The Bigshot's Superstar Wife

Chapter 41: Marked

[Why does Major Mors look so calm? This is insane!]

[Is anyone keeping track of how many monsters they’ve killed? This is beyond a survival show now.]

Athena took a deep breath, her damp hair clinging to her face as she stepped forward. "We need to draw them away from the station."

"If they get too close, they’ll tear through everything, and everyone, inside."

Mors nodded. "I’ll take the north side. You take the south. Don’t let them surround us."

"Got it."

Without another word, they separated, moving in opposite directions to flank the approaching horde.

The infected wolves reacted immediately, splitting into groups to pursue each of them.

Athena swung Arthivian in a wide arc, the blade slicing through the first wave of beasts with ease.

Each strike emitted a pulse of dark energy, and the wolves disintegrated into glowing red butterflies upon death.

The hauntingly beautiful sight contrasted sharply with the savagery of the battle.

One wolf lunged at her, its massive jaws snapping inches from her face. She sidestepped gracefully, bringing Arthivian down in a clean slash that severed its head.

More wolves surged forward, but Athena was ready, her movements swift and precise.

Mors, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of calculated power. His blade flashed in the dim light, cutting through the beasts with brutal efficiency.

Despite the overwhelming numbers, he moved with unwavering composure, his focus unshakable.

But the infected beasts were relentless. For every one they killed, two more seemed to take its place.

Their glowing red eyes and frenzied growls filled the forest with an otherworldly dread.

[This is insane! How are they still standing?]

[Major Mors is a machine, look at how many he’s taking down at once!]

[Athena’s like a goddess of war out there. I’ve never seen anything like this.]

[Wait, are those... butterflies? Why do the infected beasts turn into butterflies when she kills them?]

Mors studied the mark for a moment, his expression darkening. "You’re saying this horde leader was somehow connected to her?"

Athena nodded. "The resemblance is too precise to ignore. I think this goes deeper than just random infection."

"What if every leader of a horde is directly tied to the main source of the Zerg virus?"

Mors straightened, his jaw tightening. "That would mean the true head of the Zergs has been hiding, allowing these leaders to act as proxies."

"It explains why the virus seems so coordinated despite the infected being mindless."

Athena rose to her feet, her eyes scanning the tree line as if expecting another attack.

"And if that’s true, it also means the head entity is far more intelligent and dangerous than we’ve been led to believe. "

"It’s using these hordes to spread its influence while staying hidden."

Mors nodded grimly. "Every horde leader must be designed to die before revealing the location of the source. It’s a deliberate strategy to keep us chasing shadows."

Athena’s grip on Arthivian tightened. "But this mark, it’s a clue. We can track it, and decode it. If we can figure out what it means, we might have a chance at finding the source."

Mors glanced at the remains once more, his expression unreadable.

"Then we have to move quickly. If the main Zerg entity realizes we’re onto it, it might accelerate its plans, or worse, move entirely."

The camera bots buzzed around them, capturing every word and action.

[What does that mark mean? It looks so creepy!]

[Daphne had the same symbol? That’s insane!]

[This isn’t just a survival show anymore. It’s turning into a war against the Zergs.]

[Do you think Athena and Major Mors can really find the source of the virus?]

[They’ve been fighting nonstop, when will they get a break?]

[If the Zergs have a leader, how strong must it be?]

[Someone call the rescue team already! This is getting too dangerous.]

Athena glanced at Mors. "We’ll have to check the others for similar marks. Xianli, the crew, maybe even the other participants."

"If the Zergs have been spreading their influence subtly, we need to know who’s been affected."