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墨書 Inktalez
Hu Aiguo's body was almost hanging between me and Liu Squad Leader, with his two feet barely providing any support. This made things much easier for me, as it effectively distributed the weight across two and a half people, with Hu Aiguo only contributing half a person's worth. The most noticeable change was that my speed had increased significantly, allowing me to barely keep up with Zhao Squad Leader.
In fact, this also indicated that Zhao Squad Leader's speed was not fast enough. He was running ahead in a swaying manner, like a drunkard, and I worried he might collapse. If that happened, we would have to make a choice. I didn't have the strength to carry two injured people to safety.
Despite my increased speed, I couldn't shake off the insects behind us; their nauseating sounds echoed relentlessly in the background.
Zhao Squad Leader strictly followed the direction pointed out by Liu Squad Leader, never running out of my sight. I felt we had passed two branches, both veering to the right. Suddenly, I noticed the flickering fire ahead had stabilized and appeared fixed in place. Under the light, Zhao Squad Leader stood upright, facing two deep passages. We must have reached the branch point; according to Liu Squad Leader's calculations, we still needed to turn right. What was going on? Had he forgotten Liu Squad Leader's instructions so quickly?
I shouted, "Zhao Squad Leader, go right!"
Zhao Squad Leader did not respond and remained standing there in a daze.
Seeing this, Liu Squad Leader also shouted, "Right! Go right!"
Looking at Zhao Squad Leader's state, it was clear something was wrong; he might be physically exhausted. After losing so much blood, it was a miracle he hadn't collapsed yet.
I handed Hu Aiguo over to Liu Squad Leader and quickly ran to Zhao Squad Leader's side. His face remained pale and twisted in pain, but his expression was focused. Without waiting for me to ask him anything, he pointed towards the right passage and said, "Listen."
Since encountering Zhao Squad Leader earlier, I had noticed his hearing seemed unusually sharp; however, it could also be that my own hearing had dulled. My hearing used to be excellent; I had never been this slow before. To hear better, I turned my body towards the right passage. Sure enough, a faint rustling sound drifted over.
"What is that?" I asked nervously.
"That thing," Zhao Squad Leader pointed towards the direction Liu Squad Leader had come from. "I heard it for the first time too; I was puzzled by the sound until I lit my torch and they were right in front of me."
Without hesitation, I said to Zhao Squad Leader, "Let's go left then; we need to shake them off."
Liu Squad Leader came rushing over with Hu Aiguo, panting heavily. By this time, the sound from the right passage had become very clear; it was unmistakably the sound made by the insects following us.
"Damn it! We're about to be surrounded! What are you waiting for? Go left!" Liu Squad Leader shouted at Zhao Squad Leader as soon as he arrived.
Zhao Squad Leader staggered into the left intersection. I quickly supported Hu Aiguo's other arm and followed closely behind Zhao Squad Leader. It was only when I got closer that I noticed Zhao Squad Leader's movements were stiff, as if his body's coordination was compromised, and it wasn't just due to pain. Given his condition, it was clear he couldn't run much faster than the three of us.
I anxiously asked him from behind, "Zhao Squad Leader, if your wound hurts too much, I can bandage it for you first, but unfortunately we don't have any painkillers left."
Zhao Squad Leader glanced back at me, his face still contorted in agony, now mixed with a hint of fear. "The problem is, I can't feel any pain. Damn it, do you know that?" Zhao Squad Leader shouted.
Hearing this sent chills down my spine. What kind of situation was this? His exposed legs and arms were nearly rotting, yet he felt no pain. I couldn't believe we had another person in our team with nerve damage. But what else could explain it?
My mind raced as I struggled to find words of comfort for him, finally saying, "Just keep running; maybe it's a nerve issue."
Zhao Squad Leader didn't respond; he just kept running numbly.
Liu Squad Leader said to me, "Why does it look like he's possessed?"
I glanced at Zhao Squad Leader ahead of us; indeed, his movements did resemble someone in a trance. However, none of us could laugh. I shook my head and gestured for Liu Squad Leader to be quiet. I didn't want to see these two clash at such a critical moment.
In truth, I had no intention of mocking Zhao Squad Leader; I could see he was giving it his all. The heat rising from his head steamed like a bamboo steamer under the firelight, and his heavy breathing sounded terrifying like a bellows. Liu Squad Leader and I had to push ourselves hard just to keep pace with him.
We hadn't shaken off the bugs behind us when we reached the next branch. According to Liu Squad Leader's quick judgment, we had already missed the best route into our planned path and needed to take a detour, though not too far off course. We should turn right at this branch.
As soon as we entered this branch, we realized Liu Squad Leader's plan had once again fallen through. A piercing "sizzle" sound came from the right passageway. Without waiting for Zhao Squad Leader to stop, I shouted directly, "Turn left."
Not long after we stepped into the left passageway, I heard fierce crashing sounds coming from the branch behind us, as if two groups of bugs were competing for hunting rights. Damn it, we had become the prey. I cursed inwardly.
The chaotic and terrifying sounds from behind made us forget our fatigue and hunger; all we could do was run mechanically and desperately. It seemed we had triggered something that revived the bugs in the passageway; Swarm Armies surged toward us from every direction, with two Swarm Armies blocking our way at each branch.
Run—desperate and aimless running became the only thing we could do.
Before long, I was completely lost again, only knowing that I had to reach the branch before three Swarm Armies occupied it. If they flooded into three passages at once, I thought I'd rather shoot myself than be eaten alive by those bugs. Compared to being devoured by them, dying under my own muzzle felt like a blessing.
The speed of Squad Leader Zhao gradually slowed down, running like a marionette, unable to lead anymore. I needed to give him a little push from behind to maintain the same speed as the rest of us. I could only pray that he wouldn't collapse; I would rather push him along than see him fall into the Swarm Army.
After we passed a Branch, Squad Leader Liu said bitterly, "We've strayed off course."
"I know, do you need to tell me?" I was extremely dissatisfied with his pointless remarks at this moment. Constructive suggestions were needed; everything else was just noise.
"We're still running in a zigzag line. Can you feel it?"
"How is that possible?"
"Exactly, it is. They're herding us toward a specific location."
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