Do Not Bully a Poor Young Rat (Thanks to Supreme Pumpkin Porridge for the Alliance Leader

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Depth 14, Illusory Swamp

Fifteen minutes until the Thunderclap White Plains explosion, and half an hour until the Depth Storm arrived.

Amid the stench of decay, an endless swamp stretched to the horizon. Everything was shrouded in bleak white mist, and deep within it lay a patch of gray darkness where enormous shadows could occasionally be seen slowly passing by.

Yet not a single sound could be heard.

Only the thick, sticky noises made by the sludge churning beneath the platform under their feet.

Above the bottomless mire, a dozen or so logs had been haphazardly pieced together into a crude platform. Like a skiff, it drifted slowly through the mud in the swamp's undercurrents.

No one knew where it was headed.

Beside the gray tent, a campfire burned in an iron barrel, roasting slices of colorful mushrooms. As grease seeped out, the mushroom slices opened their tiny mouths and let out shrill squeaks on the grill, like mice being pinched to death.

After casually sprinkling on a handful of pepper, the man in the Horsehead Mask brushed on another layer of sauce, continuing until the poisonous, curse-laden mushrooms had completely stopped their wailing and begun to give off an enticing aroma.

"Honestly, Huai Shi might be a scumbag, but his recipes are seriously good." Tony grabbed a skewer and took two bites, clicking his tongue in admiration. "At least we don't have to chew compressed rations anymore."

His companion sighed and grabbed a skewer as well. "That's true, but you got the recipe completely wrong. More than half the mushrooms you grew are poisonous."

"You don't get it, Lucien. Doesn't that just add some Hell flavor? It's more exciting when it's poisonous." Tony ate until his mouth was slick with oil, then looked toward the last companion inside