Chapter 24 - Dead End

With Shu Jun jumping and dodging up and down, the Erosion Marsh couldn’t afford any time to pay attention to Zhu Yanchen  — After all, he was just a human almost exhausting himself and not a threat at all.

Right at that moment, Zhu Yanchen threw out a rope with a hook at its end. Jumping at the chance where the head was tilting towards the ground, he leapt to its temple. His clothes were stained with blood, but he stood firm without the slightest sense of weakness.

Several jars slipped from his hands and a creamy white smoke rose up, then a spine-chilling hiss immediately followed.

As if containing a powerful acid, instead of being lifted up by the wind, the smoke fiercely burnt the marsh. The erosive substance on the surface of the head wobbled swiftly to try to fill in the gap, but it stopped halfway and just lingered there, as though at a loss of what to do.

At the temple of the head was a hole of 10 square meters, which was impossible to be patched up within a short time.

The head glared at Zhu Yanchen with its muddy eyes. This was far from being a fatal injury. The effect of the smoke was similar to that of a purifier, which cleansed the erosive substance within a certain range and forced the Erosion Marsh to distort. Compared with a purifier that could work continuously, this smoke was more like a one-time-use-only item — Which meant that, if there was enough time, the erosive substance could eventually patch up the hole at the head’s temple.

But the prerequisite was that it must have enough time.

Numerous soft threads stretched out, trying to protect the wound. The Erosion Marsh was an aggregate of erosive substance, so facing such an overwhelming threat, the erosive substance would instinctively try to duck away. Needless to say, Shu Jun wouldn’t wait for them to finish clumping together. Relying on his current inertia, he moved the tip of his sword forward and smashed his whole body towards the wound.

The moment the white smoke dissipated from the temple, Shu Jun’s sword touched the Erosion Marsh.

Perfect timing, perfect strike.

Zhu Yanchen didn’t stay on the surface of the marsh for long. Shooting out the rope with the hook again, he swung himself to the ruins lying next to the marsh and climbed all the way to the top of the building. This time he took off the outermost layer of his protective clothing, pulled out the parts he put behind his back and assembled a small sniper gun.

Shu Jun focused all his energy on the Erosion Marsh. The erosive substance around the wound had stopped squirming and was turning into a jelly-like texture. The broadsword smoothly split the marsh, exposing its grey brain. He stretched out his hand and penetrated his sharp claws through the brain tissues — But, the brain of this marsh was so huge that he couldn’t take it all out, so he had to destroy it from inside.

The Erosion Marsh rolled slowly, trying to forcibly cover the wound with more accumulation of erosive substance. Shu Jun closed his eyes and took a deep breath —

“My — Great — Strategist — Zhu — Yan — Chen —”

Zhu Yanchen just started to snipe the gun. Stablising his posture, he paused after hearing Shu Jun’s voice.

“I want to jump in — if you agree, shoot —” 

Zhu Yanchen laughed. The Erosion Marsh probably didn’t understand, but he could guess Shu Jun’s intention in an instant. Now that he had learnt the art of ‘suppression’, Shu Jun would be fine. And…

And Shu Jun will soon have to fight alone. He must get familiar with his own physical condition as soon as possible.

Zhu Yanchen raised his gun and fired at the sky. Now the icy feeling began to spread out from his abdominal wound. Since the effect of the painkillers was about to pass, his muscle control was getting more and more difficult.

Shu Jun only heard the gunshot and drew his broadsword: “Monday, the information you want is here.” 

At this juncture, the broadsword could only yell in horror. Not waiting for its consent, Shu Jun dragged it down with him — He jumped into the brain of the Erosion Marsh before the erosive substance had the chance to fully cover the wound.

The next moment, the Erosion Marsh summoned countless creatures made with its pitch-black ‘blood’. They desperately scratched the wound and tried to pull Shu Jun out, but it was a pity that Shu Jun had already sunk into the depths —

This was probably what they meant by literally sinking into someone’s brain space. Shu Jun held his breath and pushed away the soft white substance around him. He kept using ‘suppression’, frantically pressing down the erosive substance around him.

An Erosion Marsh’s instinct was very simple: It only wanted to survive and evolve. Since in theory, he was stronger than this head, the marsh inside him would likely want to fight.

In the darkness, countless erosive substance emerged from his spine, stirring up the suppressed brain tissues along with his broadsword. Shu Jun couldn’t see the reading of the detection device on his wrist.

[Harmony: 28%]

[Harmony: 32%]

[Harmony: 45%]

……

Shu Jun no longer focused on destroying this marsh. Without using Monday, he tried his best to suppress the Erosion Marsh himself. Shu Jun could feel the active Erosion Marsh in his own body. Taking himself as the center of the circle, the surrounding erosive substance remained stationary, slowly solidifying layer by layer.

Human brain activity couldn’t be stopped for too long. The Erosion Marsh must have inherited this point when it swallowed this player 200 years ago.

His ‘suppression’ ability that used to be so erratic was growing more familiar to him, just like the limbs on his body. Finally, the other Erosion Marsh’s breathing gradually weakened. As though it had surrendered, fragments of information began to flow into his mind.

…But the process wasn’t pleasant. The information was extremely out of order, and the despair contained in it was suffocating.

It was the memories of this player.

Shu Jun saw Zhu Rong once again. Zhu Rong and Zhu Yanchen in the memories of this Erosion Marsh were rather similar in appearance, except that Zhu Rong was unusually thin.

[You need to recuperate, don’t go to the battlefield anymore in the near future.] Zhu Rong said to the holder of these memories. [You’re too stubborn.]

[I want to finish the test soon so that everyone can experience this world. ] Unlike her voice today, the female voice in the memories was clear and cheerful. [Zhu Rong, how about we chat a little? Today, my cat —]

[Sorry, I have other arrangements.] Zhu Rong lowered his head.

[Hey? Why?]

……

In the same room, there was a vague sound of quarrelling outside the door.

[I won’t change the direction of my research.] Zhu Rong’s voice was easy to recognize.

[Your hypocrisy has cost us real human lives.] Another male voice that sounded exceedingly cold was heard. [It’s a special time now, no one cares about morality anymore. People are willing to support you because you saved their relatives and friends. If they know what you’re doing now…]

[I understand.] Zhu Rong’s answer sounded like he was struggling with himself. [Sir, I didn’t mean to stop the system immediately. It’s just that this technology isn’t yet perfect, and I have to take all the risks into consideration.]

[Can you guarantee the result? Our resources are not for you to burn for fun. The system has been running for five years without any problem. Looking at the fact that we’re all from one family, this is the last time that I’m giving you this warning. If you still don’t want to start optimising the system properly, the next thing that’ll happen is beyond my control.]

Opening the door, Zhu Rong entered the room with a distressed expression.

[What happened?] The female voice asked. [Didn’t things go well?]

[It’s nothing. Why are you hurt so badly again?]

[Sorry, I was a tad too nervous. But I believe in my great Dr. Zhu. No matter how serious my wound is, it can be healed —] The female voice was still light, happy and full of sunshine. [Although you, well, if you really feel that something’s wrong, it’s okay to tell me. Or start thinking about its good side…]

The soldier in the memories turned her gaze away to look at the injured players around her.

[There are so many people who believe in you.] She said. […Uh, why are you crying? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?]

……

[Happy birthday!] The female voice came again, and there was other laughter in the background. [Everyone, to our Dr. Zhu Rong!]

[Happy birthday and I wish you all the glory. You’re my favourite person in ‘this world’.]

It was still a very cheerful and simple voice.

Finally, the scene that Shu Jun didn’t want to see was the last that got squeezed into his mind.

This player was different from him. She also fell into an Erosion Marsh, and when she woke up, she was no longer in human form. She repeatedly checked her hands, where white bones had been exposed the the dark erosive substance was wiggling all over them.

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She could no longer hold her longsword, and her vision had turned completely blurry.

Maybe she’s crying, Shu Jun thought. She couldn’t hold back her convulsion, but she continued crawling towards the stronghold with much difficulty. Shu Jun understood this feeling — Amid the darkness and the pain, she could only rely on her last stretch of faith to hold herself together.

But regrettably, the two of them were different after all.

The marsh she merged with didn’t listen to her. Since no one had ever seen such a monster, the staff ran amok and the players tried to attack her, but they were all killed by the liquid pillars. But still she moved forward in a dazed state, continuing to devour and search in confusion.

She used her prey to fill up the parts that the purifiers scratched away, and she also knew how to dodge humans’ attacks using her own skills. People had only seen Erosion Marshes that attacked using only basic instincts, so they were all utterly powerless against her.

Although the people disappeared, the machines in the stronghold didn’t stop immediately. The radio continued to work, its intermittent signals permeating the erosive substance and resounding through the corridor.

“…Just yesterday, we lost a hero. The top contributing combatant Sweet Vanguard sacrificed upon contact with the giant Erosion Marsh of O city… Today, Marshal Zhu Li will announce the optimisation of the existing system. Mr. Zhu Rong needs to carry out his research and couldn’t join us today…”

[I didn’t sacrifice, I’m still alive.] She stopped in front of the door in the deepest part of the ground. The door was extremely sturdy with a double-layer wall behind it, so she couldn’t get in. 

[Dr. Zhu, are you there?]

She could pick up the smell of humans, albeit it was mixed with a strange whiff of blood. There must be someone inside, Zhu Rong might be hurt, she thought. He would never leave the combatants alone. She just had to wait.

[You can heal me, you can heal me every time.]

[I’ll wait for you here.]

[Please, I want to go home.]

The door remained totally silent. She continued to wait, through days and nights, until she no longer had legs to stand on.

Eventually she gave up and dragged her huge body away from the stronghold. She turned her head to X City. Just like Shu Jun once did, she went to look for ‘officers’ that didn’t exist.

……

Finally, the entire brain of the Erosion Marsh was suppressed. The white lumps of erosive substance stopped moving one after another and gradually turned black. The black erosive substance that originally made up the head began to flow, slowly turning into the appearance of an ordinary Erosion Marsh.

In the center of the marsh lay a human head. Made mainly of erosive substance, it was an incomplete head with a little bit of spine attached to the lower part of its neck. Shu Jun supported himself with his sword and fumblingly walked forward.

He knew it was a trap, but…

Sure enough, several liquid pillars suddenly leapt out and launched the final attack at him. Before Shu Jun had time to draw his sword, a few gunshots came from the distance and a white smoke spread out  again. The liquid pillars, finally reaching their last bits of strength, collapsed and the marsh surface was still again.

Shu Jun made a ‘thank you’ gesture to Zhu Yanchen standing on top of the building and moved on.

“Sweet Vanguard.” He called her name softly. “It’s over.”

“Ah…” Hearing the name, the black head let out a sigh. She opened her mouth and her tone carried with it a hint of daze: “Are you an officer? You’re finally here… It feels like a long time has passed…”

Then she seemed to come back to her senses, her eyes widened and her voice turned sharp: “Kill me, hurry up, please — Wait, who are you? Why can’t I get up…”

Perhaps it was because her brain had become so messed up that she was in such a chaotic state.

“Zhu Rong notified us.” Shu Jun tried to slow down: “Everything is over now. It’s just— “

He gritted his teeth: “It’s just a system bug.”

“Uhm.” She whispered, closing her eyes again. “I wonder if my cat is doing okay.”

“She’s fine.”

Shu Jun stretched out one hand and pressed it on the head: “…Good night.”

This was his last ‘suppression’.

The head disintegrated into erosive substance and the huge Erosion Marsh calmed down. In terms of size, it was still considered to be Alpha, the kind Shu Jun was familiar with — The last bit of instinct it still had left was to move slowly towards its source of food.

Everything was really over. 

Shu Jun had no more desire to fight. Right now, he didn’t have sufficient resources for another battle, so there was no need to continue on this path of mutual destruction. Rather, Zhu Yanchen was seriously injured and had to be taken out of here as quickly as possible. Besides, he got some information on hands, so perhaps it could be useful for Zhu Yanchen’s research.

Not to mention that his mind was also in a chaotic state. Sweet Vanguard’s despair was still squeezing his nerves.

We all need a good rest, Shu Jun thought.

Zhu Yanchen was waiting for him at the top of the building. The wind was blowing the corners of his protective clothing as he leaned on the sniper gun, his whole body exuding a sharp aura. Now that Shu Jun thought about it, since they started working together, this person had always stood firm, like a sword out of its sheath.

“You did a great job.” Zhu Yanchen said.

“Let’s not worry about it now. You quickly put on the mask.”

Shu Jun habitually pulled Zhu Yanchen towards him, but this time, the guy didn’t cooperate.

“Where’s your mask? Is there any emergency medicine in your briefcase? We must treat your wound at once. I’ll take you back to the gathering area. After the fight just now, I have some information to give you…”

Zhu Yan Chen pressed his hand on Shu Jun’s lips and stopped his words. Under the white gloves, his fingers felt as cold as ice.

“I’m sorry.” He said: “It’s over now.”

“What are you talking about?!” Isn’t Zhu Yanchen still standing here?

“I just delivered the final set of data. It seems that I can only go so far.” Zhu Yanchen’s voice was very soft. “Remember what I said, go to Y City and find Ai Xiaoxiao.”

“Didn’t I say that, if you do this, I —” 

Shu Jun was stunned in the midst of his sentence.

He finally saw the wound on Zhu Yanchen’s abdomen. A fragment of a deformed organ poked out from the wound, its colour a pale shade of grey and black. Zhu Yanchen’s bleeding was abnormally slow, and Shu Jun wasn’t sure if it was because of the light, but his blood looked like it was black.

This isn’t real.

They just worked perfectly together to win a tough battle. Shu Jun still had a lot to say.

“I know. When I said that I would listen to you, I meant it. When the four-legged creature appeared, if you didn’t save me, I wouldn’t be able to fight this last battle with you.” Zhu Yanchen’s voice became even gentler, but Shu Jun quietly wished that it could just return to its usual coldness.

I shouldn’t listen to him rambling all this nonsense. Even if he had to use all his remaining strength, he had to take Zhu Yanchen away from this dangerous place. Shu Jun took another two steps forward, carefully observing the state of the guy’s wound and got ready to take action.

“……Can I hug you?” After a second of silence, Zhu Yanchen finally spoke, his voice even softer than a sigh.

“Stop talking, save some energy.” Shu Jun hugged him carefully. Zhu Yanchen was a little taller than him, so this action took a bit of effort: “Hug for as long as you want, I’ll take you away now.”

Zhu Yanchen will be fine, Shu Jun tried to convince himself. Anything that he worked hard for would always succeed. He wouldn’t lose. He clearly would never lose.

The wind gathered at the soles of his feet and the Erosion Marsh next to him continued boiling quietly. The night returned to silence and there wasn’t a trace of light between the land and the sky.

The heartbeat of the person in his arms disappeared.

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