Chapter 122: Station 24: The Test

Chapter 122: Station 24: The Test

The immediate concern was to find a way to stop the two fans so that one could pass through the narrow gap between them.

Steve examined the wires of the fans and found them to be incredibly long, completely concealed within the flesh, making it impossible to locate any switches.

Cephus, holding a stainless steel pipe, cautiously approached the fan openings. As he faced the hurricane-like force, he keenly felt the power of these metal fans.

With great courage, he inserted the pipe into the fan, hoping to jam it. However, not only did the pipe instantly bend and break, but an irresistible force nearly dragged Cephus into the vortex! He had no choice but to release his grip.

A clanging sound echoed as the pipe fell into the abyss beneath the fans, embedding itself vertically into the mountain of organs and flesh piled up in the kitchen.

The scene before them left everyone speechless. Yet, Hu Gaoming and Mobis swiftly focused on an unbelievably heavy butcher knife.

That was the blade Ubitos had been sharpening earlier.

The butcher's knife was impaled high on a broad and sturdy oak board, its rings stained with the tinge of blood. Though it had only been half-sharpened and not yet restored to its maximum edge, it was potent enough to pierce through the board as if it were a wooden stake.

It had become a star-like presence.

With its wide blade, astonishing thickness, and lengthy handle, it appeared almost unwieldy. However, this very quality hinted at an extraordinary resilience, a remarkable ability to withstand pressure.

Equipped to withstand the perilous obstruction of the iron fan, Hu Gaoming retraced his steps toward the kitchen. Mobis followed without hesitation, and Caprice, after a brief moment of doubt, joined them as well.

Out of various concerns, the others opted to stay behind, watching these three valiant figures as they prepared to confront what lay ahead.

Had anyone been aware of the impending events, perhaps they would not have left just the three to venture back to the kitchen.

Alas, fate is fickle and unpredictable.

Just like human nature, which shifts in the shadows.

-

A radiant purple glow illuminated the eerie night.

In a dim, windowless corridor, a man, nearly indistinguishable from the darkness, dragged his faint shadow across the iron floor. The walls on either side were made of steel, with no sign of any doorways.

It seemed like an innocuous and tedious safe passage.

Yet, Yan Qiling knew that this was merely an illusion.

A shapeless mass of blood and flesh lay disintegrated in the center of the grayish-white hallway. It resembled a rodent flattened by multiple vehicles, barely recognizable as a living entity once. As for what it originally was...it was almost impossible to tell.

Yet, he spotted an insignificant blue sapphire necklace intertwined within that mess.

He recalled Yi Lan tending to Vasina's wounds.

Back then, Vasina clutched the necklace tightly as if it offered him some sort of spiritual solace.

Now, it was enfolded within flesh and blood.

This section of the wall finally revealed a distinct sensation, mainly due to the abrupt appearance of a massive black hole on the right side, seemingly stuffed with something.

Yan Qiling walked forward with an unwavering expression.

Click-click.

The walls on both sides suddenly swung open, revealing iron spikes soaked in flesh and blood, as if attempting to crush everything within to a pulp.

Yan Qiling paused for half a second before bypassing the mass of flesh and continuing forward.

The iron spikes clicked softly, as though striving to achieve an instant compression that would turn their prey into a similar paste!

However, they seemed to be stuck by something. Despite Yan Qiling having already left the trigger zone of the trap, they didn't launch again.

The dangers along this path had already been cleared by someone.

So, if he had the power to cleanse, why did Vasina die?

It seemed that death hadn't been purely accidental.

The three who returned found themselves in the deserted kitchen, still feeling the chill of impending death.

-

They couldn't linger here for too long, so they needed to maximize their gains.

Hu Gaoming and Cabius went straight for the heavy cleaver, while Mobis was drawn to the hunting rifle hanging on the wall.

Taking advantage of the other two's distraction, he removed the rifle, quickly checked the ammunition magazine, and was pleasantly surprised to find five bullets inside!

He promptly pushed the magazine back into place, slung the rifle over his shoulder, and finally turned to assist Hu Gaoming and Cabius with the cleaver.

As expected, the cleaver was hefty, and all three of them struggled to lift it together.

Perhaps Fortune smiled upon them, for no giants appeared during their operation. Everything went incredibly smoothly.

Next came the experimental phase.

Hu Gaoming had taken on the task of moving the knife, so the responsibility of the experiment fell to Steve and the other two African American men, who seemed to be brothers. One was named Eddie, and the other, Finch.

The brothers had some knowledge of mechanics. With skill, they managed to insert the knife into the narrow gap within the fan blades. The heavy cleaver indeed lodged itself in the spinning blades, enduring their relentless pounding and producing a dull metallic thud!

Racing against time, everyone made it past the two large fans. Hu Gaoming didn't discard the cleaver but instead retrieved it, working together with Eddie to prop it up, as if intending to keep it.

Mobis deemed the object useless now:

"It'll slow us down when we need to escape."

Hu Gaoming replied, "We can just drop it when we're running. We can't let the monster get hold of it."

Mobis raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't argue further.

The man with grey eyes studied the exceptionally composed and rational Eastern youth before him with intense focus, then cast a glance at the whirring ceiling fan. He was certain that no monsters would suddenly materialize in this place.

Then, he took out a package of cookies from his chest pocket and pulled a handful of sweets from his trousers pocket.

"Choose your favorite flavor to replenish your energy."

Hu Gaoming didn't take it lightly.

"Let's proceed forward for now, it's not safe here."

Mobis intercepted him, pinning the rifle under his armpit against Hu Gaoming's shoulder.

Now, the muzzle of the rifle was pointed directly at Hu Gaoming. Though no words were spoken, the intimidation was unmistakable.

Mobis spoke, "Choose."

Though Hu Gaoming wasn't clear about Mobis's intention, he could vaguely sense that the other party seemed to be eliminating some sort of threat through this action.

If that's the case.

It seemed there was a traitor among them.

He took the candy expressionlessly, noticing Mobis's gaze turn somewhat menacing. He then explained, "Sugar can replenish energy more quickly, and I need it. You can distribute the rest to the others."

Mobis continued to watch him closely, but perhaps accepting the explanation, the man's hand holding the rifle slowly shifted downward, his gaze sweeping across the others, categorizing them swiftly:

"Children and women first, everyone else follows."

Pandela stepped forward first and also chose the candy.

Mobis inquired as to why, and Pandela replied with a slight blush, "I followed Tiger's choice. Actually, I wanted cookies, but candies do provide energy."

Next came Vasina, who also opted for the candy.

He heard Pandela's reasoning and spoke softly in response:

"I merely feel... that at present, I need something sweet to lift my spirits. The sensation of swimming in one's own organs was truly horrendous."

Mobis's piercing gaze, akin to an eagle's, swept across the room with laser-like intensity, scrutinizing every individual, including Cyprian.

Last to arrive, Patland was the sole one to choose a cookie.

Mobis regarded the blind youth before him with no hint of complacency.

Everyone else chose candy.

"I merely touched it."

This blond youth, with his blue eyes unfocused and unable to fixate, spoke thus:

"I have no complaints. Anything that can replenish my energy is good enough. Thank you, sir."

The boys gathered silently, chewing their food. Mobis turned to look at them, his gaze pausing briefly on Vasina before he continued distributing the provisions to the others.

All those who picked the candy drew Mobis's scrutiny, even Cabius found himself under the demon's watchful eye.

But Cabius believed it was all part of the demon's scheme.

Taking advantage of the break, he pulled Mobis aside and whispered,

"You have no idea whether that caller is friend or foe! With just two vague conditions, they've managed to make us turn on each other!"

"What if it's true?"

"True? Impossible! Don't forget, the strangest thing about this world is that the people who died before had nothing to do with the so-called rules! They were simply unfortunate victims of those monsters! In the meantime, what has the killer among us been doing all this time?"

Mobis showed no signs of being convinced:

"He being among us is part of the rule itself. If finding the killer can end the killing, why not do it?"

Cabius was unable to persuade Mobis, causing him immense frustration:

"Stop jumping to conclusions! For now, even if there is a killer among us, at least you still have □□! Besides, if you're really suspicious...aren't you a suspect yourself?!"

Mobis declared,

"I'm not fond of sweets."

"But don't you usually consume doughnuts and toasted bread? They all contain sugar, you know."

"Doughnuts are an exception; I typically accompany them with coffee."

Mobis retrieved a small iron vial from his pocket, pouring out two coffee beans which he then chewed on.

"I prefer things that keep me alert, especially those with a bitter taste."

Cabus realized that this man's paranoia was beyond redemption, so he warned,

"Don't shoot indiscriminately; everyone has their reason to survive!"

Mobis continued chewing on the coffee beans, remaining silent.

This brief respite didn't last long.

Under Hu Gaoming's guidance, they made their way to the end of the iron bridge, where they discovered a downward staircase.

The staircase led to a narrow storage room, its door unlocked, allowing them to push it open effortlessly.

Almost immediately, a labyrinthine maze of obstacles presented itself before everyone, with enlarged structures towering on both sides, confusing their sense of direction.

Each person relied on Hu Gaoming's familiarity with the map more than ever before.

However, the map in Hu Gaoming's mind was no longer applicable to the current situation; he was unsure if their position was accurate.

With no other choice, he mustered his courage to ask Mobis, "Where did you come from before?"

Mobis, on the other hand, had a clearer picture, having seen the blue iron bridge they had crossed earlier.

Only now did he realize just how high that bridge was.

At that moment, the iron bridge remained raised, but both the monster and Yan Qiling were nowhere to be seen.

This might imply… that the creature has already killed Yan Qiling and is about to return!

He made a swift decision:

"We were heading for the building across, but we can't stay there anymore."

Hu Gaoming heaved a slight sigh of relief and led everyone to the left.

"There are bedrooms to the left. We should head there, perhaps we'll find a place to rest."

This time, Mobis brought up the rear.

He held his shotgun, his expression inscrutable as to whether he was keeping watch behind them or those walking ahead of him.

However, his sinister gaze never left Vasina's figure.