Guo Yun: Plays Ye Shunguang, teammate Ye Shiyuan

For a few seconds after the recording finished playing, the room fell into an almost frozen silence.

The only sounds were the faint "clicking" of the internal parts of the tape drive cooling down and the increasingly harsh wind outside the window.

The wind howled through the barbed wire, emitting a whistling sound, much like the dying screams echoing from the other side of time and space at the end of the recording.

Jack was the first to move. He pressed the stop button slowly, almost cautiously, as if afraid of disturbing something.

"Gather everything that's useful," he said in a low but authoritative voice, "maps, equipment, anything that looks like supplies. We have to get out of here."

"?"

"Oh, why are you suddenly leaving?"

"Isn't it said that the outside temperature drops significantly at night? Shouldn't we stay indoors in this situation?"

"Now?" Brian glanced out the window.

The last rays of the setting sun were rapidly swallowed by the horizon, and the wasteland was slipping into a deep, purplish-gray gloom. "It's getting dark, and the temperature tonight..."

"Because the recording begins with 'Today's observation report,' when is the most reasonable time to carry out this task?"

Emily interrupted him, her fingers unconsciously stroking the sniper rifle. "This is an outpost, with barbed wire and concrete walls, but they still couldn't hold it."

There are only four of us, and our firepower is probably less than a tenth of theirs. Should we stay here and wait for those 'strange animals' to come back and visit their old home?

"Damn, you're so right!"

"Holy crap, how come I didn't think of that?"

"Because they speak English, which is more straightforward."

"Couldn't hold it in."

Sofia was already moving, quickly scanning the room. Her gaze fell on the several sealed boxes in the corner. "Jack, there's something here."

She went over and tried to pry open the box. The box was metal, with rusted edges, but the latches were unusually secure. Brian stepped in to help, using his utility knife to pry it open a few times, and the latches popped open with a "bang."

The box contained neatly stacked, flat metal cans with faded labels, but with the aid of the national transportation system's translation, it was clear that they were some kind of high-energy rations.

The other box contained blocks wrapped in oil paper, emitting a faint chemical odor—likely solid fuel or improvised explosive. The third box was the heaviest; when opened, it contained a dozen boxes of brass-colored bullets, as well as several flat, round metal objects with firing pins.

"A Claymore directional mine," Jack recognized it at a glance. Although its shape was slightly different from those on Earth, the principle was the same. He picked one up and weighed it in his hand. "Good stuff. And bullets... the caliber looks compatible with some of our weapons."

He quickly assigned tasks: "Emily, Sophia, take as much rations and ammunition as possible. Brian, bring the directional mines and tools. I'll take the maps and recording equipment. Evacuate within five minutes."

There was no time to study it carefully or celebrate the discovery.

An invisible pressure spread as the light faded. The wind outside grew stronger, making the broken tin roof rattle and groan as if countless hands were clapping.

In the distance, the purplish-black void in the direction of the Great Rift Valley seemed to grow even denser, as if absorbing the last rays of sunlight.

"Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! This feels like a horror game!"

"Seriously, this is much more thrilling than horror games, since people actually die from them."

"What's there to be afraid of with a gun? With truth in hand, I rule the world! You've fallen into a trap! I'm going to blast you all away!"

"If the key ghost isn't afraid of guns, wouldn't you all be blown up?"

"Uh... Granny Cat from 'Who's the Fake Person'?"

"666, this guy is really fearless."

They quickly packed up, stuffing whatever supplies they could carry into their tactical backpacks. Jack took one last look at the hut, his gaze sweeping over the tools scattered on the ground, the empty lockers, and the dust-covered floor.

People once lived, observed, and recorded here, only to be submerged in a sudden disaster.

They didn't want to be among the next to be recorded or simply forgotten. Nor did they want their country to be punished by fate.

Pushing open the iron gate, the icy air rushed in as if it were real, instantly penetrating the tactical uniform.

The temperature was dropping at an alarming rate. Jack glanced at his watch, which showed that the outside temperature was already close to zero and was still falling.

"Directions to Scott Outpost," Jack unfolded the map, confirming their location in the last rays of daylight. "Northeast, along this dotted line. Keep tight formation, night vision goggles ready."

The four men quickly left the barbed wire area in a diamond formation and stepped into the wasteland. The ground beneath their feet was hard and rocky, and the withered grass crumbled under their boots.

The sky had completely darkened, with only faint starlight and the unsettling, persistent glow from the direction of Hollow Zero providing some illumination.

The first half hour was relatively calm. There was only the sound of the wind, their own suppressed breathing, and footsteps. The first temporary supply point marked on the map was just two kilometers ahead, a semi-buried concrete bunker.

However, just as they approached the bunker by about 500 meters, Emily suddenly stopped and raised her hand.

Everyone froze instantly, crouching down and pointing their guns at their respective sectors.

"Listen," Emily's voice was barely audible.

At first, there was only the sound of the wind.

But soon, a new sound mixed in—fragmented and dense, like countless arthropods crawling across the sand, or like gravel being kicked around rapidly by something.

The sound came from behind them, to the southwest, from the outpost they had just left.

Jack slowly, very slightly, turned his head, and in the green vision of his night vision goggles, the horizon began to "wriggle".

A blurry, undulating, expanding shadow was spreading from that direction, with small bumps constantly rising and falling at the edges of the shadow, flickering with countless, chillingly pale points of light.

That wasn't a reflection, that was eyes! Thousands upon thousands of eyes, under the night vision goggles, converged into a swaying, cold, hungry galaxy, sweeping towards them.

The sheer number and density of them far exceeded the concepts of "cluster" or "beast tide." It was a kind of "quantitative change" that triggered pure visual fear and instinctive trembling, as if a part of the entire wasteland had come to life, transforming into a greedy entity, rushing towards them, these few insignificant "heat sources" and "fresh flesh and blood."

"My God..." Brian gasped for breath, the icy air stinging his lungs and freezing half of his exclamation. "Wait, what? The recording said 'a lot'... This is... can 'a lot' even describe it?! This is simply..."

"Have they spotted us? Or are they just attracted by the new activity at the outpost?" Sofia's voice remained calm, but the knuckles of her fingers gripping the gun were white from the force, revealing the turmoil in her heart.

"It doesn't matter now!" Jack's brain raced under the adrenaline rush, instantly assessing the structure of the cover ahead—only a low entrance, no flank cover, the interior space unknown but certainly not large; if blocked, it would be a death trap, and directional mines would be unusable in an enclosed space. "Don't go to the cover! It's a trap! Speed ​​up! Run at full speed towards the outpost! Maintain formation, support each other, absolutely do not scatter! Scattering means death!"

The stealth instantly transforms into a desperate sprint.

The heavy backpack and equipment became a huge burden, but the instinct for survival overcame the muscle soreness and burning sensation in the lungs.

They strode forward, stumbling and running wildly across the uneven wasteland.

The rustling sound behind me quickly amplified and drew closer, evolving into a teeth-grinding roar, as if countless rakes and bone claws were frantically digging and scratching at the frozen ground. Interspersed among it were some kind of low, inhuman hissing, panting, and the clattering of teeth, all blending into a destructive sound wave.

Even more terrifying, a distinct tremor came from beneath my feet. From faint to clear, it was as if heavy drumbeats were resounding from the ground—the resonance caused by thousands upon thousands of feet running at the same time!

"They're faster than us! So much faster!" Emily said, looking back as she ran, her voice heavy with breathlessness and disbelief.

Through the night vision goggles, the pale "starry sky" was closing in at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Save your energy! Don't look back! Watch your step! Sophia, watch out for a possible flanking maneuver on the left! Brian, stick close to me!" Jack roared, his throat burning from the sudden breathing and the cold air.

The terrain of the wasteland was hardly a path; frozen clods of earth, hidden potholes, suddenly appearing rocks, and tangled withered roots were all deadly traps in the darkness and the distorted view of green. Every step felt like dancing on a knife's edge.

The chase turned into a brutal race of endurance, luck, and death.

The monster horde behind them drew closer, and a faint yet undeniable stench began to permeate the air. The pale white specks of light had merged into a swaying, dizzying band of light, and one could even vaguely discern the twisted, charging silhouettes beneath them.

Those overly long or short limbs, the reverse joint structure, the exposed fangs and bone spurs, sketched a hellish picture against the green backdrop.

"No... I can't outrun them! They're... too fast! There are... too many of them!" Brian's panting was like that of a broken bellows. He was the largest and carried the heaviest load, and now his disadvantage was magnified infinitely. His legs felt like they were filled with lead, and his lungs felt like they were about to burst. Despair began to creep into the corners of his eyes.

"Left! Something! A shadow! A large shadow!" Sofia, who was running on the far flank and constantly observing her surroundings, suddenly shouted, her voice filled with the urgency of discovering a glimmer of light in a desperate situation.

Jack turned his head amidst his busy work. About a hundred meters away, several shadows, darker in color than their surroundings, irregular in shape, and with distinct straight edges, stood on the wasteland.

"Go! That's the only chance! It could be cover or a vehicle! Quick!" Jack made a decisive move, forcefully changing the direction of the group.

Even a one in ten thousand chance is better than being worn down and drowned in the wilderness.

They deviated from their planned route and rushed towards the shadows.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that they were three heavily rusted vans, overturned or stuck in the ground in a triangular formation. The tires were long gone, and the bodies were covered with dents and rust holes.

In the open space between the vehicles, several skeletons lay scattered, their clothes long since weathered away, and next to them were several rusted, rifle-like objects.

"Is it the Defense Force?" Emily glanced at it.

"No time to worry about that!" Brian charged towards one of the trucks that looked the most "intact." The truck was overturned, the cab windows shattered, but the frame was still intact. He pulled hard on the mangled door, but it wouldn't budge. "Give me a hand!"

Jack and Sophia stepped forward, and the three of them together finally managed to tear open the twisted car door. A strong smell of rust and dust hit them. Inside the driver's seat, there was also a skeleton slumped over in the passenger seat.

Brian squeezed in without hesitation, taking the driver's seat, and carefully moved the skeleton aside.

He learned some vehicle handling techniques when he was nearly killed before.

He quickly checked the dashboard and under the steering wheel. "Key...no key! Try starting it with the wiring..." He pulled out a utility knife and began to untangle the tangled wires under the steering wheel.

His hands were trembling, not only from the cold and exhaustion, but also from the increasingly close, earth-shaking roar behind him.

"Brian, hurry up!" Jack, Emily, and Sophia had already set up a makeshift defensive line using the wreckage of the vehicle, their guns pointed at the surging horde of monsters.

Through the night vision goggles, they could already make out the outlines of the monsters—they varied in size, mostly resembling enlarged and distorted canine or feline animals, but with bizarre limb proportions, exposed claws and teeth, and pale eyes that burned with a frenzied light in the darkness.

Their fur or scales are covered with a dull, oil-stain-like mark. They move with ghostly speed, crouching low as they run, their posture full of aggression.

"Their defenses might not be very strong!" Emily saw a monster that had charged too far ahead get shot in the shoulder by her rifle. Unlike monsters in movies that are unharmed or merely stagger, it let out a sharp screech and rolled on the ground. Although it was immediately overwhelmed by its kind behind it, this showed that the bullet was effective.

"But numbers make up for everything!" Sofia fired a short burst, taking down two, but four or five more pounced from the side in an instant, forcing her to roll away.

Jack, standing nearby, used a shotgun to blast away the nearest group, splashing his own foul-smelling bodily fluids all over him.

"Brian! Can you go any faster? We can't hold on much longer!"

"Almost there! Damn it...found it!" Brian roared from the driver's seat, accompanied by a crackling of sparks. Then, the engine emitted a dry, gagging sound like a dying old man coughing, jerked a few times, and stalled.

The monster had already pounced on the wreckage of the vehicle.

Recently, a monster resembling a razor-backed boar but covered in bone spurs roared as it rammed its head against the chassis of a truck, producing a loud, metallic clanging sound.

Another creature, resembling a skinned hound, tried to jump in through the car window, but Emily smashed its nose with the butt of her rifle, sending it screaming as it fell out.

"Brian!" Jack roared as he fired his gun.

"One more time!" Brian's voice was desperate. Another burst of intense sparks and even louder coughing followed.

This time, the engine roared, though it was filled with countless noises, as if it might fall apart at any moment, but it started turning! The headlights flashed twice and then lit up, though the light was dim and yellowish, like a candle in its twilight years.

The dim beam of light pierced the darkness, revealing a chilling sight ahead—a dense swarm of twisted creatures of all shapes and sizes, rushing forward relentlessly, their eyes reflecting a dense mass of red light under the headlights.

"Get in! Everyone get in!" Brian roared, desperately pushing the gear lever to what he thought was forward. The gearbox screeched, the car jolted violently, and actually began to move forward, the wheels crushing sand and bones.

Jack, Emily, and Sophia fired to repel the nearest monsters while rushing toward the truck at top speed. Emily and Sophia climbed into the truck through the broken rear window, while Jack jumped into the passenger seat and pushed the skeleton inside out of the passenger compartment.

"Let's go!" Jack roared.

Brian floored what appeared to be the accelerator pedal, the feel was stiff, but he didn't care anymore. The old engine roared and howled at its limit, like a dying beast, and the truck, like a steel behemoth awakened from its slumber, surged forward with a sudden burst of speed despite its battered and wobbly condition!

It ran over and smashed through more than a dozen monsters blocking its way, and a series of dull "bang bang" impacts and chilling scraping and tearing sounds came from the vehicle body—the last screams and struggles left by the monsters' claws and bone spikes on the metal body.

Some of the more agile monsters leaped onto the roof or tried to cling to the edges of the carriage. Sofia and Emily fought them hand-to-hand with pistols, daggers, and even gun butts in the violently swaying carriage, which resembled a small boat in a raging storm, knocking them off or stabbing them.

The truck bounced, jumped, and slid wildly across the bumpy, uneven wasteland that could hardly be called a road. With each landing, it felt like the pile of junk would instantly disintegrate and scatter into a pile of pieces.

The dim, flickering headlights illuminated the way ahead, where the monsters seemed endless. But the sudden movement of these roaring, glowing steel monsters, along with the continuous counter-fire, seemed to briefly disrupt the rhythm of this low-intelligence swarm, causing them to hesitate, become confused, and collide with each other for a moment.

It was this fleeting opening! Brian gripped the steering wheel tightly, as if it might fall off at any moment, his arm veins bulging like earthworms. Guided by the direction on the map, the faint light that might exist at the distant outpost, and pure survival instinct, he controlled this mad steel horse, desperately charging towards the northeast, towards the unreachable light of Scott's outpost.

All the warning lights on the instrument panel were flashing wildly, and some needles were trembling at the far end of the dial or simply malfunctioning. The roar of the engine was mixed with ominous noises, and thick black smoke billowed from the exhaust pipe.

The monster horde behind them continued its frenzied pursuit, their roars deafening, but the truck's speed eventually outpaced them, leaving them behind.

The pale, scarlet, and eerie green specks of light slowly shrank and blurred, eventually being swallowed by the boundless darkness and wasteland. Only the nauseating stench and the frenzied roars seemed to linger in the air for a long time.

He didn't know how long he drove, until black smoke started billowing from the hood and the engine sounded like a mournful roar, at which point Brian had to slow down.

The monsters had vanished without a trace. They entered a relatively flat area, and in the distance, a steady light appeared on the horizon, unlike starlight or the faint glow of emptiness—it was light! Reassuring light, the light of civilization.

"...Wow."

"That was so exciting! I was so nervous I couldn't even speak!"

"An immersive experience, that's what IMAX says."

"Hey upstairs, I suspect you're watching a movie right now. Just wondering, does this godforsaken place even have a movie theater?"

"They seem to be almost there! There's light ahead! Is it an outpost? God help us!"

Emily lay on her stomach inside the carriage, peering through the cracks.

"Fortunately, we made the right bet; Scott's outpost didn't fall." Her voice carried a hint of relief.

Jack saw it too. The light came from a cluster of buildings, their outlines vaguely visible in the darkness, seemingly consisting of walls and towers.

The map showed that they were very close to Scott's outpost.

The truck managed to move forward a few hundred meters more before finally letting out a long, sigh-like screech as it stalled, coming to a complete stop, with only its headlights stubbornly emitting a last, dim yellow light.

The four men got out of the car, their legs feeling weak. Looking back, the desolate wilderness was silent, save for the sound of the wind. The desperate escape they had just experienced felt like a nightmare.

They tidied their equipment, checked their ammunition consumption, and then walked towards the lights.

As they drew closer, the outline of the outpost became clearer.

It was built on a gentle slope, and the wall was made of thick concrete and metal plates, estimated to be six or seven meters high, with searchlights and firing positions on top of the wall.

The main gate was a heavy metal gate, flanked by sentry towers. The entire outpost was silent, but one could sense a tense, vigilant atmosphere.

When they got within about a hundred meters, a piercing alarm suddenly ripped through the night! The searchlights on the outpost wall instantly lit up, and several beams of white light crossed and locked onto the four of them, making it almost impossible for them to open their eyes.

"Stop advancing! Drop your weapons! Hands above your heads!" A stern male voice, amplified by a loudspeaker, rang out, the meaning of which was projected directly into their minds by the National Fortune System.

Jack reacted immediately, kneeling down on one knee, slowly placing the rifle on the ground, and raising his hands high.

The others followed suit. It would be foolish to engage in confrontation without knowing the enemy's intentions and firepower.

"We mean no harm!" Jack shouted in English, slowly pulling the map from his breast pocket with one hand, unfolding it so it was illuminated by the light. "We came from the Southwest Outpost! We found this! That's why we're here! We need help!"

The national destiny system worked its magic, translating the words of the Beacon Country team into their own language.

About ten seconds later, the stern male voice rang out again, his tone slightly softer, but his vigilance remained undiminished: "State your identities. Why are you wearing... unrecorded standard equipment? The Southwest Outpost was confirmed lost seven years ago, with no survivors."

"We are... survivors of a disaster, from a very far place." Jack chose the closest to the truth, yet also the most vague version of events. "We accidentally ended up in the Southwest Outpost area, found maps and records, and then encountered a massive... monster attack."

There are only four of us, and we have no hostile intentions. We could explain more, but we request to enter the safe zone first; the situation outside… you should know better than we do.”

Then came an even longer silence.

Finally, with a deep, powerful mechanical creak, the two heavy metal gates vibrated slightly and slowly opened inwards, creating a narrow gap just wide enough for one person to pass through sideways. They were not fully open.

A squad of fully armed soldiers, like well-trained cheetahs, swiftly emerged from the door crack, forming a standard tactical semi-circle and instantly encircling them.

There were about eight soldiers, dressed in uniform dark gray clothing made of thick, durable fabric that showed signs of multiple repairs, with dark padding on their elbows and knees. They wore tactical helmets that covered the back of their heads and necks, with dark, flip-up visors in front that obscured their faces.

The weapon in his hand looked slightly bulkier than standard rifles on Earth, with a thicker barrel, but the gun body was in excellent condition, exuding a battle-hardened, concise killing aura.

The leader stepped forward a few paces. His equipment was similar to the other soldiers, but he had a simple, worn insignia on his shoulder. He raised his hand, lifted his mask, and revealed the face of a typical soldier.

He was around forty years old, with rough, bronze skin from long-term outdoor living, high cheekbones, and lips pressed into a resolute straight line.

What is most striking are his eyes, gray-blue, like unpolished flint on a frozen wasteland, sharp and calm, without a trace of superfluous emotion, only a deep-seated scrutiny and assessment.

His hair was short and gray, but meticulously styled. He stood upright, as if his spine were made of steel, and even just standing there, he exuded a calm and composed aura of someone who had been through countless battles and ruled over a region.

He was Roland, an officer at Scott's outpost.

His gaze swept over Jack and his companions like a probe, lingering for an unusually long time on their modern, modular tactical equipment that clearly didn't belong to this world. He also carefully examined the map in Jack's hand, whose exquisite details could be seen even under the bright light of a searchlight.

"Lay down all weapons and major equipment and submit to a full search." Roland spoke, his voice lower than when he spoke through the loudspeaker, but even more authoritative, with a habitual commanding tone. "Cooperate, and you will receive temporary shelter and a chance to talk. Resist, or any suspicious activity, and you will bear the consequences."

After he finished speaking, the soldiers beside him raised their guns, and four of them stepped forward to begin unloading their equipment. The four soldiers conducted a professional and swift body search, checking their rations, canteens, tools, etc.

There is no room for negotiation.

The four men cooperated by removing their tactical vests and backpacks, and taking out their pistols, daggers, and other secondary weapons, placing them on the ground.

Jack was allowed to keep the map and the recording device that looked like it had been found there.

After the search was completed, their main weapons and backpacks were taken away by the soldiers.

Roland gave a brief gesture, and the team adjusted their formation, surrounding the four of them in the middle.

"Follow me." He said succinctly, then turned and led the way toward the narrow crack in the door.

"At first it was extremely narrow, just enough for one person to pass through."

"The American player now has a reliable local backer; this should be the second one to find one, right?"

"But the force that Sister Ye Shunguang is with is just a small town. This place in the United States is a real military outpost. I'm a little worried that if a war breaks out later, Sister Ye and her people might have a hard time!"

"There's no need to worry about that, right? You've all seen that map. The outer ring area where Ye Shunguang is located is a hundred and eight thousand miles away from here. Moreover, according to the recording, a hollow disaster occurred in the northern part of Guangying Square. You have to take a detour to see each other."

"Besides, if a war really breaks out, it should be considered a personal grudge. That military outpost is unlikely to help the United States, right? There's no benefit to it, and it's easy to suffer non-combat casualties. I don't think the military would do that."

The moment you pass through the heavy gate, it feels like entering another world—outside the gate lies a vast, perilous wasteland of death, while inside is a compact, efficient, and man-made fortress of survival.

The outpost appears larger from the inside than from the outside.

Inside the walled area was leveled and compacted land, with a main road running through the center, connecting several main buildings: low but sturdy barracks with small windows.

It was clearly a large shed, a warehouse, and a repair workshop from which faint knocking sounds could be heard.

And most strikingly, there is a "balcony" from which the view is of many towers and a gigantic void.

Some soldiers stood guard at their posts, while more soldiers emerged from the barracks entrance or the shadows, silently watching the four "uninvited guests" who had been escorted in.

Their eyes were complex, containing curiosity, vigilance, and doubt, but generally carrying a weariness and numbness unique to those under long-term life-or-death pressure.

Jack quickly estimated that there were about thirty to forty visible active personnel, and considering the rotation of guards and concealed posts, the total number was probably around one hundred and fifty.

They were not taken to the barracks or the warehouse, but were led directly to a more secluded building located to the side and rear, which appeared to be the most sturdy.

Inside is a room that serves as both a conference room and a command center.

It wasn't large, but its function was clearly defined. Several yellowed, finely drawn area maps were pinned to the wall, one of which prominently featured "Scott Outpost" at its center, marked with patrol routes, suspicious areas, and observation points using different colored thumbtacks and thin lines.

On the other wall hung a whiteboard covered in scratches, on which were written schedules and lists of supplies. In the center of the room was a heavy metal table, surrounded by several equally sturdy chairs.

There was already someone sitting at the table.

She was a woman who looked to be under thirty, and she seemed out of place in the rugged military environment around her.

She wore a well-tailored, easy-to-move-in, yet slightly stylish dark blue jumpsuit made of what appeared to be some kind of durable synthetic fiber. The shoulders and elbows were reinforced, but the lines were smooth.

Her long hair was neatly tied into a bun at the back of her head, revealing her smooth forehead and graceful neck.

He wore tactical glasses, the lenses of which reflected slightly under the light, partially obscuring his eyes, but revealing a refined and calm face beneath them: a high nose, thin lips, and a pale complexion from prolonged indoor exposure.

Just by standing there, she exuded the unique, thoughtful quality of a researcher.

She is Lei, the technical director and chief analyst at the outpost.

Roland walked to the head of the table, but did not sit down immediately. Instead, he stood with his hands on the metal tabletop and leaned forward, creating a slightly imposing posture.

Lei raised her head, her gaze behind her glasses calmly sweeping over the four of them.

"I am Roland, the commander of Scott Outpost." The man spoke, his voice deep and powerful in the enclosed room, each word seemingly carefully chosen before being uttered. "This is Rei, in charge of technical analysis and intelligence. Time is limited, so let's get straight to the point."

His grey-blue eyes were fixed on Jack: "You claim to be survivors from the Southwest Outpost. That's impossible. The fall there was part of the 'Grey Tide' incident three months ago. The last reconnaissance team sent by Defense Forces Headquarters confirmed no survivors, and all records are archived. Who are you?"

Jack could sense that Roland's words were not just stating facts, but also setting a trap to observe their first reaction.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to meet those flint-like eyes, and began to weave the "story" that he had already rehearsed countless times in his mind.

“Commander Roland, Ms. Lei,” Jack began in as calm a tone as possible, “we understand your doubts. Our experience… is indeed difficult to explain by common sense. We are not the ‘native’ survivors of this region. We come from… a more distant place, a catastrophic spatial transfer that we ourselves cannot fully comprehend, which has thrown us to the edge of this wasteland, near the southwestern outpost.”

"We were searching for shelter and clues in the abandoned outpost when we found this map," he said, holding up the map, "and a working recording device containing... a last communication. It was that communication that made us realize the extreme danger of the night, so we took the limited supplies we could find and tried to reach the nearest safe point marked on the map—which is here."

But on the way, we encountered the monsters mentioned in the recording. They were far larger than we imagined, and we were almost unable to escape. We were only able to get here by chance by finding an abandoned, drivable vehicle.

As he narrated, Emily, Brian, and Sophia remained silent but vigilant, their eyes mirroring Jack's story, revealing a weariness after hardship and a relief at surviving—details that couldn't be faked. At the same time, they carefully observed Roland and Rey's expressions.

Roland remained expressionless, but upon hearing "spatial transfer," he subtly raised his left eyebrow. Lei stopped twirling her pen, her gaze behind her glasses becoming even more focused, as if analyzing every logical point and potential contradiction in Jack's words.

"The map," Roland said, extending his hand. Jack handed him the map. Roland didn't look at it immediately, but first touched the texture and edges of the map before unfolding it on the table. Lei also leaned slightly closer.

The two studied the map carefully, especially the markings of "Void Zero," "Janus District," "Scott Outpost," and their escape route.

Roland's fingers brushed over the point of "Southwest Outpost" and then along the route they claimed to have come from, leaving a slight rubbing sound on the paper.

"The drawing standards and encryption markings on this map are from an older version that the Defense Force Headquarters implemented about three months ago." Roland raised his head, his gaze sharp as a knife.

He neither fully believed it nor immediately denied it.

"We have no need, nor the ability, to lie about this kind of thing." Sophia saw his current state and spoke up at the right time. "If we were a hostile force, or if we had malicious intentions, we would have appeared with a stronger armed force, instead of like this, four people, disheveled and voluntarily surrendering all their weapons, standing in the center of your firepower."

Our current objective is simple: survival, information gathering, and, where possible, some exchange. For example, we can stay here to fill information gaps about aspects of the world we don't understand and assist you with your tasks.

Roland looked at Sophia in silence, then at the other three in turn, as if assessing their overall demeanor.

In the eyes of Jack and his three companions, there was vigilance, weariness, and a longing for a safe environment, but there was no evasion, nor the fanaticism common among believers or infiltrators.

"The swarm of etherified animals," Lei spoke for the first time, her voice somewhat cold, her pace even, her words precise, "that's the term we use to describe that group of monsters. Since you've experienced it, can you describe the scene?"

Emily took over the question, her description incredibly detailed: "A swarm attack, estimated to number in the thousands, or even more. A mixed breed, but all exhibiting limb mutations, incredibly fast, and with an intense desire to attack. Physical defense... the individuals weren't particularly strong; our conventional ammunition could kill them, but the key was that their numbers made up for all their individual weaknesses, and they seemed completely fearless, charging forward relentlessly."

Brian added details about the impact when the vehicles started, and Sofia described their eye reflections and behavior under the lights.

These details are coherent and consistent, and they match the biological characteristics of the creatures that Roland and Lei know, especially the characteristics of "quantity over quality" and "lack of high-level command but extremely strong group instinct".

After listening, Lei nodded slightly, looked at Roland, and gave him a look that said "basically true".

Jack noticed this subtle interaction and felt somewhat relieved.

Roland leaned back in his chair, a movement that slightly eased the direct pressure, but it also deepened the solemnity and weariness between his brows.

He let out a long, silent sigh, beneath which lay a heavy sense of responsibility and weariness of endless threats.

"How much do you know about concepts like 'ether,' 'void,' and 'beastification'?" Roland asked, this time the question was more about assessing their level of "ignorance," thus indirectly confirming their status as "outsiders."

Jack answered truthfully, "We know almost nothing. These phenomena don't exist in our...original homeland. We've heard terms like 'void disaster,' 'skeleton,' and 'virtual hunt' through recordings, but we don't understand their meaning. That's why we desperately need information."

"What about 'Rope Craftsman'?" Lei suddenly interrupted, her gaze sharp as needles, her questions jumping around, clearly testing her reaction.

Jack frowned, shook his head without hesitation, and said frankly, "Unfamiliar. It was mentioned in the recording, but I don't know what profession or organization it refers to."

Roland and Lei exchanged a meaningful glance very quickly.

If these four individuals were carefully disguised infiltrators or survivors of this world (even if from a very remote corner), it would be impossible for them to display such "pure" ignorance of these fundamental terms that constitute the common sense and core of disaster in this world, after mentioning the recording and demonstrating a certain level of awareness.

This kind of "ignorance" is, in some ways, harder to fake than any perfect disguise of knowledge, especially micro-expressions and subconscious reactions. This, in turn, greatly increases the credibility of their "outsider" story.

"If you're not used to this face-to-face, high-pressure communication style," Jack suggested, seizing the opportunity. This was part of his plan—a strategic retreat to demonstrate cooperation and lower the other party's defensiveness. "Or if you need more time to internally verify our information and discuss decisions, you could consider compiling a brief written report or document on the key events and background that have occurred in the world over the past few months... or even longer."

We are permitted to read and study under strict supervision. In return for basic shelter, we are willing to undertake any labor tasks within the outpost that we are capable of, whether it be repairing fortifications, cleaning and maintenance, carrying supplies, helping in the kitchen, or serving as auxiliary guards during patrols (under the supervision of your soldiers). We accept any reasonable arrangements and supervision.

He behaved unusually cooperatively and pragmatically, even proactively offering to accept supervision and labor, placing himself in a subordinate and observed position.

This clearly sends a message: We are harmless, we have value, and we are willing to abide by your rules.

In the current post-apocalyptic setting where resources are scarce and manpower is precious, this is undoubtedly an attractive proposal, at least better than simply taking in four unknown "freeloaders".

Silence fell once again in the room. But this silence was no longer one of pure suspicion, scrutiny, and confrontation; instead, it turned into internal weighing of pros and cons and a final decision.

Roland's fingers tapped rhythmically on the cool metal tabletop, making soft "tap, tap" sounds.

Lei was looking down at her tablet, quickly searching and looking up something. The light from the screen reflected on her pale face, revealing her slightly furrowed brows and rapidly moving eyes.

Finally, Roland stopped tapping. He closed his fingers and placed them on the table. He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the four people again, the scrutiny still there, but now seemingly tinged with a hint of decisiveness.

"...Based on your current statements and performance, and the current situation at the outpost," Roland's voice regained its absolute, unquestionable command, but his tone was slightly gentler than before, "we have made the following temporary arrangements:

Your weapons and main tactical equipment will be temporarily stored at the outpost until we complete a more thorough technical inspection and evaluation.

You will be assigned to a separate isolation barracks in Zone B. Your activities will be limited to the barracks and designated work areas. You will not be allowed to enter other areas without permission, especially the weapons depot, command center and critical facilities.

Every day, there will be designated soldiers guarding you and leading you to complete assigned labor tasks.

In exchange, the outpost will provide you with basic safe food and lodging, necessary medical care, and... limited, gradual information sharing, provided you comply with regulations and cooperate, to help you understand your environment.

He paused, his grey-blue eyes measuring the four people's reactions like a precise ruler: "This is a temporary, conditional containment and exchange agreement, based on the fact that your performance so far meets the initial assessment of being 'harmless and useful,' and the outpost's objective need to replenish non-combat personnel."

Any violation of these rules, discovery of suspicious behavior, or confirmation of lies or malicious intent will result in the immediate and unilateral termination of this agreement, with all consequences borne by you. Do you fully understand and accept this?

"Understood. We accept and thank you for providing temporary shelter," Jack answered clearly and solemnly on behalf of the four. A heavy weight finally lifted from his heart, and a strong sense of exhaustion and relief welled up inside him, but he forcibly suppressed it.

The first and most crucial step—establishing a foothold and securing a relatively safe base—was achieved! In this perilous forbidden land, this was undoubtedly a huge milestone victory, meaning they had temporarily escaped the desperate situation of being constantly on the move and living in constant fear, and had taken a big step ahead of other players who might still be struggling in the wilderness.

"Very good." Roland stood up and made a crisp gesture to the soldiers who had been guarding the door. "Take them to the isolation barracks in Sector B. Prepare a set of basic necessities, a change of clothes, and tonight's standard rations for them. After breakfast tomorrow, take them to the warehouse to find Sergeant Hawke to assign them specific tasks."

"Yes, sir!" the soldier replied, standing at attention.

Just as Jack and his three companions were about to leave with the soldiers, Rei suddenly spoke again, her voice still cold and calm, as if stating a fact: "If possible, please give me the recording device and the method of reading the data inside for technical analysis and data extraction."

The information inside could be extremely helpful in calibrating our threat warning model for the surrounding area. This could also serve as a starting point for you to provide valuable information.

"Of course, no problem." Jack immediately agreed, taking the old recording device out of his pocket without hesitation and gently placing it on the table in front of Lei. "Hopefully, the information inside will be useful to you. If you need us to repeat what you heard or provide our interpretation, please feel free to contact us."

Lei nodded slightly, reached out and picked up the equipment, her movements gentle and professional, as if she were handling a precious cultural relic.

Just as Jack turned around, Rei seemed to hesitate for a moment, then looked up at Jack again from behind her glasses, and said in a straightforward yet seemingly meaningful tone: "...In addition, as a preliminary reward for providing you with this recording, and given that your serious lack of basic knowledge about this world may affect the efficiency of subsequent...communication, I can first answer you a question about the most basic and core concept of this world."

Of course, this only represents my personal interpretation based on existing intelligence; it is a private and limited exchange of information and does not represent the overall position or commitment of the outpost. You can ask the question you most want answered.

Roland looked at Lei with a hint of surprise, his brows furrowing slightly. He seemed somewhat taken aback by her impromptu suggestion, but he did not immediately object.

He may have also considered that if these "outsiders" do not even understand the most basic terms, any subsequent communication, instructions, or even work arrangements may lead to misunderstandings and troubles. Addressing some basic cognitive barriers in advance may be beneficial for management.

So he remained silent, which was tantamount to acquiescing, but his gray-blue eyes were fixed on him, clearly wanting to see what Jack would ask and how Rey would answer.

"...!" Jack was stunned for a moment when he heard her say that, his brain working at high speed.

One question? Only one question? This is an incredibly precious opportunity!

Countless questions flooded his mind instantly: What is the nature of ether? What caused the void? How did this civilization collapse? What happened in the old capital? What kind of organization is the defense force? But these questions are either too grand or may touch on sensitive core issues, and the other party may not be able to answer them, or even if they do, they may not be able to understand them in a short time.

In a flash, he remembered the information that the official Beacon Country had sent him earlier, regarding Ye Shunguang, a special talent in the Dragon Country team, who was known locally as the Void Hunter.

What exactly does "虚狩" mean? Why are Chinese players called "虚狩" there?

This term also appeared in the recording, seemingly representing some special entity capable of combating the Void Disaster. It is mysterious, powerful, and appears to transcend the ordinary defense forces.

Understanding "Virtual Hunt" may not only unlock a key understanding of the power system in this world, but may also indirectly help us understand the current situation and "identity" of Ye Shunguang, a contestant from the Dragon Kingdom. This has extremely high strategic intelligence value.

Without much hesitation, Jack met Rey's calm gaze and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for so long:

"I'd like to ask, what exactly does 'Virtual Hunter' refer to? What kind of beings are they?"

"What? You're really asking? You're just asking this directly?"

"Good question! I've been wanting to ask that for a while too! What exactly does 'Xu Shou' mean? Why is Ye Shunguang called 'Lord Xu Shou' here? That title sounds super cool and super dangerous!"

"Jack's mind works really fast! This is indeed a crucial question; it allows us to understand high-end combat capabilities while also indirectly figuring out Ye Shunguang's situation!"

"Is Sister Lei going to reveal the secret? Looking forward to it!"

Upon hearing this question, Roland's brows seemed to furrow slightly for a moment, but he did not speak. Instead, he cast a deep gaze at Lei, his gray-blue eyes seemingly filled with a silent frost.

Lei met Jack's gaze and remained silent for a moment.

That silence wasn't blank; rather, one could clearly sense her rapidly organizing her thoughts, like a top-notch programmer precisely filtering through a vast database riddled with access locks to determine which information was "discloseable" and which was top secret and had to be kept tightly sealed.

Her slender but steady fingers gently pushed the device containing the recording of the death to the corner of the table, making a soft "click" as it hit the cold metal surface. Then, she gracefully and restrainedly placed her hands together in front of her, her posture still upright, revealing the meticulous demeanor unique to researchers.

She spoke slowly, her voice still carrying that signature coolness and calmness, as if stating experimental data that had been repeatedly verified, but each syllable carried more weight because of this:

"They are the flag bearers of hunting disasters and protecting the city; they are the highest honor in New Elidu."

Lei's voice was calm and even, like reciting a standard definition from a textbook, but the weight of the sentence itself made the air in the command room suddenly thicken. Time seemed to stretch out, each second clearly perceptible.

Roland's posture with his arms crossed remained unchanged, but his jawline was visibly taut, revealing a hard profile.

He didn't look at anyone; his gaze was lowered, fixed on a non-existent spot on the table, as if there were some texture there worth exploring.

He remained silent, offering neither rebuttal nor addition, which in itself was the heaviest form of acquiescence—acquiring the authenticity and authority of the definition.

Lei didn't seem to care whether the audience could immediately digest the concept; she simply continued in that almost monotone tone, dropping the second bombshell, one that truly shattered everyone's understanding:

"If I could reveal a little more, from my subjective perspective, it would be that they are very strong, extremely strong." She paused, the brief pause seemingly allowing the word "very strong" to resonate in everyone's minds a few more times.

"So powerful that... almost everyone who has been officially recorded and granted the title of 'Virtual Hunter' has reached a level in terms of pure strength that allows them to single-handedly deal with or even eliminate a standard-sized Void Disaster."

"Single-handedly...clearing out a hole?"

This wasn't a question, but rather Jack's unconscious repetition in a state of extreme shock.

It was like a boulder crashing into a frozen lake, but instead of creating ripples, it absorbed all sound.

The world fell into a vacuum of extreme shock; even the light seemed to freeze, focusing on Rey's calm, almost cold face, and on the bodies of Jack, Emily, Brian, and Sophia, who were instantly frozen like statues.

alone.

Remove the voids.

How are these English words arranged and combined together?

The news of the Japanese players' complete annihilation that I learned while checking the comments during my free time, that distorted space, those terrifyingly unknown corpses... One person? To deal with it? Or even to eliminate it?

This can no longer be described as a "powerful warrior".

This is practically a walking natural disaster!

The horror in their hearts was like a silent tsunami, sweeping through every nerve and every cell of Jack and his companions.

Emily felt a cold, numbing sensation shoot up her spine to the back of her head; Brian's breath almost stopped; Sophia's fingertips were icy cold. Jack's heart pounded heavily in his chest, and his eardrums buzzed.

But the more horrified you are, the less you should show it.

Who are they? They are athletes representing the fate of their nation.

They knew that if they showed such an expression, it would arouse suspicion and cause them to lose their advantage.

The muscles on the four faces twitched so subtly that they were immediately suppressed and smoothed out by powerful willpower.

My pupils contracted to the size of pinpoints in that instant, reflecting the cold light of the command room, before I forced myself to slowly relax and return to normal.

Their fingertips dug deep into the soft flesh of their palms, bringing a sharp, stinging pain. This pain was the only lifeline they had to anchor themselves to reality and stay conscious at that moment.

Almost entirely relying on muscle memory and conditioned reflexes ingrained by years of rigorous training, their facial expression management system began to operate at overcapacity.

Shock was quickly transformed into "reverence upon hearing a legendary story," bewilderment was modified into "sincere admiration for the unknown power," and fear was deeply buried, replaced by a complex expression that mixed "deep shock," "sincere admiration," and "I see, no wonder..."

The change in expression was so quick and so "natural" that they nodded very slightly but solemnly in the direction of Lei and Roland, as if they had just received a valuable intelligence briefing on top-tier combat power.

Jack's throat was as dry as if he had trekked through the desert for three days. He cleared his throat imperceptibly, swallowed the non-existent obstruction, and spoke in a tone as steady as possible, with just the right amount of awe and restraint:

"...Understood. Thank you for your explanation. This is indeed...awe-inspiring power and honor."

His voice sounded exceptionally clear and tense in the silent command room, each word sounding as if it had been carefully weighed before being uttered.

However, in explosive contrast to the near-suffocating composure maintained in the command center, a global media tsunami was instantly ignited through the national event live broadcast system! In particular, the official studios and public live broadcast platforms of various countries saw barrage comments and real-time reactions completely shatter the virtual and real "screens"!

The comments section was no longer "flowing," but rather "flooded." Only by activating the highest level of heavy filtering could one barely make out the comments marked as "high value" or "high emotion" by the system.

"Holy Sh*!!!!! A person?! An empty space?! Am I hearing things?! That place is so gloomy just looking at it! I still remember the way those two Japanese players looked, and I still have nightmares about it every night!"

"New Elidu?? The highest honor?? So that Ye Shunguang... she's not a representative of the Dragon Kingdom at all, she's a native of this world?! The Dragon Kingdom got a local god at the start?!"

"F**k! This is definitely a system bug! How are we supposed to play like this?! They just gave them a hero unit that can single-handedly wipe out a nation?! Protest! Strong protest!"

"Calm down, guys... But, God, if this intelligence is true... China's advantage is beyond words."

"Look at our poor Jack, he's still trying to stay calm... My heart is breaking. This is not fair play at all!"

"False Hunt... False Hunt... If we encounter it again in the future, surrendering immediately might be the wisest choice."

"Aaaaaaah! Officially certified! Did you hear that, everyone?! Officially certified! Single-handedly destroying the Void! Lord Voidhunter is awesome—!! (Voice cracks)"

"The highest honor in New Elidu! The banner of the hunt for disasters! This setting is so cool! Sister Ye is indeed the strongest! She's at her peak from the start, crushing everything in her path!"

"Hahahaha! Look over there in the US, Jack and his crew are about to lose control of their expressions! They must be panicking inside! They thought they got the intelligence advantage just a moment ago, but now?!"

"One man becomes an army, a walking natural disaster! This is way more exciting than those super soldier programs in the movies! This is a true legend!"

"So, the mystery of Sister Ye Shunguang's identity... I'm guessing! She's probably a 'local' of this world, and someone with an extremely high status! I just don't know why she became one of our contestants? There must be a shocking secret behind this!"

"Don't be blindly optimistic! Stay calm! Stay calm! Rei also said 'almost everyone' and 'standard scale,' which means there are differences between the Void Hunters, and the scale of the Void is different."

Sister Ye's specific situation is still unknown! And based on past experience, obtaining such power would certainly come at a huge price!

"The person upstairs is right, but this is still an unprecedented and enormous advantage! At least we have a clear, ridiculously high starting point, and a world-class 'identity card'!"

"One of a kind in the world! Who else?! I'm asking, which other country has a contestant with this kind of background? The Chinese nation's fortune will continue to prosper! This is a blessing from heaven for China!"

"Audience from the Russian Bear Country: The Dragon Country is really lucky this time! Give it your all, our athletes!"

However, such a powerful individual, if controlled well, is a powerful weapon; if not controlled well…

Inside the official studio of the Dragon Kingdom, the atmosphere was much more complex.

The Dragon Kingdom's studio had switched to live streaming the moment the Lighthouse Kingdom players got a close look at the Zero Hole and the Great Rift Valley, and had been observing the Lighthouse Kingdom players' every move.

After that life-or-death crisis and their arrival at Scott Outpost, the live stream closely followed the actions of the Beacon Nation players, trying to gain more information about the world from their perspective, especially about "Virtual Hunt" and "New Elidu".

Bingbing, Zhao Weiguo, Li Jianming, and several invited experts have been meticulously interpreting and analyzing every move and every line of dialogue of the contestants from the United States.

Oh, right, Zhang Miao was taken away in less than 20 minutes after the camera switched to full-screen mode a day ago.

It's hard to guess where they were taken.

Getting back to the main topic, from their cautious exploration of the military outpost, to their contact with Roland and Lei, and then to their intelligence inquiries about the Hollow Disaster and the "Virtual Hunt"... throughout the entire process, the studio maintained a professional and calm analytical attitude.

Until Lei, in her calm and even voice, stated the conclusion: "Single-handedly clearing a standard-sized cavity disaster."

"..."

Major General Zhao Weiguo, who is known for his composure, paused in mid-air for a full two seconds before slowly lowering his pen, leaving a deep, unconscious mark on the notebook in front of him.

He raised his head, looking at the composed faces of Jack and the other three on the live stream screen, then at the Wildfire Town where Ye Shunguang was on the split screen next to him (although the specific conversation was being blocked by the system at this moment), his eyes were incredibly deep.

Li Jianming and Zhao Weiguo reacted almost identically.

After a brief period of speechlessness, Bingbing's beautiful face quickly flashed with a series of complex emotions, including shock, pride, and worry.

She adjusted her breathing, turned to the camera, and a slight, almost imperceptible tremor appeared in her normally smooth and sweet voice. However, this tremor was quickly suppressed by her superior professionalism, transforming into a powerful and solemn expression.

"Dear viewers... I think we all need a little time to process what we just heard."

She glanced at General Zhao, and after receiving a confirming look from him, continued:

"Ms. Lei's words are undoubtedly the most direct and shocking interpretation of the concept of 'Virtual Hunting'. It confirms some of our previous guesses and far exceeds our boldest imagination."

The "potential identity" possessed by contestant Ye Shunguang, in terms of its value and the level of strength it potentially represents, has reached a level that we cannot currently assess precisely, but it is definitely "strategic."

"As some of our rational netizens have said, this does not mean we can rest easy."

The responsibilities, risks, and even the mysteries surrounding Ye Shunguang herself—her memories, her condition, and her specific connection to this world—remain unknown. These are serious issues that we, along with Ye Shunguang, must confront and unravel together.

"But in any case," Bingbing's voice gradually became firm, her eyes shining, "this is a landmark discovery. It has opened a door to a higher level of possibility for our Dragon Kingdom's national destiny."

It tells us that our players may represent the world's top-tier combat force.

"Every step from here on out is crucial. We need more intelligence, a deeper understanding of this place called New Elidu, the duties and constraints of the Void Hunters, and the past and present of Ye Shunguang. And all of this," she turned her gaze back to the main screen, "requires Ye Shunguang and her comrades to explore with wisdom and courage."

"We will continue to monitor the situation and analyze it calmly. Please have faith in our athletes, and please, every viewer, maintain your confidence and rationality. The road ahead may be shrouded in mist, but we have already seen the first ray of incredibly bright dawn."

The studio lights shone on Bingbing's face, her expression solemn and full of anticipation. On the other side of the screen were countless viewers from China, all sharing the same excitement.