Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 179 Strange and Unusual Things

The empire moved quite quickly.

Just a few days after Elizabeth reported to the Fog City, a large quantity of "holy water" was transported to the Rune Mine.

Along with them came a fully armed army—and as expected, Livy spotted Henry among them.

Of course, in the days leading up to the Empire's arrival, everyone was busy. The fat priest spent his days in the church praying and making holy water, losing almost ten pounds in the process. When Li Wei saw him again, the latter's once tight red robes were now loose.

Although he looked a little haggard, the priest was very excited. After all, he had been a believer in God his whole life, and this was probably the first time he had ever witnessed God's power firsthand.

Incidentally, most of the holy water created by this priest was used on the patients on the thirtieth floor. Elizabeth then found a way to atomize it and pump it directly into each floor through the ventilation ducts—the underground mine, of course, the ventilation ducts were essential.

Li Wei also took some time to go down and check on them. Most people's symptoms had lessened, but their breathing was not as effective as with direct injection. Of course, this was also related to the fact that too little holy water was used.

After all, the Rune mines don't produce this, and saline solution isn't something you can get just anywhere.

"Long time no see, Captain."

Upon Henry's arrival, he immediately went to report to Levi.

"The Royal Navy's 13th Marines are reporting for duty."

"You already know the specifics?"

"Of course, that's why we need to be dispatched."

Henry nodded. Their purpose in coming here was naturally to completely eliminate all the resurrected ones currently roaming the lower mining area (unlike in fantasy games, holy water doesn't do much harm to these zombies, or perhaps the concentration of holy water isn't high enough to kill them).

Although the mine tunnels in these mines are relatively spacious, that's only for people. If you were to get into a mech or something, you wouldn't even be able to turn around.

But steam engine soldiers are different; they have powerful firepower, heavy armor, and their size is still within the range that the mine tunnels can accommodate.

It's the easiest way to deal with these zombies.

If it weren't for the fear of infection, the Empire would have sent them over long ago.

Now that the infection problem has been resolved, the remaining issues are no longer problems.

"Alright, remember, our biggest enemy this time is at the bottom level. They are quite large. Do you have any heavy firepower with you?"

"We do have heavy firepower, but..."

Henry frowned.

"Won't it cause an accident to use heavy firepower in a mine?"

"Of course something bad will happen, that's why we need your help. In any case, the source of infection must be eliminated. If the area below really collapses..."

"It collapsed?"

"Then let it collapse, what else can we do?"

Li Wei appeared calm, after all, what he said was true. If it collapsed, they could just dig again. Since the miners here could dig a 3,000-meter-deep mine pit, digging again wouldn't be a problem.

It's better than leaving it to cause trouble.

Next, it will be the battlefield of technology.

Thousands of steam-powered soldiers rode in mine carts, heading to various mining areas below level 50 to ruthlessly clear out the remaining zombies. Although Li Wei had previously used the puppet to kill through the zombies, he had only cleared a path and hadn't wiped out every single zombie on every level—after all, he neither had the time nor the interest.

However, these steam-powered soldiers have to thoroughly clean every floor to ensure that not a single zombie remains. Of course, these corpses will then be taken to the incinerator and burned completely.

And so the battle unfolded in the narrow mine shaft.

With ample supplies, Elizabeth launched another "comprehensive cleansing" of the entire mine, filling it with atomized holy water through pipes. It felt like a sauna to Levi, the entire mine shaft filled with this mist.

Although it was a bit uncomfortable, the effects were undeniable. The zombies, which were already slow-moving, convulsed and twitched as if electrocuted in the holy water mist. Even the mutants that Li Wei had encountered before became listless and looked like they were sick—well, now the tables have turned, and it's their turn to fight against humans while coughing and snotting.

This made fighting these monsters very easy. In fact, Li Wei spent most of his time leisurely following behind Henry, watching with amusement as the steam-powered soldiers in front of him mercilessly concentrated fire on all the zombies and monsters blocking their way and turned them into pieces, just like humanoid cannons.

What Li Wei had to do was occasionally use [Soul Vision] to activate his X-ray vision cheat and warn the others about those guys hiding behind the walls. Even the monster he had encountered before, whose arms were thick enough to destroy solid stone walls, was no match for the steam engine soldier. Several times, Li Wei saw the latter angrily charging towards him from the other side of the tunnel, empty-handed, only to be mercilessly riddled with bullets and turned into a bloody mess.

Of course, if something is really too tough, Li Wei wouldn't mind taking matters into his own hands and blowing it off with a single shot to the head.

So you see, it really is the large group we need.

Strolling through the mine, listening to the gunfire coming from all directions, Li Wei stretched contentedly. All this talk of individual heroism and small-team adventures was nonsense. The real solution was to simply call in reinforcements, launch a legionary operation, and wipe them out completely. He could just follow behind, leisurely taking a stroll, checking off his list, and slacking off.

So it's really stupid that only the hero's party can venture into the Demon King's dungeon in RPGs. Since the Demon King has made it clear that he wants to destroy the world, why don't we just gather together, rush in, and blow it up?
Of course, perhaps this would eliminate the value of the brave warrior?

But Li Wei felt that if he were a hero, he would rather find a large group of people to act as human shields than risk his life alone...

"Captain, the 120th floor has been cleaned."

Just as Levi was idly pondering some very trivial questions, Henry's voice rang out again. Levi snapped out of his reverie and looked at Henry.

"Has the power supply been secured?"

"Everything is normal. There was some damage to the wiring, but it has been repaired." "Very good. Is the searchlight set up?"

"Yes."

"Then let's get ready, um... get ready for battle."

"Yes."

For Li Wei, after the plague was cured, the only remaining problem was the monster hidden at the bottom of the pit. He still didn't know what it was, only that it was huge and difficult to deal with.

Li Wei certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to lead his men directly into that pitch-black darkness. He had already discussed it with Elizabeth, and they would set up searchlights again on the 120th floor. If that could dispel the darkness, that would be fine. If it couldn't…

Then let the reconnaissance airship pour a bucket of holy water down from above to disinfect it.

"Also, reports just came in from the various teams that there are fewer enemies in the underground mine than expected."

"Yes, it's a bit strange that there are so few."

Another issue that worried Li Wei was this. When he went down before, each level was teeming with zombies. But this time, the number of zombies on each level was quite small, at least not as many as he had encountered before.

Moreover, Li Wei was certain that he hadn't killed that many when he came down earlier.

"Tell them to be prepared and to be careful."

Li Wei walked to the edge of the mine pit. At this moment, the steam engine soldiers had begun to set up small cannons and machine guns here. The searchlights next to them were also ready, and a communication line was hanging down from above, connected to the communication machine here.

Ah, it's so satisfying to fight a battle when you're well-prepared.

Li Wei casually picked up the teapot next to him, poured himself a cup of tea, and thought, "What's the point of infiltrating deep behind enemy lines alone? It's not as enjoyable as sweeping through the enemy lines."

After drinking a cup of hot tea, Li Wei felt much better. He stood up again, walked to the edge, stared down, and then gave the order.

"Turn on the lights."

"Snap—!"

With Li Wei's command, the searchlights around the pit quickly turned on, and then a blinding white light shone straight down into the pit.

Surprisingly, the shadows at the bottom of the pit were not dispelled. On the contrary, even when illuminated by the searchlight, it remained motionless. From this angle, it looked more like a stagnant pool.

Sure enough, I knew it wouldn't be that simple.

Li Wei silently picked up the phone and dialed Elizabeth's number above.

"How's it going?"

"The darkness didn't dissipate. Sure enough, just as I thought, there was something wrong."

"Perhaps it's the lingering effects of the plague, and we need to proceed with the second phase of the plan?"

"Of course, let's get started and give this place a thorough disinfection."

Soon, a reconnaissance boat slowly descended towards the bottom of the pit. When it reached its limit position, Li Wei saw the water gate below the reconnaissance boat open. Immediately afterwards, a roaring torrent of water gushed out like a waterfall, cascading down and rushing towards the bottom of the pit.

"Crash!"

The water poured down and plunged into the darkness.

Then, darkness began to creep in.

"—————————!"

A deep, resonant cry, like thunder, rang out. Upon hearing it, Li Wei's expression immediately turned serious, and the others quickly prepared for battle. The ground began to tremble, as if something was about to appear—or rather, hatch.

The next moment, the darkness shattered.

"boom!"

The once calm darkness exploded and scattered, and then a huge, eerie thing emerged from it and rushed straight toward the airship!

And so its true form was exposed to the searchlight!

"Holy crap..."

Staring at the creature's true form, Li Wei was dumbfounded, as were the soldiers beside him. It wasn't that they were cowards, but rather that this monster truly exceeded everyone's expectations!
Even strictly speaking, it's not even "a" monster!

Under the searchlight, countless zombies, like insects, huddled together, coalescing into a giant serpent-like entity. It raised its head, roared angrily, and lunged straight at the airship. The airship, clearly unprepared for such a monster, was instantly pierced through and exploded with a deafening roar.

The giant serpent, formed from countless zombies, desperately coiled around it, trying to drag it down completely!
Okay, now Li Wei knows where all the missing zombies went. Perhaps Elizabeth's holy water disinfected them, forcing most of them back to the bottom of the pit, where they coalesced into this monster—wait, could this be the thing that attacked him earlier?!
Luckily, I chickened out back then. Could one person really fight like that?

Li Wei gasped, then gave the order.

"Fire! Fire now! Take down this monster!"

Then, the sound of gunfire erupted.

(End of this chapter)