The Mid-hive Air Was Sweet, Even

In the cold real world, Assassin waited a full ten hours. During those ten hours, he was like an ant on a hot pan, repeatedly refreshing the forums and watching his teammates slaughter their way through the game while he could only stare helplessly.

Finally, after countless attempts, he successfully entered the game and eagerly chose to log in.

A torrent of data flashed past, and his consciousness was pulled back into that dark world filled with machine oil, gunpowder smoke, and faith.

The moment he entered the game, he spread his arms and threw back his head, letting out his signature booming laugh. "Hahaha! Hu Hansan is back!"

His laughter echoed through the enclosed space, sounding especially loud. Only after he finished laughing did he look around. The Death Seekers Company Players were scattered throughout a massive sealed metal chamber. Constant mechanical clanging echoed around them, and the floor beneath their feet trembled faintly in rhythm.

He froze for a moment. "Huh? What's going on here? We're not at the Chemical Refinery anymore?"

"Brother Sa, didn't you check the forums? No, that can't be right. Weren't you just posting on the forums?" A Player beside him raised his head from polishing a laser sniper rifle. "We're heading to the Mid-hive to rescue a Tech-Priest. We're already in the elevator."

"So what exactly is this game's revival system? I still haven't figured it out." One Player spoke in confusion. "Didn't Brother Sa die at the Chemical Refinery?"

"For now, it looks like squad revival," another Player explained. "But once the Veil of Reality gets thicker, it'll probably change to revival at fixed respawn points. Traveling across the map will be a pain then."

"Oh, right." One Player suddenly remembered something. His expression instantly turned tense as he leaned close to Assassin and lowered his voice. "Brother Sa, whatever you do, don't get itchy fingers and use Hell Fire. This elevator looks sturdy, but if one shot blows it apart, we'll really become space junk. That won't be fun."

Assassin looked at them all, speechless. "Do you really see me as some extremely deranged explosion maniac?"

The moment he finished speaking, every Player present, including Ruan Wenbo, nodded hard in perfect unison. The synchronized movement of ninety-nine people was actually rather spectacular.

Just then, the entire elevator came to a sudden stop amid an ear-splitting metallic crash and a violent jolt.

"We're here!"

Almost at the same instant, every trace of laughter vanished from the Players' faces. With the tacit understanding of battle-hardened veterans, they reacted swiftly. Their muscles tensed, and they instinctively completed their tactical movements, forming a defensive position as dozens of pitch-black gun barrels aimed squarely at the elevator doors about to open.

The heavy gate slowly rose amid a hiss of hydraulics.

There was nothing behind it.

The anticipated sea of Cultists did not appear. Instead, they found themselves facing an enormous platform that was spacious and almost excessively bright.

The Players' taut nerves gradually relaxed. After confirming that it was safe, they lowered their weapons. It was not that they were unwilling to fight; everyone present understood that Ruan Wenbo was in the elevator with them. If Cultists blocked them right at the elevator entrance, anyone could die in the ensuing melee—but Ruan Wenbo's death was the one thing all the Players least wanted to face at this stage.

One Player stepped out of the elevator and took a deep breath, a blissful expression appearing on his face.

"...Damn, the air here is amazing. I can even smell a hint of sweetness."

The other Players nodded in praise, and some immediately pulled up their data panels.

"Yeah, I was just keeping an eye on my lung function. Would you believe it? In the Underhive, if you aren't careful, every breath costs you a little. But after taking one breath here, my lung function didn't even drop!"

"The air quality here is so good that an ordinary person could stay here and maintain normal lung function for at least three years!" one Player exclaimed.

"That long?!"

The Players marveled for a while at the Mid-hive's lack of highly corrosive toxic gas and hallucinogenic fumes, despite the air being filled with soot and enriched with lead and mercury. But they did not forget their mission. Marveling was one thing; without needing Ruan Wenbo to give any special orders, the Death Seekers Company automatically formed a standard double-column marching formation. Scouts took the lead, the armored vehicle stayed toward the rear, and Assassin was deliberately placed in the center of the formation, with people "watching" him from both front and back.

As the Company Commander, Ruan Wenbo took the walkie-talkie off his back, adjusted it to the previous channel, and tried to contact that mysterious Tech-Priest again.

After setting the channel, he brought the walkie-talkie to his mouth and spoke experimentally. "This is the Death Seekers Company. We have reached the Mid-hive via the Underhive elevator. Calling Holy Trinity Forge Workshop, do you read?"

"..." Nothing but static.

"This is the Death Seekers Company. I repeat, we have reached the Mid-hive platform. Calling Holy Trinity Forge Workshop."

After repeating himself twice, a heavily synthesized response finally came through after a burst of piercing static, filled with buzzing and distortion. "This is the Holy Trinity Forge Workshop! Oh, Omnissiah above, you really came! I thought you were all dead..."

Hearing this, several black lines appeared across Ruan Wenbo's forehead. This Tech-Priest... didn't sound particularly serious, did he?

"Ahem." The voice on the other end seemed to clear its throat, though he might not even have an organ like a throat anymore. His tone became slightly more formal. "In any case, I am pleased that you have arrived. Listen carefully, warriors of the Emperor. From your platform, proceed straight along the main maintenance passage for approximately two kilometers. You will see a three-way intersection. Ignore the signs on both sides leading toward the residential district and take the middle path. Above its entrance, there will be a huge 'Gear-Alpha' symbol. Pass through that door, and you will enter an abandoned Nutrient Paste Processing Area. Watch your step—the steam pipes there have fallen into disrepair over the years. At the end, you will see a towering black spire reaching all the way to the ceiling. That is the Holy Trinity Forge Workshop! This is the fastest and safest route. I have disabled most of the security systems along the way. The only thing you need to watch out for is the Genestealer cult. All right, I need to check on the production line. Over!"

The communication seemed about to end like that, but then another flustered electronic voice, practically hopping with agitation, came through the walkie-talkie. "Omnissiah above! Don't tighten the screw like that! Sacred Consolation Production Line Three will feel pain! Damn it, I modified my Servitors too hastily..."

With a click, the communication was hastily cut off.

Ruan Wenbo held the walkie-talkie, which was still emitting faint electrical crackles, and exchanged looks with Assassin, who had somehow walked over to his side.

"This Tech-Priest... is he reliable?" Assassin's tone was full of uncertainty.

Ruan Wenbo turned off the walkie-talkie and analyzed the situation. "Let's follow the route he gave us first. At least he finished explaining all the key information before hanging up. In games these days, there aren't many NPCs with that kind of professional dedication..."