Chapter 165

Chapter 165: The Boundless Dark Realm Part 20

2L (OP): In the Second World, ordinary people are unaware of the existence of xenomorphs; the Federation government has been intentionally suppressing this information. They have formed special units to eliminate both xenomorphs and secret cult members. Some research institutions are studying the relationship between divine blood and ancient deities.

Currently, the scientific community in the Second World has proposed two hypotheses. One hypothesis suggests xenomorphs are interdimensional beings from another world; they do not truly live on that planet but rather their dimension overlaps with that planet’s, causing them to invade it. Another hypothesis proposes that xenomorphs are mutants of native species; the rain during the Seven Days of Blood greatly impacted native organisms, causing mutations and their continued existence there.

Both hypotheses carry significant uncertainties, similar to how we still haven’t determined the exact cause of the dinosaurs’ extinction. Without knowing the specific reasons, hypotheses are all we can offer.

It’s worth noting that even the Federation does not know if the “Seven Days of Blood” recorded in religious texts ever truly occurred. After all, humans had not yet been born during that time.

12L: I finished reading it and want to ask a question. Since humanity hadn’t been born at that time, how were these historical stories passed down? Their authenticity needs verification.

16L (OP) replied to 12L: The academic circles in the Second World also questioned this. The Federation has arrested many secret cult members, interrogating them. These cult members insisted that these events were told directly by the gods to their followers. These followers compiled these words into scriptures, just like the Bible.

17L: Man, this sounds too far-fetched. It’s giving me chills.

18L: Has this person become too naïve with religion… My grandmother who follows religion believes in things like those scriptures too. She doesn’t listen no matter what you say or reason with her.

19L replied to 18L: We should clarify one thing first: the Second World might very well have gods. Those bizarre xenomorphs and the divine blood are proof.

Kui Xin felt a chill upon seeing the giant monsters aboard the Kraken and encountering some xenomorphic entities, solidifying her belief in the existence of deities.

Too many incongruous things happened. Too many things science couldn’t explain.

She pondered, whether the mutated beings she killed turned her surroundings red with their blood, and the Seven Days of Blood raining down red on the world suggested that contact with these waters could cause mutations… The overlap of these legends with her experiences was too high to ignore.

26L: The game is titled “Crimson Soil,” referring to a land drenched in crimson blood. Is there any correlation between the name of the game and the legend of the Seven Days of Blood? Could it be that some deity is manipulating our destinies?

Some players expressed the same doubt as Kui Xin.

27L (OP) replied to 26L: This is my speculation too.

The recent large-scale regional mission titled “Dark Realm’s Descent” gave me such an association with the concept of a “god’s descent day.” It made me feel uneasy.

If the legends are true, then the Second World might originally never have had xenomorphs or gods. Perhaps the arrival of gods and xenomorphs brought the storm of blood-rain, which transformed the Second World accordingly. Now with the onset of the game and the merging trend of the First and Second Worlds, there’s a concern that the First World may also experience invasions by gods and xenomorphs… If we don’t act wisely, perhaps we will also face a “Seven Days of Blood.”

Kui Xin read the OP’s post carefully, thought it over for a while, and eventually typed out several lines.

39L: Regarding the Seven Days of Blood, considering your previous hypothesis, there’s a possibility that the blood rain is merely a way for the gods to invade. Alternatively, it could be a mark or sign of success after such an invasion. Other signs precede the arrival of deities and xenomorphs. They don’t only have one way to intrude on this world.

She was on the 39th floor. Her nickname ‘233’ was straightforward and noticeable.

40L: Can it be true…?

41L: It’s my first time seeing such a speculative post from the legendary 233! Previous times 233 would make a public statement and then disappear without comment.

42L replied to 43L: Looks like things must have gotten really serious. Even the legendary 233 had to come out of hiding. Usually, this person would drop a bombshell of information and leave us scrambling for answers.

42L: The tone of 233… What has happened? Have you learned something or encountered something?

Minutes later, the original poster responded.

52L (OP) replied to 39L: Your theory is plausible. Our studies on xenomorphs are still limited. If we could delve deeper into the secret cults and gather intelligence, perhaps more truths would emerge. Like other players, I also wonder if you have uncovered something or sensed some foreboding.

Kui Xin sighed, rubbing her forehead.

This wasn’t just about her anymore. This couldn’t be kept hidden. The distortion in time-space, the shadows trying to break free, and an impending invasion—she couldn’t keep this to herself. If she did, it might delay the resolution of the situation or miss crucial clues, causing further delays for others.

Even if only her safety were at stake, she wouldn’t reveal it. But given the potential impact on the entire world, she couldn’t be that selfish or arrogant, believing she could solve every crisis alone.

Should the First World perish, her self-preservation actions and concealments would be meaningless. She herself wouldn’t exist anymore. Because the First World is her foundation, where she finds her home.

For balance, she always understood what was critical.

Her existence depends on the First World’s stability. Her safety depends on the First World’s security.

She exited the thread, opening a new one titled: “Signs of Xenomorph Invasions Have Already Emerged.”

Kui Xin slowly typed her statement in the first post.

First Post: In the First World, when heteromorphic beings die, their bodies turn into blood. Any animal touching them could be contaminated and mutate in the direction of xenomorphic entities.

Contaminated organisms exhibit heightened aggression and possess stronger combat abilities than ordinary humans. Dead mutant creatures can turn back into blood, and it’s uncertain whether this continues to infect other life forms.

Everyone, please be vigilant. Firstly, notice any animals around you; mutated ones are easy to identify. Secondly, note any unusual occurrences near you, like spatial distortions and eerie hallucinations or monstrous roars.

Distortions in space-time happen swiftly, along with the eerie utterances and roars, lasting only briefly. If such phenomena occur around you, take them seriously. Maintain caution, seek help promptly, and report these occurrences on the forum. Additionally, the zero-point marks a particularly special moment; most anomalies occur at this time, so be extra cautious.

This isn’t just my concern; it’s everyone’s. In such an environment, no one can remain unaffected.

With the release of this new thread, tumult emerged throughout the forum.

6L: There’s so much information! Has the zombie film invaded our world?!

7L: Holy cow! Does the posting of such details mean that the poster personally experienced the spatial distortion, saw contaminated mutants, witnessed a dead heteromorph, or even fought one?

8L: Are you saying the bigshot is in Tonglin City?

9L: From what I understand, the blood of heteromorphs in the Second World doesn’t have a contaminating effect, right? Only the blood in the First World exhibits such traits. Why? Is it a specialized variant of heteromorphic beings for infiltration and contamination?

16L: My mission description mentioned something along the lines of “someone solved the problem when trouble came up. Now the trouble has returned. Do I retreat, leaving it for another to handle, or do I confront the issue head-on?” The last problem referred to the task involving Fang Zhi, a mutant in the Jingchu region. The Remover 233 Number took care of him.

17L replied to 16L: I also received a similar description! The Remover 233 Number taking action against Fang Zhi must have helped us. I was stunned when I saw it… So, the Remover 233 Number did help!

18L: Don’t you think that the “233” now could be the same as the “233” mentioned before?

19L: Yes, many people speculated that these two “233”s were the same person from the start, but that seems too far-fetched! If there indeed is a ‘233’ who is both the game player and the poster, wouldn’t that make them the strongest player?

20L: Let’s get back to the topic… Anyway, thank you for sharing this information. I’ll watch out for signs around me. If anything happens, I’ll post it on the forum. I’ve been following the first科普 post, and I’ve continued showing my gratitude through the following posts. It takes great courage to step forward; I don’t have that courage, so I admire anyone who does. Regardless of who you are, thank you for sharing this information instead of hiding it.

…

Tang Guan quietly put down his phone and sneakily opened the bedroom door to glance at his sleeping family.

They were still asleep, the world growing unfamiliar. Ordinary people knew little about these changes and were slow to react.

After a moment’s hesitation, he closed the door silently and began packing.

“Do you plan to go to Tonglin City?” asked his symbiotic monster.

Tang Guan didn’t answer, lowering his head to pull out a suitcase and stuff clothes inside.

“What can you do?” the monster asked leisurely. “Save the world as a hero? Wasn’t someone who stayed out of sight for two weeks pretending he was brainwashed, unable to speak or act?”

Tang Guan growled, “Shut up!”

“No, really, did you get moved by a few enthusiastic words?” the puzzled monster asked.

Tang Guan, his expression grim, picked up his pack. “Say another word, and I’ll stab myself with a knife… You, who share my mind, would feel that pain, wouldn’t you?”

The monster fell silent immediately.