Chapter Summaries

Ye Lin was taken from Yong'an Prison by the Security Bureau and sent with Huang Liang into a crisis-stricken Linjiang City. At a school engulfed by a black vortex, a mechanical announcement identified Ye Lin as an examinee and began teleporting him to an unknown examination site.

• Ye Lin deduced from the officers' behavior and the prison's changes that a major crisis had begun outside, and the Security Bureau revealed that it needed his help.
• The middle-aged officer assigned Huang Liang to escort Ye Lin, promising freedom and other rewards if he returned with information.
• In the armored vehicle, Ye Lin used the journey and Huang Liang's weapons to infer their route and asked what had happened; Huang Liang answered, "Exams!"
• The vehicle stopped near a school as soldiers fled and a black vortex opened above it, surrounded by falling bodies and swirling exam papers.
• The vortex detected Ye Lin as an eligible examinee and began teleporting him; Ye Lin lunged toward Huang Liang and demanded his gun.

Ye Lin woke in the Death Gaokao Space, where He Zheng explained the exam rules and warned the newcomers against leaving the barrier. Ye Lin used his gun and deductions to force He Zheng into agreeing to share any points above the sixty needed to survive, leaving the group awaiting the exam.

• Ye Lin awoke in a sealed hall with six students, a digital watch, and the gun he had carried from his previous situation.
• He Zheng explained the Death Gaokao, its point system, and the rules for returning to reality, then stopped a blue-uniformed boy from crossing the barrier before the exam began.
• Ye Lin questioned He Zheng about his strength and drew his gun, demanding that He Zheng hand over his points.
• Ye Lin deduced that He Zheng had spent his points on physical strength and that teammates could not kill one another, then negotiated for any points He Zheng had beyond the sixty-point survival cost.
• He Zheng demanded that the newcomers introduce themselves while Ye Lin surveyed the hall, and he privately considered Ye Lin potentially interesting.

Ye Lin and Zhang Tie investigated the chained door on basement level one, where a crack released the sweet stench of decomposing corpses. He Zheng warned Ye Lin that sulfuric acid was spreading upstairs, and a scream cut off the message.

• He Zheng organized the examinees to search the building and said the exam likely required them to escape the underground base.
• Ye Lin suspected the danger behind the basement door might be an artificial god and volunteered to investigate downstairs.
• Zhang Tie followed Ye Lin to the chained metal door, saying he felt safer staying with him.
• Zhang Tie pushed the door slightly open, releasing a foul, sweet odor that Ye Lin recognized as the smell of rotting corpses.
• He Zheng urgently warned Ye Lin over his wristwatch to run because sulfuric acid was upstairs, then a bloodcurdling scream sounded over the comms.

Ye Lin realized that the Death Exam’s “Choice” question required choosing the less obvious route, not guessing a keypad code. As acid flooded the floors, he rushed downstairs to open the door to the first basement level, suspecting they had actually started on the second basement level.

• Huang Bin fled downstairs and was killed when steaming sulfuric acid poured over him.
• He Zheng explained that the keypad froze Hu Jia’s fingers, and the group learned that acid was now gushing from both sides of the first floor.
• With seven minutes left and no clues to the six-digit code, He Zheng tried to force another student to use the keypad, but Ye Lin stopped him.
• Ye Lin reasoned that going upstairs was the obvious escape and questioned whether “Choice” meant they should choose the first basement level instead.
• Ye Lin took He Zheng’s fire axe and charged downstairs, proposing that they had actually awakened on the second basement level.

Ye Lin realized the group was trapped on basement level two and urged everyone to escape through the lower door before rising sulfuric acid killed them. With the Fire Axe damaged and time running out, he told He Zheng to use Huang Bin’s corpse to carry acid to the chain, leaving the group waiting for him to return.

• Ye Lin identified the floors, rushed to the lower door, and warned He Zheng that the group had only minutes to break through the chain.
• He Zheng charged through the sulfuric acid and struck the chain with the Fire Axe, while Zhang Tie helped bring the others downstairs and An Ke protected her feet and warned them about the corrosive fumes.
• The Fire Axe chipped before the chain broke, and Ye Lin proposed using sulfuric acid carried in Huang Bin’s skull to corrode it.
• He Zheng overcame his hesitation and ran upstairs to retrieve Huang Bin’s corpse as Ye Lin counted down and waited with his pistol drawn.

Ye Lin and the others escaped the sulfuric-acid trap and passed the first exam, with Ye Lin earning fourteen bonus points for his contribution. Before He Zheng could explain more about the points and the abilities they could buy, the system announced the start of the second round.

• He Zheng used the corpse to splash sulfuric acid onto the chain, and Zhang Tie broke it with the fire axe.
• Ye Lin led everyone through the doors, and Zhang Tie hauled them inside as a powerful suction dragged sulfuric acid across the floor.
• The system confirmed that the group had passed the first round and awarded Ye Lin fourteen bonus points.
• He Zheng explained how rare the bonus points were and described what candidates could buy with them.
• The system announced that the second exam round was beginning, leaving the group tense as they awaited its question.

The group debated the completion exam’s objective and whether they needed to find a god or a useful item. An Ke argued that a literal god was unlikely, but Hu Jia offered other possibilities as the search for an answer remained unresolved.

• The exam instructed the group to find two missing things and evade Species, warning that they had two hours to find the first one.
• He Zheng guessed that the group needed to find a god, and Hu Jia suggested identifying the god by Their appearance.
• An Ke proposed that they might need to find an item instead, using the Fire Axe from the previous round as an example of an important clue.
• He Zheng challenged An Ke for not mentioning the Fire Axe earlier, but Ye Lin stopped him and asked her to explain her reasoning.
• An Ke argued that a god powerful enough to oppose the Species would make their survival unlikely, while Hu Jia suggested the god might be sealed or able to protect only certain places.

Ye Lin’s group descended into the underground complex, hoping to find something left by “God” that could help them fight the Species. They discovered a long gallery of murals made from human remains, and Lin Ya began identifying the religious images.

• An Ke argued that the defenses had been intended to fight the Species, and Ye Lin led the group downstairs to search for clues about “God.”
• He Zheng volunteered to take the lead, though he grew increasingly nervous as the group descended into the dark basement.
• He Zheng reached a dimly lit passage and found a hundred-meter stretch of vivid murals instead of the monster he expected.
• Ye Lin warned Lin Ya not to touch the murals and revealed that they were made from people, horrifying He Zheng and Hu Jia.
• Lin Ya identified the first mural as Christ Pantocrator and the second as a Japanese Descent of Amida, then began to identify the third.

Ye Lin and the others studied religious murals before a fast, powerful Species attacked them in the passage. He Zheng was badly wounded, and Ye Lin tried to hold the creature’s jaws open long enough to create a chance to shoot it.

• Ye Lin and the others examined murals depicting figures from different religions and mythologies as they tried to interpret the Death Exam’s clues.
• A chorus of shrieks approached, and Ye Lin listened to the passage before deciding they should fight the lone Species in their corridor.
• A fish-headed Species lunged at the group and targeted Hu Jia, but He Zheng intercepted it with his Fire Axe.
• The Species barely bled from He Zheng’s blow, then struck him across the abdomen and knocked him down.
• Ye Lin kicked the Fire Axe between the Species’ jaws, and He Zheng thrust his left arm into its mouth to keep it open.

He Zheng, Zhang Tie, and Ye Lin killed the fish Species, but the fight left He Zheng badly injured and earned Ye Lin only one point. The group continued onward as Ye Lin reasoned that the remaining Species were drawn by sound and might be wandering through the passages.

• He Zheng wedged a Fire Axe into the fish Species’ mouth, while Zhang Tie grabbed its legs and Ye Lin shot its left eye, killing it.
• Ye Lin received one point for the kill, and He Zheng explained how difficult points were to earn in later exams.
• He Zheng tore off his nearly severed left arm and used a Healing Capsule to close the wound.
• He Zheng and Ye Lin discussed the fading shrieks and why no other Species had reached them.
• Ye Lin suggested that the Species relied more on hearing than sight and had been drawn toward the commotion on the second floor.

Ye Lin explained why the group had to choose the lab passage despite the danger from the Species. He left them with the claim that whatever could save them would only be found there.

• An Ke observed that the Species had fishlike eyes that did not move, giving them limited forward vision.
• The group reached a three-way junction and struggled to understand signs marked for the Decontaminated Quarters, Containment Corridor, and Lab & Research Zone.
• Hu Jia translated the signs, but Ye Lin clarified that the first passage led to living quarters, the second to containment, and the third to a biochemical lab.
• Ye Lin argued that the living quarters likely held a large food supply that had attracted the Species, making the first passage especially dangerous.
• Ye Lin chose the lab passage, explaining that every route carried danger but that whatever could save them would only be in the lab area.

Ye Lin argued that the laboratory was the best place to search for something that could help the group survive the Species, and he explained why the clues pointed there. He Zheng accepted Ye Lin’s reasoning, and the group decided to enter the laboratory area.

• Ye Lin argued that the two-hour limit meant they had to choose a limited search route and that the laboratory was the most likely place to find clues about countering the Species.
• An Ke questioned why they should choose the laboratory over the isolation zone, while He Zheng warned Ye Lin against taking what might be a dangerous shortcut.
• Ye Lin reasoned that the sulfuric acid suggested the facility had defenses against the Species and that the laboratory might contain anesthetics or another substance useful against them.
• Ye Lin asked He Zheng about the researchers’ corpses, then concluded that some researchers had escaped because they possessed a way to counter the Species.
• He Zheng agreed to follow Ye Lin’s plan, and the group chose to search the laboratory area.

He Zheng and the others entered the laboratory passage, where a hidden Species ambushed him beside a gruesome painting. With Ye Lin firing and the group preparing to help, He Zheng reached the doorway and began a plan to expose the monster to a decisive shot.

• He Zheng led the group toward the laboratory while they heard metallic clanking and saw signs of a bloody attack.
• Hu Jia accidentally groaned from his acid-burned leg, but the clanking stopped and no immediate threat appeared.
• He Zheng entered the office and discovered the clanking came from a loose ventilation duct, then saw a woman’s corpse displayed as a painting.
• A Species burst from the ventilation duct and attacked He Zheng, but Ye Lin wounded it with two shots and He Zheng escaped its bite.
• Zhang Tie and An Ke moved in to distract the Species as He Zheng reached the doorway and swung his Fire Axe at its leg.

After killing a Fish-Head Monster, Ye Lin concealed his discovery that the Corpse Painting was fresh and marked with blue. The group found more than twenty Species blocking the Biochemical Zone 1 entrance, and Ye Lin planned to use Hu Jia as bait while the others escaped through the ventilation duct.

• He Zheng, Zhang Tie, and Ye Lin killed the Fish-Head Monster, though Ye Lin had only one bullet left and He Zheng's arm was injured.
• The group searched the office but found no working computer, backup power supply, or written clues.
• Ye Lin studied the Corpse Painting and kept secret its fresh appearance and faint blue trace, fearing the discovery would destroy the group's morale.
• He Zheng used a crude mirror to spot more than twenty dormant Species blocking the Biochemical Zone 1 entrance, where a key lay beside a corpse.
• Ye Lin proposed crawling through the ventilation duct and ordered Hu Jia to make noise and draw the Species away, while He Zheng restrained him.
• Ye Lin told Hu Jia about a room where he could hide, and An Ke stood up before Hu Jia decided whether to go.

An Ke drew the Species away so the group could reach the laboratory, but its alarm brought the creatures back before everyone could get inside. Trapped in the red-lit lab with the Species pounding on the door, Ye Lin and the others discovered a map marked with a mysterious area labeled "[GOD]!"

• An Ke used a steel rod and broken wires to lure the Species away while the group waited for an opening.
• He Zheng led the others to the laboratory, and Ye Lin unlocked the door as its intrusion alarm sounded.
• Hu Jia froze as the Species approached, so Zhang Tie carried him toward the lab despite He Zheng's warning.
• Ye Lin shot the pursuing Species and helped pull Zhang Tie and Hu Jia inside before the group shut the door.
• Ye Lin revealed that he had fired his last bullet, then the group studied a map of the laboratory and saw a section labeled "[GOD]!"

Ye Lin, He Zheng, and Hu Jia debated what the mural and pictures meant after finding the area marked GOD, while a powerful creature battered the door behind them. With their ammunition gone, they chose to head for the armory before continuing to GOD.

• He Zheng celebrated finding a God, but Ye Lin worried that the pictures—especially the recent angel image made from human corpses—pointed to a hidden Species still nearby.
• Hu Jia argued that the mural showed which biological weapon or “god” they should release, but he kept his own suspected answer secret.
• A violent impact buckled the alloy door, revealing that a much stronger creature was trying to break through.
• He Zheng rushed toward GOD, but Ye Lin stopped him and insisted they first get weapons from the armory because Ye Lin’s magazine was empty.
• As they ran for the armory, Ye Lin gave He Zheng a cold look that suggested he would sacrifice the others if necessary to survive.

He Zheng and Ye Lin’s group searched a powered biological weapons storeroom, but monsters attacked from both the entrance and the rear. Zhang Tie fought off a Species long enough to survive, and the chapter ended as Ye Lin fired at the creature lunging for him.

• Ye Lin warned that the storeroom’s power was dangerous, then sent the group to search its refrigerated containers.
• He Zheng assigned Zhang Tie and Hu Jia to search the back left while Lin Ya asked about An Ke.
• He Zheng heard a monster approaching from the entrance and warned Ye Lin as Hu Jia cried for help from the rear.
• Zhang Tie knocked a Species off course with a metal cabinet, then fought it with his steel staff despite his injuries.
• Ye Lin shouted for Zhang Tie to duck and fired at the Species as it lunged for his legs.

Ye Lin and the others used scavenged weapons and sedative vials to escape the attacking creatures, while An Ke completed her punishment test and sought to avoid the group. The chapter ended with An Ke spotting a terrifying figure escorted by more than a dozen Species.

• Ye Lin killed a creature, found weapons and vials, and ordered He Zheng to collect more supplies before the group fled.
• Ye Lin and He Zheng used the vials to slow the creatures, then He Zheng gave Healing Capsules to the injured Zhang Tie and Hu Jia.
• An Ke found and injected the Antidote, completing her punishment test and resetting her candidate number.
• An Ke considered whether to rejoin Ye Lin and the others, then saw more than a dozen Species escorting a tall, thin figure down the passage.

Ye Lin and the others fought through the mutants to reach the laboratory, where Hu Jia identified Morrigan’s Hibernation Pod and activated its thaw protocol. As the Rotten Crab smashed through the doors and charged at the wounded survivors, Morrigan’s pod opened.

• Ye Lin threw his remaining anesthetic tubes into the mutant horde, allowing the group to run into the laboratory, but the doors jammed open.
• He Zheng sent Hu Jia to find the correct pod while Ye Lin and the others held back the mutants.
• Hu Jia recognized Morrigan from the mural, activated her Hibernation Pod, and started the thaw countdown.
• He Zheng, Ye Lin, and Zhang Tie fought the mutants at the doorway as the countdown continued.
• The Rotten Crab smashed through the doors and sent the defenders flying, but Morrigan’s pod opened just as it charged at them.

Ye Lin realized that the group’s search for God may have relied on incomplete clues and that the exam’s difficulty could reflect fourteen participants split between two teams. An Ke’s urgent message then revealed that the Goddess of War was fake and He Zheng’s group were the real Species.

• The awakened Morrigan tore apart Rotten Crab and devoured the attacking Species while Ye Lin and the others escaped the fighting.
• He Zheng assumed they had completed the exam, but Ye Lin pointed out that the countdown was still running and warned that they might have missed something.
• He Zheng explained the exam’s difficulty tiers and said participants could be split into separate teams with different questions.
• Ye Lin connected Huang Liang’s presence to a second group and realized their deductions might be wrong because the teams had not shared clues.
• An Ke sent an urgent message warning Ye Lin that God was fake and that He Zheng and the others were the real Species.