Chapter 174

Chapter 174: Dark Boundless Realm Part 29

“Have you investigated inside the factory?” Kui Xin asked in inquiry.

“No, I just looked from afar. No xenomorphs ran out of the buildings.” Tang Guan explained, “It’s too dangerous, I don’t suggest anyone get close to the tobacco factory.”

Li Wanran seized the opportunity and said, “We have captured some footage when the ‘door’ opened.”

“Did your recording devices break down?” Kui Xin asked.

“They broke down, so only part of it was recorded… We’re not sure whether it was the xenomorphs that damaged our devices or…”

“Last night I attempted to record as well, but my device got burned out. Last night, the xenomorphs did not invade our world, there might be other reasons for the damage.” Kui Xin said.

Li Wanran said in astonishment, “There was such a situation?”

Song Tingshuan frowned and was about to speak when suddenly the grass rustled nearby. The leaves swayed, rustling with the sound of wind… or perhaps it was some shapeless substance brushing against the leaves!

A camouflaged xenomorph launched a sudden attack, its movement being too swift for its chameleon-like disguise to conceal it effectively. A faint halo surrounded its edges, revealing its outline.

The xenomorph opened its mouth, and a spring-like long tongue shot out straight toward Song Tingshuan’s face.

In an instant, a dark silhouette moved like lightning and severed the xenomorph’s tongue in half. The severed piece writhed on the ground as the silhouette did not stop its attack. It circled behind the xenomorph and aimed its right arm for a slashing strike.

With a splash, semitransparent liquid spattered far and wide.

The xenomorph, with skin akin to a chameleon, crashed to the ground, its body splitting in half. Its skin was incredibly fragile, much like regular organisms.

Song Tingshuan, shaken, gazed at the blurry silhouette, which then melted into a dark puddle and slithered back into the darkness.

“What was that?” Song Tingshuan exclaimed in shock.

“A comrade,” Kui Xin tersely replied.

Song Tingshuan felt a rising pressure. Opposite him, Maotoufu and Bai Ge were clearly formidable fighters. They knew each other through code names. Now, a third individual had appeared; this third person was obviously also with them.

An organization, a mature one with at least three members within—an organization comprising Maotoufu, Bai Ge, and the recently revealed dark silhouette. Who among them was the leader? Or were they all equals?

The roar of vehicles approached not far off, their headlights blinding. Li Wanran and Song Tingshuan’s teammates had arrived.

Kui Xin took a step back, Tang Guan also looked in the direction of the approaching vehicles, retreating slightly into the shadows. They exchanged a glance filled with the same understanding—they did not wish to expose themselves to more people.

“The xenomorphs that emerged from the ‘door’ tonight vary in strength, all posing great dangers. We need to act quickly for clearance,” Kui Xin said. “Goodbye, we need to clear out now.”

She turned and dashed into the darkness after her sentence.

Tang Guan also said, “Goodbye.”

He ran toward where Kui Xin had disappeared.

…

“Maotoufu,” Tang Guan called out to Kui Xin.

Kui Xin paused and turned back, looking at him, “Speak.”

“Your power isn’t weak. To increase efficiency, let’s split up for clearing. I’ll cover the west side, and you will take the south side, how about that?” Tang Guan quickly proposed.

“Agreed,” Kui Xin observed him, “You seem confident in your own strength.”

“Not bad,” Tang Guan responded.

Kui Xin reminded, “Tonight there’s quite a crowd around here. Players are keeping a watchful eye from the outer area. If they learn about the changes at the tobacco factory, they might intervene. We don’t know their nature yet.”

Tang Guan pondered briefly, “Alright, I’ll remain cautious.”

He didn’t inquire how Kui Xin knew players were nearby.

“I hope everything goes well for you,” Kui Xin said before turning and heading towards the old industrial zone from the south.

“I wish the same for you,” said Tang Guan as he too turned and left.

Ghost Man whispered, “That person isn’t simple. Getting her on your side might bring good fortune. She has the strength and support from her organization and comrades, rare among players. Most players are fragmented.”

Tang Guan naturally knew Kui Xin wasn’t ordinary, yet he found himself in a difficult position in the Second World and needed to keep his distance from all players to avoid trouble.

“You’re really a kind person,” Ghost Man said with a shake of his head. “To want to do something for the First World while still alive? Laughable!” he added. “Don’t you want to struggle to live anymore?”

Indeed, Tang Guan wanted to survive… he had a family. But surviving in the land of mechanisms was impossible. He had already endured torment from Mechanized Dawn for several weeks and could predict he would endure it further until his end or the loss of experimental value.

“Foolish. Cowardly,” Ghost Man lamented. “Seek allies in the First World! They can save you!”

“Why help me now?” Tang Guan sneered.

“I’m helping myself,” Ghost Man stated. “I feel your pain during experiments, and I do too, even if you don’t. Do you think I enjoy being trapped within you, allowing others to torment me?”

Tang Guan asked, “What’s your goal?”

“Willing to collaborate for now?” Ghost Man offered. “Stopping internal conflicts in both worlds—will you agree? Escape must be our priority, or we perish.”

Tang Guan remained silent.

“Think about your family,” said Ghost Man. “What will happen to them if you die in the Second World?”

“You weren’t concerned about that earlier. You just wanted control over my body,” Tang Guan stated coldly.

“Circumstances change, mindsets alter. Opportunity is near.” Ghost Man continued, “Grasping this could be life-saving. Have you noticed that girl’s ability with the space vortex?”

Tang Guan had noticed the space vortex—it was similar to the one used by Mechanized Dawn. This specific vortex closely resembled the one “Maotoufu” used.

“Might the girl and the one with the vortex from Mechanized Dawn share a connection? The girl is a player. Perhaps she’s unaware of who you are, maybe she’s become a member of Mechanical Dawn. This is a remarkable chance! Seize it.”

“If she were capable, her skills would earn her significant status within Mechanized Dawn. Known for unique information, she probably knows you’ve been compromised by a player and yet didn’t aid you,” Tang Guan calmly responded.

“If she didn’t help, why not? If she could, you’d no longer be here. But she didn’t… cruel child, pretending to be friendly yet unwilling to help,” Ghost Man cried indignantly.

“Not true. I believe she wanted to help but couldn’t,” Tang Guan softly stated. “Even if I could, I wouldn’t expect others to risk their lives to assist a stranger. It’s foolish to think otherwise.”

“Benevolence is nauseating!” Ghost Man retorted. “Why do you always see things in rose-tinted glasses? Clearly, she doesn’t care!”

“Human emotion isn’t easy to grasp,” Tang Guan said. “So I won’t argue with you; it’s pointless.” He continued, “However, I agree to halt conflict for now. You’re right; I must survive, and I will.”

Ghost Man hesitated and reluctantly agreed, “Alright. Strengthen yourself from now on. Stop looking so half-dead, kill a few xenomorphs for combat strength.”

“Yes,” Tang Guan concurred.

He stood still, facing a black canine xenomorph with a blood-red single eye. Its gaze caused dizziness.

Illusions flooded Tang Guan, a skill of the xenomorph.

The dog lunged and Tang Guan caught its head in his hands, activating supernatural power ‘Symbiosis.’ The canine whined as its body melted, integrating into Tang Guan’s body.

As the canine fully blended into him, a flexible red eye opened on his forehead—its own eye.

Tang Guan lowered his head in exhaustion, the red eye closed, and a chorus of dog barks sounded in his mind.

Ghost Man muttered, “That dimwit what’s making that noise? Shut up!”

The canine whimpered in fear, stopping its noise.

Sighing, Tang Guan said, “More… quick, Tang Guan. Great opportunity!”

He pondered its implications, “It’s the cost of symbiosis. Am I changing or staying the same?”