A wave of dizziness washed over me, my head buzzing as if thousands of cicadas were shrieking inside. I bolted upright, rubbing my temples to dispel the vertigo before starting to observe my surroundings.
Before me was a vast waiting hall, swarming with people. Right in the center stood a towering Demon Gate, radiating a chilling pressure that sent shivers down one's spine. There was no doubt about it - this was the staging area before entering an official mission.
What caught my eye were the pale, bewildered faces of the "newbies." Seeing the sheer panic etched on their features, I couldn't help but see a reflection of myself during those first days of being thrown into this hellhole.
However, before any sympathy could take root, I saw a group of "veterans" beginning to approach. They wore fake smiles, uttering hollow reassurances to begin the process of "herding the sheep." In a world where life is as fragile as a thread, these naive, trusting souls were the perfect "human shields" that the veterans never wanted to miss out on.
I turned to my side; Qing Yashu was still standing there, her figure slender yet resolute. Her gaze was contemplative, silently observing the veterans' deceptive ploys with clear disdain.
Looking at them, I suddenly felt incredibly lucky. On the first day I was tossed into this nightmare, if the person I had met hadn't been a kind-hearted Yashu, but those scheming foxes laughing over there, I might have long since become a soulless corpse or been sacrificed as a scapegoat.
The veterans were both numerous and cunning; we knew we didn't have the strength to confront them directly or stop them all. Despite the indignation burning within, survival remained our top priority. We could only choose to brush past the newly awakened rookies, whispering a fleeting warning: "Be careful with those people," before quickly moving on before the scrutinizing eyes of the "old foxes" could catch us.
Yet, our kindness was rarely rewarded. Some paid no heed to the warning at all, instead becoming captivated by the "honeyed" promises of the treacherous veterans.
The feeling of having help rejected was unpleasant, leaving a bitter tang in my throat. But Yashu and I could only exchange helpless glances. Ultimately, in this place where the line between life and death is razor-thin, the choice was theirs, and they would have to bear the cost themselves. We couldn't save those who insisted on diving headfirst into death.
The hall suddenly fell deathly silent. After a few minutes of tense waiting, the massive, eerie gate ahead began to emit dry "crack... snap..." sounds. It echoed like the sound of human joints being snapped, signaling that the deadly mission cycle had officially begun.
As the gate swung wide, an invisible surge of pressure crashed down, throwing the crowd into a frenzy. Everyone scrambled to rush inside as if fearing that being a step behind would mean certain death. In contrast to the panic, Yashu and I maintained the necessary composure. We waited patiently, only stepping forward once the crowd had thinned out.
Suddenly, I felt a cold chill run down my spine. Instinctively glancing back, my pupils contracted slightly.
Not far behind was a tall young man, his auburn hair glinting under the dim light of the hall. Looking at that swaggering, arrogant gait that screamed "the world revolves around me," it only took me a few seconds to recognize the familiar face.
It was Xi Yong'an - the perverted rich heir who had shamelessly stalked and flirted with Yashu a few days ago.
"Damn it..." I cursed inwardly. A distinct sense of unease rose within me. It truly is a small world for enemies. I only silently prayed that in this survival mission, we wouldn't have to cross paths or deal with that nuisance ever again.
A crimson aura enveloped us, pulling me into the Demon Gate.
The moment I opened my eyes, a bone-chilling cold hit me. The ground beneath my feet was muddy and waterlogged. Heavy raindrops dripped from the towering canopy, mingling with the whispers of the surrounding crowd, jolting me awake. Before me was a dense primeval forest; ancient trees, twisted like demon arms, reached out through the misty, gloomy, and hair-raising fog.
I staggered to my feet, quickly scanning the area to count heads: 11 people. An odd number, and a deeply unsettling one.
-"Yashu, wake up!" I tapped her shoulder, calling her back to consciousness.
While Yashu was still groggy, my vision suddenly froze. On the opposite side, a head of auburn hair stood out among the crowd. I blinked several times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
It was Xi Yong'an again.
Absolute rotten luck. I never expected to be teamed up for a mission with this guy.
Shoving the ill omen aside, I focused on the reality of the situation. Amidst the pitter-patter of the rain, a trembling female voice rang out. It was a girl with vibrant light pink hair, though her face was deathly pale:
-"Are we... lost?"
-"We don't know yet. But for now, that seems to be the case."
Another girl spoke up, cutting her off. Her face was as cold as stone, her sharp eyes scanning the sparse canopy that offered little protection against the intensifying rain. She added with a dose of harsh reality:
-"These trees won't hold out for long. We're all about to be soaked to the bone."
[ Hi everyone, it's the author here. Since I was a bit busy last weekend, I couldn't post new chapters on Saturday and Sunday as usual.
To make up for the wait, I'll be releasing a super long chapter ( special edition ) this Friday as my sincerest apology. Thank you so much for always sticking with me and supporting my story! See you all this Friday! >,< ]