Awakening

In a dim, narrow space where only a single candle flickered, seven people squatted against the wall in rags, facing the stone surface and carving something with knives.

If one looked closely where the candlelight fell, it was possible to discern the chaotic words etched into the wall.

"When will this ever end?"

"Wait a little longer, just wait."

"I, Ling Cixi, will definitely break out and kill those damn monkeys."

"Delusional!!!"

"One, two, three, four, five."

"Hungry."

The entire wall was covered in similar phrases, the oppressive nature of which made the space feel even more stifling. Only on one section of the wall was there a longer, more informative record.

"January 8th: Ten of us were dispatched by the county to form a group, heading southeast to explore and collect data on monsters and the environment."

"January 9th: We arrived safely at the Huo Textile Factory, three kilometers from the safe zone. Exploration revealed no survivors; the site was occupied by a pack of Glazed Snow Cats, Soldier-level monsters of the lowest tier, posing no threat."

"January 10th: Arrived at the Qida Logistics Company site, eight kilometers from the safe zone. The company had also been breached. We found abandoned vehicles and, after slaying two Mane Wolf Dogs that had reached the peak of the low-tier Soldier-level, we drove away."

"January 11th: Successfully arrived here. We originally intended to collect some fine wine to satisfy our cravings, but a group of monkey-type monsters appeared and surrounded us. We had no choice but to enter the warehouse and rely on its defenses to withstand the assault."

"January 12th: Failure. Fortunately, we found this place to hide, but unfortunately, we lost three teammates."

"Cao Jingjing, Li Manlin, He Qian."

"January 13th: Heard the sound of wine barrels being overturned in the warehouse, but otherwise, only the clamor of monkeys."

"January 14th: Took a peek outside; the monkeys are still celebrating. To avoid boredom, I suggested we carve something on the walls."

"January 15th: He Le, the older brother of He Qian, attempted to leave. We thought it was a good opportunity, but although the monkeys were drunk, they were easily startled. We had to retreat, and He Le lost his left arm."

"January 16th: He Le was successfully stabilized, but we lost another combatant. Now, only two of us remain who can contend with mid-level Soldier-level monsters, and only two left who can handle low-level ones. Why are we two so weak?"

"January 17th: Gave up. We aren't going out; we will wait for rescue. I have clearly observed that the monkey has grown stronger again, and our rate of improvement is nowhere near its own."

"January 18th: Nothing happened."

"January 19th: Nothing happened."

"January 26th: There seems to be no movement from above again; they must be drunk once more."

"January 27th: He Le's mood is a bit off, but given the current situation, I fear I will be next."

After carving the last character, the bespectacled man looked expressionlessly at the exit above his head, shook his head once more, closed his eyes, and leaned back against the wall.

I do not know how much time passed, but suddenly a loud noise erupted from above. Dust rained down from the ceiling of the small space, and the candle flame flickered violently.

Everyone in the space was startled, looking up at the ceiling with shocked expressions, desperate to know what had happened.

A few seconds later, the sound of weapons clashing in battle and the chaotic thudding of many footsteps echoed from above.

Everyone grew excited, as this was likely a rescue team sent by the county safe zone after their return was long overdue.

All seven stood up and began gathering their belongings, preparing to leave this damned, cramped space immediately.

At this moment, the bespectacled man who had recorded everything on the wall seemed to think of something and said, "Don't be too hasty. Li Xu, Zhang Xiaoyang, you two are the strongest among us. Go out first and support our comrades. Xia Mingdi, Ling Cixi, you two decide whether to step forward based on the situation."

Li Xu, who possessed a burly physique, picked up the long blade that had been leaning against the wall, gathering dust for nearly ten days. He gently stroked the hilt and the blade, saying, "Such a good opportunity must be seized. I will let that monkey see my prowess once again."

Zhang Xiaoyang simply nodded silently, picked up a similar long blade, and walked toward the exit.

As the manhole cover above was quietly pushed aside, the environment of the warehouse came into Zhang Xiaoyang's view.

He climbed out quickly, hid behind a stack of wine barrels, and carefully observed the battle.

When Li Xu also climbed out of the shaft, Zhang Xiaoyang signaled for him to hide quickly and reach his side.

Having worked with Zhang Xiaoyang for a long time, Li Xu understood his intent at a glance and moved along the shadows of the crates stacked near the manhole to reach Zhang Xiaoyang's side.

Zhang Xiaoyang pointed to the other side of the row of wine barrels and brought his two fists together from the sides.

Li Xu gave Zhang Xiaoyang a thumbs-up and quietly moved to the other end.

Seeing the monkey surrounded by over a dozen people, attacking from all directions without ever landing a heavy blow, Zhang Xiaoyang felt a sense of doubt. It was clear that these people only possessed the strength of low-level Warriors; not one had reached the level of a mid-level Warrior. However, it was truly impressive that they could control a monster that had clearly reached the peak of mid-level Beast Soldier strength through coordinated attacks.

Zhang Xiaoyang began to suspect that these were not people sent by the county, but perhaps other survivors who, unable to contact the outside world, had no way of knowing the methods to increase their strength.

After all, according to the current conditions and the judgment of outside researchers, if one relied solely on physical training, they would likely be forever confined to the stage of a low-level Warrior.

Suddenly, a man who had previously fallen to the side stood up, holding an axe in one hand. As a team member behind the monkey struck its back with a hammer, the man rushed toward the monkey, swinging his axe downward at both sides of its head, intending to seal off all its escape routes.

Zhang Xiaoyang understood the man's intent, signaled Li Xu, and the two stood up quickly, charging into the fray with their long blades.

The people in the battle were startled by the two who had suddenly rushed in, and their attacks faltered for a moment.

The monkey immediately seized this gap to escape toward the rear right. Only its right ear had been sliced off by Ma Tianxing, and Zhang Xiaoyang and Li Xu had carved deep gashes into both sides of its waist.

The monkey was finally jolted awake from its drunken stupor by the pain.

At this moment, the aura emanating from the monkey changed completely; it became exceptionally ferocious. Blood flowed down its fur, adding a sense of viciousness to the creature.

The monkey's peripheral vision swept over the warehouse entrance, taking in everything outside, and a trace of sorrow flickered in its eyes.

Immediately, the monkey leaped up, hung from the ceiling of the warehouse, and fled rapidly toward the outside.