheng even more anxious – Nie Chong and the others were in that town, and he didn’t know if they could survive such a violent explosion.