Chapter 25: The Descent of Fear

(Note: This chapter contains slight horror elements; those who mind, please skip to the next chapter.)

The brief buzzing sound ceased, yet it did not signal the end of their mission for the night. On the contrary, the real game had just begun.

It was the same rule as the second Blood Moon in his previous life. This realization made Chen Xiao breathe a sigh of relief. He knew how to play this game now.

"Did you hear that?"
"No kidding. Can't you see everyone is just as confused as you are?"
"So what does it actually mean? 'Don't trust anyone'?"

Within the Nancheng Warehouse team, someone quickly raised the question. Lu Xingji pondered for a moment and said coldly, "Perhaps it means: don't trust everyone."

The questioner was stunned. "Don't trust everyone?"

Lu Xingji replied, "Have you considered that since that entity spoke in the minds of all humanity saying 'don't trust him,' then 'he' cannot possibly be a single individual!"

Lang Fei nodded. "Correct. We must stay on high alert, think things through when we encounter situations, and not be reckless!"

"From now on, we set our own rules," Jiang Yunhan said, reacting quickly and immediately issuing instructions. "Anyone who violates these rules will be executed by me personally! Our goal is to reach the summit of Mount Tuoluo and find the light! Our rule is a total prohibition on speaking!"

Once these words were spoken, those who had intended to ask further questions spontaneously began to follow the rule. Some even covered their mouths with their hands to ensure they wouldn't forget.

Jiang Yunhan gestured for them to "start." A group of over a dozen people set off once again toward the mountain peak. Chen Xiao followed closely behind Jiang Yunhan, eyes fixed intently upon him, as if afraid he might be replaced by someone else. He was impressed by Jiang Yunhan's planning, but he knew that relying solely on these measures to survive the Blood Moon was still somewhat naive.

Under the Blood Moon, the undead were legion. It was a nightmare for everyone, and it was certainly not that simple.

Soon, the group reached the mountainside. Suddenly, a young man in the team clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. He pointed downward and then toward the bushes. It was obvious he needed to relieve himself. Jiang Yunhan and Lu Xingji exchanged a look and helplessly raised their hands, then quickly pointed to their current spot, signaling that anyone who needed to go could do so, but must return to the formation immediately!

Chen Xiao shifted slightly to avoid the gaze of others, but his eyes never left Jiang Yunhan.

Five minutes later, everyone returned to the ranks. Not a single person uttered a sound. Lang Fei took a headcount and nodded at Jiang Yunhan. Instead of ordering an immediate departure, Jiang Yunhan changed his approach. He began pointing at people one by one.

The ones he pointed at stood in one line, while the others stood in another. There were eight people in one group and seven in the other—exactly the group that had just gone to relieve themselves and the group that had waited in place. Jiang Yunhan gestured for them to split into two paths, using the same formation as before.

The group that had gone to relieve themselves panicked. What did this mean? Had they been cursed or something? Why were they being ostracized? They gestured frantically, trying to beg Jiang Yunhan to keep them, but his attitude was resolute. He even glared fiercely at the group that had stepped away. There was no choice; he was the leader, and they had to listen to him. Otherwise, in this apocalypse, with no one to protect them, death was inevitable.

From that point on, the vanguard team split into two paths.

Yuan Ye was feeling very depressed. He had just gone to relieve himself and was immediately discarded. He didn't know the reason, but his intuition told him it definitely wasn't a good sign.

Thus, the eight of them headed in a different direction. Fortunately, their final destination was the same: the summit! As long as they reached the peak, they could reunite with Boss Jiang and the others. Perhaps... perhaps if they reached it before them and truly discovered some kind of fortune, he wouldn't have to live under someone else's thumb anymore!

Even without Boss Jiang, everyone stuck to the rules; not a single person spoke. The quiet night was deathly still, with only the rustling of footsteps, which was somewhat irritating. Yuan Ye tried not to think about the bad things and forced himself to stay optimistic.

He looked up at the sky. Tonight, the sky was a deep, profound black. A blood-red moon hung high, its color resembling thick, congealed blood, carrying a sense of intense unease. The moonlight not only dyed the surrounding clouds an eerie and terrifying blood-red but also cast dark red shadows on the ground, making the entire world seem enveloped in a horrifying atmosphere.

A gentle breeze blew, causing the leaves to sway and rustle—a sound that was exceptionally clear in the silent night. Yuan Ye counted the shadows of the branches, praying it would alleviate some of his anxiety.

However, he noticed something unusual. The person in front of him should have been the sixth squad leader, Liu Qingqing. She was a very quiet girl. But she... her shoes... why were the toes pointing toward him?

*Buzz!*

Yuan Ye felt his scalp tingle! Was Liu Qingqing walking backward facing him?

But when he looked up, all he saw was a head of jet-black hair with a plain white hairpin stuck in it.

"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"

A slightly dry female voice rang out. She had spoken, asking him a question. But how could she speak? Boss Jiang had strictly forbidden anyone from speaking! And what unsettled him most was that when Liu Qingqing spoke, the sound came from behind her hair!

He felt his legs trembling, and cold sweat poured down. But immediately after, he fell into an endless abyss, because someone else spoke to him.

"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"
"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"
"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"
"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"
"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"
"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"

Yuan Ye managed to force a smile, though his forehead was drenched. It didn't end there. The questioning voices seemed infinite, echoing in his ears.

"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"
"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"
"What's wrong, Team Leader Yuan?"

Yuan Ye bit his tongue hard, the sharp pain forcing him to stay calm. "It's nothing, everyone. Let's keep moving; Boss Jiang is waiting for us."

As his words fell, he was met with dead silence. All his teammates were staring at him in unison! He felt waves of intense, concentrated malice!

Then, Liu Qingqing parted her long black hair, revealing a face that had once been delicate and pretty. The small face was frighteningly pale. It was only then that Yuan Ye realized: there was no white hairpin in her hair at all—that was clearly her nose!

At this moment, Liu Qingqing was smiling. A bizarre, terrifying smile! Her mouth was wide open, stretched so far it seemed her flesh was about to tear! It was an expression of extreme madness!