Chapter 42: Who Is More Insane

Xia Yan raised an eyebrow.

"That pure-blooded demon from back then," the Golden Ape said, seemingly reluctant to provoke Emilia, "that powerhouse who loved toying with people—she had you kill my kin, and her goal was achieved. You successfully earned our hatred, and because of that, you are wanted by the Free Zone, locked in a struggle to the death with us mutants."

"Hahahaha!" The Golden Ape roared with maniacal laughter. "Xia Yan, hate! Hate the choice you made back then. It was so foolish it’s laughable. I will kill you, and with your blood, I will wash away our resentment."

No one watching this battle believed Xia Yan could win; the disparity in power was simply too vast.

Across the entire world, everyone shared the same opinion.

From Gong Kui and Wen Zhe to the high-ranking officials and leaders of major factions, and even those formidable ability users who stood above the common ranks—they all viewed this as a meaningless fight. They mocked Xia Yan for accepting such absurd terms, wondering if he had become so blind that he could no longer see the reality of his situation.

A Level 6 mutant? How could he possibly defeat such a thing? It was no different from seeking death.

His mindset was laughable, and his demise was, in the eyes of all, an indisputable fact. They waited for him to be torn to shreds by the Golden Ape.

"How truly foolish, Xia Yan."

If he had been even slightly clever, he could have chosen more favorable terms. Even if the Free Zone refused, he could have at least dragged them down with him or ruined their reputation. Even a negligible impact would have been better than this. Once the agreement with Wen Zhe was finalized, if he were killed, the Free Zone would have every justification for their actions.

Everyone felt there was no one more stupid than Xia Yan.

If you have no hope of survival, at least you have the power to choose how you die. But you shouldn't have chosen this way. It was pathetic; even in death, no one would pity him.

This was the attitude of the entire world, with the sole exception of Emilia.

Everyone waited for the next second, expecting Xia Yan to be torn to pieces. But before that moment came, they saw Xia Yan pull a syringe from his coat. The red emblem on the vial was unmistakable: a skull.

Many eyes widened in disbelief, lingering on the object. They even hoped it was a coincidence. Yes, that skull must surely be some sort of coincidence.

If it were not a coincidence, then what was the true nature of this serum?

The thought was chilling, inconceivable. It was the mark of the "Mad Hell" serum—a Class S concoction, a forbidden stimulant that was priceless, unmarketable, and guaranteed death upon use. It was certainly not something an insignificant person could obtain. How did this Xia Yan manage to get his hands on Mad Hell?

Under the gaze of all, Xia Yan injected the serum into his body. In an instant, the veins across his entire body bulged, his skin turned a deep, burning crimson as if he were smoldering, and his face swelled noticeably. The sight was the stuff of nightmares, enough to make anyone’s skin crawl at a mere glance.

Yet, no one dared to question just how terrifying the power Xia Yan had gained was. The greater the side effects, the more potent the results. Mad Hell was a leader in its class; its amplification effect ranked in the top three among all forbidden serums.

"He’s insane. This madman." Cold sweat broke out on Wen Zhe’s palms. He adjusted his glasses nervously. "This Xia Yan is truly deranged. Others fight desperately to live, but he fights desperately to ensure mutual destruction."

Using Mad Hell meant certain death. Since Xia Yan used it, he was already a dead man; the only thing he could change now was the fate of his opponent. From the moment the needle pierced his skin, the battle shifted from three possible outcomes to two: either Xia Yan dies and the Golden Ape lives, or they both perish together.

His life was already destined to fade.

"How did it come to this!" Gong Kui’s expression turned ghastly as she watched. This was a situation she had never anticipated!

No, this was wrong—everything was completely wrong! The trap she had set was supposed to lead to Xia Yan being on the verge of death, at which point Wen Zhe would intervene, forcing Xia Yan to owe her an immense debt of gratitude and binding his future to hers.

But now, it was all ruined. Even if Xia Yan won, without Wen Zhe's help, he was dead—he would definitely die! There was no precedent of a human surviving the use of Mad Hell. Xia Yan could not be the exception. Gong Kui knew all too well how terrifying that serum was. Why had it turned into this?

"It's a call!" Gong Kui gritted her teeth, her lips blood-red as she answered the communication. It was Wen Zhe.

"Miss Gong Kui, the situation has changed. Even if I forcibly save Xia Yan, there is no possibility of him surviving," Wen Zhe’s voice was heavy.

"Forcibly save him? Given Xia Yan’s physical constitution, combined with the best healing-type ability users you have," Gong Kui said sternly, "what are the odds?"

"Less than thirty percent, perhaps even lower," Wen Zhe replied promptly.

"The best healing-type ability users!" Gong Kui repeated the phrase, her composure fraying.

"We aren't particularly outstanding in terms of healing abilities; even the best we have offer less than a thirty percent chance," Wen Zhe said with regret. "And that is under the condition that Xia Yan does not suffer excessive damage and that we can immediately suppress the side effects of the Mad Hell."

"Even then, it's less than thirty percent?" Gong Kui gasped.

"Even then, less than thirty percent!" Wen Zhe answered quickly. "Miss Gong Kui, the price has not yet been paid; you can still back out. It is simply not worth paying such a massive cost for a hope that isn't even thirty percent."

"Let me think!" Gong Kui’s eyes were bloodshot. Even Xia Yi could see that she was in a state of extreme distress.

Thirty percent was simply too low—far too low! If it were over fifty percent, or even close to it, it would be worth a try. But below thirty? No, it wasn't worth it!

Gong Kui took a deep breath. The cost was too high.

"Give up. Give up on Xia Yan," Gong Kui gritted out. "Even if he kills this Level 6 mutant, abandon him. Cancel all my previous proposals."

"I understand, Miss Gong Kui," Wen Zhe nodded.

In the end, even Gong Kui abandoned Xia Yan. He was too reckless, and the price was too high. There was no point in investing in someone who had no real chance of survival. Though it was tragic, Xia Yan’s own actions had effectively burned his bridges.

He had once had a chance to live.