Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

She was dressed in a neat black combat uniform, her long red hair was tied up at the back of her head, and a few strands of hair broke free and clung to her forehead, which was slightly damp with sweat due to tension.

Nono stood beside a quiet side road, scanning the fenced-off area ahead. A sign on the rusty fence read "Municipal Construction, No Unauthorized Personnel Allowed," but with her sharp eyes, she could easily tell that behind the fence was not a bustling construction site, but a deeper, forgotten silence.

She did not come blindly. The archives of Kassel College, scattered eyewitness reports, and her own unique talent known as "profiling" all pointed to one possibility at this unusual point in the subway system—Nibelungen, the entrance to the land of the dead.

An extremely dangerous area that may be related to the Dragon King.

Therefore, we must be extremely careful, or we might very well perish here. Caesar, from the same group, is seriously injured and hospitalized, and Xia Mi, while searching for clues, is the only one currently able to move freely.

Underfoot were uneven gravel and solidified, unrecognizable waste.

The beam of the powerful flashlight sliced ​​through the darkness, dust swirling within it. It swept across the mottled, graffiti-covered walls, where, besides meaningless symbols, scattered, inhuman claw marks remained, carrying a sense of unease.

"Tsk," Nono clicked her tongue, wondering how Lu Mingfei, Frilian, and Chu Zihang, who had been missing for many days, were doing.

Lu Mingfei had been missing for over 24 hours. The last intermittent coordinates she received pointed to this underground area. Combining this with the academy's scattered files on anomalies in the Beijing subway, and the news that Lu Mingfei's team had also lost contact here, she was almost certain that there was a Nibelungen entrance here.

But she tried several times, venturing deep into different vents, inspection wells, and even a section of abandoned tunnel, but always to no avail.

The entrance seemed to have its own will; as she approached the critical point, the surrounding space would generate a strange repulsive force, as if there were an invisible but incredibly tough wall pushing her away.

The wind blowing from deep within the tunnel carried an unnatural chill, not simply a low temperature, but a sinister cold that seeped into the bone and stirred the nerves.

Nono's senses were heightened to the extreme. She listened intently, and in addition to the indistinct hum of city traffic from the ground in the distance and the occasional dripping of water, there was an extremely subtle, teeth-grinding scraping sound.

"Sizzle, sizzle."

It's like countless tiny metal pieces rubbing together, stirring restlessly.

She moved forward slowly, each step as light as a cat's. The beam of her flashlight moved steadily, checking every possible gap and fork in the road.

The ability to "profile" is disrupted here; the perceived image is fragmented, filled with sharp noise and chaotic shadows, making it difficult to piece together useful information.

This in itself is a signal: the rules here are different from reality, and space and consciousness are being distorted.

The deeper you go, the clearer and more frequent the scraping sound becomes.

"Snap!" Something flashed past the edge of the flashlight's beam!

It moved extremely fast, leaving only a blurry black shadow and a sharper "hiss".

Nono immediately stopped, gripped the tactical flashlight in her hand, and silently reached for the equipment bag behind her waist with her other hand.

coming.

The next moment, the darkness was ignited. Not by light, but by countless tiny, blood-red eyes that suddenly lit up.

Squeak! Hiss!

A malicious screech erupted instantly, filling the entire tunnel space. The sound belonged to no known creature; it was filled with primal rage and greed.

Kamaitachi! Lots of Kamaitachi!

They swarmed out from the cracks in the walls, from the shadows of the vents, from every corner where they could hide, like a black whirlwind composed of countless sharp blades.

They were not large in size, but their numbers were astonishing, and together they created a chilling sense of oppression. The flapping of their wings produced a piercing scraping sound, and their sharp claws and teeth reflected a cold glint in the dim light.

These weasels were completely different from those described in her records, and even from those she had encountered in the past.

While they are usually dangerous, their actions are driven more by predatory and chaotic instincts. However, this large group exuded an extremely abnormal frenzy. Their eyes were bloodshot, their movements were chaotic, charging and biting each other, yet they all directed their destructive malice at the intruder—Nono.

It was as if they were being tormented and driven by some higher power, and had fallen into utter madness.

The abnormal energy of the Nibelungs affected them, turning them into watchdogs, irritable and bloodthirsty.

There was no time to hesitate. The black "whirlwind" swept over with the force to tear everything apart.

Nono leaped back, simultaneously switching her high-powered flashlight to strobe mode and slamming it down on the swarm of rats. The blinding light made them hesitate for a moment, then they let out even more furious screechs. But that wasn't enough.

Without hesitation, she threw away the flashlight and pulled two red metal rods—military-grade incendiary rods—from the side pockets of her equipment bag.

"Snap! Snap!"

With a crisp firing sound, the tip of the incendiary rod instantly burst forth with a blinding incandescent light and unimaginable heat. The blazing chemical flame burned intensely, emitting a reassuring crackling sound, instantly illuminating a small area as bright as day, while also forming a brief protective zone against the high temperature.

Light and heat are the natural enemies of these creatures that are accustomed to the darkness.

The raging torrent of Kamaitachis seemed to have crashed into an invisible wall of fire. The monsters at the forefront let out a series of shrill screams, their bodies instantly curling up and turning charred black in the intense heat, emitting a foul, burnt smell. The Kamaitachis behind screamed in terror, instinctively shrinking back and colliding chaotically. In their blood-red eyes, beyond madness, fear finally filled their gaze.

Nono stretched out her arms, wielding the incendiary rods like twin swords, and advanced step by step. The flames traced bright trails, and wherever they went, the weasels retreated like a tide. They circled and hissed around her unwillingly, forming a circle, but they could no longer break through the two beams of death.

The air was thick with the stench of burning and chemical fuels, mingled with the restless squeaks of the weasels. They were like a black, boiling ocean, and Nono was the only bright island in that ocean.

Using the light and cover provided by the burning sticks, Nono quickly retreated to a relatively safe area. She watched warily as the horde of monsters lingered at the edge of the light, seemingly ready to pounce, her brow furrowed.

The unusual activity of these weasels is a testament to the unusual nature of this place. The entrance to the Nibelungen must be nearby.

Chapter 180: Not Qualified to Enter

Nono extinguished one of the burning sticks to conserve fuel, then gripped the other, searching the walls and floor more carefully, sensing every distortion in the space. She could feel that the "boundary" was right before her. The air here had a viscous texture, as if passing through an invisible film of water.

Finally, she stopped in front of what appeared to be an ordinary wall. Her intuition was screaming warnings, and the chill on her skin reached its peak.

right here.

Taking a deep breath and concentrating all her energy, Nono tried to extend her will forward, to touch, to communicate, to push open that invisible door. This was the way to enter the Nibelungen, requiring a specific "key" or a precise perception of spatial fluctuations.

however.

A massive, cold force, filled with absolute rejection, rebounded!

It was as if it weren't a door, but a solid block of ice, impenetrable for millennia, rejecting all life. Her senses were mercilessly repelled, even causing a subtle, stinging pain.

Nono froze, and somewhat unwillingly tried again, even reaching out to touch the cold, solid wall. All she felt was rough concrete and rust.

I can't get in.

She was rejected. This Nibelungen, clearly and unequivocally, refused her entry.

Is it because she doesn't have the "key"? Or is it because her bloodline isn't recognized? Or is there something inside deliberately blocking outsiders?

She stood before that insurmountable wall, the glow of her burning stick illuminating her face, etched with frustration and confusion. Behind her, the swarm of weasels, still blocked by the light but now restless again at her halt, their hiss laced with mockery.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away from the subway station.

The bright lights of KFC dispelled the darkness of the night, and the cheerful pop music, the rich aroma of fried chicken, and the sounds of people talking filled the air – this is the Chinese night market.

Xia Mi stood at the back of a short line, still feeling the slight chill of the night breeze.

She stared at the tempting fried chicken picture on the lightbox advertisement, her eyes sparkling with a pure anticipation for high-calorie food.

"Hello, what would you like to order?" The waiter behind the counter greeted her with a standard, enthusiastic smile.

"Hmm—, let me see," Xia Mi drawled, tapping her chin with her finger as if deep in thought. "I'd like a Original Recipe Chicken Family Bucket! And a pair of Spicy Chicken Wings! Oh, and the Coke has to be iced, thanks!"

Her voice was clear and bright, full of the energy unique to girls her age, blending perfectly with the tired office workers after get off work, parents taking their children out for a treat, or students laughing and playing around.

She paid, took her change, and quietly walked to the food pick-up area to wait.

She casually glanced around.

At the next table sat a couple sharing an ice cream, whispering to each other, the girl occasionally letting out a soft laugh. Nearby, a few middle school students chattered excitedly around a table about their newly purchased game cartridges. A man in a suit sat alone, a cup of coffee in front of him, frowning as he looked at his phone, seemingly dealing with busy work.

Everything was so normal, so full of everyday life.

The sizzling sound of fried chicken in the oil, the sounds of people chewing and talking, the soft clinking of plates—this is a simple and happy world belonging to ordinary people.

However, as Xia Mi stood there watching all this, a barely perceptible hint of detachment flickered in the depths of her clear eyes.

She perfectly embodied a human girl, even accurately mimicking the craving and satisfaction for junk food. But the essence of it all made her feel like an oil droplet thrown into water; no matter how similar the form, she could never truly become one with it.

This bustling, warm daily routine, to her, was more like a drama worth observing and emulating. This "incongruity" was not sadness, but rather a calm understanding.

Am I Xia Mi, or Jormungandr?

"Miss, your family bucket meal is ready," the waiter's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Thank you!" Xia Mi immediately flashed a bright, untroubled smile as she accepted the heavy, warm red and white bucket.

It smells so good, the aroma of fried chicken is wafting towards me.

Clutching the family bucket, she didn't linger in the store, but pushed open the door and stepped into the evening breeze. The warm hustle and bustle was left behind, and the city night enveloped her once more.

She didn't go far. Instead, like a real, greedy girl, she eagerly opened the bucket, took out a spicy chicken wing, and took a bite.

The crispy skin, the tender and juicy chicken, and the spicy flavor that stimulated her taste buds. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, savoring the taste.

Then, with light steps, like a cat stalking the night, she moved silently toward the abandoned subway station. Xia Mi's perception was far beyond that of ordinary people, and she easily locked onto the red-haired figure who was anxiously exploring.

She found an excellent, secluded observation point and looked down at Nuonuo's every move.

"Pfft." Seeing Nuonuo being bounced away by the invisible spatial force once again, her face showing a frustrated and unwilling expression, Xia Mi couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head.

"You're really persistent, senior sister," she mumbled to herself, taking a sip of her cola. "Too bad, this path is blocked."

"Did you come for Lu Mingfei? Or for Chu Zihang?" Xia Mi tilted her head, picked up another fries and dipped them in ketchup. "Or both? What a touching friendship between classmates."

But the smile on his face carried a hint of mockery.

Go in? What would we do inside?

Are we going to our deaths?

This Nibelungen is her and her brother's lair, and also the eye of the impending storm. Inside, there are not only A-rank characters completely transformed into Deadpools and bizarre rule games, but at its deepest core is her dim-witted yet terrifyingly powerful brother, Fenrir.

Let alone Chen Motong, even if Caesar and the entire student council came together, breaking in would be a near-certain death.

Moreover, now that Lu Mingfei, Chu Zihang, and their large group have joined the fray, the situation is already chaotic enough.

She wouldn't allow any new variables to intrude, especially someone like Chen Motong, whose identity was sensitive and who had deep ties with Lu Mingfei and Caesar.

If she were to die inside, the chain reaction it would trigger would be no joke.

"Stay outside and behave yourself, senior sister," Xia Mi said, licking her fingers after finishing the last bite of her chicken wing. "The games inside aren't for you."

Nono eventually gave up trying and leaned against the fence. She took out her phone to contact the outside world, but the signal was severely interfered with, which made her so angry that she almost smashed her phone.

Xia Mi smiled silently, jumped off the high stool, and picked up the family bucket that was not yet finished.

"Hmm, the spicy wings taste pretty good. Maybe I can bring some for my brother to try next time? Although I doubt it'll even be enough to fill a tooth gap," she muttered to herself as she pushed open the glass door of KFC and disappeared into the crowd on the street outside.

Chapter 181 The Taoist Priest is Out of the Game

The sudden disappearance of Lu Mingfei and Frilian was like a taut string being plucked, leaving a chilling aftertaste.