Under the saturated bombardment, a wide passage was easily torn through the Remnant's nest. During this time, combined with the heightened vigilance of Wei Huan and his team and the redeployment of the Criminal Sequence, the illusions never descended again.
Wei Huan stayed by Mu Zhong's side for a long time out of concern; the new sofa in the deputy captain's cabin, added after the upgrade, finally came in handy. Mu Zhong, meanwhile, concentrated on commanding the vehicle from his pilot's seat. Before him sat a complex control panel; in critical moments, he could take over the driving rights and operate everything manually. Of course, Wei Huan's captain's cabin had an identical system with higher authority than the deputy's.
Most of the time, the vehicle was controlled by the AI butler. However, its route and tactical arrangements still required professional pilots to oversee. In complex tasks, the AI might not fully grasp the captain's intent, necessitating human control—specifically, a team to manage the finer details.
Mu Zhong sat at his post with two Criminal Sequence members standing to his left. Outside the vehicle, the number of Criminal Sequence members performing extravehicular duties had increased to three to ensure absolute safety. With five Criminal Sequence members acting as "anchors," Mu Zhong was practically immune to mental interference, issuing orders with a perfectly clear mind. Wei Huan, having recalled his undead army, had little to do and waited there with him.
Eventually, as they delved deeper, they encountered their first major obstacle.
In the jelly-like seawater, thin seagrass—initially as fine as hair—began to appear. While easily sliced into fragments by Level 8 weapons, these strands gradually thickened to the size of fingers, then wrists, until they were eventually thicker than the vehicle itself.
While the Level 8 weapons cut through them easily, this slicing attack was less efficient than crushing or explosive weapons for "clearing the scene." Consequently, the "Remnant remains" appearing before the vehicle began to possess the ability to impact the vehicle's protective shield. Although the Level 7 shield handled these fragments easily, the sheer volume made it feel like walking through a sponge pit as a child—even if the sponges are light and harmless, they still impede progress.
Mu Zhong issued a new order: "Long-range team, board the war platform! Blast the path ahead!" He turned to explain to Wei Huan, "The entire area is saturated with these fragments, which is draining our combat effectiveness. We need magic to incinerate them."
Wei Huan nodded. "I suppose the high-temperature damage of Level 6 weapons was designed for this environment. We skipped two levels; though the Remnants are easily sliced, it leaves a lot of mess."
Mu Zhong's eyes flickered as he smiled. "Isn't that a coincidence? While we lack high-level weapons in the fleet, we have plenty of Level 6 ones."
"True, but while they are deployed, our own vehicle's weapons cannot fire."
"Research proves that even as severed remains, the Remnants possess powerful spiritual attacks. These fragments are piled up in front of us, yet we aren't affected by illusions. Clearly, the Criminal Sequence members are doing their job well." Hearing the praise, the two Criminal Sequence members in the cabin straightened their backs, filled with pride at being useful.
The decision proved correct. After reducing the Level 8 attacks and delegating the task of clearing the path to the nine following vehicles and the mages on the platform, their speed increased. High-temperature damage vaporized the seagrass fragments, allowing the vehicle to advance significantly before new grass could close in. The captains of various nations worked diligently within the protective shield's range, firing continuously. Wei Huan provided all the energy; they only needed to fire madly to open a path.
Wei Huan watched the fragments, wondering what he would see if he fell into an illusion. Would these seagrass strands turn into human limbs? Would he feel like he was in a meat grinder surrounded by gore? Fortunately, since the Remnants were plant-based, he felt relieved comparing them to chewed-up vegetables.
"Report: Allied vehicle detected ahead," the AI butler suddenly announced, marking a red dot on the map.
The dot appeared to their front-left. Wei Huan checked the Criminal Sequence members, sensing the anchors were stable. "Drive toward it. Can we contact them? Identify the vehicle."
"No response. Unable to identify," the AI replied. Mu Zhong added, via the 'Heart of Steel', "Unable to identify the nation, but scans suggest the vehicle may be destroyed."
Wei Huan, realizing the gravity of the situation, didn't stop the others from firing but warned, "Be careful."
The vehicle forced its way through the seagrass fragments. After a slow advance, the AI reported, "Target found..."
Before the AI could finish, Wei Huan's eyes caught an anomaly. Among the seagrass fragments, he saw a hand—a human hand. It floated limply, missing a thumb, with a clean cut identical to the seagrass around it. There was no doubt: the Level 8 ring of light did not distinguish between friend and foe.
Soon, more remains were found. White flesh mixed conspicuously with black seagrass. When Wei Huan saw what looked like a fragment of a head, his brow furrowed deeply. It made everyone wonder: had their own bombardment snuffed out the last breath of their kin? Had they killed them?
Silence fell inside and outside the vehicle. The sight of human tissue mixed with seagrass was nauseating and terrifying, as if something horrific was lurking behind the obscured vision.
"Should we recover them?" Mu Zhong asked over the public channel.
Wei Huan replied, "No. The danger isn't cleared. We can burn this place when we leave, but not now."
"Understood." Mu Zhong looked at Wei Huan, knowing this decision was painful. Wei Huan rarely explained his choices, but he had added that extra sentence this time. He was reliable and never acted on impulse, always making the most rational judgment.
As they moved forward, their Sequence 5 vision allowed them to see severed limbs pushed aside by the shield and submerged in seagrass. More remains appeared, and everyone's nerves were taut. Even those accustomed to death found this scene hard to stomach.
When they were within three kilometers of the scanned vehicle, the seagrass fragments grew larger, and intact corpses of challengers began to appear. They floated in the debris, pale and frozen in strange postures. In one small area, there were over a dozen humans. To avoid further damage, Wei Huan's vehicle stopped attacking and slowed down.
The AI butler scanned for vital signs. "Identity verified: Lieutenant Krishna, Command Staff of the Australian vehicle. Vital signs gone. Confirmed deceased." It continued, "Major Anna, Sequence 5 Druid, Main Combat Personnel. Confirmed deceased... Cabin crew of the Australian vehicle..."
As the AI reported, the corpses were highlighted in a faint red light. Wei Huan didn't remember most of them; a Level 6 vehicle held a thousand people. Most were like screws in a precision machine, perhaps never leaving the vehicle during their time in the Challenge World. But now, they were like popped popcorn, cast out from their sanctuary, their lives frozen forever.
He did, however, remember Lieutenant Krishna. The Australian captain had trusted him deeply, keeping him as an adjutant even during meetings. Now, the lieutenant was crushed between two large seagrass fragments, his body twisted grotesquely. His expression was hollow, eyes wide, mouth open in a silent, frozen scream of terror.
Wei Huan felt a surge of sorrow. He had killed many monsters and humans, but seeing the death of his own kind still brought a deep, inner grief. If possible, he wanted everyone to live long, happy lives.
Suddenly, Wei Huan's expression froze. He looked closer. Inside Lieutenant Krishna's wide-open mouth, the tongue gave two slow, subtle twitches.
Realizing the implication, Wei Huan barked, "Anchors!"
The two Criminal Sequence members in the room immediately activated their "Endless Prison," actively anchoring stability. Wei Huan adjusted his position to keep the Criminal Sequence members in sight while watching Krishna's corpse. The tongue stopped moving. 'Was it a spiritual attack? Even under protection, did I almost fall for it?'
Just then, the brown pupils in those wide, dead eyes suddenly snapped toward Wei Huan, staring straight at him.
This was absolutely not an illusion!
"Xu Qingqiang! The corpse to the front-left!" Wei Huan commanded.
Xu Qingqiang, sitting cross-legged on the exterior hood, transformed into a streak of black light and charged out with a cackle. Simultaneously, Wei Huan's undead portals opened outside the car. Eight gates flew open, and fierce, Two-Headed Hidden Demon Shura Horses poured out, following Xu Qingqiang.
The corpse of Lieutenant Krishna stopped playing dead. He pushed aside the seagrass fragments and turned to face Wei Huan with a sinister look. Had he betrayed humanity? Or was he controlled by an illusion? There was no time to check. Xu Qingqiang was lightning-fast; aided by his "Sea Pearl" ability, he reached the corpse in an instant and lashed out with his claws.
The powerful strike tore through the water and Krishna's chest as if slicing through space itself. Since the "Dark Source Training Room," Xu Qingqiang's strength had reached a new level—he was now fully equipped in Diamond-tier gear provided for free.
When Xu Qingqiang shredded Krishna's chest, no one thought he was going mad; they knew he must have sensed something. After the strike, Xu Qingqiang didn't press the attack but retreated cautiously back into the middle of the undead squad. His rare act of hiding behind the Two-Headed Hidden Demons made everyone's heart skip a beat.
Krishna's body was flung back against a large seagrass block. His chest was torn open from the left shoulder to the right waist, exposing ribs and organs. Yet, there was no blood. He pushed back with a weird posture and charged at Xu Qingqiang again, seemingly feeling no pain.
Wei Huan gave a command, and the Two-Headed Hidden Demons swarmed. Just as they were about to collide, Krishna's chest heaved twice, and a massive eruption of pitch-black tentacles burst from the wound. These tentacles were a hundred times the size of the man, slamming down like a giant palm. The leading Hidden Demons were struck so hard their bodies nearly split, falling into the depths.
In a single exchange, twenty demons were knocked away. The ones behind stayed wary, creating a stalemate.
"Boss?" Xu Qingqiang's voice echoed in the vehicle.
"Do it," Wei Huan replied.
"You got it. Boss Mu?" Xu Qingqiang added.
"Wait for it," Mu Zhong said. He flicked his emerald earring. 'Ding!' The sound of ancient war drums echoed, and the silhouettes of ancestral priests appeared above. A red light descended on Xu Qingqiang, increasing his bloodlust tenfold.
"Hehehe!"
Xu Qingqiang shot out like a cannonball, slamming into the mass of tentacles. Wei Huan ordered the Hidden Demons to cover him at all costs. The sea surged with waving tentacles and a silent scream that made people feel like their heads would explode.
Amidst the chaotic battle, more figures emerged from the seagrass—one, two, three... Wei Huan realized he had been lured into a trap. These "humans" floated in the water, their bodies mostly intact but missing pieces of heads or limbs. Tentacles, like those from Krishna's chest, wriggled out from their wounds, casting black shadows in the water.
"The Remnants have parasitized their bodies to attack us. The others are likely doomed."
"Is the Criminal Sequence useless here?"
"No, it works. I've gathered everyone and assigned enough Criminal Sequence members to ensure they are awake. The 'Endless Prison' suppresses illusions, but these people were likely parasitized before they even realized the danger."
"One more thing," Mu Zhong added. "Among the fragments we saw earlier, I can confirm two were the Criminal Sequence members from that Australian vehicle."
The channel went silent. In other words, the Remnants had killed the Criminal Sequence members who could stay awake and parasitized the challengers who couldn't. They knew exactly how humans fought back.
"These parasitic tentacles are a more advanced form of the Remnant than the red roots from the Sequence 5 world."
"Researchers said those were just larvae. We are facing the mature forms now."
"Be careful. Their attack power is roughly three times that of a Two-Headed Hidden Demon."
"Strong, but the vehicle can kill them."
"Commander, let's just blast through!"
Wei Huan nodded. "Agreed."
By now, Xu Qingqiang had shredded Krishna and was tearing into the mature tentacles to sate the loss from his bloodlust. In his "Gluttony" state, he was terrifying, consuming both the tentacles and even any Hidden Demons nearby. Wei Huan never stopped him; Xu Qingqiang was a beast that needed to be fed to fight. Normally, his sanity kept him from eating the undead, but the fact that he was doing so now meant his condition was deteriorating.
"Xu Qingqiang?" Mu Zhong asked.
Xu Qingqiang's raspy, cackling voice came through: "Hehehe, no damn energy, hehehe."
Meaning the tentacles provided no energy? What were they then?
Wei Huan didn't wait for answers. He ordered: "Return. Changing tactics."
Xu Qingqiang, not yet lost to madness, retreated immediately. The shield allowed him through, and he returned to the hood, carrying a Hidden Demon by the neck like a chicken to continue his feast.
The scene was bloody, but Mu Zhong and Wei Huan looked away, focusing on the battlefield. With Xu Qingqiang back, all vehicles entered attack mode. Cannons roared, blasting the bodies that could no longer be called comrades. As Wei Huan said, they would use fire to send their souls home to rest. They were only killing monsters occupying stolen nests.
'Boom! Boom!!'
Amidst the bombardment, Wei Huan looked at Xu Qingqiang, who was finishing his meal. "Can you talk now? What's the deal with those tentacles?"
The man squatting on the hood turned around, revealing a face covered in thorn-like demon patterns. His crimson eyes stared at Wei Huan, unable to hide the underlying killing intent and instability.