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墨書 Inktalez
I don't know what Jack was thinking, but I knew that even if I stayed, it wouldn't change the outcome. Our attacks had little effect on Heimanluo, and reaching the end of the Underground River to find and destroy the Eternal Gate seemed to be the only way to kill Heimanluo.
"Blow up that damn gate!" I shouted.
With our goal clear, I no longer hesitated. I dashed downstream in the Underground River, determined to reach my destination. Even though I knew that finding and blowing up the Eternal Gate wouldn't save Jack and Tang Yumo, I had to do something for them; I couldn't let their deaths be in vain.
I was becoming more like the Awakener that Tang Yumo spoke of, with nothing able to stop me from destroying the sacred ground of the Hakka People. Ironically, the Hakka People were inadvertently aiding in this destruction.
The footsteps of the Humanoid Monster behind me didn't quicken, but the sounds of explosions and gunfire didn't lessen as we ran further away; instead, they grew more intense and fierce. It seemed that Jack and Tang Yumo were making their last stand. In the next moment, when the gunfire and explosions ceased, they would likely extinguish like burnt-out candles in the dark world of the Underground Cavern.
But I didn't cry anymore. I wanted the Monster that killed my friends to bleed and weep. At that moment, my heart was as hard and resolute as a rock.
This was the first time I watched my teammates die for me, helplessly leaving this world. It would also be the last time. I swore it!
The gunfire and explosions stopped, but my steps did not falter. I didn't look back.
I didn't have the courage to turn around. I couldn't face two living people being torn apart before my eyes, consumed by darkness. Especially Jack; we had shared life and death together. He had saved my life outside the Pit Vortex. Although we had evened things out in our subsequent encounters, that bond made it impossible for me to confront his current situation. I feared that I would break down.
I could only run desperately, trying to distract myself and numb my mind that was on the verge of collapsing at any moment.
I thought my speed had surpassed Fatty's understanding, leaving him far behind. When I heard his curses, they seemed to come from another space, so distant.
"Damn it, stop wasting your effort. You can't outrun those two."
Fatty's curses sent my already frayed nerves and brain into chaos. The only thing I was sure of was that he was shouting at me, but everything else left me completely bewildered.
Could there be two Heimanluo? That was worse news than having one monster chasing us.
I didn’t look back; it was pointless. The weapons in my backpack were equally ineffective against Heimanluo. I could only run for my life and try to dissuade Fatty from the idea of turning back.
"Forget it! If you have the energy to run, just keep running. Our weapons are useless against them. Go blow up that damn door; we can't let Jack and Tang Yumo die for nothing. Don't give up; I need you."
"I know you need me. But I don't need you losers. What the hell are you all?!"
Fatty's angry voice echoed from a distance, but at the same time, footsteps sounded behind me. The footsteps and curses clearly came from different distances, sending chills down my spine. Could Fatty have mutated or awakened, allowing him to appear in two places at once?
I was overthinking it. Just as I was stunned, a figure appeared beside me. It was Jack.
"I can only do so much; the rest is up to you."
As he spoke, Jack surged ahead of me, running with incredible speed.
"Where's your gun?!" I shouted.
Jack didn’t slow down; he quickly replied over his shoulder, "Ran out of bullets, threw it away."
Watching Jack's retreating figure, I realized that not only had he thrown away his gun, but his backpack was also missing. Aside from the One-Eyed Beast Flashlight, he had no other burdens. Of course, his clothes didn't count as a burden.
"Run along the stone wall. Its end is the entrance to the Eternal Gate. I'll be waiting for you there, or below."
This was the last thing Jack said to me before he disappeared from sight.
"You don't need to look so glum; you're not going to die, though I regret that."
Next came Tang Yumo, light on her feet, her teasing tone equally light. She had discarded her torch and was holding what seemed to be the One-Eyed Beast Flashlight that Jack had given her.
"What are you regretting? Letting me and Fatty take the fall? Or that I won't die?" I shouted angrily. Seeing their joy at surviving was instantly replaced by a sense of abandonment.
"You will ruin the Eternal Gate. Though I can't stop you, I will try. I hope you can keep up."
With those somewhat contradictory words, Tang Yumo's slender figure darted past me, agile like an antelope.
Watching the two figures grow more distant ahead of me, I involuntarily slowed my pace. The fatigue and sense of betrayal that welled up inside me diminished my will to fight.
It seemed I had been overly sentimental; Jack might not be the type to kick someone when they're down, but in a life-or-death situation, he would definitely prioritize his own survival. How could he risk his life for mine? Moreover, there was Fatty behind him—someone he had every reason to leave behind.
Was this guy a follower of Chinese fantasy? Well-versed in the truth that one should prioritize their own life over others'.
Fatty angrily caught up with me, venting all his grievances against Jack and Tang Yumo onto me. I braced myself as he let loose a tirade.
In truth, it wasn't unreasonable when I thought about it. Given our current situation, it was nearly impossible for all four of us to escape together. Jack and Tang Yumo had already exerted themselves trying to fend off Heimanluo for a while. They simply saw things more clearly and realized that it was impossible to succeed in one attempt; sooner or later, someone would have to stay behind to hold off Heimanluo. And I and Fatty became the pawns in their calculations.
"Give me the backpack, and you damn well run. It's really unfortunate to have a friend like you," Fatty said, extending a hand towards me with a resolute look, cutting off his lengthy tirade.
I understood Fatty's intention and shook my head at him. "Forget it, just give me your weapon. I can run faster than you. If I can't hold them off, I can still catch up to you. You need to leave the last stand to me; whether it works or not, we need to settle things here."
"That's exactly why I'm letting you run! Do you think we can hold off Heimanluo with just what we have? Not a chance. Besides, can you really outrun Heimanluo? You might be able to outrun Tang's girl and the American Guy, but let those two hold them off for you to have a chance to escape. Remember to check out what the Eternal Gate looks like for me; ever since I heard about this place, I've been itching to see what that ghostly gate looks like. And help Xiao Ting find her dad. You know..."
"Stop with the last words already. Can you not be so dramatic? I don't have time for your nonsense; just give me the stuff and go. Hurry up."
(To Be Continued...)
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