Infinity, The Arcade Age

Amidst the roaring flames, Ghost Lady stood behind her mounted light machine gun, unleashing a relentless torrent of bullets. Fire burst forth in rapid succession, her gunfire cutting through the chaos like a scorching tide.

Beside her, Talma, the story's protagonist, discarded his cigarette, grabbing his upgraded silver-quality machine gun. The two fired in tandem, creating a deadly crossfire that tore through the cavalry ranks below. Blood splattered, and screams echoed as riders fell from their horses, one after another.

In the midst of this carnage, Zhao Chui, eyes bloodshot with rage, cracked his whip and urged his men forward.

"Charge up the hill! Kill them all!"

The riders surged, but their progress slowed as they climbed the uneven slope. Scaling the incline under machine gun fire was no easy task.

Above, Ghost Lady and Talma gritted their teeth, their faces illuminated by the muzzle flashes, making them look like demons reveling in the destruction.

The cavalry pressed on, closing in despite the storm of bullets. The sound of hooves grew louder, signaling the imminent clash.

And then, on the hillside, leaning against a smoldering tree, Qin Ming opened his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, he flicked away the cigarette he'd stolen from Talma.

Veins bulged at his neck as he turned and stepped out of cover, moving forward to meet the charging riders.

Holding his flamethrower at the ready, Qin Ming pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Whoosh!

A roaring jet of flame erupted from the nozzle, stretching nearly five meters. The leading riders were caught unprepared, their bodies igniting instantly.

Shrieking in agony, they tumbled from their mounts, engulfed in flames. The horses, terrified and ablaze, bolted wildly, spreading the fire as they ran.

Qin Ming continued his fiery onslaught, methodically directing the flamethrower's deadly stream at anything in his path. Grass, trees, riders, and horses alike fell victim to the inferno. In mere moments, the entire hillside became a blazing hellscape.

Standing amidst the flames, Qin Ming showed no fear. Flames licked at his body, but he advanced steadily, his finger glued to the trigger.

Fire, the bane of beasts, proved equally effective against warhorses. The panicked animals reared and scattered, disobeying their riders. Chaos ensued as cavalrymen were thrown, dragged, or trampled in the frenzy.

Just as Qin Ming held the line singlehandedly, keeping the riders at bay, a furious roar erupted from within the cavalry ranks.

A massive figure, over two meters tall, charged through the flames as if immune to the searing heat.

It was Zhao Chui, the youngest of the Zhao family's five brothers.

His voice thundered above the cacophony, filled with rage:

"CURSE YOU! GIVE ME BACK MY BROTHER!"

Before Qin Ming could react, Zhao Chui slammed into him like a runaway train.

The impact sent Qin Ming flying several meters, crashing hard into the dirt.

Not letting up, Zhao Chui roared again, activating his Wild Charge skill and barreling toward Qin Ming a second time.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!"

Hearing the enraged cries, Qin Ming scrambled to his feet. Without missing a beat, he swung his fist into a nearby burning tree, snapping its trunk.

He hoisted the blazing tree trunk overhead and hurled it at Zhao Chui with all his strength.

CRACK!

The flaming tree smashed into Zhao Chui, but the hulking man didn't even flinch.

With a snarl, he crashed into Qin Ming once more, slamming him into the ground.

Zhao Chui's B-grade skill, Zhao Clan Body Refinement, made him nearly invulnerable. His iron-like physique rendered him impervious to most attacks, and he capitalized on it mercilessly.

"RAAAAAAAH!"

Grabbing Qin Ming by the head, Zhao Chui lifted him off the ground, charging forward like a living battering ram.

He smashed through tree after tree, using Qin Ming as a shield, before stopping and slamming Qin Ming's head against a large rock repeatedly.

Each impact echoed like a drumbeat, the stone cracking under the force.

But Qin Ming wasn't done yet.

With a defiant roar, he unleashed a charged Sonic Blade, his hand slicing through the air like a guillotine.

SLASH!

The blade of fire cut deep into Zhao Chui's chest, drawing a spray of blood and forcing him to release Qin Ming, who tumbled to the ground.

Clutching his wounded chest, Zhao Chui roared in fury, his voice shaking the flames around him.

"You brat! I'LL TEAR YOU APART!"

Ignoring his injury, Zhao Chui lunged once more, activating Wild Charge again.

But Qin Ming, now standing tall, didn't back down. Bloodied but unbowed, he braced himself, planting his feet firmly in the dirt.

BOOM!

The collision sent shockwaves rippling through the fiery landscape, distorting the flames as the two clashed.

Zhao Chui drove Qin Ming backward, slamming him into more trees. But even as he was battered, Qin Ming refused to yield.

With a feral snarl, Qin Ming sank his teeth into Zhao Chui's ear.

Blood spurted as Zhao Chui howled in agony, trying to pry Qin Ming off.

He finally succeeded, flinging Qin Ming away—but not before losing an ear in the process.

"AAAAARGH! MY EAR!"

As Zhao Chui clutched his bleeding wound, Qin Ming stood up. His injuries miraculously vanished, his body swelling to over two meters tall thanks to his Vital Essence Absorption skill.

Spitting out the ear like trash, Qin Ming wiped the blood from his mouth and charged.

With a guttural roar, he slammed into Zhao Chui, driving him back through the burning trees.

His fists, wreathed in flame and wind, hammered Zhao Chui's face in a relentless barrage of punches.

A final kick to the groin left Zhao Chui reeling, but Qin Ming wasn't done.

Seizing his foe by the arms, he lifted Zhao Chui high above his head before smashing him down onto his knee with a sickening crack.

Zhao Chui screamed as his spine bent unnaturally, only for Qin Ming to end the fight with a brutal soccer-style kick to the face.

The impact sent Zhao Chui spinning across the ground, finally collapsing in a heap, battered and bloodied.

Standing amidst the carnage, Qin Ming ripped off his burned jacket, revealing a red tank top underneath.

He bellowed with unrestrained fury:

"WHO GAVE YOU THE GUTS TO CHALLENGE ME IN MELEE? I'LL TEAR YOU APART!"