Volume One: Spiral Stone Inscription Chapter Thirteen: The Great Maw of the Abyss, Part Two

One hour later, after confirming that Mu Luo had already left, Chen Fan crawled out from the mire and hurried toward the distance.

His body was riddled with more than twenty holes.

His entire body was covered in foul-smelling sludge!

With each step he took, countless insects spilled out from the holes, tumbling onto the ground.

After reaching a relatively safe area, he gritted his teeth and stretched his fingers into the holes, digging from the inside out repeatedly.

His willpower was incredibly strong; despite the cold sweat pouring down his forehead, he did not utter a single sound—not even a muffled groan.

Unconsciously, dawn broke.

A golden ray of light pierced the darkness, shining upon his pale face.

Due to massive blood loss, his cheeks were paler than white paper, and even his lips had turned white.

“I’m probably dying soon...” he sighed. His injuries were too severe. Without comprehensive treatment, he felt certain death was inevitable.

“There’s still hope! Someone is coming. He might be able to help you! He’s not a visitor!” Catherine’s voice echoed.

“I can’t trust him. He might tear me apart and eat me!” Chen Fan shook his head, leaning against a rough tree trunk.

Since arriving in this world, the only good person he had met was Long Wu, who called him “brother” at every turn. Other than that, where could there be any good people?

“Ask for his help. You still have a sliver of life left. Otherwise, you’re doomed!” Catherine materialized before him, crouching, her brows tightly furrowed. “I’m very worried about you. I want you to live well; I don’t want you to die. This time, just listen to me, alright?”

Chen Fan stared at her for a long moment, then sighed and nodded gently.

He staggered out from the grass.

In the distance, two figures strode swiftly toward him and immediately saw Chen Fan wavering.

Their eyes flickered coldly. Mistaking him for a mutated monster, their expressions were extremely wary.

“He’s not a monster... he’s a person!”

The burly man on the left stepped forward toward Chen Fan. He had long hair, resolute features, bronzed skin, and a long knife hanging at his waist.

“My name is Lu Yan, a survivor from Base Nine. Don’t move. I’ll take you back for treatment!” The man stated his identity, hoping to gain Chen Fan’s trust.

In this strange world, building trust between people was exceedingly difficult.

He couldn’t be sure if Chen Fan would believe him.

“Brother Lu, we still have a mission. Why waste time on him?” another voice spoke.

The other was a woman dressed in tight black clothes, with a voluptuous figure and fair skin. She exuded a seductive aura but also gave off a sinister vibe—like a venomous snake.

“Mission can be delayed, but life is precious!” Lu Yan ignored her and looked at Chen Fan like an elder offering kindness. “Are you willing to come back to the base with me?”

“Thank you, Brother Lu!” Exhausted, Chen Fan passed out.

Lu Yan did not disdain his filthy state. He lifted him onto his back and hurried to Base Nine.

The black-clad woman glanced coldly at Chen Fan before quickly following.

Base Nine was housed within a hemispherical fortress buried 500 meters underground.

Once the 50-ton blast-proof door was closed, no monster could break in.

“Hey, Jiang Yan, why did you bring back a wounded man? Why does he smell so awful?”

A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy with short hair opened a narrow door and stepped out from the massive fortress, looking at the two with curiosity.

He wore a gray combat suit, exuding a heroic aura.

“A do-gooder, what else?” she replied with dissatisfaction, frowning at Chen Fan.

Lu Yan said nothing, pushed open a door, and carried Chen Fan inside the fortress.

The underground base offered ample space, about 200 square meters, with tiled floors divided into several rooms.

“Lu Yan, did you complete the mission? Why are you back?”

A thin middle-aged man approached Lu Yan. Wearing glasses and dressed as a successful businessman, he was one of the base supervisors named Yang Yu. Lu Yan hesitated but said, “Supervisor Yang, after I handle this person, I’ll go out immediately. Could you please allow me some leeway?”

Yang Yu glanced at Chen Fan, whose body was covered in sludge and reeking. Frowning, he said, “Handle him quickly.”

After taking care of Chen Fan, Yang Yu looked at Lu Yan. “That Thunderstone can power the base for months. You must bring it back. Can you do it?”

“Don’t worry, Supervisor Yang. I’ll take care of it!” After glancing at Chen Fan on the sickbed, Lu Yan turned and left.

“Don’t follow me... it’s dangerous!” he said to the woman named Jiang Yan.

“You told me not to follow you twice now. Do you know something?” Jiang Yan looked at Lu Yan puzzled, wondering why he was acting so strangely.

“I planned to ditch you halfway before. Don’t force me to do it again!” Lu Yan’s voice grew cold, his gaze stern.

Jiang Yan lowered her head, her eyes filled with resentment.

“Brother... if it’s too dangerous, then don’t go.” A little girl, about fourteen or fifteen, approached Lu Yan. Her round face resembled an apple; her short hair framed her pink clothes.

Lu Yan turned his head away; his eyes reddened and filled with pain.

He gritted his teeth so hard it seemed they might shatter. After a while, wiping away tears at the corner of his eyes, he looked back at the girl with warmth, reaching out to stroke her hair.

“Xiao Ya, I’ll be back soon. Stay in the base, alright?” He sighed and passed by them.

******

Inside the room, Yang Yu turned to Chen Fan, eyes sparkling with excitement. “Searching everywhere to no avail, and yet it all came effortlessly—haha!”

From others’ perspectives, nothing seemed unusual about Yang Yu. But from Chen Fan’s viewpoint, Yang Yu’s body glowed, with the words “Yang Yu” hovering above his head.

He was indeed a visitor!

Before Yang Yu could make a move, Chen Fan awoke. He tore open his wounds and suddenly sat up, blood gushing forth.

A rugged handgun appeared in his right hand; his finger pressed the trigger, aiming the muzzle at Yang Yu’s abdomen.

“You...” Yang Yu was terrified. He had not expected Chen Fan to awaken so quickly or to wield a gun.

Firearms were rare!

“Surprised?” Chen Fan stared coldly at Yang Yu, his gaze solemn.

He had known from the moment Yang Yu appeared because Catherine had forcibly awakened him to see the truth.

He had been awake but had no reaction at first because he recognized Lu Yan and Yang Yu as first-level mutants. With Lu Yan present, Yang Yu dared not act hastily.

But once Lu Yan left, Yang Yu would surely strike suddenly.

His prediction proved correct.

Chen Fan weakly stood up, pressing the gun to Yang Yu’s head.

“You might be fast, but at this range, your speed is useless. If you dare move, I’ll blow your head off!”

Yang Yu’s expression darkened. Chen Fan’s words were undeniably true—the distance was too close; there was nowhere to dodge.

“What do you want?” Yang Yu glared with a gloomy look.

Chen Fan closed the door and said, “Tell your people to prepare a month’s supply of food and water and bring it to this room. No tricks!”

Yang Yu glanced at the locked door, sighed, and reluctantly complied.

Fifteen minutes later, a pile of rations was stacked in the corner. Chen Fan nodded in satisfaction, sent Yang Yu away, and closed the door.

In the corridor, Yang Yu stared intently at the door, wishing his gaze could kill.

He wanted to rush in but knew the cramped room left no maneuvering space. Even if he killed Chen Fan, he would be riddled with wounds.

Clenching his teeth, he sighed again and walked away.

Frustrated!

Utterly frustrated!

He left and entered a large room.

The décor was exquisite, full of dreamy hues, with purple and pink decorations everywhere.

Two beautiful women played in the room—one gaming, the other teasing a cat.

Seething with anger, Yang Yu decided to vent by indulging in women.

Indeed, both were his personal possessions—a perk of his position as a base supervisor.

Inside the room, Chen Fan leaned against the wall, rotating his wrist, the black muzzle of the gun aimed at the door, devouring his rations in big bites.

Time passed quickly, and a month slipped by.

During this period, Yang Yu “visited” over a dozen times, but each time the door opened, he was met with a rugged handgun!

He could only repeatedly smile apologetically and close the door.

Meanwhile, Lu Yan also knocked multiple times, wanting to check on Chen Fan, but was refused.

He, too, was somewhat distrustful of Chen Fan.

Even though Chen Fan saved and helped him.

One must understand: good people can do bad things, and bad people can do good things.

The abyss has a bottom, but the human heart is unfathomable.

People are the greatest variable in any environment.

Humans don’t remain the same from day to day; they can change minute by minute.

Ultimately, the only person who won’t harm you is yourself.

Chen Fan opened the door. Outside stood Lu Yan, Yang Yu, Jiang Yan, and others.

Jiang Yan stared at Chen Fan. Seeing his manly aura, she suddenly felt no disgust; she even wanted to pull him inside for some “fun.”

She didn’t consider her thoughts filthy because whether men liked women or women liked men, “sexual prowess” was always paramount. One glance told her Chen Fan’s was terrifyingly strong.

That was her favorite type of man.

“Are you better now?” Lu Yan greeted Chen Fan, his expression unreadable.

Chen Fan nodded slightly and looked at Yang Yu. “Isn’t this Supervisor Yang? Why are you still here?” He drew his gun, aiming at Yang Yu’s abdomen.

Seeing Lu Yan’s confusion, Chen Fan explained, “I killed Supervisor Yang’s father. To prevent him from killing me, I have to stay alert!”

Lu Yan blinked, knowing Chen Fan was bluffing but chose not to question further.

Yang Yu’s eyes flickered with murderous intent. He snorted coldly and looked at Lu Yan.

“It’s been a month, and you still haven’t retrieved the Thunderstone. All the dozen or so people who went with you have died. Can you explain why?”

Lu Yan smiled wryly. “That place is dangerous. Remnants of the Black Rock Organization lurk there. They died because they were incompetent. What can I do?”

Yang Yu’s gaze flickered as he sized up Lu Yan. “You’re going again today. If you still can’t bring back the Thunderstone, don’t bother coming back. Base Nine doesn’t take in dead weight—especially not trash like you!” Turning, he left, unwilling to face Chen Fan.

“Is it really that difficult? I’ll go with you. Maybe I can succeed!” Chen Fan’s eyes narrowed, already doubting Lu Yan but feigning ignorance.

He was excited because Catherine had just told him the Thunderstone was valuable to both her and him.

With its aid, he would soon master the Shock Technique.

Lu Yan nodded and looked at his younger sister not far away.

He strode over, bent down, and placed his large hand on her small shoulder.

“Xiao Ya, brother is leaving. Take good care of yourself. If anything happens, find Sister Jiang Yan, okay?”

“Brother!” Xiao Ya seemed to sense danger. She reached out and hugged him. “Please don’t go. Worst case, we’ll leave the base. We’ll leave right away!”

She pulled his big hand, trying to stop him, but was too weak. Yet she wouldn’t give up, sobbing with red eyes, exerting all her strength.

“Xiao Ya, listen! Aren’t you going to obey me?” Lu Yan said sternly.

Xiao Ya stopped speaking and only cried relentlessly until her eyes swelled.

Lu Yan pretended not to see and looked at Jiang Yan, his gaze complex.

“If I’m... gone, can you promise to take care of Xiao Ya?”

“Why would you say that?” Jiang Yan looked increasingly puzzled. Lu Yan was a first-level mutant—almost no one could kill him.

Still, to reassure Lu Yan, she nodded firmly. “Don’t worry. I’ll treat Xiao Ya like my own sister. As long as I’m here, no one can hurt her!”

“I believe you! Thank you!” He stepped back and bowed deeply to Jiang Yan, confident in her ability to protect Xiao Ya, as she was also a first-level mutant.

“Let’s go.” After glancing at Chen Fan, they hurried toward the base gate.

They left Base Nine, speeding toward the location of the Thunderstone.

Outside the base, amid swirling yellow dust, Yang Yu stared at Chen Fan’s receding figure, itching to catch up and kill him.

But fearing Chen Fan’s gun and Lu Yan’s strength, he reluctantly gave up after careful consideration.

“If only Chen Qizhou and Song Yuxian were here... otherwise...” He sighed, glanced once more at the shrinking figures, and returned to the fortress.

Chen Fan asked, “Brother Lu, were all those who died with you killed by the Black Rock Organization remnants?”

Lu Yan looked at Chen Fan with a complicated gaze. “That place is very dangerous. You really don’t have to go. You might lose your life!”

“How will I know if I don’t try?” Chen Fan smiled faintly.