Chapter 637: The Abyss Beckons

Xia Chong blinked, her impassive face betraying deep confusion.

She was certain that she had clearly described to Lu Xin the terror of the entity guarding the Flame Building deep within the Abyss.

Then why did this so-called Single Soldier insist on going?

She was aware of his formidable strength; his capture of Hell’s Messenger had already given her some clues.

Still, she believed that no matter how strong a human might be, there were limits.

Besides, she had just seen him nearly cornered amid the Hell Regiment’s assault, and that thing he sensed in the Abyss was far more terrifying than the Hell Regiment itself…

That was why, seeing Lu Xin completely oblivious—even earnestly preparing for what lay ahead—Xia Chong couldn’t help but feel exasperated:

“Is he out of his mind?”

She even entertained the uncertain thought: is he really willing to risk it all for a hundred million?

Fortunately, Lu Xin was unaware of Xia Chong’s doubts, or else he would have shown some humility…

Who needs a hundred million anyway!

……

Although she had repeatedly confirmed with Lu Xin whether he truly intended to venture into the Abyss, his resolute tone and confident attitude eventually won her over. Still, Xia Chong waited half an hour as usual and even contacted Negative Zero Unit.

Currently, they were in a secret chamber deep underground in Flame City.

Thick, layered water barriers blocked the way, their defenses impenetrably tight.

Entering by conventional means would require passing through multiple corridors, then taking an elevator down more than eighty meters, and finally breaching three sealed doors. Yet with Xia Chong’s abilities, all it took was to open a door, step in, and shut it behind her.

Negative Zero Unit couldn’t enter the Abyss, so they usually had to split up.

Luckily, Negative Zero Unit possessed unique traits and wasn’t intimidated by the Hell Regiment’s purge, instead gathering intelligence on the surface.

“The Hell Regiment has withdrawn, and disturbances throughout Flame City have been quelled…”

“For now, the number of outsiders who have perished or been captured remains unknown.”

“Based on the Security Hall and law enforcement’s search patterns and trajectories, at least five individuals are still on the run.”

“The rendezvous code with Mercenary Dracula remains unanswered.”

……

After receiving this information, Xia Chong pondered seriously before deciding to accompany Lu Xin into the Abyss.

Earlier, amid the city’s turmoil, they had thought opportunity was knocking, watching and waiting.

But unexpectedly, Flame City, with decisive resolve, deployed the Hell Regiment to cleanse the riots. In just one hour, every disturbance was brutally suppressed, restoring the city to its former calm.

Even Mercenary Dracula, whom they had pinned their hopes on, had remained silent.

From Xia Chong’s perspective, the situation had reached a deadlock, with no prospects in sight. Waiting any longer was no option.

They were running out of time, so they could only take a risky gamble.

“I agree with your suggestion, and I can promise you that I’ll try to secure that reward from the Research Institute.”

After careful thought, Xia Chong stepped before Lu Xin and said firmly, “But to thwart the Hell Project—and for the sake of our lives—I need to set three conditions before taking you into the Abyss. First, once inside, you obey my every command.”

“Second, once in the Abyss, do not act on your own.”

“Third, if things get too tough, you must not push on. When I say retreat, we pull back immediately.”

……

Lu Xin listened intently to Xia Chong’s instructions, then, looking a bit puzzled, remarked, “Those three points sound like one and the same…”

Xia Chong narrowed her eyes, fixing her gaze on Lu Xin.

Lu Xin quickly assured, “Alright, alright—I’ll do as you say.”

His tone was earnest, as if promising to heed every word for a hundred million.

“Alright, let’s move out.”

Xia Chong took a deep breath and began her preparations. She donned a tactical vest specially designed by the Research Institute, slinging a portable multi-barrel rotary gun loaded with an entire box of Special Bullets over her shoulder, with two large boxes of spare rounds tucked at her waist.

A sharp dagger was secured in its sheath on her left leg, and on her right leg she had strapped a small black bag filled with several silver electronic instruments. In addition, she changed into a pair of sturdy leather shoes and long socks.

With that, she immediately looked like a walking arsenal.

A miniaturized arsenal, at that.

Watching Xia Chong expertly gear up, Lu Xin felt a tinge of envy, wishing he could appear as professional. Aside from pulling out a gun from his black bag, checking and racking a fresh chamber, he hadn’t managed much else.

It was a pity that his pair of Revolvers had gone missing.

He wasn’t even sure if they could be recovered.

If he really couldn’t find them, how would he manage work back in Qinggang?

“Huff… huff…”

As Lu Xin watched Xia Chong concentrate on her preparations, a hissing sound arose from nearby.

Turning his head, he saw a scalpel, bound up like a mummy on the bed, energetically beckoning him with gasps and exaggerated hissing to grab its attention. When it caught his eye, it frantically winked.

Rushing over, Lu Xin pressed his ear to its mouth and heard it weakly instruct, “Hold onto her…”

“Oh?”

Lu Xin shot a glance at the stern Xia Chong and suddenly understood, nodding emphatically.

The scalpel raised its handle by a couple of centimeters and even gave a small thumbs-up…

“Wait for me for three hours.”

Once ready, Xia Chong spoke gravely to a tearful Beast Tamer off to the side, “If I haven’t returned or updated you with a new objective within three hours, then our mission is considered a failure…”

She paused, her expression resolute, “Immediately notify Negative Zero Unit to evacuate you all from Flame City!”

The scalpel’s eyes shone with a grateful gleam, though it could not speak.

“Then you go…”

Meanwhile, the Beast Tamer forcefully wiped his nose and said, “After all, in this life, who can avoid death?”

“To depart this world with dignity is the greatest blessing, isn’t it?”

……

“This farewell feels… off somehow…”

A strange feeling welled up in Lu Xin as he shot a glance at Xia Chong.

Not getting the response she craved, Xia Chong briefly faltered. Then, with a puckered lip, she resumed her strict composure, turning to Lu Xin and extending her small, meaty hand, saying, “Hold on.”

Lu Xin quickly stepped forward and grasped her hand.

Xia Chong took a deep breath and whispered, “For the sake of civilization and order in this world…”

She then turned the doorknob and stepped inside.

……

……

Dark red, cracked, and dilapidated hues met their eyes as a dry, chilling breath hit their faces.

Following Xia Chong into the Abyss, Lu Xin scrutinized this overlapping expanse of the Abyss and Flame City—a mission now valued at a hundred million more than before.

On the whole, this Abyss felt no different from others: a bleak, suffocating atmosphere of unbounded despair.

Yet something was undeniably amiss.

After steadying himself, Lu Xin realized that this place lacked the eerie sensation of being secretly watched.

It was as if, unlike other Abysses teeming with skulking presences, here there were hardly any.

He wondered whether it was because the residents of Flame City had fallen into a deep slumber, or if the Hell Regiment’s recent purge had scared away the bizarre Mental Monsters that usually lurked in the Abyss of Flame City…

“Shh… rattle…”

On the ground, layer upon layer of withered, blackened hands appeared—denser and more menacing than anywhere else.

And they looked vicious.

Barely a few steps into the Abyss, Xia Chong’s legs were riddled with wounds, blood oozing everywhere.

Even Lu Xin felt the sting of torn flesh as he looked down to see his pants sliced open by numerous cuts.

These handprints, symbols of human greed and malice, seemed unfazed by their presence.

Lu Xin said nothing, but a quiet dissatisfaction stirred within him.

Since entering this city—from that Crooked Hat who demanded a 5,000 yuan toll right at the start, to an army of helicopters intercepting his path without discrimination by the Security Hall and law enforcement, to the pale, grasping hands trying to snatch away his debtor’s heart in front of him, and even the Hell Regiment assaulting him on the streets…

Flame City truly seemed to have no respect for him!

……

While Lu Xin mulled over this, Xia Chong gripped his hand firmly and led him swiftly toward the heart of the city.

Their eyes pierced through the twisted dark red air, and soon they spotted their target.

It was unmistakable.

Everything in the Abyss appeared in ruins—even life itself seemed in tatters.

Yet, at the center of this devastation, a complete building towered proudly.

Its dark red facade and hazy structure stood like a monarch among ruins, pointing straight at the stormy sky.

Surrounding it, waves of mental power surged like tides, emanating from and converging upon it.

“So magnificent…”

Lu Xin sighed deeply while gazing at the imposing Flame Building.

“Be careful…”

At the same moment he laid eyes on the Flame Building, Xia Chong became visibly alert. She scampered with nimble steps, dragging Lu Xin through the uneven, crumbling structures for cover, as if stealthily moving like a thief…

Lu Xin recalled that her previous forays into the Abyss were headfirst charges with no caution.

But this time, she was so cautious…

“Do you feel it?”

Stopping behind a low-hanging wall, Xia Chong peeked out briefly before quickly retracting her head.

Her face was grave as she whispered,

Lu Xin nodded, understanding what she meant.

He, too, sensed that near the Flame Building, something was lurking—coldly scanning its surroundings.

But the sensation was faint, too distant to be certain.

“Could we get any closer?”

Xia Chong shook her head gravely and replied, “Absolutely not. I’m responsible for the mission and for our lives. This is as close as I can safely get. Any further, and it might detect us…”

Even a chubby little insect perched atop her head nodded in agreement.

“This…”

Lu Xin felt a touch of reluctance. Suddenly, he recalled the scalpel’s parting words as they arrived.

Understanding flashed in his mind as he composed himself and said firmly:

“I know it’s dangerous, but you’re the mid-level Investigator at the Research Institute, Ms. Xia Chong. Flame City’s assignment to build a hell out of this place rested in your hands, and so many lives depend on your actions because they believe in you…”

“With such heavy responsibility, how can we afford to back down?”

……

“Huh?”

Xia Chong paused, a brief look of delight crossing her stern face before she forced it aside.

Then, nodding gravely, she said, “Alright then, just a bit closer…”