Chapter 530: Stone Forest Maze
Earlier, they had speculated that the water and food in the Cleanup Zone were contaminated, causing people to contract a pathogen that led to symptoms like loss of voice, mental confusion, and eventual Xenomorph transformation.
The reactions of Yi Mao and Wan Xiao just now further suggested that, aside from that, inhaling the air, or perhaps certain special odors released by plants, animals, or the soil, could cause people to become agitated.
But the evidence of armed fighters slaughtering each other was right before their eyes. The water canteens and some food on the corpses had not been taken, indicating that these people weren't just agitated—they had become bloodthirsty and savage, likely losing their reason.
Of course, without witnessing it firsthand, they couldn't be certain what had happened. However, connecting it to the earlier reactions of Yi Mao and the others, at least this possibility could be confirmed.
"So, we not only have to deal with people who might come to steal our water and food, but also guard against those who aren't mentally clear?" Yi Mao looked around. "I was pretty excited just now, but I didn't mistake anyone for a Xenomorph. Could something like that happen? Or maybe someone teamed up to kill the others?"
"And what would be the motive for killing?" Wan Xiao said. "They didn't even take the water and food. We're not Players, we don't have any decent items, and our ammunition reserves are low. Killing people like this, besides wasting both sides' ammo, I really can't see any benefit."
"For now, let's assume it was mutual slaughter among fighters due to the special environmental influence," Xu Huo said. In his view, this was the best hypothesis for now.
"The water, food, and air are all problematic," Liang Song said gravely. "Wei Ping and I just killed some Xenomorphs. According to the minimum standards set by Clown City, in special circumstances, even if we don't complete the Cleanup Zone mission, we can still go back and claim the reward."
"My suggestion is to turn back now. The jungle zone has just been through a Xenomorph swarm. Maybe we can pick up some valuable plants or ores along the way."
As soon as he proposed this, the other three fell silent. They had encountered a Xenomorph tide right from the start—their luck was exceptionally bad. Most of their ammunition was spent, and most importantly, the air in the Cleanup Zone might be contaminated. The longer they stayed, the higher the risk. The worst outcome would be infection leading to Xenomorph transformation.
Once that happened, there was no other result but to die in the Cleanup Zone.
"I agree to go back," Wan Xiao said after thinking it over.
"I agree too," Yue Weiping added.
Yi Mao looked at Xu Huo. "What about you?"
"I'll continue toward the mission area," Xu Huo said. "Players cannot leave the Instance location before the Instance ends."
Whether he cleared it or not, he had to stay here for seven days.
"Why don't you come back with us?" Yi Mao urged. "Even staying near the Gobi Zone is safer than here. When you go back, you can exchange the government-rewarded house for cash. It's not a loss."
Xu Huo waved his hand in refusal, then turned to Jin Dong. "Where are you going?"
Jin Dong couldn't return to Clown City. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll guide you. What happened earlier was an accident."
Xu Huo didn't care whether it was an accident or not. He nodded to Yi Mao and the others.
Without his glasses, he couldn't receive the map, so Yi Mao gave him all the simple maps of other areas he had prepared in advance. "Besides the mission area I took, there are other places. I hope this helps you."
In return, Xu Huo gave them a few bottles of Antidote.
Then the six of them parted ways.
"They won't make it back," Jin Dong wrote after they had walked some distance. "Except for Liang Song, the other three are injured. Being scratched by a Xenomorph also causes infection."
Xu Huo glanced at him. "Even if scratched by a Xenomorph, Antidote can control the infection."
Zone 014 could manage it; Clown City should have even less of a problem.
"My companion and I just ate something from the jungle, and your Antidote saved me. Doesn't Clown City have this kind of potion? It's just that those government officials living in the upper levels don't care about our lives at all."
Seeing Jin Dong's deep hatred for Clown City, Xu Huo asked, "Was it really not intentional to lead those people to the valley earlier?"
Jin Dong stopped to explain. "Really, it wasn't! I have no grudge against them, and they're just as deceived as I am!"
Xu Huo didn't comment, instead asking, "Look around. Has the environment changed compared to when you were here a year ago?"
"The general environment hasn't changed, but there shouldn't have been cracks here before." Jin Dong pointed to the long, vertical fissures on the ground, which extended from their feet deep into the distant forest ahead.
"The plants have changed here too," he wrote again. "Their need for soil moisture has decreased. There might be drought ahead."
"The map shows this area was originally a grassland," Xu Huo said.
The two sped up through the woods. As the cracks on the ground grew larger, the vegetation began to yellow. After passing through a sizable stretch of dead trees, Xu Huo saw a stone forest appear in the distance.
From the dead woods to the stone forest, the ground rose noticeably, with a relatively neat dividing line between them. It looked like a change in terrain had lifted the stone forest area, separating it from the jungle to create this scene. But this stone forest was too tall and too vast. From the edge of the jungle, it rose at least a hundred meters upward. Each stone pillar was long and wide, making it hard to see the path layout from above.
"Stone Forest Maze," Xu Huo said, climbing a tree to look around. The stone forest extended to the horizon, meaning there was no way around it—they had to pass through the maze.
"The maps issued in previous years didn't have a stone forest," Jin Dong said, removing his mask and staring grimly at this sky-obscuring maze. "Judging by the changes in the nearby vegetation, this couldn't have happened recently. Yet the map from Clown City still marks it as grassland!"
At this point, it wasn't just about not valuing the fighters' lives. The wildly promoted Cleanup Zone operation now seemed almost like a joke.
Xu Huo ignored his indignation. After climbing down from the tree, he leaped into the stone forest.
The gaps between the stone pillars were fairly spacious. Overgrown weeds bore traces of human passage and some animal footprints. He had only taken a few steps when a shadow suddenly fell from above!
Jin Dong, sliding down the slope behind him, grabbed a rock and threw it at the top of a stone pillar to get Xu Huo's attention, warning him of a giant mutant bat above.
But what seemed like a dangerous surprise to Jin Dong was nothing to Xu Huo. Predicting the bat's flight path as it swooped down, he drew his sword and swung. The creature, still several meters away, was sliced in two, not a single drop of blood splashing on Xu Huo.
Without pausing after killing the mutant bat, he grabbed the String and shot upward, kicking apart a rock ten meters high. As stone fragments flew out, a Xenomorph leaped out from behind!
(Chapter End)