"All units! Immediate deployment! All combat cadets report to the outer wall! Code Level Seven! Repeat—Code Level Seven!"
His voice cracked on the last syllable.
Code Level Seven.
It wasn't the highest. That was Code Nine—reserved for full-scale beast hordes capable of leveling cities.
But Code Seven was still terrifying.
It signified a confirmed rogue A-Rank Awakened Beast within city limits.
An apex predator moving freely through the concrete maze of Beijing where millions lived.
Damien stood up instantly, slipping into his boots and coat in one practiced motion. His dormmates did the same, their bodies moving on instinct, minds trying to catch up.
Jiang Xiao Yu was already at the door, her robe gone, her light armor clicking softly into place. Ji Chen's face was grim. Jennifer pulled her gloves on tighter than usual.
Outside, floodlights were igniting across the campus.
And from far beyond the academy walls… came the distant rumble of something that did not belong.
