Under Chen Pingchuan's leadership, the group fought a retreating battle, the atmosphere heavy as lead, weighing on everyone's heart. Chen Pingchuan's Spirit was intensely focused. He continuously used his skill, "Miracle Hands," to disrupt the swarm's pursuit, but each use left him with a splitting headache. Even so, he gritted his teeth and persisted.

After a bitter struggle, they finally broke past the bank counters. Using the complex interior layout, they managed to temporarily shake off the pursuing insects. Soon, the vault of the Southern Alliance Bank, which held all of Hantan City's vital supplies, was within reach.

"Quick, open the door!" Chen Pingchuan's voice was hoarse and urgent.

Upon hearing the command, Ren Qiang unhesitatingly reached into his coat and pulled out a key that hung from a delicate silver chain around his neck. On the way, Chen Pingchuan had explained his reason for turning back. It was simple: the two groups would declare a temporary truce to survive the Insect Race crisis. They would settle their other affairs after the tide of monsters had passed.

Faced with Chen Pingchuan's proposal, Ren Qiang's expression was grim. He had lost too many comrades—brothers he had known for over a decade, all dead for nothing. Yet now he had to make peace with their killer. Despite his reluctance, Ren Qiang had no choice but to agree. Though he ground his teeth audibly, he ultimately chose to compromise.

As the key slid into the lock, a dull mechanical grinding echoed through the hall. The massive metal door began to swing open, and the sliver of light that pierced the gloom made the faces of those outside light up with ecstasy. The bewildered bank clerks looked as if they had seen a glimmer of survival. They were convinced they could hide in the vault and escape the insect tide these menacing figures had described.

However, at that very moment, fate revealed its ghastly fangs.

A hair-raising RUSTLE erupted from behind them, like the Grim Reaper sharpening his scythe on sandpaper.

"AHHH!!!"

Drawn by the sound, the female bank employees, who had never seen the creatures' true form, could no longer contain their terror and let out piercing screams. In the silent, perilous space, the sound was like a death knell. The male colleagues beside them turned ashen, their faces twisted with fear. The leaders of Chen Pingchuan's and Ren Qiang's groups, however, had faces that were deathly pale. The women's screams were a beacon in the darkness, attracting the insects that had been blindly searching for prey like iron to a magnet.

In an instant, the insect tide surged forward like a black tsunami.

Jolted from their daze, the crowd's survival instincts took over, and they descended into a frenzy, desperately shoving their way toward the half-open vault door. Cries, shoves, and curses immediately erupted, creating a chaotic scrum.

Only Chen Pingchuan, Ren Qiang, and a few others remained calm, their eyes resolute and cold. Chen Pingchuan glanced at the pandemonium behind him, clutched Lilia tighter, and charged through the crowd without any regard for the others. His agility and decisiveness allowed him to be the first to burst into the vault. Porcupine and Wei Hao were right behind him, ruthlessly knocking down anyone who stood in their way.

"Who pushed me? Don't you see the people in front of you?"

"Ah, my leg!"

"Damn it!"

Angry shouts filled the air, yet no one dared to stop, every person fighting to get inside the vault.

Because Ren Qiang's men were familiar with the bank employees, their hesitation and reluctance at this life-or-death moment slowed them down. That single moment of hesitation made a world of difference. Like hungry wolves, the swarm pounced, dragging them back and forcing them to abandon the idea of reaching the vault. They turned to fight the hideous giant insects swarming from behind.

At first, the small group held their own. But as more and more insects converged on them, they were quickly overwhelmed. Just then, a team member, his concentration flagging from mental exhaustion, made a critical mistake, and an insect's claw tore into his arm.

"AHHH!!!"

At his piercing scream, the scent of blood drove the nearby insects into a frenzy. They turned as one, their claws descending upon the injured man. Countless grotesque limbs tore at him, spattering blood everywhere in a gruesome, unbearable spectacle.

"Close the door! Don't let the insects in!" someone shrieked from inside the vault, their voice laced with panic and ruthlessness, completely indifferent to the fate of those still outside. The shout cut through the chittering of the swarm, reaching everyone's ears.

Ren Qiang watched helplessly as his subordinate was torn apart before his very eyes. A tidal wave of grief washed over him, drowning him completely. His eyes instantly became bloodshot, and he roared in anguish, "You all go! I'll hold off these damned things!"

His voice, hoarse with emotion, carried an undeniable determination.

"Captain, we're not leaving!" a team member responded without hesitation. His hands trembled as he gripped his weapon, but there was no hint of retreat in his eyes. "If we go, we go together!"

"That's right! We're not leaving unless you come with us!" another shouted. Their figures seemed so small in the shadow of the swarm, yet they stood firm.

Even at this final moment, the few remaining team members had no intention of abandoning Ren Qiang. In this desperate situation, their camaraderie shone like brilliant starlight.

"Retreat! That's an order!" Ren Qiang roared, his eyes red as he fought back his sorrow and despair. "Do you remember the first rule we swore to when we joined the alliance?" His voice trembled as his fiery gaze swept over each of his men. "Tell me! Loudly!"

"Resolutely follow orders!" they shouted in unison. Their voices were ragged, but their conviction was unwavering. It was the oath they had once sworn, a belief etched deep into their souls, one they would never forget, even in the face of death.

"That's right. Resolutely follow orders," Ren Qiang said, using all his remaining strength to issue one last command. "Now, I order you to retreat into the vault!"

He stood alone before the swarm, a solitary, steadfast figure, like an insurmountable mountain.

His men stared at their captain's resolute expression. Though their hearts ached with reluctance, years of ingrained discipline forced them to obey. They bit their lips and began to back away toward the vault, looking over their shoulders with every step.

Ren Qiang chose to stay not because he possessed extraordinary courage or a lack of fear. The vault door had a peculiar design: it could only be opened and closed from the outside. Without someone to operate it from the outside, they would be trapped like rats in a cage, even if they all made it safely inside. Their deaths would be inevitable. He understood the responsibility he shouldered. To give his men a slim chance of survival, he was willing to face the endless sea of monsters alone, trading his life for theirs.

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