Plus what Ben said before, about an old man with a flying head — that means there are at least two such monsters!
And at this time—
The people around slowly walked past the old man. When they saw him doing a backflip, they weren't surprised at all. Instead, they looked annoyed.
"Why did you open the water pipe?"
"Hurry up and find a way to bury all the water pipes underground."
Judging from their expressions, they were used to this kind of thing!
As the old car drove farther and farther away, Xiao Chen followed Ben's lead and pressed his face to the window to observe the crowd's every move. He noticed—
That man was also incredibly strong and had begun digging the soil at an unbelievable speed!
At this point—
He was sure of it!
In this town, more than half the residents—or maybe even all of them—are monsters like that!
There's no way ordinary people could survive here!
He was even starting to suspect that Aunt Vera and Uncle might also...
As that thought crossed Xiao Chen's mind, his expression turned serious. He thought quietly to himself:"If it's just one or two monsters, they're easy to handle. But if there are thousands of monsters in the whole town…"
Even elephants can be taken down by ants—let alone people!
Even with his Fourarms Overlord Punch, he'd need at least ten minutes to take down a crowd like that!
This is going to be a real headache!
"How is it, Xiao Chen? Did you find anything?" Ben asked eagerly. He knew only Xiao Chen could back him up.
"Gwen, this town really isn't simple," Xiao Chen said gravely. "Ben is telling the truth!"
"What?" Gwen looked at Xiao Chen in shock.
Ben puffed up proudly, smiling ear to ear.
Turns out, best friends are reliable!
Xiao Chen explained everything he had seen and his deductions, which caused Ben—who had just been gloating—to freeze.
Are you kidding me?!
The entire town is full of monsters?
"Xiao Chen, you're saying that at least 90% of the people have turned into humanoid monsters like that?" Max, who was still driving, couldn't help but ask.
"That's right. Should we turn back?" Xiao Chen asked cautiously.
"But…" Max hesitated, clearly troubled. "Aunt Vera and Uncle might not be monsters! If we leave, we have to bring them with us and slowly uncover the truth about these creatures!"
He was right.
It was much harder with family involved.
"…As you say."
That was Xiao Chen's reply.
After that, he was no longer lounging lazily in the car—he was fully alert. Even Ben and Gwen were helping him stay watchful.
Fortunately, the humanoid monsters they passed on the road seemed fairly restrained. They only gave a few sneaky glances and otherwise acted just like normal residents.
The old, beat-up car finally pulled up to Aunt Vera's house.
Aunt Vera and Uncle, an old lady similar in build to Max and a tall, thin grandfather, were already waiting at the door, smiling warmly.
"They look normal," Xiao Chen murmured, unbuckling his seatbelt and stepping out of the car with Max and the others.
The moment they arrived, Max started chatting with Aunt Vera about family. She welcomed Ben and Gwen warmly, even handing out small gifts—just like any sweet old lady.
"Probably not infected... right?" Xiao Chen wondered silently.
"Who is this?"
Aunt Vera's eyes landed on Xiao Chen, and she looked genuinely surprised.
"This is Xiao Chen. You can just call him Xiaochen," Max said, placing a hand on Xiao Chen's shoulder and giving him a knowing look.
Xiao Chen returned a polite smile and said, "Hello, Aunt. Hello, Uncle."
"What a polite child," Aunt Vera said kindly.
The old man next to her snorted, "Alright, enough chit-chat. They've been standing out here a long time. Must be starving. Vera, we need to get lunch ready."
"Oh, yes! I almost forgot!" Aunt Vera slapped her forehead apologetically and opened the door. "Sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be. Come on in and make yourselves at home."
"Haha, Vera, your cooking is amazing. My grandson has to try it!" Max said cheerfully as he walked into the house.
Ben shuddered. "If Grandpa actually compliments someone's cooking… Ugh."
He looked like he was going to be sick.
"Honestly, I care less about the food and more about one thing," Gwen whispered. "Are Aunt Vera and Uncle monsters?"
"Right now... it doesn't seem like it," Xiao Chen replied, not entirely sure himself.
"Why are you three just standing there?" Aunt Vera called, squinting at them in confusion.
"Nothing—we're coming in now!"
Xiao Chen immediately snapped back into his usual modest, well-mannered self and walked into the house with a calm, natural expression.
Ben and Gwen exchanged glances, then followed him in.
Bang!The door shut behind them.
After everyone was inside, Aunt Vera gently closed the door.
The moment I closed the door, several dark shadows appeared in the bushes in the distance!