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墨書 Inktalez
A massive stone pillar appeared before us, not far from the pavement, towering high and disappearing into an unseen darkness. The pillar's diameter was at least three meters, seemingly supporting the structure of this underworld. Countless Giant Millipedes were swarming down its surface, as if commanded to rush toward the cave entrance. Only a few were heading our way, and they were quickly illuminated by Zhao Squad Leader's light.
I could tell at a glance that those Ironclad Pillbugs could not possibly fill the bellies of all the Giant Millipedes; we were definitely their backup food supply. I felt utterly helpless, sensing that both paths ahead led to dead ends, and it would be a gruesome death.
Even so, no one dared to turn back. Compared to the Ironclad Pillbugs in the passage, here we still had a chance to breathe, and there was the option to jump into the water below. Although we would still die, at least we could choose how we would meet our end; that alone was enough of an attraction.
Watching the tide of Giant Millipedes surge toward the cave entrance, the four of us quickened our pace away from the enormous stone pillar. I was no longer eager to look up; I could guess what the ceiling looked like. It must be a kingdom of Millipedes, with countless Giant Millipedes receiving orders to feed, pouring down through the connecting passageway.
We could only walk along the water's edge since it was the only direction we had. If we left this path, I couldn't be sure if I would find my way again or if I would get lost in this darkness, even ending up back at the cave entrance and walking straight into the mouths of two swarms of insects. I still held onto a glimmer of hope that we might find a boat by the water's edge; that should give us the best chance of survival, but the odds of finding a boat were slim.
After moving away from that towering pillar, Zhao Squad Leader resumed his frantic pace as if he were eager to shake us off. Liu Squad Leader and I had to keep shouting for him to wait up a bit. I felt that if this continued, he would surely get us killed. Just then, the torch ahead came to a halt. This was unexpected; it was the first time it stopped without our shouts or curses prompting it.
I held my breath, preparing to catch up and give him a piece of my mind before stripping him of his leading rights. It seemed he had regained his strength and could handle some pressure; perhaps it was time to leave Hu Aiguo in his hands.
We three hurried toward the torch, panting heavily as we approached. The closer we got to the flickering light, the more anxious and uneasy I felt. Beneath the torchlight, there were vague shapes, and Zhao Squad Leader stood in front of them with his back to us. I couldn't see his expression, but he maintained a certain distance from those shapes, gazing at them from afar.
My attention was immediately drawn to what lay before Zhao Squad Leader; I temporarily forgot about scolding him. As we drew closer, I noticed that those shapes seemed to be moving—though their movements were slight, they were clearly living creatures. My heart tightened once more; what kind of monster was this?
I had to admit Liu Squad Leader had sharp eyes; just as I realized that what lay before Zhao Squad Leader was a living being, he shouted out loud: "There’s a person on the ground—damn it, they’re completely naked!"
The first thought that crossed my mind was impossible, followed by an uncontrollable mental image that flashed through my head. Could it be that which left Zhao Squad Leader dumbfounded?
I wanted to slap myself; how could I be thinking about such things at a time like this?
In that moment when those shapes became clear, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. It was Xiao Guolin and Cao Mingzhe.
I don’t know what happened to them, it’s impossible to imagine. Cao Mingzhe He curled up into a ball like a shrimp, his clothes were torn and hung in strips on his body, his face was ashen, he couldn't see his breathing or vital signs. Xiao Guolin He simply lay naked on his side on the ground. The sleeping bag-turned-robe on his body disappeared without knowing when, where or why. However, the sleeping bag turned into a temporary robe. It was barely put on the body. It is normal for it to fall off when in danger. Look at Cao Mingzhe's clothes and how they were shattered. It is not difficult for his sleeping bag to disappear. Got it. Xiao Guolin had obvious vital signs. One hand was slightly raised and swinging, his mouth was slightly opened and closed, but no sound could be made, and his eyes were looking at the firelight with turbid eyes. I was going crazy, so I ran over and yelled at Zhao Squad Leader first: "What are you doing here? If you don't hurry up and rescue them, do you want to watch them die?!" Liu Squad Leader Put down Hu Aiguo , he quickly took off his coat and put it on Xiao Guolin, and immediately started checking Xiao Guolin and Cao Mingzhe. Zhao Squad Leader argued in an imperceptible voice: "I'm afraid..." My anger was like a volcano erupting. Even though I knew it was not the time to get angry, I still sprayed him angrily. At this time Liu Squad Leader said: "It's hypothermia. Brother Qiang, Captain Xiao has something to say." I dropped Zhao Squad Leader and lay down, and when I touched it, there was not much left on both of them. The temperature is high, especially Cao Mingzhe, and my breathing is as weak as a gossamer. "Please give emergency rescue first, otherwise Cao Mingzhe will not be saved." I said to Liu Squad Leader. Liu Squad Leader was not pretentious, he held Cao Mingzhe in his arms and started artificial respiration. Xiao Guolin There was a "gurgling" sound in the throat, but no words came out. I hugged him, turned on the kettle, heated up a sip of water, and put it into his mouth. This mouthful of warm water made Xiao Guolin a little more alive, and he could make intermittent sounds in his throat: "Don't...go forward. Go back...go back...to the passage..." "Why? There are bugs in the passage, don't you know?" "We were chased by those bugs, and they are here too. We must find a safe place. Is it safe in the passage?" I asked urgently. I heard strange information from Xiao Guolin's words. It seemed that there was something more dangerous here or ahead, but the danger in the passage was no lower than here. The question now is whether he knew there was danger in the passage. If he didn't know, his suggestion was not worth adopting. If we know, then the danger outside is much higher than inside the passage, then we need to reconsider our plan. Xiao Guolin’s hand suddenly grabbed me, like a person about to sink into the water, grabbing me with all his strength. "Go back right away. Right away!" These words were very coherent and forceful, and seemed to have exhausted all his life force. Then, Xiao Guolin tilted his head back and lost his reaction.
We had no choice. Here, our body temperature was rapidly dropping, and there was no possibility of raising it for the two of them. Returning to the relatively warmer corridor became our only way out.
I glanced at Liu Squad Leader, who nodded at me. It seemed we had developed a tacit understanding; he knew what I meant without needing words.
"Zhao Squad Leader, what will you do?" I turned my head towards Zhao Squad Leader.
Zhao Squad Leader was still in a daze from my earlier outburst, nodding numbly while adding, "I really wanted to save them, but I was so scared at that moment."
I waved my hand dismissively. "Hu, you have no objections, right?"
Consulting Hu Aiguo's opinion was a matter of collective will and fairness; he still relied on others for assistance and truly lacked the ability to oppose.
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