The rhythmic thumping of rotator blades echoed across the sky.

The sound was distinct enough to make Lucien and Andrew look upward instinctively.

And what they saw was enough to render them still.

For a moment, neither of them understood where it had come from, but the answer revealed itself the next moment.

A helicopter emerged from the distant clouds.

Its dark silhouette grew larger as it approached, the rhythmic chopping of its blades carrying across the endless black water without stopping.

The sight was enough to send a ripple not only through the entire building but also through the entire complex, which consisted of several buildings surrounding it.

People poured out from hallways and rooms. Windows slid open one after another as survivors peeked through the gaps and balconies, their expressions ranging from disbelief to joy.

"It’s real!"

"Someone finally found us, we’re saved!"

Some shouted, while some of them even cried.

Others stared in silence, unable to believe what they were seeing. And for the first time in days, genuine hope appeared on many faces as they realized that maybe the government still existed and had sent a rescue. Late, but they knew they couldn’t complain.

Andrew immediately stepped forward and shouted with the help of his talent to an absurd degree. "We’re here!"

His voice exploded across the rooftop as the sound manipulation amplified his words dozens of times over, causing them to echo through the surrounding area.

"Help us! We’re here!"

The helicopter slightly adjusted its direction, signifying that it had heard him.

A murmur spread through the survivors below.

Excitement spread through the non-awakeners and they too started screaming again with all their might.

Lucien remained silent.

Golden sparks flickered around his fingertips as his eyes never left the aircraft.

Then the half-formed lance dissolved into golden particles.

A screech tore through the air.

Heads turned in confusion and the cheers died down.

The helicopter pilot clearly noticed it as well because the aircraft slowed suddenly.

And before anyone could figure out the source of the noise, a crimson blur flashed through the clouds.

Fast — far too fast for the naked eye to follow.

At first, even Lucien thought his eyes had deceived him but then the thing emerged completely.

It was a massive bird whose feathers shone like burning crimson flames beneath the fading sunlight. Every movement released faint trails of red and white light that lingered behind it for a brief moment before vanishing into nothingness.

Each of its wings stretched over twenty meters wide.

And only one word popped into everyone’s head after seeing it in its full beauty.

Majestic.

Lucien’s pupils contracted and without hesitation, he activated his talent.

His gaze locked onto the beast approaching the helicopter, and a translucent panel appeared before his eyes at once.

---

[Target: Vermillion Sky Roc]

[Talent: B-grade - Spirit Beast(fire)]

[Combat Power:- C-]

[Description:- A rare aviant spirit beast from the Vermillion Sky Roc tribe that soars above the clouds with extraordinary speed. Possesses an innate affinity for spiritual energy.]

---

The panel lasted for only a heartbeat before vanishing alongside the roc.

C-.

The creature’s combat power was a grade he wasn’t able to reach even after training these past few days with his SSS-grade talent.

A level completely beyond anyone currently inside the building at least.

The bird folded its wings and dived towards the helicopter.

The pilot reacted immediately as he tilted the aircraft sharply to one side before performing an almost impossible maneuver.

It was enough to prove that he wasn’t a naive and inexperienced pilot.

The crimson creature shot past and missed its first strike.

The helicopter’s side door suddenly opened and a figure appeared with a machine gun in his hands.

The next moment, dozens of bullets tore through the sky.

Rat-tat-tat-tat-ta—!

Bright flashes erupted from the weapon as the muzzle turned completely red, even the air itself seemed to tremble from the continuous barrage of bullets.

The bird twisted mid-air.

Several rounds missed entirely but there were still a lot that struck its body.

Metal collided against crimson feathers, producing a sharp clang.

Clang! Clang!

Sparks exploded across the sky and the survivors watched with wide eyes as the feathers deflected several bullets completely.

Others managed to penetrate only slightly before losing their kinetic energy and dropping into the vast water below.

The creature didn’t even seem injured.

"What the hell..." Andrew muttered, completely baffled by the fact that even a machine gun wasn’t able to damage it.

Only now did Andrew consider the terrifying possibility that the creature could be a mutated beast. The helicopter continued firing more bullets but the barrage left no significant impact because of the wings that kept deflecting the rounds and protecting the roc.

Having no other choice, the pilot attempted to create distance and for a brief moment, it almost looked like they might succeed.

Then the moment the firing ceased, the creature dashed forward.

A sonic boom exploded across the sky as the crimson beast vanished and the next instant, it appeared directly beside the helicopter.

Its claws extended.

Boom!

The impact echoed as thunder and the entire aircraft shook violently.

One side of the rotor shattered as metal fragments scattered through the air and before long, smoke began pouring from the damaged machine.

People screamed as the relief on their faces was replaced by disbelief.

The helicopter tilted as the pilot fought desperately to regain control but alas, it was too late. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The bird opened its talons, letting the gravity do its job.

The humans could only watch without being able to help, or intervene.

The damaged helicopter spiraled downward faster and faster toward the endless black water.

The crimson bird followed behind it once again.

But instead of finishing the aircraft, the beast reached forward with its claws and ripped two figures from the side of the helicopter.

Their screams echoed through the air, though only for a few seconds.

It spread its wings, and together with the struggling humans trapped inside its claws, blitzed toward the clouds.

A distant explosion erupted as the helicopter crashed into the black water, attracting everyone’s gaze.

A massive splash rose into the air before disappearing just as quickly.

Silence followed.

The cheers from earlier had vanished entirely, along with the hope and excitement in their eyes.

Their hope disappeared together with that aircraft as they watched the crimson roc grow smaller and smaller against the darkening sky. Eventually, it became nothing more than a distant red dot before vanishing into the clouds.

Neither Lucien nor Andrew spoke and only exchanged a glance.

No words were needed.

That creature was beyond them.

Without wasting another second, they turned and headed back toward the building as the rooftop door closed behind them.