“What’s happening to these beasts? Fall back… fall back…” “Don’t let them out. Quickly, lock them up!” “Let me go, don’t… don’t come closer!”

The air was filled with the sound of desperate screams. Clearly, the apocalyptic energy had eroded the sanity of the fighting dogs. No, it was not just erosion; “awakening” would be a more fitting term.

On rainy days, swallows fly low; when an earthquake strikes, pigs and dogs become restless. Compared to humans, who, despite being at the top of the food chain, have grown increasingly complacent and degenerate, animals often remain more attuned to nature.

The bizarre energy sweeping across the world had transformed all manner of creatures, not just the elite fighting dogs. Beasts had become feral, violent, and bloodthirsty.

Even a once-docile rabbit trapped in a cage might bite off your finger, a lazy cat on the sofa could claw your throat, and once-loyal dogs could rip their owners apart in an instant.

Unlike the mutation of insects, the changes in animals were more profound. Humans had spent centuries suppressing their primal instincts, but the apocalypse had unleashed their original savagery.

Five minutes later, as the final screams faded, the arena fell into an eerie silence.

Creek…

Chen Feng pushed open the heavy door.

The stench of blood was different from the mingled noise and excitement of earlier. The arena now exuded a chilling sense of death.

Hundreds of bodies lay in pools of blood, their final expressions frozen in panic, fear, confusion, and helplessness. In addition to these recognizable corpses, many were reduced to bloody, mangled remains—limbs, intestines, blood…

In the corner, a body surrounded by coins caught Chen Feng’s attention. The victim, previously a fat businessman, had been bitten in the neck and had its eyes devoured, while its leg was gnawed down to the bone. Money? This man, who was once counting coins, had become just another corpse in the arena’s destruction.

Money? Homes?

In the aftermath of the arena’s destruction, with hundreds dead and the businessman dismembered, such concerns had evaporated.

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Woo…

A mournful cry pierced Chen Feng’s thoughts. A dozen blood-soaked creatures appeared before him, undoubtedly the same fighting dogs. Now, they were covered in blood, their fur bristling, eyes glowing red with a primal ferocity.

Compared to their previous, obedient selves, these beasts had become ruthless predators. They now saw Chen Feng as their next target.

“Scram!”

Chen Feng stood firm, facing the bloodthirsty creatures. His expression was calm and detached, underscored by a strange coolness and indifference.

Survival of the fittest.

From now on, the world would not show mercy simply because one displayed fear or pity. In fact, timidity and weakness would only hasten death.

An eerie sight unfolded before him: ten vicious fighting dogs and a grotesque, decaying creature. Chen Feng’s own appearance seemed relatively frail in contrast, but with the presence of the demon, his own aura grew imposing.

Woo…

A sleek fighting dog howled. The others halted, and the leader, giving Chen Feng a final, lingering look, turned and left.

“Already a leader?” Chen Feng observed the retreating figure, his brow furrowing. “This dog commands the pack and showed potential to be an elite creature.”

Once the fighting dogs had disappeared, Chen Feng exhaled deeply, his back drenched in cold sweat. Despite the demon’s overall strength surpassing that of the dogs, its solitary nature made it vulnerable to oversight in protecting Chen Feng.

It had been a gamble, but fortunately…

Chen Feng had been lucky enough to scare off the vicious creatures.

The arena fell silent again, but Chen Feng had no intention of using it as a base. Aside from the risk of a counterattack from the dogs, the overwhelming stench of blood would attract zombies and insects.

He had to leave.

Chen Feng’s gaze was resolute.

With the apocalypse in full swing and the city of J engulfed in chaos, even with the demon’s protection, Chen Feng remained at risk. His awakening was recent, and his strength far from sufficient to handle the many monsters alone. Before he could find a safe haven, he needed to stock up on supplies.

Compared to scattered factions, national forces were better equipped to combat the apocalyptic tide.

In the early days of the apocalypse, standard weaponry still had some effectiveness. After a period of conflict and resistance, military forces would assert control over the area within seven days.

Unlike other security agencies, the military’s unity and discipline gave it unparalleled strength. In the early apocalypse, military power would dominate, dividing China into several war zones and replacing civilian positions with military roles.

From ordinary soldiers to generals.

Additionally, numerous smaller factions would rise: cults, gangs, mercenaries, and battle groups. Among them were ambitious leaders seeking to carve out their domains, selfless saviors dedicating their lives to refugees, and those devoid of humanity, deriving pleasure from others’ suffering.

For now, these were matters for the future. Chen Feng’s priority was surviving the next seven days.

Determined, Chen Feng stepped out of the arena, searching for a nearby convenience store.

Seven days.

Before finding a suitable hideout, he needed to stockpile food.

The remains of the fighting dogs and the dead were irrelevant. In this chaotic world, the most abundant resource was carnivorous creatures. Soon, monsters would come to feast on the corpses