Chapter 221: The Terrible Bad Luck
The Malicious Curse
Before this, Luke, like most of the agents, didn't believe that so-called Bad Luck could have much of an impact. The reality, however, hit them like a physical blow.
This ability was truly disgusting.
The Hummingbirds were multi-functional reconnaissance drones based on Zamaron mind-science technology. They had been tested tens of thousands of times without a single issue, yet as soon as they entered the Halo of Bad Luck, malfunctions began.
The swarm frequently lost control, some even experiencing basic errors like short circuits. A few Hummingbirds plummeted from the air and, for unknown reasons, activated their self-destruct systems. The resulting sonic boom blasted two unlucky FBI agents away.
Luke: "..."
What could he say?
Under the combined attack of the Bad Luck Halo and the Cobra Kings, the casualty count soared. In a short time, ten agents had been lost to the snakes' fangs. Jack Harvey had no choice but to order everyone to immediately retreat up the hill.
The moment the words left his mouth, a landslide occurred on the slope. Several rocks tumbled down, nearly crushing him. The old man was stunned, scrambling desperately behind a large tree. His face was bloodless, as pale as paper. He had never imagined the situation would become so dire.
A panicked Nelson pulled out his communicator, about to call for an aerial strike from the helicopters, but Luke kicked him to the ground.
"Idiot! Calling the helicopters now will only bring bad luck down on us! Look at what's under your feet—that's the Halo of Bad Luck. Whatever you do will attract misfortune, understand?"
"Then what do we do?"
The rain-soaked Nelson cried out in despair. "We have to do something, or we're all finished!"
Luke narrowed his eyes. He first glanced at the Swamp Monster furiously attacking the gray-robed figure in the distance, then fixed his gaze on the nearby Snake Kings. The ferocious-looking kings wore expressions of mockery, like cats toying with their prey.
A strong flash of killing intent instantly crossed his face, but he held it back. Luke turned around and said expressionlessly,
"Adam, make them shut up."
"Understood, Young Master."
Adam dropped his submachine gun and strode forward. With every step, a large amount of mist emanated from his body. The mist grew denser and thicker, swirling through the woods in a gray haze.
Suddenly, a piercing shriek came from the mist. A blur of shadow darted through the fog, leaving behind agonizing screams wherever it went. The shadow was incredibly fast. After seven or eight passes, it dissipated into mist with a pop.
The mist receded back into Adam's body. He turned stiffly, walked to Luke's side, and remained silent.
On the rain-covered grass, the Cobra Kings that had been so aggressive moments ago were now lying motionless on the ground, like dead corpses.
Someone tentatively fired. Bullets struck the Snake Kings, splattering blood, yet they still didn't move.
"Are they dead?"
"Impossible!"
"They really are dead! Look."
"One, two, three, four, five, six... eight Cobra Kings are dead, just like that!"
Everyone's mouths hung open in astonishment. Their gazes involuntarily turned to Adam behind Luke. Their eyes, wide with shock, reflected awe, confusion, and fear. The remaining Snake Kings also stopped, staring at Adam with suspicion and unease.
Eight Snake Kings killed in the blink of an eye!
Humans actually possessed a powerhouse of this caliber!
Jack Harvey couldn't help but gasp, his horror mixed with a hint of relief. Thank goodness I resisted the urge to make a move that day, or I would have died without knowing how.
Master Shaw of Coast City! He was worthy of being the boss of the West Coast underworld, able to find such a formidable enforcer.
Adam's action brought a momentary cease-fire to the battlefield. Both sides paused. The FBI agents monitored their opponents while closing ranks toward Luke's position. The Snake Kings checked their comrades' bodies, and when they confirmed they were truly dead, their panic was obvious.
Killing eight comrades in one strike meant that the next unfortunate one could easily be themselves.
Every Snake King fell silent, staring intently at Adam, hoping to discern some clue. They were destined for disappointment. The tall and robust Adam stood there silently, his expression as calm as water, betraying not a flicker of emotion, like an old dog devoid of feeling.
The more emotionless he was, the greater the psychological pressure he exerted. Even Emily and Zatanna, who ate with him regularly, moved slightly away.
Luke glanced around, exasperated.
"What are you waiting for? This is a battlefield, not a classroom."
Everyone snapped back to attention and quickly pulled out their weapons to attack. A few grenades were thrown into the grass. Boom! A brightly colored Snake King was blasted high into the air.
Stan Darloff raised his hand and clenched his fist. Invisible telekinesis pinned the snake king in mid-air.
Several agents pulled their triggers, riddling the snake king's head with bullets.
Stan Darloff prepared to use the trick again, but someone pushed him from behind. He lost his footing and tumbled all the way down the hillside. A brown Snake King opened its mouth and lunged straight for him.
"Damn bad luck!"
Stan Darloff cursed furiously. He deployed layer upon layer of telekinetic fields around himself. The snake's fangs struck the barrier but couldn't penetrate. The brown Snake King immediately twisted its body, coiling tightly around him, and dragged him away without looking back.
"Don't let it get away!"
Maeve's face changed drastically. She clenched her fists, and her body temperature rose rapidly.
"Don't be rash! Hold your positions!"
Luke stepped forward, pressing the button on his sunglasses. Two Hummingbirds dropped from the sky and detonated directly in front of the brown Snake King. Accompanied by a piercing sonic impact, large wounds appeared on the snake king's head. It cried out and flew backward. Stan Darloff was not spared; his head was caught by the sonic wave, and he lay on the ground, motionless.
The situation was extremely critical. The surrounding Snake Kings watched menacingly, eager to eliminate this powerful human telekinetic. Suddenly, a sharp bird cry came from above. The Snake Kings, having experienced the sonic attack, instinctively retreated.
Roy plunged his hands into the ground. Two wooden vines grew rapidly, wrapping around Stan Darloff's body and hauling him back up the hillside.
After this ordeal, everyone had a deeper understanding of the Bad Luck Halo. If an experienced metahuman like Stan Darloff could be struck by accidents, ordinary people stood no chance.
The rain fell harder. The situation reached a white-hot stage. The FBI gathered together, using the hillside as a defensive stronghold to snipe at the Snake Kings below. The Snake Kings, in turn, used rocks and vegetation for cover, looking for opportunities to launch surprise attacks.
Both sides had suffered heavy losses and were down to less than half their original numbers.
The battle on the other side was also drawing to a close. The massive Swamp Monster was surprisingly losing ground, being suppressed by its opponent.
The gray-robed figure's Poison Snake Scepter glowed with a purplish-black light. Every strike against the Swamp Monster left a black spot. These spots seemed to possess some mysterious power, constantly spreading and corroding his body, making his movements stiff, his mind sluggish, and even his walking difficult.
Then there was the Bad Luck Curse. The Swamp Monster, the master of the forest, was actually tripping over tree roots—an impossible event that happened more than once.
The silver Snake King raised its head and roared hoarsely,
"No one is a match for the Master! Destiny dictates that we are meant to rule! Humans, you are all doomed!"
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