Chapter 3: I Am the True Sage!

Boom! The sound of an explosion erupted from behind, much like the explosive scenes often played out in movies.

“One person—”

“…is out!”

Zhang Jie’s voice echoed almost simultaneously with Qian Gu’s inner thoughts.

Eliminated by death.

Without the chubby companion, the middle-aged woman had died alone in a corner, becoming a victim.

A victim who confirmed the brutal reality.

They fought desperately.

Zheng Zha and the others gave it their all. The game-like mindset they initially held had once again been stripped away. They broke into a full sprint, pushing their stamina and speed to the limit, frantically running deeper into the unknown.

Faced with life and death, though the genetic lock hadn’t been activated, they had at least exerted themselves to the fullest.

Well...

After all, the genetic lock wasn’t something one could just unlock at will; understanding that was key.

Those ten minutes were perhaps the most agonizing they had ever endured. When the entire group finally slowed enough to pause and catch their breath, each person felt on the verge of collapse.

The only one who fared somewhat better was Qian Gu.

An inexplicable energy in his heart forcibly calmed his heartbeat, supplying oxygen and nutrients throughout his body, preventing the oxygen shortage that usually came with overexertion.

If he had to describe his condition, it was a psychological discomfort from too much movement.

In short—

He was simply too lazy to move.

Then—

Smack!

A hand landed on Qian Gu’s shoulder.

Turning his head, he saw a pretty face with lively, curious eyes peering through glasses, studying him intently.

“Zhan Lan.”

Qian Gu silently named her in his heart.

Hmm...

A future fourth-tier psychic—such individuals were rare even among the first generation, though her fate was somewhat tragic.

Warning from the Divine Stone!

“Hey, I say, how about we introduce ourselves to each other? After all, we’ll soon have to depend on one another.”

Qian Gu shrugged, “I have no objections.”

No one else objected either.

The fate of the middle-aged woman was still vivid in their minds. Having just broken from civilized society into this bloody cycle called a “horror film,” none had yet become cold or ruthless; banding together for mutual support was almost instinctual.

After all, humans are naturally social creatures.

Zhan Lan smiled, “My name is Zhan Lan—Zhan from Zhan Tianyou, Lan like the mountain breeze. Hehe, sounds like a boy’s name, doesn’t it?”

---

“My profession is a writer. Before coming here, I kept complaining about lacking the desire and inspiration to write. Unexpectedly, I’ve come to this world of infinite inspiration. Heh, maybe it’s karma.”

Another young man with a white-collar demeanor spoke, “Zheng Zha—Zheng from Zheng Chenggong, Zha from Nezha. I’m a company supervisor.”

“Uh, before coming here, I did complain about how boring the real world was. It was so dull it felt like people were rotting away day by day. I was seeking some excitement... but the thrill here is just too intense.”

Zhan Lan laughed and shook Zheng Zha’s hand warmly. “A kindred spirit! I felt the same way.”

Tsk.

A chill ran down Qian Gu’s spine.

“So you two had a secret plan all along!”

Then came the middle-aged man, Mu Gang, a long-haul truck driver whose life hadn’t been going well.

After him was the legendary Thousand-Faced Demon Lord, Li Xiaoyi. Yet, quite obviously, this ‘Demon Lord’ hadn’t come to claim the world—he was still a high school senior bullied on campus.

Finally, it was Qian Gu’s turn.

“Qian Gu—Qian from Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li; Gu from ancient times.” He shrugged. “Just an ordinary college freshman who ran into some trouble, life’s been rough, got frustrated and stuck in a rut. Basically, I just felt life was meaningless.”

After a brief rest and introductions, they pressed onward.

Following a narrow path, they passed through an iron gate and entered a hall filled with small container-like boxes. The temperature inside was chilly. Wearing only a light shirt, Qian Gu shivered as an unseen gust raised goosebumps on his arms.

“This is the B Cafeteria... that’s what the map says.”

The B Cafeteria.

But it wasn’t a place for dining.

With his eyelids lowered, Qian Gu covertly scanned the room. Each small container resembled a coffin, prompting a grim thought.

“Lickers…”

Within each container lay a slumbering bioweapon of the Umbrella Corporation—the Lickers. They possessed immense strength capable of tearing through bulletproof vests and crushing human bodies, driven by an insatiable bloodlust and greed toward the living.

“I want to know one thing here—can we change the storyline of the movie?”

The question came from Zhan Lan.

She seized the moment while the mercenaries scouted ahead and searched for survivors, directing her inquiry to Zhang Jie, a veteran.

Zhang Jie pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a deep drag.

“Go ahead, what else do you want to ask?”

“So, can we use plastic explosives here? As long as we kill—”

“Let’s be practical,” Qian Gu interrupted, cutting off Zhan Lan’s hopeful fantasy. “I can give you three reasons why that won’t work.”

Zhan Lan looked at the young man who had just introduced himself.

“First, where would we get plastic explosives? Do you really think these mercenaries have enough bombs to blow all these things up?

“Second, even if they do, how can you be sure the mercenaries would listen to us and use them against these creatures? Do you think we’re close with them?

“Third, have you forgotten about the Flame Queen?”

Zhan Lan’s idea was good, but unfortunately, it was basically impossible to execute right now.

They lacked enough explosives. And if they couldn’t kill these Lickers outright, thoroughly and quickly, they’d have to face bioweapons capable of fighting ten soldiers at once—and more than one at that.

---

Clearly, new recruits like Qian Gu didn’t have such resources, and as for the mercenaries...

Why would they carry so many plastic explosives?

That was the real crux.

Issues two and three were easier to resolve—like the upcoming laser passage, building basic trust, then getting intel from the Flame Queen to sway the mercenaries to their side was quite feasible.

“Uh…”

Zhan Lan realized she had been a bit hasty.

Zhang Jie laughed, casting a somewhat admiring glance at Qian Gu.

“You sure have a way with words, kid. But you’re making some good points.”

“But—”

Qian Gu shifted gears.

“I don’t think this is impossible; it just requires some subtle tactics.”

At those words, Zhang Jie’s eyes widened.

Hey!

Don’t flatter me so much!

Zhang Jie wanted to warn him, but Qian Gu was already rolling out his little stratagem.

“What do we rely on most? Strength? Luck?”

Qian Gu wagged his finger.

“No, neither. Our greatest asset is the story itself—because we know what’s coming.”

That was a lie.

But for now, this lie would serve Qian Gu’s unfolding plan well.

“So you mean we shouldn’t blindly change the storyline?” Zhan Lan asked.

“Wrong.”

A dark vein appeared on Zhan Lan’s forehead; she was growing frustrated.

Why do you always have to contradict me? Are we rivals or what?

“From the moment we appeared, the story was already destined to change,” Qian Gu smiled. “Have you heard of the butterfly effect? A butterfly flapping its wings in South America might cause a tornado in Texas.

“We’re not just butterflies, and we’re not in South America—we’ve truly stepped into the story itself. How much more impact could that have?”

Qian Gu’s words had some effect; everyone, except Zhang Jie, was drawn into thought.

Which was exactly what Qian Gu wanted.

“Then, let’s give it a try, even though there’s a risk.”

His heart pounded wildly, but moments later, it was forcibly calmed. To an outside observer, he appeared calm and composed, as if everything was under control.

“One person’s already ‘out.’ How many more will be eliminated? And by what means?”

Fear spread.

Qian Gu pronounced the words “out” with heavy weight, the middle-aged woman’s fate vivid in his mind. The sound of the explosion seemed to linger in his ears.

No shrieks.

No splattered flesh.

Yet the terror it brought was far greater than screams or gore—the horror of death looming just within reach.