Chapter 387: Nightfall Over Happy Town

Report to Headquarters: The Special Investigation Team from the Happy Town Observation Post has just returned from Songshan Town. Songshan Town is clearly exhibiting an abnormal condition. Although the lights remain normal, there’s a pronounced surge of mental radiation and no signs of any figures.

Mr. Lone Soldier decided that our priority was to head to Happy Town for an investigation without any further delays.

Requesting Headquarters to send personnel for investigation!

…

After confirming Headquarters’ response, the helicopter resumed its course toward Happy Town.

The atmosphere inside the cabin grew increasingly oppressive.

Somehow, after passing over the deserted Songshan Town, everyone seemed to be shrouded in an eerie dread.

Perhaps it was because, while en route to the observation posts surrounding Happy Town to investigate anomalies, we suddenly discovered an issue at the helicopter’s resupply point—sparking the thought that everything outside might be in crisis.

Flying through the darkened sky, the helicopter felt like a bird stranded mid-air with nowhere to land.

It appeared as if beneath us lay a murky forest, with every treetop swarming with cold, venomous serpents.

Information Gathering Team, this is the Special Investigation Team. We’ll reach your position in about an hour.

How’s the situation over there?

…

After about an hour of silence in flight, the pilot initiated a call with the Information Gathering Team already stationed en route to Happy Town. Perhaps previous events had raised concerns, but thankfully, a clear reply came through: “This is the forward unit of the Information Gathering Team. We are waiting for your arrival.”

Excellent.

The pilot let out a sigh of relief, handed the communicator to the researcher behind him, and asked, “How’s the situation at the observation post?”

They…

The reporter sounded a bit flustered but quickly steadied his pace and lowered his voice: “They haven’t shown any signs of abnormality; they readily agreed to our request to remain at the observation post—almost as if they’re still alive. For now, we can only guard the area from a distance. Please, hurry over.”

In case they start showing anomalies, we really… we absolutely don’t want to open fire on them.

…

This exchange revealed the forward team’s underlying terror.

The researcher softened his tone: “Don’t worry, we’ll be there soon.”

Don’t worry. Accompanying us is Mr. Lone Soldier from the Special Action Team. He can handle any problem.

…

Lu Xin, sitting off to the side while studying data on his communicator, couldn’t help but glance at him.

Meanwhile, the researcher stared straight ahead, as if his words had nothing to do with Lu Xin.

“All right, all right…”

Over the communicator, the forward team’s mood noticeably eased: “We’ve heard of him—if he’s coming, that’s great. In 40 minutes, we’ll switch on the guide lights to mark your landing zone… please hurry.”

Once the call ended, the researcher smiled and remarked to Lu Xin, “They were really scared.”

After a brief pause, he added, “But don’t blame them for their timidity.”

Our guys from Qinggang are solid, but any ordinary person would be terrified by this sort of ordeal.

…

Hearing his words stirred a mix of emotions in Lu Xin, and he smiled and nodded in response.

Who wouldn’t be afraid in a situation like this?

He, too, felt fear—thankfully, his family was there to bolster his courage.

Though they were terrified, these people were strictly adhering to the protocols for cleaning up special pollution—a commendable effort.

Clattering bones…

The pilot, sensing their tension, instinctively picked up speed.

The helicopter sped through the pitch-black night, with oppressive darkness surging like tides below.

Outside, the wind howled like a horde of monsters clawing at the cabin walls.

This Information Gathering Team has about a hundred personnel — three investigation teams totaling nine members, twelve specialized staff, and three battalions of armed soldiers of twenty each, plus ten medical and support personnel.

The researcher began explaining: “They split into seven trucks, loaded with instruments and supplies, heading to Happy Town for information gathering. The team in the first truck was the first to notice an issue at the observation post and promptly alerted the other vehicles. Consequently, the remaining six trucks camped right there and did not move any closer.”

The twelve personnel on the first truck stayed around the observation post, establishing a basic perimeter.

Now, should we head to the rear camp first, or…

…

In the end, after a brief hesitation, he asked Lu Xin for his opinion.

“Let’s go straight over and join up with them!”

The two rear helicopters can rendezvous with the main unit first; we’ll assess the situation and then decide if we need them to come over.

Lu Xin gave a slight nod, acknowledging that they definitely felt scared right now.

After the overall briefing, the researcher suggested that they share some energy bars and water onboard to stave off hunger, since no one knew how long the investigation would last and there wouldn’t be time for a proper meal. As they finished preparing, the helicopter was already approaching the observation post, and faint lights could be seen emanating from the ground.

Those were temporary landing markers set up by the personnel below to guide the helicopter.

The helicopter began its gentle descent, and everyone on board tensed up nervously.

Lu Xin picked up his black bag and peered outside the cabin. As the helicopter drew closer to the ground, a line of people could be seen around the guide lights. The forward team appeared visibly anxious from the wait.

Approximately a hundred meters from the landing area, a few brightly lit tents were visible.

That was likely the temporary observation post set up earlier in Happy Town.

That’s where the problem originated, but at least it appeared that the colleagues at the observation post were cooperating and not running amok.

… Are we actually feeling relieved simply because the dead aren’t running around?

…

Once the helicopter firmly landed, the rotors gradually slowed until they stopped.

Lu Xin was the first to open the door and step out, carrying his black backpack.

Outside the guide lights, the forward team – clearly impatient from waiting – immediately came out to greet him.

“Excellent, you’ve finally made it.”

Their voices, though hoarse, betrayed their relief.

Lu Xin nodded as he stepped forward and reached out his hand, smiling, “Hello, I’m…”

Just as he was about to introduce himself, he halted abruptly.

Behind Lu Xin, the researcher emerged second; the moment he lifted his head, he was so startled his legs nearly gave out.

His face turned instantly pale, and he staggered, nearly falling to the ground.

Just as Lu Xin reached out, the lead member of the forward team arrived at the edge of the guide light, ready to step over. At that moment, the light illuminated his face from the darkness.

Lu Xin saw that his face was smeared with blood.

Half of his head, roughly the size of a palm, had been blown off, exposing jagged bones and ghastly pale brain matter.

Yet he appeared entirely unfazed, extending a hand covered in blood, as if eager to shake hands with Lu Xin.

Noticing Lu Xin’s hesitation and the researcher’s alarm, he seemed a bit taken aback and said:

“What’s wrong?”

At that moment, the other team members began to gather around.

Some stepped over the guide light, while others remained outside it.

The stark pale glow of the guide light was enough to reveal their grim appearances.

Lu Xin noticed that some of them bore two bullet holes in their foreheads, with blood streaming down.

Others had a dagger lodged in their chests, and with every motion, blood gushed forth.

Some had massive gashes on their necks, with barely a third of flesh connecting, causing the head to tilt lopsidedly at the shoulder.

…

Yet, despite their terrible injuries, they appeared completely oblivious.

Observing Lu Xin, the flustered researcher, and the helicopter crew, their expressions were disturbingly odd.

The leader even subconsciously wiped his face, cleaning the blood off his hands as if he hadn’t noticed it at all.

With a laugh, he said, “Why are you staring at me? Got something on my face?”

“It’s more than just dirt…”

Lu Xin muttered to himself, “Look at that—his brain matter is literally flowing out…”

Yet, with that thought swirling in his mind, he remained impassive, extending his hand to shake with the leader.

The sticky blood and the cold, clammy hand made Lu Xin’s palm feel incredibly uneasy.

But he didn’t show any sign of alarm. Smiling, he said, “Hello, I’m Lone Soldier, here to investigate the incident.”

“I’ve heard of you, Mr. Lone Soldier.”

The leader burst out laughing, and as he did, blood poured from the gash in his head in spurts.

“Now that you’re here, we can breathe easier. Shall we head into the tent to discuss further?”

He said this while turning and pointing toward the tent.

Behind him, his teammates nodded eagerly, as though visibly excited.

However, seeing such normal expressions on them evoked a strong, unsettling strangeness.

“They don’t seem to be faking it…”

“So, they really don’t realize they’re dead?”

…

Lu Xin made his judgment silently and nodded, “Alright.”

Then he turned back toward the helicopter and said, “They need to gather information from another area, so let them go on ahead!”

The researcher was utterly astonished by Lu Xin’s words.

But Lu Xin simply nodded, as there was no time for further discussion.

The researcher instantly understood. Though he didn’t have much hair and wasn’t exceptionally fit, his logical and composed nature allowed him to decide quickly. He immediately turned and darted back into the cabin, murmuring something under his breath.

The rotors, which had been nearly at a standstill, immediately sped up and whirled rapidly once more.

As the helicopter rapidly ascended, Lu Xin turned and looked at the corpses ahead, a gentle smile on his face, and said:

“Let’s move on.”