You Can Write an IOU

Chapter 28: An IOU Will Do

Feng Ling didn't understand why Zhou Diao had to emphasize his captain status.

But she did figure out something else—

No wonder Zhou Diao kept only two arms transformed into beast claws most of the time instead of maintaining his Hellhound form. He was conserving stamina.

She turned to ask Huangfu Miaomiao, "That little jelly you drank—would it work on a human?"

Huangfu Miaomiao blinked. "It... should work, I think."

"Give him a pack." Feng Ling pointed at Zhou Diao.

If he was weak, he needed replenishment.

Zhou Diao: "..."

Huangfu Miaomiao: "..."

Both of their expressions were far from pleasant.

One rejected using products derived from Xenomorphs;

The other couldn't bear to part with the Points she'd painstakingly saved.

Huangfu Miaomiao reluctantly used her Points to exchange for a small packet of Nutrient Paste and handed it to Feng Ling.

Feng Ling tossed it to Zhou Diao.

Zhou Diao turned one beast claw back into a human hand, caught it midair, and silently steeled himself: The big picture matters. The big picture matters...

He bit open the seal and downed the Nutrient Paste in one gulp.

The taste was similar to concentrated fruit juice, slightly gelatinous, with a faint sweetness. After drinking it, his fatigue gradually faded, his whole body perked up, and even his mind felt sharper.

The effect was astonishing.

But Zhou Diao couldn't relax. This was Xenomorph biotech at its finest—the better the effect, the heavier his burden.

Zhou Diao looked gravely at Feng Ling and asked, "...Any side effects?"

Feng Ling said, "Never drank it, don't know."

Zhou Diao: "..."

Feng Ling then said to Huangfu Miaomiao, "That Recovery Potion looked pretty useful too. Get one out for Old Cao."

Truth be told, she wasn't familiar with Cao Hongyi. She only called him that because she'd forgotten his name.

Huangfu Miaomiao wanted to cry. "That's really expensive. If I exchange for it, I'll only have 2 Points left..."

Feng Ling's tone was light. "You can have the Supervision Bureau write an IOU. Aren't there Points for killing those bugs? One potion for a few bugs, and you'll break even."

"Hey, don't go making decisions on your own." Zhou Diao couldn't stand it anymore. Having the Supervision Bureau issue an IOU to a Xenomorph—how absurd was that?!

Feng Ling smiled indifferently. "That little jelly from earlier counts as one bug too. You've already drunk it, so don't try to weasel out."

Zhou Diao was left speechless.

Feng Ling continued calmly, "We've already wasted enough time here. If we drag our feet any longer, the Contaminant might hatch a few more bugs. Hurry up—get the leg injury treated, and then we won't have to second-guess every step when we plan."

With things put that way, there was no reason to refuse.

The only one suffering was Huangfu Miaomiao.

She exchanged for a Recovery Potion, saw her balance drop to a pitiful "2," felt a pang in her chest, couldn't bear to look again, and shoved the injector into Cao Hongyi's hands with her head down.

"Inject it into your leg." Huangfu Miaomiao said mournfully.

Zhou Diao snapped beside her, "I'll pay you back with interest later!"

Huangfu Miaomiao pouted, still looking utterly dejected, which only made Zhou Diao more irritable.

Feng Ling watched Cao Hongyi inject the potion. While waiting for the effects to take hold, she quietly closed her eyes—

Earlier, when she'd attacked the Contaminant, she'd also used "Mother's Longing."

A red mist appeared before her eyes.

Feng Ling followed the mist's guidance, trying to locate the Contaminant's landing point.

But after tracking it for over a dozen meters, she had to give up.

Because the cave was too dark.

Every passage was pitch-black, with nothing visible, rendering her Mark-tracking ability useless.

Feng Ling opened her eyes, displeased.

By then, Cao Hongyi's leg injury had mostly healed. He couldn't exactly sprint, but walking was no longer an issue.

Everyone was happy for Cao Hongyi. Even Zhou Diao's expression improved considerably—though when he saw Feng Ling's cold face, he immediately wiped off his smile, unwilling to lose face in front of her.

"Don't worry. I'll leave enough bugs later. I won't take the debt I owe you out of this cave." Zhou Diao said seriously.

Feng Ling hummed absently and said, "Let's move according to plan."

Zhou Diao: "..."

"What the hell? I'm giving you all the respect, and you're giving me attitude?!"

Zhou Diao was fuming inside. He really couldn't figure Feng Ling out. Just a moment ago, she'd been enthusiastically discussing how to deal with the Contaminant with him, and now suddenly she'd gone all cold and aloof. What happened? He hadn't done anything to upset her!

"Of course we'll follow the plan..." Zhou Diao gritted his molars in irritation, then looked at Qin Liang. "Export the data and give it to her."

Qin Liang fiddled with the Detector for a few moments, removed the internal chip, and handed it solemnly to Feng Ling.

"You've seen the map. You should have it memorized, right?" With the mission at stake, Zhou Diao spoke earnestly and patiently as he instructed Feng Ling. "These openings are all connected. Once you leave here, keep going left and you'll reach the passage back to the parking lot. I'll make as much noise as possible to draw the bugs and the Contaminant away, buying you time."

"Got it." Feng Ling tucked the chip away.

Zhou Diao pulled out a combat knife and handed it to Fang Ye. "Feng Ling needs to get the map data out as fast as possible. She can't take you with her, so you'll have to stick with us. We'll do our best to keep you safe, but if things get critical, you'd better find a way to protect yourself, because we might not be able to reach you in time."

Fang Ye nervously took the knife and nodded vigorously. "I-I'll try not to cause you any trouble."

Zhou Diao let out a breath, stood up, and said, "Alright, let's move!"

The team split in two.

Feng Ling and Huangfu Miaomiao left first, their figures quickly swallowed by the darkness.

The rest, led by Zhou Diao, entered another opening on full alert.

Feng Ling moved quickly.

Huangfu Miaomiao stayed close beside her, not daring to stray even half a meter away.

From somewhere in the distance came intermittent, loud clanging sounds—likely the noise Zhou Diao's group was deliberately making.

Without the bugs interfering, Feng Ling soon found the opening leading to the parking lot. Her flashlight lit up the passage, and before long, she spotted the protruding rock where she'd once bumped into Cao Hongyi's forehead.

Just a little further ahead, her phone would pick up a signal. She could call Su Yuqing directly and have him send someone to retrieve the chip near the pit in the parking lot—that would save time.

Once the chip was delivered, she planned to head back into the cave to see what exactly was inside that deep pit that looked like a womb.

Skrrrrt...

Skrrrrt...

Feng Ling stopped in her tracks, turning sharply.

Huangfu Miaomiao, following behind, nearly collided with her. Before she could ask what was wrong, Feng Ling grabbed her by the collar and flung her forward down the passage!

And in the spot where Huangfu Miaomiao had been standing, a Bug Monster with a human face lunged forward!

"It's a Contaminant!" Huangfu Miaomiao screamed in terror.

The Contaminant had caught up!

—But how? Hadn't Zhou Diao already lured it away?!