Danger IV (Thanks to "Explode More Updates, Idol Silver")

Danger IV (Thanks to "Explode More Updates, Idol Silver")

Their eyes met.

The stifling irritation in Yu Hong's chest exploded all at once.

An intensely nauseating discomfort surged up from his stomach.

His abdomen spasmed in pain, his whole body began to go numb, stiffening beyond his control.

An indescribable terror flooded wildly from his heart and spread through his entire body.

Around his eyes, black blood vessels began to bulge, branching like tree roots.

The vessels grew thicker and thicker, as though they were about to burst open.

But just then, the Enhanced White Stone in his pocket released a stream of icy cold air that rushed into the outside of his thigh.

That breath was like a steel nail, driving viciously into Yu Hong's body as it began to stiffen.

It tore him free from the rigidity.

Bang!!

His legs gave out, and he collapsed weakly onto the floor. His eyes finally broke free from their stare with the other thing.

Huff! Huff! Huff! Lowering his head, Yu Hong panted in great gulps, feeling the stiffness in his body rapidly ease under the effects of the Enhanced White Stone in his pocket.

A fierce sense of having survived a disaster welled up in him.

Daring not to look outside again, he quickly pulled out the Enhanced White Stone and saw that the Red Symbol on its surface was giving off an extremely faint red glow.

Without looking closely, it was impossible to notice.

What a treasure! He felt lucky—immensely lucky—that the first thing he had chosen to enhance had been this White Stone.

Ever since Little Stutterer had used it to save him, he had realized that this thing was unquestionably important.

Fortunately, he had judged correctly.

Sitting on the floor, he slowly backed away from the window. Yu Hong did not dare look around carelessly again. Who would have thought that even taking one glance in this cursed place could bring danger?

But why? Why didn't Little Stutterer and Doctor Xu encounter danger when they went outside?

Did they have some other means of protection?

A trace of doubt rose in Yu Hong's heart.

But the enormous exertion soon made him exhausted and drowsy again.

This body was far too weak. Clenching the Enhanced White Stone tightly in his palm, he climbed back onto the bed. Wrapped in the foul-smelling grayish-white blanket, he waited for quite some time. Only after confirming that the thing outside the doors and windows could not get in did he relax slightly and fall unconscious again.

He did not know how much time passed.

Perhaps a few hours, perhaps an entire day.

When Yu Hong woke again, Little Stutterer was already bustling about the room.

"You're, awake?" Noticing the movement, she hurriedly turned around and looked happily at Yu Hong on the bed.

"Eat." Soon, she brought over another bowl of black mush and began feeding him.

Before he knew it, Yu Hong had swallowed the final spoonful of mush, and his body felt much better.

"Is there any more?" he asked.

Little Stutterer got up and searched around again, but this time, there seemed to be none left.

She searched for a long while but failed to bring back any more black mush.

"It's all gone." She soon returned to the bedside, looking somewhat dejected.

Yu Hong sat up, slowly got out of bed, and walked to the corner piled with odds and ends. There, he saw a wooden barrel she had been rummaging through.

It seemed to contain the ingredients for that black mush.

It was a kind of multicolored powder, with only a little residue left at the bottom of the barrel.

Supporting himself against the rim, he looked inside. There truly was nothing left.

Grrr~

Suddenly, a growl came from behind him.

It was Little Stutterer.

She blinked, rubbed her stomach, and stood there grinning foolishly.

Yu Hong turned back to look at her.

"You haven't eaten?"

"Hehehe... forgot." Little Stutterer answered with a silly grin.

So she had given him every bit of food that remained.

Yu Hong felt helpless. He did not know how this girl had managed to survive in such a dangerous environment until now.

He only knew that he felt somewhat guilty.

"Then what do we do? Where did you get this food? I'm feeling better now—I can help look for some," he said seriously.

"It's okay. Yi Yi, strong!" Little Stutterer patted her chest, wearing an unconcerned expression.

"I helped you. You help me find my dad and grandpa." She continued popping out one word at a time.

"So that's why you saved me?" Yu Hong understood. It was good that she had a request. A request meant he had a chance to repay her.

He did not like owing people favors, much less a life-saving debt like this.

"Yes!" Little Stutterer nodded hard.

"Alright! If I can, I'll definitely help." Yu Hong nodded. Though this environment was excessively dangerous and harsh, the Black Mark on the back of his hand gave him a sliver of hope for the future.

According to the Black Mark's ability, if all things could be enhanced, then perhaps he could use it to build a safer little house—or even a stronghold! After testing it firsthand, he knew that this house's doors and windows could not stop those strange, dangerous things outside.

Whether it had been the White-Clad Figure, the Black Worms, or that unknown horror that had just impersonated Doctor Xu—

None of them could be stopped.

"Oh, right. I wanted to ask—while you were gone just now..." Yu Hong quickly told her what had happened earlier.

After hearing his description, Little Stutterer's face turned grave.

"It was a Ghost Shadow!" she answered.

"That was a Ghost Shadow too?" Yu Hong frowned.

"I'll answer that question." Doctor Xu's voice came again from outside the door.

Little Stutterer hurried over, opened the door, and happily welcomed her in.

Doctor Xu had changed outfits. She was dressed in hiking gear, camouflage fitted clothing, and carried a large backpack, clearly intending to head into the mountains.

As she entered, her gaze swept over Yu Hong.

"There are two kinds of Ghost Shadows that commonly appear during the Black Calamity around here. One is the White Shadow you encountered before. The other is the Impostor you mentioned."

"The White Shadow isn't too dangerous. As long as you watch it carefully and don't blink, you can get away safely. Glowstone can restrain it too, temporarily dispersing it."

"But Impostors are troublesome. You have to stay alert at all times and never trust anything outside the agreed arrangements."

Doctor Xu stared seriously at Yu Hong and added,

"Agreements are extremely, extremely important here!"

"Agreements?" Yu Hong seemed to think of something.

"Yes. Before anyone separates from their companions, they must make arrangements. When you meet up again, what the password will be, what circumstances permit opening doors or windows, and so on—everything must be agreed upon beforehand. Otherwise... the Impostors will exploit the gap and kill you one by one." Doctor Xu sighed.

"That's also why the residents of White Mound Village all live alone. Even during the day, Impostors may appear and attack."

Impostors.

This new concept brought an understanding that Yu Hong could not suppress.

Perhaps... it would be very difficult for him to return. To return to his original life.

"Can you take me outside? I want to have a look around, see if I can get to the city..." Yu Hong fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"Bring Glowstone—the white stones. As long as you go out in broad daylight, it'll be fine, but you need to keep track of the time and return promptly," Doctor Xu answered. "Also, although Impostors can appear during the day, only people with weak bodies can generally see them. Those who are healthy and normal can't see them."

Yu Hong immediately understood.

"Is there no way or method to kill these monsters?" he asked in a low voice.

"No. At least, we haven't found one so far, and the government departments haven't managed to test one either." Doctor Xu shook her head. "Alright, Yi Yi and I are planning to head out. If you're coming, hurry. White Mound Village doesn't support useless people. You've been dragging Yi Yi down for long enough."

She seemed very dissatisfied with Yu Hong, and there was considerable hostility in her gaze.

"I remember the debt of saving my life," Yu Hong said seriously.

"First see if you can survive on your own." Doctor Xu gave a scornful laugh. Too lazy to look at Yu Hong again, she turned and began talking with Little Stutterer.

Soon, Little Stutterer started preparing the supplies and equipment for going out.

Yu Hong had recovered quite a bit as well, so he joined in packing.

He did not mention the Enhanced White Stone. Not only could he not explain where it had come from, but judging from the Black Mark's ability, it would definitely become his greatest reliance in the future.

He was not sure whether anyone else possessed this ability. He had gathered too little information, so collecting as much intelligence as possible came first.

This place was too dangerous. He had to tread carefully every step of the way.

"I'll repay you." Thinking of this, Yu Hong spoke again, repeating himself.

Doctor Xu did not even look at him, acting as though she had not heard. Clearly, she thought it would already be good enough if Yu Hong did not drag Little Stutterer down.

Soon, a large cloth sack was packed and set on the floor.

Doctor Xu picked it up and carefully placed it on Little Stutterer's back. The sack was filled with white stones marked with symbols.

"First, we'll go to Lao Yu's place to trade for food. Then we'll go to the Open-air Mine to dig Glowstone, and finally collect pigments. Including the return trip, we have to reach Lao Yu's within an hour. We can rest overnight at the mine, then come back after collecting pigments tomorrow," Doctor Xu arranged.

"Is it far?" Yu Hong frowned. He felt that there might still be something wrong with his stamina; he had not fully recovered.

"You shouldn't go. You won't be able to keep up. Just wander around nearby and come back." Doctor Xu spoke coldly. "Light the candles properly at night. Hold tight to the Glowstone during the day. Don't open the door for anyone, and don't look outside carelessly. Then there won't be much of a problem. Consider this a test for you. If you can't pass it, it means you can't adapt to this environment. You won't live long anyway. Better to die early and be free early."

"..." Wasn't that a little too blunt?

Yu Hong was speechless.

"Yi Yi has saved plenty of people. I was once saved by her too, but do you know what happened to those people she saved..." Doctor Xu wanted to continue, but Little Stutterer tugged at the corner of her clothes.

She came back to her senses and immediately stopped. This time, she simply ignored Yu Hong altogether, took the supplies, opened the door, and left with Little Stutterer.

Yu Hong paused behind them, took the house key, and followed them outside.

He still decided to take a look outside.

No matter what, he first had to solve the problem of food and drink. He could not keep relying on a disabled little girl to support him.

More importantly, only by learning more could he find more effective ways to survive and respond.

With a click, Yu Hong stepped outside and shut the house behind him.

The three formed a line and headed left along the Gravel Road outside the door.

The temperature outside was mild, neither cold nor hot. The sunlight falling on them carried a faint warmth.

Of the three, Doctor Xu walked in front, followed by Little Stutterer, with Yu Hong last.

After following the winding Gravel Road for several minutes, they reached the village exit.

At the end of the Gravel Road was a Black Mud road.

The dry Black Mud surface was broad enough for two cars to drive side by side.

The pitch-black road twisted through abandoned green fields on both sides, stretching into the distance until it reached the forests beneath the dense, shadowy mountains.

Yu Hong noticed that there were few weeds along the edges of the Black Mud road, where two rows of Black Wood Fence had been built.

Much of the fencing had already rotted and broken, covered in moss.

"This is the only Old Highway leading outside," Doctor Xu said. "Follow it all the way, and after walking roughly thirty li, you'll reach the nearest town. But it may be even more dangerous over there than here. The more people there are, the more danger there is, and the more it attracts those dangerous things."

"Let's go." She was the first to leave the Gravel Road and step onto the Black Mud road.