Reincarnation Paradise
Chapter 953: Extermination and the Zerg

The ladder was steeper than Su Xiao had anticipated, and a layer of multi-coloured light covered the exit above the fourth floor. As Su Xiao approached this light membrane, he felt the distinct force of spatial energy emanating from it. He reached out to touch it, and an irresistible suction force pulled him in.

The world blurred around him as he was forcibly sucked through the membrane, emerging moments later into a new environment. As his vision cleared, he heard a series of rhythmic tapping sounds.

Adjusting to the dizziness from the teleportation, Su Xiao found himself in a resting room. The room was constructed from brownish stones, with several benches fixed to the walls. A blood-stained rag lay discarded on the damp floor, and the faint scent of blood lingered in the air.

Blood dripped onto the floor, and not far from Su Xiao sat a creature covered in pale blue exoskeleton armour. The creature had a humanoid shape, but its legs and head were entirely encased in the carapace. Its arms ended in bladed limbs, which bore visible nicks and cracks.

Su Xiao scrutinized this being from an unknown planet. It resembled a Zerg creature in many aspects.

"Gah-gah-gah-gah… (unknown language)," the Zerg-like creature chattered, its language composed of strange, rapid sounds. Despite the language barrier—or rather, the entirely different mode of communication involving unique sound frequencies—it was clear the creature was agitated.

"Gah-gah-gah-gah-gah! (Unknown language)" The creature's pitch rose, indicating increased anger or agitation.

"Woof," Bubu attempted to communicate with a friendly bark, only to receive an even more furious response.

"Gah-gah-gah! Gah-gah-gah! (unknown language)" The creature stood up, glaring at Bubu, who was left bewildered.

"Woof," Bubu's eyes reflected its confusion and slight frustration, indicating it had simply tried to greet the creature.

"It doesn't look very friendly," Su Xiao noted as he sat on one of the benches, leaning against the wall. He had just received a notification from Reincarnation Paradise that the fifth game would begin soon, with ten minutes to pick up his badge before the Void Arena started. Details of the rules will be provided then.

The Zerg-like creature continued to glare at Su Xiao, its eyes hidden behind a transparent membrane showing clear signs of anger.

"Is it angry?" Su Xiao suggested to Bubu, signalling to ignore the creature.

"Gah-gah-gah-gah!" The creature's agitation seemed to be growing, though Su Xiao remained calm.

A few seconds later, Su Xiao realized why the creature was so upset—it was because he had intruded into its designated rest area. The Zerg-like creature, having returned here after a conflict with another species, was already wounded. Su Xiao's sudden appearance had put it on high alert, not necessarily out of anger but out of nervousness and a desire to drive him away.

Su Xiao saw this as an opportunity to test the reaction to his identity. He suspected that participating in the Void Arena might expose him as a Shadow of Extinction. Even if he avoided using his Azure Steel Shadow abilities, his identity could still be compromised. He decided to test the waters now.

His pupils turned a light blue, a clear indicator of the Azure Steel Shadow and a hallmark of the Shadow of Extinction.

Seeing Su Xiao's blue eyes, the Zerg-like creature paused, scratching its head with its bladed arm as if trying to recall something. A moment later, its body tensed up.

Within five seconds, the creature was sitting upright, its back pressed against the wall.

Eight seconds later, it had scooted into the corner, its behaviour resembling that of a scared child hiding from a monster.

"The reputation of the Shadow of Extinction seems… quite significant," Su Xiao remarked, casually tossing aside his cigarette. This seemingly mundane action caused the Zerg-like creature to jump up, its bladed arms trembling in defence.

"What exactly did the Shadow of Extinction do in the Void?" Su Xiao mused, noting the creature's terrified response. This was a deeply ingrained reaction, likely stemming from generations of fear.

"Can you understand me?" Su Xiao asked, attempting to communicate.

The Zerg-like creature nodded, using the tip of its arm blade to touch an area below its ear, indicating it could understand Su Xiao's language.

"Do you recognize me?"

The creature shook its head, then nodded, its body language suggesting it was a life evolution species, not a magic-based one.

"Blizz-blizz-blizz…" The creature made a sound like a faulty radio.

"Blanck… is not… an enemy of the Shadow. Blanck is… a life evolution species."

The creature, now identified as Blanck, spoke in broken but comprehensible language.

"Are you nervous?" Su Xiao wanted to understand the extent of the Shadow of Extinction's influence.

"Blanck… is not nervous."

Despite its words, Blanck's previous behaviour indicated otherwise.

"Relax, I don't mean any harm right now."

Upon hearing this, Blanck visibly relaxed, sitting back on the bench and no longer shaking. This unexpected reaction made Su Xiao even more curious.

"You seem to trust the Shadow of Extinction?"

"Of course, the Shadow… never lies to the Zerg."

Blanck's response was surprising, hinting at a deeper history or pact between the Shadows of Extinction and the Zerg.

Su Xiao realized that the Shadow of Extinction was not universally hated in the Void. They had allies as well as enemies. This was further evidenced by his own experiences with the demon race, who treated him with an unusual degree of respect and generosity, likely due to an old alliance.

Understanding the complex web of relationships was crucial. Su Xiao noted Blanck's behaviour and deduced that the Shadows of Extinction had a mixed but significant reputation in the Void. As he prepared for the upcoming battle in the Void Arena, this knowledge would prove invaluable.