Chapter 8

In the room, Bai Lang held the survival axe and began swinging it through the air with different strengths, feeling its balance and the sensation of exerting and controlling force.

Immediately after, still unsatisfied, he looked around and started chopping at the cabinets, the door, and the walls. In the process, he switched to a machete and a katana for comparison, discovering that the axe had the greatest destructive power.

Bang bang bang...

Creak!

"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you!"

Just as he was passionately chopping at the wall, the door suddenly opened. A woman pushed it open and saw Bai Lang holding the axe, violently chopping at the wall as if it were a rival, with debris flying everywhere. She shuddered and quickly apologized, closing the door.

After the woman left, he stopped the destruction, hung the axe on his waist, and continued to survey the room.

The room was filled with various equipment, but the first task was to escape, so his backpack couldn't be too heavy. Thinking of the flying monsters on the rooftop, the survival axe, though powerful, had a short range. He then picked up a metal bat.

It was heavy and substantial in his hands. He swung it with both hands, creating a buzzing sound as it cut through the air. He turned and aimed at the battered bathroom door, launching another attack.

Bang bang bang...

Creak! (Opening the door)

Thud! (Closing the door)

During his equipment testing, someone else pushed the door open, saw a madman venting his anger on the wall, and quietly retreated. Bai Lang also explored a few adjacent rooms, finding similar supplies, and didn't waste any more energy.

About 15 minutes later, he was fully equipped and took the elevator down to the first floor. When the elevator doors opened, he saw a scene of chaos.

...

At this moment, the lighting in the building's first floor had been restored, but the hall was covered in dust and dirt, the air damp and moldy. The glass windows were cracked and broken, the main door was bent from being hit by abandoned cars, and wild grass and vegetation grew sporadically on the marble floor. There were animal tracks, dried and blackened bloodstains, and scattered, dried bones...

From the remaining decor, one could faintly discern the once luxurious and grand layout. However, it had clearly been abandoned for a long time, with signs of decay everywhere. Even birds had made nests in the chandeliers, now startled by the lights and flapping their wings, issuing warning calls.

Additionally, insects the size of fists were circling the lights, their wings buzzing rapidly. There were signs of wild animals living in the hall, even nesting there, leaving large amounts of feces and fresh footprints.

Perhaps due to the sudden restoration of power, these animals had been scared away and were not seen.

...

Bai Lang cautiously moved forward, kicking aside an old, deteriorated suitcase. Two lizard-like creatures, startled, darted out in a black blur and disappeared.

He looked around and saw a few fully armed survivors gathered by the glass, hesitantly looking outside. When they saw Bai Lang, they seemed to recognize him from the rooftop and nodded in greeting.

The situation here was unexpected. The bright lights on the first floor had not attracted a monster attack, and the hall was unusually quiet except for the insects and birds.

Seeing Bai Lang approach, a man waved him over and said, "There's a group of monsters lurking outside, but they haven't come closer. I suspect they might be afraid of the light. We..."

Bai Lang walked over and looked outside. In the darkness, pairs of glowing eyes reflected back—white, green, and red—blinking eerily. But within the range of the building's lights, there were no monsters, all hiding in the shadows further away.

He wasn't sure what was going on, but the expected scene of monsters surrounding the building in waves, ready to charge at a signal, hadn't materialized.

Instead, there were only a few scattered monsters, not forming a significant threat. The scene was far from his expectations, and his initial caution and worry dissipated.

Upon reflection, it made sense. If it were that dire, the task difficulty would not be "extremely easy" but "hellish." This opening task shouldn't be too difficult.

...

At this point, the man who spoke finished his thoughts.

It was clear they didn't want to charge directly but planned to wait for more people to join, share the pressure, and break through the monsters' blockade together.

Bai Lang had no objections. He also didn't want to be the first to charge out, sacrificing himself to draw the monsters, only to be chased and surrounded, screaming as he was dragged into a corner.

...

Soon, more people arrived on the first floor.

Some found leaders and joined small groups; others distrusted the outside and chose to go alone; and some who knew each other before entering this world formed partnerships.

Seeing the numbers were sufficient, the man who spoke earlier stood up again and said, "Everyone, we've already wasted a lot of time. If we don't want to be trapped, we need to charge out together! If we continue to delay, the number of monsters outside will only increase, reducing our chances of escape."

Bai Lang looked outside again. Was it his imagination, or were there more glowing eyes?

"Shouldn't we wait for more people? More people mean more strength!" a young, panicked man asked.

At this, a bearded, muscular man wielding a large fire axe glanced at him disdainfully and said coldly, "That's your choice. But don't forget, more people also attract more monsters. The longer we delay, the more monsters will gather. I will lead the charge. Those who want to leave, step forward. No one is being forced. Countdown starts now..."

Bai Lang looked at the man's axe and then at his own, feeling a bit ashamed.

As soon as the bearded man finished speaking, some people stepped forward. Not everyone was timid, preferring to hide in the building and wait for others to die. Watching the monsters increase was also distressing, and it was better to take a chance.

Bai Lang had also seriously analyzed the situation. The possibility of charging through was high! After all, the guide had said this task tested one's mindset. Don't be afraid; just do it.

The 30-second countdown ended, and seven people, including a muscular woman, gathered around the bearded man. Bai Lang, gripping the bat, was among them.

Perhaps due to the group's influence, two more hesitant men gritted their teeth and joined, ready to take a chance.

"Let's go...!"

The bearded man kicked open the deformed door and charged out into the cold night air, where the sounds of commotion and beastly cries echoed in the darkness.

Bai Lang looked up and saw many flying creatures circling in the sky, prevented from landing by some unknown force. They chirped more urgently. He guessed that a similar force was driving the surrounding monsters away, preventing them from approaching the building.

"The camp is in that direction, let's charge together!" The bearded man pointed with his axe and led the charge into the dark streets.

"Charge!" The group tightened their grips on their weapons, adjusted their breathing, and followed, charging at the monsters with a fierce momentum.

However, the monsters lurking in the darkness, their eyes glowing, immediately scattered, cunningly avoiding the group and not rushing to attack.

...

Bai Lang ran with the group, his mind free of concerns. By the red light in the sky, he could see the surroundings.

The desolate, abandoned road was littered with garbage and weeds, the path cleared with rusted vehicles piled on the sides. In the darkness, many shadowy figures darted around, the monsters trailing behind, of various sizes and clearly different species.

Soon, his teammates began to be attacked. Some cried out in alarm, others roared to boost their courage, swinging their weapons in retaliation, followed by the monsters' cries...

Bai Lang, full of energy and adrenaline, ran quickly, the wind whistling in his ears, his heart pounding with a mix of tension, excitement, and thrill, unlike the usual exhaustion he felt after a short period of exercise.

...

At midnight, on the desolate, abandoned street, Bai Lang was chased by a group of monsters, his speed reaching new heights, outpacing one teammate after another. A thought flashed through his mind: As long as I run fast enough...

His heart raced, blood surged, and nerves were taut, giving him the same feeling he had when playing "Left 4 Dead" for the first time in a cyber café, being chased by a horde of zombies: tension, heart-pounding, and excitement!

Roar!

Just then, a half-human-sized, hideous red-skinned monster suddenly leaped out from an abandoned car, opening its foul, sharp mouth and swinging its weapon at Bai Lang with a monstrous cry.