Chi Ying didn’t even have time to take in what the so-called experimental base looked like before she was taken straight to its lowest level.
The interior was divided into compartmentalized cells, each with only a small window—likely for delivering food and water. It had the oppressive look of a place meant for high-risk prisoners.
She guessed that most of the people locked up here were the missing supernatural beings.
Her hands were cuffed behind her back, and the man in glasses followed closely, keeping a small distance.
Chi Ying looked around and asked, “Which cell are Gu Chi and Mu Yu in?”
The corner of the man’s mouth twitched.
“You think I’d tell you?”
“Oh.” Chi Ying looked disappointed. “Lame.”
The man: “…”
“Then how are they?”
“Not good. Especially your captain.”
He paused, a sinister smile tugging at his lips. “Let me tell you the truth—he won’t last much longer. Even if the wounds on your neck have healed, it’s pointless. That Song Shi has already mutated into a zombie. She scratched you. What do you think that means?”
Chi Ying showed just the right amount of shock.He sneered. “Yeah. Don’t even think about getting out of here, let alone saving anyone.”
He stopped in front of a random cell and gestured lazily. “In you go.”
Chi Ying pursed her lips. “Can I be put somewhere else? I want to be with Gu Chi.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you think this is a hotel? You’re not here to plan your little escape. Even if you did, this place is locked down tighter than a fortress. Your scheming’s useless.”
Chi Ying fell silent for a moment, then tried another approach.
“Actually,” she said solemnly, “I just want to see my husband one last time before I die.”
“…Really?” The man in glasses perked up with glee. “Well, in that case—absolutely not.”
Breaking up lovers was his second-greatest joy in life. The first? Watching humanity collapse.
He suddenly changed his mind. “On second thought… maybe I will let you see him. Watching you mutate in front of your beloved might be more entertaining.”
He unlocked a nearby cell.
“Go in.”
Chi Ying stepped inside and immediately spotted Gu Chi leaning against the wall in a corner.
His lips were pale, and his neck and temples were marked with red spots. Near his collarbone were two deep, shocking wounds.
Seeing those gashes made her heart tighten painfully.
Gu Chi saw her and tried to stand, but his arms gave out beneath him. It was as if all his strength had been drained.
“Heh.” The man outside sneered. “You two should say your goodbyes. In a few days, you’ll only be able to talk in groans and snarls.”
Bang!
Chi Ying slammed the door shut in his face.
From outside: “…”
“Add more locks!” he shouted furiously.
__
Inside the cell, Gu Chi asked, “What did Sun Shi say?”
“So his name is Sun Shi…” Chi Ying said casually, dodging the question.
She walked over and examined him. “I can’t sense your ability. What happened?”
“Drained,” Gu Chi said with a cough. “They used a machine that extracts supernatural energy. I’ve heard of something like it at headquarters. It was banned because it could be misused, but apparently they’ve recreated it.”
Chi Ying’s heart sank. “So they used that on you?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“Can you recover?”
“Doubtful. Once it’s completely drained, restoration is nearly impossible.”
Chi Ying’s eyes dimmed.
Knowing he couldn’t move much, she crouched in front of him, gaze fixed on the wounds she had been worried about.
“What happened to your neck?”
“I’ll explain. But first, listen—last night, something strange happened. The detector for zombie leaders registered a phenomenon…”
Chi Ying tensed. “What kind of phenomenon?”
Gu Chi hesitated. “…It indicated that there are at least a hundred leaders in this base.”
Her eyes widened.
“I think they’re experimenting with methods to create leaders. That man Sun Shi is a known anti-human extremist with frightening talent in biological research. If he’s working for them, then the real mastermind must be even worse.”
Chi Ying was silent.
“Chi Ying,” Gu Chi said seriously, “if things get out of control—destroy this place. Even if it means sacrificing me and everyone else trapped here.”
She froze.
“I know you can do it,” he added with a faint smile.
She didn’t respond. Instead, she returned to the topic that had been gnawing at her.
“Your injuries… were they caused by a zombie?”
Gu Chi smiled wryly. “Yeah. Looks like I’ll be turning soon.”
“Mu Yu is safe for now,” he added. “They’re only targeting those above level five.”
Chi Ying let out a breath of relief.
Thankfully, she had unlocked the zombie cure in the system shop days ago.
[Host is lucky to have unlocked the antidote early.]
The system sounded relieved.
Chi Ying nodded internally. Yes.
[One bottle goes a long way. Check the dosage instructions.]
Without wasting time, she retrieved the green potion from the space and carefully filled a test tube based on the dosage.
She knelt down in front of Gu Chi and hesitated—how should she explain this mystery medicine without alarming him?
Before she could speak, Gu Chi beat her to it.
“Chi Ying…” His voice was low, serious.
Her heart skipped a beat. An ominous feeling swept over her. She had the sudden urge to cover his mouth.
Don’t say it… not now…
Gu Chi looked at her intently. “I like you.”
[Oho.] The system munched on popcorn.
Chi Ying’s hand trembled. She drew in a sharp breath, then snapped, “Open your mouth!”
Gu Chi blinked. Huh?
“I said… I like you,” he repeated, a little confused.
“I said—open your mouth!”
“…Oh.” Gu Chi shut up.
Chi Ying slapped his cheek gently, and Gu Chi, still dazed, opened his mouth. She promptly poured the contents of the test tube in.
“…Done.”
Gu Chi was about to speak again when he noticed her ears—bright red beneath her tousled hair.
He went silent.
“I heard you,” Chi Ying muttered, eyes still averted.
Gu Chi’s fingers curled tightly at his sides.
“The medicine appeared in my space a few days ago. It cures the zombie virus. You’ll be okay now.”
Gu Chi was stunned but didn’t question her.
“So…” Chi Ying’s voice was soft, trembling. “If you have more to say… you can take your time.”
Gu Chi smiled faintly. Don’t worry, let her take it easy.
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1