Chapter 76: Red glint

May snapped her eyes open, locking her sharp gaze onto the weeping "little boy" lying in the snowdrift.

Under the cold morning sun, his skin appeared almost translucently pale, and his trembling eyelashes were long and dense as he sobbed—a picture of pure innocence that would evoke pity from anyone.

However, May’s system did not lie.

This was a bloodthirsty monster wrapped in human skin!

It was putting on an act! It was using the most flawless disguise to exploit the sympathy of these hardened men!

Seeing Jack about to lean down and embrace the Skinwalker Demon, and noting that even Ray—though cautious—hadn’t immediately recognized the "child" as a lethal target, the danger was clear.

The Skinwalker Demon’s strategy was simple: get close to the group first. Once it gained physical proximity, the consequences would be catastrophic!

There was zero time to explain!

May’s eyes turned sharp and icy in an instant.

The "little boy" had already lifted his head, gazing up at Ray through tear-filled eyes. Reaching out a small, reddened hand, he called out timidly: "Please... hold me..."

As he spoke, he scrambled up from the snow, shuffling step by step toward Ray, attempting to press his harmless little face against Ray’s broad, sturdy leg.

NOW!

May raised her boot and kicked violently at a heavy tin canister half-buried in the snow beside her.

CLANG-BANG—!!!

The metal can flew through the air under her full force, tumbling across the quiet snowfield and releasing a series of harsh, echoing clatters.

The sudden noise shattered the stillness of the open field, startling everyone on the spot.

The "little boy" who was about to hurl himself against Ray froze mid-motion, tumbling backward onto his rear from the jarring racket. Seemingly terrified, he sat dazed in the snow, forgetting to continue his act.

Jack’s outstretched hand stopped mid-air as he turned back toward May in utter shock. "May, what’s wrong?"

Only May saw the truth clearly.

The exact moment everyone turned their heads toward her, beneath the lowered head of the "little boy" sitting on the snow, those seemingly innocent eyes flashed with a fleeting streak of malice and dark red light.

That crimson glint locked onto May with terrifying intensity, overflowing with fury at having its ruse exposed and a thick, insatiable hunger.

This woman... How did she notice? I was one step away... just one step from feeding on the strongest man’s brain... It’s all her fault!

The crimson flash vanished in a fraction of a second, far too fast for anyone else to catch.

A moment later, as the men turned their attention back toward the child, he had already reverted into a frightened, helpless little boy once more.

"WAHHH—!"

The Skinwalker Demon opened its mouth, letting out a louder, far more aggrieved wail than before. Sitting in the snow, it sobbed while fixing May with wide, tearful eyes that seemed to accuse her: You mean woman, why did you scare me like that?

When May kicked that tin canister, her heart leaped right into her throat.

She couldn’t speak up directly. If she shouted that this pitiful "child" was a bloodthirsty monster while a group of hardened men was sympathizing with him, Jack—who was standing closest—would be the very first to get hurt before anyone realized what was happening.

Yet she had seen that sinister red glint with absolute clarity.

The "little boy" sat curled in the snowbanks, weeping so intensely he could barely catch his breath. His small hands clutched the tattered rag doll, his frost-purpled lips quivering as tear after tear splashed onto the frozen ground. To anyone watching, he was nothing more than an innocent orphan traumatized by the outbreak.

"Hold on a second."

Theo’s calm voice rang out. Jack froze mid-motion, glancing back in confusion. "Theo, what’s wrong?"

Theo ignored him. Standing at the rear of the group, his analytical gaze locked onto the "little boy" like a pathologist examining a biological specimen under a microscope.

"Step back over here." Theo gestured toward Jack, his tone as flat and detached as a surgeon calling for a pair of hemostatic forceps.

"But the kid is freezing..."

"Step back."

On the second request, Theo’s voice dropped half an octave into a cold command. Jack shivered, reluctantly drawing his hands back and taking two steps backward.

The "little boy" didn’t stop sobbing; instead, he buried his face into his knees, his shoulders trembling pitiably in an effort to shatter anyone’s resolve.

Ray frowned, his hand resting on the grip of his sidearm without drawing it. He studied the boy for three long seconds before turning his gaze back toward May.

May stood beside Alex, her face deathly pale. Her knuckles turned white as she clutched the collar of her military coat tight. She didn’t cry out, she didn’t scream, and she didn’t yell "stay away." Yet her entire frame was stretched taut like a fully drawn bowstring, her eyes fixed on the child without blinking, her lips pressed into a hard line.

Ray’s heart sank instantly. This girl has been chatterboxing non-stop since day one. If she genuinely believed that was a normal child, she would have rushed over to pat his head by now. Her reaction means she is terrified.

Whether this kid is a human or a demon, I’ll never go against my woman’s instincts!

Ray shifted his grip from the firearm handle straight to his combat trench knife.

The "little boy" lifted his tear-stained face, extending a small, reddened hand toward Ray. "Please... I’m so cold... hold me, please..."

The voice was sweet enough to melt snow—laced with sobs, desperation, and the fragile helplessness unique to a twelve-year-old child.

Mitch stood nearby, kicking at the snow in frustration while muttering a low curse. "Damn it, a grown man could freeze to death in this hellish weather, let alone a kid... Ray, should we take him in first?"

Ray remained silent. He held the boy’s gaze for two endless seconds, just about to speak—

Swoosh—